Blessed Are You: Remembering Saints and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Blessed Are the Poor, Hungry, and Weeping—God’s Favor Rests on the Lowly

Jesus proclaims blessing over those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted, assuring them that God’s kingdom belongs to them and that their suffering is not overlooked but honored by God. In these words, the marginalized and hurting are named as privileged recipients of divine favor, not because of their circumstances, but because God’s presence is with them in their pain. This radical reversal of expectations invites all who feel forgotten or burdened to trust that God sees, values, and promises transformation for them. Even in the midst of discomfort or injustice, God’s blessing is real and active, offering hope and a future where laughter and fullness will replace sorrow and lack. [20:36]

Luke 6:20-23 (ESV)
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most overlooked or burdened, and how might you open yourself today to receive God’s blessing and presence in that very place?

Day 2: Love Your Enemies and Do Good to All

Jesus calls his followers to a radical love that extends even to those who hate, curse, or abuse them, urging them to respond with generosity, forgiveness, and compassion rather than retaliation. This teaching challenges the natural impulse to protect oneself or seek revenge, instead inviting believers to reflect God’s mercy by loving their enemies, blessing those who curse them, and giving freely without expecting anything in return. Such love is not passive but active, seeking the good of others and embodying the grace that God has shown to all. In living this way, disciples become true reflections of God’s light in the world. [21:16]

Luke 6:27-31 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that is difficult to love, and what is one concrete way you can show them kindness or pray for them this week?

Day 3: Saints Are Ordinary People Who Reveal God’s Light

A saint is not a distant, perfect figure but someone who reveals God’s light through their words, actions, and presence in the world—often in simple, everyday ways. Saints are found all around us: in those who care for the sick, offer hope to the frightened, or serve quietly and faithfully in their families and communities. Their lives are marked by humility, perseverance, and a willingness to bless others, even in the face of suffering or uncertainty. Each person is called to recognize the saints among them and to see themselves as bearers of God’s light, both in times of joy and in seasons of hardship. [22:32]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who has revealed God’s light to you, and how might you intentionally reflect that same light to someone else today?

Day 4: Remembering the Saints—Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before

Remembering the saints who have gone before us is a sacred act that honors their legacy of faith, love, and service, and reminds us of the ways they have blessed our lives. These saints—family members, friends, mentors—have shaped us through their kindness, resilience, and trust in God, often in the midst of great trials. Their stories encourage us to persevere, to share joy, and to trust that God is present in both our grief and our hope. As we remember them, we are invited to give thanks, to grieve honestly, and to carry forward their example of living as God’s beloved. [28:11]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: Take a moment to remember a saint who has blessed your life—what is one way you can honor their memory by living out their example this week?

Day 5: Christ’s Promise—Grief Is Honored and Hope Is Assured

In Christ, grief is not dismissed or minimized but honored, and a promise is given that sorrow will not have the final word; through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the outcome is changed and hope is assured. The pain of loss is real, but so is the assurance that God is with us in our mourning, offering comfort and the promise of reunion and joy. This hope does not erase grief but transforms it, allowing us to live with courage and assurance that love endures beyond death. In remembering this promise, we are invited to trust that God’s favor and encouragement are present, even in our deepest sorrow. [30:14]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Where do you need to experience Christ’s comfort and hope in your grief today, and how can you open your heart to God’s promise that love endures beyond loss?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to remember and honor the saints—those who have gone before us, those who walk among us, and those who will come after us. The words of Jesus from Luke’s Gospel remind us that God’s blessing is not reserved for the powerful or the comfortable, but is poured out on the poor, the hungry, the grieving, and the persecuted. These are the ones Jesus calls “blessed,” not because of their circumstances, but because God’s favor rests upon them. In the midst of hardship, loss, and even exclusion, God’s presence transforms suffering into hope and mourning into laughter.

We reflected on the lives of saints we have known—ordinary people who revealed God’s light through their compassion, perseverance, and faithfulness. Stories like Aaron, the retired oncology nurse who continues to find hope and purpose despite her own health struggles, and the quiet endurance of my grandfather and mother-in-law, who faced adversity with humility and trust in God. These saints, both living and departed, have shaped us by their example, teaching us what it means to love, to serve, and to trust in God’s promises.

All Saints Sunday is a time to remember not only the great heroes of faith, but also the everyday saints who have blessed our lives in small and profound ways. We are reminded that sainthood is not about perfection, but about being recipients and bearers of God’s grace. As we light candles and name those we have loved and lost, we hold fast to the promise that Christ honors our grief, transforms our sorrow, and assures us that death does not have the final word. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are given the hope of reunion and the assurance that God’s love endures beyond all things.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s blessing is found in unexpected places. Jesus declares the poor, the hungry, the grieving, and the persecuted as blessed—not because of their suffering, but because God’s favor is with them. This challenges us to look for God’s presence not in comfort or success, but in the midst of life’s struggles, trusting that divine grace meets us where we are most vulnerable. [20:36]
2. Sainthood is revealed in ordinary acts of love and perseverance. Saints are not distant, perfect figures, but people who bring light through their daily actions—caring for the sick, enduring hardship with hope, and offering kindness in simple ways. Their lives remind us that holiness is woven into the fabric of everyday faithfulness. [22:32]
3. Remembering the saints connects us to a larger story. By recalling those who have gone before us, we are reminded that we are part of a community that spans generations. Their faith and love continue to shape us, and our own lives become part of the ongoing witness to God’s goodness in the world. [24:22]
4. Christ honors our grief and promises transformation. Jesus does not dismiss our mourning, but acknowledges it and assures us that it will be turned to laughter. In the midst of loss, we are given the promise that God’s presence brings comfort and hope, and that our sorrow is not the end of the story. [30:14]
5. The hope of resurrection sustains us. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are given the assurance that death is not the final word. We hold to the promise that we will see our loved ones again, and that God’s love endures beyond all separation, giving us courage to live as saints in the world today. [30:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:36] - Jesus’ Blessings and Woes
[21:16] - Radical Love and Generosity
[21:54] - What Makes a Saint
[22:32] - Aaron’s Story: A Modern Saint
[23:42] - Finding Hope in Hardship
[24:22] - The Meaning of All Saints Sunday
[25:02] - Remembering Those Who Passed
[25:38] - The Unexpected Beatitudes
[26:54] - Jesus Comes Down to Bless
[27:33] - God’s Favor in Hardship
[28:11] - Remembering Saints Who Blessed Us
[28:50] - Family Stories of Faith
[30:14] - Christ’s Promise in Grief
[30:58] - Remembering and Lighting Candles
[31:49] - Prayer for the Saints
[32:46] - Blessed Assurance Hymn

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: All Saints Sunday – Blessed in Unexpected Places

Bible Reading

Luke 6:20-26 (ESV)
> And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
> “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
> Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
> Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
> Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
> Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
> But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
> Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
> Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
> Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Luke 6, who does he call “blessed,” and what are the reasons he gives for this?
What are the “woes” that Jesus pronounces, and who are they directed toward?
In the sermon, what are some examples of “saints” given, and what qualities did they show in their lives? ([22:32])
How does the sermon describe the way Jesus responds to those who are grieving or suffering? ([30:14])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus choose to call the poor, hungry, grieving, and persecuted “blessed” instead of those who are comfortable or successful? What does this say about God’s values? ([20:36])
The sermon says that sainthood is not about perfection but about being recipients and bearers of God’s grace. How does this understanding of sainthood challenge or encourage the way people see themselves and others? ([24:22])
The pastor shared stories of ordinary people—like Aaron, her grandfather, and mother-in-law—who revealed God’s light through daily acts. What do these stories teach about what it means to be a saint in everyday life? ([22:32])
The sermon mentions that remembering the saints connects us to a larger story and community. Why is it important to remember those who have gone before us, and how can their faith shape our own? ([28:11])

Application Questions

Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” When have you experienced God’s comfort or hope in a time of grief or loss? How did that experience shape your faith? ([30:14])
Think of someone in your life who has shown you God’s love through simple, everyday actions. What did they do, and how did it impact you? How might you follow their example this week? ([22:32])
The sermon challenges us to look for God’s presence not in comfort or success, but in the midst of struggle. Where in your life right now do you feel most vulnerable, and how can you invite God’s grace into that place? ([27:33])
The pastor described lighting candles and naming those we have loved and lost. Is there someone you want to remember and honor today? What is one way you can carry their legacy forward in your own life? ([30:58])
Sainthood is described as being woven into everyday faithfulness. What is one ordinary act of love or perseverance you can commit to this week, either at home, work, or in your community? ([24:22])
The hope of resurrection means that death does not have the final word. How does this promise affect the way you face loss or think about the future? ([30:58])
The sermon invites us to trust in God’s promises even when life is hard. What is one promise of God you need to hold onto right now, and how can your small group support you in that? ([29:32])

Closing Prayer:
Invite group members to name aloud (or silently) a “saint” who has blessed their life, and pray for God’s comfort, hope, and courage to live as saints in the world today.

Sermon Clips

Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. rejoice in that day and leap for joy. For surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when I'll speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets." [00:20:24]

But I say to you that, and now listen, love your neighbor, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other. And from anyone who takes your coat, do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you. And if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. [00:21:25]

It is said a saint is someone who reveals light and what they say and what they do or how they bring themselves into the world. So look around you right now and you will find yourself sitting next to a saint. They are everywhere. [00:22:02]

She was an oncology nurse at Minneapolis Children's Hospital her whole career from age 22 to 60. She took care of children who were diagnosed with cancer and their families and she offered nurturance and hope lifting frightened souls. Aaron was recently retired and it was just a few months in that she woke one morning unable to speak with and a weakened body. ambulance to the hospital. [00:22:32]

But since that time, she has worked hard to regain her strength, going to therapists and the gym and walking around her neighborhood, rebuilding her balance. She's determined to enjoy her retirement, to travel with her husband and care for her new grandchildren, and she wants to volunteer in those places she imagined she would when she finally had time. She's okay with what happened. [00:23:35]

The early followers of Jesus recognized how easy it was to forget the people had gave their lives up for Jesus so the message would get out. And they wanted for us to remember that. And so they made a special day to remember and it went along many many many many years and then after the reformation 500 plus years ago the church were was reminded by Paul's letters and how he states that we are all saints because of Jesus Christ. [00:24:08]

So we come on all saints Sundays to acknowledge all the saints in the eyes of God and those who passed away, those who we have loved and gone on to their heavenly home, but specifically those who died this past year. So we are saints as we sit in our pews on a Sunday morning and we are saints when we leave out and go to the world sharing God's light and then finally we are saints when we go to our heavenly homes for our text today is very full and it's called the sermon on the plane the beginning of the sermon on the plane and it's coming out of the gospel of Luke [00:24:48]

We might expect funeral texts like John 14 when Jesus prepares his disciples for his death and his return and telling them in my father's house there will be many rooms and I will bring you there and you will be with me. Or we might hear how Paul says that there's nothing that will keep us from the love of God, not even death. This might be what we expect on a day like today. [00:25:51]

But instead we hear the biatitudes, blessed are you. But I guess we probably need this message in all circumstances, even on all saints Sunday. Blessed are you. In our lesson, Jesus has been up to the mountain to pray, but instead of staying there, he comes down. And we see in our text that he's looking up at his disciples, but he is in and around all who are there to listen to him. When he begins with, "Blessed are you." [00:26:25]

These people have come to hear him preach and they've come to be healed, restored to fullness of body, mind, and spirit. And Jesus comes down and is with them and blesses them. Now bless can be interpreted as to be happy or to be fortunate but in this context we would say it means to be privileged recipients of divine favor. [00:27:08]

So today as we listen to Jesus speak of blessing or more to the point to those who are especially blessed. the poor and the hungry, those who are persecuted for their faith, and those who were weeping. And in the hearing of this blessing, they learn the presence of God is with them, and their lives will be transformed. The uncomfortable, unjust life circumstances they are in, they are in God's favor. Do not forget that, says Jesus. [00:27:41]

And today we remember the saints that have gone before us, the ways they blessed our lives and the ways they shared themselves, loving as they were able, bringing light and life. Had two saints that stuck out for me this week as I thought about this text. My grandfather lived 60 years with lungs damaged after being gassed with nitrogen mustard while in France during World War I. He never complained, always working hard on his little farm to feed his family, sending all his children to college and instilling in them the love of God. He was humble. [00:28:16]

And then there was my mother-in-law, Mary, who raised eight children, as you can imagine, while her husband was overseas, Vietnam and Korea. And she lost one child to a sledding accident and another to schizophrenia, and had many other trials. But she always stayed the course, trusting all would be well and all the while sharing joy. [00:29:18]

And the way they served a meal or greeted us in a morning or helped change a tire on the side of a busy road or comforted us when we were sad or gave hope when it was hard to believe, knew just what to say or knew when to be quiet. These saints we are blessed. [00:29:52]

And today we are reminded us of Christ who blesses us who mourn and weep and promising laughter. Christ does not de dismiss our grief but honors it and promises favor that we aren't without encouragement. In this remembering of the saints, we are reminded of the promise that is given us through Jesus Christ. That his death and resurrection change the outcome that we will all see each other again one day. [00:30:14]

I'm going to ask you to just take a moment right now to remember a saint, someone who might now be walking around sharing light and love, but also ones that have gone before us. Maybe over this past year or a long time ago. Holding these names. How they blessed and lived in the world. [00:30:58]

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Blessed Are You: Remembering Saints and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Blessed Are the Poor, Hungry, and Weeping—God’s Favor Rests on the Lowly

Day 2: Love Your Enemies and Do Good to All

Day 3: Saints Are Ordinary People Who Reveal God’s Light

Day 4: Remembering the Saints—Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before

Day 5: Christ’s Promise—Grief Is Honored and Hope Is Assured

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Blessed Are You: Remembering Saints and Hope

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