Embodying Christ's Radical Call in a Divided World

Devotional

Day 1: The Radical Call of the Sermon on the Mount

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are not just ancient wisdom—they are a radical, counter-cultural manifesto that challenges us to live differently from the world around us. In a time when even quoting Jesus’ words can be seen as subversive or weak, we are reminded that following Christ means embracing a way of life that often runs contrary to the prevailing attitudes of our culture. The Beatitudes, in particular, call us to values like mercy, peacemaking, and humility, which can feel upside-down compared to the world’s wisdom. Will we have the courage to let these words shape us, even when they are difficult or unpopular? [09:26]

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection: Which Beatitude do you find most challenging to live out, and what is one specific way you can intentionally practice it today?

Day 2: Being Salt and Light in a Divided World

Jesus calls his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, meaning we are to preserve what is good and shine with a different kind of wisdom and love than what the world offers. Salt preserves by being distinct from what it touches, and light dispels darkness simply by shining, not by fighting. In a culture marked by division and outrage, our calling is to be different—to bless those we disagree with, to love our enemies, and to radiate the light of Christ rather than the light of our favorite pundit or influencer. This is not weakness, but the strength of Christ at work in us. [12:45]

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
“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: In what specific situation this week can you choose to be “salt” or “light” by responding differently than the world expects?

Day 3: Choosing the Narrow Way

The way of Christ is described as the narrow gate—a path that is not always easy, but leads to true life. It is tempting to follow the crowd, to respond to hatred with hatred, or to let ourselves be shaped by the loudest voices in our culture. But Jesus invites us to resist these pulls and instead walk the harder, less-traveled road of love, forgiveness, and integrity. This narrow way requires real strength and intentionality, but it is the path that leads to life and wholeness, both for us and for our communities. [17:39]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to take the “wide road,” and what would it look like to choose the narrow way of Christ instead?

Day 4: Resisting the Pull of Division

In a world full of “conflict entrepreneurs” who profit from stirring up division, it is easy to get swept up in outrage and hostility, especially when we encounter those who think or vote differently than we do. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we are called to model a different way—to love one another across our differences and to refuse to let ourselves be manipulated by those who seek to divide us. This means being intentional about what voices we allow to shape us and choosing unity and love over conflict and suspicion. [06:23]

Romans 12:16-18 (ESV)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Reflection: Is there a relationship or situation where you have allowed division or suspicion to take root? What is one step you can take today to move toward peace and unity?

Day 5: Shaped by the Word, Not the World

Our challenge as Christ followers is to be formed more by the words and example of Jesus than by the ever-present voices of media, culture, or politics. When we allow ourselves to be shaped by the world, we risk losing sight of the radical, life-giving way of Christ. But when we return to the basics—immersing ourselves in Jesus’ teachings and letting them guide our actions—we become people who can truly make a difference in a divided and hurting world. The question is not whether Jesus’ way works, but whether we are willing to be radical enough to try it. [18:34]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can let Jesus’ words shape your thinking and actions more than the messages you receive from the world this week?

Sermon Summary

Christianity today faces a profound crisis, not because the teachings of Jesus have lost their power, but because many who claim to follow Him have become disconnected from His radical call. In a world where even quoting the Sermon on the Mount can be dismissed as “weak” or “outdated,” it’s clear that the church is at a crossroads. The temptation to be shaped by the world—by its outrage, its divisions, and its “conflict entrepreneurs”—is strong. Yet, the call of Christ is to be different: to be salt and light, to embody a wisdom and a way of being that stands in stark contrast to the prevailing culture.

This community, a “purple church” where people of differing political views gather as one family, has a unique opportunity and responsibility. The world is watching to see if it’s possible to love one another across divides, to resist the pull of vitriol, and to model a better way. The answer is not to become culture warriors, but to become countercultural servants—people who are shaped more by the words of Jesus than by the noise of the world.

The Sermon on the Mount, especially the Beatitudes, is Jesus’ countercultural manifesto. It calls us to bless those who persecute us, to turn the other cheek, to pray for our enemies, and to be peacemakers. These are not easy teachings; they are radical, and they require real strength. The world may call them weak, but in truth, it is far easier to follow the crowd into outrage than to stand firm in love and grace.

To inoculate ourselves against the divisiveness of our age, we must return to the basics: the red-letter words of Jesus. We must choose the narrow way, the hard road that leads to life, rather than the wide and easy road that leads to destruction. This week, the challenge is to pick one Beatitude that is hardest to live out and intentionally practice it. The question is not whether Jesus’ way works, but whether we are willing to be radical enough to try it.

Key Takeaways

1. The crisis in Christianity is not due to the irrelevance of Jesus’ teachings, but because many have allowed the world’s values to overshadow the radical call of Christ. When the words of Jesus are dismissed as weak, it reveals a heart shaped more by culture than by the gospel. True discipleship requires a return to the foundational teachings of Jesus, especially when they challenge our comfort and assumptions. [01:22]
2. Division within the church is a real and present danger, especially in a polarized society. The dream of the pews being ripped apart is a vivid metaphor for how easily the body of Christ can be torn by internal strife. Our calling is to resist the forces that seek to divide us and to model unity that transcends political and cultural boundaries. [05:25]
3. The world is full of “conflict entrepreneurs” who profit from stirring up outrage and division. As followers of Jesus, we must be vigilant not to be manipulated by these voices, whether in media or in our personal circles. Instead, we are called to be peacemakers, inoculating ourselves against the toxicity of the age by rooting ourselves in the teachings of Christ. [06:23]
4. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount are not just lofty ideals; they are a radical, countercultural way of life. To be salt and light means to be distinct from the world, preserving what is good and illuminating what is true—not by force, but by faithful presence. Living this way requires courage, as it often means blessing those who curse us and loving those who oppose us. [10:32]
5. The narrow way of Christ is hard, but it leads to life. It takes real strength to resist the easy path of hatred, outrage, and division, and to instead choose love, blessing, and reconciliation. The challenge is to intentionally practice the hardest Beatitude in our daily lives, trusting that the radical way of Jesus is still the way that brings true transformation. [17:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Christianity in Crisis: Quoting Jesus
[04:36] - The Dream: Ripping Up the Pews
[05:25] - The Real Fear: Division in the Church
[06:23] - Conflict Entrepreneurs and Cultural Vitriol
[07:58] - Back to Basics: The Words of Jesus
[09:26] - The Radical Nature of the Sermon on the Mount
[10:32] - Jesus’ Countercultural Manifesto
[12:46] - Salt of the Earth: Preserving and Distinct
[14:10] - Light of the World: Radiating Christ
[15:57] - What’s Weak and What’s Strong
[16:47] - The Narrow Way: Choosing Christ’s Path
[17:39] - The Wide Gate vs. The Narrow Gate
[18:34] - The Radical Call to Be Different
[19:28] - Challenge: Living the Beatitudes This Week

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes, ESV) — 1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:38-44 (ESV) — 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
...
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) — 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what are some specific teachings from the Sermon on the Mount that people today find “radical” or even “weak”? ([01:22])
What metaphor did the pastor use to describe the danger of division within the church, and what did it represent? ([04:36])
In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” How does the sermon describe what it means to be a peacemaker in today’s world? ([09:26])
What does Jesus mean by the “narrow gate” and the “wide gate” in Matthew 7:13-14, and how did the sermon connect this to our daily choices? ([17:39])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon suggests that dismissing Jesus’ teachings as “weak” reveals a heart shaped more by culture than by the gospel. Why might people—even Christians—be tempted to see the Beatitudes as unrealistic or outdated? ([01:22])
The pastor described the church as a “purple church” with people of different political views. What does it look like for a church to model unity that transcends political and cultural boundaries? ([05:25])
The sermon talks about “conflict entrepreneurs” who profit from stirring up outrage and division. How can followers of Jesus recognize when they are being influenced by these voices, and what does it mean to “inoculate” ourselves against this? ([06:23])
Jesus calls his followers to be “salt” and “light.” In practical terms, what does it mean to be distinct from the world while still being present in it? ([10:32])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to pick one Beatitude that is hardest for us to live out and intentionally practice it this week. Which Beatitude do you find most challenging, and what would it look like to practice it in a specific situation you’re facing? ([19:28])
When was the last time you felt tempted to respond to someone with outrage or division, either online or in person? How could you have responded differently if you were intentionally trying to be “salt and light”? ([06:23])
The pastor said it takes real strength to bless those who curse us and to love those who oppose us. Can you think of a recent example where you had the opportunity to do this? What made it difficult or possible? ([15:57])
The sermon warns against being shaped by the world’s values instead of Jesus’ words. Are there specific sources (news, social media, conversations) that you notice are shaping your attitudes or reactions? What steps could you take to be shaped more by Jesus’ teachings? ([07:58])
The “purple church” is called to model unity in a divided world. Is there someone in our church or your life with whom you disagree strongly? What is one step you could take this week to show love or build a bridge with them? ([05:25])
Jesus describes the “narrow way” as hard but leading to life. What is one “easy” path you are tempted to take in your relationships or attitudes, and what would it look like to choose the “narrow way” instead? ([17:39])
The sermon says, “The question isn’t whether Jesus’ way works anymore. The question is whether or not we’ll be radical enough to try it.” What is one area of your life where you need courage to try Jesus’ way, even if it feels risky or countercultural? ([19:28])

Sermon Clips

You see how upside down Jesus kingdom is it's completely opposite than the wisdom of the world so our job as Christ followers is not to get in there and be cultural warriors now our job is to be counter cultural servants do you see the difference? [00:13:39] (27 seconds) #SaltOfTheEarthDifference

Those people who said that Jesus words are weak you want to know what's weak In my mind, responding to hatred with just more hatred. You want to know what's weak? Following the crowd into the latest outrage cycle, whatever it may be. You know what's weak? Allowing the conflict entrepreneurs to manipulate our emotions for their profit. That's weak. Not Jesus' words. [00:15:43] (32 seconds) #StrengthInLoveAndTruth

You want to know what takes strength? Here's what takes strength. Responding to hatred with love. That takes strength. You want to know what takes strength? Standing up to the crowd when they're wrong. That takes some strength. You want to know what takes strength? Refusing to be manipulated by those who profit from our division. That takes some real strength. [00:16:27] (29 seconds) #ChristianityInCrisisCall

We're a purple church. This opportunity we have, this responsibility we have to model how we can be salt and light in the world around us. And this is going to require us as individuals and as a church to be a little bit radical. To resist the pull of culture. To turn off the conflict entrepreneurs. To choose what Jesus calls later in the Sermon on the Mount, the narrow way. [00:16:56] (30 seconds) #RadicalCallToUnity

And so Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, they're not weak, they're radical, they're revolutionary, and they're so very real. They aren't liberal talking points, they're not conservative propaganda, they're the counter cultural manifesto of God's kingdom breaking into this very world. [00:18:41] (21 seconds)

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