Living Faith Counter-Culturally: Lessons from Luke 6

Devotional

Day 1: Living a Counter-Cultural Faith

Following Jesus means embracing a life that often goes against the grain of comfort, routine, and societal expectations. True discipleship is not about seeking the approval of others or finding security in wealth and ease, but about stepping out in faith even when it leads to hardship or misunderstanding. Jesus calls his followers to a life that may be marked by poverty, hunger, sorrow, or rejection, yet promises that these sacrifices are not in vain. The blessings he offers are not always visible in the present, but are rooted in the eternal hope and joy found in God’s kingdom. Are you willing to let go of comfort and familiarity to follow Christ wherever he leads? [38:39]

Luke 6:20-23 (NIV)
Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”

Reflection: What is one area of comfort or routine in your life that God may be inviting you to step beyond in order to follow Jesus more fully today?

Day 2: The Danger of Rooting Life in Comfort

Jesus warns that building your life on the pursuit of comfort, approval, and material success can ultimately leave you empty and alone. The world’s definition of happiness—being well-fed, laughing, and having everyone speak well of you—may seem appealing, but it is fleeting and shallow when separated from God. True fulfillment is not found in what the world offers, but in aligning your life with Christ’s values, even when it means facing discomfort or criticism. Consider what you are truly seeking: is it the fleeting praise of people, or the lasting joy of God’s presence? [40:24]

Luke 6:24-26 (NIV)
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to seek comfort or approval over faithfulness to Jesus, and how can you realign your priorities today?

Day 3: Radical Love and Nonviolent Resistance

Jesus calls his followers to a radical way of living: loving enemies, doing good to those who hate, blessing those who curse, and turning the other cheek. This is not passive acceptance of injustice, but an active, courageous response that refuses to retaliate and instead chooses peace and mercy. Such love is not natural or easy, but it is the way of Christ—a way that transforms hearts and communities. When you choose to respond to hurt with kindness and to opposition with love, you reflect the very heart of God to the world. [41:44]

Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that is difficult to love or forgive, and what is one practical step you can take today to show them Christ-like love?

Day 4: The Power of Gratitude and Humility

Gratitude and humility are at the heart of a vibrant faith. Like the one healed leper who returned to thank Jesus, we are called to recognize God’s grace in our lives and respond with thankfulness, regardless of our circumstances. Humility means acknowledging that God’s answers to our prayers may not always match our desires, but trusting that his wisdom and love are greater than our understanding. When you cultivate a spirit of gratitude and pray with humble trust, you open your heart to deeper joy and a stronger relationship with God. [35:50]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one specific thing you can thank God for today, even if it is not what you would have chosen or expected?

Day 5: Forgiveness as a Mark of Christian Community

Forgiveness is not just a personal virtue, but a defining characteristic of the Christian community. We are called to forgive those who hurt us the most, not out of weakness, but with the strength that comes from God’s love and example. Forgiveness frees us from bitterness and allows us to move forward in hope, building a community marked by love, mercy, and reconciliation. As you go about your daily life, remember that offering forgiveness is a powerful witness to the world of God’s grace at work in you. [48:17]

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today, and how might taking a step toward forgiveness bring healing to your heart and your relationships?

Sermon Summary

As the seasons change and we move into fall, we are reminded of the rhythms of life and the importance of community. This week, we celebrated the joy of Mark and Danny’s marriage, a living example of how love within our fellowship reflects the love God has for each of us. Our church family has been busy with events, service, and caring for one another—whether it’s helping with practical needs, supporting those who are ill, or simply being present for each other. These acts of kindness and service are not just traditions; they are the heartbeat of a faith that is lived out daily.

Turning to the teachings of Jesus in Luke 6, we are confronted with a radical call to live differently. Jesus’ blessings and woes challenge us to examine where we find our security and identity. The world tells us to seek comfort, wealth, and approval, but Jesus warns that these things are fleeting and ultimately empty without Him. Instead, He calls us to a life that may be uncomfortable, even counter-cultural—a life marked by humility, sacrifice, and love for those who may not love us in return.

Jesus’ instructions are clear and demanding: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. This is not passive faith, but active, courageous living. Turning the other cheek and giving generously, even to those who take from us, are not just moral ideals—they are the very ways we embody God’s love in a broken world. These teachings are not easy, but they are the path to true life and deep joy.

We are reminded that living out our faith means seeing God in the faces of others, especially in situations that seem hopeless or people who seem unlovable. Our calling is to be a community built on love, forgiveness, and obedience, reflecting Christ’s own love for His enemies. As we go into our daily lives, may we continue to fan the flames of our faith, offering hope and light in the darkness, and trusting that God’s faithfulness will sustain us.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Is Lived Out in Community and Service The small acts of service—helping with church needs, supporting those who are ill, and celebrating together—are not just chores or traditions. They are the tangible ways we express God’s love to one another, building a community where faith is not just spoken but enacted. In these moments, we become the hands and feet of Christ to each other. [24:46]
2. True Blessing Is Found Beyond Comfort and Approval Jesus’ blessings and woes in Luke 6 challenge us to look past the world’s measures of success. Comfort, wealth, and the approval of others may seem desirable, but they can distract us from the deeper blessings of God’s kingdom. Real fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with Christ, even when it means stepping out of what is familiar or easy. [39:44]
3. Radical Love Means Loving the Unlovable and Forgiving the Unforgivable Jesus calls us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and forgive those who hurt us most deeply. This is not a call to weakness, but to a courageous, counter-cultural love that mirrors God’s own heart. Forgiveness and mercy are not optional extras—they are the core of what it means to follow Jesus. [41:28]
4. Living Counter-Culturally Is Costly but Life-Giving Following Jesus often means going against the grain of society, refusing to retaliate, and choosing peace over vengeance. This path is not easy; it may bring misunderstanding or even hardship. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of costly obedience that we discover the depth of God’s presence and the reality of His kingdom. [43:14]
5. Seeing God in the Ordinary and the Hopeless Faith opens our eyes to see God at work in unexpected places—in the faces of those who are hurting, in the stories of forgiveness, and in the small acts of kindness that bring hope. Even in situations that seem hopeless, God’s love can break through, inviting us to participate in His redemptive work.

** [46:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:00] - Opening Announcements and Community Updates
[25:15] - Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
[26:37] - Celebrating Church Family and New Beginnings
[27:40] - Prayer Requests and Community Concerns
[29:03] - Opening Prayer
[32:15] - Reflections on Recent Church Life
[33:33] - Journey Through Luke: Recap of Recent Teachings
[36:03] - All Saints Sunday and the Communion of Saints
[37:29] - The Crowd, the Disciples, and the Apostles
[38:25] - Blessings and Woes: The Cost of Discipleship
[41:28] - Jesus’ Radical Commands: Love, Forgiveness, and Generosity
[43:14] - Living Counter-Culturally: Stories and Applications
[46:48] - Seeing God in the Ordinary and the Hopeless
[47:46] - Closing Prayer and Sending
[49:27] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 6:20-36 (NIV) —
> 20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
> “Blessed are you who are poor,
> for yours is the kingdom of God.
> 21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
> for you will be satisfied.
> Blessed are you who weep now,
> for you will laugh.
> 22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
> when they exclude you and insult you
> and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
> 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
> 24 “But woe to you who are rich,
> for you have already received your comfort.
> 25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
> for you will go hungry.
> Woe to you who laugh now,
> for you will mourn and weep.
> 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
> for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
> 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
> 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
> 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
> 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
> 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
> 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
> 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
> 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
> 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
> 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Observation Questions

What are the four blessings and four woes that Jesus gives in Luke 6? How do they contrast with each other? ([38:25])
According to Jesus, what specific actions are we called to take toward our enemies and those who mistreat us? ([41:28])
In the sermon, what examples were given of the church living out faith in community through acts of service and care? ([32:15])
What does Jesus say is the result of loving only those who love us back? ([42:28])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus warn against finding our security in comfort, wealth, and approval? What does he say is the danger of these things? ([39:44])
The sermon describes Jesus’ commands as “radical” and “counter-cultural.” What makes loving your enemies and turning the other cheek so different from the world’s way of living? ([43:14])
How does serving others in practical ways—like helping with needs or supporting those who are ill—reflect the love of God? ([24:46])
The sermon mentions seeing God in the faces of others, especially in hopeless situations. What does this mean, and how might it change the way we interact with people who are struggling? ([46:48])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you chose comfort or approval over following Jesus’ way. What was the outcome? How might you respond differently next time? ([39:44])
Is there someone in your life right now who is hard to love or forgive? What would it look like to take a first step toward loving or forgiving them, even if it feels uncomfortable? ([41:28])
The sermon talked about small acts of service—like helping with church needs or supporting someone who is sick. What is one practical way you can serve someone in our church family this week? ([24:46])
Jesus calls us to “turn the other cheek” and to give generously, even to those who take from us. Can you think of a situation where you could choose peace or generosity instead of retaliation or holding back? ([41:44])
When you see someone who seems hopeless or unlovable, what is your usual reaction? How could you begin to see them as God sees them? ([46:48])
The sermon mentioned “fanning the flames of our faith.” What is one thing you can do this week to keep your faith alive and growing, especially when it’s hard? ([34:36])
As a group, how can we encourage each other to live out these teachings of Jesus, especially when it means going against what’s comfortable or popular? ([43:14])

Sermon Clips

Now, today we're back in Luke again after that quick detour last week to the prophet Joel. But I hope you've caught onto a little bit of a theme over the past about seven or eight weeks now, starting all the way back where we talked about the babe of Lazarus. Now, this wasn't Lazarus who was raised from the dead. This was a different Lazarus. And each week since then has been a different piece of Christ's teachings along that I had given to to the Twelve as they make their journey towards Jerusalem, reminder of what our faith needs to look like. [00:33:37] (47 seconds) #FaithJourneyLuke

A few weeks ago, we read the story of a persistent woman and the lazy judge, remembering that God isn't like that judge. No, God responds. Maybe not always how we want God to respond or when we want God to respond, but he's not sitting by hoping that we'll just stop nagging. will provide. pray with humility, understanding that God's answer might not be the same as your desires. You pray with the humble strength that's founded in Jesus Christ. [00:35:07] (53 seconds) #PersistentPrayerPower

Wealth and comfort can look pretty good. It can look like life is easy, like everything is going the way you want it to go. Being well fed and not being hungry, that doesn't sound too bad. Laughing and enjoying life, that sounds nice as well, at least on the outside. And having everyone speak well of you, how could that be a bad thing? But Jesus points out that choosing comfort, choosing comfort, and choosing to make your life rooted in the luxuries him, may feel good now. It may look good now, but in the end, you'll go hungry. You'll lose the confidence of the world. You'll mourn and weep and realize that all you, were just to keep someone in your good graces. You'll realize that none of it was real as it relates to eternity, as it relates to God. [00:39:40] (68 seconds) #TheCostOfComfort

So Jesus wants to make it clear to those gathered that following him isn't going to be an easy road. That they will be and that they will face extreme hardship. That the things they see others enjoying may look like success. Those things may seem like happiness, but without Jesus, those things eventually leave you empty and alone. [00:40:48] (27 seconds) #HardRoadWithJesus

But Jesus doesn't stop here. He doesn't only provide for blessings or for those who believe or woes for those who don't. He gives us a series of verses explaining what it looks like to live out your faith. So the first is in verse 27. And Jesus says to love your enemies and to do good to those who hate you. The next is to bless those who curse you. Pray for them as well. Verse 29 says if someone slaps your cheek, you've got to turn the other one. It's a radical act of non-violent resistance that counters injustice by refusing to retaliate. Can you get more men than that? [00:41:15] (46 seconds) #RadicalLoveActions

But he keeps going. If someone takes your car, give them your coat. Give them your shirt to go with it. Give to everyone who asks for help. And if someone just takes something, don't demand that they give it back. In verse 31, one of the most famous verses in scripture in our golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do to you. This, this is how you live out your faith. [00:42:01] (31 seconds) #LiveTheGoldenRule

God, as we go into the world, into our jobs, into our everyday lives, may we continue show your love, to live out our faith in the world, to live lives that are counter-cultural, that show hope darkness. that we fan the flames of our faith each day. We are called to forgive those who hurt us the most. We are grateful for the many things that you give us and the opportunities that you give each of us to serve you, to show your love to the people in the world around us. [00:48:29] (42 seconds) #CommunityOfLoveForgiveness

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