Remembering and Living as Saints in God’s Light

Today, we gathered as one body to celebrate the communion of saints—those who have gone before us, those who walk among us, and the promise that we are all part of God’s beloved family. We remembered that sainthood is not reserved for the famous or the canonized, but is the calling and inheritance of every believer. Through the readings from Ephesians and Luke, we were reminded that we have received a glorious inheritance in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and that our lives are meant to reflect the hope, love, and power of God at work in the world.

All Saints Day is a time to honor the “great cloud of witnesses” who have shaped our faith, not only through grand gestures but often through simple acts of love, kindness, and courage. Saints are those who shine the light of Christ in dark places, who love when it is hard to love, and who believe in God’s power to transform not just individuals but entire communities. We are called to be such saints—people who see the needs around us and respond with compassion, who refuse to write others off, and who recognize the holiness in every person, even those we find difficult.

The teachings of Jesus in Luke 6 challenge us to a radical way of living: to bless those who curse us, to love our enemies, to give generously, and to treat others as we wish to be treated. This is not a sentimental or easy love, but a love rooted in the power and grace of God. We are reminded that the saints we remember today were not perfect, but they sought to follow Christ in all things, and their stories encourage us to do the same.

As we lit candles and named those who have touched our lives, we gave thanks for their enduring light and the ways they have helped us see God’s love more clearly. We also affirmed our own place in this ongoing story, called to shine with the light of Christ and to be living witnesses to God’s transforming grace. In the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup, we joined with all the saints—past, present, and future—in the hope of the heavenly banquet where all are welcomed, loved, and made whole.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sainthood is the inheritance and calling of every believer, not just the famous or canonized. Each of us is part of God’s great family, called to shine the light of Christ in our daily lives, often through simple acts of love and kindness that ripple through generations. [15:13]
• 2. The saints are not distant icons but living witnesses to the transforming power of grace. Their stories—both well-known and hidden—remind us that God works through ordinary people who are willing to love when it is difficult and to stand with those in need. [31:32]
• 3. Jesus’ beatitudes in Luke 6 are a radical reordering of what it means to be blessed. True happiness is found not in power or comfort, but in solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the grieving, and even our enemies. This summons us to a life of collective compassion and justice. [29:58]
• 4. The memory of those who have gone before us strengthens us for the journey ahead. Their light refuses to go out, and as we remember them, we are encouraged to let our own lives be a blessing to others, knowing that every act of love leaves a mark on the world. [37:56]
• 5. Christian life is inherently communal; our salvation is bound up with the salvation of others. We are called to nurture unity, to forgive, and to seek peace, recognizing that the holiness of God is present in every person—even those we find hardest to love. [34:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:57] - Opening Prayer and Gathering
• [10:13] - Reading from Ephesians: Our Inheritance in Christ
• [13:00] - Children’s Message: What Makes a Saint?
• [15:35] - Saints as Lights in the World
• [18:46] - Children’s Prayer and Candle Lighting
• [21:20] - Gospel Reading: Luke 6 and the Beatitudes
• [27:51] - The Meaning of All Saints Day
• [29:58] - Jesus’ Radical Blessings and the Call to Social Holiness
• [31:32] - Everyday Saints: Living Witnesses of Grace
• [34:22] - Communal Faith and the Cloud of Witnesses
• [37:56] - Remembering and Honoring the Saints
• [41:52] - Affirmation of Faith and Naming the Departed
• [45:51] - Candle Lighting and Prayers of Remembrance
• [52:35] - Confession, Forgiveness, and Passing the Peace
• [56:03] - Offering and Stewardship
• [60:30] - Great Thanksgiving and Holy Communion
• [73:47] - Prayer After Communion and Sending Forth
• [76:34] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:11-23 (NIV) — > In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
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> For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Luke 6:20-31 (NIV) — > Looking at his disciples, he said:
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> “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
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> Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
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> Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
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> 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.
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> Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
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> “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
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> Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
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> Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
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> Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
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> “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.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 1, what does it mean that believers have received an “inheritance in Christ” and have been “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”? ([10:13])
2. In Luke 6, who does Jesus call “blessed,” and what kinds of situations or people does he focus on? ([25:57])
3. The sermon described saints as “lights in the world.” What are some examples given of how saints shine God’s light in everyday life? ([15:35])
4. What is the “great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in the sermon, and how does remembering them impact us today? ([37:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says sainthood is not just for the famous or canonized, but for every believer. How does this idea challenge or encourage the way people see themselves and others in the church? ([14:45])
2. Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6 calls for loving enemies and blessing those who curse us. Why might this be described as a “radical reordering” of what it means to be blessed? ([29:58])
3. The sermon mentions that Christian life is “inherently communal” and that “our salvation is bound up with the salvation of others.” What does this mean for how believers relate to one another? ([34:22])
4. The memory of those who have gone before us is said to “strengthen us for the journey ahead.” In what ways can remembering past saints help believers live out their faith today? ([37:56])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that sainthood is our inheritance and calling, and that we are called to shine the light of Christ in daily life, often through simple acts of love and kindness. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the chance to show kindness or courage? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? ([15:13])
2. Saints are described as people who “love when it is hard to love” and “refuse to write others off.” Is there someone in your life right now who is difficult for you to love? What is one practical step you could take this week to show them compassion? ([32:10])
3. Jesus’ words in Luke 6 challenge us to bless those who curse us and to treat others as we wish to be treated. Is there a specific relationship or situation where you find this teaching especially hard to live out? What would it look like to take Jesus’ words seriously in that context? ([26:54])
4. The sermon encourages us to see the holiness in every person, even those we find hardest to love. How can you remind yourself to look for God’s image in people you disagree with or struggle to understand? ([40:54])
5. The “cloud of witnesses” includes people who have shaped our faith through simple acts. Who is one person (living or departed) who has helped you see God’s love more clearly? How might you honor their example in your own life this week? ([37:35])
6. The sermon says that Christian life is communal and calls us to nurture unity, forgive, and seek peace. Is there a relationship in your church, family, or community where you need to seek forgiveness or work toward unity? What is one step you can take? ([34:22])
7. As we remember the saints, we are invited to let our own lives be a blessing to others. What is one specific way you can be a “living witness” to God’s grace in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this month? ([37:56])