Text Messages

Text Messages focus on the backstory of the upcoming text for this Sunday’s sermon. Provided by our pastors, these messages will give some background on that section of scripture text and give a few hints about where the sermon might be going. We hope you find these Text Messages helpful!

Sunday, February 23, 2025

SERMON SERIES:
“Radiance, In Plain Sight”

MESSAGE THEME:
“Praying for our Enemies”

TEXT(S):
Luke 6:27–38

Jesus said: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, 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 also; and from anyone who takes away 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. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

REFLECTION:
From Pastor Chris Enstad

I’ll admit I struggle with this passage. Loving enemies? Blessing those who curse me? That’s not my first instinct. Leadership in changing times and environments is challenging, and I have received much positive and negative feedback along the way. I am a work in progress when someone criticizes my decisions. At first, I want to be defensive and justify myself. But I am learning how to pause. What if I respond with curiosity instead of combativeness? What if I listen? It isn’t always easy, but changing that perspective can often change the conversation. It doesn’t always fix everything, but it softens something in me—and maybe in the other person, too.

Jesus’ words here are not just a call to be “nice.” They are a radical reorientation of the way we live in the world. This is not about weakness but about embodying the kind of mercy and love that Jesus himself lived—love that risks, love that forgives, love that looks foolish to the world. And yet, this is the radiance of God in plain sight.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Who is someone in your life that is difficult to love? What would it mean to see them as Jesus does?
Where have you seen mercy or generosity transform a situation or relationship?
What holds you back from the kind of radical love Jesus describes?

PRAYER:
God of mercy, you call us to a love that stretches beyond what is easy or comfortable. Help us to see others as you see them. Soften our hearts where they have grown hard. Teach us the joy of generosity, the strength of mercy, and the radiance of your love in plain sight. Amen.