Can You Love the Unlovable with Danielle Zapchenk #199
- Danielle Derks Zapchenk
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
What’s the big deal if you love people who already love you? That’ the question Jesus posed to those who gathered to listen to him in Luke chapter six. Today I would love to share one of my recent messages from our home church from a series called Questions Jesus Asked. Next week we are back with my 200th episode, we can’t even believe it THANK YOU! Please enjoy this message wherever it may find you today.
Sermon Notes:
What’s the big deal if you love people who already love you?
When people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and write you off as evil on account of the Son of Man, you are blessed! If you’re listening, here’s My message: Keep loving your enemies no matter what they do. Keep doing good to those who hate you. Keep speaking blessings on those who curse you. Keep praying for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone steals your coat, offer him your shirt too. If someone begs from you, give to him. If someone robs you of your valuables, don’t demand them back. Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them. Jesus said, Listen, what’s the big deal if you love people who already love you? Even scoundrels do that much! … If you want to be extraordinary—love your enemies! Luke 6:32-35
Jesus said, what’s the big deal if you love people who already love you?
choosing to love the unlovable… that’s the big deal.
If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. Luke 6:29
“When we learn to live out the Scriptures the way Jesus lived out the Scriptures, our lives will begin to reflect his Kingdom way of radical love. This counter cultural life will often require us to do the opposite of our natural instincts—instincts that, left unchecked, will only continue to lead to more of the same polarizing, divisive, relationally messed-up stuff we’ve been experiencing. If we don’t choose the opposite, we’ll stay stuck in the same patterns and places we keep finding ourselves.Family conversations will remain stifled or fall silent, crippled by the fear of triggering reactions. Friendships will continue to disintegrate as unacknowledged wrongs and unforgiven wounds destroy trust. The most vulnerable among us will continue to suffer while we look the other way and shrink back from getting involved. We will continue to live in the shallows of spiritual maturity, leaving one church after another in search of a place where everyone thinks just like us. We can choose that way. Or we can choose the opposite way of the Kingdom and follow Jesus.” Tammy Melchein – Choosing the Opposite
“If you want to be extraordinary—love your enemies! Luke 6:35
Excerpt read from The Lives We Acutally Have by Kate Bowler
I hope you enjoyed this message I know this is a tough topic for all of us.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who is someone that kept coming into your head during this podcast, and how can you pray for them?
2. Has there been a relationship God has redeemed for you in the past?
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That's it for today, I appreciate you spending your time with me. Remember, loving the unlovable feels opposite but God is with you.
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