Embracing Disruptive Hospitality: Sharing Hope at Our Tables
Summary
### Summary
Today marks the conclusion of our winter series, "Around the Table," where we have delved into the hospitality of Jesus and its implications for us as His followers. Over the past three weeks, we have explored how Jesus' hospitality was disruptive, interruptible, and often inconvenient, yet it was a profound expression of God's love. Jesus' method of connecting with people—eating and drinking with them—was a way to open the door of hope. We are called to emulate this by being doors of hope at our own tables, inviting friends, strangers, and family to share in our lives.
We discussed how living a life modeled after Jesus invites questions from others. Do people see the hope, peace, and provision in you and ask why? Our lives should provoke these questions, and we should be ready with gracious answers. Even if we don't feel naturally hospitable or evangelistic, we can still share our stories and be welcoming.
Jesus' interactions with His disciples, especially during the Last Supper, were highlighted. Despite their troubled hearts and personal failures, Jesus offered them comfort and guidance, emphasizing that He is the way, the truth, and the life. This same comfort is extended to us today. We are reminded that our Sunday gatherings are like a huddle in a sports game, preparing us for the real game of loving God and others throughout the week.
Jesus sent His disciples out to new tables, to people and places they had never been before, to share the good news. This mission continues today as we are called to find new tables and share the kingdom of God. We are encouraged to read the stories of Jesus, pray for those who don't know Him, and invite them to our tables.
Finally, we celebrated communion, a practice that has been passed down through centuries, symbolizing Jesus as our sustenance and provision. This simple yet profound act reminds us of God's abundant goodness and the rich variety of His blessings.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Disruptive Hospitality: Jesus' hospitality was often disruptive and inconvenient, yet it was a powerful expression of God's love. We are called to emulate this by being open to interruptions and welcoming others into our lives, even when it's not convenient. This kind of hospitality can upset the status quo but opens doors of hope for many. [33:11]
2. Living Questionable Lives: Our lives should provoke questions from others about the hope, peace, and provision they see in us. When people ask why we live the way we do, we should be ready with gracious answers, sharing the story of what God has done in our lives. This is a form of evangelism that everyone can participate in, regardless of their natural gifts. [35:38]
3. Comfort for Troubled Hearts: Jesus offers comfort to those with troubled hearts, just as He did for His disciples. He reminds us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. This assurance is crucial for us today as we navigate our own challenges and uncertainties, knowing that Jesus sees our troubled hearts and offers peace. [39:02]
4. The Huddle and the Game: Our Sunday gatherings are like a huddle in a sports game, preparing us for the real game of loving God and others throughout the week. This perspective shifts our focus from seeing Sunday as the main event to understanding it as preparation for our daily mission. [45:39]
5. The Power of Communion: Communion is a powerful symbol of Jesus as our sustenance and provision. It reminds us of God's abundant goodness and the rich variety of His blessings. This simple meal connects us to centuries of believers and underscores the importance of Jesus' sacrifice and provision in our lives. [51:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:11] - Jesus' Disruptive Hospitality
[34:09] - The Purpose of Jesus' Hospitality
[35:38] - Living Questionable Lives
[37:24] - Comfort for Troubled Hearts
[39:02] - Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
[41:17] - The Sending of the Disciples
[42:23] - The Broader Group of Followers
[43:24] - Finding New Tables
[45:05] - The Huddle and the Game
[46:42] - The Rhythm of Being Sent Out
[48:58] - How to Start: Read and Pray
[50:07] - The Weekly Table and Communion
[51:10] - The Power of Communion
[52:13] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
[54:24] - The Richness of God's Provision
[55:28] - Sharing Jehovah's Attributes
[56:35] - Invitation to the Table
[57:44] - Communion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:1-6 (NIV)
> "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
2. Luke 9:1-6 (NIV)
> "When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: 'Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.' So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere."
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
> "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key characteristics of Jesus' hospitality as described in the sermon? ([33:11])
2. How did Jesus' method of hospitality serve as a way to open the door of hope to people? ([34:09])
3. What does Jesus say to His disciples in John 14 to comfort their troubled hearts? ([39:02])
4. According to Luke 9, what instructions did Jesus give to His disciples when He sent them out? ([41:17])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus' hospitality was described as disruptive, interruptible, and inconvenient? How does this challenge our own approach to hospitality? ([33:11])
2. In what ways can our lives provoke questions from others about the hope, peace, and provision they see in us? ([35:38])
3. How does Jesus' statement "I am the way and the truth and the life" provide comfort to those with troubled hearts? ([39:02])
4. What does the practice of communion symbolize, and why is it significant for believers today? ([51:10])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced or offered hospitality that was disruptive or inconvenient. How did it impact you or others? ([33:11])
2. Think about your daily life. Do people see hope, peace, and provision in you? How can you be more intentional about living a life that provokes questions from others? ([35:38])
3. When you face challenges and uncertainties, how can you remind yourself that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life? What practical steps can you take to find comfort in His words? ([39:02])
4. How can you shift your perspective to see Sunday gatherings as a huddle preparing you for the real game of loving God and others throughout the week? ([45:39])
5. Identify one new "table" you can sit at this week—whether it's inviting someone new to your home or joining a new group. How can you share the kingdom of God in that setting? ([43:24])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of communion into your personal or family life to remind you of Jesus' sustenance and provision? ([51:10])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to be a door of hope for someone in your community? ([34:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Disruptive Hospitality
Jesus' hospitality was often disruptive and inconvenient, yet it was a powerful expression of God's love. We are called to emulate this by being open to interruptions and welcoming others into our lives, even when it's not convenient. This kind of hospitality can upset the status quo but opens doors of hope for many. Jesus' way of connecting with people—eating and drinking with them—was a method to open the door of hope. We are encouraged to invite friends, strangers, and family to share in our lives, even when it disrupts our plans. This kind of hospitality is not about having a perfect home or a perfect meal but about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and loved. [33:11]
Romans 12:13: "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Think of a time when you were interrupted by someone in need. How did you respond? How can you be more open to these "divine interruptions" in your daily life?
Day 2: Living Questionable Lives
Our lives should provoke questions from others about the hope, peace, and provision they see in us. When people ask why we live the way we do, we should be ready with gracious answers, sharing the story of what God has done in our lives. This is a form of evangelism that everyone can participate in, regardless of their natural gifts. Living a life modeled after Jesus invites questions from others. Do people see the hope, peace, and provision in you and ask why? Our lives should provoke these questions, and we should be ready with gracious answers. [35:38]
1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions. Do people see something different in you? How can you be more intentional about living a life that provokes questions about your faith?
Day 3: Comfort for Troubled Hearts
Jesus offers comfort to those with troubled hearts, just as He did for His disciples. He reminds us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. This assurance is crucial for us today as we navigate our own challenges and uncertainties, knowing that Jesus sees our troubled hearts and offers peace. Despite their troubled hearts and personal failures, Jesus offered His disciples comfort and guidance, emphasizing that He is the way, the truth, and the life. This same comfort is extended to us today. [39:02]
John 14:1-3: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
Reflection: What are the areas in your life where you feel troubled or anxious? How can you invite Jesus into those areas to receive His comfort and peace?
Day 4: The Huddle and the Game
Our Sunday gatherings are like a huddle in a sports game, preparing us for the real game of loving God and others throughout the week. This perspective shifts our focus from seeing Sunday as the main event to understanding it as preparation for our daily mission. Jesus sent His disciples out to new tables, to people and places they had never been before, to share the good news. This mission continues today as we are called to find new tables and share the kingdom of God. [45:39]
Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see Sunday gatherings as preparation for your daily mission? What steps can you take to be more intentional about loving God and others throughout the week?
Day 5: The Power of Communion
Communion is a powerful symbol of Jesus as our sustenance and provision. It reminds us of God's abundant goodness and the rich variety of His blessings. This simple meal connects us to centuries of believers and underscores the importance of Jesus' sacrifice and provision in our lives. We celebrated communion, a practice that has been passed down through centuries, symbolizing Jesus as our sustenance and provision. This simple yet profound act reminds us of God's abundant goodness and the rich variety of His blessings. [51:10]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How does participating in communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice and provision? How can you carry the significance of this act into your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We've learned that just like Jesus, we can welcome others. And we can also be welcomed. How have you gone being welcomed recently? Disciples of Jesus want to be with Jesus. They want to be like Jesus. And they want to live like Jesus lived. And we've seen that that is hospitably. Jesus' hospitality was disruptive. It's interruptible and it's inconvenient, and it upset the status quo." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus only does what he sees the Father doing, and God was hospitable to us. We looked at the Son of Man phrase. In the Gospels, the Son of Man came not to serve, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. And the Son of Man came eating and drinking. The first two, remember, refers to the purpose for which he came, to serve and to give his life as a ransom to seek and save the lost. And the third is how he did that. He came eating and drinking, connecting, having meals, inviting, welcoming to his table and being welcomed to other tables." (49 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you live questionable lives? Do you live lives that invite questions from others about how you live? Do they see the hope in you and ask why? Do they see the peace of you in you, the provision in you, the healing in you, the battles won in you? Do they ask why? Does your life bring questions? Modeling your life after Jesus and then having an answer for those who ask. Being a door of hope to others, our priority should be prayer for them." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Not all of us have the gift of hospitality. Not all of us have the gift of evangelism. But we can always provide an answer for what God has done in our world. We can tell our stories online. You can tell your stories. We can be doors of hope at our tables. Bringing rich conversations. And gracious answers. We don't always feel gracious. That's true. And why do people ask us these questions when we're frazzled and impatient and on our way somewhere? They did the same to Jesus, remember? But he was interruptible." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "How do you start if you want to be in the game? Two things. And they're very simple. Read the stories of Jesus. That's the first one. Disciples want to be with Jesus, be like Jesus and live how he lived. How do we know what that is? We read his stories. In Matthew, in Mark, Luke, John and the Acts of the Apostles. Read those in Scripture. If you'd like help figuring out how to do that, come and ask me or one of our leaders at Door of Hope. We'd love to help you on that journey. The second one, pray for three people that don't know Jesus and invite them to your table. Learn about Jesus, pray for others and invite them. That's a great way to get started in this game of being apprenticed to Jesus." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "As we've journeyed through the story of Jesus, we have seen some very troubled hearts in these stories. Do you come with a troubled heart this morning? Those sharing in our digital community. Do you come with a troubled heart today? A sick child. We read of an excluded woman. A religious leader with not much compassion. Friends in grief. Men exhausted with disability. A woman destined to remain in a church. A shunned minority. Devalued children. In amongst these stories of Jesus are also stories about his disciples. Who argued about which of them was the greatest. The past regrets were there of the followers who had lived dishonest lives." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do not let your hearts be troubled, Jesus says. You see, Door of Hope, the upper room was not the whole game. Just like our Sunday services are not the whole game. They are a huddle. Think about a sports team. They go and play the game, but what do they do before? They huddle in. They encourage each other. They remind themselves of the game plan. They tell each other what's going to happen. All hands in. Their coaches, their supporters stand with them. They tell stories of what they've done before. They huddle before the game. We don't come to play our game on Sunday. We come to huddle in preparation for the game. What's the game?" (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The game is loving God and loving others. The game is being a disciple of Jesus and apprenticing ourselves to him. To be like him. To do the things he did. To live like he lived. The game is to bring comfort, heal the sick, free people from demons, and share that the kingdom has come near to us. The game is going and making disciples of all nations. Baptizing them. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded them. That's the game. When does that game happen?" (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The twelve disciples were sent out maybe even up to two years before Jesus gave this command. Right? They were with him for three years. The sending out was not the very last thing that they did. They were sent out while they were learning. They were playing the game as they were learning. They didn't graduate from disciple school and then Jesus said go. They were sent out before. They would share stories. They would come back. They would celebrate what God had done and give glory to him. They shared the kingdom with others. Shared that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life. And if you've seen Jesus, you have seen God. God set in place this rhythm you see of being sent out and coming back to celebrate. A rhythm of work and of rest. A rhythm of journeying and of celebration. And that's what we do today." (61 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Two tables huddling today encouraging each other hearing from the word singing, celebrating being with each other and the tables we sit at on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday after church and Sunday evening or Sunday breakfast where we get to share that Jehovah Jireh has provided where we get to share that Jehovah Rapha has healed where we get to share that Jehovah Shalom has brought us from anxiety to peace where we get to share that Jehovah Nisi is the banner under which we fight our battles and he fights them for us. The greatest impact the church will have in the community over the next 10 years will be hospitality." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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