Embracing Divine Love and Hospitality in Community
Summary
In our journey together as a church family, we are reminded of the profound love and commitment that binds us. Our recent retreat with the Cornerstone elders was a time of prayer and visioning for our community, and I am convinced that God has great plans for us. The elders, with their servant hearts, are deeply committed to each of you, and this love is something that cannot be replicated through online sermons or music. It is a love that is personal, sometimes messy, and often inconvenient, but it is the essence of the gospel.
As we delve into Matthew 15, we see Jesus exemplifying this love through three distinct stories. First, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, a place known for its pagan roots, to meet a Canaanite woman. This encounter is a divine appointment, demonstrating that God's love transcends cultural and religious boundaries. Jesus challenges his disciples to see beyond their own people and to embrace those who are different. This story reminds us that God's love is for everyone, and we are called to extend that love to all.
The second story shows Jesus healing a multitude of sick people, revealing the compassionate heart of God. Despite the demands of his ministry, Jesus never turns away those in need. This is a powerful example for us to follow, to be open and welcoming to those who come to us seeking help and healing.
Finally, we see Jesus feeding 4,000 people, a miracle that underscores God's abundant provision. Even when resources seem scarce, God provides more than enough. This abundance is a reminder that we are called to live with an attitude of hospitality, always ready to welcome others to our table and into our lives.
These stories weave together a theme of divine love and hospitality, challenging us to be a church that not only welcomes but actively seeks to include others in the love of Christ. There is a seat for everyone at God's table, regardless of their past or present struggles. Jesus came to make a way for us to be in relationship with the Father, and today, we are invited to take steps of faith, to proclaim our belief, and to support one another in our journeys.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Appointments: Jesus' journey to Tyre and Sidon was a mission to demonstrate that God's love knows no boundaries. This encounter with the Canaanite woman shows us that divine appointments often take us beyond our comfort zones to reach those who are different from us. We are called to embrace these moments and extend God's love to all. [22:06]
- Compassionate Healing: Jesus' healing of the multitude reflects the heart of God, who is always ready to welcome and heal those in need. This story challenges us to be open and compassionate, to see the broken and forgotten, and to offer them the love and healing of Christ. [26:01]
- Abundant Provision: The feeding of the 4,000 is a testament to God's abundant provision. Even when resources seem limited, God provides more than enough. This miracle encourages us to live with an attitude of hospitality, always prepared to welcome others and share God's blessings. [28:40]
- A Seat at God's Table: There is a place for everyone at God's table, regardless of their past or struggles. Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for us to be in relationship with the Father. We are invited to take steps of faith and to support one another in our spiritual journeys. [32:39]
- Faith in Action: The Canaanite woman's faith was persistent and determined, leading to her daughter's healing. This story inspires us to have a faith that is active and unwavering, trusting in God's power and love to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. [18:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:19] - The Love of the Church Family
- [02:07] - Living Out the Gospel
- [03:06] - Loving Your Church Family
- [03:51] - Prayer and Introduction
- [05:30] - Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
- [08:39] - Historical Context of Tyre and Sidon
- [11:20] - Israel's Kings and Idolatry
- [13:59] - Elijah's Mission and God's Provision
- [18:40] - The Canaanite Woman's Faith
- [20:17] - Jesus' Challenge to His Disciples
- [22:06] - Divine Appointment and Healing
- [26:01] - Compassion and Healing of the Multitude
- [28:40] - Abundant Provision and Hospitality
- [32:39] - A Seat at God's Table
- [34:39] - Invitation to Faith and Baptism
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 15:21-39
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus traveling to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and how did this relate to the cultural and religious boundaries of the time? [05:30]
2. How did the Canaanite woman demonstrate her faith when she approached Jesus, and what was Jesus' initial response to her? [18:40]
3. In the story of Jesus healing the multitude, what actions did the people take to seek healing, and how did Jesus respond to their needs? [22:06]
4. Describe the miracle of feeding the 4,000. What does this event reveal about Jesus' approach to provision and hospitality? [26:01]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' interaction with the Canaanite woman teach about the inclusivity of God's love and the breaking of cultural barriers? [22:06]
2. How does the healing of the multitude reflect the compassionate nature of Jesus, and what implications does this have for how believers should respond to those in need? [26:01]
3. In what ways does the miracle of feeding the 4,000 challenge believers to trust in God's provision, even when resources seem limited? [28:40]
4. How does the concept of "a seat at God's table" illustrate the idea of divine hospitality, and what does this mean for the church's mission today? [32:39]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone to show love to someone different from you. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [22:06]
2. Consider the people in your life who are in need of compassion and healing. What practical steps can you take this week to offer them support and demonstrate the love of Christ? [26:01]
3. When have you experienced God's abundant provision in your life? How can you cultivate an attitude of gratitude and hospitality in response to God's blessings? [28:40]
4. Think about your current spiritual journey. What steps of faith is God inviting you to take, and how can your church family support you in this process? [32:39]
5. Identify a person or group in your community who might feel excluded or marginalized. How can you extend an invitation to them to experience the love and acceptance found at God's table? [32:39]
6. Reflect on the Canaanite woman's persistence in faith. Is there an area in your life where you need to demonstrate a similar determination and trust in God's power? [18:40]
7. How can you and your small group create an environment that welcomes and includes others, reflecting the hospitality and love of Jesus? [30:59]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love Knows No Boundaries
In Matthew 15, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, a place with a history of paganism, to meet a Canaanite woman. This encounter is a divine appointment, illustrating that God's love transcends cultural and religious boundaries. Jesus challenges his disciples to look beyond their own people and embrace those who are different. This story reminds us that God's love is for everyone, and we are called to extend that love to all, even when it takes us beyond our comfort zones. [22:06]
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him." (Romans 10:12, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is different from you, and how can you intentionally show them God's love today?
Day 2: Compassionate Hearts Reflect God's Love
Jesus' healing of the multitude in Matthew 15 reveals the compassionate heart of God. Despite the demands of his ministry, Jesus never turns away those in need. This story challenges us to be open and compassionate, to see the broken and forgotten, and to offer them the love and healing of Christ. We are called to be a reflection of God's heart, welcoming and healing those who come to us seeking help. [26:01]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of compassion and healing? How can you be a source of support and love for them today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Abundant Provision
The miracle of feeding the 4,000 in Matthew 15 underscores God's abundant provision. Even when resources seem scarce, God provides more than enough. This abundance is a reminder that we are called to live with an attitude of hospitality, always ready to welcome others to our table and into our lives. Trusting in God's provision allows us to share generously and live with open hearts. [28:40]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: What resources do you have that you can share with others today, trusting in God's provision for your needs?
Day 4: Everyone Has a Place at God's Table
There is a place for everyone at God's table, regardless of their past or struggles. Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for us to be in relationship with the Father. We are invited to take steps of faith and to support one another in our spiritual journeys. This inclusivity challenges us to be a church that not only welcomes but actively seeks to include others in the love of Christ. [32:39]
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you know who feels excluded or unwelcome? How can you extend an invitation to them to join you in fellowship or worship?
Day 5: Active Faith Transforms Lives
The Canaanite woman's faith in Matthew 15 was persistent and determined, leading to her daughter's healing. This story inspires us to have a faith that is active and unwavering, trusting in God's power and love to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Active faith requires us to step out in trust, even when the outcome is uncertain. [18:40]
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." (Matthew 21:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise active faith? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting in God's power to work in that situation?
Quotes
Because Matthew explains very well to us, not only did the God of the universe love each one of us so much that He sent Jesus to this earth to sacrifice Himself, to die for our sins so that we could be in relationship with Him, but Jesus also came to this earth to be an example, to show us how to love those that are around us. [00:02:28] (30 seconds)
These are your brothers and sisters in Christ. And let me go ahead and tell you, if you have a hard time or if you're struggling with loving these people, you'll have a difficult time living out your assignment to go out and love the world that we live in. [00:03:09] (18 seconds)
And so think generations later, Israel continues to be a formidable force there in this region, so much so that the nations around them feared the Israelites. Because God was with them, and God showed up in mighty, mighty ways. And so we find that later on in Samuel chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, King David, who at this point is the king of Israel, and he sets the capital to be Jerusalem. [00:10:56] (34 seconds)
And it's because of their faith, and the way they treat Elijah. Elijah and God do this great miracle to where suddenly now this woman, she has enough food for she and her son and her family that will last or never ending through this famine. [00:14:17] (20 seconds)
And this woman approaches Jesus, and she identifies him as Lord, son of David. That's fascinating to me, because that tells me that the word of Jesus and the stories of Jesus had gone far and wide. And she knows who Jesus is. [00:18:40] (23 seconds)
Number one, he's really wanting for his disciples to pay attention what's going on, what he's trying to teach them. Because remember, they're on an assignment. They've traveled a long way. And so far, all we're getting out of this text is they're there for this woman, right? This is a divine appointment for this moment. [00:20:32] (24 seconds)
jesus says to her woman your faith is great it shall be done for you as you wish and her daughter was healed at once now notice a couple things before we before we move on jesus goes out of his way for this divine appointment with this woman because again from this text this is the only story that we have in this um in this little section of scripture of what happened there which makes me think they went there for this encounter jesus went beyond their borders taking his disciples with him to show them hey i am calling you not just to our people but others others that don't look like us others that don't have our same background people but others that don't have our same background and sometimes maybe our same perspective but jesus is challenging his disciples to think bigger the second thing i notice is that just like god sent elijah to this widow who wasn't a jew or an israelite jesus is sent in that same way and this is a divine appointment because i believe that when jesus is calling his disciples to become fishers of men he's trying to get them to think hey i'm calling you to be a fisher of men but also women and also people that are maybe a little bit different than you this is one of those examples both old testament as well as new testament that shows us the heart of god that that god is for all of us god is calling his people to [00:22:16] (108 seconds)
I've got a lifetime, a lifetime of memories where I have witnessed God do amazing things in my life. If he was there for me in all of my life, I would be there for him. I would be there for him. I would be there for him. All these other times. [00:27:44] (16 seconds)
When they finish their time together, there's food left over, which just again shows us God blesses us with so much abundance in our lives over and over again. We've got some sweet friends and they have the gift of food. They have the gift of hospitality. [00:28:40] (21 seconds)
There is a seat for you at God's table. It doesn't matter who you are, where you've been, how many times you've messed up, how many times you've struggled with the same sin over and over and over again. [00:32:39] (19 seconds)
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