Embracing Hospitality: A Collective Journey of Welcome
Summary
### Summary
Welcome home to the Epworth community! Today marks the beginning of a new series focusing on hospitality, inspired by Romans 15:7, "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Hospitality is not just about a place but a gathering, a miracle that happens in relationships. Reflecting on personal experiences, such as a trip to Sweden and the warmth of being welcomed back home, we see that true hospitality involves both steadfastness and encouragement. It’s about creating a safe space and a launching pad for all that God has called us to be.
The essence of hospitality is not just in the act of welcoming but in who does the welcoming. It’s not just the job of the official greeters or pastors but a collective responsibility. Everyone in the community plays a role in making others feel at home. This was illustrated through stories of transformative welcomes, like the youth group led by Johnny and Jan Baker, and the simple yet profound act of being greeted warmly by a church choir.
Hospitality also involves extending oneself for others, especially the weak, as Paul writes. It’s not a zero-sum game where making others happy diminishes our own joy. Instead, it’s about experiencing Christ’s boundless grace and love through the act of welcoming others. This was exemplified by the story of a bus driver who made high school students feel seen and valued by learning their names and greeting them warmly.
In a world where evil and division exist, the ultimate act of hospitality is laying down one’s life for others, as Jesus defined love. This was poignantly illustrated by the heroic actions of teachers and students during a school lockdown. True hospitality, therefore, is a powerful force that can transform any place into a home, reflecting the glory of God and the hope and salvation of the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hospitality as a Miracle of Relationships: Hospitality is not just about a physical place but a gathering and a miracle that happens in relationships. It involves creating a safe space and a launching pad for all that God has called us to be. This dual aspect of steadfastness and encouragement is essential for true hospitality. [44:45]
2. Collective Responsibility in Welcoming: The act of welcoming is not just the job of official greeters or pastors but a collective responsibility. Everyone in the community plays a role in making others feel at home. This collective effort transforms the church from a place of division to a place of hope. [49:28]
3. Extending Oneself for Others: True hospitality involves extending oneself for others, especially the weak. It’s not a zero-sum game where making others happy diminishes our own joy. Instead, it’s about experiencing Christ’s boundless grace and love through the act of welcoming others. [56:06]
4. The Power of Personal Connection: Simple acts like learning someone’s name and greeting them warmly can have a profound impact. These small gestures make people feel seen and valued, creating a sense of belonging and community. [57:41]
5. Ultimate Hospitality in Sacrifice: The ultimate act of hospitality is laying down one’s life for others, as Jesus defined love. This sacrificial love conquers evil and transforms any place into a home, reflecting the glory of God and the hope and salvation of the world. [01:00:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:36] - Announcements
[20:23] - Vow Renewal Celebration
[22:00] - New Member Orientation
[44:45] - Introduction to Hospitality
[46:19] - Story of Traveling to Sweden
[47:53] - The Importance of Being Welcomed
[49:28] - Who Does the Welcoming?
[50:56] - Transformative Welcome Stories
[52:20] - The Role of Steadfastness and Encouragement
[54:15] - Extending a Welcome
[56:06] - Zero-Sum Game Misconception
[57:41] - The Power of Personal Connection
[59:12] - School Bus Story
[01:00:46] - Ultimate Hospitality in Sacrifice
[01:02:00] - Conclusion and Final Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 15:7 (NRSV): "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 15:7 instruct believers to do, and for what purpose?
2. According to the sermon, what are the two essential aspects of true hospitality? ([44:45])
3. Who is responsible for welcoming others in the church community, as discussed in the sermon? ([49:28])
4. How did the bus driver in the sermon exemplify the power of personal connection? ([57:41])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to welcome others "just as Christ has welcomed you"? How does this set a standard for our actions? ([56:06])
2. How can the dual aspects of steadfastness and encouragement create a safe and nurturing environment in our church? ([52:20])
3. In what ways does extending hospitality to others, especially the weak, reflect Christ’s boundless grace and love? ([56:06])
4. How does the story of the teachers and students during the school lockdown illustrate the ultimate act of hospitality? ([01:00:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt truly welcomed. What specific actions made you feel that way, and how can you replicate those actions in your church community? ([47:53])
2. How can you personally contribute to making your church a place where everyone feels at home, not just relying on official greeters or pastors? ([49:28])
3. Think of someone in your church or community who might feel weak or overlooked. What practical steps can you take this week to extend hospitality to them? ([56:06])
4. How can you incorporate the practice of learning and using people’s names to make them feel seen and valued, as the bus driver did? ([57:41])
5. In what ways can you create a balance between providing a safe space and encouraging others to pursue their God-given potential? ([52:20])
6. How can you demonstrate sacrificial love in your daily life, similar to the teachers and students during the school lockdown? ([01:00:46])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you can practice laying down your life for others. What steps will you take to act on this commitment? ([01:00:46])
Devotional
Day 1: Hospitality as a Miracle of Relationships
Hospitality is not just about a physical place but a gathering and a miracle that happens in relationships. It involves creating a safe space and a launching pad for all that God has called us to be. This dual aspect of steadfastness and encouragement is essential for true hospitality. When we open our hearts and homes to others, we create an environment where people can feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow into the fullness of their God-given potential. This kind of hospitality reflects the love and grace of Christ, who welcomes us into His family with open arms.
Romans 15:7 reminds us to "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." This verse underscores the importance of hospitality in our Christian walk. It is not merely about being polite or offering a meal; it is about creating a space where relationships can flourish and where people can experience the love of Christ through our actions. [44:45]
Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt truly welcomed and valued. How can you create that same environment for someone else in your community this week?
Day 2: Collective Responsibility in Welcoming
The act of welcoming is not just the job of official greeters or pastors but a collective responsibility. Everyone in the community plays a role in making others feel at home. This collective effort transforms the church from a place of division to a place of hope. When each member of the community takes ownership of the task of welcoming, it creates a culture of inclusivity and love that reflects the heart of Christ.
In a world that often feels divided and isolated, the church has the unique opportunity to be a beacon of hope and unity. By taking collective responsibility for welcoming others, we demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way. This kind of hospitality can break down barriers and build bridges, creating a community where everyone feels valued and included. [49:28]
1 Peter 4:9-10 (ESV): "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: How can you personally contribute to creating a welcoming environment in your church or community? What specific actions can you take this week to make someone feel at home?
Day 3: Extending Oneself for Others
True hospitality involves extending oneself for others, especially the weak. It’s not a zero-sum game where making others happy diminishes our own joy. Instead, it’s about experiencing Christ’s boundless grace and love through the act of welcoming others. When we extend ourselves for others, we are participating in the work of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.
This kind of hospitality requires us to look beyond our own needs and desires and to see the needs of others. It calls us to be selfless and generous, trusting that God will provide for us as we provide for others. By extending ourselves for others, we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out the love of Christ. [56:06]
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: Who in your life could use a little extra support and encouragement right now? How can you extend yourself to meet their needs and show them the love of Christ?
Day 4: The Power of Personal Connection
Simple acts like learning someone’s name and greeting them warmly can have a profound impact. These small gestures make people feel seen and valued, creating a sense of belonging and community. In a world where people often feel overlooked and insignificant, these personal connections can make a world of difference.
When we take the time to learn someone’s name and greet them warmly, we are acknowledging their worth and dignity as a person created in the image of God. These small acts of kindness can open the door to deeper relationships and create a sense of community where everyone feels valued and included. [57:41]
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV): "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Reflection: Think of someone you see regularly but don’t know well. How can you make a personal connection with them this week? What small gesture can you make to show them that they are seen and valued?
Day 5: Ultimate Hospitality in Sacrifice
The ultimate act of hospitality is laying down one’s life for others, as Jesus defined love. This sacrificial love conquers evil and transforms any place into a home, reflecting the glory of God and the hope and salvation of the world. True hospitality goes beyond mere acts of kindness; it involves a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others.
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of hospitality by laying down His life for us. In doing so, He showed us what true love looks like. When we are willing to make sacrifices for others, we reflect the love of Christ and create a space where people can experience the transformative power of His grace. [01:00:46]
John 15:13 (ESV): "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Reflection: What is one way you can sacrificially serve someone in your life this week? How can you reflect the love of Christ through your actions?
Quotes
1. "I wonder if we'd be so divided in America, in this country, if we all did a bit more traveling because there's nothing like, coming home. And so after this trip abroad and, and all the exciting things and the not so great things and the wonderful things that happened, we got up at three in the morning in Sweden near the airport and, and, and went, in a little truck in the rain, to get to the airport." [46:19] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want you to think about moments when you have felt welcomed home. As I extend this second question, who does the welcoming? Who is in charge of welcoming? It's an important question. You know, here, at Epworth, as in many churches, you know, we assign people to be the greeters, you know. They're the official greeters. And of course, as pastors, I mean, that's our job to be welcoming, right?" [47:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I think if welcome means anything, it means you belong. We've been waiting for you. This is your time. This is, your moment. I think about a Michael W. Smith song years ago that sort of made the jump from sort of the Christian ghetto music to pop music. And it was an idea that really, really grasped people. The name of the song was, My Place in This World, Looking for a Reason to Belong to Be." [54:15] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remember how Paul ends this passage. It says, welcome others, can someone help me here, as Christ has welcomed you. And I want to change this just a little bit. I want to change this sense of it because Paul is talking about something that has happened in the past, but I wonder if the sense of this, this idea of extending not just something that comes from me, but that comes from Christ through me." [56:06] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's amazing how just a smile, have you ever had somebody smile at you, you know, and you waved at them, but they were smiling at somebody else? And so it wasn't really meant for you? What an extraordinary thing, right? If you're caught up in that, right? Maybe you're the extending person. And instead of going, no, it's not for you. And you go, hey, it's good to see you for the first time ever." [57:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So yes, it's true. We're going to be there. We're we live presently in a world where this kind of evil happens. But we also live in a world where love that conquers that kind of evil is a welcoming home anywhere and everywhere. And if you can have a welcome in a place like Appalachee High School, then I suppose you can be welcomed to home anywhere. And that's the point, isn't it? It's a welcome home. We've been waiting for you." [01:00:46] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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