Embracing Hospitality: The Gift of Presence and Love

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Presence**

Description: Each person's presence in the community is a gift that fosters a sense of belonging and love. Recognizing and appreciating each other, whether in person or online, strengthens our communal bonds. This acknowledgment is a form of hospitality that extends beyond the church walls, as demonstrated by events like the Veg Fest and the upcoming vow renewal ceremony. By celebrating achievements within our community and remembering those who have passed, we honor the unique contributions of each individual. This practice of hospitality helps us see each person as a valuable part of our community, reflecting the love and grace of God. [08:33]

Bible Passage: "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your community whose presence you often take for granted. How can you show them appreciation and honor today?

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Day 2: Inward and Outward Call**

Description: Our worth is not determined by human validation but by God's love. The inward call we feel must be affirmed by the community, but it does not define our value. This understanding helps us navigate our spiritual journeys with confidence and humility. By sharing personal stories of our journeys to ministry, we remind ourselves that our true worth comes from God's love and not from human approval. This perspective allows us to embrace our spiritual callings with a sense of purpose and assurance, knowing that we are valued by God. [55:04]

Bible Passage: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you sought validation from others. How can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?

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Day 3: Law Rooted in Love**

Description: The commandments in Deuteronomy are expressions of God's love meant for our well-being. They remind us to love God and our neighbors, encapsulating the essence of all laws. This perspective transforms rules into relational guidelines that nurture our spiritual growth. By understanding that God's commandments are rooted in love and relationship, we can see them as pathways to a deeper connection with God and others. This understanding helps us approach God's laws not as burdens but as loving instructions for a fulfilling life. [01:01:21]

Bible Passage: "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view a specific commandment of God as an expression of His love for you today?

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Day 4: Empathy and Perspective-Taking**

Description: Remembering our own experiences of feeling like outsiders helps us empathize with others. This empathy eliminates judgment and fosters genuine connections, allowing us to create inclusive and loving environments. By practicing perspective-taking, as Brene Brown calls it, we can connect deeply with others and build relationships based on understanding and compassion. This approach helps us welcome others into our community with open hearts, reflecting the inclusive love of Jesus. [01:03:05]

Bible Passage: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you use that experience to empathize with someone who might be feeling the same way today?

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Day 5: Extending Hospitality Beyond Church**

Description: Acts of kindness and empathy, like those shown by Kayla to Robert, embody the true spirit of the church. We are called to extend this hospitality beyond the church walls, recognizing that every person we meet is loved by God. By remembering our own experiences of exclusion, we can create inclusive, loving environments wherever we go. This practice of extending hospitality reflects the grace and love of Jesus, transforming strangers into family and building a community rooted in God's love. [01:11:15]

Bible Passage: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person outside your usual circle whom you can show hospitality to this week. What specific action can you take to make them feel welcomed and loved?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound theme of hospitality, emphasizing that each person's presence is a gift to the community. We began by acknowledging the importance of recognizing and appreciating each other, whether in person or online. Hospitality extends beyond the church walls, as demonstrated by our recent events like the Veg Fest and the upcoming vow renewal ceremony. We also remembered those who have passed, like Diaz Bonville, and celebrated achievements within our community, such as Marcy's gold medal in Special Olympics.

The sermon then transitioned to a personal story about my journey to ministry, highlighting the importance of both inward and outward calls. This story served as a reminder that our worth is not determined by human validation but by God's love. We delved into Deuteronomy, understanding that the law is rooted in love and relationship. God's commandments are not just rules but expressions of love meant for our well-being.

We are called to remember our own experiences of feeling like outsiders and use that empathy to welcome others. This perspective-taking, as Brene Brown calls it, helps us connect deeply with others, eliminating judgment and fostering genuine relationships. The story of Robert and Kayla illustrated how acts of kindness and empathy can transform strangers into family, embodying the true spirit of the church.

In conclusion, we are invited to extend this hospitality beyond the church, recognizing that every person we meet is loved by God. By remembering our own experiences of exclusion, we can create inclusive, loving environments wherever we go, reflecting the grace and love of Jesus.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being. They remind us to love God and our neighbors, encapsulating the essence of all laws. This perspective transforms rules into relational guidelines that nurture our spiritual growth. [01:01:21]
4. Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Remembering our own experiences of feeling like outsiders helps us empathize with others. This empathy eliminates judgment and fosters genuine connections, allowing us to create inclusive and loving environments.

5. Extending Hospitality Beyond Church: Acts of kindness and empathy, like those shown by Kayla to Robert, embody the true spirit of the church. We are called to extend this hospitality beyond the church walls, recognizing that every person we meet is loved by God.

### [61:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:33] - The Gift of Presence
[10:10] - Remembering Diaz Bonville
[11:56] - Celebrating Community Achievements
[55:04] - Inward and Outward Call
[56:43] - Personal Journey to Ministry
[58:17] - The Challenge of "Not Yet"
[59:46] - Deuteronomy and Love
[61:21] - Law Rooted in Love
[63:05] - Empathy and Perspective-Taking
[64:51] - Creating Inclusive Environments
[66:24] - Welcoming Each Other
[67:53] - Extending Hospitality Beyond Church
[69:37] - Story of Robert and Kayla
[71:15] - Transforming Strangers into Family
[75:44] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Deuteronomy 10:12-19 say about the relationship between God's commandments and love?
How does the passage describe God's actions towards the fatherless, the widow, and the foreigner?
According to the sermon, how does remembering our own experiences of feeling like outsiders help us empathize with others? ([01:03:05])
What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the inward and outward call to ministry? ([55:04])

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding that God's commandments are rooted in love change the way we view and follow them? ([01:01:21])
In what ways can remembering our own experiences of exclusion help us create more inclusive environments in our church and community? ([01:03:05])
How does the story of Robert and Kayla illustrate the concept of extending hospitality beyond the church walls? ([01:11:15])
What does the pastor's personal journey to ministry teach us about the importance of both inward and outward calls? ([55:04])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How can that experience help you empathize with and welcome others in your community? ([01:03:05])
Think about someone in your church or community who might feel excluded. What specific actions can you take this week to make them feel more included and valued? ([01:06:24])
How can you practice the gift of presence in your daily interactions, both within and outside the church? ([08:33])
In what ways can you extend hospitality beyond the church walls, similar to how Kayla and the hotel staff did for Robert? ([01:11:15])
How can you remind yourself and others that our worth is determined by God's love and not by human validation? ([55:04])
What steps can you take to ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect the law rooted in love as described in Deuteronomy 10:12-19? ([01:01:21])
Identify one person in your life who might need a gesture of kindness or empathy. What specific action can you take to show them God's love this week? ([01:03:05])

Sermon Clips

1. "Every single one of us, every one of us has value and worth because God loves us, and so this is not about your sense of worth, but the second thing is it's not about your calling. And so, you know, you may have experienced a call. This is part of that outward call in affirming how that call is to take shape, but this doesn't mean that you don't have a call." [58:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God set his heart in love, and that love includes all of you. This beautiful sense that this relationship that God is trying to build with all of us is founded on love and on God's choosing us. God wanting us to know that we are loved, that we are valued, that we have been chosen by God just to receive that love, just like everyone else has been chosen by God to receive that love." [01:01:21] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Remember that we were once strangers in Egypt, right? And so, to remember what it was like to be an outsider, to remember what it was like to be estranged, to be alienated, to be a foreigner, to be someone who is not a part of the in-group, and I guarantee you, I can look around, and I bet every single one of you, if I asked for a raise of hand, has felt like an outsider at some point or other, right?" [01:03:05] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Empathy connects us with other people because you're saying, I understand. Not, I haven't walked your path. But there is something in me that can understand what you're going through. And so, this empathy allows us to create a place that is open, like God creates, a place that is open, that is safe, that is welcoming, that is loving and kind, that, that, looks at someone and wonders, what might their needs be?" [01:04:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I invite you, as we continue to deepen our hospitality as a community, to think about, who can I invite to go with me to fellowship? Look around after church. Many of us are talking in our groups, which is awesome, it's a gift, but look around for the one who's not included, and go, and include them." [01:07:53] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You have the ability to remember that you are loved by God, and so is every single person you encounter. And you have the call to remember what it's like to be an outsider, so that whatever you do can welcome all into that amazing circle of God's love. That's an invitation for us today. That's how we continue to be hospitable, not only here, but wherever we go, so that people experience that amazing grace that Jesus offers us in love." [01:11:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Go knowing you are loved, and go loving all those you encounter." [01:15:44] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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