Hospitality

Christians are called to move far beyond mere friendliness and engage in active acts of intentional hospitality.

The Prodigal could find no hospitality until he returned home; his older brother could not bring himself to offer hospitality. Both missed the love and grace that was poured out by the extravagant hospitality of the father.

As human beings, we have all experienced loneliness and rejection when wonderfully friendly people are so engrossed with their friends that they do not notice the stranger in their midst.

As children of God, we know the extravagant hospitality of God’s love and grace.

As Christians, we are called to share the hospitality we have received.

Hospitality (July 12, 2009)

1 of 10

Lives of those who are outcasts of society are transformed by Jesus proclamation of God’s extravagant and unconditional acceptance. 10 Samaritan lepers – rejected because of ethnic identity and rejected because of disfiguring disease – 10 are healed and Jesus proclaims them clean and acceptable to God and to the people of God.

Only one accepts a transformed life, returns to glorify God and express gratitude to Jesus.

Today we think of members of the gay community with aids. Rejected for their sexual orientation – rejected for their disease. How many return to the very church that has rejected them over and over again? We may understand the reasons that only one came back and glorified God.

1 of 10 (November 1, 2009)

Grow a Church

A number of things are necessary if a church is to grow, but perhaps one of the most important is the willingness of those already within the congregation to change in order to welcome the newcomer.

Grow a Church (July 26, 2009)