TOPIC - TEXT:
INTRODUCTION: I heard the story Ron Hutchcraft, who had a special visitor one day. He relates: - "Steven, who is the son of one of our Team members. Cerebral palsy left Steven with some severe mental and physical limitations – in fact, more than any parents could possibly manage at home. So Steven is in a special care facility – and he’s a special young man from whom his parents say they have learned so much about God’s love. Because he’s not home much - and because I’m away a lot - his Mom brought him in the other day so I could meet him. I was just on my way to the radio studio to meet a pressing deadline when Steven came in. I got to tell him how much his Mom means to us, how much she talks about him and loves him, and how much I liked what he was wearing. Even though we were just visiting for a few moments, Steven suddenly started pulling at his coat. His Mom said, “You want to take off your coat and stay a while, don’t you, Steven?” She said he doesn’t do that much. That really got to me. I guess Steven felt at home that day. TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: Ask yourself, “How often do I make the person with me feel comfortable enough that they really feel at home? And how many times am I so busy or preoccupied with past hurt that I make them feel like an unwelcome intrusion?” 1. Unlock Your Doors It’s all about a Christian grace that is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, including in our word for today from God's Word. In I Peter 4:8-9, it says,“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” or as the Bible in basic english says "Keep an open house for all, with a glad heart". Hospitality – notice it’s portrayed here as a very practical way to show that you love a person deeply. Which is described as the “above all” characteristic of a follower of Christ. Hospitality is more than just having guests over to your house – it’s a spirit, an attitude that gives a person the feeling that they’re welcome when they’re with you. It’s that kind of royal treatment that makes a person feel like “taking their coat off and staying a while.” Basically, a hospitable spirit is one that treats each person in a way that makes them feel how special they are to God. Notice, I said each person. This isn’t selective royal treatment, reserved for those we want to impress . . . or those who impress us . . . or those who have something we need. It’s treating each person special. When you live like that, you join an elite group that is very small and very unforgettable – when someone is with you, you make them feel like they are the only person on this planet as far as you’re concerned. Too often we have defencive mechanisms that tell us to hide in our houses. To make them a fortress. And I think they should be...from the world and evil influence. They should be a rest spot for love and holiness, they are never to be a fortress from people, especially brothers in the Lord. Busyness is not an excuse either, for then your too busy and your priorities are in the wrong order. Simple - slow down, focus on God's heart = Each other. Whatever your reason for not having an open house", be sure to ask God to give you that ability and to do it with a "glad heart"! 2. Getting Back The Blessing In the O.T. the children of Israel were to put a small scroll of the "blessings passage" from Deuteronomy 28:1-14 on their door frame. De 11:18-20 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign...And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: It was so they would remember God when coming and going and vivsitors were to touch it in blessing for themselves and the host every time they passed through the door. De 28:6 Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and bles sed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out. Blessing in coming and going! I think I might do something similar! God expects us to always be blessing one another and to be blessed by each other, it shows proof in itself of Gods blessing, in love and unity! Who are we to rob one another of blessing?! But that is what we do when we "forsake the assembling of ourselves together", whether a church function or simple visitation. Do you know that "visitation" is a ministry in itself in many churchs! Its so important for the gluing of a church and rebuking the undermining of the enemies tempting to be individualistic. Our world pushes more and more the seperation and distance in relationships, don't fall prey to it, God calls the church in plural; "church" in greek = "Called out ones". Jesus Promises His presence when TWO or more are gathered in His name. Go and glue our church together, go and be a blessing to one another, go and gather in His name, don't be shy about ever mentioning Jesus in conversation or share prayer and needs! If someone is shy with sharing spiritual things, go and know them, love them, build trust and care! Our church vision scripture verse is Galatians 6:2 " Bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ". The Law of Christ is the Great Commandment -Mr 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. 31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Are you fulfilling the Law of Christ? Let me tell you - this kind of treatment, this kind ofhospitality is not natural - it’s supernatural. You become like that as you become more and more yielded to Jesus. You make people feel at home when you take time to take an interest in what interests them . . . when you ask the second and third question, not just the obligatory, “How ya doin?” and leaving it there. It’s when you really listen to them . . . when you notice things about them . . . when you compliment them. In other words, when you give a person your total focus. When you’re all about making them feel important, not showing them how important you are. I wonder how people feel when they’re around you. Do they feel noticed or ignored . . . appreciated or tolerated . . . a friend or a threat . . . worth your time or an intruder in your busy schedule? It doesn’t take a lot of time to make a person feel special, but it does take focused time. When you do that, you are being Jesus “with skin on” for them – treating them as He would. Make it your goal to make every person feel at home when they’re with you. "Make Folks Feel At Home" "Keep an open house for all, with a glad heart". I Peter 4:9.
F.C.P.A. Web sites
Back To F.C.P.A. Home Page!
Back To F.C.P.A. Sermons & More Archives Page!
Go To F.C.P.A. Recent News & Study Resources Page!
Go To F.C.P.A. Fun & Entertainment Page!