Monday, June 20, 2011

Looking Forward to June 26, 2011 -- 2nd After Pentecost

The Scripture Readings this week are:
  • Genesis 18:1-8
  • Hebrews 13:1-3
  • Matthew 10:40-42

The Sermon Title is Welcome In...

Early Thoughts: At the core of Christan Life and ministry is hospitality. For when we welcome anyone we welcome God.

But if we are honest, how good a job do we do at welcoming in the church?  I mean really welcoming.  NOt just those who are "like us" or who have a message that we agree with.  But how well do we welcome people who are different or who have a challenging message, or who start telling us how we need to change the way we operate.

The Matthew passage this week comes just after Jesus has commissioned the disciples.  He is sending them out to teach and preach.  The message they carry will not always be well-received.  And so I can't help but think that even as he points out how blessed those who welcome the disciples will be  he is also hinting that this welcome may be an exception rather than the rule

If we are going to grow in faith, we need to ask ourselves these hard questions.  If we are to grow in faith we need to ask ourselves how well we deal with difference.  THat is the side of welcoming we don't talk about as often as we should.  So this week let's talk about it.

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