03-27-2022
03-27-2022
Rev. Trevor Johnston, (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español)
Sermon Series: Who Cares? Growing a Heart Like Christ
Week 4: Be Our Guest
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. Before hearing this sermon, how would you have described “hospitality”?
2. Read our theme verse – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Consider the “trouble” that Ukrainian people are currently experiencing. Share some ways that we could pass on God’s comfort to them.
3. Read Matthew 25:31-46 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
4. This series is about growing a heart of compassion like Christ’s. We tend to read verses 35-36 like it’s a list of 6 separate acts of compassion, but the early Church simply saw this as a way of life. This passage was the lens for the early Church on how to live out Jesus’ value of Christian hospitality. The New Testament word for “hospitality” literally means “loving strangers.” It’s helping others feel at home. It’s making room for someone you don’t yet know. Christian hospitality is about loving and welcoming people in need, especially those who cannot pay you back. Describe someone you know who has the gift of Christian hospitality.
5. Read Luke 14:12-14 - Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
What does this Scripture add to your understanding of Christian hospitality?
Jesus implored his followers to practice this kind of hospitality not just because of what will happen to us in eternity, but also because of what it does now in this life.
Practicing Hospitality Grows Your Soul:
6. How might practicing biblical hospitality help a person grow spiritually?
7. The first step toward living a life of compassion is to remember how Jesus loved you and welcomed you home. The Book of Common Prayer reads, “Lord Jesus you stretched out your arms on the hard wood of the cross so that all might come within your saving embrace.”
Share some things that Jesus has done for you personally that you’re grateful for.
8. Look at the Missions page of our COH website at communityofhope.church/missions to see how our church is living out this passage. If you’re not yet serving in any of our church’s Missions outreach opportunities, talk with your group about one way you might get involved.
Practicing Hospitality Pushes Back Against the Darkness
9. Share how Christian hospitality can be a spiritual weapon against forces of darkness in this world.
10. Pray together as a group: (Hands up in a boxing stance) I confess that my natural human posture is to fight for myself. (Hands out and open) But as a follower of Jesus, I choose now to surrender. My life is not my own. (Hands clenched) I confess that my natural human posture is to hoard and keep for myself. (Hands open) But as a follower of Jesus, I choose now a posture of hospitality. All I have is not mine. It’s yours, Lord. (Arms crossed) I confess my natural human posture is to stand on the sidelines and say, “It’s not my problem.” (Arms open wide) But as a follower of Jesus, I choose now to say to least, the last and the lost, “You can find a home with me.” Amen.
What thoughts came to your mind as you prayed this prayer?
Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “connect” to 561-264-6079.
Ukraine Humanitarian Relief Fund - We are taking an offering to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are suffering and being displaced by the war there. Pray about what God might want you to give above your regular giving to Community of Hope to help alleviate their suffering in the name of Jesus. More information at https://communityofhope.church/give
Outdoor Service: Next week is the first Sunday of the month, so join us for our monthly outdoor evening service at 5pm at our Loxahatchee Campus. Communion will be served. Kids are welcome. Service is held weather permitting. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Easter Egg Hunt: We are excited about our Egg Hunt, which will be held at all three of our campuses! This is our biggest outreach to our communities as we invite families to enjoy games, activities, inflatables, crafts, egg hunts and more – all at no cost. Please help us by volunteering and by bringing lots of filled eggs. More information at https://communityofhope.church/egghunt
Family Holy Week Eggsperience: Start this plan on Palm Sunday and you can read about what Jesus was doing during each day of Holy Week. You’ll find a daily, short devotional geared for kids, conversation starters, and prayer to help your family engage with Scriptures. Tell a friend! Available April 10-17 at https://communityofhope.church/easter
Good Friday Experience: Friday, April 15 | 4:30pm - 7:30pm | At all our campuses - Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth – we invite you to an indoor walk-through experience designed to creatively help you reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. Come by yourself or with your family anytime between 4:30pm & 7:30pm. Available in both English and Spanish with versions for adults or for families with small children. More information at https://communityofhope.church/easter
Easter Services: Join us at any of our 3 campuses as we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection:
Loxahatchee Campus - Outdoor Sunrise Service at 7am, Indoor Services at 9am, 10:30am, and noon.
West Palm Beach Campus – Indoor Services at 10:00am in English and 11:30am in Español.
Lake Worth Campus – Indoor Services at 9am and 10:30am.
More information at https://communityofhope.church/easter
Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! If you haven’t already, consider setting up automated giving to help you be consistent even when you’re traveling. To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give.