| June 26, 2005 Matthew 10:40-42 40 Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. 41 The one who welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man because he is a just man will receive the reward of a just man. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is a disciple of mine, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.” - - - - - - - 1. A doctrine of hospitality is crucial to the well-being of any life. We are talking radical hospitality here that welcomes everyone and everything. To welcome is to become. To welcome is to become what is welcomed. This is scary if there is a restriction in viewing the best in another. Our projection of this fear blocks our welcoming. Radical hospitality is the welcoming that GOD does with creation -- evening and morning, welcome, it is good. This is the welcoming at the end of this creation. Thanks for all the fish and hail the new creation of a new heaven and a new earth -- morning and evening, welcome, it is good. 2. Welcoming puts us on the same plane. To welcome another is to share life. Grok? Plant a radish, get a radish. Welcome a prophet, become a prophet. Never any doubt. 3. "Welcome and share" is the measure of your acceptance of having been welcomed and shared with. To disciple is to welcome. In the jargon of the church we are to make disciples. This might well be translated that we are to train welcomers.
|