Blessed Sunday to you all!

Matthew 10: 40—43 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

This was Pastor Joel’s sermon topic this morning. These passages remind us of how we need to always be welcoming to those around us whether we know them or not. I thought this was a particularly perfect passage today as two of our long time friends walked into the sanctuary at Advent this morning and told us they were “church shopping.” We welcomed them and then I went on back to the choir loft and watched the remainder of the congregation. What I observed gladdened my heart. I watched so many of our church members go over and welcome these visitors to our congregation and our worship service. And it caused me to remember…

When we came to Advent seven years ago we, too, were “church shopping.” And seven years ago we received the very same welcome as our friends did today. Somehow the folks at Advent have understanding of the word “Welcome!” Pastor Joel explained the scripture passage today that we were to act as the Disciples of 2000 years ago. Jesus was not training these followers to be His imitators, but He was training His replacements.

Imitators are just that, imitators, not the real thing. Jesus trained those first disciples to carry on His work in His name. Accept no substitutes. As Pastor Joel explained this morning, there was no Plan B - only Plan A. These disciples were to welcome those who were unbelievers in the name of Jesus and love them. Today’s sermon title was “Cook food. Serve love.” The disciples were to offer the body and blood of Jesus by sharing how much Jesus loved each of those folks 2000 years ago. For if they truly became the body of Jesus then they were not only sharing the love of Christ but telling those that they not only believed in Jesus, but also in the One who sent Him.

We are called to the same task as those disciples of long ago. We are called to show radical hospitality to those around us. We are not to be imitators of Christ, but be Christ to those who do not know Him. When we do that, we are telling others how much we love them because Jesus loves us and that we, too, believe in the One who sent Him.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Show someone how much you love them by welcoming them into your heart through the love of Jesus. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.