Hospitality: Bringing Hope To Charleston

Through the month of October, we will be focusing on “Bringing Hope To Charleston” in response to What Does God Want Us To Do as Christ Church?

Part of what God wants us to do is to reach out and receive people who are looking for a place to belong. Said another way, God expects us to be hospitable, welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed us.

Hospitality is God’s business. You have been invited, called, and commissioned to be a person of hospitality where you live, work, and play for the purpose of bringing glory to God. You have been invited to reach out and receive the people God sends your way.

Let’s look at a scripture that helps give direction to God’s business of hospitality.

Read Romans 15:1-7

15 We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good in order to build them up. ³ Christ didn’t please himself, but, as it is written, The insults of those who insulted you fell on me. ⁴ Whatever was written in the past was the encouragement of the scriptures. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. ⁶ That way you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ together with one voice.

⁷ So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory.

Reflect on Romans 15

Before we look at verse 7, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God,” let’s look at the context of the verse.

Paul is speaking directly to the equality of Jews and Gentiles as people of God in the community of faith. When he says, “We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves,” he is saying that we are not merely to tolerate or put up with one another but to uphold one another. Jesus is the model here. Jesus came to do the will of the Father, not his own will. This involved suffering and even death. So, Paul is saying to keep God’s love, as we have experienced in Jesus, at the center.

Paul offers a blessing, “May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude.” The blessing is given so the people of the church can glorify God together with one voice.

Then comes verse 7, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Welcome One Another

The Greek word for “welcome” means receiving and accepting someone. It means more than being polite or allowing someone into the room. It means to make room for them in the community of faith.

Paul isn’t saying simply, “Be nice to each other.” He is saying, “Receive those you meet into your life.” This is a deeper welcome. You are receiving others rather than tolerating them.

One Another

Paul is talking to a divided Christian community. The Christians in Rome did not all agree. They had different backgrounds and different convictions about how their faith should be practiced. Some were stronger in faith; others were more cautious.

In the midst of their disagreements and different world views, Paul says, “Welcome one another.” Being followers of Jesus does mean we all think alike. But it does mean we belong to one another.

Think about it. You were welcomed before you had everything figured out, despite your failures, and despite your differences. You were welcome with grace into relationship. No condemnation or exclusion.

Paul is saying welcome others as you have been welcomed. It is not based upon worthiness. It is based upon grace. You might think of it this way, “I welcome others as God in Christ has welcomed me.

This is more than tolerance. Tolerance says: “I will allow you to be here.” Welcome says: “I am glad you are here. There is a place for you.”

Tolerance can keep people at a distance. Welcome moves toward relationships. So, think of it this way. People aren’t looking for a place to attend. They are looking for a place to belong.

I welcome you because Christ has welcomed me.

For the glory of God

Why should we welcome one another? “For the glory of God.” Our relationships become a witness to who God is. When people who are different from one another can love, forgive, serve, and worship together, the love of God becomes visible.

In other words

The way followers of Jesus treat one another is one way we reflect God’s love. Although worship is part of glorifying God, we glorify God by the ways we receive one another, especially those who are different.

“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God,”

Respond

Here is something to consider in response to “welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you…” Who is someone I need to make room for in my life or in my church?”

The question is not “Who do I like? or “Who sees things as I see them?’ or “Who makes me feel comfortable?” The question is “Who does Jesus want me to welcome?

A church had a tradition of fellowship dinner after worship on Sundays. The people would put one empty chair at each table for visitors and guests. One Sunday, a visitor by the name of David stayed for the fellowship time. He was older, dressed simply, and clearly uncomfortable. He stood near the doorway while everyone else seemed to know where they belonged.

He watched people greet one another, laugh, and sit with their friends. No one was intentionally unkind to him. But no one invited him to sit with them either. Finally, a woman named Margaret noticed him.

She walked across the room and said, “You look like you’re looking for a place to sit.”

David smiled awkwardly and said, “I guess I am.”

Margaret pulled out a chair at her table and said, “Well, we’ve got an empty chair right here.”

David sat down. As they ate, Margaret discovered that David hadn’t been to church in many years. He had experienced some difficult things in his life and wasn’t sure whether he really belonged in church anymore. At one point he said, “I’m not sure people like me really fit in here.”

Margaret looked at him and said: “You don’t have to fit in before you belong. You’re welcome here.”

Years later, David told the story of that Sunday. He didn’t remember the sermon. He didn’t remember what they ate. He barely remembered the songs. But he remembered that someone had made room for him.

Paul says: “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Margaret understood something about Christian welcome. She didn’t ask David whether he had everything figured out. She didn’t ask whether he had the right beliefs. She didn’t ask whether he knew anyone. She simply made room. And that is what Christ has done for us. There is room for each of us.

So, here is the question, Who is someone I need to make room for in my life or in my church? “Who does Jesus want me to welcome?”

How will you be intentional about reaching out and receiving this week? For whom will you make room in your everyday, ordinary living?

Return

Give thanks for the people you encountered today. Who did Jesus want you to welcome with acceptance and love? How did you extend hospitality? With whom do you need to celebrate God’s hospitality? What will you do differently tomorrow?