In what ways can we ensure our community welcomes Christ today? Understanding the Warning in John 1:11 “He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him.” • When Jesus first arrived, the very people who possessed the Scriptures and the promises still missed Him. • Their loss cautions every generation: having religious heritage is not the same as welcoming the Lord Himself. Barriers That Still Shut Him Out • Cultural familiarity: “We know this already.” (cf. Mark 6:3–4) • Religious routine without repentance: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8) • Love of approval more than love of God: “They loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:43) • Unconfessed sin: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2) Building a Christ-Welcoming Community 1. Ground Everything in Scriptural Truth • Devote public and private gatherings to the reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13). • Teach the whole counsel of God without trimming the hard edges (Acts 20:27). 2. Cultivate Repentant Hearts • Keep short accounts with God—confess quickly and corporately (1 John 1:9). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly, examining ourselves honestly (1 Corinthians 11:28). 3. Practice Genuine Love and Hospitality • Receive one another as Christ received us (Romans 15:7). • Open homes and schedules, showing tangible care (Hebrews 13:2). 4. Prioritize Prayer and Dependence • Gather for earnest, united prayer (Acts 1:14; 4:31). • Intercede for neighbors, leaders, and the lost, asking Christ to reveal Himself (1 Timothy 2:1–4). 5. Exalt Christ in Worship • Sing rich, Christ-centered songs that declare who He is and what He’s done (Colossians 3:16). • Ensure services point to Christ’s supremacy, not human performance (Revelation 5:12). 6. Serve the Least and the Lost • Meet practical needs: food, shelter, presence (Matthew 25:35–40). • Share the gospel clearly, trusting its power to save (Romans 1:16). 7. Guard Unity in Truth • Handle conflicts biblically—speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). • Reject factions and gossip; pursue the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). 8. Make Disciple-Making Normal • Older believers train younger (Titus 2:3–5). • Everyone learns to obey all Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19–20). Encouraging Promises for a Welcoming Church • “Where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) • “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him.” (Revelation 3:20) • “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Living the Welcome Daily • Stay alert to subtle drift—keep Christ central in teaching, relationships, and mission. • Remember, He loves to dwell with those who humbly treasure His Word and reflect His heart. |
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