JESUS – THE MOST APPROACHABLE PERSON

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2 NIV)

In Jesus' day, lepers and prostitutes and tax collectors were especially careful to steer clear of the rabbis, who were considered especially close to God. The rabbis' had the mistaken notion that their spirituality required them to distance themselves from people. The irony is that the only rabbi the outcasts could touch turned out to be God Himself.

Jesus was the most approachable person they had ever seen. The religious leaders had a kind of differentness that pushed people away. Jesus had a kind of differentness that drew people to Him. True spirituality is that way.

-- John Ortberg in “The Life You've Always Wanted”

#6397

VICTORY OVER DEATH

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.”  (1 Peter 3:18 ESV)

So many things in this world are private or restricted. You can be turned away because you don’t have a ticket, a membership, a reservation, an important friend, a recognizable name, the proper clothing, or a couple of C-notes to bribe the doorman. Not long ago, I showed up at a prestigious country club for a round of golf and was told that because I was wearing denim shorts, I’d have to come back some other time.

But when it comes to our Lord’s victory over death, there are no goons standing at the door to keep people out -- only Jesus to welcome us in. Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) says, “Therefore [Jesus] is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”  

--  Adapted from “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus” by Mark Atteberry

#6290

PHILONEXIA

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  (Romans 12:9-18 NIV)

There's a two-word verse tucked in the middle of Romans 12 behind which is hidden one of my favorite Greek terms. The verse says, "Practice hospitality." The Greek word is philonexia. Here's my working definition: "to pursue the stranger with the love of a family and make them feel at home." It's not really about people you know, but people you don't yet know. And it's not about being an extroverted person who never meets a stranger.

Hospitality is a deeply personal posture of openness toward all people. Our natural tendency is to fear strangers and keep to our own. To follow Jesus is to become open and curious (and, of course, wise and discerning) when it comes to strangers. You may remember this charge in the letter to the Hebrews: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (13:2).

The one who shows hospitality is often in for the bigger blessing. Then there's the famous [post-resurrection] Emmaus Road story where the two disciples invite the stranger into their home after the long walk and He turns out to be Jesus Himself! Wow! He did say in His parable of the sheep and the goats, depicting the final judgment, "I was a stranger and You welcomed Me" (Matthew. 25:35). It's why St. Benedict put this instruction in his rule of life: "Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ."

Philonexia! It's one of the hallmark qualities of Holy Spirit–filled people. May it become a new watchword in our hearts, homes, and churches.  

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with J. D. Walt

#6101

PREPARE HIM ROOM

One year a church was holding its annual Christmas pageant with children playing all the parts. A small boy portraying the innkeeper in Bethlehem was instructed to turn away Joseph and Mary from his inn. The boy, however, felt so badly for them that he said, “Sorry, there’s no room in the inn,… but you can come over to my house!”

Today, it seems, Christ is turned away from many places and from many hearts. He’s not welcome. But have you invited Him to come into your home,… into your heart? Is busyness crowding Him out? Is sin blocking the door? Are you afraid of what the neighbors might say?

The Gospel of John says, “He came to what was His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.”  (John 1:11-13 NRSV)

This contemporary worship song by Sovereign Grace Music puts it all together:
“Oh, our hearts, as busy as Bethlehem
Hear Him knock, don't say there's no room in the inn
Through the cradle, cross, and grave
See the love of God displayed
Now He's risen and He reigns
Praise the Name above all names!
Prepare Him room
Prepare Him room
Let the King of glory enter in.”

 -- David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5489

PREPARE THE WAY

“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”  (Isaiah 40:3-5 NRSV)

As you begin this journey through Advent, how do you prepare to welcome God? You prepare your welcome of God when you exercise welcome toward others. You prepare your welcome of God when you empty your life of the sin that crowds out all that is good and gracious. You prepare your welcome of God when you comfort the afflicted with compassion.  

-- John Indermark in “Setting the Christmas Stage”

#5484

MEETING TOGETHER

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”  (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT)

I was struck by one observation from an alcoholic friend of mine: "When I'm late to church, people turn around and stare at me with frowns of disapproval. I get the clear message that I'm not as responsible as they are. When I'm late to AA, the meeting comes to a halt and everyone jumps up to hug and welcome me. They realize that my lateness may be a sign that I almost didn't make it. When I show up, it proves that my desperate need for them won out over my desperate need for alcohol."

-- Philip Yancey in “Christianity Today” magazine

#5430

CALLED TO HOSPITALITY

In this age of the ubiquitous Martha Stewart, it’s easy to feel unsettled about hospitality. After watching Martha mastermind a feast for 50, we can decide we’re too busy, uncreative, or financially limited to invite company into our houses…

If time, money, and energy were the true measuring sticks of hospitality, then most of us should lock the front door and watch television. But thankfully our guideline for hosting guests comes from the Bible. In Romans 12 Paul… instructed Christ’s followers to “practice hospitality” along with the reminders to “keep your spiritual fervor” and be “faithful in prayer.” The apostle considered hospitality an everyday practice and priority, integrating it with the keys to spiritual growth and vitality.

Yet Paul wasn’t referring to “entertaining” as we think of it today. Entertaining emphasizes planning, acquiring resources, and managing an event. Hospitality centers on inviting people into our lives, and sharing from what we have, on helping guests feel relaxed and part of the household. Instead of dazzling people with our social skills, we pour God’s warmth into their souls. 

--  Pamela A. Toussaint in “Hospitality in a Hectic World,” Discipleship Journal, No. 98


#4426

DOORWAY PEOPLE

Many Christians can name one or two people who were critical to their entry into the faith community.  Perhaps a pastor, a relative, a neighbor, or a coworker offered the first invitation, provided encouragement, or welcomed them.  Even in larger congregations, an unusually high proportion of newcomers have been influenced by a small handful of people.  These "doorway people" have a natural way of gently helping people along on the critical first steps toward faith.  Who are the "doorway people" for your own faith journey?  For whom are you a doorway person?

-- Robert Schnase in Five Practices of Fruitful Living


#3519

MAKING ROOM FOR EACH OTHER

At its root, hospitality isn't about planning, entertaining, or even making someone "comfortable" in the usual sense of that word. Rather, Christian hospitality is about making space in one's life for others, and receiving them, the stranger and the familiar, as one would receive the Christ. Whether we always recognize -- or even like -- it or not, we're all on the journey together. We might as well stop every once in a while and make room for each other…

-- Bill Treadway, Associate Editor of MethodX.net

 
#2731

Welcome to SOUND BITES Ministry

How it all began

Over the years I have collected quotes that pertain to the Christian faith and life in general. As I have read or studied what others have written, I have been struck by the profound thought that is captured in their few short words. I have accumulated these quotes and categorized them. I have used these short quotes in sermons I have preached, in free devotional booklets I have published for our congregation, in small-group studies I have led, and in articles I have written. It has been a great resource to me.

During Lent 1999 God prompted me to think about a new idea as to how I might share these thoughts with a broader audience. At the same time, our family was experiencing the first anniversary of the death of our son, Dustin, who died at the age of sixteen from a brain tumor. So, beginning on that anniversary, March 29, 1999 we began an e-mail ministry in memory of Dustin that we call "SOUND BITES: Something to chew on that is good for the soul." Five days a week, Monday through Friday, I share one of these quotes with subscribers. Hopefully recipients find something of faith and life to think about and chew on, which feeds their soul and helps them grow spiritually. Since its inception, over 2200 daily quotes have been sent out. The subscriber list continues to grow numerically and geographically with subscribers in every state in the U.S., and also in Canada, Mexico, and numerous other countries around the world. Currently over 1850 subscribers receive SOUND BITES directly and many others second hand. Now SOUND BITES is available through this blog, as well.

What's in a name

The following definitions from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary provide some understanding of the name chosen. SOUND: solid; logically valid and having true premises; agreeing with accepted views, orthodox; showing good judgment or sense. BITES: (vb) to take hold of; to take in; to grip and impress deeply; (n) morsel; a small amount of food; a keen incisive quality; a sharp penetrating effect.

The first quote I sent out was by John F. Kavanaugh from The Word Encountered. "If our faith is something that really does not make a big difference, if it is actually not crucial that we or others believe, no wonder it seems boring to some of our young. Anything we don't care about can't be very interesting. The things we do care about, however, we inevitably talk about... If faith is real, it seeks expression. It will communicate and profess. It will have the energy of passion."