There is something great about lifting someone else up to see, so that they can see farther than you.
We become what we honour. When we take the time to look at and praise what we honour, it impacts us.
Are you welcoming naturally? There are some people in our church who are particularly welcoming... Who was it that welcomed you to Calvary?
One of the wells this church draws from is a value to be "a welcoming Christ-centered community."
When people take the time to show they are interested, it helps us to feel welcomed. The forefathers of this church, Methodist preachers went out on horse-back to welcome people into the faith.
Who has shown you Jesus? Who has made Him welcome to you? Sometimes it's the small things that we remember -- like a smile... an offer of help... deep listening.
When others make us feel like we matter, we are seeing a glimpse of God.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35
Jesus does many things to demonstrate that we matter to God. In this scripture, Jesus models compassion.
Jesus calls disciples to help Him reach "the lost.".
Freely you have received, freely give.
Jesus' culture was a culture based on honour. In that time, your reputation was everything. People expected to be treated to the extent that they were honoured. However, Jesus reached out to those who did not feel like that they had been honoured.
Could it be that God brought the people in our lives who have welcomed us so that we, in turn, could reach out to others? Have they taught us how to love others?
What if we practiced honouring other people in the way that others have expressed honour to us?
We live in a culture where people don't come to church as much. Therefore, may we welcome others outside the church as we have been welcomed here.
The meaning of being welcomed is being accepted with pleasure.
Unfortunately, we were unable to record this week's sermon....sorry!