Youth Sermon: A Welcome Reward

The Power of Welcoming Others

Hey guys! I'm stoked to hang out with you today and chat about something that's been on my mind. You know how we all love to be welcomed, right? Like when you walk into a room and everyone's like, "Hey, you're here!" It feels good, doesn't it? Well, today we're going to talk about the power of welcoming others and how it ties into our faith.

Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a door. It could be any door - your front door, your bedroom door, the door to your favorite hangout spot. Now, imagine that door is always open, welcoming anyone and everyone who wants to come in. That's what we're called to be like as followers of Jesus. We're meant to be like open doors, welcoming others into our lives and showing them the love of God.

We're meant to be like open doors, welcoming others into our lives and showing them the love of God.

The Biblical Perspective

Let's check out what the Bible says about this. In Matthew 10:40-42, Jesus says, "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." That's pretty cool, right? When we welcome others, we're not just welcoming them, we're welcoming Jesus and God the Father.

But it's not just about being nice to people. It's about recognizing that every person is valuable and important. There's a quote from C.S. Lewis that says, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal...Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses." That's a game-changer, isn't it? There are no ordinary people. Everyone we meet is extraordinary in the eyes of God.

The Invitation to Eternal Salvation

Now, let's talk about the invitation to eternal salvation. This is the ultimate welcome, right? God's saying, "Hey, I want you to be with me forever." And the best part? It's not something we have to earn. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." That's a relief, isn't it? We don't have to be perfect or have it all together. We just have to believe in Jesus and accept His invitation.

Applying it to Our Everyday Lives

But what does this look like in our everyday lives? How do we welcome others and show them the love of God? Well, it starts with treating everyone with dignity and value. That means not judging people based on what they look like or where they come from. It means standing up for those who are being treated unfairly. It means showing kindness and compassion to everyone we meet.

So here's your challenge for this week: Be an open door. Welcome others into your life. Show them the love of God. And remember, there are no ordinary people.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How can we better welcome others into our lives and our youth group?

2. What does it mean to you to embrace the invitation to eternal salvation?

3. How can we show others that they are valued and loved by God?

4. Can you share a time when you felt truly welcomed? How did it make you feel?

5. How can we stand up against injustice and advocate for those who are marginalized and oppressed?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Welcome Relay
• Group Activity: Creating a Welcome Package
• Youth Challenge: Be a Welcomer