Matthew 10: 40 – 42 / Welcome
Intro: You’ve heard of the Dead Sea? It is so salty it contains no fish or plant life. There are no outlets. Water pours into it, but nothing flows out. --- The same can be said of some churches and even some Christians. It is possible for people to attend church, Bible studies, listen intently to wonderful sermons offered by their clergy and yet seem lifeless and unproductive. They have several “inlets” but no “outlets.”
I. Today’s society seems to be focused more on “What’s in it for me?” especially when it comes to church.
A. VS. 41 addresses just such a concern. It speaks of the “prophet’s reward” and the “righteous man’s reward.”
B. A reward is defined: 1) as something given in return for service or merit, 2) money offered, 3) compensation; profit; return. The Greek word here is MISTHON. It is a common word that literally means a payment of wages or something earned.
C. The worldly part of us assumes that there is something to be gained from “receiving” one who is sent; to believe that we are going to get something for “welcoming others.”
II. The danger here is to place emphasis on the OUR RECEIVING instead of the WELCOMING.
A. The Biblical intent and emphasis here is not on what we will get if we are hospitable and welcoming. The emphasis is on the fact that we are being called to WELCOME or RECEIVE.
B. An Irish liturgical theologian at Yale Divinity School (Siobhan Garrigan) in her book, The Real Peace Process, tells of being welcomed at a Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland by 2 ladies who were asking visitors their names as the entered. Hearing the names, the 2 women would draw conclusions about the cultural and religious identity of each. Those with Protestant names were welcomed warmly and shown to their seats. Those with apparently Catholic names were told they were surely in the wrong church and sent on their way.
C. I cannot tell you how many times Barbara and I have spoken with people from this community who have said, “I visited that church ONCE.” When asked to visit again, they never come. Why? --- You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression.
III. Fortunately, that was then, and this is now. Or is it?
A. Look around this room. Is there someone here you have seen before and yet you do not know who they are? Is there a new face that you don’t recognize? If so, make an effort to get to know them. Perhaps make an appointment to visit with them later this week.
B. When you get home, I want you to take your church directory and go through the list of names. When you come to a name to which you cannot attach a face, pick up the phone and invite that person to your home for a visit.
C. I want to leave you with a survey which I want each of you to seriously consider and complete.
Conclusion: What is the “reward” for doing these things? What’s in if for you? NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! But in welcoming “these little ones” into your life or into your home, you welcome Christ Jesus. VS. 40 – “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Who Is Welcome In Our Congregation?
Fill out this worksheet individually. Mark each description as follows:
1 = people you would really like to have join our church
2= people you might like to have come to our church, depending on factors
3 = people you don’t think would receive a warm welcome in our church
4 = people who would be warmly welcomed into your home
_____ Couple living together, not married
_____ Interracial couple
_____ Divorced male
_____ Divorced female
_____ Married couple, attending together
_____ Homosexual male couple
_____ Homosexual female couple
_____ Non-English speaking male
_____ Non-English speaking female
_____ Extremely overweight male
_____ Extremely overweight female
_____ Couple with a crying baby who won’t leave it in the nursery
_____ Person with noticeable hygiene problems
_____ Person who sings in a loud monotone
_____ Person who sins operatically
_____ Someone especially talkative
_____ Someone especially quiet and meek
_____ Articulate, well-educated, well-dressed male
_____ Articulate, well-educated, well-dressed female
_____ Male who is not fashionably dressed
_____ Female who is not fashionably dressed
_____ Lower-income male
_____ Lower-income female
_____ Older male with financial resources
_____ Older female with financial resources
_____ Child of middle-income parents
_____ Teenage son or daughter of middle-income parents
_____ Older single male
_____ Older single female
_____ Single male under 30
_____ Single female under 30
_____ Unemployed male
_____ Unemployed female
_____ Male on public assistance
_____ Female on public assistance
_____ African American
_____ Asian
_____ Hispanic
_____ Latin American
_____ Middle Eastern
_____ Native American
_____ New immigrants
_____ Homosexual male or female
_____ South American
_____ Person somewhat physically disabled (needing walkers, crutches)
_____ Person severely physically disabled (in a wheelchair)
_____ Person with alcohol on his or her breath
_____ Person whose smile reveals many missing teeth
_____ Person with emotional problems and unpredictable behavior
_____ Youth, child or adult with mental disability
_____ Person who is a smoker
_____ Person who is politically liberal
_____ Person who is politically conservative
_____ Agnostic
_____ Religious fundamentalist
_____ Charismatic
_____ Former felon
_____ Unmarried pregnant teenager
_____ Person testing HIV positive
_____ Person with AIDS
_____ Person with Alzheimer disease
_____ Person who has cancer
_____ Person with dirt under fingernails and unkempt hair
_____ Male with earring on one ear
_____ Person in revealing clothing