-Building Up One Another-
GREET ONE ANOTHER
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ
send greetings.- Romans 16:16
Introduction
The church gathered should be a welcoming place - a place of warmth, friendship, and acceptance. All have visited a church that was welcoming and made you glad to be there. All have visited church that was cold, unwelcoming, distant, and you felt ignored. These experiences are as ancient as our text.
The command to love one another is the most frequently repeated ‘one another principle’ - appears 9 times.
Which ‘one another principle’ is number two? “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Written by two apostles, in five different letters, to dozens of congregations, in several different countries. Four times in Paul’s letters. Peter calls his readers to greet one another with a kiss of love.
Our attention is caught by the “kiss” - a cultural manner of greeting. This was the normal way to greet a person of the same sex in Paul’s day - and in some cultures even today. It is ‘holy’ - there are no sexual overtones in this greeting. Paul is not commanding culture here, but holy greeting. Don’t be distracted by the manner but the command!
1. We Greet One Another Because of a Command!
This passage is a command - we are to take the initiative! Don’t wait for someone else to be friendly toward you! Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must show himself friendly…”
Paul led the way with his great example in Romans 16. In verses 3-15 Paul uses the word for ‘Greet’ 16 times, greeting by name 26 individuals or groups. This is a command, but it is more than just that.
2. Four Ways We Bless Others By Greeting Them!
*We Acknowledge them (Romans 16: 3-7)
It is a terrible feeling to feel ignored or unnoticed. Half of the people on this list are either slaves or women - people of very little influence or power in Paul’s day. Paul reaches out beyond all cultural limitations to slaves, \ women, Gentiles, Jews, Romans, to acknowledge them! Nine of the names listed here are women - five of whom are commended for their ministry in the church. Every person is important and should know that we are glad they are here and they are wanted and needed.
*We Commend Them (Romans 16:1-2)
Paul is commending Phoebe’s character and testimony. He is showing respect, honoring and edifying. We have power with our words to either enhance or to hurt.
“A hearty embrace can turn a bad day good. A friendly smile and a cheerful greeting can lighten your step. When you genuinely feel that someone is happy to see you, it makes you feel loved and wanted. …No one should feel lonely, neglected or overlooked in the church.”- Dan Raymond
*We Express Affection: (16)
Whether shaking hands, hugs, pat on the shoulder - human touch is so important. Jesus often reached out to the untouchables - the lepers, kids, tax collectors.
“A tender and affectionate greeting says I welcome you and receive you just as God does. You will find his love and grace here. Here you have a home. With us you have a family. When you have nowhere else to go, you come here. When no one else will listen, talk to us. You are my brother. You are my sister. You are welcome here.” - Raymond
*We Overcome Isolation
We have more ways to keep in touch than ever before. Some have sent or received a text during this sermon! Instant messages, Social Media, Smart phones, and even Smart Watches, Zoom - we should be the most connected people of all time. Yet one of the signs of our modern age is that people feel more isolated and disconnected than ever. It is so important to recognize the person in front you - you never know how important it really is.
3. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
*Every Member is a Greeter
“…Come to church every Sunday with the intention of ministering and serving in the ministry of heartfelt, holy greeting.” - Chuck Sligh
Come a little early, speak to other people-especially guests.
“Every new person walking through the doors on Sunday morning is a stewardship from God for, at a minimum, that day. They are image bearers in need of grace coming to hear the gospel, whether they realize it or not. They are our responsibility. So, we must labor to be kind, wise, and Jesus-focused each Sunday.” - David McLemore
*Show impartiality as you greet one another.
For every person regardless of their station in life, skin color, wealth, or appearance. People who aren’t in your normal circle of friends … people you don’t know well. Greet people in a heartfelt, sincere way, especially those who were less well-known, more shy, prone to loneliness, and those who were discouraged or downhearted.
*Greet Strangers Before Friends. You have your friends’ contact information and can talk to them anytime. Who is someone you haven’t spent time talking to that you could give some encouragement to?
Conclusion
“One wonders if [we] realize just how scary it can be for a person new in the city to venture into an unfamiliar church. It is an act of courage of the first dimension.” - Joe McKeever
1 Timothy 3:15 “…You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
The Church is the Family of God - and Greeting one another is an expression of family. When we place our faith in Christ and are baptized, we are born again of water and spirit into the Family of God!
Two lessons for today:
-Greet one another as family should!
-Become a part of the family and embark on the mission of loving others as a Christian!
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Discussion Questions
1. Who will share a time when they felt warmly welcomed by a church? Who will share a time when they felt isolated and ignored at a church? What can we learn from these experiences to help Forsythe?
2. What are some reasons why it is scary for a person to venture into an unfamiliar church?
3. In Romans 16 Paul acknowledges, commends, and expresses affection for the Roman Christians. What are some specific ways we can help people feel seen, known, and loved? How can we reach out to someone who feels overlooked or lonely or burdened in our congregation?
4. Read Colossians 3:12-14. How can Christians reflect this kind of relationship in our greetings? What forms might those greetings appropriately take? Why will this require more than simply attending services to accomplish?
5. If every member is to see themselves as a greeter, what would we say to a Christian who is more introverted and shy? How can they take more initiative in greeting others? Our church has a significant portion of people who are consistently late - how might seeing themselves as a greeter help motivate a more timely arrival at church?
6. In David McLemore's quote he said, "Every new person walking through the doors on Sunday morning is a stewardship from God for, at a minimum, that day." What do you think he means by this and how does it address the command to 'greet one another'?
7. What do you think of the encouragement to focus on guests and people you do not know when we are assembled, rather than just our close friends (what Thom Rainer calls the 'holy huddle')? Can you think of some strategies to help accomplish this?
8. Is there anything else about today's message you wanted to talk about?
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Video of this message can be found by searching the YouTube channel of Forsythe Church of Christ.
Audio of this message can be heard by searching for Forsythe Church of Christ on our podcast host, Podbean.
Thanks!
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Resources
Sermon by Chuck Sligh at
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/4-one-anothers-4-greet-one-another-chuck-sligh-sermon-on-greeting-241997
Sermon by Dan Raymond
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/7-greet-one-another-dan-raymond-sermon-on-greet-one-another-202104
Six Reasons Why Your Church Members May Not Be Friendly to Guests by Thom S. Rainer
https://churchanswers.com/blog/six-reasons-church-members-may-not-friendly-guests/
10 Signals That Say "You are Not Welcome in This Church" by Joe McKeever
https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/joe-mckeever/10-signals-say-you-not-welcome-this-church.html
How to Greet Visitors to Your Church on Sunday by David McLemore
https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/how-to-greet-visitors-to-your-church-on-sunday/
