Sermons on welcoming strangers:

Welcome To The Family Sermon Vii: Communicating With The Father Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 13, 2020

As children of God and members of the Family of God, our unique privilege of communicating with our Father in Heaven keeps us from despair in times of trouble and gives us hope to carry on despite disease and death.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE FATHER OF OUR FAMILY – THE FAMILY OF GOD Again I say, “Welcome to the Family – the Family of God”! What a fellowship! What a joy divine! What a privilege! How wonderful it is to be a child of God with the gift of discernment . . . distinction ...read more

Welcoming The Repentant Sinners (September 8, 2013)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Do we rejoice with God and the angels of heaven every time another sinner repents? In Luke 15 , Jesus tells three parables and all three parables end with a celebration. But, not everyone comes to the celebration.

Luke 15:1-10 GNB One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus, (2) the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, "This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!" (3) So Jesus told them this parable: (4) "Suppose one of you has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

A Strange Land.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2022

Strangers and pilgrims in this world.

A STRANGE LAND. Psalm 137. The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open House

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 17, 2023

When God calls people to us, it is our job to gather them in his name and share the joy he provides for all in his house of prayer.

Almost 40 years ago, July or August of 1984, I was at my very first Bible camp. It was the annual women’s retreat for the Northwest Women’s Caucus of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and I was scared to death. Well, maybe that was putting it a little strongly, but I was pretty nervous. You ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whoever... Series

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Oct 5, 2009

No qualifications or prerequisites required. All are welcome!

Whoever John 3:16-21 Have you ever felt like you just didn’t get it? Have you ever been left out, rejected, and passed over because you were under qualified or overqualified? Have you ever been excluded because you didn’t have the right looks, training, experience, abilities, etc.? How did that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Mercy For The Outsider

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Feb 13, 2013

A reflection on the non-discriminatory mercy of God

GOD’S MERCY FOR THE ‘OUTSIDER’... ISAIAH 56:1-8; MATTHEW 15:21-28; ROMANS 11:25-36 Introduction: The story is told of two university students who got into a bit of a debate about the existence of God... The one student was a fervent atheist and eventually blurted out in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Making A Rarity Commonplace

Contributed by Monty Newton on Apr 29, 2013

God's desire is that every Christian be an encouraging person... Barnabas is a good example of a good example.

Title: Making a Rarity Commonplace Text: Hebrews 10:23-25 Thesis: God desire is that every Christian be an encouraging person. Introduction When I grew up we often gave our friends nicknames… Bob Hutchins was “Hutch.” Robert Sanden was “Ralph.” His older brother ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus' Last Visit To The Temple

Contributed by James May on Apr 5, 2023

There is no doubt that Jesus' last temple visit was less than positive. It had become a den of thieves. However after he cleansed that temple it once again became a House of Prayer.

After the Triumphal Entry of Jesus through the Eastern Gate, the scripture records that he then left the city of Jerusalem and went to stay the night at the home of his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Then the next morning he set out once again to go to Jerusalem, about 2 miles away. It was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13, Matthew 21:14-16, Luke 19:47-48, Luke 21:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rewards

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 11, 2023

A reward is viewed as something received in this life or in the hereafter.

Rewards – Matthew 10: 40 - 42 Intro: William Barclay in his commentary on Matthew writes the following story: There was once a cobbler who very much wanted to be a pastor. But, because of career and family demands, he could not follow his dream. He was asked to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Radical Hospitality Series

Contributed by Roy Probus on Jul 5, 2012

Radical Hospitality is about planning Hospitality for more than just those who walk in your worship area.

I. Introduction to 5 Practices * Video - Drive Thru Church (found on YouTube) Sometimes we expect the church to bend for our needs rather than us bending for it. Same thing with our youth group. Sometimes we want things to happen that we want rather than what is best for the ministry. We want ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: United Methodist

Radical Hospitality

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

Launching from Jesus' call to love our enemies and be perfect, this sermon speaks of love and welcoming.

In 1979, Tim Hansel published a book entitled "When I Relax I feel Guilty". Included in the book is this raw and provocative tidbit. "I would like to buy three dollars’ worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Lutheran

Watfaring Strangers , A Study Of 1 Peter- Part 11- " Wives" Series

Contributed by Randy Edwards on May 15, 2018

Part 11 of our 1 Peter study

Thanks to Jeff Strite for thje illustration and Bill Glass for the outline Wayfaring Strangers a study of 1 Peter part 11 and “In the same way, you wives” Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6 1 Peter 3:1-6 Let me read you a letter to a wife sent to tech support Dear Tech Support, last year I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Wayfaring Strangers Part 4, " Gloom , Despair And Agony On Me" Series

Contributed by Randy Edwards on Mar 2, 2018

Part 4 of our verse by verse study of 1 Peter

Wayfaring Strangers A study of 1 Peter Part 4 “Gloom, despair and agony on me” I know I may be dating myself when I used the words Gloom, despair and agony on me But many of you recognize this term from the television show Hee Haw (Show youtube clip of Hee Haw) This is funny But it is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Waaring Strangers Part 13-" Making A List And Checking It Twice" Series

Contributed by Randy Edwards on Jun 5, 2018

part 13 of our study of 1 Peter

Wayfaring Strangers A Study Of 1 Peter Part 13 “Making a list and checking it checking it twice” 1 Peter 3:8-12 I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I often forget things Knowing that about myself It is imperative that I make check lists When I go to the feed store Hardware store ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 7 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 15, 2010

Last week look at a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, that of our acceptance of others. Favoritism and prejudice are activities not welcome in the church of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith has not place for partiality. So now, today, we continue wi

Do – Be – Do Faith James 2:14-26 INTRODUCTION: Last week look at a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, that of our acceptance of others. Favoritism and prejudice are activities not welcome in the church of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith has not place for partiality. So now, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist