High school students are known for associating in cliques. They naturally gather in circles of exclusion. They may not even be doing it intentionally, but they often leave others out. Sadly, sometimes this even happens here at church.
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? (ESV) -
Jesus is calling us to do more than greet those we already have a relationship with. This verse is in the context of loving our enemies. Non-Christians easily accept people who have already shown acceptance to them. It is distinctly Christian to reach out to someone who offers you nothing in return, someone who may even be against you.
In the previous verses, Jesus talks about how God gives sunshine and rain to both the righteous and the wicked. Imagine if he only showed love to those who loved him. None of us would even be saved. God loved us when we were his enemies, when we were in sin against him (
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV)
). We need to love others like this, looking for ways to take the initiative.
So, when we come to church this weekend, let’s not greet like pagans. Don’t just talk to the people you already consider brothers. Go up to someone you don’t know. Practice hospitality and try to make them feel at home. Welcome them in the same way that we have been brought into God’s family. Let them know we are Christians, by showing them the Father’s unconditional love.
I thought it was realy interesting that loving the people that don’t like us is distinctly Christian; that is a great way to stand our for Jesus. Thanks for the rebuke/encouragement Pastor Bobby!
This blog sounds vaguely familiar…. we definitely need to be stepping it up in our hospitality and greeting of not just new people but those who dont offer us anything in return. Like hunter said, I liked how you put it… “It is distinctly Christian to reach out to someone who offers you nothing in return” Lets be stepping it up and setting the tone for True North Hospitality!
I think this was a really great reminder for me! I have always understood this concept, but this blog made some things clear to me.
“Welcome them in the same way that we have been brought into God’s family. Let them know we are Christians, by showing them the Father’s unconditional love.”
This is an awesome way to stand for the Lord!
Thanks Bobby!
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I totaly agree with all you guys. We need to be more bold in meeting new people and not just keep talking to the same people we talk to every week. We should strive to meet new people and help new people meet other people.
Wow… I’m so thankful for how God’s word is shaping & molding the hearts of our youth. It’s very encouraging for a dad to see love & compassion in the hearts of our teens… Lisa & I are very thankful for the commitment Pastor Bobby & the other leaders have made to the future shepherds of God’s flock!
Yes…sadly that is so true! But this was a great reminder and hopefully will also show us how easy it is to talk to those you dont know since we have the bubbling joy and courage that we received from Christ. Hold me accountable to doing this next week Bobby!
This is so true. We need to be sure we are being friends to everyone, not just the people that we already know. The people that we greet should see the love of Christ through us. Thanks Pastor Bobby
Thank you for articulating this point and drawing it straight from God’s word. I have personally tried to avoid this in the past by electing to room with random people at retreat or join a random group at Bible Study and talk to people that Ive never met at church. It’s not always comfortable to reach out and oh so easy to fall back into familiar social circles.
I thought it was especially noteworthy how you said that “it is distincly Christian to reach out to somone who offers you nothing in return”
Thank you for the “spurring us on toward love and good deeds”!.
yeah, sounds good!!
….i like the verse; Matthew 5:47
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Amen to that! Awesome blog Bobby : )
this is true. i remember what it feels like to be the kid left out and it’s the worst feeling in the world. If people feel like this at True North then what would make them want to come back (besides the teaching)
Nice blob. Good reminder to greet new people at church.
This is true, we need to show love to everyone and make friends with even the “uncool” people too. Cliques are dangerous.
They will know we are Christians by our actions that model Christ: breaking out of our worldly patterns and reaching out of our comfort zone to make others feel welcome is not only good manners but a command from Christ! Let’s practice this at school and in the negihborhood as well as church! What better way to love someone than to befriend them and invite them to have the cure for the deadly cancer of sin!
This is so true, its convicting to know that even the pagans say hi and greet those that do the same to them. But we are called do much more. Often i dont even realize it, but the circles that we make are intimidating to others that arent as at home as we are. We and me especially, need always to have our guard up!!! Great blog Pastor Bobby :)
Great Blog Pastor Bobby! I have this problem somtimes and don’t recognize it when I go greet people. I don’t greet or meet new people sometimes. I just hang out with the same people. I liked how you said that if God showed His love to those who loved him that no would be saved. So true!
Thanks Pastor Bobby again for such a good reminder blog of how we are to be as Christians who represent our Lord. Young and old alike need to hear this! This is for me as well as the whole congregation. I really enjoying meeting new people that come to Compass, and it has been my priviledge in serving to do that and make contact to welcome as well as encourge in the Lord and if they dont have a church home to come back. Cliques occur in all churches as well as Compass, or should I say especially at Compass. So to change our attitude that reaches out to people who needs us is really important. They need Christ first but He uses us as His instruments to bring about change first in us, then in others with relationships. It can be difficult but its a loving act that shows that Christ is first in our lives!
Thanks again Bobby!
Thank you so much! this was such a good blog, sadly i do this sometimes and i have notices it occasionally. The verse you used (matthew 5:47) was a great help. thanx so much, i will try to be more outgoing and greet other people this Sunday instead of socializing with my original friends!
This is definitely what the Bridge Ministry is all about!! Connecting with all of the new members, and new visitors to our church!
Wouldn’t it be awesome, if when we’re all standing about after church…….if we each went up to someone who is standing alone, or doesn’t seem to know anyone? When we make them feel welcome, they’re more apt to continue to come back!
Awesome reminder Pastor Bobby!
What, exactly, is wrong with being a Pagan? Is this supposed to be a slur or an insult? And sorry, but evangelical Christians are the most clique-ish people I’ve ever met. If you don’t believe what they do, they won’t be your friend.
This is such a good reminder for me. Sometimes i don’t even realize that i do naturally gravitate toward my circle of friends. And it is so true that if the Lord showed love to only those he loved, none of us would be saved! Thank you so much for the blog Pastor Bobby, it is really encouraging. Lets great it up this weekend!!! (: