Hospitality A Neglected Essential (Assorted Scriptures)

Well, it is a delight to be back up here with you this morning.

And I just wanted to begin by thanking you all and expressing the deep gratitude that I

and my family have for your concern and prayer for us over the last few months as we've had some

health struggles, but We're doing much better and very grateful for that.

So let's pray as we open the word together.

Our father we arrive at this most significant of time In the corporate

worship of the body of Christ.

When we your people gather in this place and we open the Word of God together That we might hear

from you.

We pray our father that your spirit would apply the word.

That he would help us to understand the word.

That we might be people who do not merely hear but do the Word of

God Our father as we begin a new year together.

It is our desire and our ambition To live in obedience to you.

We pray in Christ's name.

Men.

It is my desire to speak to you this morning about the ministry the Christian ministry of hospitality and

I've entitled this morning's message hospitality a neglected essential.

Hospitality a neglected essential.

It is a January 1st.

We are together here in this first Sunday in January and January is an interesting month and January 1st in

particular makes it interesting.

Because this is typically the time when we make resolutions of self -reformation.

Probably the most common of which is that we're going to get in shape and lose a few pounds in this coming year.

That is undoubtedly the most often made resolution and the one most often broken

by February.

You know January the month January is actually named after the Roman God Janus.

It comes from the Roman God Janus and the Roman God Janus was portrayed in a most interesting way he was

portrayed as having two faces and.

The reason he was portrayed as having two faces Was that he was thought to be able to

look both into the future and the past simultaneously.

And that Kind of plays into how we see the month of January.

We tend to all Lang Syne look back as to what has gone and look forward to losing a few

pounds in what comes.

Before us.

So.

In keeping with that notion of looking backward and forward I want to set the stage for our study this morning in the scriptures

by taking a quick look backwards at Hospitality in the

Christian Church.

So Christian histories are replete with statements about the loving display of

Christian hospitality in the early centuries of the church a lack of

buildings in which to meet in the early centuries made Christianity a home -based

movement a movement that was often dependent upon itinerant that is

traveling teachers and preachers and these teachers and preachers were

dependent upon the hospitality of the local congregations that they traveled to in order to

minister the Word of God and So they being dependent received their material support

and provision including food and shelter.

Instant amongst the home -based churches the home churches that they visited throughout the Roman Empire.

Alexander Strzok in his excellent little book entitled the hospitality

commands writes the following.

The first Christians viewed themselves as part of a worldwide brotherhood that

transcended all national racial and social Boundaries.

They knew they were a persecuted minority in an intensely hostile

world.

Their very survival depended on active participation in the family of brothers and

sisters.

Hospitality therefore became one of the most significant practical expressions of

this worldwide family of brothers and sisters and thus became one of the

birthmarks of primitive Christianity.

Close that quote now as the centuries progressed

Christianity became eventually the established religion of the Empire in the fourth

century and When that happened its pilgrim status was

forgotten and with it the practice of hospitality waned.

We find how much it had waned when we get to the 16th century, that's the 1500s

when John Calvin is mourning the demise of ancient hospitality and

he said and I quote this office of Humanity has

nearly ceased to be properly observed among men for the

ancient hospitality.

Celebrated in history's is unknown to us and ends now

supply the place of accommodations for Strangers was quote

that's enough looking backwards.

Let's look forwards.

The word hospitality or hospitable.

That Greek word is actually comprised of two Greek words put together.

The first word Philos means loving.

The second word Xenos or Xenos how and depending how you want to pronounce it means a

stranger or a guest so the word hospitality or hospitable

Conveys the idea of a love of strangers or a love of guests.

That's what the word means.

So what I've got for you this morning is five sermons crammed into one.

So we're gonna have to bail our hay and we are not going to be able to explore all that I would

love to explore with you with regard to this topic.

But here's the outline for you.

It's very simple.

I have five statements.

Five statements.

Five statements that help shape our understanding and practice of hospitality.

Five statements that help shape our understanding and practice of Of

hospitality.

Okay, number one first statement.

Hospitality is a command not a gift.

Hospitality is a command not a gift.

Newsflash.

The spiritual gifts are Delineated in three three places.

I have trouble with that three places in the New Testament the giftless.

They're found in Romans 12.

They are found in first Corinthians 12 and they are found in first

Peter 4.

Those are the classic gift lists of the New Testament.

That's where you go to find the spiritual gifts listed.

We're not going to go there this morning.

We're not gonna take the time to do that.

I'll just try you can check me go on your own and check there if you go to the giftless and look at them.

You will not find Hospitality listed.

It is not there.

It is not there.

And the reason it's not there is because it is not a gift.

Hospitality is not a spiritual gift.

Hospitality is instead a command.

It is a command.

So open your Bibles.

I will demonstrate this to you quickly in Romans chapter 12.

Romans chapter 12 and verse 13.

Romans chapter 12 and verse 13.

Romans 12 13.

Contributing to the needs of the Saints.

Comma practicing hospitality.

Contributing to the needs of the Saints practicing hospitality.

Now this word practicing that it is it is.

It is a present active participle, we'll just tell you that okay in the Greek it's a present active part.

So what does that mean?

It means it's conveying the idea of an active ongoing action.

It could it could be translated.

In fact, if you if you're using a New American Standard and it's a study Bible with margin notes.

You'll find it down there the idea of pursuing.

Hospitality I.

Would translate it actively.

Pursuing hospitality, I think that captures the present active participle that is

translated here in practicing hospitality.

Now that's not a command a parcel is not a command.

But I'm saying it is a command and the reason I'm telling you that it is a command is because actually

to find the command for this passage that the controlling verb of the

passage is found in in chapter 12 verse 2.

So we have to go back there to chapter 2.

This is the command that then controls everything that rolls out under that of which

actively pursuing Hospitality is what one illustration?

So here you go in verse 2 do not be Conformed

to this world, but be transformed.

There's your controlling verb and it is a command by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is that

which is good and acceptable and Perfect good and acceptable and

perfect right be transformed.

There is your controlling verb your command verb present middle imperative.

That sets up the rest of chapter 12.

In other words, how does the transformation show itself.

Paul?

And he lists them out and and all the way to verse 13 the active pursuit of hospitality is

The implementation of the command to be transformed in your thinking and proving the will of God that

which is good and perfect.

Okay, so the command is in verse 2 the the Specific illustration or activity of that command

occurs here in verse 13.

All right, we're gonna have to keep moving.

Sorry, we can spend more time there, but we're not going to we're going next to Hebrews chapter 13.

All right, and that's just gonna way it's gonna have to be sorry Hebrews 13.

And I don't feel bad about preaching this because by the time Jim gets to this you'll have forgotten everything I've said.

Particularly because he prayed that the Lord would return this year.

All right.

Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to

strangers for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Okay, Jim can can unsort that for you.

But what I'm interested in is the do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers pedal present

middle imperative it's a command and If I can say it this way

we can only neglect that which is our duty.

That which is our duty is what we can neglect and we are not to neglect it.

The writer says Keep going to the right first Peter 4 first

Peter 4 verse 9

first Peter 4 and verse 9.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

That is not a command.

That is that is not an imperative.

All right, but there is an imperative in the passage that controls this and it occurs in verse 7.

The end of all things is near therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the

purpose of Prayer.

The be of sound judgment or the English Standard Version translates it be self -controlled.

That is an heiress active imperative.

There's your imperative.

There's your command that controls the passage or this section of it at least.

So in verse 9 be hospitable to one another the command comes out of verse 7.

It is a result of a sound judgment a sober spirit.

Notice also by the way, just while we're here to one another without complaint.

One another speaks of the local body of Christ so the command for

hospitality the extension of oneself to strangers and guests

Certainly speaks of those outside of the local body, but it also speaks to those inside the local

body the one in others.

So hospitality is to be extended not only to those who are complete strangers, but also to others within

the local body.

That's us.

Okay, the command is to us to extend hospitality to one another

one another.

All right, turn left and go to first Timothy 5.

First Timothy 5 verses 9 and 10.

First Timothy 5 verses 9 and 10.

This is Paul's words to Timothy here Timothy is in Ephesus Paul's instructing Timothy how

to put the how to put the church in order basically until he returns.

And he is addressing the issue of the care of widows and.

So verse 9 a widow is to be put on the list.

I'm of the opinion the list had to do with a benevolence role to care for the widows.

So widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than 60 years

old.

Having been the wife of one man a one -woman man.

Or a one -man woman, sorry get that right one man woman.

Here's the point having a reputation for good works.

And if she has brought up children if she has shown

hospitality to strangers.

Put her on the list.

Verse 9 there is your command present middle imperative.

Put her on the list.

Provided she meets the qualifications.

One of the qualifications here verse 10 has shown Hospitality to strangers has loved

strangers who are strangers more literally, okay.

So another command.

Connected to hospitality.

Give you one more same book chapter 3 and verse 2.

Chapter 3 verse 2 an

overseer then Must be above reproach umbrella statement.

And now explain the husband of one wife a one -woman man.

Temperate prudent respectable hospitable.

Able to teach not addicted to wine or prognatious gentle peaceable free from the love of money, etc.

Interesting not a command here present active indicative.

Day.

It is necessary.

Okay, it's it's often referred to as the divine necessity in order to

for one to be above reproach.

These things must be true of him and then they're delineated.

Hospitable is one of the requirements for an elder now.

Here's the interesting thing.

I want you to notice that the Responsibility in this passage for hospitality falls on.

Whom.

It falls on the man.

Not on the wife.

It falls on the man not on his wife.

What this means is that?

Hospitality is the responsibility of male leadership within his

home.

It is a measure of what it means to be mature in the Christian faith.

In other words that a man must shepherd his wife.

To a place to extend hospitality.

He must shepherd his children to a place to understand value love and

practice hospitality.

So that this vital and essential character of Christian conduct

Reveals itself here in in first Timothy 3.

The qualifications that are listed here.

The men are qualified or disqualified for leadership in God's church based upon what's within their control.

Hospitality is within his control.

It okay if I can put a fine point on this men.

It is our responsibility.

Hospitality the hospitable nature of our home is ours not our

wives.

She is called to aid and assist us.

But it is our responsibility.

Okay.

So hospitality is a command not a gift.

That was number one statement number two.

Number two statement hospitality is a call to love others.

It is a call to love others.

The New Testament exhortations to practice hospitality occur in the context of

brotherly love.

I'm going to turn you right back to the passages.

We looked at earliest go back to Romans 12.

We're

gonna move a little near the context to the statement about actively pursuing hospitality.

Verse 13.

I want you to look at verse 9.

Verse 9 let love be without.

Hypocrisy abhor what is evil cling to what is good?

Love is the first fruit of a transformed mind.

Love is the first fruit of a transformed mind.

Then that love begins to To display itself and having devoted to one another preference to one another not

lagging behind in diligence.

Serving the Lord rejoicing and hope persevering in tribulation devoted to prayer contributing to the needs of the Saints mean.

Generous and practicing hospitality.

You see it flows out of Transformed mind.

The transformed mind first reveals itself in love and that shouldn't be too hard to understand

right.

Because God is love and those who are being transformed into the image of

his son are being transformed.

From one who was turned in on themselves.

To one who is now outwardly focused.

Expressing the very love of God that he has shed in them go back to Hebrews.

Hebrews 13.

Hebrews 13.

Right we looked at verse 2.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.

Look at verse 1.

Let.

Love of the brethren continue.

Let love of the brethren continue.

In other words that it's the overriding plot.

How do we let love of the brethren continue.

Do not neglect to show hospitality?

That's how that's how.

Hospitality is the answer to the appeal to let the love of the brethren continue.

First Peter 4

we found the command in verse 7 but look at verse 8.

Notice again the close context with love.

Above all keep fervent in your what?

Love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Okay, keep fervent a tennis.

Persistent effort resolve straining the picture is like an Olympic athlete in training

pursuing to the fullest extent.

What their body is capable of?

Okay, we were to strain at this.

Now this kind of love that we're being called to is a is a costly love.

It is a costly love in other words the the biblical expression of

hospitality will cost us something a Very minimum it will

increase our food budget.

Yeah, but but believe me that's the least costly part of it all.

But it is costly.

It's time -consuming.

Probably the most valuable resource we have right our limited time it is time -consuming.

It is fatiguing.

It is fatiguing and it is privacy denying.

Privacy denying.

I just want to go home and kick back.

But the active pursuit of those who are strangers to us in an

expression of hospitality Will be costly time -consuming fatiguing and privacy denying.

Therefore.

There is a need to resist the temptation to complain about it.

To complain about its costliness.

That it's burdensome that that it's occasionally irritating.

And so look at verse 9 be hospitable to one another notice without

Complaint the goosemoss.

I love that word.

All right.

It sounds like complaint.

Goosemoss goosemoss.

It means murmuring grumbling complaining.

Okay.

We are to be hospitable to one another.

Now, it's talking about within here without complaining about each other.

Because you know what.

Some of us are kind of irritating off -putting.

Energy sucking and on and on it goes.

Yeah, I'm sorry that I'm like that I'm better than I was you should have

seen me 40 years ago.

Hospitality is gospel driven.

Not works produced.

This is not a call to a works effort.

This is the fruit and outflow of the gospel.

Romans 5 5.

Paul writes the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.

Through the Holy Spirit who was given us.

It is not our love to God, but God's love to us through the Holy Spirit that Captivates and

controls our hearts.

Changes our orientation turns us from being bent inward on ourselves to turning and moving

outward to others.

Just like God had Toward us when he sent his own son into this world that died for our sin.

Hospitality is a command not a gift.

Second a call to love others.

Third Hospitality is a centerpiece of

Christian community.

Hospitality third is a centerpiece of Christian community.

It was like this.

We have been placed into one body by Baptism

spirit baptism, right?

Jesus is the baptizer.

The Spirit is the medium in which we are baptized and thus we share the common life of the Spirit.

It's a reality that is on display every time we partake of The Lord's table

the classic text 1st Corinthians chapter 12 and verse 13.

For by one spirit We were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks or the

slaves are free.

We were all made to drink of one spirit.

Therefore the church is a.

Family.

We are the family of God.

In fact brother sister brethren those expressions are

used 250 times in the New Testament in reference to

the believers.

We are the brethren.

We are brothers in Christ.

We are sisters in Christ.

Okay.

Why is it used so much?

Because it it communicates the reality of who we are in Christ.

We have become a family and when a church

Begins to truly understand the profound theological truth of our brotherhood in the spirit.

Then we cannot help but overflow in love to one another.

It's natural.

It's unnatural to the unredeemed but it is natural to the redeemed

and love is.

That.

Back up let me say that hospitality is that's the word I'm looking for.

Hospitality is a centerpiece of that kind of of love of that kind of familial

family love.

Let me demonstrate it to you in in 3rd John so turn you to 3rd John

verse 5 beloved.

You're acting faithfully and whatever you accomplish for the brethren and especially when they are

strangers.

They have testified to your love before the church.

You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

They went out for the sake of the name accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

Therefore we ought to support such men so that we may be fellow workers

with the truth.

Now what you notice there in verse 8.

The word support and again if you have margin notes look at your margin note

and you will see that that a Better a more linear literal rendering would be to

receive such men as guests.

To receive such men as guests and so if we were to say read it that way We would say therefore we ought to receive such men as guests

so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

In other words receive them in to our homes, right?

These are traveling itinerant preachers.

Receive them into our home provide for them.

Send them out with what they need to continue their ministry.

Don't let them rely on the Gentiles to fund it people.

God fund it receive them as guests.

Now that idea is even more strongly conveyed actually in the new America are the new international version the NIV.

They actually go so far and it has to do with Translation theory and formal equivalence and

dynamic equivalence and all of that sort of thing.

But but they render it show hospitality to such men.

They go right there and pin it down.

Okay, and that is what's being talked about.

Okay.

Show hospitality to such men.

Why.

So that we may be fellow workers.

Or more literally prove ourselves to be fellow workers with the truth.

So Hospitality command not a gift.

Hospitality is a call to love others.

Hospitality is a centerpiece of Christian community.

Number four.

Hospitality is a characteristic in which to grow.

Hospitality is a characteristic in which to grow.

Like every other aspect of the Christian life We are a call to a

spirit empowered.

Striving to grow in obedience to the Word of God which results in progress.

Toward the image of Christ that is the Christian life.

Another way to say that is that.

We are.

Practicing hospitality as a growth in sanctification

said another way None of us have arrived.

None of us are yet perfectly in the image of Christ we are all in

progress and we are all at different places in that progress and and sometimes in different

places with regard to various Christian Character attributes

in the pursuit of Christ.

In other words in some places we are Remarkably and demonstrably more like Christ than we were when we were

first saved in another area saying It's a

process.

It's a growth process for all of us.

Nobody has arrived.

It's part of the growth in sanctification the practice of hospitality.

Now there's probably good places I need to say this so let me say it Hospitality is more

than inviting people into your home for a meal.

Okay, let me say it again Hospitality is more than Inviting

people into your home for a meal.

But.

It is not less than this.

It is not less than this it is more than this.

It is not less than this in other words.

You cannot be genuinely hospitable unless you open your

home.

To other people.

I have had the privilege of doing many weddings through the years and

love the opportunity to stand before a young couple and kind of launch them with last words and.

One of those last words that I always work in to launch them with is this.

It is not the size of your home.

But the size of your heart.

That will determine how generous you are in this vitally important ministry.

It is not the size of your home.

It is the size of your heart.

In other words young people starting out.

I know your small apartment don't have much.

Sitting on milk crates eating off a trace.

Okay, I understand that but that is not a governing factor.

The governing factor is the size of your heart towards strangers and guests.

That will determine how hospitable one shows himself to be.

Okay, so that's great to know that because that is liberating that is incredibly liberating.

In other words, there is nobody here.

Nobody here.

Who cannot praise the Lord?

Fulfill God's command to us.

Isn't that wonderful?

Can we rejoice in that amen?

But.

Because hospitality is the outworking of the transformed life.

I've said there are some who have made greater progress than others, but that's that's okay.

Nobody's mastered it.

Everybody's working at it.

Nobody should be content in their progress.

We should all be leaning in striving after.

Seeking the Spirit's help in excelling still more.

I.

Think of Paul's words to the Thessalonians, right.

Sell still more in this soul.

Satisfying endeavor.

Now if you are just starting out let me suggest to you

some practical tips.

Practical tips on how to begin a ministry of hospitality through your home.

Some of this is old hat to you folks others.

It may be new ideas.

Here they are.

First off make a list of the people you want to invite home to your to

your home after church.

Make a list.

Who who would I like to invite into my home after church so that?

We might begin to to grow in fellowship together and I might be able to minister perhaps to them and certainly them to me.

So make a list.

Second clean the house and Prepare the meal on Saturday.

Saturday.

Put the meal in a freezer if necessary.

Okay, you could even cook in advance a series of meals and freeze them.

Have them bang.

Collect and file inexpensive recipes.

Ladies men.

Remember you are ultimately responsible for this.

But your wife called to be your helpmate.

Right come alongside.

So collect and file some inexpensive recipes for.

Purchase a guest book.

Purchase a guest book and begin to make a record of those who in God's grace have

come through your door.

And into your home.

It is incredibly Encouraging to look back.

I wish we had begun at that very beginning and and we didn't.

We began more than 20 years ago.

And and the book is a is a delight to look through.

Sometimes we're going.

Do you know who those people were?

No, I don't know either.

We've had tons of missionaries Come through our home through the years.

Very encouraging.

So suggestion none.

These aren't commands by the way, right?

These are not commands, but I think I have the Lord's Spirit.

These are these are suggestions.

By be interested in people's lives and plan some questions that will draw them out.

The little pre thought pick up some questions that cannot be answered with a grunt.

So that you can begin to draw people out because you know what everybody likes to talk about themselves.

Everybody likes to talk about themselves.

Just find the key.

All right.

So think ahead of time about that.

Six.

Possibilities for us those of us who have been entrusted by the Lord with a larger piece of real estate more

responsibility comes with it so think about setting aside a prophet's room a Prophet's room a

place for traveling missionaries where they could stay when they're in the area or or perhaps a needy college student.

We can't get home for Thanksgiving something like that.

Okay think about a prophet's room.

Seven.

Remember that you are not there to entertain.

This is not entertaining when you when your mindset is I'm going to I'm here for entertainment entertain these guests.

Then there's a whole baggage of stuff that goes with that.

Okay, and most of it has nothing to do with hospitality.

So you're not there to entertain?

You are there to invite your guests to participate in your family.

Bring them into the family and the family themes the family conversations

invite them in build relationships.

All right.

That was fourth.

Fifth.

Fifth and finally isn't finally.

Hospitality is a container by which we carry the gospel.

Hospitality is a container by which we carry the

gospel.

Hospitality displays and reflects the character of God

it reaches out to unwanted needy people who cannot reciprocate.

Listen to Jesus words in Luke 14 verses 12 through 14.

And he also went on to say to the one who had invited him.

When you give a luncheon or a dinner do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich

neighbors.

Otherwise, they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment

but when you give a reception invite the poor the crippled the lame the blind and you will

be blessed since they do not Have the means to repay you for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the

righteous.

That's a very convicting statement by Christ.

Okay, it flips things on its head.

Hospitality opens your life to your friends Neighbors and co -workers and

provides for them a glimpse into what it means to live as a Christian.

Many people have no contact with with real and legitimate Christianity.

They do not know.

They have certain Characterizations of it that have been formed by media, but but real

genuine Christians.

They don't know and so when you invite them into your home you are inviting them into the most

intimate of Atmospheres and in which they can now begin to look and see what does it mean to live as a Christian?

And they watch believe me they watch.

Sharing a meal together is a very intimate experience and it provides a natural place

for serious conversation about eternal things.

Eating together is a very intimate activity designed that way by God.

And so when you break bread with somebody you have entered into a very intimate and

special time and place.

And it's very natural to be able to transition to talk about

Eternity in light of that

taking a needy person into your home now.

We're kind of up in the ante here.

Okay, I remember I told you it was costly and you know, all of those things.

Yeah, so taking a needy person into your home Tangibly demonstrates real care and

concern for them as a person rather than merely an evangelistic project.

You are now showing care and concern for them as one made in the image of God a.

Person.

It is hospitality by the way that stands behind the history of the church's early involvement in

Care for the poor and the needy in fact springing up by the time of

the fourth century.

Was the early founding of hospitals and hospices?

Same root word Hospitals hospices hospices same root word

by the Christian Church and it showed a practical way of Practicing the principle of hospitality and how it was

applied In the form of Christian charity the invalids and weary travelers and so forth,

right so you can see how it's woven together.

All right.

Let's do this.

We don't celebrate the Lord's table together.

The Lord's table is a marvelous illustration of hospitality.

Marvelous illustration.

We who were once strangers and alien in aliens

Separated from God by and in our sin and iniquity Christ has now

invited To eat to dine together with him in intimate

fellowship table fellowship in the coming Messiah's kingdom.

You understand that?

Huh.

We who were once separate have been invited in to eat together.

Christ.

In his coming kingdom.

We join together regularly to remember this promise and proclaim its

certainty to one another as a means of grace to

rekindle within our souls a passion for Christ.

I love Taking communion with you.

All right, the Lord does invite us to his table and he has paid the price for our sin.

So this is an invitation that is costly.

Certainly to God as he sent his son the Lord Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and then to die a death in our

stead.

So it is our God who has paid the price that we might have fellowship with him and that we might enjoy communion with him.

And he is the spiritual host at these meals as we gather together.

He is here spiritually present with us.

He is communing with us and he invites us to the table, but he warns us before we come that we

must Examine ourselves and that means that we confess our sin that we turn from that

sin and that we Are open with the Lord in our own hearts in our own minds before we partake

of the Lord's table.

So that is the warning that he gives that we not partake in an unworthy manner.

The other way that we can do that is if we are unbelievers.

So if you are here today and you have never trusted Christ for salvation if you have never turned from your sin and Understood

what it means to be born again to come to God in repentance and faith I would ask

you beg you command you on the basis of Scripture to do that today to turn to Christ from your sin.

And if you are not a believer and you are not interested in the things of God and you are not turning from your sin.

Then I beg of you not to partake of the Lord's table because that is eating and drinking judgment to yourself.

That is the warning of Scripture.

Because you're making a proclamation that you have a part in this that you are part of this family that this meal has been paid for

On your behalf and in fact, it has not it doesn't belong to you.

This is for the people of God.

So unbelievers just let the cup and the bread pass from before you believers.

Let us confess our sin together and then we'll partake together so we're.

I asked the ushers to come forward at this time stand up here with me and then we'll have a Couple moments of silent prayer.

Father, we have been made aware again of ways in which we fall short of what you have commanded us to do and

We are unable in ourselves and unable unless by your grace to obey what your word says.

So we acknowledge our failure.

We acknowledge our sin.

We confess that to you.

We have no right.

We have no merit in ourselves.

To stand before you and to to receive your grace and To receive your blessings and certainly not

to sit at a table and and to enjoy fellowship with you.

We thank you that by your grace and by your son.

That you have made a way that you have provided salvation for us taking away our sin.

And giving us the righteousness that we need to stand before you.

We thank you for that forgiveness and we thank you for the righteousness that you provide in your son through his perfect life.

We thank you for the Atonement that has been made that has paid fully the sin for the sin of

all who will ever believe.

Was all laid upon Christ and that price was paid that we might have fellowship and communion with you and we thank you for it.

Thank you for inviting us to your table.

Thank you for bringing us into your family and calling us sons and daughters and making us brethren

with one another.

So we pray that now as a result of our time and our fellowship here today.

That you would shed your shed your love abroad in our hearts and Give us grace that we may extend

that to one another to the stranger and obey you in every good thing.

We love you, and we thank you for your sacrifice in Christ's name.

Amen.