Dear Brothers and Sisters,
How is your guest list coming? Have you thought of three or four people that you will commit to connecting with through the tool of invitation this year with the goal that by the end of 2012 you will ask at least one of them, “Would you like to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior?”
Sunday’s sermon encouraged you to use hospitality to start the process!
Romans 12:11-13 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
We are to practice hospitality because it creates an ATMOSPHERE that becomes conducive for sharing the Gospel and an atmosphere that advances ministry.
Hospitality creates an atmosphere of ACCEPTANCE. People need to know we want them and that God wants them.
Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Hospitality creates an atmosphere of REFRESHING. When you are accepted, you have an opportunity to relax. You become vulnerable. Your heart becomes open to transformation.
1 Peter 4:9-10 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. God’s grace flows to one another as we offer hospitality.
We never know who will be passing through our way on their journey through life. We are to receive people (show hospitality) in order to show them God’s GRACE. Offering hospitality involves providing people with a safe place when it’s needed.
Let TVCOG be the place of acceptance!
Let TVCOG be the place of refreshing!
Let TVCOG be the place of grace!
Let TVCOG be the safe place this world needs!
May our community not only receive the message, “Be Our Guest,” but may they feel the embrace of God when they come into our gatherings and receive the greater message God wants to speak to them: “Be my son.” “Be my daughter.”
I invite you to join us Wednesday night for our classes for all ages at 6:45! Free dinner will be served at 5:45!
Love in Christ to you all!
Pastor Melissa
