Scripture:
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection:
The during the sermon, Pastor Mark shared a powerful truth: within the first 30 seconds of walking through a church door, most people have already decided whether they'll return. That's a sobering reality. It means every single one of us carries the responsibility of being a greeter, whether we signed up for that role or not.
Remember the story of the young couple with tattoos and piercings who said, "We've been to some churches because our families are very religious, but we've never felt accepted like we have here." That's the kind of church we're called to be, a place where the love of Jesus is so tangible that people who feel rejected everywhere else finally feel valued.
We can't wait for people to come to us. We must actively gather, welcome, and honor every person God brings to our campus. This isn't about being fake or overly friendly. It's about genuinely seeing people as God sees them and treating them with the dignity they deserve as image-bearers of God.
Prayer:
Jesus, You welcomed the outcasts, the broken, and the rejected. You saw value in people that society overlooked. Give me Your eyes to see people the way You see them. Help me to be genuinely warm and welcoming, not out of duty but out of love. Remove any judgment or prejudice from my heart. Make me someone who helps others feel valued and honored. Let my life be a light that draws people to You. Amen.
Action:
This Sunday (or the next time you're at church), intentionally look for someone you don't know, especially someone who looks uncomfortable or alone. Introduce yourself, offer to help them find something, or simply sit with them. Make it your mission to help at least one person feel welcomed and valued. If you see someone struggling with kids or bags, offer to help before they have to ask.
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection:
The during the sermon, Pastor Mark shared a powerful truth: within the first 30 seconds of walking through a church door, most people have already decided whether they'll return. That's a sobering reality. It means every single one of us carries the responsibility of being a greeter, whether we signed up for that role or not.
Remember the story of the young couple with tattoos and piercings who said, "We've been to some churches because our families are very religious, but we've never felt accepted like we have here." That's the kind of church we're called to be, a place where the love of Jesus is so tangible that people who feel rejected everywhere else finally feel valued.
We can't wait for people to come to us. We must actively gather, welcome, and honor every person God brings to our campus. This isn't about being fake or overly friendly. It's about genuinely seeing people as God sees them and treating them with the dignity they deserve as image-bearers of God.
Prayer:
Jesus, You welcomed the outcasts, the broken, and the rejected. You saw value in people that society overlooked. Give me Your eyes to see people the way You see them. Help me to be genuinely warm and welcoming, not out of duty but out of love. Remove any judgment or prejudice from my heart. Make me someone who helps others feel valued and honored. Let my life be a light that draws people to You. Amen.
Action:
This Sunday (or the next time you're at church), intentionally look for someone you don't know, especially someone who looks uncomfortable or alone. Introduce yourself, offer to help them find something, or simply sit with them. Make it your mission to help at least one person feel welcomed and valued. If you see someone struggling with kids or bags, offer to help before they have to ask.
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