WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.980 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:09.060 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:10.120 Join us. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:17.600 Rejoice in that because it's a picture of what we want to be true. 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:25.519 We know there are many even in this city who know the coldness, the isolation of hell 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:32.600 and who have never tasted the warm welcome of heaven. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:43.060 And we want that to be true not just in a room like this but through a people like us. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:47.939 And so we need you to change us, to mold us and shape us. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:54.219 And so we're eager that we come to your word because it does that and your spirit does that. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:01:00.119 And so, Father, do it this morning because you delight to make us more like you. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:02.820 We ask in Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:11.060 Today is our last sermon in this series before we jump back to the Gospel of Luke and follow 00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:12.379 Jesus to the cross. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:19.319 And we've been talking about biblical community, about being the church that God has called 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:26.000 us to be, the type of community God would use to bring renewal and revival in us and through 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:26.519 us. 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:30.780 And we've done this through the lens of Southwood's core commitments. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:43.099 So we've said God calls us to be a church focused on Jesus, His cross, His word, His body. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:51.699 And when we are, He promises to take us on mission, that we go somewhere to build His kingdom, to 00:01:51.699 --> 00:01:54.379 storm the gates of hell through us. 00:01:54.799 --> 00:02:00.039 And so we're utterly dependent on Him for this. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:10.639 We need each other in meaningful, deep relationships to be a family on a mission together, valuing people 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:15.979 for who they are, confessing and forgiving sins, carrying each other's burdens. 00:02:17.459 --> 00:02:25.699 And now, today, as we talk about our commitment to love the least, the lost, the littlest, the 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:34.139 lonely, and the left out, the bottom line is that any biblical community, a church that 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:42.299 is prayerfully dependent on God for its Christ-centered mission, with arms locked in meaningful relationships, 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:48.299 must welcome those who often feel unwelcome. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:54.019 See, we talked last time about truly valuing people. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:56.579 And that's not always so hard, is it? 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:03.840 I mean, we kind of like people as long as we get to set the list, as long as we get to 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:07.420 pick those who are easy and comfortable and just like me in every way. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.740 And those relationships develop naturally. 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:19.920 We've seen over and over again in Luke that Jesus' community operates supernaturally. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:28.159 He welcomes outsiders in, befriends enemies, demonstrates God's heart for the poor and the marginalized 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:29.659 over and over. 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:35.719 I want us to see a beautiful and challenging picture of that, the beginning of the Gospel 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:37.819 of Mark this morning. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:40.719 You may benefit from turning there. 00:03:40.839 --> 00:03:44.439 It's on page 836 of the Bible in the pew. 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:56.599 In Mark 1, at verse 16, Jesus begins His earthly ministry, calling people to follow Him. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:04:02.180 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:04.460 a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:12.319 And Jesus said to them, follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:18.199 Now, we often think of this idea of fishers of men as evangelistic. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:23.959 And it's not less than that, but it's much more than that, actually. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:29.800 Notice Jesus is calling men who are already fishermen. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.860 That's what it says, right? 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.879 And He says He will make them become something. 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:41.800 He will change them into fishermen. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:45.540 The same word is used. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:53.060 But the difference is fishermen of men. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:05:02.379 As they follow Jesus, He will reshape them so that their lives are reoriented toward people. 00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:07.899 It's not merely that they'll hold weekly evangelistic crusades and revival meetings, 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:13.319 but rather that everything about them focuses on people. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:18.819 It would be like Jesus saying to some of you, follow Me and I will make you become engineers 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:19.839 of people. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:22.740 Homemakers of people. 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.159 Lawyers of people. 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:26.060 Contractors of people. 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:29.319 Where everything about you is shaped toward that. 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:31.639 And again, maybe not so bad, right? 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:33.779 I can value people sometimes. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:35.560 Sometimes they're really useful to me. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:44.560 But watch as you see what kind of people Jesus is going to have you run into if you follow 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:45.099 Him. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:54.240 Some of you will recognize the chart-topping hit of the 70s and 80s that begins by saying, 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:57.000 who are the people in your neighborhood? 00:05:57.779 --> 00:05:58.719 In your neighborhood. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:00.300 Some of you recognize that. 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:02.720 Some of you are very confused at why that was so popular. 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:09.860 This is the tune I want in your head today as we talk about this. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:15.600 I want you to think as we talk, who are the people that you meet when you're walking down 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.120 the street? 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.860 The people that you meet each day? 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:27.040 And who are those who should be perhaps more often in your path? 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:30.540 I want names to come to mind for you. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.980 Not just Mr. McFeely. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:37.160 Names and faces that you know. 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:44.460 As we follow Jesus, I want the least, the lost, the littlest, the lonely, the left out to have 00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:46.620 names and faces in your life. 00:06:46.880 --> 00:06:51.000 These are the people He's calling us to orient our lives toward. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:56.139 We are to extend the welcome of the gospel to everyone in our path. 00:06:56.300 --> 00:07:00.120 And that's going to get uncomfortable fast because we're following Jesus, right? 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:01.639 Watch what happens. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:10.939 Jesus invites fishermen, blue-collar, hard-working, smelly, blister-handed fishermen into relationship 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:11.579 with Him. 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:14.419 And they start walking through the neighborhood. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:23.879 As Jesus calls us to follow Him, He first takes us, verse 21, to church on the Lord's 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:24.159 day. 00:07:24.419 --> 00:07:25.259 Ah, yes. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:28.139 Exactly what I expected. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:29.379 This is going to be great. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:30.719 Right where we should be. 00:07:32.099 --> 00:07:38.500 Except, verse 23, there are strange people at church. 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:46.480 Church, spiritually, mentally troubled, crying out with a loud voice. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.939 We don't do that at church, right? 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:48.939 Don't do that here. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:53.139 But Jesus is not bothered. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:56.579 Jesus cares for them. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:07:59.839 There are strange people at church. 00:07:59.920 --> 00:08:00.519 You knew that, right? 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:10.180 Sometimes, not making so much noise as the man in this story, but crying out in the pain 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:18.339 of mental illness, in the torment of spiritual struggle and doubt that's often very awkward 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:21.240 or uncomfortable to express at church. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:26.680 And you have to be listening to welcome them. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:30.879 So, church is over and they go home. 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:32.639 Seems safe enough. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:36.799 Except Jesus takes Peter to His mother-in-law, doesn't He? 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:38.600 Let's go home, Peter. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:40.100 Here's your mother-in-law. 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:45.879 She's been sick and Jesus cares for her. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.440 Now, maybe Peter loved his mother-in-law. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:50.120 I do. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:55.179 She might listen to the recording, so that's very important to state up front. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:09:02.360 But can we just stop and admit that sometimes it's those who are closest to us that it's 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:04.320 easiest to push away? 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:12.840 Sometimes holiday gatherings and vacations where I just want to think about myself become 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:20.980 occasions for treating the frustrating mother-in-law or the awkward family member with scorn and contempt 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:24.379 rather than the gracious welcome of Jesus. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:32.300 But then, before the day is over, in the same day, Jesus has walked from strange church people 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:41.059 to sick mothers-in-law to now crowds of people bringing all the sick and possessed from miles around. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.839 They're all coming. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:46.039 It's like Jesus has just walked you into a hospital. 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:48.919 Picture this scene. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:53.359 You just started following this guy around and all of a sudden, it's not really just a hospital. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.620 It's like a psych ward. 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:57.000 It's utter chaos. 00:09:57.979 --> 00:09:58.199 Right? 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:01.879 People who you don't have any idea what to do with. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:03.360 Illnesses of all sorts. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:06.520 Issues no one has been able to solve for years. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.540 All of a sudden, they're bringing them to Jesus. 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:15.980 You've got to figure that many of these people lived on the fringes of their families, of their 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.440 neighborhoods. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.379 Nobody knew how to handle them, how to talk to them. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:24.020 And all we wanted to do was follow Jesus. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:27.879 I mean, to be Christ-centered, it sounded like a good place to start as a church. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.000 We'll be Christ-centered. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.139 We'll go where Jesus goes. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:32.120 And now all these people are showing up. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.259 What in the world? 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:35.480 That's not what I'm following him for. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:44.840 Chapter 1 closes with the account of a leper coming to Jesus and asking to be cleansed. 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:47.360 By all accounts, verse 41 should read, 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:51.279 Moved with fear and wanting to make sure he wasn't infected. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.779 Jesus kept his distance. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:59.159 Or moved with disgust and wanting to maintain his newfound social popularity. 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:02.580 Jesus refused to associate with the outcast. 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:06.800 Instead, we read of a welcome. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:08.720 Verse 41, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:12.039 Moved with pity. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:18.339 He stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:20.759 I will be clean. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:27.399 Who knows how long it had been since this leper felt human touch. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:40.480 But newly famous, very busy Jesus has time for the single, lonely leper. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:48.439 Healing his sickness and his shame with a word and a touch. 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:53.800 In a time this was thought dangerous and foolish, 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:58.120 Mother Teresa became known for touching lepers. 00:11:59.020 --> 00:12:06.020 For embracing dying AIDS patients to bring them comfort. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:10.240 So much so that Christianity today said that when she died, 00:12:11.140 --> 00:12:16.360 she stirred a generation by touching the untouchables. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:22.279 She got the idea from Jesus, I think, 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:27.840 whose welcoming touch turned the world upside down. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:33.759 Jesus is making fishermen of men, isn't he? 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:38.360 He's showing his new followers the kinds of people he welcomes 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:42.500 and the counter-cultural ways that he welcomes them. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:46.519 Can we admit that following Jesus is getting a little less comfortable? 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:51.480 It's a little bit maybe not like what I had imagined. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:57.179 Chapter 2 begins with the famous account of the guy who is literally left out. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:00.460 So much so that his friends have to climb the roof and dig a hole 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.940 just to lower him down to Jesus, 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:04.759 who gives him his undivided attention, 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:07.159 forgives his sins, 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.740 and heals his paralysis. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.379 Wonderful. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.620 Wonderful. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.899 But then Jesus crosses the line again. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:16.840 Verse 14, 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:20.659 here comes Jesus with his fishermen walking behind him 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:23.519 and he sees a local tax collector and he says, 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.419 hey Matthew, 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.759 follow me. 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:28.779 What? 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:32.679 This is the guy who robs you. 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:37.759 The traitor who keeps your business from being profitable 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.779 no matter how hard you work. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.139 And guess what? 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:46.399 Jesus not only cares about him too, 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:51.459 but is also asking you to share life with him. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:55.319 Y'all will be walking around together following Jesus, won't you, 00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:57.059 for the next three years. 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.039 Could it get any harder? 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.679 Well, yes. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:05.699 You could then walk to Matthew's house 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:10.480 and be surrounded by all the traitors and crooked businessmen 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.860 you could squeeze into one house for a party. 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:16.419 In a town where everybody knows everybody 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:20.399 and you get your reputation based upon your associations, 00:14:20.959 --> 00:14:22.679 Jesus is associating 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:27.500 with the ones known to be the lowest of the low. 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.439 They steal your money, 00:14:30.339 --> 00:14:30.899 your husband, 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:32.819 your moral reputation. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.579 You've got to believe this made Peter a bit uncomfortable. 00:14:38.599 --> 00:14:42.839 It certainly made the local religious leaders uncomfortable. 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:44.759 Verse 15, 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:48.299 As Jesus reclined at table in Matthew's house, 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:52.179 many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:54.679 for there were many who followed him. 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:58.100 And the scribes of the Pharisees, 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:01.779 when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.379 said to his disciples, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:06.480 why does he eat with sinners and tax collectors? 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.560 And when Jesus heard it, 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.420 he said to them, 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:12.899 those who are well have no need of a physician, 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.779 but those who are sick. 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:18.139 I came not to call the righteous, 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.379 but sinners. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.560 Jesus says, 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.620 this is not just for one day. 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:26.680 This is not going to stop. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.940 This is the very reason I came. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:31.420 He's always doing this. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.659 It's normal for him. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.560 Many of them follow him. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:36.939 He welcomes the outsiders, 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:38.039 the flagrant, 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:39.519 well-known sinners, 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:41.759 into his community. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.879 And who has a problem with it? 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.199 The church people. 00:15:53.479 --> 00:15:55.279 Y'all, can we admit for just a second 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:58.059 that there's a tendency in each one of us 00:15:58.059 --> 00:16:00.599 to want to push back against Jesus 00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:03.379 when he starts to take us places 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:05.019 that are out of our comfort zones 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:07.399 in these kind of ways? 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:11.120 That this isn't exactly as warm and fuzzy 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.799 as I thought it might be 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.879 to follow Jesus. 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.399 We're the ones who think 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.580 we need to keep ourselves 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:23.179 and our kids away from such people. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:26.240 We honestly think Jesus has gone 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:28.159 too far sometimes. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:30.000 And we think he needs us 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.679 to protect his reputation. 00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:38.759 I'm a people person by nature. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.519 I love meeting new people. 00:16:40.719 --> 00:16:42.980 But when I was at a wedding reception recently 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:45.199 with many people very different from me, 00:16:45.339 --> 00:16:46.879 the thought in my head was, 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.799 I hope I get to sit by someone comfortable. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:54.279 Our hearts naturally want 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:57.639 the easy, comfortable relationships, 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.139 don't they? 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:01.339 Not actively pushing others out, perhaps, 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:05.859 but not actively welcoming them in either. 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.599 A couple years ago, 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:09.759 I sat down for lunch 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.039 with several members of Southwood 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:14.159 who are ethnic minorities here. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:16.980 And I asked them why it was, 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:20.180 how it was that Southwood felt like home to them 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:22.700 when most of the people around them 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:25.000 looked very different from them. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.519 For everyone, 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:30.720 it was a connection or relationship 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:33.240 outside these walls 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:38.040 where they already felt loved and safe 00:17:38.040 --> 00:17:40.019 that made them feel 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:43.040 that they could be welcome here too. 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:46.879 Y'all, if we sit idly by 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:49.299 in our comfortable relationships, 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:52.299 the least lost, littlest, lonely, 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.180 and left out in this city 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:57.200 will not naturally see this community 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:00.779 as safe and welcoming and home. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.619 I'm just trying to be honest with us. 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.819 The poor, the marginalized, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.759 orphans and widows 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:12.099 often feel unwelcome in society 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:15.859 and must know God's welcome from us. 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.480 And then there's the lost, right? 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:21.799 Unbelievers, tax collectors and sinners. 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:25.039 They often feel very connected, 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:27.000 welcome in society, 00:18:27.219 --> 00:18:30.219 but the place they feel unwelcome is where? 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.319 Right here. 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.000 Right here. 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:35.900 With God, 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:38.779 they think they may not be welcome. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:41.420 It's not to be that way 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:43.519 in Jesus' community. 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:46.819 See, when we truly follow Jesus, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.000 He doesn't take us into a connect community 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:51.140 of people who look, talk, 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.600 and think just like us all the time 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:55.240 so we can huddle up in easy, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:57.279 comfortable relationships. 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:57.759 No. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.279 No. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:01.379 He wants these new communities 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.000 and in fact, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.680 this entire church 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.819 to be a place 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:07.379 where the disconnected find connection, 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:10.160 where the hurting find refuge, 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:12.480 where the broken find healing. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:15.180 I won't say everything that looks like, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.460 but y'all should talk about it 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.379 in your new communities this morning. 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:20.560 Bonhoeffer says, 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:23.580 the exclusion of the weak and insignificant, 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:26.180 the seemingly useless people 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:27.740 from a Christian community 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:31.340 may actually mean the exclusion of Christ. 00:19:32.260 --> 00:19:33.200 In the poor brother, 00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:35.460 Christ is knocking at the door. 00:19:37.020 --> 00:19:38.340 See, we must be personally 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:42.360 and corporately a safe place to struggle. 00:19:42.800 --> 00:19:44.840 Struggling sinners always hung around Jesus, 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:46.860 felt safe with Him. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:50.500 The church then should be a welcoming place, 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:52.659 a safe place for them. 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:55.319 Not because God quit being holy 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.619 and hating sin, 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.799 but because Jesus eats with sinners. 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:01.819 That's what makes it okay 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:03.319 that we are not okay. 00:20:03.699 --> 00:20:05.979 That Jesus is perfect 00:20:05.979 --> 00:20:10.119 and Jesus is rescuing and renovating us. 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:12.259 That's why Southwood wants to be 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.679 and longs to be a hospital for sinners. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:18.019 Not so we can all bemoan our failings together, 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:21.320 but because the centerpiece of our community 00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:24.299 is the great physician who heals. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:27.039 So imagine Jesus coming to town 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:29.799 and who would be the most eager to be around Him? 00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:32.860 Those who know they are desperately sick, right? 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.840 That's why He came, 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:37.080 for sin-sick people. 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:40.419 So listen, if we reflect Jesus' heart, 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:44.199 if we really are all about pointing people to Him, 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.720 that's who we'll flock here to. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:50.480 I love the way Pastor Ray Ortlund says it. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:54.960 Gospel doctrine creates gospel cultures 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.099 called churches 00:20:56.099 --> 00:21:00.599 where wonderful things happen to unworthy people 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:03.779 for the glory of Christ alone. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:06.420 That's the way it should be in the church. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.960 Jesus was known for eating 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:11.680 with lost tax collectors and sinners. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:15.960 Lonely widows came weeping to Him. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.559 He welcomed little children 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:20.180 others deemed insignificant. 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.559 He cared for the poor 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.960 and the least of these. 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:26.379 He moved toward the left out 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:28.639 and made them feel valuable insiders 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.920 in His community 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:32.720 because in all these people, 00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:36.240 He saw the image of God. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.560 He engaged on that basis first 00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:41.060 rather than anything else. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.360 That's what we mean 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.400 when we talk about 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:46.100 leading with grace in relationships. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.880 What we mean is that 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:50.360 the most important thing about you 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:53.460 and so the basis of my first engagement with you 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.860 is not your race, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:55.980 your gender, 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.180 your orientation, 00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:58.140 cleanliness, 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.259 your disability, 00:21:59.520 --> 00:22:00.220 your sin. 00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:02.580 It's your status 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:05.600 as an image bearer of God. 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.820 That's how He sees people 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:10.040 and how we must treat people 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.720 with dignity and charity. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:14.400 They're all welcome here. 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:18.080 I remember seeing this in a pastor 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:19.400 who walked Christy and me 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:21.240 around London several years ago. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:24.200 As he showed us around the busy city, 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:27.320 we passed many homeless beggars 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:27.940 through the day. 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:31.340 He didn't have coins or food 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.460 for all of them, 00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:35.620 but He didn't pass a single one 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:37.040 without at least stopping 00:22:37.040 --> 00:22:38.600 to look them in the eye, 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:41.280 often take them by the hand, 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:44.100 and speak to them briefly. 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.800 Good day, chap. 00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:47.720 God bless you, ma'am. 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:50.400 They had other needs, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.680 but one of them 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:54.340 was to be dignified 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:55.660 as worthwhile. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.720 The way God created them. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.420 The way He sees them. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.300 Are you starting to have names 00:23:03.300 --> 00:23:05.880 and faces come to mind 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:07.340 in your neighborhood? 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:11.019 Maybe the annoying classmate 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.259 no one plays with. 00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:16.160 Maybe the homeless guy 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:19.019 who walks by you every day 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.200 as you drive to work. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:23.799 Maybe the special needs high schooler 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.640 at the lodge on a Monday night. 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.580 Maybe your weepy, 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:30.580 seemingly hopeless neighbor 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:32.400 who always needs someone 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.259 to talk to. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.400 They are all precious 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:38.800 precious image bearers of God. 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:41.680 Everyone you pass by each day, 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:43.040 especially the ones 00:23:43.040 --> 00:23:45.100 who might not feel it from others, 00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:47.920 needs the welcome of Jesus. 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.940 A pastor friend of mine 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.220 says about this passage, 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:55.259 we cannot legitimately disregard people, 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.280 anyone, 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.780 in the name of Jesus. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:01.000 In fact, 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.279 welcoming means 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.180 not just saying 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.559 I'd treat someone nicely 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:06.299 if they showed up in my life, 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:08.279 but considering how I can move 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.839 into theirs. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.240 Jesus moves toward 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.339 the least of these, 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:12.859 doesn't He? 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:14.599 Into their neighborhood, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.700 inviting them to dinner, 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.180 listening to their stories 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.759 and sharing my own struggles. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.899 That's what would make them feel welcome 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:22.440 in a place like this. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.119 That's how Jesus 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:25.779 has welcomed us. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.220 Us. 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.319 Listen, 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.019 you can only 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:31.980 welcome the least lost, 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.899 littlest, 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.480 lonely, 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.559 and left out 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.339 to the extent 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.639 you have experienced 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.599 that welcome 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.920 yourself. 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.619 If you are a follower of Jesus, 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.160 if He called you 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.220 and rescued you, 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.379 then Jesus says 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.720 you were sick 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.700 and lost. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.240 Those are the ones 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.859 He came for, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.180 so that's us. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:53.200 And so it's not inappropriate 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:55.019 to say that at this table, 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:57.019 Jesus comes to eat 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.359 with tax collectors 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.480 and sinners. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.339 That spiritually prideful, 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.539 the ones who could never 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.299 be good enough 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.579 to be welcome in heaven, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:07.000 Jesus moves towards us 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.240 with grace 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:10.119 to welcome us home. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.460 You may have heard 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.480 Ruth Graham 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.740 tell her story 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.639 at the funeral 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.599 of her father, 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.920 Billy Graham. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.460 Newly divorced 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.539 and devastated, 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.980 she found herself 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.180 in another relationship 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.599 her parents and children 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.200 told her 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.620 was not good for her. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.620 But, 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.200 in her words now, 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.000 being stubborn 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.779 and willful 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.480 and sinful, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.839 I married this man 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.720 on New Year's Eve 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.960 and within 24 hours 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.599 I knew I'd made 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.620 a terrible mistake. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.559 After five weeks 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.140 I fled, 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.220 I was afraid of him. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.759 What was I going to do? 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.539 I wanted to go talk 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.059 to my mother 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.860 and my father. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.980 It was a two-day drive. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:51.980 Questions swirled 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.400 swirled in my mind. 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.940 What was I going to say 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.420 to daddy? 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.160 What was I going to say 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.599 to mother? 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.420 What was I going to say 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.120 to my children? 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.900 I'd been such a failure. 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.360 What were they going 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.160 to say to me? 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.680 We're tired of fooling 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.180 with you. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.559 We told you not 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.200 to do it. 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.799 You've embarrassed us. 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.980 You don't want 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.120 to embarrass your father 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:15.000 but you really 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.339 don't want to embarrass 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.460 Billy Graham. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:22.799 So she takes 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.880 the two-day drive 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.779 home with those 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.420 questions in her mind 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.299 and she says, 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.039 as I rounded 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.220 the last bend 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.759 in my father's driveway, 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.440 my father was standing 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.900 there waiting for me. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.940 As I got out of the car 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:38.079 he wrapped his arms 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.880 around me 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.220 and he said, 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.160 welcome home. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.819 There was no shame. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.799 There was no blame. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.940 There was no condemnation. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.240 There was just 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:52.220 unconditional love. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:53.799 And you know, 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.339 my father was not God 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:57.119 but he showed me 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.039 what God was like 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.619 that day. 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.639 When we come to God 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.460 with our sin, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.720 our brokenness, 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.480 our failure, 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.339 our pain, 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.119 and our hurt, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.700 God says, 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.519 welcome home. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.039 That's the welcome 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.059 of God we are 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.839 to extend 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.139 especially to those 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:15.299 who can't imagine 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.859 it could be for them. 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.960 It's the welcome 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.799 God extends to you 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.299 and me 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:22.000 when we don't deserve it 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.500 and when we can't imagine 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.919 it could be for us. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.419 Because in his family, 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.359 wonderful things 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.119 happen 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:31.960 to unworthy people. 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:32.879 Amen. 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.279 Let's pray. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:37.740 For more information, 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:39.019 visit us online 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.319 at southwood.org. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.779 For more information, 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.859 visit us online 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:44.339 at southwood.org. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:53.799 Ich- 00:27:54.799 --> 00:28:00.500 Ich-