5-12-13 sermon

1. A Loaded Word

2. welcoming
& affirming church?”
“Is this a

3. welcometo accept h to receive
always been a challenge for churches

4. Churches have never welcomed
everyone to join.
racially unlike majority
ex-cons
mentally ill
special needs
ideological opponentspolitical opposites
disgraced
recovering addicts
gays
homeless
outcasts
unwed moms
ex-gang members
physically challenged
misfits
poor

5. The Sin of Self-inflation
Mark 9:33 At last, they came to
Capernaum where they gathered in a
house.
Jesus: What was it I heard you
arguing about along the way?
34 They looked down at the floor and
wouldn’t answer, for they had been
arguing among themselves about who
was the greatest of Jesus’ disciples.

6. The Problem with
Pecking Orders
Ancient Issue
Permanently Stuck
Problems with Worth*
Everywhere
Four-chapter Gospel

7. Mark 9:35 He sat
down with the twelve
to teach them.
Jesus: Whoever
wants to be first
must be last, and
whoever wants to be
the greatest must be
the servant of all.

8. Mark 9:36 He then called
forward a child, set the
child in the middle of
them, and took the child
in His arms.
Jesus: 37 Whoever
welcomes a child like this
in My name welcomes Me;
and whoever welcomes Me
is welcoming not Me, but
the One who sent Me.

9. Still Powerless
& Unimportant?

10. Jesus calls us to
welcome everyone,
especially people we think are
unimportant and unnecessary.

11. And whenever we do, we
should realize that we are
also welcoming Jesus to
be with us, too.
For He came to us as a
powerless, unimportant child.

12. Look for Jesus
amidst the
resulting mess
and chaos
more than enough love

13. Colossians 1:3 We always give thanks to God, the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.
4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of
your love for all God's people. 5 When the true message,
the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the
hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what
you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven.