24

Jump Start # 1401

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1401

Philippians 4:20 “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  The political shows are buzzing currently with debate about what to do with illegals who cross the border and come into this country. Some have committed violent crimes while in this country. Patrols, drones, fences, walls are some of the suggestions to push back on the tide of illegals.

 

There is another kind of alien to this country and that is the Christian. Although the Christian has citizenship here because of birth, he really belongs to another country, the heavenly one. When talking about this passage, the emphasis is often upon our hope, future and direction that we are traveling.  Our destination is Heaven.

 

Those thoughts are good and useful, however there are two other aspects that sometimes blurs which country we truly belong to.

 

First, the behavior factor determines which country we belong to. Within the founding papers of the United States is the pursuit of happiness. Most seem to have gotten that one down pretty well. We love to be happy. We marry, divorce, marry again because of the happy factor. We do what we want because it makes us happy. This is where the clash of citizenships takes place. The call of Heaven is to be holy. You won’t find the passage that directs us to be happy, especially, do anything you want to be happy. The same-sex crowd stands upon the platform that they have a right to be happy. They do in this country. But the country I belong to calls it’s citizens to be holy. Being holy may not always bring happiness, at least not on the external and temporary side of things. Scriptures do not allow every married person to divorce simply because their marriage stinks or because they found someone better. I married too young, some have told me. I fell out of love, I’ve heard before. This person treats me so much nicer than my mate does. Don’t I have a right to be happy? It depends? Which country are you a citizen of? If a person only does what this country allows, they may achieve happiness, but they will miss Heaven. God’s home is for the holy, not the unholy.

 

Sleeping in on Sunday, hitting the golf course, going camping—it’s my time and I have a right to spend it as I please. That’s the thinking of citizens of this country. Christians belong to another country. Remember our verse today? Every country has it’s own rules, rights and responsibilities. The country of Heaven demands that it’s citizens follow Christ, walk in holiness and worship the Lord.

 

What we are seeing is that some want to be citizens of this country and yet get the eternal benefits of the Heavenly country. That’s what some are complaining about politically with the illegal aliens that cross the border. Many want the benefits of our wages, health care and opportunities, but without having to pay taxes like the citizens do. That’s not fair and right in most folk’s book. How is it any different spiritually?  Be holy, is what Peter told his readers. Be conformed to the image of Christ is what the Romans were told. Imitate Christ is what the Corinthians were told. The Ephesians were told to imitate God. Heaven’s citizens do what pleases God. They won’t do everything the citizens of this country do.

 

Second, the United States was built upon freedoms. The freedom to worship as one pleases. The freedom of speech. Those freedoms allow me to  write Jump Starts. Those freedoms allow you to live where you want. However, those freedoms trickle into the spiritual and some get confused which country they belong to. While the United States may allow me the freedom to say anything on my mind, my citizenship in Heaven does not. If it is hurtful, mean, gossipy, Heaven’s citizenship won’t allow me to say those things. Heaven dictates how we are to treat one another. Heaven trumps my personal freedoms and rights. I have a right to do what I want, some demand. No, not when you become a citizen of Heaven. Jesus becomes your Lord. You do what the Lord wants. History and Biblical references show us that often doing what the Lord wants puts God’s people in fiery furnaces, lion’s dens, prison and even facing death. Hebrews tells us that some were sawn in two. Stephen was killed. James was killed. Antipas was killed. Our Jesus was killed. American rights do not trump Heaven’s rights.

 

We belong to Heaven. We go along with the rules here as long as they go along with Heaven. When they don’t, Heaven is chosen. That may put us on the lower end of the stick. It may lead to some difficulties. This isn’t about us or our happiness but rather the glory of God. It would do well for folks to remember that God’s church is not a democracy, but a theocracy. The will of the congregation cannot override the will of God. There can be no revolting, Boston tea party, mutiny that results in behavior, worship or attitudes that are counter to what the Bible teaches. We don’t storm the pulpit with our demands. We don’t threaten to force change because we don’t like things. Now if a church is not following the Bible and if the leaders are leading away from God, that’s a different story. We don’t sit back and blindly follow the leader. We belong to Heaven. We follow God. If someone, anyone, wants to distort the message, pattern or ways of God, in the words of Galatians, he is to be accursed. It is time to bring about changes when God is being ignored. But much too often, it’s simply I don’t get my way, or I’m not happy, and that’s the criteria for demands, threats and taking over the helm of the ship.

 

We are citizens of Heaven. We don’t change because it’s more comfortable, we fit in better, or we become less offensive to others. Let your light shine. The darker the times, the brighter the light becomes. The darker the times the more noticeable the light becomes. The same light that attracts some, blinds others.

 

We are citizens of Heaven. This is where our heart is. This is where we want to be. I’ve been to foreign countries before. Neat things to see. Strange food. Interesting cultures. Not home. Not where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. Our real home isn’t America, it’s Heaven. Let’s act like Heaven’s citizens. Let’s remember that we follow the Lord.

 

We sing, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…”

 

Roger

 

23

Jump Start # 1400

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1400

Nehemiah 13:30 “And I arranged for the supply of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.”

  We have reached another milestone with these Jump Starts. Today is # 1400! That’s 1400 articles written over the past few years. I thought I’d take a moment and do some reflecting and then mention something about our verse today.

Jump Starts began in 2010. It was a little experiment that we tried with the congregation where I preach. The thought was to write something that would encourage and make some reflection as the day began, Jump Start your day. Initially, it was thought after about a month, we’d end this project and move on to other things. At the end of the first month, unknown to me, we already had a large readership outside of our congregation. Our members were copying and sending them to family members and co-workers, who in turn were doing the same thing. So, onward we went, writing more and more. We developed some themes that were printed into booklets. At first, we were going to print the booklets for sale. I couldn’t get the price low enough to satisfy me. I wanted these to be cheap and affordable. The eldership encouraged me to print these as I wanted and offer them for free. We have done that. There are now 14 books on various themes.

 

The readership of Jump Starts continues to climb. The subscribed list is over 1,100. Adding the congregations that use these and the large number of others who send them out to others, our readership is somewhere between 2,000-3,000. Since Jump Starts began there are a number of others who are now writing their own daily devotionals. They are very good and helpful.

 

Across this land I have met so many of our readers. Your encouragement is touching. I have a file folder that is stuffed with the emails that I have received through the years about our Jump Starts.

 

A few thank you’s are necessary as we reflect. First, to the Lord who has given me a gift to see insights into His amazing word and for connecting me with a wonderful church that sees the value of Jump Starts. Thank you to the elders where I preach for supporting this work. Thank you to the deacons who worked out all the bugs and found the right avenue to send out these daily emails. Thank you to a church that funds this and believes in this. And finally, thank you to our readers for taking a few moments every day to read these and tell others about these. We have never had a Jump Start campaign in which we tried to drum up more readers. It just happened. One person told another person and it simply grew. And here we are today, at milestone number 1400. I never thought there would be that many. It has amazed me.

 

Jump Starts was never intended to be an detailed and critical study of a passage. That’s not the purpose. It was designed to be practical, helpful and emphasizing our personal walk with the Lord. Through these writings, I have shared my life. You have read about my children and their weddings. You have read about the deaths of my friends. So many who hear me preach for the first time comment, you talk like you write and you write like you talk. Others say, “I can just see you saying that.” I’ve never seen myself as much of a writer. Doing this every morning, often the fingers and the mind are not together, the grammar is off and my English critics wonder what in the world I am doing. It has been my hopes that somewhere in these writings, someone has looked deeper into their heart and decided to walk closer to the Lord. I hope that these have helped.

 

On the Jump Start website, we have a couple of search engines that allows you to look up a specific passage or word that has been used. These search engines connect all the Jump Starts.

 

Where do we go from here? I know if my dear friend Jim Babcock were still with us today, he’d be asking me that very question. He would have called this morning to talk about the future of Jump Starts. Jim passed on recently. My I miss him dearly. I have one more series that I still want to write sometime. For now, we will just keep writing as long as you keep reading.

 

Now our verse. Nehemiah, the great book of leadership, courage, prayers and faith ends with a simple statement and prayer to the Lord, “Remember, O my God, for good.” That would be a great statement to live by. What a great way to end a book. What a great statement for all of us.

 

So often, we want the Lord to FORGET. Here, Nehemiah was saying, “Remember.” Others, would want the Lord to FORGIVE. Not here. Not Nehemiah. Here, it’s remember me for good. Remember the good that has been done. Remember the walk with the Lord. Remember the stand taken. Remember the deeds done. Remember.

 

There is something inherit within that word Remember. To remember, there must be something to remember. How can the Lord remember, if there was nothing done. Nehemiah had done so much good. He rallied the people of God to build the walls around Jerusalem in 52 days. He overcame opposition and compromise, having people build and defend at the same time. He led the nation in a great celebration to God. Good was done. This simple cupbearer a long way from home did all of that. There was much to be thankful for. There was many prayers answered. There was so much good that was done. Remember me, O my God, for good.

 

What are we doing these days? We can get so tied up with jobs and ballgames and things that really do not matter all that much that we forget to make a difference. Across this land, Nehemiah’s are doing good for the kingdom. Elderships are waking up and realizing that they haven’t been shepherds but CEO’s of a corporation and under their watch, brethren have drifted and died spiritually. Things are changing all over this country. Preachers are getting back to really preaching the word. Great material is being written that takes us deeper into God’s word. Folks all over this land are sharing the gospel with family and friends. Churches are outgrowing their buildings as more and more are attending.

 

It’s an exciting time. Great things are being done all over the world. The kingdom is growing. You’d think with all the cultural mess that we are living in that we’d be falling apart. We are not.  A few loud voices in the media would make us believe that Christianity is dead and no one is interested today. How wrong they are.

 

Now, what good are you doing? Will the Lord remember you for the good that you have done? Can’t preach, that’s ok. We don’t need everyone to preach. Can’t lead like Nehemiah. That’s ok. He needed builders of walls and readers of Scriptures and folks that would stand all day when the word was preached. Do what you can. Make the work of the kingdom your real job. Put that first. Everyday, look for someone to encourage, teach, help, share, and strengthen spiritually. Even today, in your home and in your community, there is that soul that can be touched by a card, a call, a visit. Take the food. Buy and give the book. Lend a hand and help someone move. Give up a Saturday for someone else. Engage in the Kingdom work. Everyday do good. When the Lord calls us home, there will be a long, long trail of good has made a difference for others.

 

Remember me, O my God, for good.

 

Roger

 

22

Jump Start # 1399

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1399

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant”

Love is. Those two words have started many songs. Love is a many splendid thing, and love is all you need, are a couple examples. The apostle is describing and defining this highest form of love known as “agape.” This is the “God so loved the world,” type of love. It is a choice, not a feeling. It is based upon the betterment of the other, not what self gets out of it. It is shown by actions.

 

In the setting this is found, Paul is instructing the Corinthians and answering questions concerning spiritual gifts. They were torn, divided and jealous over these gifts. It was just another of multiple things that was splintering that congregation. Three chapters are devoted to understanding the proper use of spiritual gifts. In the midst of those instructions, we come across Heaven’s definition of love. These words were not given so a preacher would repeat them at a wedding ceremony, but rather, they were given to remind, teach and help brethren understand how they ought to treat one another. They were on the same team. God was the bond that connected them. Yet at the moment, they were not acting very godly in how they felt about one another. So these words, this reminder, love is, given to pull these brethren together in Christ.

 

Paul’s description of love is based upon how others are treated. It is not feeling based but action based. Paul uses both the negative and the positive in his description, love is not and love is. Our verse sets forth the pattern, patience, kindness, not jealous, not bragging and not arrogant.

 

Love is not arrogant. Love does not brag. Pride. Love is not prideful. Love doesn’t look down on the other guy. Love doesn’t see himself as better than the next person. This is helpful in a torn congregation when some thought one spiritual gift was superior to others. Not every person had a spiritual gift. Those that did, the gifts were different and for different functions. Wrong attitudes, misinformation and a spoonful of pride and you have all that is necessary for folks to get stirred up and upset with one another. Instead of good being accomplished through those gifts, folks were pointing fingers, getting mad and pulling apart at the seams.

 

Pride, arrogance and bragging—the ugly triplets of someone who thinks that they are better than others and they are seeking attention and praise from others. In church, instead of singing, “How great Thou art,” some would rather sing, “How good I am.” They have to toot their horn and let everyone know what they did. When Jesus said, “don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing,” the proud person doesn’t understand that. First to say something, even if it has already been said. The first with an opinion, even if it’s not a good opinion. The first to shoot down an idea, if it is not their own. Pride doesn’t fit well on any of us. Preachers struggle with this. Week after week, folks praise the sermon and tell the preacher how great he is. The ole’ head swells. That’s why most church buildings have double doors. They must fit the preacher’s head through it. He can begin to think that the church can’t get along without him. He can think that he’s the best thing to come along since the apostles. Mr. big head will soon do more harm than good.

 

Here are some things I’ve learned.

 

  The prideful do not listen very well. They always have something to say, but they don’t do well in the listening department. In fact, when they’ve had about enough, they interrupt the conversation and steer it in their own direction. Listening is important. It is the key to a healthy relationship, whether we talk about marriage, friendships or fellowship. Arrogant leaders in the church have little time for problems. They will lack the tenderness and compassion that sheep need. They tend to become pushy, bossy and demanding.

 

  The prideful do not take suggestions well. This is true in many areas, home, work and church. This is especially true if the suggestions come from someone younger, someone new, someone still wet behind the ears. A teen making a suggestion to his dad, a new member making a suggestion to the leaders, an young preacher making a suggestion to an older preacher, those situations don’t go well if pride is involved. Age doesn’t give one the corner on the market of ideas. What happens with the proud person is that he has limited himself and doesn’t realize it. By failing and refusing to take suggestions from others, his ideas become the only ideas. He sees things only from his perspective. He has put himself in a corner and will not consider the thoughts of others, even though they may be helpful and even better than what he knows. The company hits a ceiling. The church is limited. Growth is stunted because the kingdom is larger than any one of us. This pride is demonstrated by the older set rejecting what younger folks have to say. The church becomes a “good-o-boy” club and if you are not in then what you think doesn’t matter. I’ve seen and I’ve experienced that before. The keepers of the kingdom stifle progress and it becomes stale, dull and lifeless. I’ve walked into church buildings that looked like dumps. Papers everywhere. Dark and dingy lights. Men standing around telling old stories and folks just staring at the new person walking in. UNCOMFORTABLE. Would they change things? Are you kidding? Never. They are content, even though many others attending there are not. The others are afraid to say anything. They’ve tried in the past and were mocked, patted on the head and sent back to their pew. Their suggestions immediately rejected. Not even considered. The keepers of kingdom KNOW what is best. Just ask them.

 

  The prideful do not take correction well. None of us are always right, none of us. That means sometimes the boss is not right. That means sometimes the husband is not right. That means sometimes the teacher in a class is not right. That means sometimes the preacher is not right. That means sometimes the shepherds are not right. There are various levels of things that come to my mind. It may be just misusing a passage. What the person said isn’t supported by the verses he used. He meant well, but the text doesn’t say that. It may be an idea that just wasn’t thought out very well. Maybe something is presented by the leaders but they didn’t take in mind the effect it would have on young families. It may be an absolute that someone states that actually is not an absolute. So the honest heart tries to correct. The proud doesn’t take correction  well because that means he was wrong. The proud are never wrong. Just ask them. He could not admit a weakness, a failure. So, the proud instead of being humble and admitting a mistake or considering a thought that they failed to look at or even changing, the proud goes to excuses. He hides himself behind excuses. It’s not his fault. He wasn’t wrong. It was the excuses problem. The proud will throw anyone under the bus, as long as it is not himself. His attitude will discourage those who want to do right and stand for integrity of the Scriptures. The proud will continue deeper on the wrong path because he refuses to be corrected. The husband who refuses to admit that he doesn’t know a think about plumbing, will mess things up so bad that it will cost hundreds to fix his prideful mistakes. The same goes at work and at church. Instead of calling out for help, the proud will fix it themselves. And most times, they do make a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

Love is not arrogant. Love does not brag. The arrogant wouldn’t go to the home of someone like Zacchaeus. Jesus did. The arrogant wouldn’t include a Matthew among the apostles. Jesus did. The arrogant wouldn’t make Samaritans heroes of stories. Jesus did. The arrogant wouldn’t, and Jesus did. That is the difference. Today, the arrogant wouldn’t go over and sit by the visitor who is sitting alone. Jesus would. The arrogant wouldn’t go talk to the teenagers and let them know that he loves them. Jesus would. The arrogant wouldn’t talk to the widow. Jesus would. The arrogant wouldn’t encourage the guy who is a little different. Jesus would. Jesus would.

 

Arrogance keeps us from dropping to our knees and admitting, “God, I really need you.” Arrogance stops us from saying, “Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner.” Arrogance makes us feel that we have all the answers, we are all together and we are doing great. Arrogance never sees the band-aids holding our hearts together.

 

Love is not arrogant. It’s hard to walk that way in a culture that thrives on arrogance.

 

How are you doing with this stuff? Honestly? Would your family agree?

 

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 1398

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1398

Ecclesiastes 7:1 “A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”

  Our verse today is taken from the contrasting section of Ecclesiastes where Solomon declares one thing to be better than another. There are a series of six contrasts in this context. On the surface, most would initially choose the ones that Solomon does not call better. The end of our verse illustrates this. Given the choice, a birth or a death, most would take the birth. People are excited at births. They are sad at deaths. In an instant someone becomes a grandma and her world is magically changed into buying things for the new little grandchild. I’ve seen that in my own home.

 

The front part of our verse is where our attention is focused on today. A good name is better than a good ointment. Solomon is driving at reputation, character and what one has done with their life. Some names sound successful. Some names are catchy. I knew a guy whose last name was Gunn. He had a boy that he named, “Thomas.” Everyone knew him as “Tommy Gunn.” Cute. This is not what Solomon is meaning by a “good name.” A good name comes from a person being good. The choice of a name given by parents does not set the course for one’s life. However, certain names remind us of a terrible life or a great life. I’ve never met a person named Judas or Jezebel. Those two names from the Bible are certainly not “good.”

 

I was reading a section of church history the other night. I came across an Emperor whose name was Michael III. He lived long ago in the mid-800’s. He was the last in a line of rulers and the early historians did not view him very favorably. He was known more so as Michael III, the Drunkard. He squandered the empire’s wealth, lived a very loose and immoral lifestyle and was pretty rotten. Modern historians seem to view him in a more favorable light and even  attributing some outstanding things to his reign. Michael III, the Drunkard. You know his mother would have never named him that. He got that tag from the way he lived. His choices led to him being known by that nickname.

 

So, Solomon tells us it is better to have a good name. How does one get that good name?

 

Some begin life on the coat tails of their parents good name. Solid citizens, decent people, good folks, “church going” people, as some used to say, are the environment that some of us come into this world. There have been doors opened to us because of the good name of our parents. But in time, we must make our own mark. Some have taken that good name and run it into the mud. Some have resented that good name. Some have gone the other direction on purpose, because of that name.

 

Others, have just the opposite start in life. Maybe your parents weren’t good citizens. Maybe their reputation was dishonesty, cheating and even connected to serving time in jail. “You are one of them,” was not a good thing to hear growing up. Maybe doors were shut before you were even given a chance, because of your family name. But again, in time, we must make our own mark.

 

So we may start off ahead or behind because of our family name. Some get it easier and others must work harder because of that family name. But that’s just the starting point. It’s like watching the horses start at the Derby. The gates open and off they go. Some take a fast lead, others are slow getting out of the gate. But it’s a long race, and the start doesn’t tell the whole story.

 

How you treat others, how ethical you are, how consistent you are, builds that name. Playing favorites, ignoring the rules for your own sake, being lazy, lying, cutting corners, blaming others, living on excuses—it doesn’t take much of that until your name becomes sour. Word gets out and gets around about bad names. Folks say, “You can’t trust him,” and they don’t. People steer clear of one with a bad name.

 

The opposite is just as true. As one sets about life, they are honest, generous, kind, helpful, hard working and making right the mistakes that they’ve made, it will be noticed. Word gets around. In the work setting, promotions come. In the family setting, there is that one that everyone can go to for advice.

 

A good name. We still stick to that principle. When someone new moves into the area and they want to find a new doctor, dentist, mechanic, car dealer, baby sitter—they start asking around. They ask people at work. They ask neighbors. What they hear is a good name or don’t go to this one, a bad name.

 

Don’t you think the same could be said of a congregation? Some congregations may have a good name and others a bad name? We remember from Revelation that one congregation had a name that they were alive, but the Lord declared them to be dead. What others thought about them, wasn’t how the Lord saw them. That is a concern. First, and foremost, we must please the Lord and walk with Him in the direction that He is going. It really doesn’t matter how great folks love you, if you are doing wrong, it’s wrong.

 

Having understood that, congregations can have a good name or a bad name. They can be known to be unloving, unforgiving and a closed club that no one on the outside can break through. That reputation will affect the church’s growth. If they are known to be mean, then folks will stay away. If they are known to be fighting, then few will darken the doors. Word gets out. People know.

 

But a congregation that is known to be loving, helpful, kind, and there for people who are working through problems will get a great name. When it is known that the church isn’t perfect but the Lord is, that spirit becomes encouraging. People will know it to be a serving church. It will be known as a loving church. The community sees it by the large numbers that turn out at a funeral home or the large quantity of food that is made for a grieving family. It is known because the people seem to care about the place. It is known because people want to be there.

 

The other Sunday night, I was coming to our church building. The traffic was bad. It’s usually not that way on a Sunday evening. Bumper to bumper and stopping a lot. Then I noticed a long line waiting to turn into our parking lot. The cars couldn’t turn because there were so many coming from the other direction that we also turning in. It seemed like everyone was coming to our place. That’s a great sign. That’s a great feeling. Something good is happening. People want to be there.

 

A good name—it takes time. It takes being good. It takes doing good. It takes consistency. Whether we talk about an individual, a family, or a congregation, there is something about that good name.

 

What you do today helps build that name. Look around. There are those that you can help. There are those that you can encourage. There are those that need to see Jesus. There are those that you can make a difference. This is how a good name is made. When one has messed up their name, it can be turned around, it will just take time, often a long time.

 

Good name…how people know you. How the Lord knows you.

 

Roger

 

20

Jump Start # 1397

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1397

1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

  I was using this section of Peter in a lesson and this verse stuck with me. There is an interesting thought here that we ought to consider.

 

Hospitality, by definition, is entertaining strangers. The admonition for God’s people to be hospitable is found throughout the New Testament. The Roman brethren were told to “practice hospitality.” Bishops were to be known to be hospitable. The Hebrews were told to not “neglect hospitality.” Peter, here in our verse, tells his readers to be hospitable to one another.

 

Often more good can be done through hospitality than in the church building. One on one, deeper conversations and personally tailored to what a person needs can be accomplished in the setting of a home that just doesn’t work in the church building. Friendships are formed, spiritual ties are strengthened and love is expressed and shared through hospitality.

 

There are three thoughts I want to share about this.

 

First, hospitality takes a team effort at home. Mom and dad must be on the same page here. If you are inviting folks over, clean the place up, make it look inviting, work together in this way. One cooks and the other sets the table. One puts out more chairs and the other sees that things are just right. Don’t go for over kill or try to impress someone like you are feeding the queen, that can kill the atmosphere of what you are trying to accomplish. It isn’t a time to show off, but entertain. Get the kids involved in helping. This will be an example for them to learn as well.

 

Second, don’t get in the pattern of just inviting your family and friends over. There is a need for that, but you miss out the joy of fellowship and helping others when you don’t include others. Think of the older ones. Think of the widows. Think of the young couples. Invite, include and open your home and your heart. If there is a couple that is very shy, then include another couple that likes to talk. Having two or three families over allows people to get to know more and more people. For the shepherds of the congregation, this is a great opportunity to learn and see what is going on in the lives of some of the sheep. Don’t just talk about yourself, let your guests talk. Get to know them. What a wonderful, wonderful occasion this can be.

 

Third, from our passage today, Peter adds, “without complaint.” Be hospitable with one another, without complaint. I wonder why Peter had to add the “without complaint” part. I suppose it happened. I expect it continues to happen. This takes away the good that is done. I’m not sure the context allows us to know who was being complained to. Were they complaining to God? I tend to doubt that? More likely, it was to their family and friends. This is what we generally do.

 

Here are some of the complaints that they may have said. This is just things I thought up, but I believe they fit the situation.

 

  • Why is it that we are the ones who always have people over? Why doesn’t someone invite us once in a while?
  • Why do we always have to feed the visiting preacher? We hardly know him.
  • Some people just stay too long and never go home.
  • Some just talk and talk and talk and they never let anyone else talk.
  • They don’t even offer to help do the dishes where we are done.
  • They never offer to bring something when we invite them.
  • Their kids aren’t very well behaved.

 

Oh, the complaints we can come up with. It’s enough for some to not be hospitable. Some would say, “That’s why we don’t have people in our home.” That’s not good enough, nor right. The passage tells us that we need to be hospitable with one another.

 

Hospitality isn’t limited to just feeding a family in your home. There are many ways to express love and kindness. Gifts purchased, sitting with someone in a surgery waiting room, sitting in a restaurant together, doing things together—but you pick up the tab. You be the generous one. You make the other one feel welcome and special. You share your heart with another. Pray together. Read passages together. Have enough people over to sing together. Laugh together, smile together, even cry together. It’s the together part that makes hospitality special.

 

I have been on both ends of hospitality for years and years. As a preacher, I have been invited into so many homes through the years and have met so many wonderful families. It’s great. Long after the meal is forgotten, the conversations, the ties formed are remembered. Friendships have been made. Encouragement shared. It’s wonderful.

 

My wife and I have had lots and lots of people in our homes through the years. We purchased homes with the specific idea that the floor pattern is open and it flows well so when we have people over it seems comfortable. We’ve had everything from simple sandwiches to very fine meals—the food isn’t the important part, it’s the people. It’s connecting, sharing and growing closer. We work like a team. I can’t cook. It would be a disaster if that happened. But I can help get the house ready. And when folks leave, I can clean up. And I do. I don’t let this all fall on her. We work as a team. I do what I do and she does what she does and it turns out to be a lovely evening with other folks. Sure it costs a little. Sure we get tired. But it is so worth it and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Be hospitable. Don’t ruin it by complaining. Don’t let the good be destroyed because of your attitude. Some folks might do well just to think of others once in a while. When you are invited to someone’s house, don’t be a hog at the feeding trough. I’ve seen that. A line of people behind one guy who has stacked his plate so high that you’d think he hasn’t eaten in months. The folks at the end of the line worry if there will be anything left for them. I’ve actually seen a few occasions, when there wasn’t. Be thoughtful of others. When you bring your children into another’s home, watch them. Little fingers like to touch things and pick things up and that makes a couple without kids very nervous. Don’t do all the talking when you are with others, and this is especially hard for us preachers. We excel in talking but sometimes we just need to listen. Be thankful that someone had you over. Compliment them and express your thanks. Don’t return the favor because you feel compelled to. That ruins the atmosphere. Serve out of love. If you are asked to say the prayer at the meal, remember the occasion. It may not be best for a long, long prayer at that time. Don’t damper the atmosphere by trash talking the church, the leaders or others not there. Don’t turn the setting into a dumping ground. Make it positive. Make it beneficial. Make folks leave glad that they came. Just be thoughtful and think about things.

 

Be hospitable without complaint. How long has it been since you’ve shown hospitality? Maybe you can start the wheels working on that today for this coming weekend. Get thinking about what you need to do, who you need to invite and then get busy doing it. And don’t forget Peter’s words, “without complaint.”

 

Roger