Hello Church - Purposed to Serve

Welcome back to the third week of our series, "Hello Church." If you missed the previous two weeks, I encourage you to go check those out as well! In week one, we explored the power of unity within the church and how our understanding of the church can sometimes be different from God's vision for it.

We discussed the importance of unity, even though we've all seen instances of disunity within churches. God's desire is for His church to be unified, and this sometimes requires us to sacrifice our personal desires for His greater purpose.

In week two, Pastor Pat delved into the idea of God's kingdom always expanding. The concept of colonization in ancient Rome, where they established little Romes in conquered lands, demonstrated the idea of growth and expansion. Similarly, the church is not meant to be exclusive but to extend its reach into the world.

Today, we're diving into another aspect of what it means to be the church, as we explore a passage from the book of Luke. This passage challenges us to reconsider our perspective and priorities.

Jesus attended a dinner at a Pharisee's house on the Sabbath, a day when work was prohibited by religious standards. The Pharisees closely observed Jesus to see if he would break this rule. During the meal, Jesus encountered a man with swollen limbs and asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. When no one answered, Jesus healed the man, which offended some.

Jesus used this moment to address the Pharisees' legalism. He asked them if they would hesitate to help their own child or animal in need on the Sabbath. This emphasized the importance of mercy and compassion over rigid rules.

Then Jesus observed the guests' behavior at the dinner table. They all wanted to sit in places of honor, closer to the head of the table. Jesus advised them not to seek honor for themselves but to take the lowest seat. In doing so, the host might invite them to a better seat, exemplifying the principle that those who humble themselves will be exalted.

This teaching challenges our societal focus on self-promotion and encourages us to let God exalt us rather than seeking recognition for ourselves.

Next, Jesus turned to the host and advised him not to invite friends, relatives, or rich neighbors to his gatherings. Instead, he should invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. Jesus explained that those who invite people who cannot repay them will be rewarded by God at the resurrection of the righteous.

This challenges us to consider who we invite into our lives and how we extend grace. It's easy to help those who can repay us, but God calls us to serve those who cannot.

The passage concludes with a guest's comment about the blessedness of attending a banquet in the kingdom of God. Jesus responded with a parable about a man who invited many guests but encountered excuses. The master then sent his servant to invite the poor and marginalized, ensuring his banquet would not go to waste.

In today's context, we are among those who have been invited to the banquet, and we must be mindful not to make excuses or prioritize other things over God's call. We must also remember to extend the invitation to others, especially those society often overlooks.

In summary, our purpose as a church is to help those who cannot help us in return. We should emulate Jesus by showing compassion, humility, and a willingness to serve without expecting anything in return. The church is a place where all are accepted, not because they are good enough, but because we all understand our need for God's grace.

Let us remember that we are all a work in progress, continually seeking God's guidance and grace. As a church, we aim to be a community that reflects God's love and extends His invitation to all.