We are blessed to have many visitors at most services at LaVergne especially on Sunday morning. This morning's lesson is for you. Visitors are more than visitors; you are the honored guests of the members who meet here regularly.
I. Guests can expect to be treated with hospitality.
A. Guest defined:
1) A person to whom hospitality is extended.
2) One who holds a place of prominence (Peter 4:9). Use hospitality one to another without grudging.B. We as members need to remember that guests are not familiar with the building, the people and, in some cases, the worship service itself.
A guest should never have to struggle to find their classrooms, the rest rooms or any of the things we take for granted as members.
C. Guests should find gracious hosts.
Members, our visitors may not realize that the pew you sit in is somehow "special," or "reserved" for you. They may be perplexed when you refuse to scoot in from the isle seat so they don't have to crawl over you.
Luke 14:8-10 Let us remember the seating at the wedding feast.
II. Guests can expect to find a friendly membership.
A. A warm a friendly greeting should be received by each and every guest.
1) Getting to know our guest personally is the first step towards meeting their spiritual needs. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
2) 80% of visitors who stayed with a congregation did so because they found a "buddy."
3) Think of the friendships enjoyed by those in the Bible.a) David & Jonathan
b) Paul & Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, Barnabas (the encourager)
c) Jesus & JohnB. Members should assume that visitors have needs (even if they come in a group).
C. Members, have you ever visited another congregation that was less than friendly?III. Guest can expect to find a membership that is not judgmental.
A. Without regard to appearance. (James 2:3)
B. Without regard to race.
C. Even if they do not act "normal" by members' standards (Mark 2:17). For those of us who are members, it has taken us all our lives to get to where we are spiritually. Let's give people who are new to the gospel the same opportunity.
D. Without regard to age. (1 Timothy 4:12)IV. Guests can expect to find members who are faithful.
A. Faithful to God's Word.
1) Many people in the world believe they cannot understand God's plan for them. Why? Religious confusion has created the appearance of difficulty in heeding God's Word.
2) Members should help guests to understand that this is not the case and go about teaching them the simple plan of God faithfully.Acts 8:26 Philip taught the eunuch the plan in a few minutes/hours.
B. Full of faith because of God's word.
I heard a Christian recounting his conversation saying the man teaching him "had something he wanted." Our faith should be infectious. People should see we have something to live for and something for which to look forward.
V. Guests can expect to find a congregation concerned about their soul.
A. Members of the Lord's church are commanded to spread the gospel to every creature. When we have guests at our services, the hard work is already done - finding a prospect who wants to hear the truth. If we can't teach them, who can we teach? (John 4:35)
Having guests is an honor that we appreciate very much. Having one added to the membership is even better. We may have a guest who has been attending here for some time, maybe weeks, or months, or maybe even years. If you have not obeyed the gospel of Christ then you are not yet a member. This morning why don't you make a commitment to be added to the church of the Lord's and become a member by obeying Him (Gal 3:27).
Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Luke 14:8-10
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
