September 18, 2022 AM

Illustration of man who stood in the midst of a bustling crowd of people in Oxford Station for 3 hours handing out leaflets. On the paper there was an offer of 5 pounds if the paper was only returned. In the 3 hours only 11 people returned.

We have received special invitations to something over which we were excited only to find that someone we didn’t care for or thought less of was invited to the same event. Things seems to change when both invitees come to something like a cancer treatment center. Both know that they are needy and in need of help

God provides the example of moving toward people

In the garden

Pictured in Hosea

Proverbs 8 and Isaiah 55 show the king setting a feast for people

Christ

Move toward people as your God did toward you

Close and Distant

Friends and enemies

Lost

Seeking

One’s we don’t know

1 Corinthians 16:19–24 NKJV

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

This greeting is appropriate in light of what Paul has been teaching throughout the book. There was problems in the church with people thinking of themselves in an elite category. The work of Christ removes such categories.

The churches in Asia- the church at Corinth is a part of a church that is much grander their personal church body.

We greet others as comrades in the same cause. We are not alone in this. These greeting extended to all kinds of different people. Their are not classifications for who should be greeted

An outward/tangible manifestation confirms the bond that exists among God’s people. We all have been made one family. We have been reconciled to God.

Romans 14:1 NKJV

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

2 John 9–10 NKJV

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

Welcome is shown to those we disagree with. Witholding welcome is called for when someone is brings in false teaching. Offering welcome is participation in His work.

A greeting is simple but powerful. It is an initial step

They start broad. They convey that they want others to partake in something that they have.

Move toward people as unto your God

Mark 9:36–37 NKJV

36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

Prioritize the way you move toward people

This is due to your finiteness and the time required to greet people well.

Greet the foreigner first

Greet the returning visitor next

Greet the introvert and marginalized

Greet children

A “Hi_______” is extended to as many people as possible.

Good friends are interspersed throughout.

Start simple with your greeting

My name is

What is your name?

How long have you lived here?

Do you have family here?

Nice to meet you!