Grace Church
#3 - In the Home of Friends
The Dining with Jesus series will give you practical teaching in Biblical hospitality and equip you to open your door and build relationships with those in your church and community.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
This month our series is entitled Dining with Jesus and will run through Easter Sunday (March 31st).
We are using the book of Luke to look at a few times that Jesus connected with people over meals and to gain some insights about hospitality and relationships.
We are using the book of Luke to look at a few times that Jesus connected with people over meals and to gain some insights about hospitality and relationships.
If you were to enjoy a meal with some of your good friends, would you prefer?
a) going to a neutral site?
b) hosting them in your home?
c) being a guest at the home of your friend?
a) going to a neutral site?
b) hosting them in your home?
c) being a guest at the home of your friend?
We often interpret the Bible through what we know from our own culture. In the case of Jesus, it was nearly 2,000 years ago and in a Jewish culture. During the First Century period, Israelites ate mainly the natural crops that were found in the region. Deuteronomy 8:8
We eat on the run, rarely sitting down together as a family unit. Jesus and the boys sat or stretched out over cushions close to each other and meals would last 2-6 hours depending on the holiday and arrival of guests.
We eat on the run, rarely sitting down together as a family unit. Jesus and the boys sat or stretched out over cushions close to each other and meals would last 2-6 hours depending on the holiday and arrival of guests.
Our text today is found in Luke 10:38-42.
But first we need to look at the passages before and after this one to understand the context of the story.
We see that Jesus is dining with friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the village of Bethany. John 11:5
But first we need to look at the passages before and after this one to understand the context of the story.
We see that Jesus is dining with friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the village of Bethany. John 11:5
- Bethany is a sleepy little village that lies about 2 miles east of Jerusalem.
- Bethany lays near the primary road from Jericho to the Dead Sea.
- Bethany is associated with many visits and meals by the Lord...a regular stopover.
- Bethany was also the home to Simon the Leper (Matthew 26) with whom Jesus dined.
Luke 24:50-51 also happened in Bethany.
- Bethany lays near the primary road from Jericho to the Dead Sea.
- Bethany is associated with many visits and meals by the Lord...a regular stopover.
- Bethany was also the home to Simon the Leper (Matthew 26) with whom Jesus dined.
Luke 24:50-51 also happened in Bethany.
Our story today takes place in the southern province of Israel, a land called Judea. Judea was the home of religious elites whose motto was "I'm better than you!" They were sticklers of the law, judgers of people, self-righteous, and antagonists of Jesus.
The people different from the "elites"...
- understood they were sinners and trusted God to save them, not their own good deeds
- were faithful followers and workers for Jesus
- stepped "across the room" and "opened the door" of their life to help others
- were simply friends of Jesus
The people different from the "elites"...
- understood they were sinners and trusted God to save them, not their own good deeds
- were faithful followers and workers for Jesus
- stepped "across the room" and "opened the door" of their life to help others
- were simply friends of Jesus
As we looked at the text (Luke 10:38-42) it was easy to see that there was some conflict during the Lord's visit. One woman was making preparations for the meal and the other had left the kitchen to sit and listen to Jesus.
There are many angles that we can look at this story, but today we're just looking at some simple lessons about Jesus and His dear friends.
There are many angles that we can look at this story, but today we're just looking at some simple lessons about Jesus and His dear friends.
1. Good friends are like an oasis on a journey.
v. 38a
v. 38a
2. Opening the doors of our life and home require a choice.
v. 38b
v. 38b
3. Everyone has connections with whom we may find a connection.
v. 39
v. 39
4. People are messy, yet God wants us to minister to them.
v. 40
v. 40
5. Don't take sides, speak truth.
v. 41-42
v. 41-42
6. Friendships have an expiration date, cherish yours.
John 11
Don't wait to show your appreciation and affection. Open the door of your life now!
John 11
Don't wait to show your appreciation and affection. Open the door of your life now!
Website
https://gc3.org/Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/The Greenhouse Project
https://gc3.org/tgp/Easter Egg Hunt Volunteer Sign-Up
Here are some ways you can get involved:
Donate candy! Candy can be placed in the totes in the lobby. We need lots! Make sure the candy is small enough to fit inside plastic easter eggs.
Sign-up to help on the day of the event at the link below. We need people who can help set-up, those who can greet guests and oversee an age group, or people who can help with clean-up.
Donate to this outreach event at the link below. We will be purchasing prizes to give away.
Come stuff the eggs with candy on Wednesday, March 27th at 6:30 pm in the lobby at Grace Church.
Share the event on social media and pray for the impact on families who attend.
If you have any questions, contact Tracy Nelson (gt_nelson@yahoo.com) or Jillyn Boldrey (jillynboldrey@gmail.com).
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/5483fa5514582024 Bible Reading - Grace Journals
If you haven't already, you can pick up your 2024 Grace Journal in CJ's coffee shop. You can find an at-a-glance list of the reading each week at the link below. We are excited for you to grow in your faith as we read and study through the writings of Paul together!
https://gc3.org/bible/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet is Sunday, March 24th.
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
CJ's Gift Cards
You can now purchase CJ's Gift Cards in either $10 or $20 amounts at the counter in CJ's. These cards are good for anything purchased in CJ's (not for online purchases). This is a great way to bless someone as well as supporting the Samaritan Fund to help those in need in our community!
Wintery Wednesday Events
Check out all the events happening at Grace Church including the Wintery Wednesday events at the link below.
https://gc3.org/events/Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, March 17th - Pastor Josh Burt
Monday, March 18th - Adam & Amanda Simons
Monday, March 18th - Adam & Amanda Simons