The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Giving Up the Ghosts (3|3)
The Lamentation of Hospitality
Pages 154-159
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
James 1:4-5 (NIV) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Not everyone can come to Christ in the fullness of life - while the world, the flesh, and the Devil are raging and strong. But anyone led by the Spirit can come to Christ on the deathbed when the flesh is weak. Anyone.
Hospitality always requires hands and hearts, and mess and sacrifice and weakness. Always.
Because of the fall, death is both inevitable and a violent attack against what was supposed to be. Because of Jesus, because of his atoning love, he takes on all the guilt and corruption that we inherited in Adam and makes all things, including ourselves and our nature, whole and good and glorified, ready to live with our Savior for eternity.
What is your response to that statement?
Have you neglected to pray for someone because you think there is no way they will come to Christ? Start praying for the grace of God to reach them so they can understand the gospel and know Jesus as their Shepherd.
List three excuses you have for not sharing the gospel with your family members.
How does the knowledge that faith is a gift from God free you to proclaim Christ even to those who mock the Bible and reject God altogether?
What are the difficult relationships in your life that God is using to keep you on your knees? Thank him for these hard relationships because of what he is working in you through them.
Pause and pray: Feel free to pray in your own words with the content of this chapter in mind or pray the prayer below:
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of faith, and for the salvation you offer to sinners—the salvation you offer to me. Please remind me to pray and to bring to your throne those around me who don’t know you. Thank you for hope that heals old wounds and remakes us as our faith grows stronger.