September 1, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 1st: Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1,10-16, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1,7-14 Theme: Words to live by Hebrews: The Christian Church in the first century has to struggle with what it meant to be a Christian in a diverse world, community, city. How do you set yourself apart, and still remain a part of the whole. We still struggle with that question today. The book of Hebrews is an instruction book. The first rule of being a Christian is to always come from a place of love, peace, hospitality and understanding. Show love to fellow Christians, but even to strangers. We don’t know who God sends into our midst, but we do know that we are to show them hospitality. In all things we are to stay loyal to the task, consistent and most important centered on God. If we are centered on what God calls us to do, then God will be pleased and present in all that we go through in life. Luke: In all of this time, our social life has not changed. We still gather for parties. And in order to move forward in life, sometimes you have to go to a lot of dinner parties. It seems the more important you are, the more dinner parties you get invited to. Jesus cautions that we should not take the place of honor at a party, there may be someone more important than you, and then you will have to step aside. As a matter of fact, Jesus does not seem impressed with the social scene at all. He says that we should turn the party scene upside down. Think about those who were not invited, those who are not able to come because they have to work or other obligations. They are the real stars of the party, because they are the real stars of heaven. Jesus continually encourages us to think about those who are less fortunate, and to do all that we can to help them. Once again it is a matter of entertaining angels, by how we extend hospitality. Questions: What opportunities have you had to entertain angels? What does it mean to who hospitality in a hostile world? When do you think of helping those who are less fortunate? What would a dinner party for the poor look like?