06/22/2026
Is Jesus Christ only for those who look and act like us or is he for everyone? Are we only supposed to be reaching out to those who are similar in appearance, speech, culture, and skin color, or are we supposed to reach everyone regardless of these things? John chapter 4 tells a story of Jesus at a well. A Samaritan woman shows up and Jesus, instead of ignoring her, starts a conversation with her. This is important because Jews hated Samaritans. They thought they were unclean and impure, and wanted nothing to do with them, but Jesus was different. Instead of ignoring a region and a community that the religious people of the day had written off, he engaged and witnessed. He didn't shun because they believed differently, he engaged because no matter how different we may be, it's still a soul that can be saved. So let me pose a question. If a group of Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhist Monks showed up at your church for service how would you and your church family react? If they came in and sat on the row with you and your family what would be your reaction? Would you welcome and love or would you shun and ignore? If your reaction is not that of Christ, its wrong. Everyone should have the chance to hear the Gospel no matter what they look like, believe, or think. We accept everyone as people and love them as people, but we do not celebrate sin in any manner, but religion has taught us that their sin defines them as people when in reality their sin is no worse than ours, we've just found someone to place us under a covering of grace and redemption. The Gospel is for everyone, not just someone who you think deserves it. No matter who walks through the doors we do not condemn, we love and we try to reach. We plant and the Spirit waters. We do not celebrate wrong, but we also do not condemn because Christ has taught us what is right. We share God's word and point to the one who can also teach them! Open your heart, and then God will open the doors!
Food for thought,
Pastor Josh