ROMANS 15:7 – Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

THEME OF THE DAY. EVERYONE IS A GREETER. Picture this scenario. What if people who visit our churches were to measure our friendliness, approachability, warmth of welcome, and Christ-like climate of our churches based exclusively on you and me? What would be the first impression in our churches visitors would take away if it was left entirely up to us? Would they walk away with a positive experience, perhaps even eager to return? Or would they leave thinking, “What was that?” and determined never to return? Friends, first impressions are lasting impressions never to be repeated. Now allow me to give us a couple of applications on this . . .

First, we have a responsibility and privilege to engage people who not only visit our churches for the first time, but to those who are in our churches and that perhaps for a long time. We are God’s people called to minister to God’s people and that requires an intentionality of reaching out in obedience to this command – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25). This means two things; don’t willfully absent ourselves from the Lord’s Day gathering. It must grieve the heart of God when He sees His people choose worldly activities over His Day and spiritual priorities. It shows more self-love to do that than sacrificial love for Him and His people. Another truth from this is what I mentioned earlier – be intentional. Get out of our comfort zones and be friendly in Jesus’ name and for Jesus’ sake by reaching out to unfamiliar faces. And please, we cannot say, “I am too shy. I am an introvert. I am not a people person.” Friends, the Spirit of God pours out Christ’s love in all types of people and that empowers us to reach out – no matter who we are. Here is a great illustration. I received an email in our church office from a visitor. It was very encouraging. She wanted to thank us for the service and the warm welcome she received and even gave the name of the church member who reached out and made her feel so welcomed. And this saint is not an extrovert at all, but a kind, gentle, Christ-centered individual who obeyed Him. Now let me challenge us . . . could people who visit our churches or people who are in our churches send such an email about us? They should. That is what Christ-centered people do . . . they reach out in His love for His sake and witness.

Here is the second application and it isn’t easy to swallow. If we are those people inconsistent in church attendance, on the fringe, and are the quick in, quick out, type of people, we not only won’t engage people, but we are poor representations of the Lord Jesus. Of all the things that Jesus did among people – His teaching, His healing – one of the most important lessons of example He gave us is the investment of Himself and time in people. People mattered to Him and they must matter to us. Christianity is about people; welcoming people, investing in people, serving people, and should we lack this type of involvement – in first time visitors or longstanding members – we are failing to understand and practice what the Bible defines as a Christian.

So, welcome to the greeter ministry! Let’s encourage one another to ensure first impressions, and continuing impressions on people we encounter in our churches and spheres of influence point them to Jesus, even creating a deeper hunger for Him, His Gospel, His people.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to represent Christ in all my relationships with the people you bring into my life.”

QUOTE: “First impressions only happen once and they are lasting impressions upon people”