The Risen Host (Part 2) Before We Host

TO START: Today we continue our series The Risen Host, celebrating the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. In this series, we explore what it means that Jesus is alive and that His Spirit is still resurrecting faith and joy in those who desire to host and meet Him. In this second message, we look at the invitation of Jesus in Revelation 3:20: “If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you.” Like the church in Laodicea, we are invited to learn His voice through the Scriptures and practice recognizing both His challenge and His love in our lives.

TO READ: Revelation 3:14-20

TO DISCUSS:

(1.) Who is someone you’ve experienced as an exceptional host, and what about their presence or actions made the environment feel special?

(2.) In the story we entered into on Easter Sunday in Luke 24:13–27, the two disciples begin to rediscover faith in the risen Jesus. What do you notice them doing that seems to open the door for their faith to be renewed?

(3.) Jesus warned the church in Laodicea that just as their city was too far from both hot (healing water) and cold water (purifying water), their spiritual lives had become lukewarm because they were not turning to Him as their source of healing and purification. When you find yourself not turning to Jesus, what do you tend to turn to instead for relief or direction?

(4.) When you think about gathering together in worship to host Jesus, which of these three do you most long to experience more: His challenge, His love, or His hope? Why?

(5.) As you have spent time in Scripture and opened your heart to Jesus, what has challenged or stretched your understanding of Him?

TO PRAY:

Leader: Jesus says, “If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you.”

Leader: “We welcome you Jesus to enter the doors of heart, as we enter prayer, I invite us together to consider this question, “Where in your life right now do you sense Jesus inviting you to “open the door” and what might it look like to respond to His voice this week?”” (Pause 1 min) 

Leader: [Discern whether you want to leave space for people to name in prayer what came to the surface and then close with prayer or invite someone else to..] Lord, quiet our hearts so we can recognize both your loving comfort and your gentle correction, give us the courage to open the door fully, not holding anything back. Come in, dwell with us, and shape our lives by Your Spirit through Your Word. Amen.