An Invitation for God's People: Love Better

A message based on two lessons: Matthew 10:40-42 (Inclusive Bible): Jesus said, “Those who welcome you also welcome me, and those who welcome me welcome the One who sent me.  Those who welcome prophets just because they are prophets will receive the reward reserved for the prophets themselves; those who welcome holy people just because they are holy will receive the reward of the holy ones.  The truth is, whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones just for being a disciples will not lack a reward.”  Isaiah 25:6-10a (Inclusive Bible):  On this mountain, YHWH Omnipotent will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, food rich and succulent, and fine, aged wines.  On this mountain God will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, the shroud covering all nations, destroying all death forever.  God will wipe away the tears from every cheek and will take away the shame of God’s people on earth, wherever they live.  YHWH has spoken.  On that Day it will be said, “This is our God, this is the One for whose liberation we waited, YHWH is the One in whom we had hoped! We rejoice exultantly in our deliverance, for the hand of YHWH rests on the mountain!”