Let's Get Real. Entertaining Strangers

 You never know.

Welcome. Today we are continuing our series, "Let's Get Real." We are currently going through the list of things Jesus told us plainly, that would be a measuring stick of sorts or a criterion of which we can see how God will see our lives at our time before Him. Here is the "list."

"I was hungry and you gave me food,"

"I was thirsty and you gave me drink, "

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me,"

"I was naked and you clothed me,"

"I was sick and you visited me,"

"I was in prison and you came to me.’

To those who do not gain entry to heaven, He said that they did not do any of these. See the whole conversation in Matthew 25:31-46. Today we will be discussing this one.

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me,"

What does God tell us about strangers? First? We are to love them. And we are to treat them as equals to us. Look here.

"You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 24:22

And in Deuteronomy, we read this.

"Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 10:19

We must never forget, we were once strangers to God. We were not a citizen of heaven and we had no claim to the promise before God called us out and called us to Jesus. Oh, we may have never been a slave in Egypt, but make no mistake about it, we were ALL slaves to sin and aliens to God.

What if the person that shared the gospel with you, treated you badly instead? What if the Church that you received the truth that led to your salvation shut you out? They could have. Why? Because you were a stranger. You were an outsider. You had no claim to the things they believed. As a matter of fact, you had no idea what they believed. Look at this. Ready? Read this with me.

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

You did not know God, His Word, or Jesus before God called you out. You had no clue. Even if you say you were "looking for Jesus," I tell you this truth. You did not even know where to look. However, because of love, love of God, love of Jesus, love of His children who are faithful and obedient to His Word and His Will, Jesus found you. Looked you in the eyes. Said, "Follow Me." When you were yet a sinner. When you were yet a stranger. This is why God tells us we should ""Love the sojourner," or Stanger because we were once the same as them

Another reason that it is extremely wise to be as kind as you can to strangers, is that you never know who you are dealing with. Here is one really good reason, it may actually be an angel. Yes. Angels are real folks. Look here. Hebrews 13:2

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Angels are very real. Demons are very real. Satan is very real. GOD is very real. And He really does interact in His children's lives daily. This is not a concept or idea. This is not just a nice story. This is REAL. The Bible is filled with stories of angels interacting with humans. They still do. Even if you do not know it at the time.

I told this story before. I was just saved. I bought a car from a coworker. The Car was what they call a lemon. It broke down. "Somehow" I coasted through this busy intersection into a gas station on the other side. There I stood, hood up, looking at the engine, Like by looking at it, it would somehow magically get fixed. Then I felt this presence behind me.

I turned and saw a man standing there looking at my engine too. "Won't start uh?" No, I was just bored and decided to sit here and look at the engine, you idiot. Of course, it won't start you moron. That was what I was thinking, but what I said was "Nope." Then he asked me a question out of the blue. "So you a Christian?" To my surprise, I didn't hesitate. "Yup." "So I have to help you then. Don't I?"

He walks over to a truck pulling this brand new shiny red sports car. He unloads it, puts my broken down piece of, uh, junk, car on the carrier, and asked "Where do you need to go?" Long story short, He got me where I needed to go and drove off. Was he an Angel? A good samaritan? I have no idea. I repeat,

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2

Can God send angels to His children today? Of course, He can. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. But I have a question for you. What if it is NOT an angel. What if it was God Himself?

How old are you? Did you walk with Jesus? What does He look like? No really. What does He look like? If my wife was to walk in here I would recognize her immediately. But then again, what about the people that DID walk with Jesus? Surely they would recognize Him. Right?

Mary Magdalene was weeping at the empty tomb of Jesus when Jesus asked her what was wrong. Did she recognize Him?

"Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” John 20:15

She thought He was the gardener. Two disciples walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection.

"While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

He goes on to tell Jesus all that happened. To and about, uh, Jesus. Jesus even said this.

"And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25-27

They still had no idea that it was actually Jesus until later at supper when He broke bread with them.

"When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. " Luke 24:30-31

John 21 talks about some of Jesus's disciples who fished all night and caught nothing. At break of day, while they were still out on the water, Jesus spoke from the shore, asking them about their fishing trip. They did not know Him until He told them where to cast the net and they caught a large amount of fish. If they, who walked with and talked with Jesus, every day. Watched Him do miracles and watched Him be beaten and hung on a cross, did not recognize Him, do you really think you would?

That stranger that enters your life, no matter how briefly, may indeed be a person that God puts in your life for you to bless in a certain way. That stranger may be a messenger sent by God. That stranger, according to the Word of God, may actually be an Angel. Maybe, just maybe, that stranger is God Himself. Do you really want to take that chance?

Look what Jesus tells us. This is long after the resurrection. This is today. Or maybe tomorrow.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

Are you ready to open the door? Are you ready to host the Lord Himself? An Angel? I love this quote from one of my favorite TV shows of all time.

“Never be cruel. Never be cowardly. Hate is always foolish. Love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.” The Twelfth Doctor, Twice Upon a Time.

Host and treat everyone that comes into your life and never fail to be kind. You really never know who it is, you are dealing with. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!