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G’day Go-Team!
Welcome to the first edition of the new-look “The Holy Go” newsletter that is designed to equip you to love the hell out of your city, and multiply disciples in your everyday life!
This weeks EQUIP and ACTIVATE sections are based on “Love Feasts.” It’s the simple tool that Jesus used and taught. Give it a go and let us know how you get on!
Equip
Sarah and I sat across the table from a couple of friends. We had invited them over for dinner and had been praying all week for an opportunity to talk about Jesus with them.
The moment finally came. There was something powerful about sitting and eating together. The defences came down, and he shared his life story.
When the timing was right, we offered to pray. Suddenly, every person in the room became profoundly aware of the peace of God. He went completely silent. Unbeknown to us God began speaking to Him and his countenance totally changed as he encountered the God that created him.
Jesus turned our dinner table into a place of encounter.
We could tell you countless stories of others who have experienced God around our dinner table. Physical and emotional healings, deliverances, prophetic words, and so much more.
The early Church called this the, “Love Feast.”
Jesus Love Feasts
Do you know where the very first healing crusade was held?
It was held in Simon-Peters Mother in laws house. (Mark 1:29-34)
Jesus went to Simon and Andrew’s place for dinner. When they arrived they found that the Mother-In-Law was sick, and so Jesus healed her.
News about this miracle spread, and before they could have desert, people had come from everywhere looking for a miracle… and Jesus healed them!
When we look at the gospels we see that peoples homes was where Jesus:
made friends (Matthew 9:10–11)
told parables (Luke 14:1–24)
healed the sick (Mark 1:29–31)
performed miracles (Mark 2:1–12)
forgave people of sins (Luke 7:36–50)
included people in His life (John 12:1–2)
People often brought their friends and family to Jesus while He was in peoples homes.
Then in Luke 10 and Matthew 10 Jesus trains His disciples to do what he had been doing. The plan was to find homes and eat with people, just like He did.
Jesus ate with all types of people. He ate with the religious, but he also ate with those classified as sinners. In fact, Jesus did this so much that He was called, “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”1
The religious people didn’t think that a holy person should get that close to sinners. However, Jesus flips the script and says that is exactly where they should be.
The early Church continued to do this as well. In Jude we’re told that these were called, “Love Feasts.” It’s where the people of God would come together and love each other. It’s where not yet believers were invited in to experience the goodness of God.
There is something powerful about inviting people into your home and sharing a meal together. Jesus loves turning dinner tables into places of encounter.
Holy like Jesus
Love Feasts turns the tables on holiness. This type of holiness looks like:
throwing a joyful party not being a snarky religious type
including everybody not just those we like or trust
listening with love not just preaching to an audience
engaging with sinners not excluding them or hiding from them
partnering with God in the normal not just in the special
prioritising relationships not ministry programs
humbly serving not chasing recognition
responding in love always not just when conditions are met
I always find it interesting that sinners flocked to be around Jesus. They were drawn to Him. They wanted to be around Him. And who wouldn’t when His version of holiness is so humble and sincere?
But this type of holiness can be costly and even at little bit scary. Providing food for others. Inviting others to see your home. Inviting someone over that you may not know very well.
But that is exactly what Jesus does.
He invites us all into His Kingdom.
And loves us no matter the cost.
As disciples of Jesus it’s now our turn.
Today
A quick look at revival around the world shows us that the gospel is flourishing where people share Jesus and a meal together.
To those who are willing to trust and obey Jesus, hosting a Love Feast or a “Dinner Party” is a beautiful and effective way that the love of God pierces the darkness.
Your guests (or hosts if you’re the visitor) hearts will open up, you’ll have great conversations, and the Holy Spirit will open plenty of opportunities for you to reveal the love of God to them.
What if your dinner table is the place where your friends, family and neighbours will encounter the love and grace of God? Are you willing to set the table and share a meal with them?
Activate
This week your “Holy Go” challenge is to invite someone over for a meal.
You don’t have to call it a “Love Feast,” that may sound a bit weird! Just invite them over for a meal.
Once they come over:
Listen to them.
Then respond in love.
Keep it simple.
If you don’t have a home you feel comfortable in, or don’t have the finances to cook a meal, then invite someone out for a meal or a coffee.
If you need some practical steps to get started, download the free “Love Feast” resource below:
In Mark 1 Jesus came for dinner, but it turned into a healing crusade. I wonder what will happen when you invite your friends over? Let me know how it goes!
Commit to doing it, and I’ll check in on you next week!
Let’s Go!
James
Matthew 11:19