Life on the West Side

Everyone I know longs for genuine happiness, lasting peace, real beauty, ultimate purpose, and honest, sincere and overwhelming love. I want you to know that Jesus came so that you can experience rich, abundant life and overwhelming love! Join me, Nathan Guy, preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, as I share my passion for Jesus Christ in weekly teachings, conduct exciting interviews with other ministers, authors and church leaders, and discuss things learned along the way. Each episode will offer a recent sermon or interview with inspiring guests intended to encourage you in your faith formation as disciples of Jesus Christ. In addition, I will link to further resources such as a discussion guide, points to ponder, and recommended resources. You can watch these sermons and find more resources at nathanguy.com, follow me @nathanpguy and subscribe to my weekly e-mail at nathanguy.substack.com.

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Life on the West Side

Welcoming The Stranger

July 06, 2026 • Nathan Guy • Season 5 • Episode 47

0:00 | 40:54

Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by welcoming the stranger, which makes the church the society of equal outsiders. Join us as we consider the second of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable.

The sermon today is titled "Welcoming The Stranger." This sermon is the second installment in our sub-series "How Will They Know Us" and the tenth in our larger series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from John 13:35 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 5, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Introduction to Theology.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

Tim Keller, "Hospitality," Series: Practicing The Christian Life. Sermon, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, June 8, 2008.
Tim Keller, "Why Does Anyone Become A Christian?" Bog post, Nov 11, 2016.
Tim Keller, "Multi-Ethnicity and Mission," The Ministry Collaborative, May 3, 2016.
Tim Keller, "Redeemer Report: The Early Christian 'Social Project.'" 2017.
Sam Wells, "The Naked Truth," Sermon Duke Divinity Chapel. Nov 23, 2008.
Jan Johnson, "Welcoming The Stranger: Living Out God's Soul Stretching Love." Conversatio.
Matt Heerema, "Welcoming The Stranger." Sermon. Stonebrook Church.
Brookings Institute and US Census Bureau Projections.
Foy E. Wallace, Jr., "Negro Meetings for White People." Bible Banner, March 1941.
Ezra Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883).
Commentaries include Keener (Acts), Painter (3rd John; Sacra Pagina), Jobes (3rd John; Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)

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Nathan Guy

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