Open House | “Open Hearts” Sermon

Impact Church London Podcast

Open House | “Open Hearts” Sermon
DO YOU HAVE FRIDGE FRIENDS?

Introduced the series with following Scriptures:

Solomon writes Proverbs 9:1
“Wisdom has built her house, (Wisdom/Jesus is building His House)
She has hewn out her seven pillars;”

Jesus echoes this in:
Matthew 16:18
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Paul expresses this concept in:
Hebrews 3:6 (NLT)
“But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s
house, …”

To What End?

Ephesians 3:10
“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich
variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

• We carry mats- people need to encounter the forgiveness and healing of
Christ
• We operate in authority- we have gone from being beggars to commanders
• We praise on purpose- Praise/Singing is not a Christian thing it is a human
thing.
• We go to worship we come out to witness

So I have a question for you, do you have fridge friend relationships?

There’s a big difference between a casual friend and a “fridge friend.” You know
what I mean by “fridge friend,” right?

That’s the person who’s so comfortable in your home that they don’t even ask for
permission anymore—they just walk into your kitchen, open the fridge, and help
themselves to whatever’s in there. You might think, “Hey, this isn’t a buffet!” But
deep down, you know that’s a sign of a truly close relationship.

When someone feels at home enough to share life with you like that, it’s special.

It is an expression of an open home an open heart.

In Scripture, the heart is often described as the center of our being—the seat
of our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Just as we have physical homes
where we live, the Bible invites us to think of our hearts as spiritual houses
where God and others are welcomed.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If
anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person,
and they with me.

“This powerful verse shows Jesus’ desire to enter into the “house” of our hearts.

Jesus wants to have that deep connection with us, but it starts with our willingness
to open the door of our hearts.

Our openness allows Christ to dwell with us, to transform us, and to invite
others into His presence.

Our heart is like a home that needs to be open for Jesus and for others.

A heart that welcomes guests, feeds them, and shares life with them.

Shares life not with just the ones we are comfortable with but all… From every
nation tribe and tongue.

There is a beautiful Psalm by Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song. 87:1-7

He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you, city of God:
“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia
too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”
Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the
Most High himself will establish her.”
The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”

Psalm 87 is significant as a call for Christians to have open hearts because it
envisions God’s kingdom as a place for all nations, breaking down barriers and
welcoming everyone into His spiritual family.

It reminds us that God’s love is inclusive, and the Church should reflect that same
openness and joy in embracing others.

By having open hearts, believers can participate in God’s vision of Zion—a place
where all people are welcomed, loved, and celebrated.

Mark Nepo author/poet said: “To keep our hearts open is probably the most
urgent responsibility you have as you get older.”

Clarissa Pinkola Estés:
“One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy
world is to stand up and show your soul.
Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times

Having a heart wide open is important because it reflects openness to God’s
love, grace, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

An open heart is receptive to God’s guidance, compassionate toward others, and
willing to grow spiritually

Today I want to look at someone who by all counts should have written people
off… but despite many relational disappointments he was a man with a wide-open
heart… The Apostle Paul.

The church in Corinth was one of the congregations Paul founded during his
missionary journeys and his relationship with them was characterized by by
misunderstandings, conflicts, and tensions, but also deep affection and concern.

Throughout his letters to the church, we discover:

1. Had great affection and a true sense of paternal Care
• Paul regarded himself as a spiritual father to the Corinthians since he had
founded the church and led many of its members to Christ (1 Corinthians
4:15).
• He expressed deep love and affection for them, often referring to them as
“brothers” and “children.”

2. He had to be both corrective and confrontational
• The Corinthian church struggled with several issues including divisions,
immorality, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. Paul addressed
these problems directly in his letters.
• His tone was sometimes stern, as he felt the need to correct their behavior and
protect the integrity of the church.

3. He had to defend his calling
• They questioned Paul’s authority and apostleship (2 Corinthians 11).
• In 2 Corinthians, Paul defended his apostleship, explaining that his authority
came from Christ and not from human credentials. He emphasized his
sufferings for the gospel as proof of his sincerity (2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

4. He’d had Painful Interactions
• 2 Cor 2:1 Paul had a “painful visit” to Corinth, during which he faced
hostility and resistance (2 Corinthians 2:1).
• Which led Paul to write a painful & severe letter urging the church
to repent and reconcile with him (2 Corinthians 2:4).

5. Yet he remained ever reconciliatory and forgiving
• Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians showed a dynamic of conflict and
reconciliation. He was committed to the relationship, seeking to mend
the rift and strengthen the church even after the difficulties.

READ 2 Cor 6:1-10
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (ESV) reads: “We have spoken freely to you,
Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are
restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your
hearts also.”

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (MSG)
Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this
wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes
from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small
way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your
lives. Live openly and expansively!

This passage is a heartfelt appeal from Paul to the Corinthian believers, where he
expresses his deep love and longing for them. We see the imagery of “widening the
heart.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A WIDE-OPEN HEART?
From 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 we come to see that a wide-open heart is
vulnerable, roomy, reconciliatory, free, and Christ like.

1. A Wide-Open Heart is a Vulnerable Heart.
Paul says, “our heart is wide open…”. He is making himself emotionally available
to the Corinthians, fully open to them.

Illus: Think of someone who, despite past pain or disappointment, chooses to love
again. It’s like opening a door to your home after a storm has damaged it.

You could shut it and remain safe, but instead, you choose to repair it and
welcome others in once more.

This is what Paul is doing—he is inviting the Corinthians into his life despite
the risk of rejection.

A wide-open heart is a heart that risks being hurt because it does not close itself off
from others.

Brene Brown: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to
show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”
Paulo Coelho: “The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.”

Application: Sometimes we close ourselves off from people because of past hurts,
disappointments, or betrayals.
You live, you learn
You love, you learn
You cry, you learn
You lose, you learn
You bleed, you learn
You scream you learn… Alannis Morsette

Paul’s example challenges us to trust God’s strength and love enough to widen
our hearts again, even if it feels risky.

OPEN HEARTS ARE WILLING TO RISK VULNERABILITY
LEARN FROM LIFE DON’T LIMIT LIFE

2. A Wide-Open Heart Creates Room for Others
Illustration: HGTV- House Hunters/Renovators everybody wants and open
concept living area.
Walls are knocked down to create more space for people to gather.

When Paul speaks of widening his heart, he’s making room for others. It’s as if
he’s expanding the space within himself to include more people.

The Corinthians had limited their affection, but Paul’s heart was open and
spacious, ready to embrace them.

• In the same way, widening our hearts is about knocking down the walls of
judgment, prejudice, and self-centeredness, creating space for others; even
those who test our patience, stretch our understanding or hurt us.
• It’s about making room for people as Christ has made room for us so they too
can to belong and feel loved.

Application: In our relationships, do we have room for others—especially those
who are different from us or who challenge us? DO you have fridge friends?

3. A Wide-Open Heart as an Act of Reconciliation
• Illustration: Have you ever had a falling out with your spouse?

• One decides to reach out, extending an olive branch and making the first move.

Paul’s plea is part of a larger appeal for reconciliation. He is asking the Corinthians
to open their hearts to him in the same way that he has opened his heart to them.

He’s essentially saying, “I’ve made room for you—will you make room for me?”
The invitation to widen their hearts is an invitation to restore and deepen their
relationship.

• He’s opening his heart, taking the first step, and saying, “I’m here, ready to
reconcile.” It’s an act of love and humility that paves the way for healing.

• Application: Are there relationships in your life where God might be calling you
to widen your heart and seek reconciliation? It could mean letting go of
pride or past grievances to make room for restoration.

3. The Freedom of a Wide-Open Heart
Illustration: Think of your garden hose with a kink in it. When it’s restricted, only
a trickle of water can come through, but when you straighten it out and widen the
flow, the water rushes freely.

Paul tells the Corinthians that they are “restricted in [their] own affections”. Their
hearts are constricted, perhaps by fear, selfishness, or past wounds. When Paul
encourages them to “widen [their] hearts also,” he’s inviting them into a life of
greater freedom and an unrestricted flow of life.

• Widening our hearts will allow the love, grace, and life of God to flow through
them more freely.

• Application: What is restricting your heart today? Is it fear, past hurt, or even
busyness?

Widening our hearts to God and others means allowing His love to flow freely
through us, letting go of the things that limit our openness.

4. A Wide-open Heart is a Reflection of Christ’s Love
Illustration: Imagine a large, welcoming tree with wide branches that provide
shade and shelter for anyone who comes near.
The tree is not preferential, prejudice or prohibitive… everyone can find rest.
Ultimately, Paul’s wide heart reflects the heart of Christ, who opened Himself fully
for us.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV): “Follow my example, as I follow the example of
Christ.”

Paul is modeling what he’s learned from Christ, whose love is extravagant,
expansive and inclusive.

Just as Christ’s heart is wide enough to include all of humanity, Paul’s heart is
wide enough to include the Corinthians, even when they’re difficult or
unresponsive.

2 Corinthians 12:13-14 MSG
14-15 Everything is in readiness now for this, my third visit to you. But don’t worry
about it; you won’t have to put yourselves out. I’ll be no more of a bother to you
this time than on the other visits. I have no interest in what you have—only in you.
…I’d be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good.
So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I’m loved?

Paul modelled/embodied what he’s learned from Christ, whose love is
extravagant, expansive and inclusive.

This is how Christ’s love is—open, wide, and welcoming. Paul’s appeal is for the
Corinthians to have the same openness.

With arms wide open under the SONlight
Welcome to this place, I’ll show you everything
With arms wide open, now everything has changed
I’ll show you love, I’ll show you everything
With arms hearts wide open
With hearts wide open
I’ll show you everything…With arms hearts wide-open

Application: Widening our hearts means imitating Christ. It means welcoming
people who are different from us, showing love to those who might not return it,
and extending grace even when it’s not deserved.
§ CHRIST’S EXPRESSION OF LOVE WAS EXTRAVAGANT
§ HIS HEART WAS WIDE OPEN
§ PAUL’S LOVE WAS EXTRAVAGANT HIS HEART WAS WIDE OPEN
§ IS YOUR LOVE EXTRAVAGANT IS YOUR HEART WIDE OPEN? TO
CHRIST… TO OTHERS

“YOUR LOVE IS EXTRAVAGANT”

APPEAL
1. OPEN YOUR HEART TO CHRIST
2. OPEN YOUR HEART TO OTHERS