HOSPITALITY

Making Your Home A Centre Of Ministry

 

1      Introduction

 

 

2      Jesus modelled hospitality

 

(i)             Jesus invited people to His own home

John 1:37-39  Where do you live?

·         Response:  Come and see – come and stay.

·         Jesus made people welcome to eat and to stay with Him.

·         He made His personal life available and accessible to others.

·         Consequence:  vs41-42  evangelism

·         Evangelism is natural overflow of hospitality.

 

(ii)            Jesus cooked a meal for His friends

John 21:9-13  Anyone for fish and chips?

·         Jesus had prepared a meal for the disciples.

·         Jesus personally served them.

·         Jesus used it as an opportunity to restore relationships.

·         Hospitality is about cultivating relationships.

·         Note:  Jesus expected supernatural provision  eg, fed 5000.

 

(iii)           Jesus welcomed and ate with people who had failed

Luke 15:1-2  “Then drew near all the publicans and sinners to hear Him.”

·         Criticism of Jesus:  He receives sinners and eats with them.

·         “Receives” (4327 Strongs) = to admit to hospitality, to receive near.

·         Jesus accepted people who had failed without judging.

·         Jesus used hospitality to make people welcome.

·         Eat Þ Had meal together.

·         Jesus used hospitality as a way of communicating love and truth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)          Jesus invites all who have failed to a meal with Him

Luke 14:23  “Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.”

·         Jesus was eating a meal with one of the religious leaders (vs1).

·         Jesus used the setting of a meal/hospitality to teach:

i)      Principle of humility (vs7-11)

ii)     Reward for hospitality to needy people (vs12-14)

iii)    Salvation = invitation to a great supper with God

·         Highlight of God’s plan is a great marriage feast of celebration.

·         Hospitality is a vital part of the Gospel message.

·         Note:  Invite people who need hospitality, inclusion – not comfort zone.

 

3      Hospitality = Making your home a centre of ministry

 

(i)             Hospitality is the ministry of every believer

1 Peter 4:8-9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging

·         Hospitality = practical expression of love.

·         Do it without grudging = complain, negative attitude.

·         Jesus evaluates sheep and goats (Matthew 25:32-33 – hospitality!

 

(ii)            There are some people we are not to be hospitable to

1 Corinthians 5:11  “brother … not to eat.” 

·         Unsaved are always welcome!  (2 John 10  unless bring another gospel).

·         Unrepentant, backslidden Christians are not!  c/f  2 Thessalonians 2:14

·         God requires that we take strong stands over sin (in Church).

·         The heart of God is for restoration.

 

(iii)           There are some people to look out for to be hospitable

Example:

Young people         Single people                Widows                  People in need

New people             Solo parents                 Neighbours             Unsaved

·         Use every opportunity you can to include others!

·         Psalm 68:6  “God sets solitary in families” Þ someone who loves God opens their home to solitary people.

 

(iv)          Practical keys

·         Make people feel welcome.

·         Be attentive to their needs.

·         Focus on friendship.

·         Relax – have fun – it is not a performance!

·         Keep it simple.

·         Be natural – not trying to impress.

·         Do it as a team – share the work.

·         Establish boundaries:  Children; areas of home; manners; time etc.