HOSPITALITY

Making Your Home A Centre Of Ministry

1 Introduction

• Most enjoyable times together with people?  Usually over a meal.
• Testimony:  Couple who used home as place hospitality.  Cost = 1 meal.  Impact = lasted a lifetime.
• Every believer lives in a home – can make it a centre of ministry.
• Hospitality = to be fond of guests.
• Romans 12:13  “Given to hospitality.”
• “Given” (1377 Strongs) = to pursue as you would a life calling.
• Chapter begins – “present yourself” Þ make your life available to God.
• “Be renewed in mind” Þ change your attitude, way of thinking.
• Make your giftings and resources available to God – includes home.

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.