Hospitality

I. Defining hospitality

A. Literally a love of strangers; it would include a desire to make strangers feel welcome and comfortable

B. When Jesus said to love your neighbor, He had to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer, “Who is my neighbor?” Regarding hospitality we might ask, “Who is a stranger?”

C. Strangers among us

D. Visitors passing through the area Visitors to the area for vacation, games, or family People new to the area who are looking for a place to worship“That person who sits near the back who has been here for a few months…what is his name?” Brethren we know superficially

E. Hospitality is chiefly an individual responsibility

F. Though individual in nature, some would consider the members of this church rude if all individuals ignored them. No one can show hospitality for you; either you do it or you don’t. Likewise, your brother or sister cannot show hospitality if you do not allow them the opportunity by declining their invitations.

II. Welcoming strangers into our lives

A. Romans 12:9 – “Let love be without hypocrisy,” It is not sufficient to say that we love one another; we must show genuine love.

B. On the most basic level, we must have a congenial spirit with our brethren.

C. We should sincerely enjoy the time that we get to see fellow Christians both in the assembly and outside of the assembly. John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8 We are not to be rude or discourteous with brethren since it is against the spirit of Christ but let our affection reflect Christ’s love for them. A congenial spirit is just the start—not our complete obligation

D. Next level: involved with one another

E. We must get out of our comfort zones and get to know all of our brethren—not the same few we talk with every week. Choose a family or person that you do not know well, decide that you will make a point to talk with them, and get to know them. It is easy to give a warm greeting at the church building and to talk among ourselves while we are here. Our love grows and deepens through bonds made and love expressed outside of the assembly.

F. Next level: opening our lives to others

G. Romans 12:13

H. We show our love because we are sharing our time with others. When we gather together for a meal, dessert, coffee, golf, or shopping we learn more about our brethren. Our conversation goes beyond the pleasantries exchanged at the church building and we begin to learn more about one another.

I. Hebrews 13:1-2 tells us to “be given to hospitality” because some have entertained angels unknowingly.

J. Though I do not think we will entertain heavenly beings, as did Abraham, we may develop a friendship through hospitality that will strengthen us as we strive to go to heaven. We may come closer to a brother or sister who will show God’s love for us in a time of grief or sorrow, who will encourage us when we are weak, and help us to be stronger and more efficient servants of God. In this way the person to whom we show hospitality to may become an “angel” (literally, messenger of God) in a figurative sense to us. However, we are not likely to develop that kind of relationship in the few minutes after the assembly.

K. In building bonds we also bring unify and peace to the congregation since problems are better settled between friends than among strangers.

III. Welcome strangers in our assemblies

A. Those sitting in the last five rows are the most important for welcoming visitors as visitors often sit towards in the back.

B. That visitor may be a person disgusted with his or her life and wants to make a change or has heard something about the church and decided to visit. What will happen if we ignore them?

C. The visitor may be a brother/sister in Christ. We would welcome our fleshly family if they visited; this is our spiritual family!

D. We should greet our visitors before we greet friends.

IV. Result of neglecting hospitality

A. Brethren and visitors may feel depressed and alienated, Psalm 142:1-7

B. How sad the words, “no one cared for my soul.” He did have God for comfort, but would be better to have brethren as well.

C. Lost strength and friends – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

D. We have security and strength with godly friends. With more friends (threefold cord), there is even greater strength. When we neglect hospitality, we neglect a source of strength. You may be passing on someone who would be a perfect best friend.

V. Fulfilling hospitality duties

A. Excuses

B. “I’m so busy.” – Everyone is; make time to do it, eat out, simplify…“I’m afraid I will say the wrong thing” – You might…probably not“Other people will do it.” – Does not fulfill your obligation/privilege“I don’t want to be bothersome” – You won’t be

C. Impediments

D. Lack of Resources – join with others (college class), simplify Shyness – invite multiple individuals/conversation shared Desire – remember the fruit of obedience; it is not always about you Talking vs. Doing – “We need to do more…” is not the same as doing Cliques – Inviting the same people over all the time; diversify

E. How do you start?

F. Forgive yourself if you have been negligent in the past and determine to do better – God will forgive you. Decide that you are going to be diligent to improve your spiritual service in this area and that it will take you a while to make it a habit. Have a brother/sister work with you for mutual support and encouragement. Plan specific days when you can get together with others (meet for coffee or lunch, have someone over, play golf…) then invite.

G. Hospitality takes time and effort.

H. We must schedule the time, clean the house, and prepare the food, or coordinate schedules for outings but the results are well worth it.1 Peter 4:8-9 – hospitable without grumbling You do not have to make a grand meal, simple fare—perhaps just dessert or coffee—is sometimes the best.

I. We do not gather to impress one another but to grow closer to one another

J. Hospitality should never degenerate into “one-upmanship” but should always be offered and accepted with an attitude of companionship and strengthening relationships. Luke 14:12-14 –Invite those who cannot repay. Let each opportunity for hospitality be a time of edifying not murmuring

VI. “I Didn’t See Her” (Attached)

A. That nearby suffering soul may be on the pew beside you or a few rows away. We must be looking.

B. We don’t need to wait to do great things; we need to do good things daily.

C. It does little good to go out into the community to invite them to come in if we do not even take the time to know the ones who are already here; who are among us.

VII. I Didn’t See Her

VIII. The little Japanese mother placed her nine-month-old baby with her sister in the nursery, took her five-year old son onto the deck, and placed her purse in the boy’s hand. Her earthly possessions disposed of, she slipped out of her shoes, climbed the guard rail near the stern and jumped into the churning wake of the ship. In only four seconds…eternity! Her son ran to a steward crying, “She jumped overboard. My mother jumped overboard!”

IX. So a woman died today. A widow whose husband had passed away a month ago, she was returning from Brazil to her homeland, defeated and heartsick, as Naomi of old. Looking at life through homeless eyes, she followed a traditional course of her people and took her own life.

X. A woman died today, but I didn’t see her. Yes, I saw our ship circling slowly for hours around buoys marking the area where she jumped. I joined four hundred passengers and crew scanning billowing waves for any sign of her. Then I saw her body bobbing out there as a bit of driftwood. I even saw her blanket-shrouded shape brought back in a lifeboat. But I didn’t see her. For several days she had been aboard trying to manage her little brood alone. She had eaten her meals in the same dining room as I, two tables away, yet I didn’t see her.

XI. Occupied with preparation and plans for saving souls in Brazil, I was blind to the need that existed before my eyes today. Did I owe her anything? After all, she spoke another tongue and lived in a different world in almost every respect. Besides, next week or the following I would go into such and such a city in Brazil, and there fulfill my mission. No plans for the future, regardless of how noble or pressing they be, can fully replace today and its challenges.

XII. I died a little today, and I partook of the death of my fellow passenger…especially knowing that I let her die without my Lord. What could I have done prior to the act? A smile perhaps? Befriending her children? Who knows?

XIII. But this I know she was here, nearby, a lonely, suffering soul. And I didn’t see her -

XIV. -Grover Shipp