I Love The Church: Hospitality Wins
Doug Walls
Part of I Love The Church Series
May 12, 2025

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Sunday May 11th, 2025 @ The OWA Theatre


In this powerful message, we’re challenged to embrace the true essence of hospitality within the church. The central theme revolves around serving others with genuine love and kindness, just as Jesus exemplified when He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13). This act of humility teaches us that true hospitality means putting others’ needs before our own, regardless of their status or background. We’re reminded that being hospitable isn’t just about welcoming guests, but about embodying the fruits of the Spirit in our daily interactions. The message emphasizes that to serve others effectively, we must first cultivate a deep, consistent relationship with God. By overcoming barriers like fear, time management issues, and personal challenges through faith, we can become vessels of God’s love in our families, church, and community. This teaching invites us to reflect on our own spiritual habits and challenges us to prioritize our time with God, knowing that it’s the foundation for living out true hospitality in a world that desperately needs it.


Hospitality in the Church

Opening Prayer:
Begin the session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help apply the teachings to your lives.

Key Takeaways:
1. Hospitality is about treating others with kindness, generosity, and respect.
2. Serving others is a core aspect of Christian life and reflects Christ’s example.
3. Spending consistent time with God is crucial for developing a hospitable heart.
4. Overcoming barriers to serving requires intentionality and reliance on God.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does hospitality mean to you? How does this compare to the biblical concept of hospitality discussed in the sermon?

  2. The pastor mentioned several synonyms for hospitality (e.g., kindness, friendliness, graciousness). Which of these do you find easiest to practice? Which are most challenging?

  3. How does spending time with God impact our ability to serve others? Share an experience where your relationship with God influenced how you treated someone.

  4. What are some barriers that prevent you from serving or being hospitable? How can we overcome these obstacles?

  5. The sermon emphasized the importance of consistency in our spiritual practices. What strategies have you found helpful in maintaining a consistent time with God?

  6. How does fear impact our willingness to serve? Can you share a time when you overcame fear to serve others?

  7. The pastor stated, “Doers are what change the world.” How can we move from simply knowing what to do to actually doing it in our daily lives?

Practical Applications:

  1. Time Management Challenge: This week, intentionally schedule daily time with God. Start with 10-15 minutes and gradually increase as you’re able.

  2. Hospitality in Action: Choose one act of hospitality to practice each day this week (e.g., a kind word, helping a neighbor, serving at church).

  3. Barrier Identification: Write down your top 3 barriers to serving others. Bring this list to the next meeting to discuss strategies for overcoming them.

  4. Fruit of the Spirit Focus: Select one fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to intentionally practice this week in your interactions with others.

Closing Prayer:
Close the session by praying for God’s help in becoming more hospitable, overcoming barriers to serving, and maintaining a consistent relationship with Him.


Here’s a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the teaching, Hospitality Wins:


Day 1: The Power of God’s Presence
Reading: Psalm 16:5-11
Devotional: In today’s passage, David speaks of the joy and security found in God’s presence. The sermon emphasized that fear and God’s presence cannot coexist. As you read, reflect on how being in God’s presence can dispel your fears and anxieties. Consider areas of your life where you need to invite God’s presence more fully. How might spending intentional time with God daily transform your perspective and actions? Challenge yourself to carve out dedicated time with God this week, even if it means adjusting your schedule or overcoming personal barriers.


Day 2: Serving with Christ-like Hospitality
Reading: Romans 12:9-13
Devotional: Paul’s instructions to the Romans echo the sermon’s emphasis on hospitality and genuine love. As you read, consider how these qualities reflect Christ’s character. The sermon highlighted that true hospitality stems from a heart transformed by Jesus. Reflect on your own attitudes towards serving others. Are there areas where you struggle to show hospitality or kindness? Ask God to reveal any barriers in your heart that prevent you from serving others wholeheartedly. Today, look for practical ways to extend Christ-like hospitality to someone in your family, church, or community.


Day 3: Overcoming Fear Through Faith
Reading: Isaiah 41:10-13
Devotional: God’s words of comfort to Israel remind us of His constant presence and support. The sermon pointed out that fear often hinders our service to God and others. As you meditate on this passage, identify specific fears that hold you back from fully engaging in God’s calling for your life. How might trusting in God’s promises change your approach to these fears? Remember that courage in serving often comes from spending time with Jesus, just as the early disciples did. Today, take a step of faith in an area where fear has held you back, relying on God’s strength rather than your own.


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Time with God
Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Devotional: In this familiar story, Jesus commends Mary for choosing to spend time at His feet. The sermon emphasized the critical importance of consistently spending time with God. As you reflect on this passage, consider your own priorities. How often do you choose to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening and learning? Think about the barriers that often prevent you from spending quality time with God. Are these barriers truly insurmountable, or are they excuses? Challenge yourself to prioritize your relationship with God above other demands, trusting that this time will equip you to better serve and love others.


Day 5: Living Out the Fruits of the Spirit
Reading: Galatians 5:22-26
Devotional: Paul’s description of the fruits of the Spirit aligns closely with the qualities of hospitality mentioned in the sermon. As you read, reflect on how these characteristics manifest in your life. The sermon emphasized that we cannot consistently display these qualities without the help of the Holy Spirit. Consider areas where you struggle to exhibit these fruits. How might a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit change your attitudes and actions? Today, ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit, enabling you to live out these qualities in your interactions with others. Look for specific opportunities to demonstrate love, joy, peace, and the other fruits in practical ways.