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Church of the Week: Central Church (Bakersfield), Lincoln Berean Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Home Sweet Home: A Series on Hospitality
A observation on the early church:
“One of the most prominent features in the picture of early Christianity, which is so rich in good works, is undoubtedly its hospitality.” —Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
Recap From Last Week: Be the Best Dirt You Can Be! (Matthew 13:1-23)
Main Passage: Romans 12:9-21
What Does the Bible teach us About our “One Another” Relationships?
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
This passage is a “Rule of Life” for our one-another relationships.
1. Love,
2. Devotion,
3. Honor,
4. Zeal,
5. Joy,
6. Hope,
7. Patience,
8. Faithfulness,
9. Generosity,
10. Hospitality,
11. Blessings,
12. Rejoicing,
13. Harmony,
14. Humility,
15. Associating with Everyone,
16. Greater Good, Peace,
17. Loving Our Enemies,
18. Letting Good Triumph Over Evil.
Understanding “Hospitality”
What Did the Apostles Mean When They Used This Word?
Hospitality is a compound word, made up of two parts.
(1) The First Word is Philo = Friendship, Love, Affection.
Examples: Philadelphia (brotherly love), philosophy (love of wisdom), philanthropic (love of fellow man)
Uncle Phil (Fresh Prince of Bel Air) — Took in his troubled nephew (hospitality) and treated him like his own son.
(2) The Second Word is crucial to a proper understanding of Biblical hospitality.
1. Our Definition might be Philo + Family, Friends, or People Like Me.
2. God’s Definition is Philo + Xenos = Foreigners, Strangers, Enemies.
Examples:
1. Strangers (people we haven’t met)
2. Philosophical Opposites (people we know and disagree with)
3. Demographic Differences (different race / gender / ethnicity / language)
4. Anyone who doesn’t immediately “fit in” as an insider in your world.
Stranger Danger
Our First Instinct is to Respond with Fear
- Hospitality is Philo + Xenos = A Friend of Strangers.
- Our reaction is sometimes Xeno + Phobia = Stranger Danger!
What Does Jesus Teach Us?
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them… 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. —Luke 6:32, 35 (NIV)
Hospitality is a Concrete Answer to Jesus’ Command to Love our Enemies.
Not just hosting our friends and family, but learning to be a gracious host to everyone we meet—outsiders and strangers in included!
Hospitality in Bible Times
How It Worked:
Guests Approach in Public
Potential Host Tests for Danger
Host Would Wash Their Feet—The Stranger Becomes a Guest
Guests: Partake of everything the host has to offer, without complaining or insulting them.
Hosts: Honor the guests, provide care, nourishment and protection
Why Does the Bible Teach us to Practice Hospitality?
1. God welcomed us while we were enemies… (Romans 5:6-11)
2. Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor… (Matthew 22:34-40)
3. What we do for strangers, we do for Jesus. (Matthew 25:40, 45)
Will You Respond with Fear or Love?
We will all encounter “strangers” throughout our life.
Option 1 — Respond with Love (compassion, honor, benefit of the doubt). The Ministry of Hospitality.
Option 2 — Respond with Fear (contempt, disgust, scapegoating). The Worldly Way of Living.
Example: Bishop Polycarp, who prepared a lavish feast for the soldiers who came to arrest him and have him executed for his Christian Faith:
“But he did not hesitate, but immediately gave orders that a table should be spread for them. Then he invited them to partake of a bounteous meal, and asked of them one hour that he might pray undisturbed…” —Eusebius, Church History, Book IV, 15.14 (NIV)
Conclusion
Today’s Main Point: When God sends “strangers” our way, we can respond with fear or love. The call of the Christian is to be a gracious host by choosing love over fear.
Invitation Song During our next song, you can come forward to…
- Commit Your life to Christ
- Pray with an Elder or Minister
- Talk About Baptism or Next Steps
Tap here to Respond to today’s message
Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.