Hospitality

Living and Powerful Hospitality

Introduction

A. Essential to the Gospel: Message of repentance includes hospitality.

1. Hospital = house or inn, from Latin "hospitalia" - strangers' apartments, plural of hospitalis, of a guest < hospes, host, guest -- originally a place of shelter and rest for travelers.

2. Hospitality - friendly and generous entertainment of guests.

B. Jesus and the Gospel were so successful with this message that 200 years later the Emperor Julian established a national hostel system to counteract the influence and success of the Christians.

1. 360-363, Julian was the restorer of traditional values to Roman Society (nephew of Constantine) Christians continued to gain converts

2. 362 -- hostels for charity in every city of Galatia, 30,000 modii of wheat and 60,000 pints of wine for charity distribution

3. Pagan priests were prohibited from attending taverns, theatres, base prophesies.

4. "Against the Galileans" a. Humans created not divine, b. Opposed Judaism, 3. The religion of the Galileans was not old enough, 4. Julian attempted to reconstruct the temple in Jerusalem (died while on a campaign against the Persians and could not complete plans)

C. The last pagan Roman emperor was convinced that the power of Christianity was not only their righteousness but also their generous hospitality.

1. Is it true that Jesus and the apostles taught such a radical hospitality?

2. If so, what has happened to us?

--The practice has focused more on furthering social advantage.

--Hotels and government institutions began to distance hospitality and compassion for the poor.

I. The Moral Obligation to Entertain Strangers

A. Even in the Old Testament

1. Leviticus 19:10, 33-34, Provide for the poor, Shall love strangers as yourself

-- these were commands, moral obligations

2. Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Execute justice (righteousness) loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

-- Deuteronomy 26:12-13, tithe given to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless and widow: the sacred portion removed from the house ... according to all your commandment... not transgress, not forgotten them.

3. Isaiah 58:6-7 Is this not the fast that I choose?

-- to bring the homeless poor into your house, share your bread with the hungry.

-- not to hide yourself from your own flesh.

B. Jesus' own words

1. Luke 14:12-14, When you give a dinner:

a. do not invite your friends and family, or rich neighbors

b. rather invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed (makarios, from the beatitudes)

2. Matthew 22:2-10, Wedding feast - invite the good and bad

3. Matthew 25:34-40, When did we feed you or take you, when did we care for you in sickness?

-- "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

-- Hospitality is extended in Jesus' name, by Jesus' ORDERS and for His Sake.

C. Apostolic Emphasis

1. Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

a. Demands that we show hospitality to strangers.

b. Includes entertaining them as guests in our homes.

2. Romans 12:13, "Given to hospitality" ("pursue" CSV; "seek to show hospitality" ESV)

a. Exhortation in Scripture serves as a commanded obligation,

b. Thus, a moral principle.

3. 1 Peter 4:9-10, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling (grudging)"

a. God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Cor 9:7

b. Instruction as to how to obey a moral obligation, so as to glorify God.

4. Qualification for elders of the churches

a. 1 Timothy 3:2, "given to hospitality"

b. Titus 1:8, "lover of hospitality" (philoxenon)

5. 3 John 5:8, "faithful" -- in context of what was done for strangers, brothers

a. "do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God."

b. Implies that hospitality has a manner that is worthy of God, that glorifies God.

6. Romans 16:1-2, Paul commended Phoebe as a "succorer of many" or helper, patron which implies hospitality

D. Honor roll of those who hosted evangelists.

1. Lydia, Acts 16:15

2. Jailor, Acts 16:34

3. Aquila, Acts 18:1-11

4. Philip, Acts 21:8

5. Mnason, Acts 21:16

6. Publius, Acts 28:7

7. Gaius, Romans 16:23

8. Simon the Tanner, Acts 10:32

II. Hospitality is a Powerful Expression of Faith.

A. 1 John 3:18, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

1. v. 16,18, issue of the TRUTH believed and practiced

2. To do what you don't want to do simply because it is what you believe in.

3. We don't do it, because we don't want to.

B. Romans 1:16, Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation

C. 1 Corinthians 1:18, Word of the Cross is to us who are saved it is the power of God

D. Colossians 1:9-11, filled with knowledge - so as to walk in a worthy manner

1. Bearing fruit in every good work

2. Strengthened with power, according to his glorious might.

III. Hospitality is a Vibrant (living) Thriving Faith.

A. John 1:4, Life is the light of the world

B. John 6:33, 35, 48 Bread of Life.... v63

1. Cannot give life if they are not put into practice.

2. John 20:30-31