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    Jul 25, 2021

    Hospitality: Being Blessed to Become a Blessing

    Passage: Romans 12:13

    Preacher: Bob Putnam

    Series: Romans

    Keywords: worship, discipleship, spiritual warfare, hospitality, stranger, alien, christ's character

    Summary:

    Hosptality is the heart of God for people. But how and why should be engage in it? What are the challenges. This message looks at how the Gospel we have been given is to be lived out towards others in hospitality.

    Detail:

    Hospitality: Being Blessed to Becoming a Blessings

    Romans 12:13

     

    Welcome: Good Sunday morning everyone!!!!

    The last few weeks we’ve been focused on Romans Chapter 12. Last week Pastor John in-verse 12 may have raised an eye brow or two; as to how we may be inadequate in our devotion to prayer. And how we should in Paul’s words always be devoted to prayer.

    The week before in V. 9-10 we did a heart check, and focused on a deeper understanding of hypocrisy that leads to sin…… Questioning, Is our love self-less, and other centered/ how we are too love without hypocrisy?

    Well today, let’s not take that mirror off the wall quite yet. Because we are going to being focusing on verse 13 HOSPITALITY!!!!!!!

    Before we get started, I would like to say thank you Mosaic. As I look around this morning, I see………so many with a true heart of love being shown through their hospitality. GIVE EXAMPLES

    very touchy subject.

    ………...Share using the mirror on the wall; and how it gets bigger………

    Let’s go to our Father in prayer!!!!!!!!

    A quick secular perspective of hospitality may bring to mind hospitals, or the hospitality industry, of which both are usually not offered with- out a charge.

    You may say wait a minute; I can feed someone, give them a shower, and a blanket and pillow and a place to sleep, without having to love them. And I would say yep. But it’s not the biblical view of hospitality.

    So, what does the Bible say about hospitality?

    Let us read again 9-13 of Romans 12

     Paul included all these together in Romans chapter 12 for a very specific reason.

     Break down one at a time starting with love, good, affectionate, etc. go through the ones circled.

    Simply the specific reason is to draw us out of a self-filled/self-centered life, into a life that is Christ like.

    The word hospitality is found four times in the ESV version Romans 12:13, 1st. Timothy 5:10, Hebrews 13:2 and 1st. Peter 4:9. To simplify put it; these verse’s, are all saying that hospitality is both action and affection. Both are needed to welcome saints or strangers into our lives.

    Hospitality means “love of strangers”. It is a virtue that is commanded and commended through-out the Bible.  In the O.T. it was specifically a command by God. Leviticus 19:33-34 says “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. The primary reference for hospitality, is to housing travelers, still through-out Scripture all types of hospitality are include.

     N.T. times Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality others. Jesus says in Matt. 10:9 and 10, Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your money belt. V.10 Nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs, “for a worker is worthy of his food.

     Acts 2:44-45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, V. 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

    Here in Acts, hospitality, is being commended, they were doing as they had been called. Being filled with love for one another, compassionate providing hospitality, for the needs of the saints. By this they were drawing others, non-believers to Christ. “Remember V. 47 praising God and having favor with all people. And the Lord added to the church daily”.

    In 1st. Peter, 4:8-9 we find it to be a command, “Read”, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sin. V. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

     Hospitality here, is a command. A command, not just for something to do, or filled a quota, or earn your way into to heave. It is a command to be a certain type of person. One who gives without grumbling, one that doesn’t resent giving money, possessions, cloths food and the like; and not being paid back. One who gives a sleeping bag, and doesn’t grumble when a person comes back and says my sleeping bag was stolen can I have another.

    Example: months ago, I was talking with a brother who had given/loaned another person some money, and was upset for never receiving the money back………………. share conversation………………

    …………………………...Speak on motive/expectations/agenda…………………

    So, what is our motive?

    For me it starts from memory, a historical review of the past, and a new found hope of the future in Christ Jesus.

    As believers we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good workers. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of works lest anyone should boast. V. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

    As Christians we are called to be a living example of Christ’s love. A living example of His compassion, in showing hospitality to fellow Christians, and even more to the lost and broken, strangers; who are among us. We may unknowingly be drawing another person to Jesus.

    Illustration:  Share Thursday trip to Sacred Heart Hospital with Benjamin…...strangers

    We honor God when we are kind and compassionate to the needy, Proverb 14:31 says, He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

    Our ultimate motivation: should be to honor and bringing glory to God. For what has been freely given; in-turn should be given freely, as we are able.  

    Share….But Bob I’ve worked sooooooo hard to get what I have.

    God’s hospitality is all around us. He gave us the air to breath, the beauty that surrounds; through nature He gave us substance to maintain life here on earth, He loved us so much He gave His son as our Passover lamb, and set us free from the fangs of sin and death.

    Every word, action, miracle, or deed was done through Christ with love, compassion, and mercy. Through the acts of hospitality; Jesus welcomed into His life each and every person. We to are called to be hospitable, to be living examples, to draw people to our lives, so in-turn they will be drawn to Jesus

    The prophety Micah, a champion of the oppressed, says it this way in Micah 6:8, "He has shown you O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

     Sometimes I feel we are down here asking for bus fare, when God has a basket full of gold nuggets wanting for us. It’s all ours to have, and to share.

    Some things to leave with you as I close:

    1. Hospitality is a reflection of the gospel. And it comes with all God’s provisions for family, community, and others. It’s the foundation of Christian life.
    2. Hospitality can bring spiritual warfare, so put on the amour of God, and don’t walk this journey alone.
    3. Hospitality is the ground floor of discipling others. We all are called to disciple, just as we are all called to show hospitality
    4. Hospitality requires unity in the church. Building relationships, not programs. Excepting people just as Jesus. Just the way they are.
    5. Hospitality grows and feeds the body of Christ,
    6. Hospitality is worth it. It, cause’s our eyes to be opened, brings God’s word deeper in our hearts, and bold new friendships with people we never through of being friends with.

    Simply, live out the gospel of Jesus Christ, and have a whole new world opened up in your life; through hospitality

    Let’s close in Prayer.

    Jewels Helping hands sent this out last week:

    We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm. Some have yachts. Some have canoes. Some are drowning. Just be kind help when you can.

    Have a blessed Sunday.