The Blessing of Hospitality

The Blessing of Hospitality

2006012

Topic # 348 (hospitality)

Introduction:

A. 1 Sam. 25:1-38.

B. What can we learn about hospitality from this chapter?

1. How is Nabal described?

a) Very rich. 3000 sheep; 3000 goats

b) Unwilling to share his physical blessings w/men who had risked their lives to protect him.

2. 25:10-11 – tried to keep it all; enjoy it all. Disregard others.

3. 25:25 – Abigail’s description of Nabal.

4. 25:37-38 – Nabal dies. Loses it all.

C. Abigail – willing to share of their blessings. Concerned about others.

1. 25:39-44 – became David’s wife after Nabal’s death.

D. Hospitality is a direct result of our growth as a Christian.

1. Definition: the reception and entertainment of guests or strangers with liberality and kindness.

2. It is an attitude. A willingness/desire to share our lives; homes; food; with others.

I. Hospitality should become a natural activity for Christians.

A. Early church. Hospitality was a powerful dynamic that fueled their growth.

1. Acts 2:42, 46 – as these Jews grew into Christ, they were drawn to spend time together.

2. Not only in public places – but house to house.

3. Hospitality is a natural result of people having great things in common & wanting to spend time w/each other.

B. Acts 16 – new congregation at Philippi.

1. 16:15 – immediately after her baptism, Lydia urges Paul & companions to come to her house to stay. Went out of way to make them feel welcome.

2. Ukraine experience…

3. Why the desire to do that?

a) Desire for hospitality is a result of the faith we share.

b) As Christians we share the greatest thing in the world in common.

C. That Christians should graciously offer/accept each other’s hospitality is only natural.

II. It is expected.

A. Mt. 25:31-46 – pic of judgment scene where God addresses wicked & righteous.

1. How important is hospitality viewed in these verses?

2. Do we consider the aspect of sharing what God blesses us w/might come back to face us at judgment?

B. Hospitality is not just a good work one might do…

1. It represents an attitude of heart.

2. It shows the concerns of our heart toward brethren and God.

3. Taught to be a responsibility of all Christians.

C. Rom. 12:13 – given to hospitality (NKJV) practicing hospitality (NASU)

1. Active in nature.

2. Can we not apply from here that we should be seeking out opportunities to exercise this service?

3. Hospitality can’t be done inside church building at the assigned times of worship. It must be a sharing of our lives and values….involves time outside of worship!

D. Titus 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2 – those who lead have a special responsibility.

1. A clear qualification of those who rule over us.

2. But resp does not only lie w/leadership, but hospitality should be done throughout the congregation.

3. Surely, we can see the importance of being hospitable?

III. Hospitality helps us become better Christians.

A. Think of the people we get to associate with. Best people on earth.

1. Special memories. Time to laugh together. Relax together.

2. Choice of uplifting company can strengthen us in the Lord.

B. 1 John 3:18 – real hospitality is an opportunity to do more than just talk about our concern for others.

1. It is an opportunity for us to serve them and encourage them personally.

2. 1 John 4:7 – when we love brethren we draw closer to God.

C. Rom. 12:15; 1 Thess. 5:11 – we need to have caring relationships with brethren.

1. It is where a real difference can be made in helping each other through our lives.

D. Hospitality speaks to our kids.

1. What better way to set an example before our sons & daughters?

2. A way for them to see Christianity in action – outside building.

3. Shows them where our true priorities & values lie.

Conclusion:

A. Yes…busy…but make time! You’ll be blessed.

B. We’ve been blessed immensely. Learn from Nabal.

1. 1 Sam. 25:37-38 – his heart died w/in him. He became as a stone.

2. What must those last 10 days of his life been like?

3. Closing our life to others; hoarding our blessings just for self can cause spiritual harm and stunt our spiritual growth.

C. Challenge us to make more time for each other. We’ll be amazed at the difference it will make!

D. Are you looking for fellowship? Has sin alienated your relationships? Come to Christ tonight, remove the barrier of sin, and enjoy the fellowship w/the best people on earth.

E. I N V I T A T I O N



The Blessing of Hospitality 2006012 Topic # 348 (hospitality) Introduction: A. 1 Sam. 25:1-38. B. What can we learn about hospitality from this chapter? 1. How is Nabal described? a) Very rich. 3000 sheep; 3000 goats b) Unwilling to share his physical blessings w/men who had risked their lives to protect him. 2. 25:10-11 – tried to keep it all; enjoy it all. Disregard others. 3. 25:25 – Abigail’s description of Nabal. 4. 25:37-38 – Nabal dies. Loses it all. C. Abigail – willing to share of their blessings. Concerned about others. 1. 25:39-44 – became David’s wife after Nabal’s death. D. Hospitality is a direct result of our growth as a Christian. 1. Definition: the reception and entertainment of guests or strangers with liberality and kindness. 2. It is an attitude. A willingness/desire to share our lives; homes; food; with others. I. Hospitality should become a natural activity for Christians. A. Early church. Hospitality was a powerful dynamic that fueled their growth. 1. Acts 2:42, 46 – as these Jews grew into Christ, they were drawn to spend time together. 2. Not only in public places – but house to house. 3. Hospitality is a natural result of people having great things in common & wanting to spend time w/each other. B. Acts 16 – new congregation at Philippi. 1. 16:15 – immediately after her baptism, Lydia urges Paul & companions to come to her house to stay. Went out of way to make them feel welcome. 2. Ukraine experience… 3. Why the desire to do that? a) Desire for hospitality is a result of the faith we share. b) As Christians we share the greatest thing in the world in common. C. That Christians should graciously offer/accept each other’s hospitality is only natural. II. It is expected. A. Mt. 25:31-46 – pic of judgment scene where God addresses wicked & righteous. 1. How important is hospitality viewed in these verses? 2. Do we consider the aspect of sharing what God blesses us w/might come back to face us at judgment? B. Hospitality is not just a good work one might do… 1. It represents an attitude of heart. 2. It shows the concerns of our heart toward brethren and God. 3. Taught to be a responsibility of all Christians. C. Rom. 12:13 – given to hospitality (NKJV) practicing hospitality (NASU) 1. Active in nature. 2. Can we not apply from here that we should be seeking out opportunities to exercise this service? 3. Hospitality can’t be done inside church building at the assigned times of worship. It must be a sharing of our lives and values….involves time outside of worship! D. Titus 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2 – those who lead have a special responsibility. 1. A clear qualification of those who rule over us. 2. But resp does not only lie w/leadership, but hospitality should be done throughout the congregation. 3. Surely, we can see the importance of being hospitable? III. Hospitality helps us become better Christians. A. Think of the people we get to associate with. Best people on earth. 1. Special memories. Time to laugh together. Relax together. 2. Choice of uplifting company can strengthen us in the Lord. B. 1 John 3:18 – real hospitality is an opportunity to do more than just talk about our concern for others. 1. It is an opportunity for us to serve them and encourage them personally. 2. 1 John 4:7 – when we love brethren we draw closer to God. C. Rom. 12:15; 1 Thess. 5:11 – we need to have caring relationships with brethren. 1. It is where a real difference can be made in helping each other through our lives. D. Hospitality speaks to our kids. 1. What better way to set an example before our sons & daughters? 2. A way for them to see Christianity in action – outside building. 3. Shows them where our true priorities & values lie. Conclusion: A. Yes…busy…but make time! You’ll be blessed. B. We’ve been blessed immensely. Learn from Nabal. 1. 1 Sam. 25:37-38 – his heart died w/in him. He became as a stone. 2. What must those last 10 days of his life been like? 3. Closing our life to others; hoarding our blessings just for self can cause spiritual harm and stunt our spiritual growth. C. Challenge us to make more time for each other. We’ll be amazed at the difference it will make! D. Are you looking for fellowship? Has sin alienated your relationships? Come to Christ tonight, remove the barrier of sin, and enjoy the fellowship w/the best people on earth. E. I N V I T A T I O N