You Are Hospitable

Possible opening:

The God of the Universe generously pours out the Spirit of God on us…for the sole reason of living abundantly and giving abundantly.

Generosity is not about the amount one shares but their willingness to share liberally what they have been given by God.

So often when it comes to talking about generosity people start to get the sweats or they begin to get defensive becuase they are worried that the preacher is going go after their wallet...

Yet…true generosity has to do with so much more.

Generosity is actually Hospitality…it is the ability to share every part of our lives with others with nothing expected in return.

When we share generously or money, time, talents and gifts without expectation of getting anything return we communicate the generosity of God to the world.

Peter details Just our generous God is towards us and how generous God wants us to be through our passage.

1 Peter 4:8-11

“8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

In other words people are going to irritate you…Love deeply

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Give it Away....don’t store it up

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

We are blessed to have a lot of people that embody what Peter has shared here at Connect Church:

Cyndie and Warrior Marshal…Cyndie and Warrior are always available to help anyone when in need. I have seen Cyndie spend countless hours helping in different ministries such as Children’s Church, Serving on the Church board, finance committee, leading small groups and just being a friend to many.

Lou and Gerald Burch, Loud and Gerald are fairly new to our fellowship. While they have been a round a while you might not be as connected with them as you would like. Gerald serves in prison ministry. He not only goes to the places that many are not comfortable but he continues the relationship through letters and helping upon release. Lou is an outgoing and loving soul that is willing and able to help with anything anyone askes of her. They simply Love everyone.

Noreen and Tom Campbell are another couple that are fairly new to our fellowship. Today you will see Noreen running around helping with the food for the Desert auction as well as any other activitie that requires food. She is orgainzed and freindly as a greeter, and just sceams hospitality, Her husband Tom is a faithful helper to Noreen, plus a genuinly friendly face. He speaks to everyone and has a warm spirit about him.

Skyler and Stephanie Ishmael…are vital parts of our Children’s staff…if there is a need they fill it, they are also believers in invitiing others to worship with us. There are countless in our sanctuary today becasuse they cared enough extend a warm invite to start a relationship with Jesus.

Scott and Tiffany Haley....Again this is a fairly new couple in our midst. Scott and Tiffany along with their Son are very involved in our Children’s and Youth ministries. They both help in what every way they are asked Tiffany is a talented cookie maker, and beyond that she is a warm compassionate helper in any area that she is asked. Scott and Tiffany love people and it shows in their everyday life.

Mick and Patty Leibold....Mick and Patty have been a fixture here at connect Church for many years. There is probably not an area in the Church that Mick and Patty have not served in from Children’s youth, missions, or hospitality. Patty is always willing to serve in the hospitality areas of the church…she has taken on oversight of the FLC kitchen. Mick has been a board member served in countless ministries and is currently working with our contractors and helping us stay on top of everything going on…they also both love to entertain and have done so for some small groups as well as inviting people personally to their home. They love people Well!

APPRECIATION SLIDE

All of these people and more from Connect Church personify exactly what it means to serve a God who is Generous.

So much of the pain I see in believers and non believers alike seems to revolve around the idea that God is stingy with love. ..people often believe that God only gives to us if we have earned it by getting everything in our life together.

This is not the case…God has gifted us salvation, sanctification and other spiritual and non spiritual gifts to bring peace to our lives and hope to others…for free…it is a gift not payment.

While God is Holy and Just....God does not expect us to be these things…God seeks to make us these things.

God wants to do the work of making us Holy and Just people. God has already done a miraculous work in us.....all we have to do is begin to practice the Gifts the Holy Spirit give us.

Romans 12:6-9

“6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

When people liberally and confidently use the gifts that Holy Spirit gives them in the moment we are prompted to use them we trade our sorrows, anxiety, cynicism, and insecurities for happiness, confidence, optimism and meaning.

Not only that…but we add happiness, confidence, optimism and meaning to all the circumstances and the lives of all we come into contact with.

Spiritual peace is found when you can keep on giving even when it feels like no one is giving back to you.

Romans 12:15-16

“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.”

Choose Generosity and Hospitality

This may need to start by accepting Jesus as your saviour....Unless Jesus is leading you there is not hope in unreasonable hospitality.

When you Choose Jesus you choose His unmerited Generous Love for you and in turn you choose to let Him fill you with that same type of love for others....

This is also a key ingredient to revival…Many of you may have heard of the Current Asbury Revival…they started with a normal College Chapel service on Wednsday and the service is still going on today.

They are sining and soaking up the presence of God with no idea of what is next and noting but a desire to be in the presence of the Holy Spirits Loving presence....

When all we desire is God…God makes himself known....to us....and when this happens in us we begin to make God known to the world.

Acts 2:14-21 “14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Maybe our beginning can be today?

If you would like to begin your journey with Jesus today or if you just want to recommit your life…let me lead you in this very simple prayer.

Lord, I accept your generous invitation to live life to the fullest by living for Jesus.

Fill me with your love and your spirit so that I may fulfill your plan for my life and the world.

Once you pray this if you have not been baptized I would ask you to stop and talk to me about your decision to follow Jesus....as you come to the table to celebrate Jesus generous hospitality to us.

Communion