Hospitality: Be Prepared

Abraham Watched

Genesis 18:1–2 NRSV

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground.

*** Image: Three visitors

Watching:

Worship on Sunday morning

Sunday School

Wednesday nights

Special events

Abraham was ready

Genesis 18:3–5 NRSV

He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”

*** Image: Abraham and 3 visitors

Abraham had a plan.

What’s your plan?

Abraham’s Model of Hospitality

Genesis 18:6–8 NRSV

And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

“Whatever the thing is, we just do the thing together and we do the thing well.”

*** NS: Abraham and Sarah do the thing well. Together, the welcome the three visitors and show themselves to be models of hospitality.

What’s the problem?

We’re afraid we’ll be embarrassed

We don’t know what to say

We’re timid

We don’t have a plan

What’s the solution?

Think about it, make a plan!

“I want to welcome you to church this morning, is this your first time?”

“I’m trying to get to know more people at church, and I don’t know your name. I’m … Can you share your name? How long have you been coming?”

“Sure is good to meet you! Goodbye.”

“I sit about halfway down on the right side. Feel free to sit with me! And by the way, I go to the Awesomeness Sunday School class. I would love to have you join me and introduce you to the others in that class.”

“Glad you came today. Later buddy!”

“Glad you came today. Why don’t you stop by the welcome desk and leave your information so that one of our pastors can reach out to you. And I really hope I see you next week too!”

More than meets the eye

*** Image: Abraham and the three visitors

*** NS for Heb

Hebrews 13:1–2 NRSV

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

*** NS: Abraham entertains 3 visitors but speaks to 1 God.

*** In Abraham’s hospitality, he finds himself entertaining not only human beings, but God