God Has People Prepared to Receive US
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· 2 viewsThe class on Monday is ABD in the book of Acts 28:7-14 with the theme being “God has people prepared to receive us”
Notes
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Acts 28:7-14
Acts 28:7-14
Throughout Pauls time of imprisonment and the ship wrack, God is showing Paul extreme kindness through prominent people.
In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
Publius was the chief official of the island so it seems that he was the main governing official of the island.
Publius took Paul and others (including Luke) to his estate for three days. There was 276 people who was aboard the ship with Paul so it could be a possibility Publius was hospitable to all or just the believer
So Publius entertained them and was courteous to them.
This word courteously - is the greek word- philophrónōs- Means friendly and kind.
The Greek writers often applied the word particularly to the entertainment of strangers.
How they welcomed them was in his home and he was hospitable to them.
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
The stay in Publius house afforded Paul the opportunity to reciprocate on his host’s hospitality.
Publius father wasn’t feeling well he had a fever and Dysentery - di·suhn·tree- which was an infection of the intestines which resulted in diarrhea and other symptoms i wouldn’t care to explain.
But at that time there was a gastric fever caused by a microbe in goats milk which was common at that time called “Malta fever” .
So Paul healed Publius father by laying hands on him and praying.
This is the only time where the combination of laying hands and prayer was used in the case of a healing.
So this is very unique.
So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
So the word must’ve got out very quickly because the people started coming to Paul and he started healing diseases.
They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
The people in Malta continued to honor Paul and his party.
They honored Paul that means he was shown a special favor.
When we live a life before God and for his purposes here on earth God gives us a special favor. That is irrefutable.
These people in Malta extended exceptional hospitality. It striking how hospitable these people where.
Acts 28:2, they showed “unusual kindness” to Paul and his shipwrecked crew.
And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
Acts 28:7, Publius entertained Paul and his team courteously.
In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
Now verse 10 they lavishly provided them with the food and the provisions that they needed.
There response to Paul was simulur to Julius’s when they landed in Sidon, and he treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
Hospitality is a multifaceted concept and its done with generosity and goodwill.
Graeco- Roman hospitality.
Graeco - Romans customs of hospitality seem to have fueled the growth of the early church, missionaries and believers would stay at strangers houses and receive food and help for the sake of the gospel.
It was a cultural norm to be hospitable to strangers. But sometimes there was an expectation of reciprocity.
But with the believer God is calling us to be hospitable with no expectation in return.
distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
here the word hospitality means - literally love to strangers, or “stranger-loving”.
When it says “given to” it literally means pursuing. So we are to pursue hospitality.
We look for opportunities to be hospitable.
Its in the opportunities will there be a space to share the love of Christ with people.
Being hospitable is just a oneway transaction. We would associate with the humble.
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Associating with the humble, is doing nothing through vain glory.
In this relationship have nothing to gain.
I count you better then myself.
I prefer you over myself.
I’m not fixed on the high things. I’m not associated with you because I want a name for myself. I looking for a financial come up.
We can easily fall into the mindset of I’m just associated with you because of your gifts, to occupy a high position.
So I can become selective to who I am hospitable with. Selective servitude.
The mind of Christ is I’m serving all and their no one that I’m not willing and available to serve.
When you practice hospitality you entertain God Himself.
We must be hospitable toward Christ.
Just consider Martha and Mary, Mary is at the feet of Jesus and Martha is working.
To give our Lord a perfect hospitality, Mary and Martha must combine.
Saint Teresa of Ávila
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
The name Martha is the feminine form of the Aramaic term Mar and means mistress.
Martha appears to have been the mistress in charge of the house.
She’s used to keep things orderly and clean in the house.
I can imagine her just doing whats she’s comfortable with.
Martha is welcoming and hospitable. She’s probably throughly serving.
I remember when I was in Zimbabwe they would have a young lady who would come and wash you hands when you enter into the house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
At the Lords feet was a disciple’s proper place. This was the posture of a disciple.
At His feet reminds me of humility. It shows humility it shows honor and selflessness.
The greek brings out that Mary is listening for continual amount of time.
I can just picture Mary just captivated by Christ
The highest form of worship is this. With Jesus and listening to His words.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
I’m sure Martha wanted to also hear Jesus but she was to distracted with her own present situation.
She couldn’t put on hold her current situation in order to listen to Jesus.
That sounds like us, we won’t slow down for Jesus because I’m fixated on serving Jesus. But you don’t take time to listen . And the outcome is frustration.
BTW Martha isn’t just accusing Mary she is also accusing Jesus for not doing something about her sister.
It is just like us to blame God for the reason that we are to busy for Him.
-Gods the reason why I have all of these bills. No you are the reason why you have all of these bills.
Martha’s “service” for Jesus got in the way of her sitting lovingly at his feet.
So human nature is to excuse herself and accuse someone else.
Peter was the same way about John like John 21:21 But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Martha Martha, When Jesus is saying your name twice he is trying to get your attention.
He is emphasizing something very important to you. That could be a stumbling block from receiving His word.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Simon don’t you understand Satan is after you!!!
Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Saul Why are you persecuting Me!!
Martha Martha you are worried and upset about many things. You are concerned about to many things.
When you are worried about the wrong things it can choke out the most important things which is the Word of God!
Sometimes when we are running around doing to much. Getting frustrated I can imagine Martha frustrated.
Jesus said but only One thing is needed. Which is listening to the Words of Christ and at His feet.
An other reading of the translation is :One thing is better
There is a need to focus on what is most important, for although serving is good, sitting at Jesus’ feet is best.
Later in John 12:2 still serving but somethings different she fellowshipped with Christ.
There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
You need the worshipper and the server in order to have godly hospitality. And as I am serving I’m worshipping.
Because my service is unto the Lord.
Hospitality is threefold: for one’s family, this of necessity; for strangers, this of courtesy; for the poor, this is charity.
Thomas Fuller
