The Generosity of God's Hospitality

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come worship the God made visible in Jesus. Come worship the one, who holds all things together. Come worship the one who is beginning and, end.

HYMN

All heaven declares the glory of the risen Lord (StF 293)

GATHERING PRAYER

Lord, as we gather here today, open our eyes, so we can truly see you. Open our ears, so we can truly hear you. Calm our busy hands, so we don’t miss a thing. Amen.

Living God, give us eyes to see you in creation, in strangers, in another; give us ears to hear you in words, in music, in silence; give us voices to proclaim you in our homes, churches and communities; and give us lives to celebrate, serve and revere you in all places, at all times and among all people. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Forgive us, compassionate God, when we fail to see you: in the faces of strangers; in the tears of the desperate; in the anxiety of the afraid; in the silence of the broken; in the fragility of creation; in one another or in ourselves. Forgive us and help us to encounter you afresh. Amen.

God of wonder, though we don’t always see you, you always see us. Although our eyes aren’t always open to the ways of your kingdom, it is always open to us. Although we don’t always recognise you in our daily encounters, you are always there. Thank you for meeting us where we are, for your grace and forgiveness, and your life-giving Spirit, which fills us day by day. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever Amen.

HYMN

Great is thy faithfulness (StF 51)

READING 1

Genesis 18: 1-10

Genesis 18:1–10 “1 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. 2 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. 3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 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.” 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 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. 9 They said…”

READING 2

Psalm 15 “A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbours; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honour those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”

READING 3

Luke 10:38–42 “38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.””

HYMN

Seek ye first the kingdom of God (StF 254)

SERMON

Biblical Hospitality: Lessons from Genesis 18:1-8, Psalm 15, and Luke 10:38-42

Open Doors, Open Hearts: Welcoming the Divine and the Stranger

Introduction

When you invite someone to your home what do you do?

If it’s a short visit you may offer them a cup of tea and a biscuit. If you invite them for a meal, you in all probability, ask their preference, their likes and dislikes.

We often offer our bedroom to anyone staying over night, with us as this is the best room.

But what if someone turns up out of the blue, and you don’t know them very well, maybe just in passing,

What then perhaps the tea and biscuit will be on offer, but providing a meal may not be on the cards.

Hospitality has always been a key virtue of the Christian life from the very beginning.

Hospitality was highly valued in both the New and Old Testament. in fact it was at the very foundation of God and man’s relationship. God created the Garden of Eden to be a hospitable place.

This Biblical generosity has a sacred thread that runs all through Scripture, it’s the call to all God's people to open their homes, lives, and hearts to others.

It ‘s Far more than simple politeness, hospitality in the Bible is the practice of welcome—one that is to reflects the very character of God.

This is shown vividly in the teachings found in Genesis 18:1-8, Psalm 15, and Luke 10:38-42, where we find acts of welcome, serving, listening, and honouring come together in a powerful vision of divine encounters. And as we look at these passages, we to can find wisdom about the spiritual significance of hospitality and how it call to followers of Christ today.

Genesis 18:1-8 – The Hospitality of Abraham

In Genesis 18, we find Abraham is sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day when he sees three men standing nearby.

Now at first, he may have been unaware of their identity, even so, Abraham rushes to greet them, offering food and rest. He addresses them with humility, he says “If I have found Favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.” Abraham rushes to prepare a lavish meal or should I say asked Sarah to bake bread with fine flour, ordering a servant to prepare a choice calf, and providing curds and milk. But He serves his guests personally, standing by as they eat.

This passage is often regarded as an example of biblical hospitality.

Abraham’s welcome is marked by his generosity, his urgency, and his reverence. He doesn’t hesitate or offer the minimal courtesy as we may offer a cup of tea to a visitor; rather, he insists on providing the best he has, even though it’s costly.

The narrative moves us from hospitality to a spiritual practice, as Abraham's guests are in fact the Lord and two angels. By welcoming strangers, Abraham entertains the divine. The New Testament echoes this lesson in Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

·  Abraham’s open-handedness proves that true hospitality involves giving freely, not out of obligation but out of love and reverence.

·  He is quick to understand the needs of his guests, eager to provide comfort and refreshment, showing a spirit of service.

·  The story suggests that in welcoming the stranger, we may encounter God Himself.

Psalm 15 – The Guest of God

Perhaps Psalm 15 offers us a blueprint for living in God's presence taking this theme of hospitality to an even higher level, asking the vital question: “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?”

The psalm goes on to answer the question by describing the qualities of who is welcome in God’s presence: the one who walks blamelessly, acts righteously, speaks truth, does no harm to others, honours those who fear the Lord, keeps promises, lends money without interest, and refuses to accept bribes.

And while this psalm doesn’t mention the act of hospitality in the human sense, it shows it as a pattern of life that imitates God’s own welcome to us.

To be a guest in the house of God requires integrity, justice, and compassion. These are the marks of the true host and guest—those who practice hospitality in their relationships with others and with God.

Jesus perfectly embodies these attributes. As Christians, we strive to aligning ourselves with the character traits of Psalm 15 allowing us to reflect God’s welcome to a watching world, it’s inviting us to show His divine nature through authentic living.

·  Psalm 15 redefines hospitality as not merely the sharing of food or shelter, but as a way of living justly and with integrity.

· Note that God’s tent is open to all who show these virtues, regardless of social status or background.

· By living out these values, believers mirror the welcoming nature of God, whose desire is to dwell with humanity.

Luke 10:38-42 – Martha, Mary, and the Guest Who Teaches

The Gospel of Luke tells of the visit of Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary. Martha, busy with preparations, welcomes Jesus into her home and is “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Mary, on the other hand, sits at the Lord’s feet, listening to him. When Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

This passage offers a window into hospitality. Martha embodies the traditional host, concerned with the practical aspects of welcoming and serving. Mary, however, chooses relational hospitality—offering her guest the gift of attentive presence and listening. Jesus shows that true hospitality is more than service; it is about sharing fellowship and receiving the guest as a person, not just as a recipient of food or care.

We need to note Martha has done nothing wrong here, but like most of us she has been distracted by what she sees as important. I think all of us can at times be like that.

· The story highlights the importance of both practical service (like Martha’s) and spiritual attentiveness (like Mary’s).

·  Jesus shifts the focus from mere activity to relationship—being with the guest, not only working for them.

· True hospitality listens to the needs and heart of the guest, as Mary does with Jesus.

Hospitality in the Ancient World

In the ancient Near East, hospitality was a vital social code it was often a matter of survival in a harsh environment.

Strangers were to be welcomed, protected, and provided for, it’s not only as a matter of honour but as a sacred duty. This tradition can be found throughout the biblical texts, where hospitality becomes a way of showing, blessing, healing, and revelation.

In Genesis, Abraham’s hospitality is rewarded with the promise of a son. In the New Testament, the early Christian communities were urged to practice hospitality (1 Peter 4:9says, welcoming the stranger, the poor, and the marginalized as Christ Himself.

Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice

The hospitality shown in these passages goes beyond any idea of social custom. It is a means by which God’s presence is made manifest in the world.

It requires openness, vulnerability, and generosity. It calls believers to see every guest as bearing the image of God, every table as a potential altar, every act of welcome as a gesture toward the God’s kingdom.

·  The call to hospitality is not limited to friends or family. It extends to the outsider, and those in need.

· In opening our doors to others, we are transformed—gaining new perspectives, deeper compassion, and meeting God in unexpected ways.

· The practice of hospitality is a testimony to the world of God’s grace and generosity.

Contemporary Reflections: Living Out Biblical Hospitality

Today, biblical hospitality may look different, but its spirit remains the same.

In an age marked by isolation, division, and suspicion, the invitation to welcome others—whether in our homes, communities, or churches—remains a radical act.

It challenges us to make space for others, to listen deeply, to serve with joy, and to receive with humility.

Practical expressions might include:

· Opening our homes to neighbours, refugees, or those in need of shelter.

· Creating inclusive spaces where differences are celebrated.

· Listening attentively to others, offering presence rather than just provision.

· Extending welcome in places of worship, work, and daily encounters.

Hospitality, as taught in Genesis, Psalms, and the Gospels, is at the heart of faithful living—a practice that reveals God’s love in very tangible and transformative ways.

Conclusion

In the end Biblical hospitality is far more than a matter of social grace. It is an invitation to be part of a life and a mission of God—to open our lives to others as God has opened life to us.

From Abraham’s tent to the house of Martha and Mary, from the sacred mountain of Psalm 15 to the dinner tables of today, hospitality remains a holy calling, is rooted in understanding every encounter is an opportunity to welcome the divine. In practicing this, we not only bless others; we to are blessed, in the stranger, the guest, and the friend, we meet none other than God.

Are we sometimes too busy to see God? In today’s Gospel reading, Martha is so distracted by the requirement to be hospitable to a guest, she doesn’t take time to sit and listen to Jesus.

Can you imagine if the invisible God was suddenly present in your own front room? Would you be too busy and distracted to notice? Perhaps we’re a bit like Martha in today’s Gospel reading – we are so busy running around that we don’t have time to sit and spend time with the important people in our lives. this is the challenge we face.

HYMN

To be in your presence, to sit at your feet (StF 530)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

We praise you, God of encounter and promise, for those kingdom moments in our lives that have been turning points; those encounters that have given us fresh eyes, new insights, warmed hearts; those people whose eyes have been so fixed on you that they have inspired us in our faith and in our daily lives. We praise and thank you for all the ways you meet us in one another, and most of all we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

In this moment Lord, we bring our prayers and our concerns for others.

The world seems so full of problems way beyond our imagining and understanding. Emergencies seem to be almost daily, and we move from one to another so quickly. But these emergencies are still there, and people are still impacted and in need. Our prayers we bring knowing that even if we fail to listen to you, you always listen to us, you listen to our words, our silences, our yearnings and our longing.

For those in crisis this day, we pray that someone will listen to them.

For those in poverty and destitution, we pray that someone will give them a gift.

For those in pain and anguish, we pray that someone will offer relief.

For those who are hungry, we pray that someone will feed them.

For those who are thirsty, we pray they may be given clean water.

For those in grief, we pray that someone will simply be with them.

For those who are near the end of life, we pray that someone will hold their hand.

For those who are lonely, we pray they may be befriended.

For those who are frightened, we pray they may be soothed and calmed.

Lord, there are so many needs of so many people in so many places, we remember now…

Those lead our country, may they do so with justice, honesty and compassion, seeking an agenda for all and not just for themselves; may those who wish to lead listen to the needs and voices around them.

Those in Ukraine facing uncertain futures with the war seeming to be an ongoing crisis they are living through. And for those who have left family and friends behind and moved to neighbouring countries, including our own, may we, with others, listen to their stories and their anguish.

For the troubles in the Gaza strip we pray that peace will be found.

For the people of Sri Lanka where seemingly the cost of living is daily forcing thousands into poverty way beyond our understanding.

For the people of Afghan whose freedoms and life choices are being daily eroded by a government who fails to listen to the voices of the world.

For those who fear the impacts of climate change, who are challenged by excessive heat and flood.

For those in our own country who are hungry this day, may they find the kindness and support of neighbours and strangers, of foodbanks and more, to feed not just their bodies but their minds and their souls.

For refugees risking all they have left, life and limb, to escape to a country which is safer, more secure and more welcoming.

For those seeking purpose and point in life, may someone listen to them and bring them to you.

For those in dark places, may they see light and here words of comfort and welcome and hospitality.

Lord, these are our prayers this day, we offer them and ourselves. knowing you hear our every word.

Lord, hear us and bless those for whom we pray. Amen.

HYMN

Love divine, all loves excelling (StF 503)

BLESSING

Lord, life is busy. Help us this week to take some time to sit at your feet and truly see and hear from you. Be in our decision-making and in our thoughts. Amen.