BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH HOSPITALITY

PRACTICING RADICALLY ORDINARY HOSPITALITY

G.I.J.N. AND GREETINGS FROM THE NEW HAVEN CONGREGATION - BLESSING TO BE HERE AT OPEN DOOR WITH YOU AGAIN THIS EVENING - WHEN BROTHER LEROY ASKED IF I WOULD SHARE ON THIS TOPIC - I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THIS SUBJECT - HOWEVER - HE HAS ASKED THE WRONG PERSON TO SHARE ON THIS IF HE WAS THINKNG I AM HERE TO SHARE AS ONE WHO HAS MASTERED OR AM AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PRACTICE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH HOSPITALITY. SO THIS STUDY HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO ME - SO I TRUST YOU CAN BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP ON BEING HOSPITABLE!

I CAN GIVE A TESTIMONY TO YOUR HOSPITALY HAVING BEEN HERE IN MAY AND EXPERIENCED YOUR LOVE THEN - I BELIEVE YOU HERE AT OPEN DOOR KEEP THIS MENTALITY FRONT AND CENTER AS THE NAME OF YOUR CHURCH IMPLIES - WILLIAM BARCLAY HAD THIS QUOTE : CHRSITIANITY WAS, AND STILL SHOULD BE, THE RELIGION OF THE OPEN DOOR. I TRUST THIS OUR DESIRE AS WE THINK OF HOSPITALITY AS A WAY TO DEMONSTRATE CHRIST’S LOVE AND TO WIN PEOPLE TO THE SAVIOUR.

LETS GET STARTED - WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO LEARN OR BE ENCOURAGED IN. I LIKE THE TITLE GIVEN - BUILDING RELATIONSHIP AS OPPOSED TO MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIP. THE GOAL OR FOCUS I WANT US TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO USE HOPITALITY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS BUT WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND FOCUS FOR OTHERS TO HAVE THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. AS WE PRACTICE HOPITALITY WE BUILD OUR OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS BUT THAT IS NOT THE END - BUT TO BE THE CHANNEL TO SHOW OTHERS - PRIMARILY STRANGERS HOW TO JOIN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - AND HOW THAT THE LOVE OF GOD IS FOR THEM.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS - THIS IS THE HEART OF GOD - WANTS MANKIND TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER - THE WHOLE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE - SINCE THE FALL OF MAN - GOD HAS MADE A WAY TO RESTORE MANKINDS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM - HIS DESIRE FOR IN PERSON INTERACTION AND REALTIONSHIP WE SEE IN Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:

HOW: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS - 1ST WE NEED TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS HAVE A RELATIOSHIP THROUGH HOSPITALITY. OTHERWISE IT WILL BE HARD - IT WILL BE FORCED AND IT WILL NOT BE HOSPITALITY OUT OF LOVE - IT WILL BE AS THE WORLD CALLS IT ENTERTAINING AND JUST A SHOW OR PRODUCTION.

WHAT IS HOSPITALITY :

GREEK DEFINITION OF THE WORD HOSPITALITY IS THE WORD (FILL - LOKES EN KNEE AH) - - TWO PARTS THE MOST OFTENLY USED IS: TO BE A FRIEND TO STRANGER OR LOVE TO STRANGER. IF WE WERE LOOKING TO ONLY MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN THIS IS CALLED FELLOWSHIP - WHILE IT IS IMPORTANT - NECESSARY AND RIGHT - THIS IS NOT THE FOCUS HERE THIS EVENING - WE ARE LOOKING TO EVANGELIZE THROUGH THE COMMANDMENT OF HOSPITALITY - SHOW LOVE TO THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. WE DO THIS THROUGH INVITING THE OUTSIDE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US - SHOWING OTHERS HOW GOD HAS MADE US PART OF HIS KINGDOM THROUGH HIS LOVE. SO I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE PART OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT AS CHRISTIANS.

HOW MANY LOVE BEING SHOWN OR HAVING HOSPITALITY EXSTENDED TO US - MOST OF US ENJOY THAT - AND WE ALL HEARD THE TERM SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY - HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A FOREIN COUNTRY AND EXPERIENCED THE HOSPITALITY OF A 3RD WORLD CULTURE.

ARE WE OR SHOULD WE BE OFFENDED OR ASHAMED THAT IT IS NOT CALLED CHRISTIAN HOSPITALY THAT HAS THE TITLE OF WARM LOVING SACRIFICALLY GIVING OF OUR FOOD - HOMES AND PROVISIONS.

DO WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMANDED PRINCIPLE IN THE BIBLE? DO WE VIEW THIS AS A NEW OR OLD TESTAMENT COMMANDMENT? TURN TO 1 PETER 4 AWHILE. IN THE MEANTIME HERE IS WHAT WE READ IN

Leviticus 19:33–34 “And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” AND WE KNOW THE ACCOUNT OF ABRAHAM IN GENESIS 18 OF HOW ABRAHAM WAS FAITHFUL IN THIS - VERSE 2 OF THAT CHAPTER - AND WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE RAN TO MEET THEM FROM THE TENT DOOR, AND BOWED HIMSELF TOWARD THE GROUND. - IN CHAPTER 17:1 IT TELLS US ABRAM WAS NINTY YEARS OLD - HE RAN AND BOWED HIMSELF TOWARD THE GROUND.

SO DEAR CHRISTIAN - WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU RAN TO MEET A STRANGER AND BOW YOURSELF TO THE GROUND? WHY NOT - SO WHAT IS MY EXCUSE FOR NOT PRACTICING HOSPITALITY?

AND BELIEVE ME - I HAVE A LONG LIST OF WHY I CANT PRACTICE HOSPITALITY - AND I CAN NOT USE THE EXCUSE ABRAHAM COULD HAVE USED - BEING OVER 90 YEARS OLD!

NEW TESTAMENT VERSES COMMANDING US TO SHOW HOSPITALITY.

Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” TO BE HOSPITABLE TO THE THOSE IN NEED WHO ARE IN THE CHURCH. NIV SAYS “PRACTICE HOSPITALITY ” THE IDEA OF CONTINUE TO DO IT -

HERE IN TO 1 PETER 4: PAY ATTENTION TO VERSE 9.

1 Peter 4:7–10 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8.And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

WE COULD LOOK AT THESE VERSES AS A STUDY IN ITSELF - SPEAKS OF OUR ATTITUDE AND FOCUS IN VERSE 7 - HOW THAT ONLY BY HAVING CHARITY IS A PRIMARY INGREDIENT IN VERSE 8 SO THEN ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO SHOW HOSPITALITY WITH JOY VERSE 9 AND EFFECTIVLY MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER THE GRACE OF GOD VERSE 10.

3 John 8 IN THE NIV SAYS “We ought THEREFORE to SHOW HOSPITALITY TO SUCH MEN SO THAT WE MAY WORK TOGETHER FOR THE TRUTH.

1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” ONE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING A LEADER.

1 Timothy 5:9–10 PAUL HAS THIS TO SAY -HE MAKES NO EXCUSE FOR FOR WIDOWS IN HIS INSTRUCTION IN REGARDS TO -WIDOWS -ELDERS AND SLAVES - “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.” WE HAVE A THIS LISTED AS A REQUIREMENT FOR WIDOWS - SO IF YOU ARE OF THE OPINION THAT SURELY THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS OR EXEMPTIONS - THIS RULES OUT A LOT OF OUR SO CALLED REASONS - FOR A WIDOW WOULD SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH TO DO WITHOUT THIS -

WE COULD LOOK AT MANY MORE SCRIPTURES AND EXAMPLES OF THE EARLY CHURCH - GOING HOUSE TO HOUSE AND BREAKING BREAD AND COMING TO PEOPLES HOUSES -COULD STUDY THE BOOK OF LUKE TO SEE JESUS DO THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HEARD THIS COMMENT -LUKE IS ABOUT JESUS EATING GOOD FOOD WITH BAD PEOPLE - BUT I TRUST WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THIS IS A BIBLICAL REQUIREMENT AND NOT AN OPTION - AND WE ARE TO DO IT EAGERLY AND JOYFULLY - WITHOUT GRUMBLING OR COMPLAINING.

HOW CAN WE MOVE BEYOND THE BELIEF THAT HOSPITALY IS IMPORTANT AND PART OF CHRISTIAN THEORY TO THE PRACTICAL ACTUAL PRACTICE OF IT IN OUR LIVES - TO BE INTENTIONAL IN BEING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST .

SO MY DESIRE IS TO TAKE A PRACTICAL LOOK AT THIS SUBJECT - SO MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHY IS SOMETHING THAT IS SO IMPORTANT SEEM TO BE FALLING AWAY - - I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM ON THE TAIL END OF REMEMBERING THIS OR JUST EXPOSING MY SHORTCOMINGS - BUT HOW MANY REMEMBER IMPROMTU SUNDAY EVENING VISITS OR DROP INS WHERE A FAMILY OR TWO GOT TOGETHER SOMETIMES FROM THE SAME CHURCH BUT NOT ALWAYS -A HIGHLIGHT ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AS A YOUNGSTER - WHERE WE MIGHT GO? - ASKING OUR PARENTS WHO IT SUITS - THE DISAPOINTMENT WHEN THEY DECIDED TO VISIT SOME ONE WITHOUT CHILDREN - - HOW ABOUT UN ANOUNCED BABY VISITS - TODAY WE WOULD BE ALMOST EMBARASSED TO SHOW UP UN -ANNOUNCED EVEN TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FRIEND. WHENS THE LAST TIME DURING THE WEEK WE TOOK THE TIME TO STOP BY SOMEONE AS WE GO BY JUST TO SAY HI AND CHECK IN.

PART OF THIS DECLINE IS THAT WE HAVE BOUGHT INTO THE SELFISH AMERICAN CULTURE OF AFFLUANCE - AND THE GOAL OF HAVING EVERY CONVENIENCE AND TOOL OR APPLIANCE OR GADGET NESSECARY SO OUR POSSESIONS AND PROPERTIES ARE OUR OWN RETREAT OR SANCTUARY SO WE DO NOT NEED TO INTERACT OR RELY ON OTHERS FOR ANYTHING. AS A CHILD I REMEMBER BORROWING - A POST HOLD DIGGER - A PLOW FOR THE GARDEN - A VAN FOR TRIPS - A BOAT TO GO CLAMMING - A CAMPER FOR VACATION - I REMEMBER WORK GROUPS HELPING OTHERS -ONE EXAMPLE THE YOUTH COMING TO THE FARM TO WALK THE CORNFIELDS AND CUT + REMOVE SHATTERCAN BEFORE IT RESEEDED.

I REMEMBER GROWING UP AND BORROWING SEEMED VERY COMMONPLACE - MAYBE WE WERE THE ONLY ONES? I REMEMBER COUNTLESS TIMES WE WOULD GO TO OUR BISHOP AND BORROW HIS EQUIPTMENT SINCE HE HAD A FARM AND A CHICKEN HOUSE - HE OWNED A SKIDLOADER - SKIDLOADER TRAILER AND PICKUP - BACK WHEN THEY WERE STILL A NEW CONCEPT OF EQUIPTMENT - TO EXPLAIN THE SHIFT - NOW MY FATHER HAS TWO SKIDLOADERS AND HIS OWN TRUCK AND TRAILER AND HAS MOST OF HIS OWN EQUIPTMENT SO THAT IT IS NOW HIM WHO IS LENDING INSTEAD OF BORROWING.

ALONG WITH THIS SELF SUFFICIENTCY : IS IT HAS AFFECTED OUR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE AND HAS PROMOTED A SUNDAY MORNING ONLY REQUIREMENT - WE ONLY NEED TO SHOW LOVE TO THE BROTHERHOOD WHEN WE ARE ON THE CHURCH PROPERTY AND THEN OUTSIDE OF THAT WE CAN LIVE AND DO AS WE PLEASE - SO THIS HINDERS US FROM BEING WILLING TO OPEN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES AND HOMES TO OTHERS SO THEY CAN SEE HOW WE REALLY LIVE AND FUNCTION DAY TO DAY.

SO HOW WILLING ARE WE TO SHARE:

TWO BOOKS I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT HAVE CHALLENGED ME - THE FIRST IS BY ROSARIA BUTTERFIELD AND HER BOOK TITLED : THE GOSPEL COMES WITH A HOUSE KEY IS A VERY CHALLENGING PRACTICAL LOOK AT HOSPITALITY - THE TERM SHE COINED - RADICALLY ORDINARY HOSPITALITY -SHE HAS REMARKABLE HISTORY : SHE FORMERLY WAS A LESBIAN - EARNED HER PHD. FROM OHIO UNIVERSITY - WAS A TENURED PROFESSOR OF ENLISH AND WOMENS STUDIES AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY AND ACTIVELY LOBBIED FOR LGBTQ+ LEGAL ADVANCEMENT ALONGSIDE HER LESBIAN PARTNER - WHILE RESEARCHING RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AND THEIR POLITICS OF HATRED SHE WROTE AN ARTICLE AGAINST PROMISE KEEPERS AND A PESBYTERIAN PASTOR (KEN SMITH) RESPONDED - SHE SAID HIS LETTER WAS THE KINDEST HATE MAIL SHE EVER RECIEVED - AND SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE INVITATION TO KEN AND FLOYS HOME FOR DINNER MULTIPLE TIMES TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR VEIWS AND THROUGH THAT SHE WAS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY. AND NOW PRACTISES HER OWN TABLE MINISTRY.

HOWEVER ;

IF YOU ARE NOT A BIG READER AND ONE WHO STRUGGLES TO FINISH BOOKS ONCE YOU START THEN THE 2ND ONE I WOULD SUGGEST FOR A SHORT READ WITH HELPFUL HINTS AND A STUDY GUIDE IS: THE HOSPITALITY COMMANDS BY ALEXANDER STRAUCH.

TURN TO LUKE 7:36-49 AWHILE .

SO WHERE DO WE START - WHY I DONT DO HOSPITALITY:

I DONT HAVE TIME

MY HOUSE IS TOO SMALL - NOT ADEQUATE - NOT SUITABLE TO HOST

I AM AFRAID OF FAILING - I AM INEXPERIENCED

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY -

I LACK DISCIPLINE AND ORGANIZATION TO PLAN AHEAD

I CANT AFFORD IT.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE EXCUSES -

ME FACTOR - MY PRIDE -AND SELFISH HEART.

QUOTE : IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HUMILIATE A TRULY HUMBLE PERSON.

SO HOW DO I START - LETS LOOK AT JESUS IN LUKE 7: 36-49 STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO WASHED JESUS FEET.

FOR THE SAKE OF TIME I AM NOT GOING TO READ THIS WHOLE STORY - BUT I WANT US TO LEARN THAT WE HAVE NO EXCUSE FROM THIS EXAMPLE.

Luke 7:36 “And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.”

THE GREEK WORD DESIRED HIM -ONE OF ITS MEANINGS: to interrogate; by implication. SO HAS THE IDEA IT WAS NOT AN INVITATION OF LOVE - BUT TO EVALUATE - TO JUDGE - TO POSIBLY SHOW JESUS UP OR TO MAKE HIM UNCOMFORTABLE?

DO WE EVER HAVE UN CHRISTIAN MOTIVES - FAILING TO LIVE AND ACT ACORDING TO Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

V37. THIS WOMAN FROM THE CITY - DID SHE HAVE A HOME - WAS SHE EVEN INVITED? - SHE WAS OUT OF PLACE - A STRANGER - WHAT DID SHE DO - SHE BROUGHT POSSIBLY THE TOOLS OF HER TRADE AND ANNOITED JESUS -WILLING TO GIVE OF WHAT SHE HAD - WE DONT EVEN KNOW IF SHE HAD A HOUSE OR ANYTHING.

V 39 - WHAT DID THE HOST DO - HE JUDGED IN HIS MIND - JUDGED JESUS AND THE WOMEN.

V 40 THEN JESUS TELLS A PARABLE - JESUS TAKES THE FOCUS OFF OF THE WOMAN AND TELLS A STORY WITH A SPIRITUAL MEANING .

V44 - JESUS POINTS OUT - WHO WAS THE REAL HOST TO JESUS - WHO SHOWEDJESUS ALL THE HOSPITALITY THAT WAS COMMON AND POSSIBLY EXPECTED IN THAT CULTURE - WAS IT THE HOLIER THAN THOU PHARISEE OR THE BROKEN WOMAN WHO’S ACTIONS ARE PROVING HER LOVE FOR HER SAVIOUR.

V 48 - WHO WAS BLESSED - THE ONE WHO KNEW THE LAW OR THE ONE WHO BY FAITH WAS SAVED.

Luke 7:50 “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

GO IN PEACE - WHAT IS MY EXCUSE - IS IT NOT (I) AND MY PRIDE - BACK TO MY LIST OF EXCUSES - ANYONE OF THESE EXCUSES COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE WOMAN - YET SHE TOOK THE TIME AND THE COST OF SHAME SHE RECIEVED FORGIVENESS AND PEACE -

HOW OFTEN ARE WE AN EXAMLE OF THE PHARISEE HOST?

THIS IS WHAT WE WILL RECIEVE IF WE EXSTEND CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND STRANGERS.

FOR PRACTICAL POINTS AND STEPS I WANT TO LOOK AT 3 AREAS OF HOSPITALITY - PERSONAL - FAMILY + CHURCH

FIRST - HOW DO I PRACTICE PERSONAL HOSPITALITY - IT BEGINS WITH ME AND MY DECISION AND ACTIONS AND FOR HOW TO DO IT? WE CAN LOOK TO JESUS - HE GIVES US MANY EXAMPLES.

LOVE OF CHRIST - A HEART FULL OF LOVE - ABLE TO SEE OTHERS AS CHRIST SEES THEM. Hebrews 13:1–2 “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

2. THE EMMAUS ROAD CHALLENGE -WALKING -TALKING AND DINING - JESUS WALKED WITH THEM - HE ASKED QUESTIONS: WHAT ARE YOU TROUBLED ABOUT - WHAT THINGS DISTRESS YOU? -NO JUDGEMENT, NOT A LECTURE OR BELITTLING FOR NOT KNOWING, HE THEN ANSWERED THEIR QUESTION BY EXPLAINING ALL THINGS -LUKE 24:30 - SAYS AFTERWARDS THEN HE SAT AT MEAT WITH THEM, TOOK BREAD, AND BLESSED IT AND BRAKE IT AND GAVE IT TO THEM - AND THEIR EYES WERE OPENED. CAN FOLLOW JESUS EXAMPLE AND PERSONALLY TAKE THE TIME TO WALK AND TALK AND DINE WITH DISTRESSED - HURTING AND SEEKING PEOPLE.

3. SAMARITAN ROAD CHALLENGE - WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL THINGS CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURE - OR HELP EVERYONE BUT ARE WE WILLING TO HELP OTHERS GET THE HELP AND CARE THEY NEED - OR DO WE LOOK AWAY - OR WALK BY WITH BLIND EYE AND DEAF EARS TO THOSE IN NEED AROUND US?

4. ONLY BY BEING FILLED WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST WE CAN BE READY TO EXSTEND HOSPITALITY ON OTHERS.

FEW SIMPLE THINGS THAT YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS CAN DO - YOU DO NOT NEED HELP FROM OTHERS

INVITE A COWORKER OR NEIGHBOR TO SHARE COFFEE OR TEA JUST TO LISTEN TO THEIR LIFE ( ASK THEM HOW THEY ARE “REALLY” DOING AND THEN BE QUIET AND TRULY LISTEN (PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY) ASK SOMEONE ABOUT THEIR PASSIONS AND HOBBIES AND LISTEN WITH INTEREST. I WAS BLESSED BY THIS AT COTTAGE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY - TALKED AFTERWARDS TO OLDER GENTLEMAN - TOLD ME A LOT OF THINGS FROM HIS OCUPATION - FAMILY - STRUGGLE OF HIS WIFES PASSING IN APRIL - ALL I HAD TO DO WAS LISTEN WITH A LISTENING EAR.

SEND A TEXT TO A FRIEND OR COWORKER TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR THINKING OF THEM AND THEIR DAY - PRAY FOR SOMEONE AND SEND A TEXT TO LET THEM KNOW ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE FACING SOMETHING NEW OR DIFFERENT.

OFFER TO WATCH A FRIENDS CHILDREN SO THEY CAN HAVE A BREAK

WRITE A PHYSICAL THANK YOU NOTE AND MAIL IT OR HAND IT TO THEM -RARE AND TREASURED GESTURE.

OFFER A RIDE TO SOMEONE WHO DOESNT HAVE A CAR.

GIVE GENUINE COMPLIMENTS TO COWORKERS OR A STRANGER. IF YOU SEE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING NICE SAY SOMETHING. WHEN PEOPLE DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN THEY THINK NO ONE SEES - BLESS THEM WITH A WORD.

KEEP A FEW BOTTLES OF WATER IN YOUR CAR TO OFFER TO SERVICE WORKERS OR SOMEONE IN NEED. I HAVE HANDED WATER TO THE NEEDY IN LANCASTER WHILE WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS - GOD BLESS AND HERE YOU GO.

OFFER TO HELP EDERLY NEIGHBORS WITH GROCERIES OR YARD WORK.

OPEN AND HOLD DOORS FOR THE PERSON BEHIND YOU.

SIMPLY BE AVAILABLE. SOMETIMES THE GREATEST ACT OF HOSPITALITY IS JUST SHOWING UP AND BEING THERE. DO NOT TRY TO DO EVERYTHING JUST PICK ONE THING FOR A WEEK AND LOOK FOR WAYS TO DO IT THEN ADD AS THEY BECOME SECOND NATURE -

SECOND - HOW DO WE AS FAMILIES BE HOSPITABLE - WHILE WE MAY HAVE GREAT ASPIRATIONS TO BE LIKE THE BUTTERFIELDS AND HAVE A TABLE MINISTRY FOR ANYONE TO JOIN IN - TO BE A SUPPORT TO THOSE AROUND AND SHOW GODS LOVE THERE ARE DIFFERENT SEASONS FOR FAMILIES TO BE HOSPITABLE - HOWEVER I WAS INSPIRED BY A STORY TOLD BY JIM PETERSON IN HIS BOOK (EVANGELISM IS A LIFESTYLE) ABOUT A YOUNG BRAZILIAN MAN HE HAD BIBLE STUDIES WITH FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE COMMITTING HIS LIFE TO CHRIST - SEVERAL YEARS AFTER MARIO’S CONVERSION JIM ASKED HIM IF HE KNEW WHAT MADE HIM DECIDE TO FOLLOW CHRIST - JIM WAS THINKING IT MIGHT BE THEIR MANY HOURS OF INTELLECTIAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SCRIPTURE. MARIO REPLIED - REMEMBER THAT FIRST TIME I STOPPED BY YOUR HOUSE - WE WERE ON OUR WAY SOMEPLACE TOGETHER AND I HAD A BOWL OF SOUP WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY - AS I SAT THERE OBSERVING YOU, YOUR WIFE, YOUR CHILDREN, AND HOW YOU RELATED TO EACH OTHER, I ASKED MYSELF, WHEN WILL I HAVE A RELATIONSHIP LIKE THIS WITH MY FIANCEE? WHEN I REALIZED THE WAS NEVER - I CONCLUDED I HAD TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN FOR THE SAKE OF MY OWN SURVIVAL.

PETERSON ALSO QUOTES BOB SMITH A PROFESSOR AT BETHEL COLLEGE AND WITNESS TO MUSLIM PEOPLE - HE SAYS: YOU KNOW 90% OF EVANGELISM IS SHOWING TRUE LOVE.

AS FRIGHTENING AS THIS MAY SEEM - THIS IS WHAT THE OUTSIDE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE - REAL EXAMPLES OF THE THE LOVE OF GOD IN ACTION IN OUR HOME - FATHER LOVING MOTHER AND THE CHILDREN AND RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND THE WORD LIVED OUT AS A FAMILY UNIT. NOT JUST PREACHED AND TALKED AND READ ABOUT.

FOR FAMILIES IT NEEDS TO BE A JOINT EFFORT - SOME PEOPLE CAN EASILY INVITE GUEST ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT AND OTHERS DONT HAVE THIS OPINION - SO PLAN AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT IT SO EVERYONE IS PREPARED. SET A SCHEDULED TIME POSSIBLY WEEKLY OR MONTHLY TO INVITE PEOPLE TO YOUR HOME - UNLESS YOU PLAN THIS INTO YOUR SCHEDULE, YOU MAY NEVER GET PAST THE GOOD INTENTION LEVEL TO THE IMPLEMENTAION LEVEL. SAYING THIS IS IMPORTANT, BIBLE SAYS TO DO IT, IT IS GOOD, THERE IS A BLESSING BUT WITHOUT A SCHEDULED PLAN YOU WILL BE BUSY THIS WEEK AND THE NEXT AND THE NEXT AND NEVER GET AROUND TO INVITING YOUR NON- CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS INTO YOUR HOME.

SUNDAY NOON IS GREAT FOR INVITING THE LORDS PEOPLE TO YOUR HOME - SO FIND ANOTHER TIME TO INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND CO-WORKERS AND STRANGERS.

MAKE A LIST AS A FAMILY OF POSSIBLE PEOPLE TO INVITE - THIS GROUP UNITY OPENS THE DOOR TO OPORTUNITY WHEN ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO OPEN YOUR HOME AND EXSTEND AN INVITATION.

HOLIDAYS ARE A GREAT TIME INCLUDE THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE WITH FAMILY FOR VARIOUS REASONS .

AS A FAMILY UNIT ALL HELPING THE INVOLEMENT IT IMPACTS YOUR CHILDREN AS TO SEE AND LEARN HOW YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE AND RELATE TO OTHERS AS YOU BRING THE OUTSIDE IN TO SEE GODS FAMILY.

IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO HAVE YOUR NEIGHBOR OVER THEN AS A FAMILY MAKE EXTRA BAKED GOODS OR MEALS TO SHARE AND THROUGH THAT CONTACT AND CONVERSATION YOU CAN LEARN WHO THEY ARE AND ASK IF THEY HAVE PLANS FOR HOLIDAYS OR TO COME OVER FOR A FIRE SIDE MARSHMELLOW ROASTING LATER ON TO BREAK THE ICE.

IF THE EXPENSE IS YOUR HESITATION THEN ALLOW OTHERS TO BRING FOOD ALONG: BE HONEST - WE ARE GRILLING HOTDOGS AND HAMBURGERS TONIGHT AND IF YOU WANT TO BRING A SNACK OR DRINKS YOUR WELCOME TO COME - OFTEN PEOPLE ARE MORE APP TO COME BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T ALLOW THEM TO HELP THEY MAY FEEL PRESSURED TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND DECLINE THE INVITE SO THEY DONT HAVE TO RECIPROCATE - THE CULTURE OF ENTERTAINING AND BEING INVITED TO OTHERS PARTIES DICTATES GUEST LIST IN SOCIAL CIRCLES.

OPENING OUR HOMES SHOWS OTHERS UNITY IN A DIVERSE AND CONFUSING WORLD - PEOPLE WILL HEAR TRUTH FROM THE PULPIT OF YOUR TABLE FAR BETTER THAN ANY PROGRAM AND SERMON BECAUSE IT COMES FROM A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING BACKED UP BY ACTION AND PROOF.

IN VARIOUS ACCOUNTS AND TESTIMONIES THE CHILDREN BEING INVITED FOR MEALS LED TO THE PARENTS WANTING TO BE PART OF THE REALTIONSHIP AS WELL BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HEARD AND SAW IN THEIR CHILDREN.

NOT TO BE A PRODUCTION OR PROGRAM - DEFINITLEY HAVE PRAYER - AFTERWARDS MAYBE SING A SONG OR HAVE A VERSE - THEN TAKE A WALK TOGETHER OR SOME GROUP ACTIVITY WILL DRAW YOU AND OTHERS TOGETHER.

COLLECT AND FILE A FEW QUICK INEXPENSIVE RECIPES FOR MEALS - MANY PEOPLE DONT PRACTICE BECAUSE OF NOT BEING PREPARED WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF - SO HAVE SOME FROZEN PIZZAS IN THE FREEZER OR ONE OF MY FAVORITES FROM MY WIFES PARENTS WHAT THEY CALLED LITTLE SMOKIES OR PIGS IN A BLANKET- LITTLE SAUSAGES BAKED IN CRESENT ROLLS FOR A LITTLE SNACK -

BE THE INITIATOR OF A GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR GATHERING OR PEOPLE ON YOUR STREET OR BLOCK - IF OTHERS ARE COMING PEOPLE FEEL MORE AT EASE AND NOT PRESSURED - HAVE A YEARLY EVENT IF POSSIBLE - IF YOU NEED A CRUTCH TO TAKE THE FOCUS OFF YOU THEN RENT A BOUNCE HOUSE OR BARREL TRAIN OR GAME OF HORSE SHOES OR CORN HOLE DEPENDING ON YOUR PROPERTY - AND THEN FOLLOW UP WITH PERSONAL INVITATIONS FROM CONNECTIONS MADE OR INTEREST SHOWN.

YOU DONT HAVE TO IMPRESS WITH SUMPTEOUS MEALS OR BE THE BEST ENTERTAINER - HOSPITALIYT IS TO BE A SERVICE TO OTHERS - NOT AN EGO INFLATOR.

THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT COULD BE SAID - AND I AM SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT BUT MAY NEED A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT TO SHIFT FROM INVITING THOSE WE KNOW TO INVITING NEIGHBORS AND STRANGERS.

HERE IS A STATEMENT BY KAREN B MAINS IN HER BOOK: OPEN HEART, OPEN HOME: SECULAR ENTERTAINING IS TERRIBLE BONDAGE, ITS SOURCE IS PRIDE, DEMANDING PERFECTION, FOSTERING THE URGE TO IMPRESS, IT IS A RIGOROUS TASKMASTER WHICH ENSLAVES. IN CONTRAST, SCRIPTURAL HOSPITALITY IS A FEEDOM WHICH LIBERATES

ENTERTAINING SAYS I WANT TO IMPRESS WITH MY HOME, DECORATING, COOKING AND THE LIST GOES ON -

HOSPITALITY SEEKS TO MINISTER - WITH A MESSAGE OF THIS HOME IS NOT MINE - IT IS A GIFT FROM MY MASTER AND I AM HIS SERVANT TO USE IT AS HE DESIRES. HOSPITALITY IS SERVING NOT IMPRESSING.

JESUS TELLS US HOW TO DO THIS IN LUKE 14: 12-15 IN THE FAMILIAR VERSES. IT SAYS WHEN - NOT IF OR BY CHANCE - THIS IS TO BE PRACTICED

Lu 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

15 ¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

DO WE GRASP THE BLESSING - EAT BREAD IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - HOW GREAT A JOY THAT WILL BE!

LASTLY -

HOW DO WE SHOW AND IMPROVE HOSPITALIYT IN OUR CHURCHES - AS I STATED EARLIER YOU DO A GREAT JOB OF SHOWING HOSPITALITY BUT IT IS GOOD TO HEAR SOME RADICAL IDEAS SOMETIMES TO GET US THINKING AND STRIVING TO DO BETTER ANOTHER DEFININTION OF THE PRACTICING HOSPITALITY IS STIVING OR PURSUING Romans 12:13

A COLD, UNFRIENDLY CHURCH CONTRADICTS THE GOSPEL - YET UNFRIENDLINESS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CRITISIMS PEOPLE HAVE OF LOCAL CHURCHES - IT DOESNT TAKE LONG FOR PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS “CHURCHY” LOVE AMONG CHRISTIANS THAT ENDS AT THE BACK DOOR OR THE PARKING LOT. BROTHERLY LOVE TAKES MORE THAN MEETING FOR 2 HOURS ONCE A WEEK WITH A LARGE GROUP.

HOW DO WE TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL - I DONT KNOW HOW YOU PRACTICE BUT I WOULD IMAGINE IT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO. SO HERE A SOME IDEAS.

LETS START OUTSIDE - KEEP YOUR SPACE CLEAN - YOUR BUILDING - THE PARKING LOT - THE ROAD OUT FRONT - PEOPLE MAY KNOW YOU DID NOT MAKE IT DIRTY BUT IF YOU NOTICE FOR SURE THOSE WHO VISIT SEEN IT LONG BEFORE YOU DID . AND THIS COMES INSIDE AS WELL - YOUR ENTRANCE, SANCTUARY, RESTROOMS, CLASSROOMS AND NURSERY TO KEEP VISITORS FROM BEING TURNED OFF OR UNCOMFORTABLE BEING THERE.

AN UNEXPECTED THING IS CAR PARKERS TO SHOW PEOPLE WHERE TO PARK - THEY CAN DO IT BUT IT SHOWS A HUMAN CONNECTION THAT THEY ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND WE ARE HAPPY THEY CAME - PLUS ANOTHER IDEA GIVEN WAS TO HAVE BIG/ HUGE UMBRELLAS ON HAND TO BE ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE DRY - IT IS UNEXPECTED AND SHOWS YOU CARE - MOST PEOPLE JUST DASH OR HOLD SOMETHING OVER THEIR HEAD BUT A CHURCH IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA WHO DOES THIS SAYS HOW MUCH PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE GESTURE AND MAKES PEOPLE SMILE ON RAINY DAYS!

HAVE GREETERS - NOT DOOR STOPS TO OPEN THE DOOR - AGAIN THE INVITING AND WELCOMING CONNECTION TO HELP VISITORS TO BE AT EASE AND CONNECTED TO SOMEONE READY TO HELP THEM FIND SEATS AND RESTROOMS OR CLASSES - MAYBE EXPLAIN THAT WE HAVE SEGREGATED SEATING - HOWEVER - THEY ARE WELCOME TO SIT AS A COUPLE OR FAMILY - THAT WE HAVE KNEELING PRAYER AND HOW WE SPLIT UP FOR CLASSES AND WHERE TO GO OR THAT THEY ARE WELCOME TO SIT WITH YOU IN CLASS. ALSO HAVING NAME TAGS FOR GREETERS AND USHERS AND VOLUNTEERS HELPS VISITORS KNOW WHO TO ASK FOR ASSISTENCE OR QUESTIONS -

WORD FOR THE USHERS - KEEP THE BACK ROW OR EASILY ACCESIBLE SEATS OPEN FOR VISITORS TO FIND EASILY - WE ATTENDED A CHURCH IN VIRGINIA AND THEY KEPT BOTH BACK BENCHES OPEN FOR VISITORS - NICE FOR DURING HOLIDAYS TO SHOW UP AND KNOW THEY HAVE A PLACE OPEN FOR YOU TO FILL AND PEOPLE CAN EASILY COME SAY HI AS THEY HEAD TO THE GREETING LINE AFTER THE SERVICE.

BACK TO GREETERS - I PERSONALLY LIKE THE WAY I BELIEVE LEBANON VALLEY DOES WITH THE HOST FAMILY BEING THE GREETERS SO THEY CAN INVITE VISITORS TO LUNCH. ALSO HAVING A HOSTESSS SCHEDULE SETUP IS IMORTANT SO THAT VISITORS AND VISITING SPEAKERS AND TEACHERS HAVE AN INVITATION TO GO TO HAVE A MEAL AND RELAX.

I HEARD OF A STORY OF A COUPLE FROM OUR CHURCH - OF WHEN AT THE END A SERVICE THE VISISING PREACHER AND THIS NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE ENDED BEING THE LAST AT CHURCH AND THE COUPLE REALIZED THE PREACHER HAD NO PLACE TO GO FOR LUNCH - NOT PLANNING FOR VISITORS THEY HAD NOTHING PREPARED TO EAT BUT INVITED HIM TO THEIR HOME ANYWAY - IF I UNDERSTAND A FEW THINGS WERE PUT TOGETHER TO EAT BUT THE MAIN COURSE WAS HOTDOGS - ARE WE READY HUMBLY SERVE IN HOSPITALITY?

MOST FOLKS WANT TO GIVE WHEN COMING TO A CHURCH SO MAKE IT OBVIOUS - IF YOU PASS AN OFFERING PLATE ANNOUCE WHAT ITS FOR OR HAVE IT LISTED IN THE BULLETIN. IF YOU HAVE OFFERING BOXES MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELL LABELED AND EASILY ACCESIBLE AND MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT WHAT ITS FOR. WE WERE VISITING A CHURCH OUT OF STATE AND I WANTED TO GIVE AND THEIR OFFERING BOX WAS NOT IN SANCTUARY OR MAIN ENTRANCE AND IT HAD TWO SLOTS - SO I WAS A LITTLE UNSURE HOW TO GIVE - IT WAS FINE - IT IS GOD’S MONEY - BUT MAKE IT EASY AND NOT ACKWARD FOR A VISITOR TO GIVE IF THEY WANT.

ALONG WITH THAT MAKE YOUR IFORMATION OR LITERATURE AREA AS INVITING AND ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE SO PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR DIRECTORY AND MINISTRY INFORMATION TO CHURCH CALENDER AND S.S. QUARTERLY. ANYTHING TO NOT MAKE PEOPLE SELF CONSCIENSE.

HOW DO WE DO WITH FOLLOW UP AT THE END OF THE SERVICE - ARE THERE PEOPLE IN LINE TO MEET THE VISITORS OR DO VISITORS GET LEFT STANDING ALONE TRYING TO DECIDE IF THEY SHOULD LEAVE -WITH THE JOY OF THE LORD ON YOUR FACE - START BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF WITH YOUR NAME AND ASK THEM THEIRS - THANK THEM FOR COMING AND BE INTERESTED IN THEM BUT NOT PROBING ON PERSONAL INFORMATION - THINGS LIKE IF THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO ATTENDS SO YOU CAN MAKE A CONNECTION OR WHERE THEY LIVE ARE EXPECTED QUESTIONS AND IF YOU CAN INTODUCE THEM TO THE NEXT PERSON TO KEEP THEM FROM FEELING ACKWARD OR INCLUDE OTHERS IN A GROUP THEN MORE CONNECTIONS AND CONVERSATION CAN FLOW.

MAKE SURE YOU INVITE AND WELCOME VISISTORS AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF EVERY SERVICE - VISITORS OFTEN COME LATE SO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THEY ARE WELCOME AND WANTED IF THEY MISSED THE OPENING . NEW PEOPLE ALWAYS THINK THEY ARE THE ONLY VISISTORS BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW WHO ELSE IS A REGULAR - REFRAIN FROM SAYING TO THOSE WHO ARE HERE FOR THE 1ST TIME - WE WANT NEW PEOPLE TO KEEP COMING BACK - NOT SINGLED OUT - WANT THEM TO FEEL CELEBRATED -WELCOME AND APPRECIATED - LET THEM DECIDE WHEN THEY ARE NOT A VISITOR AND A REGULAR.

ONE QUICK PLUG FOR GREETINGS - FOR SOUTHERERN AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES - THEY GREET WITH A HUG - MULTIPLE TIMES WE ARE TOLD TO GREET EACH OTHER WITH A HOLY KISS - I BELIEVE THIS WAS VITALY IMPORTANT TO THE EARLY CHURCH AS ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE WERE WELCOMED INTO THE CHURCH BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST - HOW DO WE PRACTICE SHOWING OTHERS THIS LOVE AND BELONGING THAT THE WORLD IS SEEKING?

MORE CAN BE SAID - BUT I HOPE THIS GIVES YOU A RENEWED DESIRE TO EXSTEND CHRISTIAN HOSPITALY PERSONALLY AND AS A FAMILY UNIT AND CHURCH FAMILY.

IS IT IMPORTANT? - LIKE I READ EARLIER - THE BLESSING OF DOING THIS IS TO DINE WITH GOD

ALSO IN Matthew 25 31-46 WHERE WE KNOW THE ACCOUNT OF THE JUDGEMENT WHEN THE KING AS A SHEPHERD SEPERATES THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS - AND THOSE WHO SHOWED HOSPITALLY BY FOOD - A DRINK - CLOTHING AND VISISITATION - WERE REWARDED WITH EVERLASTING LIFE.

Matthew 25:45–46 “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

SO DOES CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY MATTER - YES - WITHOUT IT WE WILL FACE EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.

CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY IS NOT OPTIONAL, IT IS A MATTER OF OBEDIANCE TO GOD.

MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO SERVE HIM AS YOU LIVE OUT INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY.