Value 4: Intentional Hospitality

Manuscript Template

Title:  Value 4: Intentional Hospitality

Focus Statement:  

Function Statement:  

Tweetable Phrase:  

Main Text:  Genesis 18:1-8

Supporting Text:  

Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus):  Matthew 25:35, Luke 10:1-12, Luke 9:1-6, Acts 4:32-37

Benediction:  3 John 5-8

WELCOME

Good morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.

‌Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.

And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.

ME/INTRO - Tension

I want to start today by addressing some rumors that I’ve heard circling around about myself...that relate to today’s topic.

Apparently people are saying about me that I am incapable of saying “no” when asked to do something, and people have started asking me to do things through Andrea as a filter to make sure a “yes” is okay.

This rumor is true.

I was raised by two parents who grew up on farms. Both of them learned from an early age, that if you can do something yourself you should.

They passed that down to me. If I can do something, I will do whatever I can to say “YES”.

This value was re-enforced when I had kids and started reading all the parenting books. Overwhelmingly they all said, it is a good thing to “try to find a way to say YES” as much as possible.

So that’s what I do, I say “yes”, and hate when I have to say “no” to people.

The second rumor I’ve heard go around about myself is that I hate asking for help.

This is also true.

This was brought to the forefront last week, when the toilet in the kid’s bathroom started leaking. I’ve never changed a toilet out so I turned the shut off valve and thought I’d have time to figure it out, until it turned out the shut off valve was also leaking.

Not knowing how to replace a toilet or PEX shutoff valve, I called a plumber. They quoted me $1,400, which I quickly (and as politely as possible) said “no thank you”.

I knew the valve was $10-15 and a new toilet was $100-200 depending on what you buy. I couldn’t justify a $1,200 bill for 1 hour of a plumber’s labor. It seemed irresponsible.

It was at that point, I heard someone lovingly say, “if you’re going to do this yourself, you should ask for help”

You can probably already see where this is going...YouTube!!!

Whereas I have never replaced a toilet, I had YouTube and thought, how hard can it be. I’ve done other things, this can’t be harder than those things. And if they sell toilets at Menards, they expect replacing them to be easy enough to do yourself.

So, I did what any rational person would do...

I watched a 4-minute YouTube video on replacing a toilet and with my newfound knowledge went to Menards.

I got a valve / toilet / non-wax ring (because I don’t like to be dirty) / and a tool to cut the PEX tubing to get the old valve off and assumed I’d be fine.

Multiple hours and some quality control from Andrea double checking the instructions that come with the stuff later, the bathroom was back in working order.

I’m not sure what my problem is, but I do hate asking for help.

I’ll watch hours of YouTube videos and do loads of research just to avoid asking for help.

And when help is offered by people, I feel really bad accepting it.

For example, when we first moved down here to Kansas, we packed everything in the UHAUL (because I didn’t think we needed help from a moving company), drove all day to get down here, arrived around 6 PM to about a dozen of you in our driveway eager to help.

Whereas that was amazing of you, and we truly do appreciate it, I felt terrible that you were spending your time helping me and my family move heavy awkward stuff out of the moving truck when you could have been doing something more enjoyable.

In situations like that I feel tons of pressure to outwork everyone, so people don’t feel that I’m taking advantage of their kindness.

Mentally, I know that these things aren’t true

Most people do want to help others

Most people don’t feel used while they’re helping

Most people don’t look down on someone for asking for help

In the middle of my plumbing adventure last weekend, Andrea even asked me, “do you feel taken advantage of when people ask you for help?”

To which I said, “no”

She then replied, “then why would you think they feel taken advantage of when you ask them for help?”

That question can probably only be answered after a long time with a therapist.

WE - Tension

Does anyone else struggle to ask for or receive help?

Does anyone feel awkward when offered hospitality?

If you look up the definition of Hospitality, we see it defined as someone who is generous, kind, and friendly toward others

Let me be clear, the hospitality that you all have shown my family since we came down to KS has been a true blessing.

The kindness and generosity is far beyond what anyone could deserve or hope for.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you.

But hospitality is something that we are all called to give and receive.

The bible is full of verses telling us that we’re supposed to be hospitable.

Romans 12:13 NIV

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Peter 4:9 NIV

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Hebrews 13:2 NIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Most of us find it easy to show hospitality, so why do we find it so hard to receive hospitality from others?

My question for us to day is...

How does God want to shape our hearts with regards to showing hospitality to others, and receiving hospitality from others?

This is the question I’d like to talk about today as we continue our series titled “The 5W’s of Church”

We’re in week 5 of our 7 week series, we’re going to go over our church’s mission, vision, and values to answer

WHY - THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH exists

WHO - we are as a local expression of the church, The Light KC

WHAT God is calling us to do as His church

WHY we feel God put The Light KC WHERE He has in Overland Park, KS

and...HOW - we as the church feel called to live out the mission and vision God has given us

I hope you’ll be able to join us each and every week for this series as we break down the mission, vision, and values that a group of 16 of you came up with earlier this year and look forward to what that means for us and our collective future.

Week 1 we discussed our Mission and Vision. To review:

Mission (Why we exist)

To reflect the light of God’s love and grace to everyone, everywhere, at all times.

Vision (Who we hope to be)

To be the family of God, where all people are welcomed, loved, invited into a saving relationship with Jesus, and sent to live out their God-given purpose.

We’re currently walking through our values, that spell out the ACRONYM F.A.M.I.L.Y.

We’ve discussed

F: Faith Fueled

A: Action Oriented

M: Missionally Minded

Today we’re going to talk about our fourth value: Intentional Hospitality

F: Faith Fueled

A: Action Oriented

M: Missionally Minded

I: Intentional Hospitality

If you missed the previous messages, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.

To see what God has for us on the topic of hospitality, I’d like to take a look at a short story about Abraham in Genesis 18

We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.

AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.

Let's dive in.

GOD - Text

This story in Genesis is one of those, that when you read it, it just feels crazy.

Everything that happens is so far from what I would expect to happen.

When I run into stories like this, that I just can’t imagine what the characters are thinking, or can’t imagine that I would / could act similar to the characters, I always stop.

I typically find there is something in these stories that God has for me (and hopefully all of us) to help me grow in my faith.

Let’s start in Genesis 18:1 with Abraham sitting in his tent in the heat of the day. It reads...

Genesis 18:1–5 NIV

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

I don’t know about you, but I was taught not to talk to strangers, and definitely not to let them in the house. Even to this day, when a solicitor comes to the house, I step out onto the porch and close the door behind me.

Beyond that, I don’t sit by the front door of my house ever. Sometimes I see people who have chairs on their porches, but I never see anyone sitting in them, nor do I think I would want to do that. Why would I stare at the street. When I get home, I go inside, shut the door, and sometimes lock if after me, and don’t expect people to come over to my house unexpected.

When unexpected people do come to my house, I don’t react like Abraham did. Typically the only people that come to my house without me knowing ahead of time are the kid’s friends (which is fun), or people trying to sell something. Lately we’ve been getting lots of companies that want to spray the yard for bugs. Like I said, I don’t invite them in. I don’t give them something to drink, or get them something to eat. I politely say that I spray the house every quarter myself and we haven’t had any issues. Then they go on their way.

But...

In Abraham’s time, Jesus’ time, and even today in the middle east, hospitality is not for people just trying to be nice.

Hospitality is a right that everyone expects and relies upon for survival.

In the middle east there are three types of Wilderness

Midbar - this translates to uncultivated place - it is where shepherds would take their flocks to graze - this is the desert the bible talks about where people would meet with God - Moses (burning bush), Israelites (40 years wandering), Elijah (Mt Horeb), Jesus (40 days fasting and temptation by the devil), Paul (after Damascus road experience) - This is where you can survive without help

Tziyuh - this translates to dry / thirsty land - it’s harsher than Midbar - it gets very little rain - Here survival is only possible with help

Yeshimon - this translates to wasteland / devastation - this land is barren / uninhabitable - Here you cannot survive here at all, even with help.

The reality of the nomadic lifestyle of the people who live in the middle east, is that without everyone helping everyone else (showing each other hospitality), nobody would survive.

Hospitality from a middle east perspective is defined a little different than the previous “western” definition we had.

Hospitality in the middle east is defined as, when the civilization of a people has advanced so far that some traveling has become necessary, but not yet so far that traveling by individuals is a usual thing, then hospitality is a virtue indispensable to the life of the people.

Hospitality in the middle east was a right of the traveler that the host could not refuse, because the host knew that they would soon require someone else to show them hospitality.

The host must put aside any personal feelings, even hatred, for the person and defend the guest against anyone who came for them - this includes differences because of racial origin, religious beliefs, or even actions they’ve taken - people who murder someone can be fleeing from someone seeking revenge and still have the right to hospitality

The host was bound to provide for the needs of the traveler - water / food / lodging

Here Abraham, whereas acting strangely from our perspectives, acted exactly as anyone in his circumstance would have.

Andrea and I experienced this when we went to Egypt.

We were in the Sinaia Peninsula and the guide we were with stopped so we could meet a nomadic Bedouin people. They immediately had us sit down and served us tea.

[picture of Bedouin - tea]

the guide was very quick to tell us that if we finished what we were given it would be refilled. It was fine if we wanted more, but when we were done, we needed to leave some in the bottom of the glass.

As we were drinking the tea they started making bread. We had never experienced this before. Right in front of us they started mixing the flour, oil, water, and salt.

[picture of Bedouin - bread mixing]

They then proceeded to put the bread dough directly in the fire and cover it with ashes. Personally I was a little taken aback by this, but they seemed confident in what they were doing.

[picture of Bedouin - bread fire]

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to eat it, but I did, and it was delicious.

After reading Genesis 18 and having the experience in the Sinaia, I think God has something to teach us here.

Abraham was sitting by the door of the tent, waiting and watching to see if anyone was coming who was in need.

The Bedouin people in the middle east, even today, are always ready to receive guests.

I think God is trying to teach us that...

Hospitality begins with looking - noticing the needs of the people around us.

So I ask you...

Are you paying attention to the people around you?

Are you actively looking to see if there are needs; big or small, that you can help with?

It’s amazing how even a small act of kindness can mean a lot to someone.

I was in Sams the other day and someone was struggling to get one of those huge TVs on their flatbed cart. I offered 10 seconds of my life to help. Not only were they overly grateful, but my kids all noticed and commented as if I had done something amazing.

If we’re actively looking around us for the needs of others, small acts of kindness should become common events in our lives.

But Abraham is not done. Let’s continue in Verse 6.

Genesis 18:6–8 NIV

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

For perspective 3 seahs of flour is 36 lbs.

Abraham didn’t do the minimum required of him, he provided a feast.

He also chose the choice most tender calf that he had, not the small sickly calf.

Remember there were only 3 people, yet Abraham went above and beyond.

I think God is trying to teach us that...

Hospitality is generous and unmeasured.

So, turning the mirror back on ourselves.

When we have people over to our houses, how generous are we?

When we see someone in need, do we do the minimum, or do we bless them lavishly?

Do we give to the needy out of our excess, or use our generosity to show the lavish / immeasurable love of God?

The passage takes a turn away from the visitors, and toward Sarah and Abraham.

Genesis 18:9–15 NIV

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Here the visitors give a prophesy that Sarah will have a son within the next year. Keep in mind, Sarah is 90 years old when this happens.

We don’t show hospitality (generosity, kindness, or friendship) to others to get something in return, but...

… often God uses our acts of selfless kindness as the start of something great in our lives.

God’s greatest work often begins in the space we make for others.

This has been true in my life. The greatest moments of spiritual growth has come from time when I volunteer, serve, or follow a conviction from the Holy Spirit to reach out to someone in need.

YOU - Takeaway

So, if you were to do a survey of your life what would you find?

Time

How do you use your time?

Is it focused on you and your family and what you want?

Are you actively listening for the Holy Spirit to guide you to the needs of others that you can help?

Talent

What are you good at?

Who in your life could benefit from learning what you already know?

What’s stopping you from offering to help?

Treasure

When you give, is it out of your excess?

Or do you give lavishly, reflecting God’s generous love?

Where is the Holy Spirit convicting you to generously bless as we enter this holiday season?

WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action

We’ve focused on the Abraham in the Old Testament, but we see this pattern of hospitality throughout the New Testament as well.

Jesus sends out the 12 in Luke 9.

Luke 9:1–6 NIV

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Notice how Jesus sends the disciples out with nothing, expecting on the generosity of others to meet their needs as they travel.

This is repeated when Jesus sends out the 72 in Luke 10.

Luke 10:1–4 NIV

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

Hospitality is something that Jesus expects us to extend to others, but graciously accept from others as well.

I think Jesus sums it up best in Matthew 25:35

Matthew 25:35 NIV

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

As the church, we should be always ready to extend help to others, but we also need to be a people who are not shy about asking for help when needed either. The church needs to be a place where we can come and be honest about where we’re at, what’s going on in our lives, and openly share the real needs that we have. If we’re going to be the church that I feel God is calling us to be, we need to be a place where we can be vulnerable about our shortcomings, non-judgmental of others, and lovingly help each other in every way that we can.

What could God do through us if we all showed the hospitality of the church in Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32–35 NIV

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Hospitality isn’t just what we do—it’s who we become as we allow the love of God to live in us and flow through us.

Hospitality should be a way of life, not an infrequent kind act we extend when we feel cornered.

We are called to be a hospitable people.

If we’re going to summarize our fourth value, I would do it like this...

Value #4: At The Light KC, we will be a church united by our love for God and our desire to serve Him and build His Kingdom. We will show everyone Intentionally Hospitality; generosity, kindness, and friendship. We will actively listen for and be ready to respond when the Holy Spirit guides us to the needs of others. We will not be a church that does the minimum to help, but we will reflect God’s love by being generous and blessing lavishly. Because we know that God’s greatest work, saving us from our sins through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, often starts with friendship born from an act of hospitality.

PRAYER 

Will you join me in prayer...

SONG 

As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who needs God this week. The steps are open for you to pray to the God who is with you, who loves you, you wants to give you His peace.

‌

You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.

BENEDICTION 

3 John 5–8 NIV

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

This week...

Let’s put aside any pride we feel, humble ourselves, and accept that we need help.

Let’s humbly ask for help when we need it, and graciously accept help when it is offered.

Let’s be ready to help others, actively looking for needs and listening to the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s not just help by doing the minimum, but reflect the immeasurable love of God through our generosity.

Let’s be intentional with the hospitality that we show others and accept from others.

Quick reminder...

Apache ES - Thank you cards for teachers - lobby right after service

TONIGHT - Oct 12th - Chief’s vs Lion’s at my house

Oct 16th - Missions Night - I highly encourage everyone to come

October 18th - KC 1/2 Marathon for some of us

October 29th - Prayer Workshop

November 6th - Care Portal - response team training

Digging Deeper Bible Study - Wednesday at 6 PM - Programming for all ages

If you’re new, please stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.

I hope you have a great week.

Go in peace.

You are dismissed.

DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)

Can you think of a time you received help unexpectedly? How did it impact you?

Why do you think people struggle to ask for help?

Why do you think it's important to both give and receive hospitality?

What does it mean to you to graciously accept help from others?

How does the story of Abraham's hospitality challenge your own views on helping others?

What steps can you take to better reflect God's love through hospitality in your daily life?

How can you practice hospitality among your friends and community?

How can you create an environment in your home that encourages hospitality?

In what ways can our church community embody the value of intentional hospitality?

What are some creative ways to show kindness to others in your school or community?