Voyage September 28 (3)

Intro: The Harbor

“There is an emanation from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be described, but is immediately felt and puts the stranger at once at his ease.”—Washington Irving

Think of a time when the kindness of another person/persons ministered to you in a significant way.

When the kids gave me Mother’s Day breakfast in bed.

What happens when we give heartfelt service to others?

We show God’s love and value in a tangible way.

What else can a simple act of kindness do?

Opens heart to the truth of the gospel

Giving: Time, money and efforts speaks and touches people—it costs us something to serve others.

Chores

Errands

responsibilities that inconvenience us but helps them--

What message does this send?

Harbor of Hospitality

Acts 27:3 NLT

3 The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs.

Put yourself in Paul’s shoes for a moment:

What was his situation?

Prisoner—limited provisions

Little control over the details of his life

Reliant on others for basic needs

Do you think he could have felt a bit heavy hearted?

What did God do?

Provided friends to provide for him

Broken feet/food

Julius—extended friendship and trust to Paul

**Hospitality extended by fellow Christ-followers brought him comfort and encouragement.

Isn’t it encouraging to know that God knows just when we need to pull away from the journey and spend time with friends and loved ones?

Hospitality from the Heart

**At times God provides compassionate hospitality for us, and at times He asks us to provide hospitality for others.

Matthew 25:35–36 NLT

35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

God calls us to offer harbor hospitality to help others—who need shelter, rest, —this Scripture is how Jesus describes this type of hospitality.

Anna and her humble apartment

We can easily find ourselves more concerned with the impression we will make than with the needs we might meet.

Anna—opened her home—she prepared and she shared

She communicated—she valued them

Offering Godly Hospitality

True Hospitality:

Opens the door of my heart (host) first with the decision to serve and love others well

Heart attitude—lets guest know we care/want them to feel welcome in our home

Happens when we welcome from our hearts

True hospitality seeps into the bones and souls fo those who make their way through the doors of our homes and into our hearts.

Godly Hospitality:

Truly Care

Need to serve—effort, planning, forethought/intentionality

Sacrifice—time, possibly money

Joy unto Jesus—or its no gift at all

Willing to open our private world/lives **Hospitality requires humility to let people in

We don’t need riches—just a willingness to share what we do have —little becomes much when we allow God to use us.

Has God ever asked you to extend hospitality to someone when it was difficult for you? How did you overcome your challenges?

What details of hospitality make you feel comfortable, loved , and welcomed?