I. Introduction

Before we begin tonight I would like you to talk to me a little bit. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Maybe it is the Gospel of John, maybe the book of Isaiah, maybe Psalm?

Each of us probably has our favorite book of the Bible. For me my favorite book is Psalms. I enjoy reading the songs, prayers and praises found in the Book of the Psalms. Yet, I’m sure as much as we all treasure having God’s Word in our common language there are those books that we just don’t get very excited about. That is why I was surprised when God lead me to go to the book of Leviticus for our devotion time tonight.

Leviticus probably falls on to at least some of our lists of least exciting books. That is why I questioned God, “Are you sure this is where you want me to go?” “Don’t you know we are a New Testament church and this is Wednesday Night when we focus on prayer?” In response to that God said to me what he said to Abraham, “Put your faith in me and where I lead you.” He also said that same thing to Moses.

Since we have moved into this building we have seen over three hundred visitors come through those front doors. Some have made professions of faith and been baptized, some have join through transfer of letter, and some have joined through statement of faith. How often I have heard people state there are so many new people in our church I just can’t keep up with them. Let me assure you the staff is making those same comments.

In addition, we have heard comments such as, “How do I get to know the other church members, how to I connect with what is going on here?” These are real questions that we as members of this congregation need to ask ourselves. How do we connect with the new members, how do we connect with the visitor?

II. Hospitality and Leviticus

Kevin has a saying that he uses, “People don’t want a friendly church they want a church where they can make friends.” This is where we as members come in.

Hospitality refers to the relationship process between a guest and a host, and it also refers to the act or practice of being hospitable, that is, the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, with liberality and goodwill. The question that must be posed where in the Bible does it speak of how we are to treat those we might define as new members or visitors? Open your Bible and turn to Leviticus chapter nineteen. Before we actually look at the text a small comment concerning Leviticus and how it is structured. In the Book of Romans we find that chapters 1-11 are about content or doctrine and chapters12-16 are about application. Ephesians chapter 1-3 is about instruction and chapters 4-6 are application. Leviticus has a similar structure; chapters 1-16 are about the law and chapters17-27 are about applications. Our text found in chapter 19 falls in the application portion of Leviticus.

Our text tonight is found in Leviticus 19: 17-18; 33-34. Jesus told a young man when asked what the two most important principles of the law are, he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Second to that is you should love your neighbor as yourself.” The second principle comes from right here in the 19th chapter of Leviticus. In addition, we find instruction on how to treat strangers. (READ TEXT)

Over the course of tonight and next Wednesday we are going to look at, (1) What the Bible says concerning hospitality, (2) examples of people illustrating Biblical Hospitality in the Old Testament, and (3) next week look at examples of people illustrating Biblical Hospitality in the New Testament.

In our text for tonight we see God instructed Moses that Israel should love their neighbors as themselves. In addition they should treat the visitor or the new member of their community as one of their own family. Before we look at some examples in the Old Testament of Biblical Hospitality let me pose a question to you. Who was that first person that you connected with when you were a visitor or a new member? In addition, what kind of love did that person’s actions come from? As Bill and Katy Wells comes now to sing for us ask yourself the question, “Who has shown you love more than anyone?”

III. Old Testament examples of Biblical Hospitality

Several Old Testament personalities set a good example for all believers in the practice of hospitality.

A. These included Abraham (Gen. 18:1–8);

He greeted them.

He feed them

He gave them water to wash their feet

He walked with them as they departed

B. David (2 Sam. 6:19);

David shared food with the whole nation of Israel

C. the Shunammite woman (2 Kin. 4:8–10);

She feed Elisha every time he came by

She and her husband made up a room for him

D. Psalm 23 concludes with a portrait of a host who prepares a table for the weary, anoints the head of the guest with oil, and shows every kindness so that the guest’s cup runs over. The psalmist sees the Lord Himself as Host; His hospitality exceeds all others.

IV.Prayer Time

Tonight as we break up into our small groups I want us to focus on praying for the many new members and the visitors. I know there are many prayer needs but for this moment I ask you to pray for our new members and visitors. Maybe you know someone that is a new member or a visitor, pray for them, if you don’t pray for them as a collective group. Also commit to be more active in reaching out to our new members and visitors. If you could hear some of the comments I hear as I go about contacting these people on Monday nights, these people are very kind and very loving. They truly appreciate us reaching out to them. After it looks like most of us have finished I will lead us in a closing prayer followed by Jennifer leading us in a closing song.

V. Conclusion

God has called us of the Family of God to reach out to the visitor and to new members as if they were a part of our own family. Next week we will conclude our study by looking at examples of Biblical Hospitality in the New Testament.