Jesus taught in various homes (Luke 5:27-32; etc.).

1. Jesus taught in various homes (Luke 5:27-32; etc.). • Jesus criticized for eating with sinners (Luke 15:1-2). • Lord’s supper (Luke 22:14-23). • Jerusalem church met from house to house (Acts 2:46) • Peter criticized for eating with Gentiles (Acts 11:3). • Peter and Barnabas withdrew from Gentiles (Gal 2:12). • Withdrawing from disorderly (1 Cor 5:11). • Church met in home of Priscilla & Aquila (Rom 16:5). • Lydia opened her home to Paul & Silas (Acts 16:15). • Elders & widows qualifications (1 Tim 3:2; 5:10). • Jesus’ promise to those who open the door (Rev 3:20). • Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:6-10).

3. Hospitality The Love of Strangers

4. Abraham’s Hospitality Genesis 18

5. Characteristics • Inconvenient • he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day v. 1 • Respectful • he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth v. 2 • Eager • if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant v. 3

6. Characteristics • Simple • Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread v. 4-5 • Humble • since you have come to your servant v. 5 • he stood by them under the tree while they ate v. 8

7. Characteristics • Zealous • Abraham went quickly v. 6 • “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! v. 6 • Abraham ran to the herd… and gave it to the young man, who prepared it quickly. v. 7

8. The Challenge! Inconvenient Respectful Eager Simple Humble Zealous Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

9. God’s Hospitality Leviticus 19

10. Love for Strangers When a stranger sojourns with you… v. 33 You shall treat the stranger… as the native v. 34 for you were strangers in the land of Egypt v. 34 I am the LORD your God. v. 34; see Ex 20:2

11. What Were We? • Ephesians 2:11-22 • Gentiles in the flesh v. 11 • separated from Christ v. 12 • alienated from the commonwealth v. 12 • strangers to the covenants of promise v. 12 • no hope and without God v. 12 • you who were far off v. 17 • strangers and aliens v. 19

12. The Challenge “Bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” Luke 14:21 • Luke 14:12-14 • The poor • The crippled • The lame • The blind • Not your relatives or “rich neighbors” • Those who “cannot repay you”

13. Our Hospitality 2 Corinthians 8

14. Eager Love for Strangers abundance of joy v. 2 overflowed in a wealth of generosity v. 2 beyond their means v. 3 begging us earnestly for the favor v. 4

15. Overflowing Grace grace of God v. 1 act of grace v. 6 see that you excel in this act of grace v. 7 you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ v. 9

16. The Challenge! Joyful Generous Overflowing Beyond means Honored Sanctified I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. v. 8 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. v. 12

18. Lifestyle Adjustments Twelve Ways to Make Hospitality a Habit

19. Build hospitality into the budget. • Plan a monthly hospitality day. • Think strategically about holidays. • Practice paper plate hospitality. • Take hospitality on the road. • Greet strangers at church. • Use the empty nest as an opportunity. • Embrace singleness. • Team up with someone else. • Pray for your guests • Involve kids in hospitality • Keep a guestbook.