DATE: 14th June, 2020
THEME: REWARD FOR BEING HOSPITABLE
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 18:1-15
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:8
PSALTER: PSALMS 100:1-5
INTRODUCTION
Today we are looking at a story of hospitality shown to some strangers. Hospitality is essential to the Christian life, as walking and talking are to physical life. It has its root in God and it is found in the scriptures as one of the things that indicate that you are a child of God.
By way of definition, hospitality is, “The act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality” (American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1830). This is what the Bible says about hospitality: 1 Peter 4:8-11.
Hospitality affords you the opportunity to touch other lives, promote peace within the church and families, witness and encourage those who are labouring for the Kingdom. Also it helps you to uphold those who are suffering, and comfort those in the midst of trials. What a privilege to be used of God for such important things!
BODY
A. HOW BEST DO YOU PRACTICE HOSPITALITY?
Hospitality must be practiced without GRUMBLING. It could amount to pride, if you feel compelled when you are asked to serve others. But hospitality rendered with a truly humble spirit, without pretense or pride, is a beautiful manifestation of the work of the Spirit of God in the lives of His people.
B. BE EAGER TO SHOW HOSPITALITY
Abraham sees strangers and was so eager and delighted to show hospitality to them. There are some people who love to offer hospitality. The whole church, every member, is encouraged to show hospitality.
C. IT MUST BE OUR CHOICE TO OFFER HOSPITALITY
I notice that the three men say nothing. They don’t come to Abraham and ask him to provide a meal for them. They don’t ask him for money. They simply are there. They give to Abraham the freedom to invite them or to ignore them.
Hospitality is a matter of opening our home and heart to another, it is not hospitality if it is done out of guilt or fear. We can only give hospitality if we give with absolute freedom.
D. OFFER HOSPITALITY WITH NO STRINGS ATTACH.
There are many reasons for offering hospitality.
▪There is the hospitality that is offered because it is what society expects.
▪There is the hospitality done to impress.
▪There is the hospitality offered because you want something back from it.
▪There is the ‘you rub my back and I’ll rub yours’ hospitality.
Abraham offers hospitality with no strings attached. He doesn’t want anything from the three strangers. It is not done from fear or the hope of reward. He is not offering it because he wants them to join his church. He doesn’t even offer it because he wants to get to know them.
Abraham offered these strangers hospitality because he saw three people in the middle of the desert. They had, he assumed, been walking for quite some time. He saw three people who had a need.
E. HOSPITALITY IS DISRUPTIVE
Abraham was sitting in the shade in the heat of the day. He had probably been out in the field in the morning, and now he was having a breather. And he sees these three people, standing there. He hadn’t invited them. He didn’t know them. And he already had plans for his afternoon.
The main reason why we do not offer hospitality to people in need is because we are unwilling to have our plans disrupted.
This ministry of hospitality to those in need will be disruptive, it will be costly and it will involve taking risks. We need to be open to the fact that, if we are a follower of Jesus, there will be times when we see people in need, and we will know we have to do something. And it will disrupt our plans.
F. TRUE HOSPITALITY HONOURS YOUR GUEST
Abraham honours his guests. He goes far beyond what would have been expected. He runs to them, bows before them, provides choice flour and chooses a tender and good calf. He stands while they eat. Abraham treats these strangers as messengers of God.
Hebrews 13.2 tells us that when we show hospitality to strangers, we may without realising it be, be showing hospitality to angels (messengers) of God.
They have come to Abraham for a purpose. They have come to bless him.
G. THE REWARD FOR HOSPITALITY
Hospitality is regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues.
The relationship between host and guest was SACRED.
The real practice of hospitality makes people feel they belong. It makes people feel special, important, and warmly welcomed into your life – not just your home! It’s receiving strangers like they are family, and communicating through your words and actions that they are well worth your time and effort.
A welcome goes beyond words; it creates a feeling of care and gives a sense of pleasure.
God always rewards the faithful service that is rendered to Him. In Abraham’s case, He does this by reassuring Abraham regarding the birth of Isaac.
APPLICATION
In rendering hospitality consider the following:
A. The Quickness of Your Hospitality- Abraham springs into action speedily trying to supply every need of his heavenly visitors. He may be 100, but there is no hesitation as he flies from one task to the next, until all is completed. Here is a man who recognized his duty and set about to do it as quickly as possible!
B. The Quality of Your Hospitality -Not only was Abraham swift in his service to the Lord, but he was also sacrificial in his service to the Lord. He went to his flock and personally selected, killed and prepared a calf for their meal. YOU HAVEN’T REALLY BECOME A SERVANT UNTIL YOUR SERVICE COSTS YOU PERSONALLY.
C. The Quietness of Your Hospitality – While his visitors were eating their meal, Abraham stood quietly by to serve them in any way they might need. He simply stood beside them, adopting the pose of a servant, listening for the voice of his Lord! Imagine the reaction of Abraham’s servants as they watched him assume the role of a servant to the Lord. What a powerful testimony it was to them! By the way, others are watching! Make sure your service and testimony are all they should be.
CONCLUSION
Precious One! Our calling is is to hospitable. Let’s do this with care and love for God will surely reward us. Enjoy the Service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL YAW DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA, ACCRA
