LET HOSPITALITY BE YOUR SACRED DUTY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY DECEMBER 19, 2021.

SUBJECT : LET HOSPITALITY BE YOUR SACRED DUTY!

Memory verse: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13 vs 2.)

READ: Genesis 18 vs 1 - 5:

18.1: Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.  

18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,  

 18:3: and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.  

 18:4: Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.  

18:5: And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 

 

INTIMATION:

Hospitality is an act of reception and entertainment of strangers or guests without reward or with kind or generous liberality. Speaking biblically, hospitality is treating strangers and friends alike. It is welcoming one another into our homes and lives. Hospitality is a sacred duty. It is a constant and consistent theme throughout the Bible. God commanded the Hebrews to remember their exile and oppression in Egypt and allow it to motivate hospitality to foreigners: “The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19 vs 34.)

Jesus’ advice that you should do to others as you would have them do to you is a command of hospitality. (See Matthew 7 vs 12.) The Scripture in First Peter 4 vs 9 is specifically about Christians allowing Christian workers, traveling ministers and fellow followers of Jesus to stay in their homes as they traveled. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” It also highlights a general biblical principle to love one another sacrificially, as serving one another is akin to serving Christ. (Matthew 24 vs 34 - 46.) Therefore, being hospitable is tantamount to serving Christ.

In the passage we read today, Abraham was eager to show hospitality to these three visitors. In Abraham’s day, and even this day, 

a person’s reputation is largely connected to his hospitality—the sharing of home and food. Even strangers were to be treated as highly honored guests. Meeting another’s need of food or shelter still is one of the most immediate and practical ways to obey God. It is also a time-honored relationship builder. We like Abraham, might actually entertain angels. This thought should be on our minds the next time we have the opportunity to meet stranger’s needs.

Christian hospitality focuses on the quests’ needs, such as a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or just acceptance. A Christian has no excuses for not being hospitable. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.

Some people say they cannot be hospitable because their homes are not large enough or nice enough. But even if you have no more than a table and two chairs in a rented room, there are people who would be grateful to spend time in your home. Are there visitors to your Church with whom you could share a meal? Do you know single people who would enjoy an evening of conversation? Is there any way your home could meets the needs of traveling missionaries? Hospitality simply means making other people feel comfortable and at home.

Hospitality is a lost art amongst many people today. We should do well invite more people for meals—fellow church members, young people, traveling missionaries, those in need, visitors. This is an active and much-appreciated way to show your love.. in fact, it is probably more important today. Because of our individualistic, self-centered society, many lonely people wonder if anymore cares whether they live or die. If you find such a lonely person, show him or her that you care! 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to be hospitable to strangers, guests, and neighbors. I know that in doing this, I am serving You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!