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Come Into My House. A Bible Study of Hospitality. Hospitality: Then and Now. “The hospitality of today, by which is meant the entertainment of friends or relatives, hardly comes within the Biblical use of the term as denoting a special virtue” (ISBE, Vol. 3, p. 1433). What Is Hospitality?.
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Come Into My House A Bible Study of Hospitality
Hospitality: Then and Now “The hospitality of today, by which is meant the entertainment of friends or relatives, hardly comes within the Biblical use of the term as denoting a special virtue” (ISBE, Vol. 3, p. 1433)
What Is Hospitality? • Hospitality (Latin, hospitium, lodging; hospitale, a house, inn; hospitalia, strangers’ apartments; hospitalis, a guest; hospitare, to receive as a guest; hospes, a host) • Hospitality = the friendly and generous entertainment of guests • Related words: hospice, hospitable, hospital, host(ess), hostage, hostel(er), hotel
What Is Hospitality? • Xenia = Greek meaning “lodging” (Acts 28:23; Philemon 22) • Xenizo = Greek meaning “to entertain; receive as a guest; to lodge” (Acts 10:6,18,23,32; 21:16; 28:7; Heb. 13:2) • Xenodokeo = Greek meaning to “lodge [receive] strangers” (1 Tim. 5:10)
What Is Hospitality? • Xenos = Greek meaning “stranger” (Mt. 25:35,38,43,44; Rom. 16:23; 3 Jn. 5) • Philoxenia = Greek meaning “love of strangers” (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2) • Philoxenos = Greek meaning “to exhibit hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9)
What Is Hospitality? • Philagathos = Greek meaning “lover of good” (Tit. 1:8) • Philanthropia = Greek meaning “love toward men” (Acts 28:2) • Philanthropos = Greek meaning “love toward men” (Acts 27:3) • Philophronos = Greek meaning “courteous” (Acts 28:7)
What Is Hospitality? • Hupolambano = Greek meaning “to receive; welcome; entertain” (3 John 8) • Sunago = “take in; receive hospitality” (Mt. 25:35,38,43)
What Is Hospitality? • Meanings conveyed from the original Greek words… • Attitude: lover of good, courteous, welcome, generous • Action: feed, rest, entertain, lodge, shelter • Audience: guest, friend, neighbor, stranger, the poor
Old Testament Examples • Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8) • Lot (Gen. 19:1-11; see Judg. 19:22ff) • Rebekah (Gen. 24:15-27) • Ruel (Ex. 2:16-22) • Israelite (Deut. 10:13-19; 15:11) • Manoah (Judg. 13:15) • Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:8-13) • Nehemiah (Neh. 5:17ff) • Job (Job 31:16-23,31-32) • Worthy woman (Prov. 31:20)
Old Testament Examples • Why was this provided? • Nomadic culture, travel inns were rare • What was provided? • Bread, water, meat, curds, milk • Feet washed, head anointed with oil, rest • Animal fodder, water • Accommodations, protection, asylum
New Testament Examples • Matthew (Lk. 5:29-32) • Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-35) • Simon the tanner (Acts 10:5-6,23) • Cornelius, Lydia & the Jailor (Acts 10:48; 16:15,34,40) • Philip & Mnason (Acts 21:8,16) • Barbarians & Publius (Acts 28:1-10) • Philemon (Philemon 22) • Gaius (Rom. 16:23; 3 Jn. 5-8; cf. Lk.10:7)
New Testament Examples • Why was this provided? • Persecution scattered Christians • Itinerate preachers • Poverty, poor public assistance • Low standard inns • What was provided? • Food • Care for the body • Lodging (Gr. kataluma, inn, guest room; Lk. 2:7; 22:11; pandokion(kus); Lk. 10:34-35)
Who Is to Be Hospitable? • Elders (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) • Widows (1 Tim. 5:10) • All Christians (Mt. 25:35,40; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb. 13:2) • No one is exempt from showing hospitality! • Note: The work of hospitality is the work of the individual, not the local church (Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 11:22,34)
To Whom is Hospitality Shown? • Brethren, one to another (1 Pet. 4:9) • Strangers (Heb. 13:2) • The poor (Lk. 14:12-14) • Note: No social hospitality is shown to the unrepentant Christian (1 Cor. 5:9-13), the idolater (1 Cor. 10:14-22), or the false teachers (2 Jn. 9-11; 1 Jn. 4:1ff)
How and Where Do We Show Hospitality? • Given to (pursuing) hospitality • With love (note Rom. 12:9; Heb. 13:1 and 1 Pet. 4:8) • Without murmuring, complaining • Not looking for a recompense • In our home • Outside our home (Lk. 10:35; Mt. 25:35-36)
Why Some Are Not Hospitable • Not willing to associate with certain kinds of people (prejudice) • Not willing to care for the needs of others (uncompassionate, unloving) • Not willing to sacrifice time, money or energy to prepare (selfishness) • Not willing to be generous (greedy; Prov. 22:9; Acts 20:35; Eph. 4:28)
Why Some Are Not Hospitable • Not willing to trust anyone (cynical) • Not willing to be available and connected with others (disconnected) • Personal family ties only • Work, school, hobbies, etc. • TV, cell phones, IPods, etc. • “Life in the fast lane…”
Helpful Hints of Hospitality • Eliminate excuses • Can’t cook? Buy it • Shy or timid? Have others present • Small house? Start with a few • Single? Have a mixed group • Non-Christian spouse? Go out with others • Ashamed? Embarrassed? God sees our heart, not our house
Helpful Hints of Hospitality • Set some goals • Plan, purpose, and pray, set dates • Create occasions to be hospitable • Involve your children • Determine to serve all the members here • Determine to serve visitors (gospel preacher, non-member visitors, new converts, foreign evangelists) • Save up and send money or supplies to poorer brethren in other countries • Go when invited by others
Why Be Hospitable? • Fulfill the NT command to be hospitable • Provide encouragement, support, needs, refreshment • Reflect stewardship • Show your faith and love to others (Jas. 2:15) • Place yourself in a position of honor later • Serve Jesus himself (Mt. 10:40; 25:40; Lk. 24:29-31) • Be rewarded in the judgment day (Mt. 25:31-46; Lk. 14:14)