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Redeemer Church Mauritius
A Culture of Hospitality - Phil Kendon
What do we mean by a culture of hospitality? Well, throughout the history of the bible, hospitality has been a characteristic of the people of God. We find stories in the Old Testament where hospitality is just assumed by strangers approaching a city and passing through. There are so many benefits to the practice of hospitality – one unusual one being the possibility of entertaining angels unawares!
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
1. A culture of hospitality
Judges 19:14–17 (NIV)
So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night. That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
Judges 19:20–21 (NIV)
“You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.
- The natural characteristic of the people of God is to be hospitable.
Judges 19:14–17 (NIV)
So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them in for the night. That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields. When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
Judges 19:20–21 (NIV)
“You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.
- The natural characteristic of the people of God is to be hospitable.
2. More than a meal
2 Kings 4:8–10 (NIV)
One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”
- A simple act of hospitality can become a life changing supernatural experience.
2 Kings 4:8–10 (NIV)
One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”
- A simple act of hospitality can become a life changing supernatural experience.
3. Hospitality changes lives
Acts 18:24–28 (NIV)
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
- Hospitality creates a platform for mentoring and discipleship.
Acts 18:24–28 (NIV)
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
- Hospitality creates a platform for mentoring and discipleship.
4. A gift of hospitality can change a whole church
Romans 16:23 (NIV)
Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
- A gift of hospitality sets everyone at ease and makes people feel like they belong.
Romans 16:23 (NIV)
Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.
- A gift of hospitality sets everyone at ease and makes people feel like they belong.
5. There is power in collective hospitality
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
- When we work together the power of hospitality is multiplied.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
- When we work together the power of hospitality is multiplied.
Let's Apply It:
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
1 Peter 4:9 (NIV)
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
1 Peter 4:9 (NIV)
