2001-03-25 - Passages About Hospitality

What is hospitality? It is a smile given to a lonely, shy student who walks to class with her head downcast. It is giving up your usual seat during a church service, to sit beside a visitor. It is reaching out to new co-workers, helping them "learn the ropes" and not expecting them to know things people haven't yet taught them. It is making visitors to your home feel like royalty. Today we will see some of the Bible's passages about hospitality.

Hebrews 13:2 (NASB) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Romans 12:10-13 (NASB) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NASB) A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Titus 1:7-9 (NASB) For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Acts 16:14-15 (NASB) A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.'' And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 28:1-2 (NASB) When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

Galations 4:13-14 (NIV) As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Jan

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