The Ministry of Hospitality

The Ministry of Hospitality

What comes to mind when you hear “hospitality”?

• • One Definition: “Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re at home, even if you wish they were.” -Steve Swartz
  • General Idea: An intentional decision to be kind, welcoming, and focused on others.

Recap: Koinonia Message Series

• • Today: Koinonia requires us to be gracious hosts to the people God sends our way.

Some churches do this well!

• Other churches have a “friendliness gap.” There’s a gap between how friendly they think they are and what guests actually experience.
• Many first time guests decide within about 10 minutes if they are going to come back. First impressions matter!

Hospitality Is a Tangible Way to Pursue our Mission.

• Our Mission — Glorify God, love others, make disciples.
• Loving others and making disciples involves making Southwest a warm, welcoming place where people can grow in faith.
• By loving others and welcoming them, we also glorify God (Matthew 25:34-40).

Romans 12:9-12

• Be devoted to one another in love.
• Honor others above yourselves. 

Key Point: Hospitality is an attitude just as much as an action. It starts with the decision to honor others, serve them, and focus more on what you can give (rather than get).

• “It’s hard to throw stones if you’re busy washing feet.”
• Hospitality helps protect our hearts against a critical, bitter, or judgmental spirit. 

Romans 12:13-16

• • Hospitality is a command, not a suggestion. See also Heb. 13:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:9; 3 John 1:8.
  • If we are not practicing hospitality in whatever way we are able, we are neglecting something God calls a necessity.

What is Biblical Hospitality?

Literally, it means “To Love Strangers”

• Greek: Philoxenia.
• Philos = Brotherly love, affection.
• Xenos = Stranger, foreigner, outsider.

Hospitality in Hebrews 13:1-2

• 13:1 — Love your brothers / sisters
• 13:2 — Love the stranger (philoxenia)
• “Angels”—  See Gen. 18 — Abraham hosted three strangers who turned out to be angels.

The Opposite of Hospitality: Xenophobia

• Phobia = Fear, suspicion

Back to Romans 12:13-14

• Statement #1: Share with God’s people
  • Statement #2: Practice Hospitality
• Statement #3: Bless your enemies.

Hospitality is a “bridge” between loving our friends and loving our enemies. 

The Importance of Hospitality

• It’s a command for all Christians.
• It’s a requirement for elders (Titus 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 3:2).
• It was a habit of the early church (Acts 2:46)
• It protects against the harmful effects of loneliness and isolation — which are considered a nationwide health epidemic.

Paul’s Example (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

• Paul was devoted to sharing the Gospel message. But he was just as passionate about investing in the lives of his brothers and sisters.
• What would it be like at Southwest if we following Paul’s example?

Application

Remember: You don’t need a big house to practice hospitality. You just need a willing heart.

Ideas:

1. Have someone over to your home.
2. Invite yourself over to someone’s house (just like Jesus did).
3. Go out for coffee or a meal with someone.
4. Practice it at church — Make this the most welcoming, hospitable church in Omaha!

Study & Reflection

1. Did it surprise you to find out that the word hospitality literally means “To Love Strangers”? Why or why not?
2. Bryan mentioned that hospitality is a tangible way for us to pursue our mission of glorifying God, loving others, and making disciples. In your own words, how does hospitality relate to each part of that mission?
3. Why do you think some churches struggle with a “friendliness gap” — the idea that they think they’re friendly, but outsiders don’t necessarily experience that?
4. Read Luke 10:38-42. What does this short story teach us about fellowship and hospitality? 
5. One of the points from Mary and Martha’s story is that the quality of the connection seems to be more important than the actual logistics of gathering. How can we apply that principle to our gatherings?
6. Hospitality involves both attitude and action. How would you describe the heart or attitude of an especially hospitable person? 
7. What kinds of specific actions could a person take to practice hospitality?
8. Paul (and others) commanded the early church to practice hospitality, knowing that many of them did not have homes that could easily accommodate guests. How do you think those Christians were able to participate in that ministry?
9. What are you willing to do to help make Southwest a more hospitable church for our guests? How can you put that into practice?
10. If you have time, I highly recommend you read the following article on how Christians can practice hospitality: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/hospitality.