TEA FOR TWO- Practicing Christian HOSPITALITY

1. We are exhorted to PRACTICE hospitality (biblical mandate) a. PURSUE it “Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.” (Romans 12:13 GNB) “…. imparting to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.” (Rom12:13 LITV) b. LOVE it “But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;……” (Titus 1:8 KJV)

c. Do it CHEERFULLY “Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins. Welcome people into your home and don't grumble about it. Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” (1 Peter 4:8-11 CEV) “Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.” (1 Peter 4:9 MSG) d. QUALIFICATION for a church leader “A church leader must be without fault; he must have only one wife, be sober, self-controlled, and orderly; he must welcome strangers in his home; he must be able to teach;” (1 Timothy 3:2 GNB)

2. Benefits………. (BLESSINGS of doing it) a. We might entertain ANGELS unawares “Continue to love each other. Don't forget to show hospitality to believers you don't know. By doing this some believers have shown hospitality to angels without being aware of it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2 GW) b. We will find CHRIST and His deeper fellowship “I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me a drink; I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.' Then they will answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.' These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life." (Matthew 25:42-46 GNB)

c. Keeps us “OTHERS” focussed d. NATURAL way to share Christ/Natural way to get to know the needs, passions and longings of others.

3. MASTERING the Art of Christian hospitality Keep It PLAIN Be AUTHENTIC REQUEST A Dish MEN this is your responsibility FISHING Pond events ANNOUNCE the Desire to be informal Smile, Joke, TELL Stories USE Your Regular Dishes ASK for Help SHOW Pictures PREPARE the Kids PRAY PLAN it

COMMITMENT Marilyn will help us get organized. Either: 1.Stay behind and register NOW 2. Place your family name on the register on the notice board and Marilyn will contact you