1. Open hearts, open homes - hospitality
1 Peter 4:7-11

2. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

3. What is hospitality?
Meeting with the Young Adults yesterday at Philip Island – an example of hospitality

4. Why offer hospitality?
It is commanded v.9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling
To all Christians – Romans 9:9-13
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

5. Why offer hospitality? To all elders and pastors – who is hospitable
To widows – who shows hospitality
To aliens – do not mistreat them, but treat them as your own
To travellers – expected to be invited into your home

6. Why offer hospitality? It is an important command
It is the outworking of our salvation
v.10 - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God

7. Why offer hospitality? It develops community Koinonia
Acts 2:  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

8. Why offer hospitality? Hospitality is a witness to the world
John 13:  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

9. Why we don’t offer hospitality?
It takes allot of work
The house is messy
There’s a difference between entertaining & hospitality
Busyness
We bare have enough for ourselves, let alone for others

10. What kind of hospitality can we do?
Sunday lunch
Working Bee
Church Camp
Christmas Outreach