2. The Love of Strangers

3. Genesis 18

4.  Inconvenient he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day v. 1  Respectful he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth v. 2  Eager if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant v. 3

5.  Simple Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread v. 4-5  Humble since you have come to your servant v. 5 he stood by them under the tree while they ate v. 8

6.  Zealous Abraham went quickly v. 6 “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! v. 6 Abraham ran to the herd… and gave it to the young man, who prepared it quickly. v. 7

7.  Inconvenient  Respectful  Eager  Simple  Humble  Zealous Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

8. Leviticus 19

9.  When a stranger sojourns with you… v. 33  You shall treat the stranger… as the native v. 34  for you were strangers in the land of Egypt v. 34  I am the LORD your God. v. 34; see Ex 20:2

10.  Ephesians 2:11-22 Gentiles in the flesh v. 11 separated from Christ v. 12 alienated from the commonwealth v. 12 strangers to the covenants of promise v. 12 no hope and without God v. 12 you who were far off v. 17 strangers and aliens v. 19

11.  Luke 14:12-14 The poor The crippled The lame The blind “Bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” Luke 14:21

12. 2 Corinthians 8

13.  abundance of joy v. 2  overflowed in a wealth of generosity v. 2  beyond their means v. 3  begging us earnestly for the favor v. 4

14.  grace of God v. 1  act of grace v. 6  see that you excel in this act of grace v. 7  you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ v. 9

15.  Joyful  Generous  Overflowing  Beyond means  Honored  Sanctified I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. v. 8 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. v. 12

16. Twelve Ways to Make Hospitality a Habit

17. 1.Build hospitality into the budget. 2.Plan a monthly hospitality day. 3.Think strategically about holidays. 4.Practice paper plate hospitality. 5.Take hospitality on the road. 6.Greet strangers at church. 7.Use the empty nest as an opportunity. 8.Embrace singleness. 9.Team up with someone else. 10. Pray for your guests 11. Involve kids in hospitality 12. Keep a guestbook.