1. Come Into My House A Bible Study of Hospitality

2. Hospitality: Then and Now “The hospitality of today, by which is meant the entertainment of friends or relatives, hardly comes within the Biblical use of the term as denoting a special virtue” (ISBE, Vol. 3, p. 1433)

3. What Is Hospitality? Hospitality (Latin, hospitium, lodging; hospitale, a house, inn; hospitalia, strangers’ apartments; hospitalis, a guest; hospitare, to receive as a guest; hospes, a host) Hospitality = the friendly and generous entertainment of guests Related words: hospice, hospitable, hospital, host(ess), hostage, hostel(er), hotel

4. What Is Hospitality? Xenia = Greek meaning “lodging” (Acts 28:23; Philemon 22) Xenizo = Greek meaning “to entertain; receive as a guest; to lodge” (Acts 10:6,18,23,32; 21:16; 28:7; Heb. 13:2) Xenodokeo = Greek meaning to “lodge [receive] strangers” (1 Tim. 5:10)

5. What Is Hospitality? Xenos = Greek meaning “stranger” (Mt. 25:35,38,43,44; Rom. 16:23; 3 Jn. 5) Philoxenia = Greek meaning “love of strangers” (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2) Philoxenos = Greek meaning “to exhibit hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:9)

6. What Is Hospitality? Philagathos = Greek meaning “lover of good” (Tit. 1:8) Philanthropia = Greek meaning “love toward men” (Acts 28:2) Philanthropos = Greek meaning “love toward men” (Acts 27:3) Philophronos = Greek meaning “courteous” (Acts 28:7)

7. What Is Hospitality? Hupolambano = Greek meaning “to receive; welcome; entertain” (3 John 8) Sunago = “take in; receive hospitality” (Mt. 25:35,38,43)

8. What Is Hospitality? Meanings conveyed from the original Greek words… –Attitude: lover of good, courteous, welcome, generous –Action: feed, rest, entertain, lodge, shelter –Audience: guest, friend, neighbor, stranger, the poor

9. Old Testament Examples Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8) Lot (Gen. 19:1-11; see Judg. 19:22ff) Rebekah (Gen. 24:15-27) Ruel (Ex. 2:16-22) Israelite (Deut. 10:13-19; 15:11) Manoah (Judg. 13:15) Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:8-13) Nehemiah (Neh. 5:17ff) Job (Job 31:16-23,31-32) Worthy woman (Prov. 31:20)

10. Old Testament Examples Why was this provided? –Nomadic culture, travel inns were rare What was provided? –Bread, water, meat, curds, milk –Feet washed, head anointed with oil, rest –Animal fodder, water –Accommodations, protection, asylum

11. New Testament Examples Matthew (Lk. 5:29-32) Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-35) Simon the tanner (Acts 10:5-6,23) Cornelius, Lydia & the Jailor (Acts 10:48; 16:15,34,40) Philip & Mnason (Acts 21:8,16) Barbarians & Publius (Acts 28:1-10) Philemon (Philemon 22) Gaius (Rom. 16:23; 3 Jn. 5-8; cf. Lk.10:7)

12. New Testament Examples Why was this provided? –Persecution scattered Christians –Itinerate preachers –Poverty, poor public assistance –Low standard inns What was provided? –Food –Care for the body –Lodging (Gr. kataluma, inn, guest room; Lk. 2:7; 22:11; pandokion(kus); Lk. 10:34-35)

13. Who Is to Be Hospitable? Elders (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8) Widows (1 Tim. 5:10) All Christians (Mt. 25:35,40; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Heb. 13:2) No one is exempt from showing hospitality! Note: The work of hospitality is the work of the individual, not the local church (Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 11:22,34)

14. To Whom is Hospitality Shown? Brethren, one to another (1 Pet. 4:9) Strangers (Heb. 13:2) The poor (Lk. 14:12-14) Note: No social hospitality is shown to the unrepentant Christian (1 Cor. 5:9-13), the idolater (1 Cor. 10:14-22), or the false teachers (2 Jn. 9-11; 1 Jn. 4:1ff)

15. How and Where Do We Show Hospitality? Given to (pursuing) hospitality With love (note Rom. 12:9; Heb. 13:1 and 1 Pet. 4:8) Without murmuring, complaining Not looking for a recompense In our home Outside our home (Lk. 10:35; Mt. 25:35-36)

16. Why Some Are Not Hospitable Not willing to associate with certain kinds of people (prejudice) Not willing to care for the needs of others (uncompassionate, unloving) Not willing to sacrifice time, money or energy to prepare (selfishness) Not willing to be generous (greedy; Prov. 22:9; Acts 20:35; Eph. 4:28)

17. Why Some Are Not Hospitable Not willing to trust anyone (cynical) Not willing to be available and connected with others (disconnected) –Personal family ties only –Work, school, hobbies, etc. –TV, cell phones, IPods, etc. –“Life in the fast lane…”

18. Helpful Hints of Hospitality Eliminate excuses –Can’t cook? Buy it –Shy or timid? Have others present –Small house? Start with a few –Single? Have a mixed group –Non-Christian spouse? Go out with others –Ashamed? Embarrassed? God sees our heart, not our house

19. Helpful Hints of Hospitality Set some goals –Plan, purpose, and pray, set dates –Create occasions to be hospitable –Involve your children –Determine to serve all the members here –Determine to serve visitors (gospel preacher, non-member visitors, new converts, foreign evangelists) –Save up and send money or supplies to poorer brethren in other countries –Go when invited by others

20. Why Be Hospitable? Fulfill the NT command to be hospitable Provide encouragement, support, needs, refreshment Reflect stewardship Show your faith and love to others (Jas. 2:15) Place yourself in a position of honor later Serve Jesus himself (Mt. 10:40; 25:40; Lk. 24:29-31) Be rewarded in the judgment day (Mt. 25:31-46; Lk. 14:14)