{"id":32598,"date":"2022-09-10T16:15:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/table-talk-practicing-biblical-hospitality\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:15:48","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:15:48","slug":"table-talk-practicing-biblical-hospitality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/table-talk-practicing-biblical-hospitality\/","title":{"rendered":"Table Talk: Practicing Biblical Hospitality"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tony Merida<\/em><\/p>\n

What are some of your favorite meals of all time? I don\u2019t just mean the food, but the occasion.<\/p>\n

Most of the time, people recall certain experiences with friends, family, and some type of festivity. It\u2019s rarely just the food they remember.<\/p>\n

Why is this? Deep within us, we all long for good food and drink with family and friends, in which there\u2019s conversation, joy, and love. All of these experiences are pointing us toward the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n

I believe hospitality is essential for understanding the nature of God and the mission of God. It\u2019s why, when we started Imago Dei Church in Raleigh almost two and half years ago, we had a goal of creating a culture infused with evangelism and hospitality.<\/p>\n

Why practice hospitality as a church? <\/p>\n

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1. To reflect God\u2019s hospitality.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s welcoming character is displayed throughout Scripture. In the Garden, God provided Adam and Eve with everything, including fellowship, food and a home. After they sinned, He provided clothing to cover them. In Exodus, God provided manna for the Israelites in their wanderings. Later, God led them to the promised land\u2014a land flowing with milk and honey.<\/p>\n

Throughout the Old Testament, God welcomes, establishes, feeds, protects, nourishes and instructs his people with gracious hospitality.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Jesus shows us a picture of gracious hospitality in numerous ways. Throughout the Gospels, He eats with sinners, receives children, and teaches us to invite the lowly to parties and to welcome strangers.<\/p>\n

At the last supper, Jesus tells his disciples He will make room for them in His Father\u2019s house: \u201cI am going away to prepare a place for you\u201d (John 14:3). After His resurrection, Jesus prepares a breakfast for His disciples and eats with the Emmaus disciples.<\/p>\n

Finally, God\u2019s hospitality is on full display in the book of Revelation. Heaven is divine hospitality! We who deserved misery have received mercy, and have the holy joy of dwelling with our God forever.<\/p>\n

Whether we realize it or not, we long for the great Messianic feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb.<\/p>\n

2. God\u2019s servants have passed on a legacy of gracious hospitality. <\/p>\n

In Genesis, Abraham entertains three guests, one of whom is the Lord. Later, Joseph welcomes and cares for his brothers and others in a famine. Rahab demonstrates hospitality by offering protection and lodging to Israelite spies. Boaz feeds the hungry. Nehemiah shows us a picture of the hospitality of a leader, providing for 150 men at his table.<\/p>\n

In the New Testament, God\u2019s people are urged to continue this legacy of caring for strangers. When Jesus sent His twelve apostles out to minister in Matthew 10:9-11, hospitality to God\u2019s messengers was built into the mission. He emphasizes its importance saying, \u201cThe one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent me\u201d (Matthew 10:40). Passages like 1 Peter 4:9 and Romans 12:13 exhort all Christians to practice hospitality.<\/p>\n

Hospitality is a marvelous theme that runs through the Bible. Because God is a host who has welcomed us into the kingdom, we should imitate Him and welcome others into our lives and homes.<\/p>\n

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See also  3 Practical Steps for Reaching the Mission Field in Your Neighborhood<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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3. Practicing hospitality is a practical way to \u201clive as a missionary.\u201d <\/p>\n

At Imago Dei we continue to reinforce the idea that \u201ceveryone is a missionary.\u201d Every new member at Imago Dei is commissioned as a missionary to the city of Raleigh. We want our people having meals with their neighbors.<\/p>\n

By sharing a meal a few times a week and combining that with a passion for Jesus, you\u2019ll be living on mission. You may find that lives are changed by simply asking, \u201cDo you want to come over for a barbecue on Thursday?\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Authentic ministry involves not only sharing the gospel, but also the sharing of our very lives.<\/p>\n

Hospitality is a practical way to combine mercy ministry and evangelism. Our homes are a place to welcome others the way Jesus has welcomed us.<\/p>\n

In the ministry of Jesus, meals were occasions for displaying revolutionary love, radical grace and kingdom mission. Those who have experienced Jesus\u2019 gracious hospitality should extend the same type of gracious hospitality to others. The only response to grace is grace upon grace.<\/p>\n

As you practice hospitality and encourage others to do the same, allow me to offer two exhortations.<\/p>\n

Invite outsiders to your feasts (Luke 14:12-14). I find most Christians fellowship well with other Christians, but they don\u2019t necessarily do well at hospitality with those outside the church.<\/p>\n

Jesus says to give preference to the poor and vulnerable. So when you look at your invitation list ask yourself: where\u2019s the single mom, the kid down the street, the broken, the abused? Express love to the marginalized in real, authentic, Christ-like ways.<\/p>\n

Invite outsiders to the King\u2019s feast (Luke 14:15-24). What a privilege to invite others to the King\u2019s table. It\u2019s sometimes surprising who will respond to His gracious invitation. Let us display this revolutionary love though gospel hospitality.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not difficult to show someone you care and develop a relationship that leads to gospel conversations. Be genuine. Ask them questions about themselves. Talk about grace. Tell your story. Serve them. And then invite them to the ultimate feast.<\/p>\n

Have you practiced kingdom hospitality? Built relationships? Invited others into your home? Gone for coffee and shared the gospel?<\/p>\n

How about the people in your church? Are they practicing gospel hospitality?<\/p>\n

Opportunities for hospitality evangelism<\/strong><\/p>\n