Practice Hospitality
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Rom 12:9-13)
1. Meeting Human Needs
A. Who are the “poor”?
·Humble; oppressed; helpless; afflicted; unfortunate; financially destitute; homeless; bowed down; weak; needy; widows & orphans.
·(Deu 15:11) There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
·(Deu 24:14) Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns.
·(Job 31:19) if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment,
·(Psa 72:12) For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
·(Psa 72:13) He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
·(Psa 74:21) Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
·(Psa 109:16) For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.
·(Isa 41:17) "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
B. What is the role of the government?
- Tax & spend? Welfare? Build dependency?
or,
- Encourage self-reliance! Enforce parental responsibility! Build self-esteem! Promote free enterprise!
C. What is the Christian’s responsibility?
·(Col 3:12) Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
·(James 2:15-16) Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
·(1 John 3:17) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
D. What promises does God give to those who meet the needs of others?
·(Psa 41:1) Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
·(Prov 21:13) If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
·(Luke 12:33) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
2. Practicing Hospitality
A. What does God require?
·(Rom 15:7) Accept [receive] one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
·(Heb 13:2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
·(1 Pet 4:9) Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
B. What examples of hospitality are found in Scripture?
C. What blessings can we expect from being hospitable?
·Abraham = received a son (Gen. 18)
·Lot = was saved from Sodom (Gen. 19)
·Shunemite Woman = son was raised from the dead (2 Kings 4)
·Emmaus disciples = understood the resurrection (Luke 24)
