PART VI: DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT: THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY
GENESIS 18:1-10
INTRO: MOTHER/DAUGHTER STORY . . .
QUESTION: GIFT OF HOSPITALITY
HOSPITALITY – THE SPECIAL ABILITY THAT GID GIVES TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST TO PROVIDE AN OPEN HOUSE AND WARM WELCOME FOR THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD, LODGING, AND OTHER BASIC LIFE NECESSITIES.
LIKE WITH MOST GIFTS, WE ALL HAVE BEEN CALLED TO DISPLAY TO SOME DEGREE A REASONABLE PORTION A HOSPITABLE ATTITUDE.
MATTHEW 10:42 “IF WE GIVE A CUP OF WATER TO THE LEAST . . . REWARDED.”
MATTHEW 25:34-46 (FEED, THIRSTY, HOMELESS, NAKED, SICK, IMPRISONED)
LUKE 14:12-14 (POOR, CRIPPLED, LAME, BLIND)
ROMANS 12:13 ADMONISHES “TO ALWAYS BE EAGER - PRACTICE HOSPITALITY.”
HEBREWS 13:2 “CAREFUL . . .”
LIST ON/ON . . .
I PETER 4:9 “BE HOSPITABLE TO ONE ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUMBLING . . .”
LUKE 10:38-42 . . .
MARTHA . . .
SHE THOUGHT EVERYBODY . .
SHE DOWNPLAYED HER GIFT
DON’T OVERLOOK/DOWNPLAY YOUR GIFT, SIMPLY BECAUSE OTHERS DON’T HAVE IT. GOD – NEVER INTENDED FOR EVERYBODY TO DO, ACT, OR BE THE SAME.
LIKE ALL GIFTS, THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY . . . CERTAIN.
ABRAHAM WAS GIFTED WITH THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY.
TEXT: ABRAHAM WAS MINDING HOS OWN BUSINESS – GOD SHOWED UP . . .
18:1 – ABRAHAM SAT AT THE ENTRANCE TO HIS OWN TENT
18:2 – GOD SHOWED UP (THEOPHANY) – GOD REVEALS HIMSELF AS JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT/NEW TESTAMENT (2X).
HEBREW BOYS . . .
EVERY NOW/THEN . . .
CHECK – END OF THE MONTH . . .
DOCTOR – 3 MORE TREATMENTS . . .
TOMORROW – NIGHT FALL . . .
GOD – THEOPHANY – HISTORIANS – GOD THE SON AND TWO ANGELS APPEARING AS MEN (HEBREWS 13:2)
TEXT SAYS – WHEN ABRAHAM WHO WAS MINDING HOS OWN BUSINESS LOOKED UP, HE NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF GOD. I WANT TO TELL SOMEONE, YOUR BLESSING IS NOT TIED TO: BEING DOWN, LOOKING DOWN, FEELING DOWN, ACTING DOWN, WALKING AROUND . . ., BUT YOUR COME UP IS TIED TO LOOKING UP (LIFT UP YOUR HEADS . . .).
WHEN ABRAHAM LOOKED UP – HOOKED UP.
V.2
HE SAW THEM (LOOK OUT/HELP OUT / IF I CAN HELP / GOOD SAMARITAN)
HE RAN TO MEET THEM (EXCITED)
HE WELCOMED THEM (NOT WITH LIP SERVICE, HEART / BABIES . . .)
HE BOWED BEFORE THEM (RICH / BLING – BLING)
V.3
HE PLEASED THEM “IF IT PLEASES YOU.” I ONLY WANT TO DO THAT WHICH WILL BE PLEASING IN THE EYESIGHT OF GOD. PEOPLE WITH THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT SPECIAL ABILITY, JUST AVAILABILITY. AVAILABLE TO PLEASE GOD BY DOING FOR THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE, STANDING IN NEED.
DO OTHERS – GOD . . .
V.4
HE OFFERED THEM REST “REST IN THE SHADE OF THIS TREE.”
REST – FROM THEIR LONG JOURNEY . . .
REST – BATTLEFIELD OF THE WORLD . . .
REST – KING WORD.FRIENDLY FACE . . .
HE OFFERED THEM HIS BEST
V. 4 - BEST SEAT, BEST SERVICE (WASH FEET – HEALING)
V. 8 – BEST SERVICE – SERVED THE FOOD, WAITED ON THEM
BEST SACRIFICE
V.6 – BEST FLOUR
V.7 – CHOICEST CALF . . .
V.5
HE OFFERED TO REFRESH THEM
I DECLARE THAT AFTER ABRAHAM: SAW, RAN, WELCOMED, BOWED, PLEASED, OFFERED HIS BEST, REST, AND REFRESHMENT . . .
VS.9 & 10 – THEY BLESSED HIM
ALTAR CALL: WELCOME CLUB, NEW MEMBERS, USHERS, HOSPITALITY, CULINARY, BEREAVEMENT, PRISON, VISITATION,
