Not long ago, I taught about our church’s mission centered around “Winning the Lost, Building the Believer, and Sending the Sanctified”. We can approach this mission in several ways, but being hospitable certainly opens doors to winning others.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Showing hospitality is easy to push off the table and chalk up to being too busy. I can easily fall into the trap of thinking I don’t have time to have people over. In addition, it seems that more and more people are becoming disconnected from genuine relationships. They replace them with entertainment and faux connections in digital spaces.
By building relationships, by inviting people into your home, you have a unique opportunity to be a light, share a meal, and open the doors for Gospel conversations. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct your discussions with those you invite into your home. Ask that your relationships would deepen.
Open Your Home
Opening your home allows you to sit, listen, and focus on those in front of you. My wife and I constantly had people over the first years of our marriage. It was naturally a great way to witness to our friends. Many conversations about Jesus would happen till 2-3:00 in the morning; those times were incredible. Since then, we’ve gotten older and like to go to sleep earlier. However, we still have people over to build into those relationships. It’s also an excellent way for people to see your faith lived out in your marriage and your kids (if you have them or if you are married).
Hospitality should be a mark of all Christians, an essential characteristic, not an optional practice.
How are you doing in the area of hospitality?
Take some time this week and find ways that you can be hospitable.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor