Embodying God's Love Through Intentional Hospitality
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound theme of hospitality, drawing inspiration from Jesus' life and teachings. We began by discussing the Kumars, a family dedicated to serving the Lord overseas, and the importance of supporting our missionaries through prayer and engagement. This aligns with our mission at Door of Hope to be a sending and praying church.
We delved into the concept of hospitality, emphasizing that it is not just about welcoming people but embodying God's love in tangible ways. Jesus' hospitality was disruptive to the cultural norms of His time because it was rooted in kingdom values. He welcomed everyone, including those society deemed unworthy, and His actions were a direct reflection of God's heart.
We examined the Greek term for hospitality, which means to pursue or chase after, highlighting the intensity and intentionality required. This is far from mundane; it is a passionate, active engagement with others. We also looked at how Jesus described Himself as the "Son of Man" who came to serve, seek, and save the lost, and how He did this through simple acts of eating and drinking with others.
The story of Jesus with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus illustrated His deep, authentic friendships. Jesus was not just a miracle worker; He was a friend who wept with those who wept and rejoiced with those who rejoiced. His hospitality was about deep engagement and showing God's love in everyday life.
We are called to be "mini doors of hope" at our tables, whether at home, work, or in our communities. This involves being prepared to give gracious answers about the hope we have in Jesus, prioritizing prayer, watchfulness, and wise socializing. By doing so, we can bring rich conversations and God's love to every table we sit at.
### Key Takeaways
1. Intentional Hospitality: Hospitality is not a passive act but an intentional pursuit. The Greek term for hospitality means to chase after or pursue, indicating a level of intensity and intentionality that goes beyond mere politeness. This kind of hospitality requires us to actively seek out opportunities to share our lives and God's love with others. [36:58]
2. Jesus' Disruptive Hospitality: Jesus' approach to hospitality was disruptive to the cultural norms of His time. He welcomed everyone, including those who were marginalized and considered unworthy. This kingdom culture of hospitality challenges us to break down barriers and extend God's love to all, regardless of societal expectations. [35:18]
3. Authentic Friendships: Jesus demonstrated the importance of deep, authentic friendships. His relationship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus showed that He was not just a miracle worker but a true friend who shared in their joys and sorrows. This teaches us the value of being fully present and engaged in the lives of those around us. [49:10]
4. Being Doors of Hope: We are called to be "mini doors of hope" at our tables, whether at home, work, or in our communities. This involves being prepared to give gracious answers about the hope we have in Jesus, prioritizing prayer, watchfulness, and wise socializing. By doing so, we can bring rich conversations and God's love to every table we sit at. [55:43]
5. Gracious Answers: Being a door of hope means being ready to provide gracious answers to those who question our faith. This doesn't mean having all the answers but being willing to share our experiences of God's peace, comfort, and wisdom. It's about opening the door a little bit to the hope we have in Jesus and inviting others to explore it with us. [54:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:10] - Opportunity to Connect with the Kumars
[32:19] - Introduction to the Hospitality Series
[33:39] - Jesus' Inclusive Hospitality
[35:18] - Disruptive Kingdom Culture
[36:58] - The Depth of Practicing Hospitality
[37:52] - The Son of Man Came
[39:37] - Jesus' Purpose and Method
[41:26] - Being Mini Doors of Hope
[42:09] - Embodying God's Love
[43:58] - The Importance of 2 a.m. Friends
[45:34] - Jesus' Friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus
[49:10] - Jesus Wept: Authentic Friendship
[50:56] - Martha and Mary's Questionable Lives
[52:26] - Living Questionable Lives
[53:27] - Be Prepared to Give an Answer
[54:26] - Gracious Answers at Our Tables
[55:43] - Prioritizing Prayer, Watchfulness, and Wise Socializing
[57:19] - Inviting Strangers to Our Tables
[58:17] - Lunch and Fellowship Invitation
[58:55] - Invitation to Prayer for Healing
[01:00:31] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:9-13 - "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in 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 the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
2. Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. Luke 10:38-42 - "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Greek term for hospitality mean, and how does it differ from our usual understanding of the word? [36:58]
2. How did Jesus' approach to hospitality disrupt the cultural norms of His time? [35:18]
3. Describe the relationship between Jesus and the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. How did Jesus demonstrate His friendship with them? [49:10]
4. What are some ways we can be "mini doors of hope" at our tables, according to the sermon? [41:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is intentionality important in practicing hospitality, and how does it reflect God's love? [36:58]
2. How does Jesus' example of eating and drinking with others serve as a method for us to engage in hospitality today? [39:37]
3. In what ways did Jesus' friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus go beyond performing miracles? What does this teach us about authentic friendships? [49:10]
4. How can being prepared to give gracious answers about our faith serve as a form of hospitality? [54:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current approach to hospitality. How can you make it more intentional and reflective of God's love? [36:58]
2. Think of a time when you felt excluded or unworthy. How can you use that experience to welcome others who might feel the same way? [35:18]
3. Identify a friend or family member with whom you can deepen your relationship. What specific actions can you take to show them authentic friendship this week? [49:10]
4. Consider the tables you sit at regularly (home, work, community). How can you be a "mini door of hope" in these settings? [41:26]
5. Are you prepared to give gracious answers about your faith? What steps can you take to be more ready to share your experiences of God's peace, comfort, and wisdom? [54:26]
6. How can you prioritize prayer, watchfulness, and wise socializing in your daily interactions? What changes might you need to make to incorporate these practices? [55:43]
7. Think of someone you know who might be curious about faith. How can you invite them to your table and engage them in a meaningful conversation about Jesus? [57:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Pursuit of Hospitality
Hospitality is not a passive act but an intentional pursuit. The Greek term for hospitality means to chase after or pursue, indicating a level of intensity and intentionality that goes beyond mere politeness. This kind of hospitality requires us to actively seek out opportunities to share our lives and God's love with others. Jesus exemplified this through His life, where He constantly sought out those who were marginalized and invited them into His circle. This pursuit is not about grand gestures but about the small, everyday actions that show God's love in tangible ways. By being intentional in our hospitality, we can create spaces where people feel valued and loved.
[36:58]
Romans 12:13 (ESV): "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who might feel marginalized or overlooked. How can you intentionally pursue showing them hospitality this week?
Day 2: Disruptive Kingdom Culture
Jesus' approach to hospitality was disruptive to the cultural norms of His time. He welcomed everyone, including those who were marginalized and considered unworthy. This kingdom culture of hospitality challenges us to break down barriers and extend God's love to all, regardless of societal expectations. Jesus' actions were a direct reflection of God's heart, showing that His love is inclusive and unconditional. By embracing this disruptive hospitality, we can challenge societal norms and create a community that reflects the inclusive love of God.
[35:18]
Luke 14:13-14 (ESV): "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
Reflection: Identify a societal norm or barrier that you can challenge through an act of hospitality. How can you extend God's inclusive love to someone who is often overlooked?
Day 3: Authentic Friendships
Jesus demonstrated the importance of deep, authentic friendships. His relationship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus showed that He was not just a miracle worker but a true friend who shared in their joys and sorrows. This teaches us the value of being fully present and engaged in the lives of those around us. Authentic friendships are built on mutual trust, vulnerability, and shared experiences. By investing in these kinds of relationships, we can create a support system that reflects the love and compassion of Jesus.
[49:10]
John 11:35-36 (ESV): "Jesus wept. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!'"
Reflection: Think about your closest friendships. How can you be more present and engaged in their lives this week? What specific action can you take to show your love and support?
Day 4: Being Doors of Hope
We are called to be "mini doors of hope" at our tables, whether at home, work, or in our communities. This involves being prepared to give gracious answers about the hope we have in Jesus, prioritizing prayer, watchfulness, and wise socializing. By doing so, we can bring rich conversations and God's love to every table we sit at. Being a door of hope means creating an environment where people feel safe to explore their faith and ask questions. It’s about being a beacon of God's love and hope in every interaction.
[55:43]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you create an environment of hope and openness at your table this week? What steps can you take to ensure your conversations are seasoned with grace?
Day 5: Gracious Answers
Being a door of hope means being ready to provide gracious answers to those who question our faith. This doesn't mean having all the answers but being willing to share our experiences of God's peace, comfort, and wisdom. It's about opening the door a little bit to the hope we have in Jesus and inviting others to explore it with us. By being prepared to share our faith in a gentle and respectful manner, we can help others see the beauty and truth of the Gospel.
[54:26]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share your faith. How can you be more prepared to give a gracious answer next time? What specific experiences of God's peace and wisdom can you share?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Disciples of Jesus, right from when Jesus started gathering people, wanted to be with Jesus. Disciples want to be like Jesus. And disciples want to live like Jesus lived. And we have seen that he lived hospitably. What did Jesus' hospitality look like? What did it sound like? What did it smell like? What did it taste like? What did it feel like? We sat at six tables last week, didn't we? And got a picture of how Jesus welcomed people to the table, friends, family, and strangers, people he'd never met before. And actually, people around him probably didn't want him to meet." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus' hospitality was disruptive. It was disruptive to the current culture because it was a kingdom culture. It was different. It was new. It was uncomfortable. We also read from, in Romans 12, where Paul encourages us to love authentically. He encourages us also to practice hospitality. And we discovered that that word, practice hospitality, practice sounds like quite a benign or a boring or a pretty mundane word. But actually, when you delve deeper into the words that were originally used or that other cultures used, it's very rich." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus embodied that word means tangibly or physically. He embodied God's love to others. That's what his hospitality was. Love in real life. Love physically. Love tangibly. Love right in front of the other person. Jesus' humanity engaged in deep connection. And richness. Rich conversations. That's how he showed love. One of the ways that he showed love." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do we live questionable lives? Now I don't mean dodgy lives, right? I mean, are we open to people questioning how we live? Do we live questionable lives? If every Jesus follower is leading the kind of life that evokes questions from their tables, then opportunities are bound to be doors of hope." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Be prepared to give an answer for your hope. In this book, Surprising, no, Surprise the World, Michael Frost says, being a door of hope to others involves our priorities of prayer, of watchfulness and of wise socializing, choosing well who we speak to. And we should speak with gracious answers. What is a gracious answer? Sounds like door of hope. Sounds like speaking about our peace when others bring anxiety to our tables. It's about speaking about comfort when others bring grief to our tables." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "To be a sending church, to be a praying church, to be a church that goes, we need a group of committed, passionate people who are going to get their hands dirty, who are going to pray, and who are going to be maybe a little bit more engaged than we are normally to encourage and support our missionaries. So if that is you and you want to start on this journey with us, I don't yet know exactly what it will look like. Is that okay? don't have all the details yet. We don't know that. But the group that comes together and the group that says, I'm passionate about this, it will become clearer and there'll be clarity about what that group looks like into the future." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus was a door of hope to his friend Martha in her grief, in her frustration, in her anger and bewilderment. Jesus so lovingly pointed out that he was the life they needed. He lifted her eyes from the earthly reality to the Jesus reality. She had this great need and he said I know the answer to this need. I am the answer to this need." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus' friendship was fully authentic. He was loving sincerely. He knew Mary and Martha and Lazarus and he was known by them because Jesus was fully human he needed friends just like we do he needed to be accepted and belong and known just like we do his hospitality door of hope was not a method it was not a strategy it was deep engagement in normal everyday life showing God's love to those around him." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can be door of hopes at our tables, bringing rich conversations and gracious answers, explaining the hope we have. Now, this doesn't have to be all of the hope. It doesn't have to be the whole story of the Bible at our first meeting. It may just be the fact that we share that when anxiety comes our way, we know that God is a God of peace. It might just be that praying for healing is something that I've done and I have an answer to prayer in that area. Doors of hope that just open that door a little bit to the hope that we have. And we explain why." (49 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Which table are you sitting at this week? Is it a staff team table? Is it a lounge chairs and coffee table? Is it a work table over here with your colleagues? Is it the kitchen or dining room table over here? Which table are you sitting at? Is prayer a priority? Are you praying for those people that are new to your table? Is watchfulness a priority at your table? Are you asking the Holy Spirit? What's capturing your attention? Is he giving you some good questions? Or maybe you're just thinking, wow, this person just has so much baggage. Maybe you could provide a gracious answer to their questions." (52 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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