Embracing God's Presence Through Faithful Hospitality

In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy, and today we have experienced that together. From the very first worship, the Spirit of Jesus has been among us, inviting us to draw near, to praise, and to believe that He is truly present and able to meet us in every circumstance. We have lifted up the name of Jesus, declaring that He alone is worthy—above all names, above all powers, above all needs. The worship of heaven is unceasing, and we are invited to join in that chorus, laying down our crowns and confessing that there is no one worthy but Jesus.

We are reminded from Revelation that the worship of God is the central activity of heaven, and that even now, as we gather, we participate in that eternal reality. Our God reigns, and nothing can separate us from His love. He desires a closer relationship with each of us, and He calls us to respond in faith, drawing near to Him with praise and adoration.

Turning to the story of Gideon in Judges 6, we see a man living in difficult times, oppressed and impoverished, yet still faithful and obedient. Gideon’s hospitality to a stranger—who turned out to be the angel of the Lord—was not an act of convenience, but of costly obedience and faith. He gave the best he had, even in scarcity, and in doing so, he aligned himself with God’s purposes. Gideon’s simple act of welcoming and serving revealed his calling and changed not only his life, but the destiny of his nation.

Hospitality is not just about having abundance or comfort; it is about being obedient and faithful with whatever we have, in every season. True hospitality is a reflection of God’s heart, and it is often in these moments of serving others that God reveals our deeper calling. Obedience and faith must walk together—faith without obedience is lifeless, and obedience without faith is empty. When we are faithful in the little things, God entrusts us with more, and our true purpose unfolds.

As a church, we are called to be a people who not only hear the Word, but apply it—becoming wise through living out what we have learned. Whether it is through prayer, worship, or acts of hospitality, let us be a community marked by obedience, faith, and a readiness to serve, knowing that in doing so, we may entertain angels unaware and step into the fullness of God’s calling for our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The presence of Jesus is not a distant reality but a present invitation. No matter our circumstances, we are called to believe and respond to His nearness with praise and adoration. When we exalt His name, we align ourselves with the worship of heaven, joining the angels and elders in declaring His worthiness. This posture of worship opens our hearts to encounter God in a transformative way. [31:45]
• 2. True hospitality is not measured by abundance, but by obedience and faithfulness in scarcity. Gideon welcomed a stranger and gave the best he had, even when resources were limited and times were hard. It is in these moments—when generosity costs us something—that our faith is most deeply expressed and our hearts are most aligned with God’s purposes. [70:59]
• 3. Obedience and faith must walk hand in hand; one without the other is incomplete. Gideon’s story shows that faith without obedience is lifeless, and obedience without faith is empty. When we act in obedience to God’s Word, even in small things, we position ourselves to receive greater revelation and to step into our true calling. [74:51]
• 4. Our calling is often revealed in the context of serving others, especially when it is inconvenient or sacrificial. Gideon’s act of hospitality was the doorway to discovering his identity as a “mighty warrior” and the destiny God had prepared for him. Sometimes, the path to our purpose is found not in grand gestures, but in simple, faithful acts of service. [77:27]
• 5. Hospitality is a spiritual discipline that transcends circumstances and resources. God calls us to be hospitable in every season, not just when it is easy or comfortable. In welcoming others, we may unknowingly entertain angels and participate in God’s unfolding plan—not only for our lives, but for those around us. [83:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:58] - Worship: Declaring Jesus as Worthy
• [31:45] - Experiencing God’s Presence
• [32:21] - Revelation: Worship in Heaven
• [33:44] - God’s Unfailing Love and Nearness
• [34:22] - Singing “Who Else is Worthy?”
• [36:59] - The Name Above All Names
• [38:53] - The Power of Calling on Jesus
• [41:56] - Prayer for Children and the Next Generation
• [43:42] - Invitation to Prayer and Upcoming Events
• [46:52] - Celebrating God’s Provision: Year of Jubilee
• [48:50] - Introduction to Hospitality Series Finale
• [51:23] - Praying for Bertie and the Call to Serve
• [56:08] - The Importance of God’s Word and Bibles
• [58:42] - Wisdom Through Application: Not Just Knowledge
• [59:24] - Gideon’s Story: Hospitality in Hardship
• [70:59] - Faithful Hospitality and Costly Obedience
• [74:51] - Obedience and Faith: Walking Together
• [77:27] - Discovering Calling Through Service
• [83:13] - Hospitality as a Spiritual Discipline
• [85:14] - Prayer and Responding to God’s Call

Bible Reading

Judges 6:1–24 (ESV) — (Main text of the sermon)

> 1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.
> 2 And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.
> ...
> 11 Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
> 12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
> ...
> 18 Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.”
> 19 So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them.
> ...
> 22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”
> 23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”
> 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace.

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV) — > Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Revelation 4:8–11 (ESV) — > 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
> “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
> who was and is and is to come!”
> ...
> 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
> to receive glory and honor and power,
> for you created all things,
> and by your will they existed and were created.”

Observation Questions

1. In Judges 6, what was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and why was he doing it in that particular place? ([59:24])
2. What did Gideon offer to the stranger (the angel), and what does the passage say about the quality and quantity of his offering? ([01:10:59])
3. According to Revelation 4, what is the central activity of heaven, and how is God described by those who worship Him? ([32:21])
4. In Hebrews 13:2, what surprising result does the writer say can come from showing hospitality to strangers?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Gideon chose to obey the command to show hospitality, even though he was living in a time of scarcity and fear? What does this reveal about his character? ([01:09:43])
2. The sermon says, “Obedience and faith must walk together; one without the other is incomplete.” What does this mean in the context of Gideon’s story? ([01:14:51])
3. How does the act of hospitality in Gideon’s story become the doorway to his calling as a “mighty warrior”? What does this suggest about the connection between serving others and discovering God’s purpose for us? ([01:17:27])
4. The worship in Revelation is described as unceasing and focused on God’s worthiness. How does participating in worship on earth connect us to this heavenly reality, according to the sermon? ([32:21])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “True hospitality is not measured by abundance, but by obedience and faithfulness in scarcity.” Can you think of a time when you felt you didn’t have enough to give, but God called you to be generous anyway? What happened? ([01:10:59])
2. Gideon’s act of hospitality was costly and inconvenient, yet it led to a revelation of his calling. Is there an area in your life where God might be asking you to serve or give, even though it feels inconvenient or costly? What would it look like to say “yes” in that situation? ([01:17:27])
3. The sermon challenges us to be a people who not only hear the Word, but apply it. Is there a specific teaching or command from God’s Word that you have struggled to put into practice? What is one step you could take this week to begin applying it? ([58:04])
4. “Obedience and faith must walk hand in hand; one without the other is incomplete.” Are there areas in your life where you have faith but struggle with obedience, or vice versa? How can you bring these two together more fully? ([01:14:51])
5. The presence of Jesus is described as a present invitation, not a distant reality. How can you become more aware of God’s presence in your daily life, especially in difficult circumstances? ([31:45])
6. The sermon mentions that in welcoming others, we may unknowingly entertain angels and participate in God’s unfolding plan. How does this perspective change the way you view opportunities to show hospitality, especially to strangers or those outside your usual circle? ([01:23:13])
7. The story of Gideon shows that our calling can be revealed in simple, faithful acts of service. What is one small act of service or hospitality you can commit to this week, trusting that God can use it for His purposes? ([01:17:27])