Embracing Hospitality: Making Space for Others
Summary
God is the God of new beginnings, and today is an opportunity to embrace His presence in each moment. As we journey through Genesis, we are reminded of the profound virtue of hospitality. In the ancient world, and still in many parts of the world today, hospitality is not just a courtesy but a necessity for survival. It is a spiritual gift that reflects God's creation, where He made space for humanity. Hospitality is about making space for others, even when you don't have to, and it is central to human flourishing.
In our modern world, where hotels and conveniences abound, we often overlook the importance of opening our lives, homes, and hearts to others. Yet, this act of making space is a reflection of God's love and His invitation to us. Compassion International exemplifies this by equipping local churches to serve the most vulnerable, particularly children living in poverty. These churches open their doors to provide love and support to those in need, creating a space where they can thrive.
A touching story from Nicaragua illustrates this beautifully. A young boy named Carlos Antonio Hernandez longed to be part of a celebration at a local church but was initially left out due to limited resources. However, through the compassionate actions of the church staff and the bending of rules, Carlos was invited in and became a sponsored child. This story is a powerful reminder of the countless children who are not yet part of the banquet that Jesus invites us to. It is the church's responsibility to reach out and invite more into this divine celebration.
As we reflect on Genesis and the creation account, we see God's intention to prepare a place for us, as echoed in Jesus' words in John 14. There is always room at the cross, and hospitality is about making space for those who are not yet part of the fold. Today, consider how you can extend this kind of hospitality to others, whether it's someone at work, in your neighborhood, or a child across the world. Make space in your life, with your resources and your heart, to say, "There is room for you."
Key Takeaways:
1. Hospitality is a spiritual gift that involves making space for others, reflecting God's creation in Genesis. It is not just a courtesy but a necessity for human flourishing, inviting us to open our lives to those in need. [02:23]
2. Compassion International demonstrates the power of hospitality by equipping local churches to serve vulnerable children, creating spaces where they can thrive and experience God's love. [03:15]
3. The story of Carlos Antonio Hernandez in Nicaragua highlights the importance of inviting those on the outside into the celebration, reminding us of the countless children who long to be part of God's banquet. [05:48]
4. God's creation and Jesus' promise in John 14 show us that there is always room for more at the cross, and it is our responsibility to extend this invitation to others. [08:33]
5. Consider how you can practice hospitality in your daily life, making space for others with your time, resources, and heart, and inviting them into the love and grace that God offers. [09:30]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Embracing New Beginnings
[01:24] - The Virtue of Hospitality
[02:06] - Making Space for Others
[03:02] - Compassion's Mission
[03:44] - A Story from Nicaragua
[04:29] - The Longing of Carlos
[05:48] - Inviting Carlos In
[06:47] - Becoming a Sponsored Child
[07:33] - The Banquet Invitation
[08:33] - Preparing a Place
[09:00] - Room at the Cross
[09:14] - Extending Hospitality
[09:59] - Beginning Your Day with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Hospitality
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1-2:3 - The Creation Account
2. John 14:1-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 1, how does God demonstrate the concept of making space for humanity? How is this related to the idea of hospitality? [02:23]
2. What role does hospitality play in the story of Carlos Antonio Hernandez as shared in the sermon? [05:48]
3. How does Compassion International embody the virtue of hospitality according to the sermon? [03:15]
4. What does Jesus promise in John 14:1-3, and how does this relate to the theme of hospitality? [08:33]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the creation account in Genesis reflect God's intention to make space for humanity, and why is this significant for understanding hospitality? [02:23]
2. In what ways does the story of Carlos Antonio Hernandez illustrate the importance of inviting those on the outside into the celebration? [05:48]
3. How does the sermon suggest that hospitality is not just a courtesy but a necessity for human flourishing? [02:06]
4. What does the promise of Jesus preparing a place for us in John 14 imply about God's hospitality towards us? [08:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: How can you make space for others in your daily routine, similar to how God made space for humanity in creation? [02:23]
2. Think of someone in your community or workplace who might feel like an outsider. What practical steps can you take to invite them into your circle or activities? [05:48]
3. How can you support organizations like Compassion International that embody the virtue of hospitality? Consider specific actions you can take this week. [03:15]
4. Jesus promises to prepare a place for us. How can this assurance inspire you to extend hospitality to others, even when it's inconvenient? [08:33]
5. Identify a resource (time, money, skills) you have that could be used to make space for someone in need. What is one action you can take this week to use that resource for hospitality? [09:30]
6. Reflect on a time when someone extended hospitality to you. How did it impact you, and how can you replicate that experience for someone else? [09:14]
7. Consider the story of Carlos Antonio Hernandez. How can you be more aware of those who are longing to be included in your community or church activities? [05:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Hospitality as a Reflection of Divine Creation
Hospitality is a spiritual gift that involves making space for others, reflecting God's creation in Genesis. It is not just a courtesy but a necessity for human flourishing, inviting us to open our lives to those in need. In the ancient world, hospitality was essential for survival, and it remains a profound virtue today. By making space for others, we mirror God's act of creating a world where humanity could thrive. This act of hospitality is a tangible expression of God's love and an invitation to experience His presence in our lives. [02:23]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might be in need of hospitality today, and how can you create space for them in your heart and home?
Day 2: Compassion in Action
Compassion International demonstrates the power of hospitality by equipping local churches to serve vulnerable children, creating spaces where they can thrive and experience God's love. This organization partners with churches to provide essential resources and support to children living in poverty, embodying the spirit of hospitality. By opening their doors and hearts, these churches offer a safe haven where children can grow and flourish, reflecting the love and care that God extends to all His children. [03:15]
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me." (Matthew 18:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you support or participate in initiatives that provide hospitality and care to vulnerable children in your community or beyond?
Day 3: Inviting the Outsider In
The story of Carlos Antonio Hernandez in Nicaragua highlights the importance of inviting those on the outside into the celebration, reminding us of the countless children who long to be part of God's banquet. Carlos's experience of being welcomed into the church community despite initial limitations is a powerful testament to the transformative power of hospitality. It challenges us to look beyond our comfort zones and extend invitations to those who may feel excluded or marginalized. [05:48]
"And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.'" (Luke 14:23, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider, and how can you extend an invitation to them to be part of your community or celebration?
Day 4: God's Promise of Room for All
God's creation and Jesus' promise in John 14 show us that there is always room for more at the cross, and it is our responsibility to extend this invitation to others. The creation account in Genesis and Jesus' assurance of preparing a place for us remind us of God's inclusive love. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this love by making room for others in our lives and communities, ensuring that no one is left out of the divine celebration. [08:33]
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:2, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your life and community reflect the inclusive love of God, making room for those who are not yet part of the fold?
Day 5: Practicing Daily Hospitality
Consider how you can practice hospitality in your daily life, making space for others with your time, resources, and heart, and inviting them into the love and grace that God offers. Hospitality is not limited to grand gestures but can be practiced in everyday interactions. By intentionally creating space for others, we participate in God's work of love and grace, offering a glimpse of His kingdom to those around us. [09:30]
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can practice hospitality today, using your time, resources, or heart to make space for someone in need?
Quotes
"God is the god of new beginnings so take a breath let go yesterday. Embrace this day lift up your heart we're gonna find God in his presence in each moment and I get to do that today with my friend Jimmy May Otto here in Colorado it'd be so good to be with you." [00:35:57]
"In the ancient world and in our day in a lot of the worlds where compassion is evolved compassion is a Ministry to deliver children out of poverty, Hospitality has always been a central virtue if you're a new testament person you may know it's actually talked about as a spiritual gift and in the West in the modern world because we have hotels and everything we don't tend to think about it much but generally uh often the survival of people when they're traveling depends on it and there's something about opening up your life your home your heart your finances to someone else exercising Hospitality." [01:33:11]
"Compassion's Ministry is all about equipping local Faith communities local churches to open up their doors and really love and serve the most vulnerable within their reach and that tends to be children living in poverty so our ministry serves these children living on less than three dollars and twenty cents a day and I was in a one of these churches not too long ago some years ago actually and it was in Nicaragua where I lived as a third grader and this church was actually in the neighborhood where I lived back when I was in third grade there was not a church there at the time there there is one there now it was planted about a dozen years ago started with 67 people and fast forward 12 years they're running almost 500 people and this church is serving 30 percent of the entire Community within walking distance of that church." [03:21:22]
"On this day when we were visiting that church we were having a huge celebration it was an amazing thing because this church now serves 350 children and their families who are part of compassion's program and so there was playing in games and balloons and music and dancing and worship and it was just a happening thing happening in that neighborhood and so we're all inside the compound there celebrating and having fun and then I noticed and there was a seven foot Cinder concrete block wall around the compound and I noticed this little kid's head pop up on the other side of the wall now I couldn't see anything else other than his head over this concrete wall and I'm wondering how'd that little guy get up there." [04:11:22]
"I noticed him and then I started paying attention again to what was going on inside the compound and before you know 10 minutes and 15 minutes the guy's still there and I could just and then I started looking at him more intently and he had the most longing eyes of I want to be I want to be playing on the other side of this wall I want to be on the inside so I couldn't take it anymore I told one of the staff members there and I said you see that little guy go and bite him in I can't take this anymore he's got to be on the inside so she starts to go after him and he thinks that I'm calling him out he's in trouble so he disappears and I'm like what happened to him again it's a seven foot wall and this is a little little kid about 15 minutes later the staff member comes in with the child his name is Carlos Antonio Hernandez his sister and his mom and then they celebrated with us for the next hour or so." [04:59:16]
"The mom very sheepishly said you know um he wanted to be in the program but they ran out of spots they only had you know that 350 and and so they were all filled up there was no room for him so you know he didn't make it um and she said doesn't matter just come so they come we have this party and they tell me this story afterwards and I thought, my goodness, we got to find a way to get that little guy in and I I actually thought there's got to be some benefit to being the president and uh maybe I can bend the rules a little bit and so that's what we did wow and he became our sponsored child wow and to this day um you know these many years later he is still our sponsored child Carlos Antonio Hernandez." [06:13:52]
"I have this picture of him that has him peering over the wall that have a four foot by six foot picture right outside my office that base out of you can see it but you know that's we'll we'll try to put it on some other way technologically if that didn't work but that picture just that little just though half of a face from the nose up in his eyes and I just he I haven't I have his picture outside our office to just represent the hundreds of millions of children that are not in in the banquet would love to be a part of the banquet Jesus is inviting them to be a part of the banquet but they're not a part of it yet and and it's it's the church's job I think it's on us to to go out to the streets to go out wherever we can and invite more into the banquet into the party and it's just such a picture for what we're trying to do inside of compassion but not only that what I want to do in my life." [07:03:52]
"It's kind of striking to read through Genesis and the creation account and what God was doing in the galaxies and then think about uh when Jesus is talking in John 14 and he says I go to prepare a place for you that's right and you know he's done that before yeah he knows what he's doing and uh uh uh my old friend Rich Mao uh Jimmy and I are on the board together at Fuller where rich used to be president he talks about a hymn that you will all be too young but I grew up with this and I'll bet you know this one too um there is room at the cross for you yeah yeah though Millions have come there's still room hospitality is making space for people you did not need to make space for and that's what God is doing in Genesis 1." [08:25:31]
"That's what Jesus is doing on the cross still room from what just that one little face looking outside saying I gotta get in so today how can you extend to other people that kind of hospitality that God through Jesus has extended to you how can you invite somebody into your life might be somebody at work might be somebody where you live somebody in your neighborhood might be through something like compassion a child on the other side of the world just some way where you can pause for a minute and I can say I can make space in my life with my money with my time with my gifts with my heart and tell one other person yep room for you room for you." [09:12:54]
"Compassion's Ministry is all about equipping local Faith communities local churches to open up their doors and really love and serve the most vulnerable within their reach and that tends to be children living in poverty so our ministry serves these children living on less than three dollars and twenty cents a day and I was in a one of these churches not too long ago some years ago actually and it was in Nicaragua where I lived as a third grader and this church was actually in the neighborhood where I lived back when I was in third grade there was not a church there at the time there there is one there now it was planted about a dozen years ago started with 67 people and fast forward 12 years they're running almost 500 people and this church is serving 30 percent of the entire Community within walking distance of that church." [03:21:22]
"On this day when we were visiting that church we were having a huge celebration it was an amazing thing because this church now serves 350 children and their families who are part of compassion's program and so there was playing in games and balloons and music and dancing and worship and it was just a happening thing happening in that neighborhood and so we're all inside the compound there celebrating and having fun and then I noticed and there was a seven foot Cinder concrete block wall around the compound and I noticed this little kid's head pop up on the other side of the wall now I couldn't see anything else other than his head over this concrete wall and I'm wondering how'd that little guy get up there." [04:11:22]
"I noticed him and then I started paying attention again to what was going on inside the compound and before you know 10 minutes and 15 minutes the guy's still there and I could just and then I started looking at him more intently and he had the most longing eyes of I want to be I want to be playing on the other side of this wall I want to be on the inside so I couldn't take it anymore I told one of the staff members there and I said you see that little guy go and bite him in I can't take this anymore he's got to be on the inside so she starts to go after him and he thinks that I'm calling him out he's in trouble so he disappears and I'm like what happened to him again it's a seven foot wall and this is a little little kid about 15 minutes later the staff member comes in with the child his name is Carlos Antonio Hernandez his sister and his mom and then they celebrated with us for the next hour or so." [04:59:16]
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