Radical Hospitality: Love and Service in End Times

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of hospitality and love, especially in the context of the end times as described in 1 Peter 4. Growing up in a Dutch Reformed community, I experienced a unique set of "because it's Sunday" rules that shaped my understanding of hospitality. This upbringing highlighted a common issue within many Christian communities: the tendency to form tight-knit circles that often exclude outsiders. True hospitality, however, is much deeper than simply offering coffee or cookies. It involves sharing our lives and meeting the emotional, social, and physical needs of others, particularly those who cannot repay us.

Peter's message to the early Christians, who faced persecution and imminent death, was to love deeply, offer hospitality without grumbling, and serve others with the gifts God has given us. This call to action is not just for times of peace but is even more critical when the end seems near. The Great Commission does not expire with the world's end; instead, it calls us to continue loving and serving others.

Hospitality, in its truest form, is about treating strangers as family, reflecting the hospitality Jesus has shown us. He saved us from eternal separation and welcomed us into His family. This radical hospitality is a powerful witness to the world, especially in our disconnected society. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and extend love to those we do not know, using the unique gifts God has given each of us.

As we reflect on what is in our hands—our skills, passions, and interests—we are encouraged to use these to serve others and demonstrate the love of Christ. Whether it's through music, crafts, or simply offering a listening ear, each act of hospitality is a testament to the love and grace we have received from God.

Key Takeaways:

1. True Hospitality: Hospitality is more than offering coffee; it is a deep sharing of life, meeting the needs of others, especially those who cannot repay us. This reflects the hospitality Jesus has shown us by welcoming us into His family. [45:48]

2. Love Covers Sins: Loving deeply means maintaining unity even when addressing sin. It involves holding each other accountable while preserving the bond of love, demonstrating a profound testimony of Christ's love. [48:56]

3. The Great Commission's Timelessness: The call to love, serve, and show hospitality does not expire with the world's end. If we truly live as followers of Christ, our actions should remain consistent, regardless of the times. [57:50]

4. Using Our Gifts: Each person has unique gifts and talents. By using these to serve others, we fulfill our calling to show hospitality and love, reflecting God's grace in diverse ways. [57:50]

5. Hospitality to Strangers: We are called to extend hospitality beyond our circles, treating strangers as family. This act of love is a powerful witness to a disconnected world, showcasing the inclusive love of Christ. [57:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Background
- [05:00] - Childhood and "Because It's Sunday" Rules
- [10:00] - The Concept of Hospitality
- [15:00] - Barna Group Findings on Christian Friendship
- [20:00] - 1 Peter 4: Context and Reading
- [25:00] - The Imminence of the End Times
- [30:00] - The Y2K Crisis and Reactions
- [35:00] - Peter's Instructions: Love, Hospitality, Service
- [40:00] - Understanding "Love Covers a Multitude of Sins"
- [45:00] - The True Meaning of Hospitality
- [50:00] - Hospitality as a Reflection of Jesus' Love
- [55:00] - Using Our Gifts to Serve Others
- [01:00:00] - Hospitality to Strangers
- [01:05:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 4:7-10 (NIV)

Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions does Peter give to the early Christians in 1 Peter 4:7-10 regarding their behavior in light of the end times?
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of hospitality beyond just offering coffee and cookies? [45:48]
3. What were some of the "because it's Sunday" rules mentioned in the sermon, and how did they shape the speaker's understanding of hospitality? [10:00]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of using our unique gifts to serve others? [57:50]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Peter emphasize the importance of loving deeply and offering hospitality without grumbling, especially in the context of the end times? [35:00]
2. How does the sermon suggest that true hospitality can serve as a powerful witness in a disconnected society? [48:56]
3. In what ways does the sermon propose that love can cover a multitude of sins, and how does this relate to maintaining unity within the church? [40:00]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the timelessness of the Great Commission, even as the end of the world approaches? [57:50]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own circle of friends and family. Are there ways you can extend hospitality to those outside your immediate circle, treating strangers as family? What steps can you take this week to do so? [48:56]
2. Consider the unique gifts and talents you possess. How can you use these to serve others in your community or church? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [57:50]
3. Think about a time when you held a grudge or failed to forgive someone. How can the concept of love covering a multitude of sins help you address this situation differently? [40:00]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of not grumbling when offering hospitality. How can you cultivate a more joyful and willing spirit when serving others? [45:48]
5. Reflect on the "because it's Sunday" rules from the sermon. Are there any traditions or habits in your life that might be hindering true hospitality? How can you adjust these to better reflect Christ's love? [10:00]
6. In what ways can you demonstrate the love of Christ to someone who cannot repay you? Identify a specific person or group you can reach out to this week. [45:48]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and service remain consistent, regardless of the times or circumstances, as suggested by the sermon? [57:50]

Devotional

Day 1: True Hospitality is Life-Sharing
True hospitality goes beyond mere gestures of kindness; it involves a profound sharing of life and meeting the needs of others, especially those who cannot repay us. This reflects the hospitality Jesus has shown us by welcoming us into His family. In a world where social circles can become exclusive, true hospitality challenges us to open our hearts and homes to those outside our immediate community. It is a call to embody the love of Christ in tangible ways, offering not just material support but emotional and spiritual care as well. [45:48]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider? How can you extend genuine hospitality to them this week, sharing not just your resources but your time and attention?


Day 2: Love Covers Sins Through Unity
Loving deeply means maintaining unity even when addressing sin. It involves holding each other accountable while preserving the bond of love, demonstrating a profound testimony of Christ's love. This kind of love is not blind to wrongdoing but seeks to address it in a way that strengthens relationships rather than tearing them apart. It is a love that covers a multitude of sins, not by ignoring them, but by fostering an environment where grace and truth coexist. [48:56]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to approach with both truth and love? How can you ensure that your words and actions promote unity and healing?


Day 3: The Great Commission's Timeless Call
The call to love, serve, and show hospitality does not expire with the world's end. If we truly live as followers of Christ, our actions should remain consistent, regardless of the times. This timeless call challenges us to remain steadfast in our mission, even when circumstances are uncertain or daunting. It is a reminder that our purpose as Christians transcends temporal concerns and is rooted in the eternal love and mission of Christ. [57:50]

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the Great Commission today, regardless of the challenges you face? What specific steps can you take to share Christ's love in your community?


Day 4: Using Our Gifts to Serve
Each person has unique gifts and talents. By using these to serve others, we fulfill our calling to show hospitality and love, reflecting God's grace in diverse ways. Whether through music, crafts, or simply offering a listening ear, each act of service is a testament to the love and grace we have received from God. This is a call to recognize and utilize the gifts we have been given, not for our own glory, but to build up the body of Christ and serve those around us. [57:50]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others in your church or community this week?


Day 5: Hospitality to Strangers as Family
We are called to extend hospitality beyond our circles, treating strangers as family. This act of love is a powerful witness to a disconnected world, showcasing the inclusive love of Christ. It challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace those we do not know, reflecting the radical hospitality that Jesus has shown us. In doing so, we become living testimonies of the gospel, inviting others into the family of God through our actions and attitudes. [57:50]

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

Reflection: Who is a "stranger" in your life that you can treat as family? What practical steps can you take to extend hospitality to them this week?

Quotes

"Hospitality in the ancient world was meant to be a deep sharing of my life with another person. Hospitality was meant to be that we as believers in Jesus Christ, we would share and take care of the emotional, social, and physical needs of another person, especially those who are unable to repay it. And I believe that that practice of hospitality is vital for us in this 21st century." [00:33:48]

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." [00:36:01]

"If the end of the world is tomorrow, the Great Commission doesn't expire today. If we really knew that Jesus is coming back tomorrow, what we should do differently is nothing. Because if we are living for him, if we are living the life of a follower of Christ, we should be going great, I'll keep doing what I'm doing." [00:43:02]

"As I understand this passage, it is to say that even as we confront the sin, we are still loving one another as we do it. The covering over means that there is a maintaining of unity even as we deal with the issue of sin. We can love people and hold them accountable." [00:43:06]

"The word hospitality in the Greek is actually philosinos. The word philos is the showing of brotherly love, where I'm giving you the love that I would give to a brother or a sister as family. Those are the people that we love even when we don't like them very much." [00:46:42]

"Showing brotherly, hospitality literally means to take a stranger and treat them like their family. And that, to me, my friends, is such a profound demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because let me break down the hospitality that we received from Jesus." [00:47:06]

"Jesus did the thing he did not have to do. He said, you are my brother, you are my sister, we have a father together, we have a household with him for all eternity. That's the hospitality that Jesus has shown to us. And that's why in this generation which is so disconnected and so self-oriented, having a group of people that says I do not know you but I will love you like you are part of my family is such a profound witness to who Jesus Christ is." [00:49:19]

"The nature of hospitality is that I'm showing brotherly love to you in a way that you can't repay because that's not the expectation. The expectation is you're my brother, you're my sister in Christ, I love you and I'm demonstrating that love for you, I'm serving you and you don't even have to pay it back, give it to somebody else." [00:50:04]

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, that means people you don't know and they may be strange, thus the name. For by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. I don't know if angels are supernatural beings or it meant something else, I don't know. What I do know is we're supposed to be doing that." [00:54:20]

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in his various forms. Big fan of that. What does that mean? Because when we hear the word gift we often think about spiritual gifts, you know, things like preaching, teaching, speaking in tongues and healing and administration." [00:56:06]

"What I am saying is that God has given you the gifts that only you have been given. And when we show hospitality, the first and best way we can do that is to use whatever gift you have been given to serve other people. That's it. You're going to be able to serve in ways that I never can." [00:56:22]

"And I would invite you, if you want to be a follower of Christ who truly shows hospitality to the strangers and the people around them, I would invite you to find what's in your hand and just start prayerfully asking God, how can I use this to show love to other people? You might be surprised in how he leads you with that." [00:58:57]

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Transcript
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