Radical Hospitality: Transforming Homes for God's Kingdom

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Redemption Church! Today, we delve into the theme of hospitality as part of our "Change the World" series. Hospitality, in the context of the gospel, is not just about being polite or welcoming; it's about transforming our homes into tools for God's kingdom. I began by sharing a personal story about our first home, a place filled with memories and love, but also a place where we built walls—both physical and metaphorical—to create a sanctuary from the world. However, a sermon I once heard challenged this notion, urging us to view our homes as weapons for the gospel.

We often see our homes as private retreats, but what if we saw them as places to extend God's love and grace? My wife and I began to pray and ask God how we could use our home for His purposes. This led to numerous opportunities to host people, some for short stays and others for longer periods. One memorable instance was when we invited a homeless woman to live with us, changing her world with a simple act of hospitality.

The gospel calls us to a radical form of hospitality that goes beyond mere politeness. It requires us to open our homes and hearts to strangers, much like Jesus did. Jesus, who had no home of His own, preached a message of inclusion and love, often outside the walls of the temple. This is a stark contrast to our culture of exclusion, where we build walls to keep others out.

True hospitality is inconvenient and messy, but it mirrors the ultimate act of hospitality—Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We were the ultimate outsiders, yet God made us insiders through Jesus. This is the essence of the gospel, and it's what we are called to emulate.

We don't need better music, bigger buildings, or more programs to change the world. We need to live on mission, extending love and grace to the world around us. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 remind us that hospitality and love for one another are central to our faith.

In closing, I shared the story of Rosario Butterfield, a former critic of Christianity who came to faith through the radical hospitality of a pastor and his wife. Her story exemplifies how simple acts of hospitality can lead to profound transformations.

### Key Takeaways

1. Transforming Our Homes for the Gospel: Our homes should not just be sanctuaries for ourselves but tools for God's kingdom. When we view our homes as weapons for the gospel, we open up opportunities for God to work through us in ways we never imagined. This shift in perspective can lead to profound changes in our lives and the lives of those we welcome. [08:13]

2. Radical Hospitality Reflects Jesus' Love: True hospitality is inconvenient and messy, but it mirrors Jesus' ultimate act of hospitality—His sacrifice on the cross. We were the ultimate outsiders, yet God made us insiders through Jesus. This radical inclusion is what we are called to emulate in our own lives. [11:37]

3. Living on Mission: Changing the world doesn't require better music, bigger buildings, or more programs. It requires us to live on mission, extending love and grace to the world around us. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 remind us that hospitality and love for one another are central to our faith. [17:28]

4. Overcoming Obstacles to Hospitality: We face several obstacles to true hospitality, including our love for isolation, entertainment, and our busy schedules. However, when we choose to step into someone else's world, we create opportunities for eternal impact. We must be intentional about making space for the Holy Spirit to work through us. [32:08]

5. The Power of Simple Acts: Simple acts of hospitality can lead to profound transformations. The story of Rosario Butterfield, who came to faith through the radical hospitality of a pastor and his wife, exemplifies this. When we see our homes as God's gift to use for His kingdom, we open doors to incredible possibilities. [39:54]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Introduction to Hospitality
[01:10] - Personal Story: Our First Home
[02:08] - Neighbor Dan and Lessons Learned
[04:06] - The Pharmacist Neighbor
[06:18] - The Sermon That Changed My View
[08:13] - Using Our Home as a Weapon for the Gospel
[09:58] - Inviting the Homeless Woman
[11:37] - The Ultimate Act of Hospitality
[12:12] - The Power of a Meal
[13:21] - Jesus' Model of Inclusion
[16:14] - The Messiness of True Hospitality
[17:28] - Living on Mission
[24:30] - Loving the Unlovable
[32:08] - Overcoming Obstacles to Hospitality
[39:54] - Rosario Butterfield's Story
[41:36] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Radical Hospitality

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 13:1-2: "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
2. John 13:35: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
3. Luke 6:32-36: "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 13:1-2 say about the importance of hospitality? How does it relate to the idea of entertaining angels? [17:28]
2. According to John 13:35, how will people know that we are disciples of Jesus? [18:04]
3. In Luke 6:32-36, what does Jesus say about loving those who love us versus loving our enemies? How does this challenge our natural inclinations? [24:30]
4. What personal story did the pastor share about using his home for hospitality, and how did it change someone's life? [09:58]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of hospitality in Hebrews 13:1-2 challenge our modern understanding of home as a private retreat? [17:28]
2. What does John 13:35 imply about the role of love and hospitality in our witness to the world? How does this align with the pastor's message about living on mission? [18:04]
3. How does Luke 6:32-36 expand our understanding of who we should show hospitality to? What are the practical implications of loving our enemies and expecting nothing in return? [24:30]
4. Reflecting on the pastor's story about inviting a homeless woman to live with his family, what does this teach us about the transformative power of simple acts of hospitality? [09:58]

#### Application Questions
1. Think about your own home. How can you begin to view it as a tool for God's kingdom rather than just a private retreat? What practical steps can you take to open your home to others? [08:13]
2. The pastor mentioned that true hospitality is inconvenient and messy. What are some specific inconveniences or messes you might face if you open your home to others? How can you prepare yourself to embrace these challenges? [11:37]
3. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 emphasize the importance of love and hospitality. How can you intentionally show love and hospitality to someone in your community this week? [17:28]
4. The pastor shared about overcoming obstacles to hospitality, such as busyness and a love for isolation. What are some obstacles in your life that prevent you from practicing hospitality? How can you address these obstacles? [32:08]
5. Reflect on the story of Rosario Butterfield and how radical hospitality led to her transformation. Is there someone in your life who might be impacted by your hospitality? How can you reach out to them this week? [39:54]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of living on mission. What does living on mission look like for you in your current season of life? How can you incorporate hospitality into your mission? [17:28]
7. How can you create margin in your life to obey the Holy Spirit's promptings towards hospitality? What specific activities or commitments might you need to adjust or eliminate? [32:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Transforming Our Homes for the Gospel
Our homes should not just be sanctuaries for ourselves but tools for God's kingdom. When we view our homes as weapons for the gospel, we open up opportunities for God to work through us in ways we never imagined. This shift in perspective can lead to profound changes in our lives and the lives of those we welcome. By intentionally using our homes to extend God's love and grace, we can create a space where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully. This might mean inviting neighbors over for a meal, hosting a Bible study, or even providing temporary shelter for someone in need. The key is to be open and willing to let God use our homes for His purposes. [08:13]

1 Peter 4:9-10 (ESV): "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: How can you intentionally use your home to serve others this week? Think of one specific way you can extend hospitality to someone in your community.

Day 2: Radical Hospitality Reflects Jesus' Love
True hospitality is inconvenient and messy, but it mirrors Jesus' ultimate act of hospitality—His sacrifice on the cross. We were the ultimate outsiders, yet God made us insiders through Jesus. This radical inclusion is what we are called to emulate in our own lives. Jesus' ministry was marked by His willingness to welcome and include those who were marginalized and outcast. By extending radical hospitality, we reflect His love and grace to a world that desperately needs it. This might mean going out of our way to help someone in need or opening our homes to those who are different from us. [11:37]

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

Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider? How can you extend radical hospitality to them this week, even if it is inconvenient or messy?

Day 3: Living on Mission
Changing the world doesn't require better music, bigger buildings, or more programs. It requires us to live on mission, extending love and grace to the world around us. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 remind us that hospitality and love for one another are central to our faith. Living on mission means being intentional about sharing God's love in our everyday interactions. It means looking for opportunities to serve others and being willing to step out of our comfort zones to make a difference. By living on mission, we can have a profound impact on the world around us. [17:28]

Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV): "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can live on mission this week? Think of a practical step you can take to extend love and grace to someone in your community.

Day 4: Overcoming Obstacles to Hospitality
We face several obstacles to true hospitality, including our love for isolation, entertainment, and our busy schedules. However, when we choose to step into someone else's world, we create opportunities for eternal impact. We must be intentional about making space for the Holy Spirit to work through us. This might mean setting aside time in our schedules to connect with others or being willing to sacrifice our own comfort for the sake of someone else. By overcoming these obstacles, we can create a culture of hospitality that reflects God's love and grace. [32:08]

1 Peter 4:8-9 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Reflection: What obstacles are preventing you from showing true hospitality? How can you overcome these obstacles to create space for the Holy Spirit to work through you?

Day 5: The Power of Simple Acts
Simple acts of hospitality can lead to profound transformations. The story of Rosario Butterfield, who came to faith through the radical hospitality of a pastor and his wife, exemplifies this. When we see our homes as God's gift to use for His kingdom, we open doors to incredible possibilities. Simple acts like inviting someone over for a meal, offering a listening ear, or providing a place to stay can have a lasting impact on someone's life. By being willing to extend hospitality in small ways, we can create opportunities for God to work in powerful ways. [39:54]

Matthew 25:35 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

Reflection: What simple act of hospitality can you extend to someone this week? Think of a specific person and a specific action you can take to show God's love and grace to them.

Quotes

1. "I love this quote by one of the authors. He says this. He says, you need an altogether different view of your home as primarily a weapon for the gospel before it is anything else. A weapon for the gospel. What in the world does that mean? What does that mean? I just remember, as we heard that message, we started having conversations." [08:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But the reality is we create with these devices, digital walls. They're still walls, but we may not even need a physical wall anymore because now I can use my phone to do it, right? I can create these digital walls because we want to escape, but I'd offer this counterpoint when we think about escape. Instead of escaping into a different reality, what if we chose to intentionally step into someone else's world?" [30:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When it comes to us living on mission, bringing others to Jesus, we don't need better music, we don't need better preaching, we don't need a bigger building or more fancy lights or even more seats, we don't need even more kids' ministries, we don't need better staff, we don't need more kids' programs, we don't need any of that to change the world. We need the people of God living on mission, extending love and grace and an invitation to the outside world to the table of fellowship." [16:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The great news of the gospel is not only that there's a seat for you, but there's a home for you. There's a place for you. This is a message of inclusion, not exclusion. The gospel is for all to hear. And to respond to. There's this incredible relationship. There's this incredible life that isn't bound up and dependent upon the things of the world because we can experience true freedom through Jesus if we choose to sit at the table." [34:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "But the love that Jesus preached to us, the Greek word for it is philozenos. And so that translates to a love or lover of foreigners or strangers. So it's this idea that we can love others in the same way that Jesus loves, and I think the reality is we sometimes treat hospitality, especially when it comes to the gospel, as like an extra, because we live in a culture where it is extra, right?" [14:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When we begin to say, Lord, this is truly yours, and we allow him to impact the world through us, come into our lives on this deeper level, and we say, okay, God, I'm gonna start offering the things to you that I've been holding back, it's pretty amazing how the world starts to change." [11:37] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "I love this quote by one of my favorite church planners, Alan Hirsch. He says, if every Christian family in the world simply offered good conversational hospitality around a table once a week to neighbors, we'd eat our way into the kingdom of God. I love that. We'd eat, I'm like, now that is a message I can get behind. I love to eat so much. I love it." [12:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We were the ultimate outsiders. We were the foreigners. We were the strangers. Take it a step further, we were the enemies of God, yet he chose to be inclusive. Lisa Chan says this, the goal of hospitality is not to leave us warm and fuzzy inside, but to leave us looking more and more like Jesus. When it comes to true hospitality, it's difficult, it's hard, it requires surrender, it requires sacrifice." [15:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "But the reality is God has called us to a gospel of inclusivity, not exclusivity. The third obstacle that we face is we love our entertainment and we love to escape. We just need to be entertained, right? Like, if you think about this, we live in the most connected time of all of human history, right? So if you think about it, you could pull your phone out. And we're plugged into this device." [29:01] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I love this quote by John Tyson, another one of my favorite pastors. He says, you may not be too sinful for Jesus to use you, but you may be too busy. I feel like I embody that quote. I read that. I think. My goodness, there's so many times I'm guilty of telling my wife or my kids just how busy I am. It's like I just was so busy. And literally, it's often attached to my perceived reward." [33:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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