As Christ's body, we must follow His example and relentlessly prepare to serve others, provide what others--especially the rest of the body--need, welcome new people into our family, and empower each other to serve. Since biblical hospitality is focused on those outside the body, we must collectively focus outward.
Series: Authentic Faith: Be The Body
Speaker: John Pryor
Notes:
Jesus prepared carefully for His final Passover with His disciples. He made sure everything they needed was provided and welcomed them in a way they would never forget. He included them in the process and empowered them to follow His example.
John 13:1-17
We must prepare to serve others. Even our focus on encouraging and building each other up models God's love to the world. Making new disciples must always be a non-negotiable, core purpose for Christ's body. This requires constant preparation.
Luke 13-15 & 22, John 13:34-35, Matthew 28:18-20,
Acts 1:8
We must provide what others need. No matter what other specific will He may have for various parts of His body at any given time, meeting each others needs and working together to meet the needs of others are always part of Christ's will for us.
Titus 3:14, Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12, 1 Timothy 5:8
We must welcome others into our home. Biblical hospitality includes showing love to strangers. Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and constantly showed us how to love those others consider less and those He considers lost.
Matthew 4:43-48, Titus 1:8, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Kings 6:8-23, Romans 12:9-21, Hebrews 13:1-3
We must empower each other to serve. This is why we gather, why we fellowship, why the Holy Spirit spreads the gifts out between everyone in the Body, and why the Body must grow.
1 Peter 4:7-11
Lord, I will show hospitality to _______ by ___________.