Sep. 18, 2013
SPIRITUAL HOSPITALITY
HOSPITALITY-the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
In the West today HOSPITALITY is rarely a matter of protection and survival, and is more associated with etiquette and entertainment. However, it still involves showing respect for one’s guests, providing for their needs, and treating them as equals. Cultures and subcultures vary in the extent to which one is expected to show HOSPITALITY to strangers, as opposed to personal friends or members of one’s in-group.
Now as A Christian, HOSPITALITY must be defined as A mater of PROTECTION and SURVIVAL But the key words in the statements above is TREATING THEM AS EQUALS even though our Cultures and subcultures, rich, poor, Heterosexual, or homosexual, thin, or overweight, African American, Spanish, or Caucasian, Educated, or not so Educated.
Vary in the extent to which one is expected to show HOSPITALITY to strangers, as opposed to personal friends or members of one’s in-group. Luke 19:1-9 tells us Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I MUST STAY AT YOUR HOUSE TODAY.” SO HE CAME DOWN AT ONCE AND WELCOMED HIM GLADLY.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “HE HAS GONE TO BE A GUEST OF A SINNER.”…….Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” In this account of the life of Christ Luke is letting us know that as Christians,
we must always recognize as Paul states in romans 10:9-13 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the 
dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. A poor Carpenter/Traveling Preacher, is about to be entertained by A man of Wealth.
Every Saturday or Sunday we Leave our Churches. We think nothing of inviting the Pastor or Dr.got it going on to our houses for Dinner. But what about the Member who does not quite fit into who we may want sitting on our Lexington Upholstery Salon Sofa. When do we as Children of A God, A God who gave His blood for all,
begin to recognize as Paul tells us in Col. 1:16 “For in him all things were created: Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him”. Each of us need to ask ourselves today, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE LIKE CHRIST.
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisee saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:16 Why would The Creator of the universe, the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” stoop so low as to eat with sinners.
John 8:6-7…….. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them. “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Paul tells us in ”Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
We as Christians in the last days of this life’s history must begin to possess SPIRITUAL HOSPITALITY as A mandate from Christ of how He lived His life.Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 that “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” So the gift of SPIRITUAL HOSPITALITY is our commission 
for the purpose of building up God’s church and serving the body of Christ. So we who seek Eternity must ask God each day to increase our territory to include everyone.
Our gifts, and homes are given not just for the benefit of family and friends. But for the enhancement of all, in the body of believers no mater what race, creed, color, or economic group they may be A part of. Romans 12:13, tells us “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice HOSPITALITY”
Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 4:8-10 “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 gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
My friends, what A powerful statement above. What this tells us is this has to be, A way of life for each child of God in reaching Salvation through Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. Christianity is the faith of openness, as we open our hearts, and open our churches, and open our homes to everyone. So my friends today “whatever you do”or whoever you entertain, “do it all for the glory of God.” this is Christian hospitality, the example Christ left for each and everyone of us who seek His pure and holy Kingdom.
So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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