Sunday, September 08, 2013

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Ministry of Hospitality



“A bishop then must be…hospitable…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

It is one thing to be hospitable to family and friends, but love demands that we reach out to those we don’t know and who may not be able to return the favor.  Jesus commanded:

Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”  (Luke 14:12-14 NKJV)

Since this is the expectation for all disciples, it must be exemplified in the life of the pastor.

For one thing, this provides an opportunity to share the Gospel.  It is one thing to go knock on someone else’s door with the intent of telling them about the love of God—and we should—but, what about showing someone the love of God when they knock on our door?  Welcoming them gives credibility to our claims of grace, mercy and compassion as Christian virtues.

What if two strangers showed up at our door—she is in labor—and there is no place for them to go?  Would we turn them away?  That’s what happened to Joseph and Mary!  Surely, we wouldn’t want to do that!

Wiersbe says this means,

Literally, “loving the stranger.”  This was an important ministry in the early church when traveling believers would need places to stay (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 3 John 5–8).  But even today, a pastor and wife who are hospitable are a great help to the fellowship of a local church.[1]

Our home can be a sanctuary where a church is planted.  We may have strangers regularly tromping our carpet as they come for Bible study.  Our house can be a training center where disciples are developed, and a lighthouse where the Gospel radiates.  Neighbors can be invited in to meet Jesus—as Matthew did for his friends (Matt.9:9-13). 

A PRAYER

God our Refuge,
You give us a shelter in Your arms.  Your Son is preparing an eternal dwelling for us.  We have been the recipient of a warm welcome in the home of others.  Please help our home to be a haven for the hurting!
In Christ’s Name,
Amen.



[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

This is not just for pastors either! Every believer should be encouraged to open their home to others. There are so many reasons why it's hard- my home is not nice enough, I don't have enough money to feed extra people, I like to be private, etc. I have very felt not good enough to practice hospitality before. Fortunately, true hospitality is a working of the heart. If all you have to offer is a glass of water, do it in Jesus name. Bathe it in love and prayer for that person. Offer them a listening ear and a loving heart. That will be more than enough! People need to know that someone cares about them. Be that someone.

Dennis Thurman said...

Thanks for reading and sharing Jennifer! You are on target!

Dennis Thurman said...

Thanks for reading and sharing Jennifer! You are on target!