Let all music rise up, awake by storm and sea.
Come, give new time for me.
Let heaven as thy last gleaming through all eternity.
Round him, the Lord above.
He holds his hands and sighs.
His words and words in all of them make him be glorified.
No angel in the sky can hold him there that sighs.
God never gives his one regard, that his service so kind.
Round him, the Lord above.
Who triumph, Lord of great.
Who comes victorious to the sky.
For God's he came to save.
His glory now be seen.
Who died and rose on high.
Who died eternal life to be at last at any time.
Round him, the Lord above.
One with the Father glory.
One with the Spirit blooming.
Come, young man, glorious one, to lead the endless race.
For thou, for us, has died.
We now hold true in this age of war and black and white.
I must tell Jesus, Lord, my trials.
I cannot bear these burdens alone.
In my distress, he, when he will help me,
he always loves and cares for his own.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles.
He is a kind compassion and prayer.
If I not ask him, he will deliver.
Think of my troubles within.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
Tinted and dry, I need a great Savior,
one who can help my burdens to bear.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
feel my fears and sorrows for shame.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
Oh, how a world of evil allures me.
Oh, how my heart is tempted to sing.
I must tell Jesus, and he will help me.
Over the world, love increases me.
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus.
Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to Steadfast Baptist
Church.
If we can go ahead and find our seats, we'll get started.
If you could, turn with me to song number 207
in your hymnals, song number 207.
Song number 207, we'll all sing it together,
only a sinner saved by grace.
Song number 207, I'll sing it together with you.
I have not been, but God has been.
When it happens, what is it I have been?
The sins within my own face.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Only a sinner saved by grace.
This is my story, to God be the glory.
I'm a sinner saved by grace.
Once I was foolish and sinful, my heart,
causing my distress from God to depart.
Jesus, God be happy by grace.
I now am a sinner saved by grace.
Only a sinner saved by grace.
This is my story, to God be the glory.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Tears of an evil bear in the dark,
cursing and taking, or else I will start,
sinning and longing, fearing God's grace.
But now I'm a sinner saved by grace.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Only a sinner saved by grace.
This is my story, to God be the glory.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Sufferers, sinners, are overjoyed.
Hallelujah!
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Only a sinner saved by grace.
This is my story, to God be the glory.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
This is my story, to God be the glory.
I'm only a sinner saved by grace.
Great singing, everybody.
Let's open up the service now together with a word of prayer.
Lord, we love you, and we just thank you so much for this church.
Thank you for everybody here.
Thank you for the singing, the hymns, the psalms.
And Lord, most importantly, your word, Lord,
and the preaching we get to hear from it.
We love you, and we just ask you to bless everything
that this church does and fill it with your spirit.
Amen.
All right, for our next song, let's go to song number 112.
Song number 112, a little bit of a slower song,
but one of my favorites, Be Still, My Soul.
Song number 112.
Let's all sing it together on the verse.
Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side.
In every change, be faithful will be made.
Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side.
In every change, be faithful will be made.
Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side.
When peace shall be forever in the Lord,
When disappoint, when grief and fear are gone,
Sorrows will die, but purest joys be shown.
Be still, my soul, in change and years of past,
All sin and death, still peace shall be at last.
Hello, and welcome to Steadfast Baptist Church.
If you need a bulletin, just raise your hand.
One of the ushers should be able to get you one
if there are any left.
Pastor Shelley is out of town tonight.
He's preaching at Faithful Word Baptist Church,
and I recommend you check out his sermon
after we're done here,
because I think he's going to bring the heat.
On the front, we have our Bible Memory passage.
We're working on Matthew 28.
Anybody who can quote this to a non-family member
will receive a special prize, and tonight,
any kids younger than 18 who can quote this
will get ice cream, and it's already freezing out,
but kids still want ice cream anyway.
On the inside, we have our service times.
We have regional soul-winning and church stats.
Additionally, we're in prayer for our expecting ladies.
I want to call your attention to the back of the bulletin,
our prayer list.
We're praying for my grandmother-in-law,
also for the Carlsons, for Ms. Tinika's mother,
for Ms. Faith, her friend's mom,
going through cancer treatment, for the Scotts,
some health requests there, for the Garcias,
and in fact, we have a praise report there
for Ms. Ava's daughter giving birth to a healthy baby girl.
That's great news.
We're also in prayer for Brother Samuel's fiance,
the visa process, and there was an update on that.
I can't remember what it was, so Samuel,
I'm going to call on you.
Could you give us an update on your fiance?
We approved, and we're waiting on it to come in the mail.
Visa's approved, waiting on it to come in the mail.
There you go, so prayer works, all right?
We have the Goodwins with a request there
for their friend Sarah's recovery from surgery
and some of the follow-up visits.
Brother Nick, for his mother's salvation.
For Brother Sue Hale, his wife specifically,
unfortunately, her father has passed away.
Brother Billy, as well, praying for his coworker
and for his coworker's son, rather.
Additionally, Brother Tanner Furr,
for his brother and his niece,
custody rights for that person's daughter.
There's a court date listed, and Ms. Ginger,
again, unfortunate news here.
She had posted in the chat group
that her brother did pass away.
The way she worded it was that it was,
you know, he went to his forever home,
and so sad situation there,
but I'm going to lift up these requests in prayer now.
Father in heaven, we just ask, Lord,
that all of these requests be met by you.
Sometimes things happen, and we don't quite understand why,
specifically health situations, deaths, things of that nature,
but, Lord, we ask that you would comfort those who need it now,
that you would give them strength to go through the difficult times
that they are enduring right now,
and, Lord, also for all the other prayer requests on this list,
Father God, that you would answer them,
that you would give an answer that they are looking for, Lord God,
and that you would comfort those specifically
who really, really need it right now.
And so we know that there is nothing too difficult for you,
no situation too difficult for you,
and certainly these requests are no exception,
and, Lord, we ask for your intervention now.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
On the inside of the bulletin, we have upcoming events.
The cruise mission trip is happening now.
On March 8th, there is a Spanish soul-winning marathon on the 9th,
so the next day, bright and early, 8 a.m.,
there will be a Spanish breakfast.
That sounds fun.
March 2nd, the kids' choir are going to begin practicing,
and then on the 22nd, there will be a spring recital,
which I'm looking forward to,
and be mindful of the church reminders on the bottom of the bulletin.
We want to make sure everybody is safe in the building.
That's all I have for announcements.
Brother Dustin, if you would lead us in our next song.
All right, for our next song, let's go to our black binders here
and find Where the Spirit Blows.
It should be at the back of the binder.
Where the Spirit Blows.
Let's all sing it out together on the verse.
Jesus, for me, Lord, let him see,
and let him lie,
still in his sight.
Where the Spirit Blows, he will flow,
flow, flow, flow.
Where the Spirit Blows, he will flow,
yellow and brown,
to every town,
not just the Jews.
Let's go with Jews.
Where the Spirit Blows, he will flow,
flow, flow, flow.
Where the Spirit Blows, he will flow,
my spirit shine,
ease me on by,
for eternity,
always with me.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow,
flow, flow, flow.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow,
keep my spirit down,
send my spirit down,
on me arose,
rushing our foes.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow,
flow, flow, flow.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow,
he gives my way,
all on his way,
faithful saves,
empties my praise.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow,
flow, flow, flow.
Where the Spirit Blows,
he will flow.
All right, great singing everybody.
Now if y'all can please
remain cast around,
go ahead and turn your Bibles
to Genesis chapter number 18.
That's the book of Genesis
chapter number 18.
piano plays softly
Genesis chapter number 18.
The Bible reads,
And the Lord appeared unto him
in the plains of Mamre,
and he sat in the tent door
in the heat of the day.
And he lift up his eyes,
and looked, and lo,
three men stood by him,
and when he saw them,
he ran to them from the tent door
and bowed himself
toward the ground,
and said, My Lord,
if now I have found favor
in thy sight,
pass not away, I pray thee,
from thy servant.
Let a little water, I pray you,
be fetched, and wash your feet,
and rest yourselves
under the tree,
and I will fetch a morsel
of bread, and comfort ye
your hearts,
after that ye shall pass on.
For therefore are you come
to your servant,
and they said,
So do as thou hast said.
And Abraham hastened
unto the tent unto Sarah,
and said, Make ready quickly
three measures of fine meal,
knead it, and make
cakes upon the hearth.
And Abraham ran unto the herd,
and fetched a calf,
tender and good,
and gave it unto a young man,
and he hasted to dress it.
And he took butter,
and milk, and the calf,
which he had dressed,
and set it before them,
and he stood by them
under the tree,
and they did eat.
And they said unto him,
Where is Sarah thy wife?
And he said, Behold,
in the tent.
And he said, I will
certainly return unto thee,
according to the time of life.
And lo, Sarah thy wife
shall have a son.
And Sarah heard it
in the tent door,
which was behind him.
Now Abraham and Sarah
were old and well-stricken
in age, and it ceased
to be with Sarah
after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed
within herself, saying,
After I am waxed old,
shall I have pleasure,
my Lord being old also?
And the Lord said unto
Abraham, Wherefore did
Sarah laugh, saying,
Shall I of assurity
bear a child,
which am old?
Is anything too hard
for the Lord?
At the time appointed,
I will return unto thee,
according to the time of life,
and Sarah shall have a son.
Then Sarah denied,
saying, I laughed not,
for she was afraid,
and he said, Nay,
but thou didst laugh.
And the men rose up
from thence, and looked
towards Sodom,
and Abraham went with them
to bring them on the way.
And the Lord said,
Shall I hide from Abraham,
that thing which I do,
seeing that Abraham
shall surely become
a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth
shall be blessed in him?
For I know him,
that he will command
his children and his household
after me.
And they shall keep
the way of the Lord
to do justice and judgment,
that the Lord may bring
upon Abraham that which
he had spoken of him.
And the Lord said,
Because the cry
of Sodom and Gomorrah
is great, and because
their sin is very grievous,
I will go down now
and see whether they
have done altogether,
according to the time
according to the cry of it,
which is coming to me,
and if not, I will know.
And the men turned
their faces from thence,
and went towards Sodom.
But Abraham stood
yet before the Lord.
And Abraham drew near
and said, Wilt thou also
destroy the righteous
with the wicked?
Perventure there be fifty
righteous within the city.
Wilt thou also destroy
and not spare the place
for the fifty righteous
that are therein?
That be far from thee
to do after this manner,
to slay the righteous
with the wicked.
And that the righteous
should be as the wicked,
that be far from thee.
Shall not the judge
of all the earth do right?
And the Lord said,
If I find in Sodom
fifty righteous within
the city, then I will
spare all the place
for their sakes.
And Abraham answered
and said, Behold,
now I have taken
upon me to speak unto
the Lord, which am
but dust and ashes.
Peradventure there
shall lack five
of the fifty righteous.
Wilt thou destroy
all the city
for lack of five?
And he said,
If I find there
forty and five,
I will not destroy it.
And he spake unto him
yet again, and said,
Peradventure there
shall be forty found there.
And he said,
I will not do it
for forty's sake.
And he said unto him,
O let not the Lord
be angry, and I will speak.
Peradventure there
shall be thirty
be found there.
And he said,
I will not do it
if I find thirty there.
And he said,
Behold, now I have
taken upon me to speak
unto the Lord,
Peradventure there
shall be twenty found there.
And he said,
I will not destroy it
for twenty's sake.
And he said,
O let not the Lord
be angry, and I will
speak it but this once.
Peradventure ten
I'll be found there and he said I will not destroy it for ten sake and the Lord went his way as soon as he
Had left communion with Abraham and Abraham returned unto his place. Let us pray heavenly Father Lord. Thank you for this church
Thank you for allowing us to be here
I just pray that you'd be with brother Ben film with your Holy Spirit to preach your word unto us and help us to
Receive that Lord make application to our lives. Praise in Jesus name. Amen
Amen, I want to open by thanking pastor Shelley for the opportunity to fill in for him tonight
We're there in Genesis chapter 18
There's a lot going on in this chapter
But I'll be focusing on the beginning portion of it where it says in verse number one and the Lord
Appeared unto him in the plains of mammary and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day
And he lift up his eyes and looked and lo three men stood by him
and when he saw them he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground and said my Lord if
Now I have found favor in thy sight pass not away. I pray thee from thy servant
we have
here Abraham who was met by
Two angels and an appearance an Old Testament appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ
And of course, we know that this is Jesus because the Bible tells us no man had seen God at any time
the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him and
This is one of several different
Old Testament appearances of Christ that's not the scope of the sermon though
Rather what I'll be talking about is something a little different for me
but still a subject that is brought up in Scripture repeatedly at its hospitality and the title of my sermon is
hospitality
Hospitality there's lessons we can derive from the Bible on this subject
But on the onset I want you to see just how enthusiastic that
Abraham is here and
The reality is when it comes to hospitality
I'll get into some practical lessons in a moment when it comes to hospitality
We have to remember that in the ancient world. It was necessary to
dispense this to people because there weren't hotels back then and
So when someone was coming from out of town a foreigner coming from out of town as a visitor
often they had no choice but to stay with someone and
It was a demonstration of hospitality to open up your home to that stranger to that foreigner to that
out-of-town
Visitor today we use this word a lot more broadly
We use it to mean
We use it to mean different things and we can apply it in different ways I would look at it this way
I would say that there are you could argue different degrees if you will of
hospitality
There's the kind of hospitality that you would show to like I've been talking about an out-of-town visitor
There's the kind of hospitality that you would show to somebody when you just invite them over as a guest for dinner
Or you invite them for fellowship you invite them for lunch you invite them to your home for a few hours and
Hopefully they don't overstay their welcome, right?
but the idea is that you're inviting somebody into your home for dinner for fellowship that is
One of the ways we can show people hospitality and it is within the scope of the sermon tonight
Also taking people out to eat doing good unto them outside of your home
I think you could use hospitality in that way as well. You can show people hospitality
one to another in
this
vicinity in church or by taking them out to a restaurant doing things for people outside your home
Where you're meeting their needs their needs rather you're meeting their needs and really?
The broadest way possible to look at this concept is simply that you're meeting other
People's needs
You're placing their burden on yourself. And that's really the theme of the message is placing the burden of others on
Yourself and if you have that kind of mentality, you'll be well on your way to being a hospitable person
Meeting other people's needs that's so important an online definition
I found is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests
visitors or
Strangers and I think that's an accurate one. Obviously, that's why I put it in the notes, but
By way of introduction, let's actually look at what the Bible says on the onset about this concept of hospitality
Turn to Romans chapter 12 in the New Testament Romans chapter 12. We'll be going back to this story
I want to look at the enthusiasm of Abraham in a moment
I want to look at some principles that we can extract from this story and Genesis chapter 18 and talk about
lessons we can learn about
Hospitality that we can apply to our lives
But before doing that, I want to look at what the Bible says. Let's talk a little about what the Bible says on
this subject
In clear terms verse 9 Romans 12 verse 9. Let love be without
Dissimulation
Abhor that which is evil cleave to that which is good. So we have an
Exhortation to love without the veil of deceit without the veil of of deceit
We want our love to shine
We want it to be a parent
but it can't shine and it cannot be
Apparent to others if it's veiled by deceit if it's fake if you have a fake love and I think that is what?
The Bible is describing in Romans chapter 12
But let's continue in verse 10 and I'll explain why that's relevant
It says be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love and honor
Preferring one another so we started the passage by talking about what?
not having a fake love a love that is veiled by deceit and then it continues I think expanding on that concept by
Mentioning this idea of being kindly affectioned and
Showing brotherly love so important
Let's look at verse 11 not slothful in business fervent in spirit serving the Lord rejoicing in hope patient in tribulation
Continuing instant in prayer now. Here's what I really wanted to highlight distributing to the necessity of
Saints and again when we look at hospitality, that's what it's all about meeting other people's needs
alleviating their burden, but then it says given to hospitality given to
Hospitality something all of us should be as Christians
receiving strangers entertaining them with kindness not expecting a reward in in return
Showing brotherly love to each other showing brotherly love preferring one another
preferring one another
providing for each other again bearing each other's
Burdens a crucial concept we see in the Bible. Look, let's look at job 31 turn if you would to job chapter
31 and
hospitality so important so impactful that it's even brought up multiple times in
the
qualifications of a bishop which tell us that someone who wants to pastor should be a lover of
Hospitality a lover of good men by the way sober just holy temperate
You say well, it seems like your pastor really loves all these other pastors
Especially in the new IFP movement and outside of it as well. Well that tells me that he's meeting this qualification right here
He is a lover of good men and that's what we should be as well. And one of the ways we can
Demonstrate that is by showing hospitality to good men as well when they're coming from out of town to visit
Opening up our homes to them whether it's just for a few hours for dinner, or maybe they need a place to stay
lodging
This is a great way for us to really show our
Charity to show our charity
Lodging strangers is brought up actually in the you could call it the qualifications of a widow to receive
Assistance from the local New Testament Church if she have lodged strangers it says this is someone worthy of assistance
Also exemplified in the book of Acts multiple times
But once by Lydia a seller of purple who constrained the men of God to abide
Job 31 brings this up again in verse 32 job 31 verse 32 the stranger
Did not lodge in the street, but I opened my doors to the traveler again
Speaking to travelers those who are out of town coming in and staying lodging
temporarily an act of generosity an act of
Generosity, that's what I'm talking about tonight and you know some people they've been blessed
We know job certainly
had a nice-looking
bank account and
There are people who've been blessed with
Beautiful homes well you can use that as an opportunity to open them up to
Foreigners out-of-town visitors to come in and stay temporarily
inviting people also
over for dinner
Sharing what you've been blessed with with others
Sharing what you've been blessed with with others of course if you're comfortable
It's important that we vet
those that we allow into our lives in this way because
unfortunately it is a dangerous world and
people have been taken advantage of people's kindness people's
generosity
It's been taken advantage of in this wicked sinful world we live in and
Turn it to turn to Romans 16
Romans chapter 16, so we should take precautions
We should be sure those we are opening up our homes to wanting to show hospitality toward
We should be sure that when we do this our kids are protected
Don't take it for granted that your kids will be safe with
anyone
Anyone we want to make sure our kids are protected
especially when we have
unfamiliar people or
Those who maybe you don't know them that well coming into your home. That would be common sense be sure that
If you're gonna open up your home to someone that it's not someone who gives you the creeps
We have an intuition for a reason don't we and let me tell you something every single time
I've tried to suppress that feeling in my gut that says stay away from this person danger danger danger danger
And I didn't listen to it. I should have listened to it
Now look obviously we shouldn't just go around and assume every single person is a potential
Judas and be
Jaded against people or anything like that. That's not what I'm talking about. It's not what I'm
Endorsing at all, but you just look there's an unmistakable feeling and if you get that with someone
Perhaps that's not a good candidate
to have stay over for multiple nights in a row and to be around your family and
Especially if you're gonna allow people to get close to you in this way and be a regular
Visitor inside your home to stay overnight multiple nights in a row perhaps
I would say just at the very least make sure it's someone who shares your values
you know, the Bible says can to walk together except they be agreed and
as far as someone coming in to my home and
Corrupting my children. It'll happen over my dead body
I will have to die before I lay down and allow that to happen
So that's the mean part of the sermon. I'm gonna go back to being nice now Romans 16. It says in verse number one. I
Commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the church, which is at St. Croix
This is a woman to be commended
women
Have so many really awful role models. They could potentially look up to in this world
Well, I would say that rather than those people. Let's look at a woman like Phoebe
Let's look at this commendable woman here. And one of the attributes she has is that she's a servant of the church in verse 2
It says that you receive her in the Lord has become a saint and that ye assist her in
Whatsoever business she hath need of you for she hath been a suckerer of
many and of myself also
What's the reputation Phoebe has she was a suckerer? She was a helper in other words. She's commended for this
She provided assistance she provided help the attributes of a hospitable person and
a hospital person is
someone essentially who has a servant's heart and
If you want to be known as a hospitable person, if that's the reputation you want to have for yourself
Then you need a purpose in your mind now to have a servant's heart put other people's needs
Even above yours
James chapter 2 let's turn there next James chapter 2
And I just want to preach what James 2 is actually saying
There's a lot of sermons about what it's not saying and there's a need for that. No question because of how often
This passage is twisted, but let's actually just preach what it is saying in verse
14
What does it profit my brethren though a man say verse 14 in James 2 though a man say he hath faith and
Have not works can faith
Save him if you have faith without works, then don't expect to be saved
the individual actually that it's talking about here is
Receiving carnal salvation in the next verse don't expect anyone
To be saved carnally don't expect their needs to be met if you're not adding any works to your faith
verse 15 I think exemplifies this it says if a brother or sister be naked and
destitute of daily food and one of you say unto them depart in peace be he warmed and filled not
Withstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body
What doth it?
Profit faith without works didn't save that person faith without works isn't going to help other people
It's not profitable for other people
It's not going to do good to other people and we see that if you want to add
Some works to your faith one of the ways that you could do that is hospitality meeting other
people's needs as described in James chapter 2 and
verses 14 through
16 verse 17 says even so faith if it hath not works as dead being alone a faith that doesn't have works and in
This context we're talking about meeting other people's needs
quote-unquote saving their flesh
Then that faith is a dead one meaning. It's not producing anything. It's not profitable for anyone else
Let's go back to Genesis 18, and we'll get into some specific
applications
So I think I've highlighted the importance of this concept and what the Bible says about it
But I think it's important to realize that
You may want to
Invite people over you may want to even offer your abode
You know some folks in the hood may call it a crib not me though. You may want to offer that to visitors
But they may say no
right
so it's a it's important to not have an entitlement attitude about this and
Get all bitter and angry with someone if they do say no
My philosophy is this if I invite somebody over and they say no and there's zero attempt at a
Reschedule right they don't say anything like I'm busy on that day, but what about this other date?
They don't give me a reschedule then maybe I'll try
After a while one more time
I'll just try one more time, and then if they say no again and again don't reschedule with me
I got the hint they ain't interested. This is my personal philosophy
It's my personal opinion. You know you could do things a little different if you want, but I think in general
I'm getting the hint at that point. They're not interested, so hey just take no for an answer
They don't want to have that kind of close relationship
Maybe they just want to see me here in church not necessarily outside of these walls
That's okay, and sometimes that happens you know and that's fine look at the end of the day
Even if no one in here ever wants to see me outside of these walls
I'm still showing up y'all are gonna have to do a lot more than that to get rid of me all right
Because we're here for the Lord Jesus Christ ultimately okay
Let's keep the main thing the main thing this is all tertiary stuff here
But hey if somebody doesn't want to have that kind of relationship. No problem you move on to the next one
I'm sure somebody else
will be interested as long as you show yourself friendly as long as you're not a
Weirdo as long as you know how to talk it just like a normal person just normal
I think the barometer is low to make friends. It is just be a normal person
Walk-up to someone talk to him easy. I think at least Genesis 18. Let's look at verse number one. We'll get into some
Specific applications, and I'll read verse 1 again
I know we already read it, but let's do it again and the Lord
appeared unto him in the plains of mammary, and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day and
We have an opportunity for Abraham to show hospitality to the Lord to the Lord himself
And think about this what if I told you that
You had that exact same opportunity that Abraham had
Right
We all do have that opportunity
And I'll explain more in a minute verse 2 and he lift up his eyes and looked and lo
Three men stood by him and when he saw them he ran
Notice that he ran
To meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground Jesus two angels
Appear to Abraham who runs to meet them quickly bows point one
Offer your guests a warm welcome
Offer your guests a warm welcome. You have no idea the impact that can make I know it sounds like something that
We could potentially overlook maybe doesn't seem that important, but offer your guests a warm welcome
That's what Abraham does he greets his guests here with
You could argue
Exuberance he meets his guests with warmth with with kindness with enthusiasm, and there's no indication
I think on the onset in the very beginning that he even knew this was God
I think he figured it out very quickly though and
It's very welcoming now remember we all have this same opportunity
We have the opportunity
To actually greet the Lord you say what are you talking about? I'll read this for you
You don't have to go there Colossians 3 it says and whatsoever you do do it heartily as
To the Lord and not unto men so the Bible says that we should do what we do whatsoever
We do should be done heartily should be done with vigor with fervor with a hundred percent effort
And that includes welcoming people into your home do it as you would to the Lord Jesus Christ himself
You know it was Jesus who said verily I say unto you it as much as he have done it under one of the least
Of these my brethren ye have done it unto me and just as Abraham
greets the Lord with
Enthusiasm and he displays hospitality toward him in that way
Hey, we have that same chance to do that in our life toward the brethren because there's a concept that exists in
Scripture how you treat the brotherhood is how you're treating the Lord Jesus Christ himself
How you treat the brotherhood is how you're treating Jesus so keep that in mind
Before you answer the door looking like you'd rather see anyone else when they come visit you
Some of you are like when did I ever do that to you? I'm not necessarily talking about anyone specific all right
Some of this is just preventative. I'm just preaching the Bible
You know if you want to get offended. That's your choice look at 1st Peter 4 1st Peter chapter 4
How we treat others is how we treat Jesus so yes
Jesus literally isn't gonna come knocking on your door
I get that but his brethren will if you invite them over
So be careful how you treat the brethren God is watching how you treat the brethren how you treat other
Christians
1st Peter 4 it says in verse 9 1st Peter 4 in verse 9
1st Peter 4 9 use hospitality one to another
But pay attention to this without
Grudging without
Grudging so we have to offer this selfless service
Without grudging meaning that you do it without this weird
apprehension with a bad attitude
But rather you do it out of charity out of love
Without grudging here's what grudging would look like oh great. You're here
All right come on in I guess
No, how about a handshake how about a smile great to see you come on in
You know here's another way that people can have a grudging attitude about hospitality
When they start asking questions like this, and when are you gonna return the favor?
Now look if it's just a joke I've done. I've said this as a joke. That's fine, but when you're really serious and
You
Get a bad attitude about inviting people over because you start questioning like what are they gonna return the favor you know
That's not right. That's not right and
Look ideally yes, we should use hospitality one toward another
Meaning that you do return the favor if somebody lets you stay at their house, especially overnight
You know logic would dictate you do the same thing when you're in their area
I get that and even when it comes to inviting people over for dinner if they did that for you ideally
You would do that for them trust me. I get it, and I'm not downplaying that or
Claiming that it's unimportant however
We shouldn't get overly obsessed with getting repaid in fact
The Bible tells us it's more blessed to give than to receive and so actually true love true charity is
Doing good to people not expecting anything in return
you know it's a bad attitude to keep score at home and
Have a little notepad that says well. I invited this person over 30 times. They invited me over two times
This is well out of balance. I am now angry. No that's not how it should work rather
We should just be thankful for the chance to bless other people hoping for nothing again
So the Bible says hoping for nothing again
You know it's Jesus the Lord Jesus Christ himself who extols the idea of doing good to those who cannot necessarily
Do good to you doing good to those who cannot necessarily?
Return the favor back to you doing good to those who may not
Immediately make you feel so great about it and give you the attention that you're seeking
Just doing good to those who
Frankly may never repay you ever
but
Jesus still says to do good to them anyway and
Offer a warm welcome to them
Regardless if the score at home reads a hundred to zero in terms of invitations that doesn't matter
That doesn't matter. We're here to bless people. Just wash the Saints feet and stop worrying about it so much
That's what I would say let's go back to Genesis 18
My second point is make your guests comfortable make your guests comfortable
Abraham did this for sure. Let's look at verse 3 when we get back there make your guests comfortable
Not uncomfortable right verse 3 it says in
Genesis 18 and and said my lord if now I have found favor in thy sight
Pass not away I pray thee from thy servant let a little water
So he's comforted with a drink because it was hot folks
All right, so the Middle East it was hot and he offers him some water. I pray you be fetched and
Wash your feet and rest yourselves
Under the tree a home is ultimately a place of rest. You want to make sure your guests can
Experience that for themselves provide them with rest Abraham provides them with that
He provides them with water as well. He tells them to wash their feet and a
chance to wash their feet
But really what I wanted to focus on is that he offers him water offers him a drink the Bible tells us and whatsoever
Excuse me
I misquoted that and whosoever shall give to drink on a one of these
Little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple
He shall in no wise lose his reward
And so we see that offering even a cup of cold water to offer someone comfort in an act of hospitality
is
An act that will lead to a reward that you can't lose because he can't lose your rewards anyway
But this is something that God will bless you for this is something that God will reward you for
Once again place the burden of your guests on yourself
and that's what he does verse 5 and
I will fetch a morsel of bread. So now he's offering him food and
Comfort ye your hearts after that you shall pass on for therefore are you come to your servant and they said so do as thou
Has said what's Abraham's mentality comfort ye your hearts?
That should be how we react to visitors coming over comfort ye your hearts refresh yourself
Refresh yourself provide food provide provide drink so that your visitors can be strengthened and
Also, if it's the summertime crank that H back up don't be cheap
If it's winter put that heater on don't be cheap, you know, I shouldn't be seeing my breath if I'm coming to visit
All right, I get it inflation the bills can catch up
Sometimes they can get a little expensive but for a couple of days you can bite the bullet and
Make sure that it's comfortable in terms of heating and cooling
But what's the idea you make your guests comfortable by making them feel ultimately at home?
Just make them feel at home, you know as the Mexicans say mi casa is to casa right mi casa is to casa
let's look at verse
actually before we do that I
Wanted to mention one other thing here. We know the Good Samaritan
Brought the Levite to an inn and took care of him
That's hospitality taking care of people a good hosts revives the spirits of their guests
Offering them comfort sustaining them caring for them
Make your guests comfortable and here's a really great way to do that
Be mindful of your pets. Let's look at Exodus 21
Exodus 21 I
Want to give you a disclaimer right now, all right, I am NOT a dog guy
So you may argue what I'm about to say includes some bias
I'm just being totally transparent with you. I don't really like dogs. Now. There's some cute dogs
I'll pet them
They're they're friendly I get it I'm still never owning one. All right, I'm never owning one but I
Think everyone should be able to agree with what I'm about to say
Even if you love dogs, even if you think dogs go to heaven
even if you are in love with
Your pet dog Fred or whatever you named it
You should agree with what I'm about to say here. All right, this shouldn't be controversial. Let's look at verse 28. You're in Exodus 21
The Bible tells us if an ox gore a man or a woman that they die
Then the ox shall be surely stoned and his flesh shall not be eaten
But the owner of the ox shall be quit
So if an ox kills a man or a woman you put the thing to death
All right, you line it up against a wall and you do what needs to be done to the ox
I'm glad you're with me so far. Let's look at verse 29, but if the ox were
Want to push with his horn in time past he has a
Reputation for hurting people and it hath been testified to his owner and he hath not kept him in
No precautions taken but that he hath killed a man or a woman the ox shall be stoned and his owner
Also shall be put to death
So if the owner is aware that his animal has a proclivity
To hurt people to kill people and he doesn't place any safeguards to prevent that from happening
what does the Bible say the ox and
Its owner are liable both are put to death
So what's the principle here be mindful of the animal you own you say I love animals great
God bless you. I hope you own 50 of them
Just if you know that they can bite someone's head off it may be a good idea to place a safeguard
So that they don't do that to a visitor
that's all I'm saying and I feel like we can all agree on that and
specifically if you have an aggressive dog and you know that it can bite people that it has a
Propensity to bite people it's aggressive. It's angry
Somebody comes over
Put that thing in a separate room perhaps
Throw it in a cage if you have to
But make sure that there's a safe distance between the animal and your guests so that they feel comfortable
because I don't know about you guys, but I
Feel uncomfortable when I'm afraid for my life, so we should
Strive to make our guests as comfortable as possible
By being mindful of our pets
You
Know some people are like hey meet my dog lucky and the things just like frothing at the mouth
and I'm like
Can we you know keep it away from me or something like that? Oh, no, he doesn't bite. He's good. The dogs just like
like about to
pounce on you and
It's like dude. Your pitbull is gonna rip my kids limb from limb. Can you put it away, please? That's all I'm saying and
It's just important that you realize not everyone is going to be
Receptive to that kind of thing. So just be careful with your pets. Let's go back to Genesis 18
Be mindful of the animals you have in the house
Especially when kids are coming over, you know, nothing would piss me off more than my kid getting bit by a dog
it's already happened it's really annoying and
It just made me very angry so we want to be careful
With our dogs you say you're picking on dogs. Yeah, I am picking on dogs. You're right
I am because cats don't do this kind of thing. Okay there I said it point number three
Everyone's pissed off at me now point number three feed your guests a quality meal feed your guests a quality meal
You know if you're gonna feed your visitors
It's not the time for hungry man, it's not the time for microwave microwavable food, let's feed him some quality
Let's make sure that we feed them some quality. That's what Abraham does notice verse 6 and Abraham
hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said
Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal need it and make cakes upon the hearth
and when it talks about making cakes upon the hearth, it's talking about
Excuse me making bread and first of all, what I wanted you to notice is that Abraham tells Sarah what to do
There's no question who the man of the house is
It's Abraham and he's telling Sarah what to do and to get ready because some guests are coming over
We have flour for baking. It's need it's
basically beating it up and
You know getting prepared to bake it. I'm not a baker
So you'll have to you know
Bear with me here verse number seven and Abraham ran under the herd and fetched a calf
Tender and good and gave it unto a young man and he hasted to dress it now notice
It said that it was a calf. That was what tender and good, wasn't it?
Tender and good. This is a prime quality piece of meat right here a prime
quality piece of meat and
Notice the speed at which Abraham is moving. What does that tell us?
It tells us he didn't have a lot of time to prepare neither. Did Sarah this seemed to be last-minute and
Sometimes that's what happens. I think what we're seeing in the chapter
Indicates to us that all of this was a last-minute deal. Sometimes we don't have a lot of time to prepare. That's okay
Do the best you can and a prime quality piece of meat is prepared. It is tender
It is good
Verse 8 and he took butter and milk. It's just getting better and better and
the calf which he addressed and said it before them and he stood by them under the tree and they
Did eat not only does he feed his guests, but he feeds his guests
Quality a tender and good calf is fetched
We know that he already gave him water to drink. We also have bread made
We also have butter and milk mentioned here because those are good things the Bible mentions butter and also mentions milk as a positive
So I think we should have that in our diet. We should be drinking milk butter should also be involved as well
I know a lot of people think that butter is horrible for you, but I really don't see that in my Bible at all
And if you're wondering where to get some really good milk, I recommend Costco. I think Costco has the best milk
For me personally some of you only drink raw milk, that's that's your deal. I'm not gonna argue with you on that but
You know, if you don't only drink raw milk Costco, you know thumbs up from me there. But anyway
This is a prime quality meal
It's given to Abraham's guests and you know, we just don't want to cheap out on something like this
If we have people coming over, let's give them some quality. Let's prepare the food. Let's make sure that it's good and
Delectable as well you could say
But we want to make sure that this is food that our guests actually want to eat, right?
We want to make sure they like what we are preparing to the best of our ability to our knowledge
We want to make sure that they're gonna eat what we prepare meaning ask him just ask him
Hey, you like Italian you like Chinese you like
Mexican do you like Middle Eastern?
What is it that you like and I'll prepare it for you do you like a good steak?
I mean everybody will say yes to that I would think
But be sensitive to other people's diets though. We want to be sensitive to the way other people consume food
Maybe they're different than us and the Bible brings up in Romans 14
You don't have to turn there
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat now walkest thou not charitably destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died
So be sure whatever you serve it's something your guest will actually partake in and
For example, if you know, they don't eat meat
Probably a good idea not to serve them that go with something else. Maybe they're a vegetarian
Hey, that's fine. You know, give him a salad whatever it is that
vegetarians eat
verse 6
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said make ready
Quickly three measures of fine meal and knead it and make cakes upon the hearth
I know we read that but I wanted to focus on a different
aspect of that verse and
My fourth point is be prepared for your guests be prepared in general
You got to have an attitude that says I am prepared in all aspects for people to come over not just the food
not just the carnal meal that you're
Providing for them, but you want to be prepared as a whole for people to come over just as Abraham very quickly
Prepared himself for these visitors a hospitable person is prepared to entreat
visitors and
and basically they have a house that is clean they got the house ready and
Presentable it doesn't look like a hoarder lives there or anything like that. It's nice. It's clean
It's kept
Etc to the best of your ability depending on how much time you have to prepare
This is something you want to do make your house. Look presentable
Let's go to 2nd Kings 4 2nd Kings chapter 4 and I'll show you an example of this
regarding the Shunammite woman in
2nd Kings chapter 4 and verse 9 2nd Kings chapter 4 and verse 9 a
Hospitable person is prepared to entreat visitors like this in 2nd Kings 4 and verse 9
And she said unto her husband behold now I perceive that this is an holy man of God which passeth by us
continually so this
Shunammite woman recognizes Elisha is the man of God and what happens next? Well, we know that
She prepares for his arrival
Elisha would often travel through this region and
He receives an act of hospitality in verse 10. It says let us make a little chamber
I pray thee on the wall and let us set for him there a bed at a table at a
stool and a
Candlestick, I mean look at this right here a bed table stool
Candlestick and it shall be when he cometh to us that he shall turn in thither
The home is prepared for the arrival of Elisha and it's eventually offered to him this
hospitality dispensed to him, but the Shunammite woman prepared first a
Bed a table a stool and a candlestick go to Philemon verse 22 Philemon verse 22
This is a positive example for us
We need to be sure that our homes are
prepared
If the type of hospitality being offered is
That which involves an overnight stay for either one or more nights
Then you're gonna want to make sure that your home is prepared
That's exactly what the Shunammite woman did and Philemon verse 22. It says but with all
prepare
Me also a lodging for I trust that through your prayers. I shall be given unto you
So the Apostle Paul is talking about preparing for a
Lodging prepare for him to actually be lodged and
When it comes to hospitality, we want to make sure that we're prepared. Now. What are some specific applications here?
I've already brought this up, but make sure the home is clean make sure that it's kept
vacuum
Mop declutter do the things that the women in this room know about the most
Here's one politely set
expectations
Your visitors aren't going to know the boundaries if you don't communicate with them what those boundaries are
So there may be certain rooms. You don't want anyone to enter. Here's a big one
Maybe you prefer that your visitors take their shoes off
You know who's big on this
Asians they don't want you by and large
Is that right? Yeah, they don't want you by and large
To have your shoes on if you're that kind of person you want to make sure you communicate that beforehand
Politely though. You don't have to be a jerk about it. Just politely remind people
Hey, you know, I prefer if you maybe took your shoes off put your coat over there
You can even grab the coat for them
Etc stock up on food and drinks and desserts, you know, what's annoying you go to somebody's house and it runs out of food
No, make sure that thing is stocked up man
Stock that thing up with some foods some drinks some desserts
And as a guest, you know, hey be merciful about this
All right, and don't be a jerk. But if you're a host go to the supermarket beforehand
Plan any activities you may want to do together
This is part of being prepared as you're you're planning for
Activities that you may want to do you may want to play some board games
You may have some outings you want to do with your visitors as they stay for a few days plan those out beforehand
So that way you can offer it to your visitor. Hey, I was thinking we could go here
Especially if they're not familiar with your city, maybe they don't know a lot about the DFW area
Well, you do you could offer to take them out to different museums and sites and sounds in the area
Parks and different things different activities that are available for us here offer that prepare for that beforehand
You also want to make sure that you ask about any
allergies that your guests may have so that you don't have an unfortunate incident where they break out in hives or something after you
Feed them, of course, hopefully by that point they would you know realize they're about to eat something
They're allergic to but my point is is just communicate with them
Ask them if they have any preferences for their diet preferences in terms of allergies now
Here's one where you could argue. Okay, you're going a little over-the-top here
But I don't think so. My wife's done this in the past make a welcome kit
Why not make a welcome kit?
So you're sort of replicating the experience they would have at a hotel that is a business of hospitality
now what do I mean by a welcome kit I'm talking about you could make a
Basket
Where you have some essentials in there shampoo soap different soaps things like that
You could put toothbrushes toothpaste
And you could put your Wi-Fi password in there as well. So they don't have to ask and be annoying
but my point is
Make a welcome kit so that they feel like they're at home. That's something you can prepare
Surprise your guests with their favorite snack
Everybody loves that I've stayed at people's homes before and I was surprised with some Oreos
And that brought a smile to my face
You can do the same for your visitors as well. But really the most important one that I wanted to provide some detail on is
We want to mentally prepare to socialize
we want to actually socialize with people who come over and
Not just doom scroll on our phones the entire time
And I think that's a big thing today
With our society is people are addicted to screens and they can't get off of them. Even when they have visitors over
it's like you can get off Facebook for a couple of hours and
Socialize with your visitors. Look at Proverbs 16 go to Proverbs chapter 16
Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to speak
And I would argue hey when you have people over it's a time to speak. It's a time to talk
I'm not saying if you glance at your phone every once in a while, you're evil wicked bad. That's not what I'm saying
But if you're just stuck on your phone the whole time
It may be time to rethink that strategy and actually socialize with the people
Who are coming over to see you to spend time with you?
Proverbs 16 says in verse 24
Proverbs 16 and verse 24 pleasant words are as an honeycomb
Sweet to the soul and health to the bones
so we see that pleasant words they are sweet and
Comforting as well, you know
Not only do we comfort our guests with the carnal things that we offer them the food and the drink and and the home
But also by our words, we don't just meet their physical needs
But also the need that they have for fellowship as well
You know one of the deaf in the definition that I brought up in the beginning of the sermon about hospitality it brought up
Entertainment and yeah, we should entertain our guests
We should make sure that we are talking to them that we are engaging in conversation with them that we're present
That we're present in the moment wanting to spend time with them
Proverbs 16 and verse 24 it brought up how the pleasant words are sweet to the soul and
Of course, we know that the soul is the part of us that interacts with our fellow man
It's the spirit the part of us that interacts with God and we know the body enjoys that savory meat
We know that well, let's offer all three to people when they come over especially that fellowship
words that are sweet to the soul
Last place I'll turn is Galatians 6 and then I'll be done Galatians 6
Say what's the point of the sermon hospitality? It's that easy. Let's show hospitality to others and
That entails being a burden-bearer like I've already said
The Bible tells us let nothing be done through strife or vainglory
But in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves
Look, not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others
You know what a hospitable person looks on the things of others
It's not selfish wanting to bless people without keeping score at home hoping for nothing again
That should be us look at verse 2 Galatians 6 and verse 2
Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ
You want to be hospitable bear other people's burdens meet their necessities
Esteem others have a servant's heart
This is how you epitomize hospitality and please please please please please
Let's fix our reputation as Christians because I am sick and tired of hearing about how hospitable
Muslims are they have that reputation
Even in our crowd you'll notice. I mean they are nice
They're gonna split hell wide open
But when you meet them out summoning they could be friendly I get that certainly a lot friendlier than Jews
They don't have a reputation for hospitality in my opinion, but you know, it shouldn't be that
Muslims outshine us in this area. It shouldn't be that Buddhists outshine us in this area
So weird idolatrous religion it shouldn't be that Hindus outshine us in this area
That shouldn't be the case. It shouldn't be that Catholics outshine us in this area
We should have reputation. We should have the reputation as a Bible believing Christian
Where people look at us and they say those people are hospitable
I may not agree with every single one of their doctrines, but these are hospitable people
They will open up their home. They're kind they're courteous. They're loving they have charity
That's the kind of reputation we should have
You
Know have the attitude that says, you know
I'm gonna be the kind of host that meets the needs of my guests
I'm gonna be the kind of host that makes their burden my burden. I'm gonna be the kind of Christian that exemplifies
epitomizes
hospitality the kind of Christian who is given to hospitality the kind of Christian who uses
hospitality without grudging the kind of Christian who displays
hospitality a lover of
hospitality
Without grudging like I've already said with a good attitude without some weird ulterior motive
But rather out of a genuine love for people out of a genuine love
Even for the lost if you were to invite them over for dinner or something like that
But certainly out of a genuine love a genuine love for our brothers and sisters
Sisters in Christ because how you treat each other is how you would treat the Lord Jesus Christ how you treat each other is
How you're treating Jesus according to the scripture. So let us all make a commitment to show some hospitality
With that I'll close father in heaven
We thank you so much for this church and I pray that all of us would be given to hospitality
Hospitality help us Lord in this area so that we're not out shined by wicked and weird false religions out there
But rather so that we are known as truly kind courteous loving
Hospitable people toward others. We love you and in Jesus name. I pray amen
All right in closing let's go to song number
217
Song number 217
He included me
Oh
Everybody you were all dismissed