What do we forfeit in forfeiting the table?
Practicing Hospitality
13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. – Romans 12:13 NLT
Practice —is diokontes – “to do something with an intense effort and with a definite purpose or goal.”
Christian Hospitality is creating a space for others to encounter Jesus.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15 NKJV
10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. – Romans 12:10 ESV
To honor someone is to be fully present with them. Honor is the ministry of presence.
Familiarity is the enemy to honor.
Familiarity is the enemy to intimacy.
Start with “one another” within the church community.
7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: – 1 Peter 4:7-10 ESV
Every team is the hospitality team.
1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me?My hour has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and [a]manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. – John 2:1-11 NKJV
Honor is the antidote to disfunction.
Ideas:
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- Honor intimacy
- Honor what you bring to the table
- Honor the process
- Honor their identity
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