Opening Verse Hospitality

Open to Genesis 18:1-8 (ESV)

                  So Brian was gonna be gone & we were going to be preaching for a few weeks & I was like, well a couple guys are going 1^st so this should be fine & then Daniel preaches on Scripture & basically, hits a home run & then Mel preaches on Love & hits a Grand Slam & I’m like, oh – please God just let me have a base hit. J Anyway enough of my neuroses…Last week Mel talked about how Love is Worship; this week I’m gonna talk about how Hospitality is the act of Love for one another & Worship of God.    

                  Genesis 18:1-8 (ESV) – And Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. ⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

                  Let’s pray – Father in heaven, teach us to be more humble, to be hospitable & generous. Give our eyes wisdom to see the needs of Your people. Give us hearts full of love for our neighbors as well as for the strangers we meet. Help us understand what it means to love others as we love ourselves. Teach us to care in a way that strengthens those who are sick. Fill us with generosity so we feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give drink to the thirsty. Let our lives be a healing balm to those who are weak and lonely and weary by offering Your kindness to them. May we remember to listen, to smile, to offer a helping hand each time the opportunity presents itself. Give us hearts of courage that we will be brave enough to risk loving even our enemies. Inspire us to go out of our way to include those in the margins. Help us to be welcoming and inviting to those who come to our door. Let us be Your hospitality in the world. Amen.