Hospitality 101

Hospitality is typically viewed as having people over for dinner; however, hospitality is so much more. A more dictionary style definition from Justin Kuravackal defines basic hospitality as "treating a stranger as equal to the host by creating space for him to be protected, provided for, taken care of, all of which is followed by assisting and guiding him on to his next destination." How do these definitions hold up to the biblical principle of hospitality?

Biblical hospitality seems to be primarily focused on Christians treating strangers or outsiders very well. This means us treating as equals those people we might not typically associate with. This could be other families in your church or neighborhood, visiting Christians, or displaced unbelievers. The idea is that we honor and care for those whom we might not normally be in relationship with.

We see many biblical examples of hospitality. In the beginning, God created a place, then he created man and put him in that place. This was the first act of hospitality. Another example is Rahab inviting the spies to stay in her house. Of course, the bulk of our understanding of biblical hospitality will come from the New Testament.

Two primary passages regarding hospitality for strangers can be found in Matthew's description of Jesus' life: Matt 5:43-48 and Matt 25:34-40. The implications of these passages are very clear: we are to care for everyone around us, regardless of their opinion of us or their connection to us. It doesn't matter if you know the person or if you like the person; you are still called to love the person and be hospitable towards them. Some practical implications can be made to our current culture. Why not invite the annoying neighbor over for dinner? Shouldn't you know and see how you can help every neighbor in your subdivision? Why not take your nemesis at work out to lunch? How can you assist the guy or gal a few cubicles down from you? Hospitality to strangers involves knowing, loving, welcoming, and caring for everyone you encounter. God is sovereign in regard to who he brings across your path, we need to consider this everyday.

Hospitality towards those we are friends with will look very similar to hospitality towards strangers or enemies; however, it can be far more focused and intentional due to our existing relationship. We see hospitality towards friends exhibited by Jesus at the last supper. Here he fulfilled the responsibilities which should have reserved for the host by caring for the disciples, even to the point of washing their feet (Jn 13:12-15). Many times hospitality towards friends means being willing to meet their needs, even to the point of humbling ourselves to accomplish the lowliest of tasks on their behalf. This could mean cleaning up their kid's puke or willingly allowing them to let them talk about themselves the entire time.

Regardless of your prior relationship or lack thereof with a person or family, hospitality always involves viewing someone else as more important than yourself. I love Jeff Vanderstelt's description that hospitality is essentially "giving space to allow people to be, become, and do." Of course, space could refer to physical, emotional, or any other kind of space that may be required. So, the question becomes, what does this person need? Other questions are, what will be restful, relaxing, and enjoyable for this person? How can I best care for this person? How can I create space for this person to be his true self?

One thing is for sure, hospitality is not about entertaining, impressing, or controlling guests in your home. Such ideas are both unbiblical and sinful. We have to forget the prideful, penetrating mindset of our culture that attempts to do whatever is necessary to impress others. This mindset asks, What will impress this person? What kind of house, car, meal, or whatever will make this person or family think well of me? This is pride, which is sin, not hospitality. Biblical hospitality should be centered around love for one another; unfortunately, most modern "hospitality" is centered around pride. 

One of the primary questions to ask regarding hospitality: What are your motives? Are you trying to impress? Are you checking one item off of your good Christian's "to do" list? Of course, you have to even be practicing hospitality before you can check your motives, so start practicing hospitality.

• Much of this information has been modified from several sermons and training sessions at Soma Communities.
  

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American Idols

In a recent sermon, Jeff Vanderstelt discussed several signs of idolatry in our lives.  Here is a paraphrase of his discussion in the form of the five key signs he seemed to indicate.

Signs of Idolatry in our Lives:

ANXIETY / INSECURITY – Not trusting in the sovereignty of God or the sufficiency of the Gospel

DEFENSIVENESS – If you are overly defensive about anything in your life, then watch out

FAILURE – If you feel like you are a failure, because you have bought into some unbiblical standard of what you should be or do

PRIDE – Still buying into an unbiblical standard, but feeling like you are successful or doing well (both failure and pride are essentially a misunderstanding of the gospel and justification)

ADDICTION – Being controlled or led by anything other than God (even to normally good things, such as work, exercise, NFL football on Sundays, etc.)

One great determiner in the area of idolatry is to ask what you give your time and money to: How do you use your time and money?  The use of your time and money should be controlled by the gospel and the principles in Scripture.  What consumes your thoughts?  Are your thoughts focused on Christ?  Or, are you concerned the most with the next TV show you’re going to watch, the next meal you are going to eat, the next car you going to buy, the latest Hollywood gossip, the latest problem or hardship in your life, or anything other than God and the Gospel?

What is my focus?  This has been a question I have been struggling through recently.  I am so often consumed with a subtle idolatry that I am usually not even aware of, but it is still idolatry. Our entire world and understanding of reality should be based on the sovereign existence of God and the necessary, atoning sacrifice of Christ. Our lives are supposed to be evidence of the truth of the Gospel (1 Pet 2:12), and we should base how we spend our time, money, and thoughts around the fact the Christ died and resurrected (1 Pet 4:1-6).

Another good way to uncover your idols is to ask the question, What “but’s” are you buying into?  For instance, “I know the Bible says this, but…” Or, “I know that Scripture says I should be doing this, but…”  Many times, we would never openly practice idolatry or commit heresy, but we are actually doing those very things by placing a “but” after a command, principle, or precept of Scripture.  The “but’s” can be devastating to our lives, our church, and our effectiveness on mission.  

Francis Chan recently made this point clear when answering some objections to some of the possible changes Cornerstone is considering.  They are trying to refocus the church around house groups, instead of the Sunday morning experience.  People didn’t disagree according to Scripture, and they may have even liked the idea, but they just didn’t think such changes were possible in today’s current culture.  So, the comments were “That sounds good, but it will never work”, or “I like that idea, but I just don’t think I could do that.”  

I have often heard very similar things and even said them myself whenever a person, a book, or a sermon has challenged me regarding particular areas of my life.  I find myself saying “I really want to do that, but I don’t have time or I just don’t think it would work for my family.”  Usually the areas that require the most commitment or change on our part will also be met with the most “but” statements. Which begs the question, what are my priorities?  Do I want to grow in my faith and obedience?

Idolatry is when we look to something else instead of or in addition to Christ for our hope, fulfillment, purpose, or anything else reserved for God.  All of these are actually the worship of a created thing instead of the worship of the one, true, uncreated God.  How often do we worship comfort, convenience, success, money, and the opinions of people?  

What Idols commonly overtake Jesus in your life?

We were created to worship; we are ceaseless worshippers.  Idolatry is a heart matter, not a hands matter.  Martin Luther said that if you don’t break the first two commandments (Ex 20:3-6), then you won’t break any of the others.

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The Gospel Conference at Cornerstone

Over the past week, I have been listening to the audio from Cornerstone Church’s recent Gospel Conference (Francis Chan is teaching pastor at Cornerstone). These are some guys you may not be familiar with, but I encourage you to check them out. The links take you to downloadable MP3’s and MP4’s.

:: Jeff Vanderstelt 1 | Audio | Video

:: Jeff Vanderstelt 2 | Audio | Video

:: David Fairchild 1 | Audio | Video

:: David Fairchild 2 | Audio | Video

:: Francis Chan | Audio | Video

These sessions have challenged, encouraged, and taught me to a ridiculous degree. If I ever planted a church (not gonna happen), then I would make certain segments from these sessions mandatory listening for my core group. The last 20 minutes of Francis Chan's session and the question time following David Farichild's second session should be mandatory listening. I will be posting some of this content later this week.

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