Love is ...

Scripture

1 Peter 4:7-9

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Main Idea

You can’t love from a distance; hospitality brings love near.

Going Deeper

Questions from this weeks Sermon

1. What insight, principle or observation from this week’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or troubling? Please explain.
   
   
2. When you hear the word “Hospitality” what do you think of? When and where have you experienced the greatest hospitality?
   
   
3. From whom have you experienced great hospitality? What made it so great?
   
   
4. Read 1 Peter 4:4-7. Why does Peter put urgency on love and hospitality? How does this show the importance of this act?
   
   
5. Do you think hospitality is for everyone or just those gifted for it? Read Romans 12:9-13. What does Paul say regarding this?
   
   
6. Why do you think the apostles tied together love and hospitality?
   
   
7. What excuses do you make when you think of having people over and practicing hospitality?
   
   
8. Who will you start with to practice hospitality? When will you start? Remember, hospitality is directed both to guests and strangers…just as we were strangers to God and he invited us in through Christ, may you do the same.
   
   
9. How might hospitality be a next step in your ministry outreach to your pray for 4 and your world (8-15)?
   
   

Summary

According to dictionary.com Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

In 1 Peter 4:8-9 it says: 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

This means invite people into your world, into your space, into your homes and feed them, treat them, love on them. Offer hospitality. Hospitality is a very practical measure of our love. Showing love to guests and strangers is crucial in our action of love.

You can’t love from a distance, hospitality brings love near.

Hospitality is an outworking of Love and a display of the Gospel

Rosaria Butterfield explains the two big reasons why we struggle to practice hospitality in our world today…

 

1. Secret Sin or Hidden Habits

Hospitality forces us to let people into our worlds. The benefit of hospitality and having people in your home is that you get to know people on a level you didn’t know them on before, just by entering their home. Although this is a benefit, it is also a drawback. Many of us don’t really want people to know us. Not that well. And we might have secret sin, or hidden habits that might just come out or become visible to those we invite in. And that is scary. But maybe we have some growing up to do, or some work to do with dealing with our sin or hidden habits, face it head on, don’t shy away. Allow people in, maybe the side benefit is that it will force you to deal with some dirty laundry in your life that you have been unwilling to deal with. That isn’t all that bad of a thing.

2. Selfishness

Selfishness has a way of creeping into all of our lives. Social media is a self-promotion machine, our lives naturally bend toward selfishness. Hospitality is others focused, not self-focused. And because of that, our selfishness cripples any desire and intent toward hospitality.

Hospitality is an outworking of Love and a display of the Gospel

Call to Action

First face your excuses why you can’t do Hospitality.

Second practice hospitality, yes legally right now its challenging

but look for creative ways you can, and just do it.