Today, Pastor Matt delved into the theme of hospitality as part of the "Change the World" series. Hospitality, in the context of the gospel, is not just about being polite or welcoming; it's about transforming our homes into tools for God's kingdom. Matt began by sharing a personal story about his first home, a place filled with memories and love, but also a place where he and his family built walls—both physical and metaphorical—to create a sanctuary from the world. However, a sermon he once heard challenged this notion, urging him to view his home as a weapon for the gospel.
Often, we see our homes as private retreats, but what if we saw them as places to extend God's love and grace? Matt and his wife began to pray and ask God how they could use their home for His purposes. This led to numerous opportunities to host people, some for short stays and others for longer periods. One memorable instance was when they invited a homeless woman to live with them, changing her world with a simple act of hospitality.
The gospel calls us to a radical form of hospitality that goes beyond mere politeness. It requires us to open our homes and hearts to strangers, much like Jesus did. Jesus, who had no home of His own, preached a message of inclusion and love, often outside the walls of the temple. This is a stark contrast to our culture of exclusion, where we build walls to keep others out.
True hospitality is inconvenient and messy, but it mirrors the ultimate act of hospitality—Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We were the ultimate outsiders, yet God made us insiders through Jesus. This is the essence of the gospel, and it's what we are called to emulate.
We don't need better music, bigger buildings, or more programs to change the world. We need to live on mission, extending love and grace to the world around us. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 remind us that hospitality and love for one another are central to our faith.
In closing, Matt shared the story of Rosario Butterfield, a former critic of Christianity who came to faith through the radical hospitality of a pastor and his wife. Her story exemplifies how simple acts of hospitality can lead to profound transformations.
Key Takeaways
1. Transforming Our Homes for the Gospel: Our homes should not just be sanctuaries for ourselves but tools for God's kingdom. When we view our homes as weapons for the gospel, we open up opportunities for God to work through us in ways we never imagined. This shift in perspective can lead to profound changes in our lives and the lives of those we welcome. [08:13]
2. Radical Hospitality Reflects Jesus' Love: True hospitality is inconvenient and messy, but it mirrors Jesus' ultimate act of hospitality—His sacrifice on the cross. We were the ultimate outsiders, yet God made us insiders through Jesus. This radical inclusion is what we are called to emulate in our own lives. [11:37]
3. Living on Mission: Changing the world doesn't require better music, bigger buildings, or more programs. It requires us to live on mission, extending love and grace to the world around us. Hebrews 13:1-2 and John 13:35 remind us that hospitality and love for one another are central to our faith. [17:28]
4. Overcoming Obstacles to Hospitality: We face several obstacles to true hospitality, including our love for isolation, entertainment, and our busy schedules. However, when we choose to step into someone else's world, we create opportunities for eternal impact. We must be intentional about making space for the Holy Spirit to work through us. [32:08]
5. The Power of Simple Acts: Simple acts of hospitality can lead to profound transformations. The story of Rosario Butterfield, who came to faith through the radical hospitality of a pastor and his wife, exemplifies this. When we see our homes as God's gift to use for His kingdom, we open doors to incredible possibilities. [39:54]
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Introduction to Hospitality
[01:10] - Personal Story: Our First Home
[02:08] - Neighbor Dan and Lessons Learned
[04:06] - The Pharmacist Neighbor
[06:18] - The Sermon That Changed My View
[08:13] - Using Our Home as a Weapon for the Gospel
[09:58] - Inviting the Homeless Woman
[11:37] - The Ultimate Act of Hospitality
[12:12] - The Power of a Meal
[13:21] - Jesus' Model of Inclusion
[16:14] - The Messiness of True Hospitality
[17:28] - Living on Mission
[24:30] - Loving the Unlovable
[32:08] - Overcoming Obstacles to Hospitality
[39:54] - Rosario Butterfield's Story
[41:36] - Conclusion and Call to Action
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