How We Treat Our Guests Is Important

Why is hospitality so important? We, who tend to come to church every week, kind of take for granted that we will be here again next week, and the next week. But almost every Sunday, there is someone at our church who may never return. Perhaps some are because of sickness; others because of death; but, most will simply choose not to return.

So every time we walk in these doors, there is a good possibility that there is someone here that this will be the only shot we get to fully express the love of God to them. (1 John 4:12).

I love the way Pastor Brad Powell of Northridge Church in Michigan tells the story. If you have about three minutes listen to this story:

So how do we practice hospitality (Romans 12:13)? In Genesis 18:1-8, we are told of a time when Abraham welcomed some guests into his home. There are six things he did, that I think would help us as endeavor to practice hospitality:

1) He made them feel welcome (verse 1-3). This is more than shaking hands and saying "Welcome". It is having a servants attitude towards our guest.
2) He refreshed them (verse 4). People who enter our church need to be refreshed from the struggles of their daily lives.
3) He offered them rest (verse 4). There are all kinds of things that take place in the secular world that we need to ensure don't happen inside our walls: battles, politics, anger, etc.
4) He gave them the best seat (verse 4). Maybe the back rows should be reserved for guests!
5) He energized them for their journey (verse 5). May the people who leave our church on Sunday fell charged for the week ahead!
6) He stood ready and willing to serve (verses 2, 8). For the people who call Hickory Valley their home, church is not a place we come to be served, but a place to serve.

As Brad reminds us, let me re-interate something that we have a tendency to let slip into the background. Every Sunday, we will have someone for whom eternity is on the line. In fact, every day we will meet someone for whom eternity is on the life. Our faithfulness to worship, our attitudes toward servanthood, our acceptance of our guests, may make all the difference for eternity.