Bible Study – Connecting (3) – Gracious Hospitality – September 16, 2018

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Welcome Home.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Ground your service and love in hospitality.

To whom was the Apostle Peter was writing? Let’s explore!

1 Peter 1-1-2: (Background)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

The Apostle Peter was writing to the diaspora or the Jewish Christians fleeing persecution from the Jews in Jerusalem and surrounding area. The letter written by the Apostle Peter is considered a general letter sent throughout the provinces, which we know today as Turkey.

First Peter 2:11-12 reveals why the Apostle Peter wrote this letter:

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 

5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 

8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 

12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 

This is true today. Christians are to be an example of living to reflect their relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Christians are a “Royal Priesthood.” Notice, Christians are!

No one knows the instant when JESUS will return to earth for the second time; not even JESUS. At HIS second coming, the Christians who have departed earth in physical death will receive their New Glorified bodies and all Christians who are alive upon earth, at the same time, will receive their new Glorified bodies and be taken to Heaven. This is called the rapture. The Apostle Peter was admonishing all Christians to live as though JESUS was coming at any second because this event could happen at any instant, which it can. Therefore, Christians are to live accordingly.

This is reflected in our focus scripture as we read on -----

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:7:

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 

Christians are to be alert to the fact that JESUS could return to earth at any instant. Satan’s desire is for Christians and non-Christians alike to be lulled into thinking they have plenty of time, therefore, they are not to worry. The Apostle Peter is urging Christians stay focused on this fact and pray as they live each day for the opportunity to share the Gospel with others and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Why? It is because they represent GOD as HIS ambassadors through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth to those who are in need of Salvation form sin and its consequence, eternal death.

                                                                                                

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:8-9:

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 

Often, we as Christians, are cliquish. We must open up to others and especially those who are not Christians. Hospitality is opening up to meet the needs of others, which includes both physical and Spiritual needs.

Christians are not perfect. They do not have a license to do whatever they desire. They sin. They are to recognize when they sin and confess their sin as the Apostle John recorded in 1 John 1:8-10:

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Just as Christians experience GOD’S forgiveness and HIS love, Christians are to extend this love to others. Just as GOD is consistent, Christians are to be consistent. Christians need to keep in mind that just as we hate the sin in our lives, we are to hate the sin in the lives of others but love the sinner.

One way Christians can extend love to others is to offer them hospitality.

What is hospitality? We generally think of being good hosts. The Greek word used for “hospitality” means “friendly to strangers.” This is being friendly to those who we consider different from us. Being different takes on many forms.

Hebrews 13:1-3 gives us a different perspective:

1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 

2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

I must insert a caution. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in discerning what you are to do when you encounter strangers. If you feel uneasy, then pay attention because those who desire to take advantage or do harm know the Christian language. Be wise. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit. This leads us to our next scripture ----

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:10-11:

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

“Various forms” means “many-colored” or many facets of GOD’S Grace. When Christians speak they are to speak “the very Words of GOD.” When they serve, they are to “serve.” They are to serve with the strength GOD provides so that GOD is manifested and others see GOD and not us. GOD’S Strength goes beyond human effort and Glorifies GOD. All Glory goes to GOD because our relationship with HIM is through our faith in JESUS and GOD’S Grace. GOD’S Grace cannot be earned by human effort. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, GOD places our cloak of sin upon HIS Only SON JESUS to become sin for us and HE places JESUS’ cloak of righteousness upon those who place their faith in JESUS. Christians then become the righteousness of GOD and their destination is eternal life with GOD and JESUS in Heaven.

Christians are to use their Spiritual gift or gifts with which GOD has equipped them. Keep in mind that GOD equips every Christian with at least one or more Spiritual Gift as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:11:

11 All these (Spiritual Gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.

Use your Spiritual gift(s). Ask JESUS to reveal your Spiritual gift(s), if you do not know what Spiritual gift(s) you have.

Very important “HE gives as HE determines” or “as HE chooses.” Christians can desire certain Spiritual Gifts but it is GOD’S choice to whom they are given. Consider what a “Spiritual Gift” is. A gift is something given to you. It is given with you in mind to be used as GOD leads you according to HIS plan and purpose.

I was in a charismatic meeting many years ago. At the end of the preaching, the person who spoke asked the audience “Who out there wants to receive the gift of tongues?” A number of people in the audience raised their hands. The speaker told them to come on down and they would receive the “gift of tongues.” My immediate thought was, “This is not Biblical according to 1 Corinthians 12:11.” I left that meeting never to return. This is why it is vital that Christians know GOD’S Word.

I did desire the gift of tongues and prayed accordingly. In the quietness of our family room, the still small voice of GOD very clearly told me that I did not need the gift of tongues that English was a perfectly good tongue and if I ever needed a different language HE would give it to me. HE further explained that HE spoke in many different languages – nature, poetry, music, paintings, through HIS Word, HIS still small voice and in fact anyway HE chooses because HE knows what will get a person’s attention. GOD equips HIS Children to obediently serve HIM and Glorify HIM in the process.

Christians must keep in mind what JESUS taught and recorded in Luke 11:11-13:

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  

12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

As we look back at verse 11, it seems that the Apostle Peter is pronouncing a benediction. But the key is that GOD and JESUS need to be in the forefront of all that Christians do. Our actions need to reflect HIM because without HIM we have no hope. The hope of all people is to place their faith in JESUS, GOD’S only SON. JESUS came to earth in the flesh and willingly gave HIS life that we might experience a personal, intimate, loving relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS not only upon earth but for eternity.

Blessings!!!