Around the Table, Part 5

In a world where there is an increasing skepticism about one another, neighbors included, one of the best ways we can reach our coworkers, neighbors, and the strangers next to us is by having an open table.

Move
Jesus Culture

Build My Life
Passion

Goodness of God
Bethel Music

Touch of Heaven
Hillsong Worship

Rosaria Butterfield
“Radically ordinary hospitality is ‘serving ravioli with redemption life.’”

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Luke 14:12-14
“When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.

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Mark 9:41
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”

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Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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Obstacles to Radically Ordinary Hospitality

1. Privacy

ME: “My home is my fortress.”
GOD: “Your home is a mission outpost.”

Your home is a refuge FOR people, not FROM people.

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Obstacles to Radically Ordinary Hospitality

2. Possessions

ME: “I don’t have the money or the time.”
GOD: “You have exactly what you need for what I’ve called you to do.”

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Acts 2:45
“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to ALL, as any had need.”

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Acts 2:46
“…they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”

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Rosaria Butterfield
“If you care more about your white carpet than the souls of your neighbors that’s a problem.”

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Corrie ten Boom
“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.”

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Obstacles to Radically Ordinary Hospitality

3.Passivity

ME: “I just don’t want to do it.”
GOD: “Stop trying. Let it flow from your love for Me.”

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Acts 2:42-43
They DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ TEACHING and the FELLOWSHIP, to the BREAKING OF BREAD and the PRAYERS. And AWE came upon every soul…”

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Acts 2:47
“PRAISING God and having favor with all the people.”

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Praise prevents passivity.

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Three Steps to Consider
1. Pursue intimacy with Jesus.
2. Take a daily prayer walk through your neighborhood.
3. Explore Foster Care or Respite Care Opportunities.