Hospitality to the lonely city

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. - Romans 12:10‭, ‬12‭-‬13 ESV

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: - 1 Peter 4:8‭-‬10 ESV

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:1‭-‬2 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

Hospitality is the friendly reception, acceptance, and welcoming of guests and strangers through kindness

It's using your home and other resources in a daily way that seeks to make strangers into neighbors, and neighbors into the family of God

The need for hospitality

There is loneliness in our city. Just because there is so many people does not address our need for relationship. Loneliness is one of the greatest problems of the current generation.

Loneliness is a result of sin. Between Adam and Eve there was perfect relationship. But that was broken and people now hide from one another. We are created in his image and He is constantly in relationship within the Trinity. So we were created to be in relationship.

The power of hospitality

The Gospel shows us that we are welcomed by God first. Jesus came into this broken world and exposed himself to all the pain and brokenness. He was lonely, so he would know our pains. He felt the loss of the presence of God in a way that we will never know.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"- Matthew 27:46 ESV

The cure for our loneliness is the intimate and close relationship with God. We need one another, but that is to point us to our need for relationship with God.

Practical steps

+ Pray for a hospitable heart and for opportunities to share it
+ Plan ways ahead of time to show hospitality
+ Look at every resource you have something to share
+ Don't always do it alone but work as a team
+ Pay attention to spiritual needs (not just fun and entertainment)
+ Press on and don't give up