Our scripture reading to which I invite you to turn with me at this time is found in Paul's epistle to the church at Rome, the book of Romans, the 12th chapter found in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, chapter 12. We continue today with the series of messages entitled Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, we have looked already at an introductory passage of scripture concerning these things. We also considered the first Christian discipline of love just a few weeks ago. And today we look at the Christian discipline of hospitality. We do so by reading the first 13 verses of Romans 12, a chapter which, interestingly enough, begins the practical section of the book of Romans. The first 11 chapters, many of us may know, deal with weighty matters of theology, a justification by faith, an imputed righteousness, and all those sorts of things. And then as we get to the 12th chapter, Paul says, therefore, in other words, what difference all that ought that to make in our lives? How ought we to flesh out these glorious gospel truths and be true to God's covenant promises? And so we read the first 13 verses of the 12th chapter of the book of Romans. But please note, brothers and sisters, we're going to be focusing and especially on verse 13. Verse 13 constitutes our text for today. Romans 12, beginning in verse 1, hear then the word of the Lord. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will. For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, So in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve. If it is teaching, let him teach. If it is encouraging, let him encourage. If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. If it is leadership, let him govern diligently. If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction. Faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Thus far, the reading of God's holy word. And as always, brothers and sisters, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as we look to God's word together on this Lord's Day. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, Have you ever come across a particular text or passage of Scripture which you found particularly difficult to interpret? Have you ever come across a particular text or passage of Scripture which you found particularly difficult to interpret? Well, I sure have. In fact, down through the years, I have come across many such passages indeed. In fact, one of those texts which meet my difficult criterion, if you will, is recorded for us in Hebrews 13. And I would invite you to turn there with me just for a moment, if you would please. Toward the end of the Bible, just before the book of James, we come to the book of Hebrews, the 13th chapter. Here in Hebrews 13, verse 2, notice what we read. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, Some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Now, think about that. Look at it again. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Now, friends, it's true, the great reformers, John Calvin and Martin Luther, believe that the author to the Hebrews here is specifically referring to that which was experienced by the father of all believers, Abraham. And by his nephew Lot, so many years ago, as recorded for us in Genesis 18 and Genesis 19. Boys and girls, some of us may recall that in Genesis 18 and Genesis 19, we read that there were two different occasions where Abraham and Lot welcomed visitors, they welcomed strangers, people they didn't know, physically, literally, historically. When the fact of the matter is that they were actually angels who had been sent by God to them from heaven. And so when you read a text like this, you say, well, maybe it's referring specifically or even perhaps exclusively to that time in Genesis 18 and 19 concerning Abraham and Lot. It doesn't say that. It doesn't say it's only or specifically referring to that. And so it makes you wonder if you or I may have ever welcomed strangers and without realizing it, we're actually entertaining angels unaware. I don't know. It's a difficult text for me. I simply don't know. But friends, what I do know is that in Matthew 25, verse 35, a passage we read a few moments ago, our Lord Jesus very clearly said that when you or I welcome or invite in a stranger, we are welcoming Him. We are welcoming Him. And I also know, as we turn back to the words of our text, as recorded for us in Romans 12, verse 13, and especially as we view that text in its broader context in the entirety of that chapter, we find ourselves being challenged by the fact that because we serve a merciful, welcoming, gracious and giving and hospitable God, you and I, as God's people, All those who by grace alone, through faith alone, have put our trust in the name of Jesus Christ alone, must also seek by His grace and mercy and to the glory of His name, not simply to engage in, but also to excel at the spiritual discipline of hospitality. The spiritual discipline of hospitality. Now, as we look specifically at our text in its broader context, Please note, first of all, that the Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual discipline of hospitality and its supernatural source. He speaks of the spiritual discipline of hospitality and its supernatural source. Look at verse 13 then of Romans 12 with me, if you would. Here we read, share with. The Greek word is koinoneo. Stay with me. That's the verb form of the noun koinonia. Koinonia means simply to share with someone in something. King James Version translates the verb, distributing. New American Standard translates the verb, contributing. Sharing with. And the Greek conveys a sense of doing this, not simply at one time or only once or twice, but to do so in a continuous, ongoing, persistent fashion. Look with me. Share with God's people, the hagion, the Greek says, the holy ones, The saints, the King James Version translates it. What's a saint? A saint is someone who by God's sovereign grace and electing love through faith in the name of Jesus has been set apart by God for God. All Christians, all true believers, God's people, if you will, share with God's people who are in need. Now, brothers and sisters, just meditate on that portion of our text for just a moment as I ask you this question. Why would anyone want to do that? Why would anyone want to share with someone in need who more than likely would not be able to repay you? There's a good chance that you're not going to be paid back in kind because they're in need. So here you are trying to help them and you're going to consciously help someone in need who probably can't do anything back for you. Why would Anyone want to do that? In fact, why? Why would any Christian want to do that in the midst of a country or a culture when we are continually being bombarded with such sinful, selfish, self-serving messages as you deserve a break today or look out for number one or have it your way or take care of yourself first? And on and on and on and on it goes. Why would we even consider heeding that text? The reason, you see, is found in verse one of Romans 12, where Paul says, Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, you see, if grace is being given something which we don't deserve, mercy is not being given something which we do deserve. I'm going to say that again. If grace is being given something which we don't deserve, mercy is not being given something which we do deserve. You say, well, what do we deserve? Well, because the Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that includes you and me and each and every man, woman, or child who ever lived, what we deserve is the full fury and just judgment of a holy, righteous God in time and for all eternity. That's what we deserve. But Jesus says in John 3.16, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Paul says in Romans 6.23, though the wages of sin is death, what we do deserve because of our sin is physical and spiritual death in time and for all eternity. Though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Turn to Ephesians 2 with me just for a moment. Several pages to the right, please, after Acts, Romans. You'll come to Galatians, Ephesians. And if you'll look over the first few verses, of Ephesians 2. Just skim those over. You'll find here that Paul is reminding us that by nature, we are not simply sick. We are dead in our transgressions and sins. By nature, we are objects or children deserving of God's wrath. We are by nature enslaved to sin, tyrannized by Satan. Verse 4, but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this, that is the faith, not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast. But notice, for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. And part of those good works which God has prepared for us to do out of gratitude for such a grand and glorious and gracious salvation, is the good work of replicating or reproducing the grace and mercy He has shown us. And by showing that grace and mercy in all of our relationships with others, drawing on His grace and mercy as a supernatural supply, and then replicating, reproducing that grace and mercy in our relationships with others, for example, as we, according to the words of our text, Share with God's people who are in need. Share with God's people who are in need. And seek not simply to engage in, but also to excel at the spiritual discipline of hospitality. The spiritual discipline of hospitality. Now friends, secondly, our text speaks of the spiritual discipline of hospitality and its personal practice. Its personal practice. That is, how are we to apply these things in the course of day-to-day living? Well, look at our text with me, if you would please. Once again, verse 13. Share with God's people who are in need, practice, The English sort of loses some of the power of the term in the Greek. In the original language, it conveys a sense of actively pursuing and aggressively running after. Actively pursuing. Aggressively running after. And again, in ongoing fashion, you just don't give up. It doesn't mean you do it once and my work is done. No. You keep on keeping on. Practice. I think the King James says, give over to, or something like that. Give yourself over to. Practice. Hospitality. Hospitality. Now friends, stay with me. I find this very interesting. That English word, hospitality, is the translation of the Greek word, phyloxenos. If you're taking notes, it's P-H-I-L-O-X-E-N-O-S. Phyloxenos. Now, that's an interesting term. And stay with me. Phyloxenos is a word that is made out of two Greek words. Philos, meaning love or loving, and senos, Xenos, which means stranger. You put it all together, you discover that the term hospitality literally means love of stranger. Love of stranger. Or to practice hospitality means to express love to a stranger, to express love to a stranger. In fact, you remember that text we read a few moments ago? Hebrews 13, 2, which stated, do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Well, those two words in the English, entertain strangers, is a single word in the Greek, and it's that word phyloxenos. And so that text could also be translated literally to read, do not forget hospitality. Do not forget hospitality. How so? by sharing with God's people who are in need. By sharing with God's people who are in need. You know, brothers and sisters, it's interesting. Throughout Old Testament times, God's people were continually being reminded not to forget, to always remember the widow, the orphan, the alien, the stranger, the sojourner within their midst. In fact, turn to Deuteronomy 26 with me just for a moment. Fifth book of the Bible in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 26. And drop down with me please to verses 12 and 13. Deuteronomy 26, verses 12 and 13. Here God's Word declares, When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the Lord your God, I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow. According to all you commanded, I have not turned aside from your commands, nor have I forgotten any of them. You say, well, that's part of the Old Testament ceremonial law. And indeed it is. But, brothers and sisters, that same principle is conveyed very clearly also in the New Testament. For example, turn with me please to the book of James, the first chapter. James 1, verse 27. Here we have the book of James, the brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the leader of the church in Jerusalem. And in James 1, verse 27, James declares, religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this. to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Indeed, during the New Testament era, many of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ were constantly on the move, needing to flee from persecution. Many of them were on the move, having to pursue gainful employment. Many of them traveled far and wide simply to bring messages to family members or friends, perhaps word of celebration or perhaps word of great sorrow. Because there weren't a number of Red Roof Inns and Holiday Inns and Motel 6s and Regency Houses and all the rest, they literally lived by the hospitality that they were extending to one another. They literally fleshed out the Gospel by the hospitality they extended to one another. It was through that exercise of the Christian discipline of hospitality that the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so greatly spread. Now it's true, we are living in a different day and age, are we not? We need to be careful, we need to be discerning in our exercise of compassion, concern, hospitality. For as one commentator has so insightfully said, and I quote, circumstances differ as the state of society changes. Imposters abound. Indolence must not be countenanced. Each Christian must be guided in the exercise of charity and hospitality by his means and by his opportunities. End of quote. And that's true. And that's true. But brothers and sisters, would you not agree with me that probably the greater danger for you and for me and for most of us is not that we're going to be repeatedly taken advantage of because of our overly aggressive exercise of the gift of hospitality and generosity and compassion. The greater danger for you and me most likely is that we neglect, if not out and out reject, any sense or semblance of the exercise of this critical spiritual discipline, especially when we measure ourselves up against the practice of the early church of which it is said in Acts 2, verses 42-47, they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Get this, all the believers were together and had everything in common. selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God, enjoying the favor of all the people." With that kind of living, loving fellowship, is it any wonder that the next text declares, "...and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." And the Lord added to their number daily. those who are being saved. Question. And I say this humbly, respectfully, lovingly, but I have a question. When was the last time that you or I invited a widow or a widower, even from our own congregation, over for dinner into our home? Or have we deceived ourselves into believing that because the Lord in His providence took away their spouse, they just simply and sadly enough are the odd man or odd woman out? When was the last time you or I pulled aside one of the young people, or the children in our congregation, I just struck up a conversation with them and found out about their life. I asked them how they were doing. When was the last time you or I asked out, asked over a single young adult, a single adult in our congregation, or even someone within or without our own fellowship who is separated or divorced? a husband, a wife, a mother or father who's really struggling in life. And asked if they needed anything. Asked if they wanted some fellowship. Asked if we could do something for them. Asked if they had a physical or financial need. Asked if they needed child care, a day off, a night out. Something to that effect. When was the last time, brothers and sisters, you or I Ask someone over for coffee after a worship service who was not related to us. We came up to a visitor in a worship service and said, hi, how are you? I don't think we've met before. My name is so-and-so. What's your name? Where are you from? Want to come over for dinner today? Or you can't today? Well, what about a night this week? Have we ever shown such love and compassion caring, hospitality to someone we work with or go to school with or live next door to at some time in some way. Have you and I ever done that? You know, the late Dr. C. John Miller, former professor at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, founder of the New Life Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown, PA, a brother who's now in glory, has written these very convicting words in his book entitled, Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. And I quote, he says, I believe that it is often easier to inspire Christian people to go overseas as missionaries than it is to get them to welcome their neighbors into their lives. I'm going to say that again. He writes, I believe that it is often easier to inspire Christian people to go overseas as missionaries than it is to get them to welcome their neighbors into their lives." Now, brothers and sisters, in a certain sense, that kind of radical sharing and caring and compassion is scary, is it not? There's a sense in which it is revolutionary, is it not? But please know that those kinds of comments and that kind of conduct barely touches the surface of that which the Apostle Paul is talking about in Romans 12, 13, when he exhorts God's people saying, share in an ongoing, persistent, aggressive, pursuing fashion with God's people who are in need. I have blessed you physically. I have blessed you materially. I have blessed you spiritually. I have blessed you emotionally. There are people who don't have that. And they may be sitting next to you on Sunday. God says, take from the abundance I've blessed you with and share it. Help meet somebody's need. Practice, practice, practice hospitality. Now friends, thirdly and finally, let us consider the spiritual discipline of hospitality and its eternal effects, its eternal effects for notice. Again, the broader context of our text is in part verses 3-8. Just skim over verses 3-8 of Romans 12, if you would please. Here we find that the Apostle Paul lists a number of gifts which God has very graciously given to His people. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 12, verse 7, the Apostle Paul declares, now to each one, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you at least one spiritual gift. He says in 1 Corinthians 12, verse 7, now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. And while these are spiritual gifts that some have, if you would, in abundant measure, special measure, they are the responsibility of the entire body of Christ. But some of those gifts listed here in those verses are the gift of faith, the gift of teaching, the gift of encouraging, the gift of giving or contributing, the gift of leading, governing, the gift of showing mercy, and so on. And why are these gifts given, once again? 1 Corinthians 12, 7 tells us, they are given for the common good. Or as Ephesians 4, verse 12 says, so that the body of Christ may be built up. And brothers and sisters, it is for those same reasons that the Apostle Paul urges us and exhorts us to engage in the Christian spiritual discipline of hospitality. So that through that exercise of such caring Christian compassion, the body of Christ may be built up. The spirit of the saints may be strengthened. And the end result is that God is given the greater glory, which He alone deserves. But not only so, that's not the only reason. That's not the only eternal effect of this spiritual discipline. It's only part of it. It's only half of the equation, if you will. Part of the eternal effect is for the saints. It's to build up the body. But the other eternal effect concerns sinners. Those who are unsaved. Those who do not yet believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that effect concerns their eternal salvation. Their eternal salvation. For look at verse 17, with me if you would please, of Romans chapter 12, as again, we highlight the broader context. Here Paul writes, do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, it is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord." Now, friends, when I was reading and studying and meditating on that part of the text this week, it occurred to me that Jesus said something virtually identical in Luke chapter 6. And I would invite you to turn there with me, please. In Luke chapter 6, verses 32 through 36, Luke chapter 6, 32 through 36, Jesus says this, He says, if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies. Do good to them. and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. You see the supernatural supply. God is merciful to us. He calls and commands us to be merciful to others. Also and especially through the exercise of the Christian discipline of hospitality. And so now we bring that information back to the words of our text in Romans chapter 12. As those verses continue, after saying it is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord in verse 19. Look at verse 20. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Difficult text, another difficult one to interpret. What does that mean? Many Christians say, well, I know what it means. It means God wants me to be good to the unloving and the unkind and the unbelieving because it's ungood to them. It makes them more guilty and it heaps coals on their head and God will make their judgment, their punishment even worse. Is that what it means? No, no. Friends, first of all, that flies in the face of the context. God is just saying live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge. It's my my job to avenge and to be wrathful. He's not going to say, but I'm going to use you to make their punishment worse and then go on to say and do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. No. He's saying that he wants us to be. Basking in his mercy. so that we can show such mercy and unconditional love and kindness and compassion to those from whom we don't even expect any sort or semblance of repayment, because in His grace and providence, it may cause them to burn with a sense of guilt and shame, and the unrepentant become repentant, and the unbelieving become believing. God is glorified through the obedience of His people, through His Word, the building of the body, and the saving of the souls of sinners. Think of it. the sharing with God's people who are in need, and the practice of hospitality. One particular pastor has panned these very poignant words, and I quote, listen carefully, in a confused, hostile, and dying world, there could be no beacon of light more powerful than a community of people who love and fellowship with one another. The fellowship of the church is God's foretaste of heaven on earth. End of quote. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality unto the building of the body, the strengthening of the spirit of the saints, and the salvation of the souls of sinners. Glory be to God. You know, it was a Saturday evening, Christmas Eve, several years ago. when one of our sisters in the Lord, who regularly now worships with us, was worshiping in another local congregation. She said it was a very beautiful, moving, God-glorifying service. When an usher brought in a rather disheveled, unkempt-looking young woman who reeked of alcohol, and seated her next to her in what seemingly was the last available seat in the sanctuary. She said that the woman on the other side of that woman sort of slid over, slid away because of the smell, but that she sort of sidled up to her and was close enough to notice during the service when she started crying. She started crying. Following the service, she said to her, are you okay? Can I help you? Do you want to talk with the pastor? She said, yeah, I'd like that. And they went out into the lobby, but the pastor was swamped by all the people and it didn't seem possible. And so this sister turned to her and said, you know, it's not by accident that you're here tonight. God brought you here. And I was wondering if you'd come back tomorrow morning, Sunday morning, and sit with me again in church." And she said she would. And they agreed on a time. And that woman went on her way. This sister in the Lord went over to the usher who had seated her next to her and said, you know, I want you to watch for that girl tomorrow because she's going to come back worship with us again. And the usher said something like, oh, she's not going to come back tomorrow. He said, I saw the whole thing. She came into the church parking lot because the police were chasing her. You see how drunk she was? She just ducked in here to hide. And I simply went out there to tell her to move her car. And she sort of wandered in. You're not going to see her again tomorrow. Next day, that lady's sitting in church and service starts. She gets up and she goes out into the lobby. And there's this woman standing there. Come on, sit with me." So they sat together and they enjoyed the worship service together. And at the close of the service, she said, you know, would you be willing to come over to our house for dinner today? My husband and I are having some family in and we'd like you to join us. And that young woman said, okay. And she went home with her and they had dinner together. And she began to tell her story of having left home that she was then working as a bartender in Palisades Park, that she was experiencing a Christ-like love through that group of family that she had never experienced before. And friends, I tell you this with all glory to God. Because of the selfless and obedient Christ-like compassion and hospitality which that sister and her husband showed to that woman. God graciously and sovereignly called her out of darkness into His marvelous light. And she committed her life to Christ as Lord and Savior. Then, she went back home. And then, she went to nursing school. She graduated summa cum laude with highest honors from her class. And then one summer she went to Africa and she spent a month ministering as a nurse in an orphanage in Ghana. And then she went and served as a nurse in another orphanage in Mozambique. And today she's working as a home visiting nurse in a city in upstate New York, and she has been used of God to bring her husband to the Lord and to bring family members to the Lord and to share the good news of the Gospel with her friends. Think of this. All because several years ago, on a Christmas Eve and on a Sunday morning, a single, humble, gracious, obedient servant of Jesus Christ heard and heeded His exhortation to not simply engage in, but to excel at the Christian discipline, the spiritual discipline of hospitality. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts together in prayer. Our mighty God and merciful Father, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians so many years ago, so too may your Holy Spirit prick and prod and inspire our hearts with His Holy Spirit-inspired words when He said, let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Hear us, Lord, we pray. And by Thy mercy, may Thy name alone be glorified through the building up of the body and the strengthening of the spirits of the saints and the salvation of sinners by our patient and persistent practice of the spiritual discipline of hospitality. In Jesus' name, alone do we pray. Amen.