Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 | Sabbath: June 17, 2023

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 4:9

1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Introduction: This topic is more important than you may have thought. As written in Matthew, it is necessary for our salvation. Therefore, let us focus our attention on hospitality and determine whether or not we should make it a part of our character and a part of our routine lives.

Q 1. Hospitality must be given and received by everyone during the course of our lives. We need it and others need it. Based on the scripture reading, Jesus requires the Saints to be hospitable. According to this parable, how important is hospitality? Matthew 25:42-46

Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Q 2. As Jesus journeyed throughout Judea, did He lack the hospitality of others? Who provided for His needs? Luke 8:1-3

Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Q 3. Jesus had blessed the Apostles for many months with His presence. At the end of His mortal life, what request did He have for John, and what was John's response? John 19:25-27

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Q 4. According to this scripture, did Jesus earn His hospitality? Was he teaching the same to the Apostles? Should we? Luke 10:1-7

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Q 5. Although hospitality is necessary, did Paul demand it? When it was not freely given in Corinth, who provided it? When others would not provide, who provided? 2 Corinthians 11:8, 9; 1 Thessalonians 2:9

2 Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Q 6. Jesus taught it to all who listened. John provided it for Mary. Paul received it from the churches. Paul also teaches to all in the church. So, should we, today, practice hospitality? 3 John 1:5

3 John 1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Q 7. What does Paul expect from a minister? That is to say, what is one of the qualifications of a minister? 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7, 8

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Q 8. So far, this lesson has dealt with hospitality within the church. Through Moses, what does God say to Israel concerning strangers and their care for them? Leviticus 19:33, 34; Deuteronomy 10:17-19

Leviticus 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.

Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Deuteronomy 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Deuteronomy 10:19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Comment: Our actions can earn the hospitality of others, although we should not expect it. Also, do not expect others to earn our hospitality. Our hospitality should be freely given, even to strangers.

Q 9. What we have received from others should not be forgotten. Hospitality should be followed by a thankful spirit. Is acknowledging generosity the same as being thankful? 1 Corinthians 16:15-18

1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

1 Corinthians 16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.

1 Corinthians 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Conclusion: As Jesus teaches in Matthew 25, hospitality is necessary for salvation. Reading through the New Testament, it is obvious that hospitality is one of the building blocks of the church. For our own salvation, we should be hospitable to others in the church and outside of the church. And even more important, we should be hospitable for the health of the entire church.