HOSPITALITY AND GIFTS 1 Peter 4:9–10 Peter asks you to be hospitable. What does hospitality mean? Hospitality is defined as the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Hospitality in a city shines with the love of Jesus Christ. Even if you’re struggling, Jesus wants you to have a welcoming, hospitable heart. How can God use you to reach out to your friends and neighbors? How can He help you love others well and be hospitable? Last summer, a couple at our downtown campus moved from the suburbs to the downtown area—the east downtown area called EaDo. They built a house from scratch, from the ground up. They built that house so they could be hospitable. And now, they’re having married and young adult life Bible studies at their house. They’re hospitable by opening their home to men’s and women’s ministries and Bible studies. They’re also planning to reach out to the poor and refugees. That’s hospitality. Many of you have rooms in your homes that need to be redeemed, spaces where you need to say, “Lord, I want You to use this. I bought this house so I could have people over. Let’s redeem it and give it to You.” Be loving. Be hospitable. Be welcoming. Peter also asks you to walk in your giftedness. God has put a spiritual gift in you, and He wants you to put it to use. If you don’t know what your spiritual gift is, you’re missing out on the biggest joy of your life. Find out what it is. My gifts are leadership, teaching, and evangelism. So if I wasn’t teaching, I’d be withering. If I wasn’t leading, I’d be withering. If I wasn’t sharing my faith, I’d be withering. If you can find your giftedness and put your service—even your vocation—around it, your life will be very different. Peter says that some of us have the gift of speaking. If that is your gift, you should speak as if you are speaking God’s words. There are also gifts of encouragement, leadership, and teaching. Some have service gifts such as hospitality, mercy, and more. Go and serve in the ways you are gifted. But let God put it together for you. Allow the Spirit to guide you in your talents and gifts.
FEBRUARY 11