The Hospitable Innkeeper
Sermon Series: The First Christmas:
Sermon 2: The Hospitable Innkeeper
Luke 2:1-7, 1 Peter 4:8-12, Hebrew 13:2, Genesis 18:2-5, 9-14
Date: December 10, 2023
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
- The Wonder of God’s Perfect Plan 2:1-5 God is always At Work, though we often don’t See Him.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)
- The wonder of God’s plan doesn’t mean it’s always easy. The very pregnant Mary either walked or rode on a donkey about 90 Miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Wonder of God’s Precise Timing 2:6
The Jews had anticipated the coming of the Messiah for years, but our timing and God’s timing is Rarely the Same.
But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother & lived under the Jewish Law, 5 to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God’s children. (Galatians 4:4-5)
- The Wonder of Being Part of God’s Story 2:7
God used the innkeeper’s hospitality to keep Jesus from being born in a
More Public Less Protected Place.
- Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV)
“Those who live out radically ordinary hospitality see their homes not as theirs at all but as God’s gift to use for the furtherance of his kingdom. They open doors; they seek out the underprivileged. They know the gospel comes with a house key.”
“Radically ordinary hospitality characterizes those who don’t fuss over different worldviews represented at the dinner table. The truly hospitable aren’t embarrassed to keep (have) friendships with people who are different.”
(The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield)
Application—
Who in your world could benefit from your hospitality?
Who might you be able to encourage with a little love?