1Peter 4:9  Be hospitable to one another without grumbling        

I. Biblical Hospitality:

Using God's resources to accomplish God's purposes in the life of another [Stranger lover vs threatened]
 My relationship with God meets my needs, so I'm free to meet the needs of others. (Royal Law-:Law of Liberty – see James)

A. Expression of other-centeredness

Mt 7:12  whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets  
 Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. 2  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3  Remember the prisoners as if chained with them----those who are mistreated----since you yourselves are in the body also  16  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

B. Grace not a Gift  (for Body life)

Rm 12:9  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse  

1Tim 3:2 blameless..vigilant, soundminded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach Ti 1:8 hospitable, a lover of good, soundminded, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

1. Sensitivity - Other-centereness: thinking of others rather than ourselves so we are aware of their needs  
 2. Stewardship - Generosity to share your/God's stuff; Open heart, open home:  Trust that God will provide and make it up to you
 3. Confident Grace to endure difficulty and confront the difficult 2Cor 9:6-8 sow sparingly, reap...grace abound...all sufficiency...every good work
 *Good guest : communicate (before/during/after), bring, serve, not a burden,  not a trace.

C. Motivation: 

God will look good in the eyes of others as they experience Him through me Mt 5:16 let your light shine..glorify God
 Lover 25v+29n (kiss 7) of good, brothers 7, husband, mankind 2, money 3, self, pleasure, horses 6, God, word, strife 2, strangers 5, pre-eminence,  wisdom2, affection, children , honor 3, mind-friendly 2. 

II. Benefits: Friends, Blessings, Reward, Ministry

Mt 25:34 Then the King will say...Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35 I was a stranger and you took Me in; 40...as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'  

3Jn 1:5 you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send in a manner worthy of God, you will do well 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth
 
 Lk 16:9  make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.  

III. No Grumbling, Murmuring, Complaining, Fussing, Whining, Sniffling...

Murmuring =  arises from distrust and discontent with God's provision and plans,

 caused by distorted perspective and values (demonic influence)

resulting in displeasing God, deprivation, and Divine discipline (now 1Cor 11 and in the future 1Pt 4:17)

1Cor 10:5 with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted (Num 13 fearful rebellion/security/comfort).  7 idolatry (Ex 32 disobey/distrust)  9 nor tempt Christ, as some also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents (Num 21 discontented doubt);10  nor complain,as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer (Num 16 God's just discipline). 11 all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition 12  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall

Jude 14 Behold, the Lord comes 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds committed in an ungodly way...of all which ungodly sinners have spoken 16 These  grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lust.

Phil 2:12 as you have always obeyed... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 fleshing out the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Js 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned (judge against). Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

 
1.  How does Biblical Hospitality differ from having friends over? What are the purposes and goals of hospitality?
 
2.  Is hospitality as important today as is was in NT times when believers were persecuted and teachers itinerant? Visiting firemen?
 
3.  Will we be judged by Christ on how we've shown hospitality? Do you think we'll be judged for grumbling? What consequences? 
 
4.  When are we most tempted to grumble? What should be our response instead? What safeguards can you put in place?
 
5. How could you demonstrate Biblical hospitality and experience the blessings God has planned for you? How could you default?