Acts 28 – True Hospitality by Ben Fronczek

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Acts 28:1-10 True Hospitality

Review: In our last lesson we read in Acts 27 how Apostle Paul was on his way to Rome aboard a ship. On his way a terrible storm hit them of hurricane force. It was so bad that they even went without eating for 14 days. They feared for their life, but we saw how Paul encouraged everyone letting them know that an angel of the Lord let him know that everything was going to be all right, none of them would loose their life. It is a lesson for us, that we can also encourage others with the encouragement that we receive from our Lord.

Read: Acts 28:1-11   ” Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.  The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 

After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux.”

I believe that there a few good lessons that could be taken from this text and I believe that the Hospitality demonstrated here is an important practice for all Christian to learn. Why? Because scripture not only commands that we act hospitable toward others demonstrating a Christ-like love and concern for others. Sometimes people simply need our attention, help, and acts of love and kindness to fill a need in their life.

We see this demonstrated in our text today. The native people on the Island of Malta really took care of Paul and the other people after the ship wreck. After everyone got ashore, the first thing the islanders did to welcome them was build a fire to warm them because it was cold and rainy. Soon after that I’m sure they made arrangements to house the people in their homes. I’m sure that it was no small feat to find accommodations for the 276 people for the next 3 months. We read that some of them, including Paul were brought to the home of Publius. He was the chief official on the island. Luke says that he welcomed them to his home and that they spent three days at Publius’ estate and that he, “entertained them hospitably.”

The people of the island welcomed those 276 shipwrecked people with open arms. In verse 2 Luke tells us that the people of Malta showed them,    “unusual kindness.”

Let’s face it.  We live in a pretty un-hospitable world today. People simply do not go out of their way one for another unless a disaster strikes, and even then only a few respond in a hands on way.

Most people are leery of others, over cautious, even afraid to get involved. We teach our kids not to talk to strangers, and hardly ever look into one another’s eyes if we pass someone on the street.

People are less hospitable to strangers than they were a few generations ago.  But hospitability is still important. There has to be a place where people know they are welcome, loved, respected, wanted, and needed…and that place should be our Churches and/or a Christian’s home.

In Romans 12:13 its says to “Practice Hospitality”                                             In 1 Peter 4:9 says to “offer hospitality without grumblings”                     In Hebrews 13:2 it says “not to neglect to show hospitality to strangers.”

The Greek word for hospitality consists of two words: love and stranger. So being hospitable means loving the stranger with genuine Christian love.

A man by the name of Henri Nouwen defined it this way, he said, ‘hospitality is the offer of a space where change can take place, where the stranger can enter and become a friend.’

Someone once said that in the context of the church, ‘hospitality to newcomers is not about persuading, forcing, overwhelming, or trying to convert people, but rather in welcoming them, inviting them, sharing and showing our faith by our actions.’

Sadly, too many churches have failed in understanding this kind of hospitality.  Being hospitable should be one of our most important missions.  All too often we force our Christian faith on non-Christians.  That’s not showing the love of Christ, and that’s not showing hospitality.

We need to learn how to be welcoming and inviting, and genuinely love people and leave it up to those who come, to choose what they like for themselves.  Jesus never forced Himself on anyone, rather people saw or heard something they liked and freely chose to follow Him.

Hospitality is a welcoming kind love with no strings attached. That’s the kind of hospitality Paul was shown on Malta. A welcoming love with no strings attached.  They were in need and those people were willing to help.

Hospitality is not only important for the visitor, it’s important for us as well.

I also believe God rewards those who are hospitable. We see that with how He blesses the people of Malta. The people of the island welcomed those 276 shipwrecked people with open arms.  And what was the result? God blessed them almost immediately.

Luke tells us that Publius’ father was sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Some have suggested that he was sick with what later became known as ‘Malta fever’. It is micro-organism which was first identified in 1887 and was traced to the milk of Maltese goats. It caused a fever that normally lasted four months, but sometimes persisted for two or three years. But he was healed soon after Paul arrived.

We are told that Paul prayed, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this miracle became known all the other sick people on the island came to Paul and they were also healed.

God quickly rewarded the people of Malta for their kindness and hospitality to these strangers.

And here’s the point: Here near the end of the book of Acts God uses the pagan people of the island of Malta to show Christians how much He blesses hospitality. It is a lesson that we Christians should take to heart. Acts is about the spread of the gospel, from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria, to the ends of the earth.  It’s about church growth.

How does the church grow? One key way is for Christians to practice love and hospitality. Hospitality is a reflection of God’s love. So here, near the end of his book, Luke again shows us how not only how God would to take care of Paul, He also shows us how He blesses those who are hospitable.

This principle can be seen throughout the Bible. Consider Abraham. We read about his hospitality in Read: Genesis 18:1-11.  “The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahsof the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

 “There, in the tent,” he said.

Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”   Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.  Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.”

Hospitality in the Bible always had the same basic elements: a welcome, a gesture of honor, time spent together, washing feet, especially prepared food, water, rest in the shade, shelter, a place to stay for the night, and a blessing.

Abraham was hospitable to those strangers. At first he did not know who they were.  And so, what was the result?    God greatly blessed him—look at the promise that was given to him!  They said to Abraham, “about this time next year, Sarah your wife will have a son.”

I don’t mean to suggest that Abraham’s hospitality was the only thing that was responsible for the blessing that came, but it was a factor. God arranged things this way in order to teach us a great lesson.

Abraham’s example is held up to us in Hebrews 13:2. There we are told,   “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Referring to Abraham)

We are not merely encouraged, but commanded to follow his example. There’s a clear connection between kindness, hospitality and a blessing, and not merely an earthly blessings, but also spiritual blessings as well.

In Proverbs 11:25 it says,  “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

In 1 Kings 17:7-23 we are told of an incident in the life of the prophet Elijah. There was famine in the land and Elijah was told by God to hide in the Kerith Ravine and there ravens would feed him. And then he is told to seek out a widow in the town of Zarephath who would take care of him.  Read: 1 Kings 17:10-16  “Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”  So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’”

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.”

Did this woman receive a blessing or what? What a miracle she witnessed. Even during a time of famine she and her family never went hungry.  It was all because she was willing to show hospitality to the prophet.

There is also an interesting story in the in the life of the prophet Elisha.               Read: 2 Kings 4:8-16     (Click on link to read)

–  A year later she had a son. God greatly blessed her because of her hospitality.

I believe Christians, have been called to be hospitable. Over and over we are shown that it is something we should do and it is the way to blessing.

Someone may say, “I don’t have the time or the resources to be hospitable.”   That’s like saying, “I don’t have the time or the resources to be blessed by God.”

Consider the widow of Zarephath. All she had left when Elijah arrived was a little flour and a little oil. She was going to make a last little meal for her and her son—and then that would be it before they themselves died.  But she gave all she had, which was not even enough to keep her and her son  alive. Yet God called her to show hospitality to Elijah and feed him. She did so and she was greatly blessed for doing so.

Does God really bless hospitality? Are His blessing real and substantial, or fleeting .  Yes, God does bless hospitality and this blessing is real and substantial.

Remember what Jesus said about hospitality in Matthew 10:42? He said,  ” And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

I found a story I would like to read to you as we come to the end of this lesson:

A woman by the name of Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

“Dear Ruth,                                                                                 

I’m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I’d like to stop by for a visit.       “Love Always, “Jesus”

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.”

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. “Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. I’ll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner.”

She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. “Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.

A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.

“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we’d really appreciate it.”

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad, and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. “Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.”

“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway.”

The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.

“Sir, wait!”   The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.

“Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.

“Thank you lady. Thank you very much!”

“Yes, thank you!” It was the man’s wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.

“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one.”

Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street–without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

“Thank you lady! Thank you very much!”

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually come twice in one day.”

“Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
“Love Always,  “Jesus”

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

As a Christian, we serve Jesus when we serve others. And one day, we will enjoy His hospitality forever.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talk about the judgment scene. He said this.            
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Closing:  May challenge for you this week is to open you mind up to becoming more hospitable, not just to family and friends, consider becoming friendlier and hospitable to strangers. You never know, in doing so some people have entertained angels.