Hospitality: Open Eyes, Open Hands, Open Home

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Hospitality: Open Eyes, Open Hands, Open Home

Speaker: Pastor
Series:

The Heart of True Hospitality: Lessons from the Good Samaritan

Have you ever wondered why some people go out of their way to help others while others just walk on by? I’ve been reflecting on this question lately, and it strikes at the core of what hospitality truly means. Hospitality isn’t just about being friendly—it’s about having a heart of compassion that moves us to action. Throughout our church’s history, people have commented on our hospitality, but I want us to go deeper than just being known as “the friendly church.” True hospitality flows from the heart.

Compassion Begins with God’s Love

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan after a lawyer asks him about eternal life. Jesus responds by saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Our primary relationship is this up-and-down connection with God. When we understand His love for us, we can then properly relate to others.

As 1 John 4:7-8 reminds us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.” We cannot be hospitable in any way unless we have God’s love in us. In fact, “if anyone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20). The Samaritan in Jesus’ story didn’t quote these verses, but he lived them out through his actions.

Compassion Gets Involved

What separates the Samaritan from the priest and Levite in the story? Luke 10:33 tells us that “a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.” While religious leaders stepped aside from the problem, the Samaritan stepped toward it.

“Religious routine can blind us from the ministry opportunities that God gives us,” and we must be careful not to let responsibilities—even ministry ones—blind us from seeing people in need. Your “fear of inconvenience may cost someone else everything.” If your theology doesn’t lead you to compassion, it’s incomplete.

Compassion Breaks Down Barriers

The Samaritan overcame significant social barriers to help a Jewish man. Jews and Samaritans were enemies, yet “the most unlikely person stepped forward.” In your life, loving others may require overcoming barriers of past words, actions, or bitterness.

“This story isn’t just simply about us being nice. It’s about crossing deeply entrenched social, ethnic, ideological boundaries to show mercy.” You may disagree with someone, but God cares about your disposition as well as your position.

Compassion Requires Sacrifice

Look at what the Samaritan did in Luke 10:34-35. He “bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” He even paid two denarii—two days’ wages—and promised to cover any additional expenses.

“Love and mercy always cost something.” It costs your sense of safety, your time, and your resources. “Hospitality and compassion aren’t free,” but they’re worth it.

Putting Compassion into Practice

Being a good Samaritan means:

  • Welcoming strangers as if they were Christ himself
  • Making room in your schedule and at your table
  • Seeing needs and responding, not avoiding them
  • Loving people not because of who they are, but because of who you are in Christ

“Life’s road always has two sides.” On one side is success, rights, and comfort. On your neighbor’s side are problems, responsibilities, and sacrifice. Which side are you living on?

The story of the Samaritan ultimately points to Jesus. He came to where we were when we were broken. He didn’t step aside from our mess—He stepped into it. Jesus healed our wounds and paid the full price for our salvation.

So I challenge you: open your eyes to see those in need, open your heart to feel compassion, and open your home to show hospitality. “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

Let’s be known not just as a church that preaches the Word, but one that lives it by showing the heart of God to everyone we meet.

We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!

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