Helps and Hospitality

By Daniel Friesen

This book is written to acknowledge the gift of helps and the practice of the graces of hospitality in one's home. It identifies the responsibilities and expectations that God has for His people, who are the called out ones in Christ, to use the gifts He has given them. The use of this gift and the consistent practice of hospitality are essential to build a loving, caring church that seeks not only its own interests, but also the interests of others. In recognizing the base works of God, done through His people, the body can understand the critical importance of the lesser acknowledged gifts. The Lord inspires and encourages those called and labouring in this gift. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28, NKJV)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Jan 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781770695825

Book preview

Helps and Hospitality

Copyright © 2012 by Pastor Daniel Friesen

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, which is in the public domain. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (www.lockman.org).

EPUB Version ISBN: 978-1-77069-582-5

Word Alive Press

131 Cordite Road, Winnipeg, MB R3W 1S1

www.wordalivepress.ca

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Friesen, Daniel, 1956-

Spiritual gifts : helps and hospitality / Daniel Friesen.

ISBN 978-1-77069-451-4

1. Hospitality--Religious aspects--Christianity. I. Title.

BV4647.H67F75 2012 241’.671 C2011-908441-4

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Preface

Part One—The Gift of Helps

1—The Calling

2—Good Works

3—Service

4—Examples and Insights

5—Deacon

6—The Benefits

Part Two—Hospitality

1—Defined

2—Responsibility

3—History of Hospitality

4—Oriental Customs

5—Examples and Insights

6—Exhortations and Personal Examples

Conclusions

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Before a writer can write anything of significance, a seed must have been sown inside. That seed will germinate and bear fruit. From that fruit words are penned, coming forth as seeds sprouted in the heart of man.

For the penned words to get from ink to the printed page takes much work—work that is beyond my forbearance and ability to perform in a reasonable amount of time.

For this work, I wish to acknowledge with gratitude Donna Perrett, who typed the original manuscript with great diligence and patience, giving attention to deciphering and spelling corrections which were too numerous to mention.

I give great thanks to Janet who converted the original manuscript into electronic format. She was persistent in her encouragement and her help invaluable through the whole process of bringing this book to print. Before the final work was completed, she became my much loved helpmate and wife.

For all who read this book, my prayer, hope, and desire is that you will be encouraged and motivated to hospitality and helping the body of Christ. Also that your faith would arise to the level of the hopes, dreams, and desires that God has planted in you, so that you will fulfill God’s plan for your life in its entirety.

Abstract

I have chosen the topic of helps and hospitality to exhort, encourage, inspire, and teach the importance of practicing hospitality and helping others for the building up and edification of the church. The practice of hospitality and helps in a consistent manner is essential to building a loving, caring church that seeks not only its own interests, but also the interests of others.

Preface

Sitting down in frustration, the tears rolling down the stained cheeks of yesterday’s makeup, her thoughts of helplessness abound. Who will help me? Is there anyone who really cares? They seemed to last Sunday.

Her prayers cry up to the heavens. Lord, help me in my thoughts, to think what is right. Help me to care for my family, oh God! Deliver me out of this depression and help me to make it through just one more day.

Sunday morning comes, and with fresh makeup, a clean outfit, hair pinned in place, and chin held up, she walks in the building—and no one knows. No one has time, and the preacher preaches.

Coming home from work, he sees the children excited, jumping up and down. He leans down and gently hugs and squeezes each one. His tired eyes survey his home. Much needs to be done: bikes need repair, car needs repair,