Romans 103

Given to Hospitality

February 9, 2003

Brian Kocourek

Last week we spoke from ROMANS 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; We found that the word distribution here is the Greek word Koinoneo which speaks of fellowship, or communion, meaning to communicate and it simply means sharing. To come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner, to enter into fellowship, join one's self to an associate, make one's self a sharer or partner. Therefore it does not necessarily have to do with sharing material things, but can mean the sharing of spiritual or emotional elements as well.

Now when we think of distributing, we think of a warehouse or some center that is full of goods and those goods are then sent out from that Distribution Center to many different locations. The words sharing or communicating might be more accurately used in what Paul is telling us here. The Verse could be better understood by saying, Sharing or communicating to the necessity of saints; Thus we get the idea from Paul that we are to be helpful to others who have needs beyond our own.

In Romans ROMANS 15:27 we find that the word is translated as partakers.

And in GALATIANS 6:4 Paul uses it has been translated as to communicate.

Now, in getting back to our thoughts on Koinonea, we find that Paul is telling us of the importance to share with the saints. This not only speaks of material sharing with those who are in need, but also and most importantly the things that God has so freely given us of His Word. For that is what He has done.

In PHILIPPIANS 4:15 the word koinoneo is translated communication with the saints.

But mostly it is used as the word partaker, such as in HEBREWS 2:14 ¶ the children are partakers

I PETER 4:13 ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings…

Notice the power that God gives us and that comes upon us as we fellowship around His word. We see the early apostles coming together in this atmosphere of sharing out of necessity. And notice how the power of God came into their midst.

ACTS 2:42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The more they sought the power of God, the more they assembled for fellowship around the doctrine. The more they assembled around the Word the more power of God began to display itself among them. Now, I believe Alpha has become Omega and as the assembled to talk the Word at His First coming, so too we must come together, but its not for everyone. Just those who are ordained to be their will assemble, and the rest will find excuses like they did in the first church.

HEBREWS.10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

PHILIPPIANS.1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

For your fellowship in the Gospel: Why did he pray for their fellowship in the Gospel? What is so important about fellowship?

Fellowship comes by one avenue and that is the Word of God, unbroken. Br. Branham showed us that when eve disbelieved just one word it broke fellowship with God.

Now, there are various types of fellowship, but we receive them from God’s word. :

Fellowship of the Spirit and of Love PHIL 2:1 ¶ If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. 3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The fellowship of His sufferings PHIL 3:19 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 ¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

The fellowship of the mystery of Christ Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Now, when it speaks of the fellowship of the Mystery, and says and to make all me know, we know that the all men spoken of here are only those who have entered into the fellowship, for all who have not will not know and will not have any clue as to the wonderful fellowship involved here.

Now, the whole thing comes down to this one thing. God Himself who is the word, has come down in this day and either we believe it or we don’t. Just playing church will not do. It has become a live or die, sink or drown reality to us, and either the God who created all things has come down to bring us together in fellowship around Himself, or He hasn’t. And He is the Word. Therefore when we gather together unto Him we are gathering to the Word for this Hour, for He is the Word for this Hour. He is the Message. The Message and the Messenger are one.

I JOHN 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. That means if we are truly walking in the light it is because He is the Light, and we are focused upon Him and then the blood covers and we have no differences that merit anything. Our focus is upon Him and what He is doing, and outside of that we are not walking in the Light.

MAN THAT CAN TURN ON LIGHT 63-1229M 74 All life... So life is only by the Word of God made manifest. Life comes only by the Word of God made manifest. As long as it is just in the Book like this, it still can be questioned; but when it's made manifest, then you see the product of what It spoke of being manifested; then that is Light on the--on the Word. See? That's what brings... The Word said so, and then when it comes to pass, that is Life in Light, Light bringing Life. Light brings life. Plant the wheat out here, it'll... You put it in a basement, cover it all over, and it'll--it'll never bring forth anything, because it can't; there's no light there. But as soon as light strikes it, then it'll bring forth life if it's a germitized seed. That's the same thing it is in the Word. See, the Word is God, and when the life strikes It, it brings It--Light strikes It, it brings the Word to life again. Every age has always been that.

MAN THAT CAN TURN ON LIGHT 63-1229M 95 Notice, they were wise men, and wise men today, not wise... The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. All your scientists, and you people who are depending on some great scholarship or something another telling you how to split a atom, it can't give you Life. There's nothing can give you Life but the spoken Word of God. It's the only way that Life can come is through His spoken Word.

We see then that by believing the same thing actually brings us into common ground, and that is the Land of Promise which is Christ. So then if to believe the same Gospel brings us together, then to disbelief the same Word brings separation. In fact the scripture says that very thing.

II CORINTHIANS 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

So we see that we are to be gathered together, but not just for gathering sakes.

II THESSALONIANS 2:1 ¶ Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, (And Who is He? He is the Word. In the aBegining was the Word and the Word was God…) 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

MAL 3: 16 - 18 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: (Now, the key here is they that feared the Lord, that respected the Lord above there daily bread, above their jobs, and above family time, and above the kids school and social activities, they that FEARED the Lord are the Ones who got together to talk the Word. And then what happened?) and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Therefore I hope you se the importance of getting together to talk the Word and fellowship around Him Who is here to wrap up all things and get us ready to be caught up from here. Brother Branham said, when Word is added to Word upon Word, it will take a hold of every fiber of your body. Then what if Word is not being added to Word. No Body change. So I hope you see the importance of our walking in the light and fellowshipping around the revealed Word.

Now this morning I would like to move ahead into the next portion of Romans 12: 13 so let’s open our Bibles and read it again.

ROMANS 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Now, I really shouldn’t have to say much about the last portion of this verse of Scripture. Paul says we should be given to hospitality, and that is what sharing is all about? We, ourselves, giving of ourselves to the benefit of the elect. And this word hospitality is translated as such from a Greek word Philo-Nexia. Actually this word is a combination of two Greek words, Philo which is love, and Xenos which means one who receives another openly.

I PETER 4:7 ¶ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

So we are talking about a stewardship of the things we have in honor preferring one another, and in love, showing ourselves to be good stewards of the things God has bestowed upon us.

HEBREWS 13:1 ¶ Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

WHEN THEIR EYES WERE OPENED 56-0420 E-33 As they went along, He said to them, "Why are you so sad?" I wonder if He'd say the same thing to this little gathering here tonight? "Why are you so sad? What makes you so weary?" "Why," they said, "are You just a Stranger?" They didn't know Him. And you don't know who that is setting right next to you tonight. The Bible said, "We have entertained Angels unaware." God sending His Spirit to an individual and that individual is a mouthpiece, when you receive that individual, you don't receive Him, but you receive Him that sent Him. Jesus said, "When you receive Me, you receive not Me, but you receive My Father that sent Me." You get it? We laugh at a preacher sometime, a good Gospel preacher, because he disagrees with our theology. We make fun of him some time and even call him that scandalous name of holy-roller, fanatic. You don't know, you might be talking about God when you do that. For the Bible said, "Insomuch as you have done unto the least of these little ones that believe in Me, you have done it unto Me." "And these signs shall follow them that believe," not all that say they believe, but "these signs shall follow them that believe." That's how you know them. See what I mean?

GALATIANS 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

ROMANS 12:9 [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

PARADOX A 65-0117 147 Just before we call the prayer line. I was having a little bite of ice cream one day with an old doctor friend of mine. He said, "I want to ask you something, Billy." I said, "All right." Said, "Do you believe in..." That's where I got this thought: paradox. Said, "Do you believe in a paradox?" I said, "Sure." He said, "I--I know you do." He said--told me about a certain person that had been healed, that'd been prayed for; that he had sold epilepsy drugs to for years, sometimes they'd have seven or eight seizures a day: strong medicines. And he said, "They never did come back for no more. I see them all the time; never had it no more." Said, "I want to tell you something, just to let you know I--I believe what you're talking about."

150 He said, "During the time of the depression, my son here now was over the store." Said, "He was--he was waiting on kind of a young fellow, just could said he... They sent him down a line, for medicine." And said, "A man come up here, and he had his wife," said, "a little woman, she was... You could look at her and see she was just about to be delivered of any time, of a child." And said, "She just couldn't stand in that line no more," and said that he brought his wife into the door, and just leaning on his shoulder." And said, "My boy went up, said, 'Can I help you?' Said, 'Yes,' said, 'here is the prescription from the doctor.' But said, 'I want to make it clear to you.' Said, 'I... We haven't got the money yet.' Said, 'We'll get it from the county, but my wife just can't stand it no longer. The doctor said she to have medicine right away.' And said, 'If--if you'll just give her the medicine, I'll go right there and stand in line till I--I get the money from the county.'" "And the boy said, 'Sir, I'm sorry.' Said, 'It's against our--our rules here to give out the medicine without having the money.' You know how the times was in them days. And said, 'I--I feel sorry for her, but I can't do it.'"

153 Said, "I was setting back here reading the paper. And I looked up," and said, "something strangely warmed my heart." Said, "I walked up; I said, 'Wait a minute, son, wait a minute. ' The man started out the door, he said, 'Well, all right, son,' started out the door." And said, "I said, 'Just a minute,' said, 'what was that?' He said, 'Well...'" This man explained it to him. He said, "'Let me see the prescription.' Said, 'Just wait a minute, son; I'll get you the medicine.'" Said, "I went on back and mixed up the prescription the doctor had prescribed on his paper." And said, "I went up there, and they had that...?..." He said, "Hand it to him, not knowing whether I'd get it or not, but I just thought I would." Said, "I just felt that I should do it." And said, "Billy, when I put that--that medicine in that woman's hand," said, "it was the Lord Jesus." Said, "I seen a Man standing there." And he said, "I read later on that the Scripture said, 'Insomuch as you have done unto the least of these, My little ones, you have done it unto Me.'" He said, "Billy, what happened to my eyes? Did I actually see it?" I said, "Yes, sir. I believe it. I believe that you so fulfilled your duty as a druggist in the emergency needing for that. Jesus said, 'What you have done unto these others, you have done unto Me.' I believe it."

MATTHEW 25:1 ¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. 3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 14 ¶ For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. 17 And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

ARROW OF GOD'S DELIVERANCE 56-0801 E-22 And I tell you, don't let the world creep into you. Don't let the world get into your churches, brethren. Pray it out, fast it out until God comes down and takes a hold. That's right. Keep the joy of the Lord among the saints. Keep them prayed up. And guard every little place. If Noah seen a leak in his ark, why, he put some pitch in it. And so that's about the best thing I know to keep the leak out, the world out, is to stop up the leak, is the best thing that I know to do. Only one way to do it; that's prayer. Prayer stops the leak. Prayer changes things.