Command 38: Finding Fellowship & Faith
"And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide." Mt. 10:11-14
In the agrarian and fishing communities from which the apostles sprang, this may have been a bit easier than it would be today. Since most of the towns and cities of first century Palestine would have been small communities where everyone knew everyone, it made a little more sense that you could ask around to find out who the hospitable people were. Any strangers coming into a town or village would have likely been noticed and their purpose for being there could probably be ascertained quite easily. One can imagine the word spreading of new visitors in town who bring news of a spiritual matter. This would likely end up reaching the ears of whoever the right people might be for finding the necessary hospitality.
From the beginning of Bible history, we see that the Hebrew people were instructed by God how to entertain strangers and to often treat them like family. God himself loves the stranger (Deut. 10:18) and He expects his people to show kindness to those who pass our way needing some care or help. Paul reminds the Church of this custom also in Hebrews 13:2 telling them: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." So, expecting to be welcomed in by those yet unknown to them was not necessarily an unreasonable thing for the apostles. Hospitality is an art among some cultures.
Though I have not spent any time in Central or Southern Europe, I have heard from others that if you travel casually through 'off the beaten path' areas of England, France or Italy, people will spontaneously invite you to dine, or even stay with them in their homes when you visit their village or town. This is most likely what the customs of the day were back then for the apostles also, so it would not be out of character for the Lord also to instruct them in such a way.
I can think of no better way to learn how the body of Christ functions than, for at least some period of time, to find fellowship in this way. For the servant of the Lord who wants to get to know God's people, and is willing to be transparent in his own life, this type of ministry travel can be a blessing. Yet this is not to be seen as an opportunity to avoid responsibility or to expect others to carry your burdens when you come to town. One who is hoping to find hospitable people must himself be flexible, humble and grateful.
The Masters instructions also include the proper attitude for such encounters whether good or bad as he instructed them: “When you come into a house (household, or family) "salute" the people there.” This is a general implication of affection or friendliness toward those who are offering hospitality. Don't come in with a haughty attitude of authority or condescension. Be sensitive to any inconvenience that your being there might bring, while at the same time respecting the act of kindness as a spiritual sacrifice on the part of your host family.
Be helpful when possible and always allow them to lead the way in their offerings. Don't presume anything. If this is a house of peace for you, you will know it fairly quickly. If there seems to be any contention or discord as a result of your visit, excuse yourself and go elsewhere. Sometimes things aren't as convenient as they may have first appeared to be.
But on the other hand, if you are treated with contempt or disregard, leave and take nothing with you including the dust that may have accumulated on your feet while there. If you are on honorable behavior and your message is rejected, they are rejecting Christ not you. Move on!
From my own experience I can testify that, to this day, some of my best and most helpful friends remain those whom I got to know in this way early on in my ministry travels. Often this would come about through a Church that was hosting me for preaching, or through meeting someone while ministering who then invited me to stay with them if I ever came to their town again. Sometimes though I would just point my van in the direction I felt led to go, and God would surprise me with opportunity.
I remember one time when my wife and children and I were in upstate New York and our car broke down. While waiting for it to be repaired we were eating at a nearby restaurant and a man there invited us to visit his family in their home near the shop so the children might be more comfortable. During the next few hours, we were given the opportunity to minister to him and his family and witness for Christ. God used our misfortune as an opportunity to pray with them and encourage them as they were going through some personal struggles at the time. They too encouraged us and reminded us that God was watching over us as well in our daily situations. They were "worthy"(vs 11) and the Lord led us right to them during a most unusual experience.
You never know what God has up his sleeve, so you must be watchful and open for such opportunities. This can also be a tremendous way to experience how He set's things up. I love going and not knowing. This has afforded me with some of my most unique and memorable encounters. Don't be afraid to venture into the unknown. When you are totally dependent upon God to make things happen or to open doors for ministry, He does just that.
Another episode took place on my first visit to mainland China in 1986. After taking a train to Guangzhou (formerly Canton) I missed my plane to Beijing because of something the government had done that had relaxed travel restrictions for locals and backed up all of the normal airline traffic. Originally, I was to be accompanied by two other friends, but they decided not to go so I was traveling alone. We had been in Hong Kong for a week and I had planned this trip to smuggle Bibles into the mainland to pass out to people I met along the way or in any house churches I might be able to come upon if the Lord led me that way.
I had purchased a denim jacket in the street markets of Hong Kong which had lots of hidden pockets for stuffing with tracts and Bibles. My guitar flight case had been altered with a hidden compartment underneath, which I had also filled with lots of small English to Chinese language New Testaments.
I had somehow made it through Chinese Customs with the guitar case full of Christian literature and Bibles and was supposed to catch my plane North from there but missed it. There I was in the Quanzhou train station filled with thousands of people, not having a clue what to do next since I couldn't get another flight. I said a quick prayer asking the Lord what I should do and I heard the words:
“What did you come here to do? Look at all these people.”
I started passing out tracts to the people who were jammed up around me, guiding them though the English to Chinese translations. Before long it caught the attention of the train station guards, as well as a young Chinese man who spoke perfect English and warned me that I was being scrutinized by the train station police. I told him what I was doing and he offered to help and take me to some Christians he said would love to have some Bibles in Chinese.
We left the train station and over the next couple of days this same young man led me to several areas of Quanzhou and to some underground Church people where I was able to pass out all of my Bibles and tracts without a hitch. I never made it to Beijing that weekend but I considered the trip a Divine Appointment for sure and God took care of it all, turning my misfortune into opportunity.
In over four decades of ministry, I have rarely gone into a situation knowing just what to expect or having things fully lined up. If you expect the unexpected you will find out that God appears. I have had 'Divine Appointment' experiences in cities from Florida to China. I've seen God suddenly open doors of ministry for me in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia as well as Mexico, Ecuador, The Philippine Islands, Charlotte, North Carolina and Uxbridge, Massachusetts. If you serve God with a trusting heart He will go before you to prepare the way and also be your rear guard to watch your back.
But there are rules to such an approach to ministry. Because God is with you, the devil is most certainly against you. You must always be on your guard to make sure you are not being set up for something that will turn sour. Sometimes what looks like an opportunity can be a trap. To avoid this, you must set borders that you will not cross. How you handle yourself in situations involving the opposite sex can make all the difference in your ability to be effective. Nothing can squash your chances for bringing a good witness more than rumor or innuendo, and small oversights can become stumbling blocks or potential hazards and ruin your testimony and your ministry.
Always remember that you are on a mission from God doing his business and He expects his ministers to walk uprightly. If you do so He will make you a "flame of fire.” (Heb. 11:7)
A man of God must be careful in this regard and staying with families or other men who have a reputation for discretion and piety can help you avoid such problems. If this is not convenient in any given situation you may need to stay wherever you can in a hotel, or even your vehicle, if necessary, rather than to risk becoming vulnerable to an indiscretion.I have also done this many times and often found it profitable to have the private time for prayer and seeking God for his plan of action.
You cannot be too careful when it comes to this matter. Be patient. If you are supposed to be there, God will open the right doors for you. If not, He will tell you to move on.
Craig Marlatt