• Psalms 55-63
• Psalms 55:12-15 – The companion in this psalm could be referring to Ahithophel, who had been David’s advisor, but left to conspire with Absalom.
• Psalms 58:3 – This is hyperbole. We now from Ezekiel 18 and other passages that this is not literally true.

[Sorry, no audio available for this lesson due to technical difficulties. -MRW]

• First persecution of the church
  • Happened soon after Pentecost
  • Result of Stephen’s stoning
  • Saul eager participant
  • Church was scattered
  • Went everywhere preaching Christ
  • Acts 8:1-8
• Conversion of Saul
  • Completes the circuit on the Diaspora
  • Paul appointed apostle to the Gentiles
  • Jews are everywhere
  • Paul not first to teach the Gentiles
  • Followed by Christians in some places
  • Paul comes with apostolic authority
  • Acts 11:19-26
  • Acts 13:13-52 – Paul preaches to the Gentiles
• The religious sects of the Jews
  • A Jew is not a Jew is not a Jew is not …
    • Just being a Jew was not the complete picture
    • Different divisions of beliefs and practices
    • The two major divisions were at odds
    • Unity was only attained via outside pressure
• The Pharisees
  • “Separated ones”
    • Possibly derogatory term
    • Called themselves “great”
    • Embraced the name “Pharisees” after a time
• Began in the early Hasmonean Dynasty
  • John Hyrcanus was a Pharisee
  • Lead to the civil war under Alexander Jannaeus
  • Pharisees made gains under Alexandra Salome
• What did the Pharisees believe?
  • High degree of dedication to law and prophets
  • Held oral traditions as equally important
    • Matthew 15:1-20 – Jesus rebukes their tradition
    • Matthew 23:25-26
    • I Peter 2:4-5 – Our purity is internal, not external.
    • Interpretations by noted rabbis
    • Given and relayed by word of mouth
    • Committed to writing around 70 AD and after

• Introduction
  • II Kings 4:8-10 – The hospitality of the Shunamite woman.
• What do others need?
  • Hebrews 13:1-3
  • Romans 12:10-13
  • Acts 2:46-47
  • Romans 16:1-2
  • Luke 14:12-14
  • I Peter 4:8-11 – Be hospitable without complaint.
• What is my purpose?
  • Luke 7:36-48 – Hospitality must be done with the right attitude.
  • Luke 10:38-42
  • Matthew 25:34-36
  • Genesis 18:1-8 – Abraham practiced hospitality before the men even entered his tent.
  • It’s not about what you can or can’t provide – it’s about your love for others.
  • III John 1:1-8