Hi. Remember that courtesy opens doors. This is at least part of the implication of Heb. 13:2 where we are told “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” And that brings us to the first point of today’s recap of a sermon on courtesy.

• Hospitality (Heb. 13:2; 1 Tim. 3:2) - Hospitality is nothing more than courtesy extended to guests and strangers. Hospitality begins outside the home with the kindness of an invitation. More than that, our courtesy might show in the hospitality (welcoming and kindnesses) we extend to a visitor to a congregation, or to “our city”, state or country. Hospitality is a spirit of helpfulness and a love of people that may open their hearts to the gospel. An elder is to be a lover of hospitality before he becomes an elder.

• Peacemaking (Mt. 5:6; 1 Cor. 14:26-33; Heb. 12:14) – Peacemakers shall be called the children of God. Our God is the author of peace and not confusion. But he ties courtesy to peacemaking. In 1 Cor. 14:26-33, courtesy towards one another helps to keep our worship godly and orderly. In the days of miraculous gifts in the early church, God said they must take turns in the use of the gifts (courtesy) and not all speak at once or butt in and interrupt others who are speaking. Nor must they allow the services to become overlong through too many speaking (also courtesy). And think how we soften the attitude of a person who is being rude or argumentative with a courteous response rather than responding in kind. This is the import of Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath…”

• Respectful (Eph. 6:2; 1 Cor. 12:23; Rom. 13:7) – Paul makes courtesy a part of our cement as a complete body in Christ when he says in 1 Cor. 12:23: “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.” While there is more to showing honor than courtesy, it is an integral part of honor. To acknowledge someone’s presence, to greet them and/or to include them are acts of courtesy involved in showing respect.

• Obedience (Eph. 6:1) – If obedience is part of honoring our parents, then so is courtesy. True obedience is not just doing what we are told, but doing it with a good attitude. It is discourteous to talk back, mumble under our breath in anger, yell, ignore our instructions, etc. Obedience and honor to parents and to God have the same characteristic of courtesy. Let us think about that the next time we chafe under a command of God and let’s add the dimension of courtesy to the teaching we give our children about obedience.

• Does not behave itself unseemly (1 Cor. 13:5) – There are very few characteristics of Christianity that do not some way touch the description of love in 1 Cor. 13. Courtesy is not exception as we are told that love does not behave itself unseemly. This phrase, in the Greek language, means to behave in a way that is indecent, shameful or likely to cause a blush. This would make foul language, off-color jokes, immodest dress, obnoxious behavior and other things discourteous.

I hope these have helped your home Bible study on courtesy.