Embracing Our Influence: Invest, Invite, Impact
Summary
Today, we explored the profound question of what we want people to thank us for at the end of our lives. This question isn't just for individuals but for us collectively as a church community. We are stewards of extraordinary influence and unprecedented opportunity, especially here in the Atlanta area. Our church has been a model for others, characterized by a leadership culture and a multiplication culture. We've created environments where unchurched people feel welcomed and where doubters can express their doubts. Our success is not just in numbers but in the life-changing impact we have on individuals and communities.
We envision a world where the church is seen as an essential part of every community, where people are envious of how well we treat each other and amazed at how well we treat them. This kind of love and acceptance should be our brand, our reputation. We want people to desire the message of Jesus to be true before they even believe it. The gospel, when clear, is compelling and should make people lean in with hope.
Our unprecedented opportunity in Atlanta is not just about size but about life change. We have the chance to impact more people than ever, from high school seniors to college students, and beyond. But this requires us to be active participants, not just spectators. We must invest in relationships and invite others to experience what we have found here.
The keystone habit of "invest and invite" is crucial. It's about loving our neighbors and inviting them to church, not as projects but as people we care about. When we hear someone mention they're not in church, things aren't going well, or they're not prepared for something, we should invite them to come sit with us. This simple act can change everything for someone, just as it did for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Influence and Opportunity: Our church holds extraordinary influence and unprecedented opportunity to impact our community and beyond. This influence is not about numbers but about the life-changing impact we can have on individuals and communities. We are called to be stewards of this opportunity, using it to inspire and lead others toward a meaningful relationship with Jesus. [01:46]
2. Creating a Welcoming Church Environment: We aim to create a church where unchurched people feel welcomed, where doubters can express their doubts, and where questions are encouraged. This environment is characterized by a leadership culture and a multiplication culture, setting a model for other churches to follow. Our success is measured by the life change we facilitate, not just attendance numbers. [03:32]
3. A Vision for the Church's Role in the Community: We envision a world where the church is seen as an essential part of every community, contributing positively and being valued by all, even those who do not attend. This vision includes being known for our love and how well we treat each other and those outside our community. This kind of love should be our brand and reputation. [14:07]
4. The Compelling Nature of the Gospel: The gospel, when presented clearly, is compelling and should make people want it to be true before they believe it. Our role is to ensure the message of Jesus is clear and uncluttered, allowing its inherent appeal to draw people in. This clarity can lead to a world where people are eager to embrace the hope and justice the gospel offers. [19:08]
5. The Keystone Habit of "Invest and Invite": This habit involves investing in relationships and inviting others to church, not as projects but as people we care about. When we hear someone mention they're not in church, things aren't going well, or they're not prepared for something, we should invite them to come sit with us. This simple act can change everything for someone, just as it did for us. [25:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Day's Theme
[00:47] - A Life-Changing Question
[01:24] - The Church's Influence and Opportunity
[02:57] - Creating a Church for the Unchurched
[04:22] - Leadership and Multiplication Culture
[05:39] - The Impact of Groups and Family Ministry
[07:39] - The Growing Opportunity in Atlanta
[09:29] - Engaging University Students
[11:03] - The Strategic Position of Our Churches
[13:29] - Dreaming of Our Collective Impact
[15:01] - The Church's Role in the Community
[16:11] - The Call to Love and Serve
[18:50] - Making the Gospel Compelling
[22:42] - The Keystone Habit: Invest and Invite
[25:28] - Inviting Strangers: The Three Nots
[31:22] - The Invitation: Come Sit With Me
[33:16] - The Elevator Pitch: We Just Want to Help
[36:08] - The Impact of Our Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
2. Luke 16:16 - "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it."
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Observation Questions:
1. What question did the pastor and his wife discuss that led to the theme of the sermon? How does this question relate to the church's mission? [00:47]
2. How has the church been a model for others, according to the sermon? What specific cultures have they created? [02:57]
3. What are the "three nots" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to inviting others to church? [28:24]
4. What is the keystone habit discussed in the sermon, and why is it considered crucial for the church's mission? [25:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command in John 13:34-35 to love one another relate to the church's vision of being known for love and acceptance? [16:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can make the gospel compelling and clear to those who are skeptical? [19:08]
3. How does the concept of "invest and invite" reflect the idea of being stewards of influence and opportunity in the community? [25:28]
4. What does the pastor mean by saying the church should be an essential part of every community, and how does this align with the biblical call to love and serve others? [14:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question, "What would you like people to thank you for at the end of your life?" How does this question challenge your current priorities and actions? [00:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes creating a welcoming environment for doubters and those with questions. How can you personally contribute to making your church a place where people feel safe to express their doubts? [03:32]
3. Think of someone in your life who is not currently attending church. How can you invest in your relationship with them and invite them to experience your church community? [25:28]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of the church being known for its love and how well it treats others. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate this kind of love in your community? [16:36]
5. Consider the "three nots" strategy for inviting people to church. Can you recall a recent conversation where someone expressed one of these "nots"? How might you respond differently in the future? [28:24]
6. The sermon talks about the church's role in making the gospel clear and compelling. What steps can you take to ensure that your own presentation of the gospel is clear and inviting? [19:08]
7. How can you actively participate in the church's mission to be an essential part of the community, beyond just attending services? What specific opportunities are available for you to serve? [14:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Stewarding Influence for Life Change
Our church community holds a unique position of influence and opportunity, not just in terms of numbers but in the potential for life-changing impact. This influence is a gift that calls for responsible stewardship, inspiring us to lead others toward a meaningful relationship with Jesus. In the Atlanta area, we have the chance to reach diverse groups, from high school seniors to college students, and beyond. This opportunity requires active participation, urging us to invest in relationships and invite others to experience the transformative power of our community. [01:46]
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from the influence and opportunity you have? How can you actively invest in their spiritual journey today?
Day 2: Creating a Welcoming Environment
Our church aims to be a place where unchurched people feel welcomed, where doubters can express their doubts, and where questions are encouraged. This environment is characterized by a leadership culture and a multiplication culture, setting a model for other churches to follow. Success is measured by the life change we facilitate, not just attendance numbers. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere, we create a space where individuals can explore their faith journey without fear of judgment. [03:32]
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a more welcoming place for those who are new or uncertain about their faith?
Day 3: Envisioning the Church's Role in the Community
We envision a world where the church is seen as an essential part of every community, contributing positively and being valued by all, even those who do not attend. This vision includes being known for our love and how well we treat each other and those outside our community. Such love and acceptance should be our brand and reputation, drawing people to the message of Jesus through our actions and relationships. [14:07]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate love and acceptance to someone outside your usual circle?
Day 4: The Compelling Nature of the Gospel
The gospel, when presented clearly, is compelling and should make people want it to be true before they believe it. Our role is to ensure the message of Jesus is clear and uncluttered, allowing its inherent appeal to draw people in. This clarity can lead to a world where people are eager to embrace the hope and justice the gospel offers. By focusing on the core message, we can help others see the transformative power of Jesus' teachings. [19:08]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you simplify the message of the gospel in your conversations with others to make it more accessible and compelling?
Day 5: The Keystone Habit of "Invest and Invite"
The habit of "invest and invite" involves investing in relationships and inviting others to church, not as projects but as people we care about. When we hear someone mention they're not in church, things aren't going well, or they're not prepared for something, we should invite them to come sit with us. This simple act can change everything for someone, just as it did for us. By focusing on genuine relationships, we can extend the love and community we have found to others. [25:28]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could you invite to church this week, and how can you approach them in a way that shows genuine care and interest in their well-being?
Quotes
We, as a group of churches, we are actually stewards of extraordinary influence and unprecedented opportunity. That we, as a group of churches in the Atlanta area, really are stewards. That is, we've been given an extraordinary opportunity because of our influence and, as you're gonna see in just a minute, an unprecedented, and I know unprecedented is like a big word, but we really do have an unprecedented opportunity as it relates to our city. [00:01:46]
We wanted to create a church that unchurched people loved to attend. We wanted to create a church that unchurch people, people who were far from God, people with questions that maybe nobody could answer, would show up, participate in church with you and walk away saying, you know what? I'm not sure I believe it all, but that was helpful. I'm not sure I believe it all, but those are some of the finest people in our community. [00:03:32]
I envision a world where the church is considered an essential part of every community, that when people find out a church is coming they're excited, even if they're not church people, that the church is considered so valuable and such an integral part of the success of any community that people would love the fact that there's a local church or a new local church in their community. [00:14:07]
The second thing is a world where people skeptical of what we believe are envious of how well we treat each other and amazed at how well we treat them. This captured the attention of the ancient world. This is what set the early Christians apart. They picked up abandoned children. They stayed in villages when plagues would rip through different parts of the world and they would nurse people back to health. [00:16:11]
A world where people want the message of Jesus to be true before they believe it's true. A world where the gospel is so clear that it is as compelling as it actually is because it's so clear. Because when the gospel message is clear people will want it to be true before they believe it's true. Who doesn't want justice for people who've been treated unjustly? [00:19:08]
And I want to call your attention to it and I want to invite you back to it because it is the one thing that every single one of us can do that would make all the difference for someone in our communities. And we called it in the old days, and I'll call it in these news, invest and invite, invest and invite. It's very simple. You love your neighbors, you love your friends, you love the people you work with and then when the time is right you invite 'em to church. [00:25:28]
Whenever you hear, not in church, not going well, and not prepared for. Not in church, not going well, and not prepared for, don't need to write this down. Gonna hand it to you on your way out. Not in church, not going well, you're shocked, aren't you? Not prepared for. Oh, you know, we're not really church people. Oh well, you should come to my church. [00:31:22]
Come sit with me. Come sit with me. Altogether, everybody out loud. - [Crowd] Come sit with me. - Not, well, you should visit our church sometime, see 'ya. Hey, you should check it out. You should watch online. Nope, we're not doin' that anymore. Now, I want you to use good judgment, but the invitation is hey, come sit with me. [00:33:16]
This is the keystone habit that changes everything. And here's why it's such a big deal. This is the bigger deal, this is the bigger picture. When we do this consistently and we get this right it impacts, a keystone habit, it will impact how we serve, it will impact how we sing, it will impact how we give and it will impact, and to me this is the most important one, it will impact how we evaluate. [00:36:08]
We gotta continue to be a place where people who are suspicious, people with questions, people who are seekers and starters and returners can show up and get some answers to their questions. But more than anything, I just want 'em to meet you. I just want 'em to participate in the environments that you've created because at the end of the day they're life changing and I don't know why everybody wouldn't wanna be a part of it. [00:38:08]
This one keystone habit, this one keystone habit, invest and invite, inviting strangers, come sit with me, will keep us focused on our mission and will allow us to again, lead more people to become followers of Jesus and after all, come on, Jesus brought the kingdom of God to earth. Jesus introduced the kingdom values to earth that everybody has dignity, that everybody has worth, that everybody matters and everyone is invited to participate in it. [00:39:54]
So, here's your assignment this week. This week, maybe before this day's over, you're going to hear, now that I've kinda put it in your head, you're gonna hear somebody say something, I don't go to church, or things aren't going well, I wasn't prepared for that, nah church, I wasn't prepared for that, moved to this city and boy, we had a baby and you know we thought we had it all under control, everything was beautiful and then they let us take it home. [00:41:42]
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