Inviting Others to Experience Christ's Love This Easter
Summary
As we gather today, we are reminded of the significance of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, a time that leads us to Easter. This is a moment to reflect on our mission as a church, which is not just to gather for worship but to actively engage in reaching out to those who are far from God. Jesus' love for people was the driving force behind His ministry, and it should be ours as well. He called His disciples to be "fishers of people," emphasizing the importance of reaching out to those who are lost and in need of hope.
Our church exists to attract and reach people far from God, teaching them to follow and trust Christ with every part of their lives. This Easter season presents a unique opportunity to invite others to experience the love and hope found in Jesus. The simple invitation of "come and see and sit with me" can change lives, as evidenced by the chain of over a hundred people in our church who have found Christ through such invitations.
As we prepare for Easter, I urge you to join me in prayer. Let's pray for God encounters, where we recognize opportunities to invite others to church. Pray for the wisdom and boldness to seize these moments and make a meaningful ask. Pray for godly discernment to guide our conversations, ensuring that our words are gracious and attractive, drawing people to Jesus rather than repelling them. Pray for the Spirit of God to begin moving in the hearts of those we will invite, preparing them to receive the message of hope. Finally, pray for me and all our leaders and volunteers, that we may present the gospel powerfully and authentically, reflecting Jesus in all we do.
This Easter, let's commit to being a movement of love, hope, and healing. Every invitation is an investment in someone's eternity, and while we can bend someone's ear, only God can change their heart. Together, let's lift Jesus up, trusting that He will draw all people to Himself.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Mission of the Church: The church is not just a place to gather but a movement on a mission to reach those far from God. Jesus' love for people was the driving force of His ministry, and it should be ours as well. We are called to be "fishers of people," actively engaging in sharing the hope of Christ with others. [05:00]
2. The Power of Invitation: A simple invitation, "come and see and sit with me," can change lives. This Easter season, more people are open to attending church, providing us with a unique opportunity to invite them to experience the love and hope found in Jesus. [15:00]
3. Prayer as Preparation: As we prepare for Easter, prayer is essential. Pray for God encounters, wisdom, boldness, and discernment in our interactions. Pray for the Spirit of God to move in the hearts of those we will invite, preparing them to receive the message of hope. [20:00]
4. Gracious and Attractive Conversations: Our conversations should be gracious and attractive, drawing people to Jesus rather than repelling them. Godly sense leads to gracious speech, which creates open hearts. Let our words and actions reflect the love of Christ. [26:54]
5. Trusting God for Transformation: While we can invite and share, only God can change hearts. Pray for the Spirit of God to draw people and begin to move in their lives. Trust that God will use our efforts to bring about transformation and salvation. [32:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Introduction to Holy Week
- [05:00] - The Mission of the Church
- [08:00] - Jesus' Love for People
- [12:00] - The Power of Invitation
- [15:00] - Come and See and Sit with Me
- [18:00] - The Chain of Hope
- [20:00] - Prayer as Preparation
- [23:00] - God Encounters
- [26:54] - Gracious and Attractive Conversations
- [30:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [32:56] - Trusting God for Transformation
- [35:00] - Preparing for Easter
- [38:00] - Call to Action and Prayer
- [40:00] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Palm Sunday and Our Mission
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:18-19 (NIV) - "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'"
2. John 4:1-42 - The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.
3. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Jesus calling his disciples to be "fishers of people" in Matthew 4:18-19? How does this relate to the mission of the church? [05:00]
2. In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), what was the impact of Jesus' personal invitation on her life and the lives of others in her community?
3. According to Colossians 4:5-6, what are the characteristics of a conversation that is "full of grace" and "seasoned with salt"? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on gracious and attractive conversations? [26:54]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "fishers of people" challenge the traditional view of church as merely a place of worship? What implications does this have for individual believers? [05:00]
2. In what ways does the story of the Samaritan woman illustrate the power of personal invitation and testimony in leading others to Christ? How can this story inspire us in our own outreach efforts?
3. How can the principles in Colossians 4:5-6 guide us in our interactions with those who are far from God? What might be some practical ways to ensure our conversations are gracious and attractive? [26:54]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there people around you who are far from God? How can you be intentional about reaching out to them this Easter season? [05:00]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of a simple invitation: "come and see and sit with me." Who in your life could you extend this invitation to, and what steps will you take to do so this week? [15:00]
3. Prayer was highlighted as a crucial preparation for Easter. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to prepare for opportunities to share your faith? What specific prayers will you commit to this week? [20:00]
4. Consider your recent conversations with non-believers. Were they gracious and attractive? What changes can you make to ensure your words reflect the love of Christ? [26:54]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of trusting God for transformation. How can you practice this trust in your interactions with others, knowing that only God can change hearts? [32:56]
6. Think about a time when you missed an opportunity to share your faith. What held you back, and how can you overcome similar challenges in the future? [32:56]
7. How can you support your church leaders and volunteers in their mission to present the gospel powerfully and authentically this Easter? What specific actions can you take to contribute to this effort? [32:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Mission to Reach the Lost
The church is not merely a place for gathering but a movement with a mission to reach those who are far from God. Jesus' love for people was the driving force of His ministry, and it should be ours as well. We are called to be "fishers of people," actively engaging in sharing the hope of Christ with others. This mission is not just about filling seats but about transforming lives through the love and message of Jesus. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the opportunity to extend this mission by inviting others to experience the hope and love found in Christ. [05:00]
Matthew 4:19-20 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."
Reflection: Who in your life is far from God, and how can you intentionally reach out to them this week with the love of Christ?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Invitation
A simple invitation, "come and see and sit with me," can change lives. This Easter season, more people are open to attending church, providing us with a unique opportunity to invite them to experience the love and hope found in Jesus. The power of invitation lies in its simplicity and sincerity, offering others a chance to encounter Christ in a community setting. As we reflect on the chain of over a hundred people in our church who have found Christ through such invitations, we are encouraged to extend this invitation to others, trusting that God will work through our efforts. [15:00]
John 1:45-46 (ESV): "Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'"
Reflection: Who can you invite to church this Easter season, and how can you make your invitation personal and genuine?
Day 3: Prayer as the Foundation for Outreach
As we prepare for Easter, prayer is essential. Pray for God encounters, wisdom, boldness, and discernment in our interactions. Prayer is the foundation that prepares our hearts and the hearts of those we will invite, allowing the Spirit of God to move and work in powerful ways. By seeking God's guidance and strength, we can approach our mission with confidence, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. Let us commit to praying for opportunities to share the message of hope and for the Spirit to prepare the hearts of those we will invite. [20:00]
Colossians 4:2-4 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to prepare for opportunities to share Christ with others?
Day 4: Gracious and Attractive Conversations
Our conversations should be gracious and attractive, drawing people to Jesus rather than repelling them. Godly sense leads to gracious speech, which creates open hearts. As we engage with others, let our words and actions reflect the love of Christ, ensuring that our interactions are filled with grace and truth. By speaking with kindness and understanding, we can create an environment where others feel welcomed and valued, opening the door for meaningful conversations about faith. [26:54]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your conversations this week are filled with grace and reflect the love of Christ?
Day 5: Trusting God for Heart Transformation
While we can invite and share, only God can change hearts. Pray for the Spirit of God to draw people and begin to move in their lives. Trust that God will use our efforts to bring about transformation and salvation. As we lift Jesus up, we can have confidence that He will draw all people to Himself, working in ways that we cannot see or understand. Our role is to be faithful in our witness, trusting that God will do the rest. [32:56]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: In what ways can you trust God more fully to work in the hearts of those you are reaching out to, knowing that He is the one who brings transformation?
Quotes
We are all just one big family meeting in three different locations and I am so grateful that we are one church but meeting in these multiple locations and if you are with us for the first time whether you're here at the Alachua campus or the UC or the Gainesville Work Camp, welcome. We just love you so much and we're so grateful that God has brought us together for another day to worship him. We are quickly approaching Easter week and I am so excited. I just wanted to go ahead and tell you I have a very unique word for Easter, a very compelling word for Easter and so we're going to talk about this. [00:07:14] (31 seconds)
When you realize that God has just used you and led you to make a difference for someone is absolutely incredible and amazing. I have watched people while I was baptizing people. I've looked over and seen their friend bawling their eyes out because they went back to that moment that that seemingly small interaction has led to this great transformation in their life. He wants to do it every day and he will do it when we pray and we ask for God encounters. [00:21:15] (28 seconds)
Pray for Godly discernment to guide your conversation. Here's why. Because boldness without wisdom does not attract people to Jesus. It repels them. Have you ever met somebody so obnoxiously a Christian and I and I they may mean well but but but we've got to use wisdom when we and I'm gonna show you scripture the Bible actually tells us how to do this as followers of Christ but if you've ever met people who are judgmental dogmatic they're harsh abrasive offensive all in the name of Christ and Christianity. [00:26:14] (38 seconds)
Let's not worry about trying to make a point let's fall in love with actually making a difference let's not worry about trying to make a point and win a point and win an argument let let's worry more about making a difference in people's lives let everything we say Colossians 1 and do be driven by a desire to help people meet Jesus it doesn't have to be awkward or weird nor should we guilt people into coming just a simple invitation from a sincere caring person many times is all it leads to gracious speech. [00:28:49] (31 seconds)
The Bible says the only reason that you found Jesus was because the Spirit of God began to reveal and draw and make you uneasy and restless. And you clearly began to know something was missing in your life that was vital and important. And you tried to plug all of these things into your life to try to fill that void. And no matter how much money you made, it didn't. And no matter how much sex you had, it didn't. And no matter how many relationships you had, it didn't. [00:30:06] (24 seconds)
The apostle Paul asked those that he led at a church at Ephesus to do the same thing that I'm asking you to do today. Paul said it like this. He said, would you please pray for me? Pray that I'll know what to say. And that when the time comes, I'll have the courage to say it at the right time. Revealing to everyone the mystery of the gospel. That's my desire. That's my heart. That's what I'm praying to do. [00:35:00] (26 seconds)
There is a difference between a prayer and a goal. And I want you to know it. My prayer in my mind that I've shared with the staff is I want X amount of people to come and worship, X amount of people to come to Jesus. I'm praying for that. But that's not the goal. I'm praying for that prayer. That may or may not be answered. But let me tell you the goal. The goal is that no matter who shows up or no matter what happens, we are going to make much of Jesus. [00:36:05] (22 seconds)
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