The Transformative Power of Invitation in Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound power of an invitation, drawing parallels between the simplicity of inviting someone to experience something new and the transformative invitation of the Gospel. Reflecting on personal anecdotes, such as a memorable trip to Salzburg and a humorous encounter with "The Sound of Music," we delved into the idea that invitations can lead to unexpected and life-changing experiences. This notion is mirrored in the Gospel, where Jesus invites us to "come and see," offering a transformative journey into a new reality.
The Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28, calls us to be witnesses of Jesus' love and to share this good news with others. However, many of us feel inadequate or unprepared to take on this role. We often leave it to the extroverts or those we perceive as more qualified. Yet, the essence of sharing the Gospel is not about having all the answers or living a perfect life. It's about inviting others to explore and discover the love of Christ together.
We heard the inspiring story of Cherie, whose life was transformed by a simple invitation to an Alpha course while in prison. Her journey from skepticism to leadership in her church community exemplifies the power of saying "come and see." This invitation is not just about words but about living out the reality of Jesus' love in our everyday lives.
The story of the woman at the well in John 4 further illustrates this point. Despite her societal status and personal struggles, her encounter with Jesus led her to invite her entire town to meet Him. Her story reminds us that God often chooses the most unlikely individuals to be His witnesses, emphasizing that our weaknesses can highlight His grace.
As we consider our role in this divine invitation, we are encouraged to remember that God is already at work in the lives of those around us. The Holy Spirit is the true evangelist, and our task is to join in the conversation He is already having with others. By simply inviting others to "come and see," we participate in a movement of friendship and transformation that can change lives and even history, as seen in the story of Albert McMakin and Billy Graham.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Invitation: An invitation can be a simple yet profound act that opens the door to transformation. Just as Jesus invited His disciples to "come and see," we are called to extend this invitation to others, trusting that God will work through our willingness to share. [05:16]
2. God Uses Ordinary People: The story of the woman at the well shows that God often chooses ordinary, even unlikely, individuals to be His witnesses. Our weaknesses and imperfections can serve to highlight God's grace and power in our lives. [22:34]
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Evangelism is not about our abilities but about joining the conversation the Holy Spirit is already having with others. We are invited to participate in what God is doing, trusting that the Spirit will lead and guide us. [13:54]
4. Friendship and Community: The Gospel spreads through relationships and community. Like the friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus, we are called to be loyal friends who love others enough to invite them into the presence of Christ. [27:43]
5. A Generational Opportunity: We live in a time where many are searching for meaning and hope. This is our moment to be bold in our faith, to pray for those around us, and to extend the invitation to "come and see" the love of Christ. [45:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:24] - The Power of an Invitation
- [05:16] - God's Love Song
- [06:56] - The Great Commission
- [08:36] - Cherie's Story
- [11:33] - The Greatest Season of Evangelism
- [12:48] - Relationships and Faith
- [13:54] - Encouragement in Evangelism
- [15:46] - Everyday Invitations
- [19:27] - Jesus' First Disciples
- [20:22] - Witnesses in Action
- [21:37] - The Woman at the Well
- [23:32] - Jesus' Transformative Encounter
- [24:53] - The Town's Response
- [27:43] - Loyal Friends and Faith
- [29:59] - God's Grace in Our Weakness
- [30:36] - Albert McMakin and Billy Graham
- [31:40] - A Legacy of Invitation
- [44:21] - Come Holy Spirit
- [45:13] - A Call to Boldness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission
2. John 4:7-30 - The Woman at the Well
3. Acts 4:13 - The Courage of Peter and John
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus inviting His disciples to "come and see" in the context of the sermon? [05:16]
2. How did Cherie's story illustrate the power of a simple invitation? [08:36]
3. What role did the Holy Spirit play in the process of evangelism as discussed in the sermon? [13:54]
4. How did the story of the woman at the well demonstrate that God uses ordinary people for His purposes? [22:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28 challenge believers to live out their faith in everyday life? [06:56]
2. In what ways does the story of the woman at the well in John 4 highlight the transformative power of Jesus' invitation? [24:53]
3. How can the example of Peter and John in Acts 4:13 inspire believers to share their faith despite feeling unqualified? [20:22]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of community and relationships in spreading the Gospel? [27:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you received an invitation that changed your life. How can you extend a similar invitation to someone else this week? [05:16]
2. Consider the people in your life who might be open to exploring faith. How can you invite them to "come and see" the love of Christ? [11:33]
3. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations about faith with others? What steps can you take to be more attuned to His leading? [13:54]
4. Think about a personal weakness or imperfection. How can you allow God to use it to highlight His grace in your life? [22:34]
5. Identify a friend or family member who might be searching for meaning. What practical steps can you take to build a relationship and share your faith with them? [27:43]
6. How can you be a loyal friend like those who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus? What specific actions can you take to support someone in their spiritual journey? [29:02]
7. Reflect on the story of Albert McMakin and Billy Graham. Who in your life could you invite to explore faith, and how might that invitation impact their future? [30:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Invitation
Invitations have the potential to open doors to new and transformative experiences. Just as Jesus invited His disciples to "come and see," we are called to extend this invitation to others, trusting that God will work through our willingness to share. The act of inviting someone can lead to unexpected and life-changing encounters, as seen in the story of Cherie, whose life was transformed by a simple invitation to an Alpha course while in prison. This highlights the profound impact that a simple gesture of invitation can have on someone's life. [05:16]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could you invite to experience something new, whether it's a church event, a small group, or simply a conversation about faith? Pray for the courage to extend that invitation today.
Day 2: God Chooses the Unlikely
God often chooses ordinary, even unlikely, individuals to be His witnesses. The story of the woman at the well in John 4 illustrates this truth. Despite her societal status and personal struggles, her encounter with Jesus led her to invite her entire town to meet Him. This story reminds us that our weaknesses and imperfections can serve to highlight God's grace and power in our lives. We don't need to have all the answers or live perfect lives to share the Gospel; we simply need to be willing to invite others to "come and see." [22:34]
"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate or unqualified to share your faith? How can you allow God's strength to shine through your weaknesses today?
Day 3: Joining the Holy Spirit's Work
Evangelism is not about our abilities but about joining the conversation the Holy Spirit is already having with others. We are invited to participate in what God is doing, trusting that the Spirit will lead and guide us. The Holy Spirit is the true evangelist, and our task is to be attentive and responsive to His leading. By simply inviting others to "come and see," we participate in a movement of friendship and transformation that can change lives and even history. [13:54]
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading in your interactions with others today? What steps can you take to join in the conversation He is already having with those around you?
Day 4: The Gospel Spreads Through Relationships
The Gospel spreads through relationships and community. Like the friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus, we are called to be loyal friends who love others enough to invite them into the presence of Christ. This involves building genuine relationships and being intentional about sharing our faith within those relationships. The power of community and friendship in spreading the Gospel cannot be underestimated, as it creates a supportive environment for individuals to encounter Jesus. [27:43]
"And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men." (Mark 2:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that you can intentionally build relationships with to share the love of Christ? How can you be a loyal friend who invites others into the presence of Jesus?
Day 5: A Generational Opportunity
We live in a time where many are searching for meaning and hope. This is our moment to be bold in our faith, to pray for those around us, and to extend the invitation to "come and see" the love of Christ. The story of Albert McMakin and Billy Graham serves as a reminder of the impact that one invitation can have on future generations. We have a generational opportunity to share the Gospel and be part of a movement that can change lives and even history. [45:13]
"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together." (John 4:35-36, ESV)
Reflection: What bold step of faith can you take today to share the love of Christ with someone searching for meaning and hope? How can you be part of a generational movement that impacts lives for eternity?
Quotes
"If someone were to ask you tomorrow why the gospel is good, why Jesus is good news, what would you say? How might you respond to them? I was asked that question by a friend who's a musician, didn't grow up in the church, didn't know anything about Jesus, the gospels. Why is Jesus so good?" [00:04:45] (31 seconds)
"After the resurrection of Jesus, he commissioned his followers to be his witnesses, to follow him in sharing this good news of his kingdom. Matthew 28, as you probably know, the Great Commission, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end. Be the leader of the age. Make disciples." [00:06:09] (33 seconds)
"But what if sharing this good news about Jesus was simply an invitation to discover together why Jesus is such good news? With these three. Three words. Come and see. Come and see. Do you know the power of an invitation? Like, come and see." [00:08:14] (22 seconds)
"Power of an invitation. But I get to tell Alpha stories, of course, because I get to hear a lot. I just want to tell one quick story. I met this lady named Cherie a few years ago. I was at this pastoral church leaders gathering." [00:08:36] (15 seconds)
"And now, all these years onwards, now I've got my life sorted out. Now I'm a leader in the church, and I go back to the women's detention center, and I run Alpha. Then I help the ladies as they come out on the other side and help them reenter to the life of the church and the community and so forth, but it never would have happened unless somebody would have said, if someone didn't say to me, come and see. Come and see." [00:10:44] (28 seconds)
"Romans 10, 14 reads, how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? How can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the one who can be trusted? How can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them unless someone has been sent to do it? Well, thank God. Thank God that he has sent someone." [00:12:12] (20 seconds)
"I think there are three things that I find greatly encouraging because right now I might have set it up like, oh, okay, we're going to, I feel that tension of, I need to be a part of this. I want to be a part of this. How do I do it? Well, there's three things that I just want to encourage you with this morning. The first is this. God is already on the go in our relationships of everyday life. God is already on the go at work in the peoples and the lives around us. Second thing is, it's the Spirit that is the lead evangelist." [00:14:06] (32 seconds)
"And there's power in invitation. Jesus is so often inviting people to follow him. He says, come follow me. The disciples then are inviting others to meet Jesus. Say, come and see. I mean, what's the first thing that Andrew does when he meets Jesus?" [00:15:31] (15 seconds)
"invitation they took one look at me and they thought invitation I'm gonna invite them to a coffee a walk a movie something more and here we have the greatest invitation of all to know the power of a love that changes all other love a hope in a future we get to be a part of sharing that invitation and we don't have to be a gifted teacher to have all the words or our lives neatly put together like the body of Christ we each have a part to play moving together to be a witness to what God has done for us and throughout the New Testament and throughout the Gospels we see over and over again that God sends everyday people who have encountered Jesus with courage and and to share I just want you to imagine what it would have been like living in that moment when Jesus steps into history like what would it have been like to to be living in that time to be seeing what Jesus was doing he was announcing the reign of God the in breaking of his kingdom Mark 1 14 Jesus says the time has come the kingdom of God is at hand repent and believe the good news he's saying turn your lives into alignment with my good plans I'm counting you in how would you respond in a moment like that or the the lame begin to stand up and walk the hungry are being fed the blind are seen the mentally ill are being restored it's a foretaste of the future breaking in this is what it looks like when God's kingdom reigns on earth this is good news I know what I would do I'd be I'll be like okay we need we need to do a tour a worldwide tour it's gonna be bigger than Taylor Swift we need a social media team we need the best and the brightest we need to we need to get the word out there like we gotta get start sharing this we need the best and the brightest" [00:16:13] (138 seconds)
"William Temple once said that the act of bringing someone to Jesus is the greatest service that one person can render another. And it happens in the context of everyday life as we go along the way, being witnesses." [00:13:51] (16 seconds)
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