The Transformative Power of Simple Invitation
Summary
This morning, the focus is on the power of simple invitation and the profound impact it can have on our lives and the lives of others. We began by celebrating the ways God is moving in our church—through upcoming events like the Summer Rally, the sending of our children to camp, and the visible testimonies of changed lives on our baptism wall. These are all fruits of generosity and the faithfulness of God across generations. The heart of our faith is not just in receiving, but in passing on the story of God’s work to those who come after us.
Turning to John chapter 1, we see how God uses ordinary conversations and invitations to bring about extraordinary transformation. John the Baptist’s role was to prepare people for Jesus, not by drawing attention to himself, but by pointing others to Christ. He recognized God’s work and spoke up about it, testifying to what he had seen. This is our calling as well: to notice where God is at work in our lives and to share that with others, preparing the way for them to encounter Jesus.
The story of Andrew and Philip illustrates the simplicity and power of invitation. Andrew, after spending time with Jesus, immediately seeks out his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. Philip, after being called by Jesus, invites Nathanael to “come and see,” even in the face of skepticism and doubt. Neither tries to argue or convince with clever words; they simply invite others to experience Jesus for themselves. This is a model for us: transformation doesn’t come through information, argumentation, or manipulation, but through genuine invitation.
Jesus’ first invitation is to each of us: “Come and see.” He calls us not just to hear about him, but to abide with him, to linger in his presence, and to let him satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. Only after we have been transformed by being with Jesus are we truly equipped to invite others. Our legacy, like Andrew’s, can be one of continually bringing people to Jesus, trusting that he alone can change lives. The blessing this week is found in seeking Jesus deeply and in boldly inviting others to encounter him—trusting that God will do the rest.
Key Takeaways
- Generosity is not just about meeting present needs, but about investing in the spiritual legacy of future generations. When we give, we help create opportunities for others—especially the next generation—to encounter God and have their lives changed. Our faithfulness today sets the stage for testimonies tomorrow. [14:25]
- Life transformation rarely comes through argument or manipulation, but through simple, authentic invitation. Like John the Baptist, our role is to point to Jesus, not ourselves, and to speak up about what we have seen God do in our lives. This humility and clarity prepares others to encounter Christ for themselves. [40:55]
- Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” is a call to intimacy, not just information. He desires that we abide with him, linger in his presence, and allow him to address the deepest longings of our hearts. True change happens when we move beyond hearing about Jesus to actually being with him. [46:04]
- We are not called to have all the answers or to win every argument; instead, we are called to invite others to experience Jesus firsthand. When faced with skepticism or doubt, like Philip with Nathanael, we can simply say, “Come and see.” Trusting Jesus to reveal himself is an act of faith and humility. [01:02:00]
- The legacy of a life well-lived in Christ is found in continually bringing others to him. Like Andrew, who is remembered for introducing people to Jesus, our greatest impact may be in the quiet, faithful invitations we extend. Our joy and purpose are found in helping others discover the friendship and transformation that only Jesus offers. [55:23]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements and Summer Rally Preview
[04:30] - Celebrating Generosity and Baptism Wall
[07:45] - Sending Off to Summer Camp
[10:30] - Prayer for Campers and Offering
[14:25] - Generosity and Legacy
[17:27] - Introduction by Pastor Nick
[21:00] - The Peanut Allergy Story: Power of Invitation
[31:04] - Conversations That Change Everything
[33:46] - God Speaks Through Ordinary Conversations
[36:17] - John the Baptist’s Role and Testimony
[40:55] - Our Role: Pointing Others to Jesus
[43:14] - Jesus’ Invitation: “What Are You Seeking?”
[46:04] - Abiding with Jesus: The Heart of Discipleship
[51:38] - Andrew’s Legacy: Bringing Others to Jesus
[56:44] - Philip, Nathanael, and the Power of Invitation
[01:02:00] - Trusting Jesus with Others’ Doubts
[01:07:00] - Two Invitations That Change Lives
[01:08:02] - Closing Prayer and Challenge
[01:15:17] - The Blessing: Seek, Abide, and Invite
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Simple Invitation
---
### Bible Reading
John 1:29-51 (ESV)
> 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
>
> 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
>
> 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 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.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
---
## Observation Questions
1. What was John the Baptist’s main purpose according to this passage, and how did he fulfill it?
[[36:17]]
2. When Jesus asked the two disciples, “What are you seeking?” how did they respond, and what did Jesus invite them to do?
[[43:14]]
3. What did Andrew do after spending time with Jesus, and what does this show about his priorities?
[[51:38]]
4. How did Philip respond to Nathanael’s skepticism about Jesus, and what does this reveal about Philip’s approach?
[[56:44]]
---
## Interpretation Questions
1. John the Baptist didn’t try to draw attention to himself but pointed others to Jesus. Why is this kind of humility important for us when sharing our faith?
[[40:55]]
2. Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” was more than just an offer to learn information. What does it mean to “abide” or “stay” with Jesus, and why is that the starting point for transformation?
[[46:04]]
3. Andrew’s legacy was simply bringing people to Jesus, not being in the spotlight. What does this suggest about the kind of impact ordinary believers can have?
[[55:23]]
4. When Philip faced Nathanael’s doubts, he didn’t argue but invited him to meet Jesus. What does this teach us about how to handle skepticism or questions from others?
[[57:54]]
---
## Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about generosity as investing in the spiritual legacy of future generations, not just meeting present needs. In what ways can you be generous with your time, resources, or story to help others encounter God?
[[14:25]]
2. John the Baptist noticed where God was at work and spoke up about it. Can you think of a recent moment where you saw God working in your life? How could you share that with someone this week?
[[42:00]]
3. Jesus’ invitation is to “come and see”—to spend time with him, not just hear about him. What is one practical way you can make space this week to linger in Jesus’ presence, whether through prayer, reading, or worship?
[[46:04]]
4. Andrew and Philip didn’t try to convince others with arguments; they simply invited them to meet Jesus. Who is one person in your life you could invite to “come and see”—whether that’s to church, a small group, or just a conversation about faith?
[[56:44]]
5. The sermon mentioned that transformation doesn’t come through information or manipulation, but through authentic invitation. Have you ever experienced a life change because someone simply invited you to something? How did that impact you?
[[32:33]]
6. When faced with skepticism or doubt, Philip trusted Jesus to reveal himself to Nathanael. Is there someone in your life who has doubts about faith? How can you trust God with their questions instead of feeling pressure to have all the answers?
[[57:54]]
7. The blessing this week was to seek Jesus deeply and to boldly invite others. What is one step you can take in each of these areas—seeking Jesus and inviting someone else—before next Sunday?
[[01:15:17]]
---
Closing Thought:
Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply say, “Come and see.” Let’s pray for courage to seek Jesus and to invite others to experience him for themselves.
Devotional
Day 1: Life Transformation Begins with Simple Invitation
Transformation in our lives does not primarily come through information, argumentation, or manipulation, but through the power of a simple invitation—just as Jesus invited his first disciples to come and see. When we respond to Jesus’ invitation, we open ourselves to the possibility of real change, not by our own efforts, but by encountering Christ himself. The invitation is not to a set of rules or ideas, but to a relationship with the living God who desires to meet with us personally. Will you accept Jesus’ invitation to come and see what he has for you today? [34:38]
John 1:35-39 (ESV)
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus inviting you to “come and see” today, and how can you respond to that invitation in a tangible way?
Day 2: Abiding with Jesus Brings True Transformation
The disciples did not settle for a passing encounter with Jesus; they wanted to stay, to linger, to abide with him. True transformation happens not when we treat Jesus’ words as mere advice, but when we seek to be with him, to remain in his presence, and to let him shape our hearts. Jesus’ invitation is to come and stay, to make space in our lives for him, and to allow his presence to satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. Are you content with just hearing about Jesus, or are you hungry to truly know him? [46:04]
John 1:38-39 (ESV)
Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
Reflection: When was the last time you lingered in Jesus’ presence without rushing—what would it look like to set aside time this week to simply abide with him?
Day 3: Pointing Others to Jesus Through Testimony
John the Baptist knew his role was not to draw attention to himself, but to point others to Jesus by testifying to what he had seen God do. In the same way, we are called to prepare the way for others to encounter Christ—not by having all the answers, but by sharing honestly about how we have seen God at work in our own lives. Our testimony, no matter how simple, can be the spark that leads someone else to seek Jesus for themselves. Who in your life needs to hear what God has done for you? [42:00]
John 1:29-34 (ESV)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Reflection: Who is one person you can share your story with this week—how God has worked in your life—in order to point them to Jesus?
Day 4: Inviting Others Without Needing All the Answers
When Philip invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, he was met with skepticism and doubt, but he didn’t try to argue or convince—he simply said, “Come and see.” We don’t need to have every answer or be able to explain every detail; our role is to invite others into the presence of Jesus, trusting that he will reveal himself to them. Even when people have questions or objections, a simple, genuine invitation can open the door for God to work in their hearts. [01:02:00]
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: Think of someone in your life who is skeptical or questioning faith—how can you extend a simple, non-argumentative invitation for them to “come and see” Jesus this week?
Day 5: Blessing Flows from Seeking Jesus and Inviting Others
The blessing we seek is found not in a formula or a ritual, but in the quiet moments when we seek Jesus, abide with him, and then step out in boldness to invite others to experience what we have found. As we respond to Jesus’ invitation to come and see, and as we extend that same invitation to others, we discover the joy and purpose of a life lived in his presence and on his mission. The legacy of our lives can be like Andrew’s—simply bringing people to Jesus, again and again. [01:15:17]
Psalm 145:4 (ESV)
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can seek Jesus more deeply this week, and who is one person you can invite to experience God’s goodness alongside you?
Quotes
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