1. There is something about an invitation
a. An invitation makes us feel special
b. An invitation makes us feel wanted and accepted
2. An invitation is a powerful way to reach out to others
a. A man invites a woman out for a date
b. A business person invites a client out for lunch
c. A housewife invites a friend over for coffee
d. A family invites another family to supper
3. Invitations are important in the Bible as well
a. Both God and Jesus extended invitations
b. People extended invitations to their families and friends
A. GOD INVITED SINNERS
1. "Come now, and let us reason together" - Isaiah 1:18-19
2. Offering forgiveness of sins to those willing to obey
B. GOD INVITED THE DESTITUTE
1. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat..." - Isaiah 55:1-3
2. Offering those willing to hear that which truly satisfies
C. JESUS INVITES THE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN
1. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden..." - Matthew 11:28-30
2. Offering spiritual rest for those willing to become His disciples
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT INVITES THE THIRSTY
1. "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, come!' And let him who thirsts come..." - Revelation 22:17
2. To all who desire the water of life
A. AS PROPHESIED
1. "Many people will shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...'" - Isaiah 2:1-3
2. As foreseen by Isaiah, many would invite their friends to learn about God
B. AS PRACTICED
1. By Andrew, who invited Peter to meet Jesus - John 1:40-42
2. By Philip, who invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus - John 1:43-46
3. By the Samaritan woman, who invited her neighbors - John 4:28-30
4. By Matthew (Levi), who gave a feast to introduce Jesus - Luke 5:27-29
5. By Cornelius, who invited his family and friends to hear Peter - Acts 10:33
A. WE HAVE SEEN IT WORK
1. God and Jesus extended their invitation, and souls were saved
2. The disciples extended invitations, and won souls to Christ
3. Most people today have been saved by receiving an invitation
B. LET US PUT IT TO WORK
1. Invite people to the worship of the church
a. "Come, and let us go..." - Isaiah 2:3
b. "Come and see..." - John 1:46
2. Invite people to study the Bible
a. "Come now, and let us reason together" - Isaiah 1:18
b. "Come...He will teach us His ways..." - Isaiah 2:3
3. Invite people to obey the gospel of Christ
a. "Come...all you who labor and are heavy laden" - Matthew 11:28
b. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized..." - Acts 22:16
4. Never give up extending invitations
a. People will often make excuses - cf. Luke 14:16-20
b. Simply extend the invitation to others - cf. Luke 14:21
1. Have we made evangelism more difficult that it really is...?
a. Of course, calling it "personal work" may not help
b. When it can be as simple as extending an invitation: "Come..."
c. And should someone decline an invitation, we are free to offer it to someone else
2. Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation
a. It transformed the life of Peter, brother of Andrew
b. It has transformed the lives of countless thousands ever since
c. Perhaps souls are not being saved because they are simply not being invited
3. University donor example
a. The University of Chicago received a million-dollar grant from the heiress of a major department store
b. Since she had been a student at Northwest, administrators from Northwest went to visit her to ask why she had not made such a gift to her alma mater
c. Her answer was simple: "The people at the University of Chicago asked. You did not."
d. How many times do we fail to ask people a simple question like, "Will you join me in church services?" or "Have you ever considered becoming a Christian?
4. God and Jesus believe in the power of an invitation
a. They invite us to believe and obey the wonderful gospel of Christ
b. Have you accepted that wonderful invitation? - Acts 2:36-41
-- Don Treadway, August 2008 --
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