Have you ever received an invitation that changed your life?
Maybe it was an invitation to a wedding, a job interview, or even just a meaningful conversation over coffee.
Some invitations lead to moments that shape our future in ways we never expected.
In John 1, we see one of the most powerful invitations in Scripture — an invitation to meet Jesus.
And it wasn’t complicated.
It wasn’t a big theological debate.
It was a simple, heartfelt invitation: “Come and see.”
And that’s the title of our series.
A simple invite to –
Coffee, to church, to Jesus.
There are so many ways that we can start the process to invite others to connect spiritually.
Today, we explore why inviting people to church and into a relationship with Jesus is one of the most powerful things we can do.
1. Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him (John 1:43-44)
In our reading, Jesus finds Philip and gives him a direct invitation: “Follow me.”
There is no long explanation, no pressure, just an invitation to come and be part of something greater.
Jesus’ call is personal and direct.
He reaches out to Philip as an individual, showing that His invitation is not about rules, rituals or religion.
It’s about a personal relationship.
Jesus calls people as they are, wherever they are, into a journey of transformation.
He invites ordinary people to follow Him.
Philip was not a religious leader or scholar; he was an everyday person.
Jesus’ invitation reminds us that God doesn’t call a certain type of person.
And sometimes we make judgements as to who may or may not be interested in following Jesus.
Our Lord calls people from all walks of life.
It’s not for us to judge who God will have in heaven.
It’s for us to invite, invite, invite.
Philip immediately responds.
There is no hesitation or debate — Philip follows because something about Jesus draws him in.
This moment illustrates the power of a simple invitation.
We have no idea what the Holy Spirit has been doing in each person’s life.
When the Spirit is at work, hearts are moved, and lives are changed.
An invitation leads to action.
Philip doesn’t just keep this encounter to himself; he goes and finds Nathanael to share the good news.
This demonstrates that when we experience Jesus, the natural response is to invite others to experience Him too.
When we invite others to church or to explore faith, we are simply passing on the same invitation Jesus gave to Philip.
We don’t have to have all the answers; we just need to share the opportunity.
Like Philip, we can extend a simple but life-changing invitation to those around us: “Come and see.”
Come and see
• What our coffee shop is like
• What we do on Friday nights
• What church is like
Just come and see!
2. The Power of a Simple Invitation (John 1:45)
Philip, now a follower of Jesus, naturally goes to find Nathanael and shares the news: “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Philip doesn’t try to convince Nathanael with deep theological arguments.
He simply shares his own excitement about meeting Jesus.
• We don’t need to be experts in theology to invite others.
Sometimes, people feel they need to know all the answers before they can invite someone to faith.
But Philip shows us that a simple invitation is enough.
His excitement alone is a powerful testimony.
Our enthusiasm and testimony can be more compelling than any argument.
When people see genuine joy and transformation in our lives, they become more open to exploring faith.
Our personal stories of how Jesus has impacted us can be more persuasive than any debate.
o Tell people your experience of the Highfield Family
o Tell them how your prayer was answered
o Talk about how you used to be, and how you are now God is working in you
o
Philip shares Jesus as he knows Him.
He doesn’t exaggerate or embellish; he simply states what he has discovered.
This is a reminder that we don’t need to overcomplicate our invitations — just be real and honest about who Jesus is to us.
• Invitations create opportunities.
Without Philip’s invitation, Nathanael might never have met Jesus.
Sometimes, the people we invite are just waiting for someone to give them the chance to explore faith in a welcoming space.
I checked the figures last week….
In the UK nearly 3 million adults have indicated that they would consider attending church ….. if they were invited.
Isn’t that tragic? Tragic?
Yes! There are 3 million adults missing out on church because us Christians didn’t bother to invite them!
That could mean nearly 3 million people will not get to know Jesus Christ as Saviour, and find a place with God in eternity.
A personal invitation is more impactful than a general announcement.
People respond best when they feel personally valued.
Instead of relying on church flyers or social media posts alone, taking the time to invite someone personally can make all the difference.
Just like Philip, we can invite friends, family, and neighbours into something that could change their lives forever.
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Who in your life might be waiting for an invitation?
You might say, “But I don’t know.
I don’t know if my neighbour, my friend, the postman will be interested in coming to Highfield or knowing about Jesus.”
There are two responses we can give to that not knowing:
Not invite - because they “probably will say, ‘no’”
or
Invite as many as possible!
Because you don’t want to miss the one person who will say ‘yes! I’ll come’
3. Overcoming Doubts and Excuses (John 1:46)
Nathanael responds with scepticism: “Nazareth!
Can anything good come from there?”
This is a natural reaction — doubt, cynicism, or hesitation often accompany invitations to faith.
Some will respond to you:
“I’m not religious”
“I don’t know if it’s for me”
“I’ve been to church in the past, and . . . .”
Philip doesn’t argue.
He simply says, “Come and see.”
• People may have doubts about church or faith.
• Our role is not to debate but to invite.
• When people experience Jesus for themselves, doubts often turn into faith.
By bringing people into a welcoming community where they can encounter Jesus, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts.
Conclusion: Who Will You Invite?
Inviting someone to Highfield is one of the simplest yet most impactful things you can do.
Like Philip, we don’t need to have all the answers;
we just need to say, “Come and see!”
Think of someone in your life who might need hope, love, or community.
What if your invitation could be the start of their journey with Jesus?
This week, pray for opportunities to invite someone to Highfield or to a conversation about faith.
You never know how one invitation might change a life.
Practical Challenge:
1. Pray for a handful of people who may need an invitation to church or to explore faith.
Ask God to open their hearts and create the right opportunity.
2. Take action by personally inviting at least one of them this week.
Welcome Cuppa, Baptismal service (New series on difficult questions).
3. Follow up — if they seem interested, offer to sit with them at church, meet for coffee, or answer any questions they may have.
Your continued encouragement can make a difference.
Will you extend the invitation?
Object Lesson Idea: The Power of an Invitation – A Chain Reaction
Object Needed:
• A row of dominoes, boxes, book.
1. Each domino represents a person.
Some may be close to Jesus already, while others may feel distant or sceptical like Nathanael.
2. Push the first domino. A simple invitation can create a ripple effect.
3. Philip was invited by Jesus, and he,
4. in turn, invited Nathanael.
Tradition says that
5. Nathanael went on to be a missionary.
Our invitation to just one person can have far-reaching effects beyond what we see.
Key Takeaway:
Just as one domino can set off a whole sequence,
one invitation to church, or
one conversation about Jesus can lead
to a transformation in someone’s life — and even in their family and friends.
Who will be your first domino this week?
Can I just say – invitations can be just that.
We produce invitations for most events.
Take a handful (maybe pop your phone number or name on it) and pop them through your neighbour’s letterboxes, of give them out personally to people you meet.
How simple is that?! Say: “I’ll go with you”
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for gathering us here today, for speaking to our hearts through Your Word, and for reminding us of the power of a simple invitation. Just as Jesus called Philip, and Philip invited Nathanael, help us to be people who extend Your invitation to those around us.
Lord, give us
• courage to invite,
• faith to trust in Your work, and
• love that reaches beyond our own comfort.
As we go from this place, let us carry the light of Christ with us. May our words and actions reflect Your grace, and may the invitations we extend be the beginning of transformed lives.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
