The Heart Of Invitation Series

Introduction: Why Do We Invite?

Imagine you discovered the cure for a serious disease.

This could save lives!!

Would you keep it to yourself, or would you share it with others?

The gospel is the greatest cure in the world —

It is the cure for sin.

it brings forgiveness, hope, and eternal life —

yet many Christians struggle with inviting others to experience this amazingly good news.

Last week, we talked about “The Invitation of Community” and how a simple invitation — "Come and see" — can change someone’s life.

Today, we’re focusing on the heart behind the invitation.

Why should we invite others to church, and what does Jesus say about it?

Jesus Commands Us to Invite (Matthew 28:19-20)

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission:

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is not a suggestion; it is a command!

Jesus calls us to actively share our faith and invite others into a relationship with Him.

Making disciples starts with an invitation.

Before people can grow in faith, they must first be introduced to Jesus.

Just as Philip invited Nathanael, we are called to invite others.

How’s that going?

Did you give out invites?

Did you drop cards into neighbours?

Did you invite a friend for coffee and bring up the subject of faith or church?

Well, this week, guess what?

You can do it again!

And next week, and every week

Hand out card invites

Invite a friend for coffee/tea/lunch with the intension of bringing up the subject of faith,

relationships, weekends, purpose . . .

because then it could lead to a chat about faith in Jesus.

Jesus promises to be with us.

We may feel nervous and unqualified,

but Jesus reassures us that He is with us as we step out in faith.

We don’t have to do this alone.

The Holy Spirit empowers us, and remember our role is simply to extend the invitation and trust God with the rest.

2. Invitation Comes from a Heart of Love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

Paul writes, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all."

• Our motivation to invite others should be . . . . what? LOVE.

Love for Jesus, but very much – love for the person before us.

If Jesus loved that person so much that he would go through all the agony of the cross, we should be loving that person – so much that we want them to know about Jesus.

If we truly believe Jesus changes lives, we should desire the transformation for others.

Love overcomes fear.

Many people hesitate to invite others because they fear rejection or awkwardness.

But when love is our driving force, it gives us courage.

Think about who first invited you.

Most of us are in church today because someone cared enough to extend an invitation

Now, we have the opportunity to do the same for someone else.

Jesus’ love is too good to keep to ourselves.

When we have good news, we should want to share it.

The gospel is the greatest news of all — why would we keep it a secret?

Genuine love for others opens doors.

When people see that our invitation comes –

o not out of duty or

o that they are your latest project,

o but rather from a place of sincere care,

? they are more likely to respond positively.

Inviting is not about numbers but about relationships.

We are not trying to fill seats in a church;

we are extending an invitation into a life-changing relationship with Jesus and a loving community of believers.

We invite - not to grow church numbers but to share the love and hope that has changed our lives.

3. People Are Waiting for an Invitation (Luke 14:15-23)

In the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus tells of a master who prepares a feast and sends out invitations.

Some reject it, but the master instructs his servants to "go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full."

Many people are more open than we think.

As we saw last week, some are just waiting for someone to invite them.

The truth?

You will get more rejections than acceptances.

Don’t be discouraged by rejection.

Like in the parable, some will decline, but others will accept with joy.

The invitation is for everyone.

We are called (commanded) to invite people from all backgrounds, showing that God’s love is for all.