Invitation – ALL IN

The Power of Invitation: Sharing the Good News

Have you ever considered the immense impact a simple invitation can have? Not just any invitation, but an invitation to encounter Jesus Christ. This isn’t about growing a church or religious organization; it’s about introducing people to the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses. Acts 1:8 reminds us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This isn’t a suggestion or an optional extra for those who feel particularly gifted. It’s a commission for every believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We are, in essence, ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 beautifully articulates this: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” Just as nations have ambassadors representing their interests in foreign lands, we represent the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

But why is this message so crucial? Because the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ – is the power of God for salvation. Romans 1:16 declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” This isn’t just nice news; it’s essential, life-changing news.

The gospel message is profound yet simple: God created a perfect world, but humanity’s sin marred that perfection, separating us from God. The consequence of this sin is death and eternal separation from God. But God, in His infinite love, sent Jesus Christ on a rescue mission. Jesus, sinless and perfect, took on our sin, shame, and guilt. He died on the cross in our place, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. His resurrection conquered sin, hell, and the grave, offering us new life and eternal hope.

This good news requires a response. We must turn from our sin (repent) and put our faith in Jesus Christ. When we do, we are born again – the old is gone, and the new has come. We’re forgiven, set free, and given full access to God through Christ.

But it doesn’t stop there. God wants to use us to share this freedom with others. We can’t keep such good news to ourselves! If we truly understand the power of the gospel, we can’t help but share it.

Sometimes, we overcomplicate evangelism. But sharing our faith can be as simple as following the example of Andrew in John 1:40-42. When Andrew encountered Jesus, his first priority was to find his brother Simon (Peter) and bring him to Jesus. Andrew wasn’t known for great sermons or miracles; he was known for bringing people to Jesus.

Similarly, in John 4, we see the Samaritan woman at the well. After her life-changing encounter with Jesus, she immediately went back to her town, inviting others to come and see Him. Her simple testimony led many in her town to believe in Jesus.

These stories remind us that sometimes, simply inviting someone to church or sharing our personal story can lead to life-changing encounters with Jesus. Don’t underestimate the power of your testimony. Whether you’ve been a Christian since childhood or have a more dramatic conversion story, your experience with Jesus has power because Jesus has power.

The impact of sharing your faith can have far-reaching consequences, like ripples spreading out from a stone thrown into a pond. Consider the story of Albert McMakin, who simply invited a group of young people to a gospel rally. One of those young people was Billy Graham, who went on to preach to millions around the world, leading countless souls to Christ. Albert McMakin couldn’t have known the impact his simple invitation would have, but he was faithful in extending it.

Who knows what impact your invitation might have? It could be the catalyst for breaking chains of addiction, transforming families, or changing entire communities. Our responsibility isn’t to predict or control the outcome; it’s simply to introduce people to Jesus and let Him do the work.

Often, fear holds us back from sharing our faith. But remember, when people reject our invitation, they’re not rejecting us – they’re rejecting Jesus. And while that’s not okay, it’s their choice to make. Our job is to faithfully extend the invitation and leave the results to God.

So, how can we practically apply this? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Pray for opportunities to share your faith.
2. Keep invitation cards or church information handy to give out when opportunities arise.
3. Invite someone to church or a Christian event this week.
4. Share your faith story with someone who doesn’t know Jesus.
5. Use social media to share positive, faith-filled messages.
6. Make a list of people you’re praying will come to know Jesus, and commit to praying for them regularly.

Imagine the impact if every believer took just one step towards sharing their faith this week. We could see lives transformed, not by our eloquence or persuasion, but by the power of Jesus Christ.

Remember, there’s power in the name of Jesus. We’re not called to convert people; we’re called to introduce them to the One who can transform their lives. As we step out in faith, may we see the ripple effects of our invitations spreading far and wide, bringing hope, healing, and salvation to a world in desperate need of good news.

This blog is created from my sermon at Heart Church, you can listen to the full message here