Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

I remember growing up and receiving an invitation to birthday parties.

I was so excited and thankful to receive those invitations.

Then I remember, while in high school, those invitations to parties ended.

I felt left out.

I felt ostracized from those in my class.

It wasn’t until years later, I was told why I no longer received an invitation to the parties.

I didn’t receive an invitation to those parties, not because I was being left out, but because they knew that I would not want to join in with some of the festivities of those later parties.

With that said, I’m so very thankful that we’ve all received an invitation to salvation.

As John concludes his final book, he is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to write the most important invitation that anyone could ever receive, the invitation to eternal life in Christ Jesus

Focus Passage

Outline

Within this last paragraph of the Word of God, we find one final invitation to a lost and dying world to have a redemptive, transforming, life altering, eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

This invitation is revealed in four ways.

The Holy Spirit and the Church are used of God to deliver the invitation - ‘…the Spirit and the bride, say Come...’

It is the Holy Spirit of God and the Church that make evangelism possible.

Through the Holy Spirit, we find that men and women, boys and girls are convicted of their sin and need of salvation.

It is the church, individually and corporately, that witness of the redemptive work of Christ through our words and actions.

Without the Holy Spirit, the church cannot do as she is supposed to do.

Without the Church, the Holy Spirit does not have a verbal witness.

The redeemed are used of God to deliver the invitation - ‘…And let him that heareth say, Come...’

As Paul, we are called to be ambassadors for the world for Christ.

Truly, the redeemed are the only Christ that this lost world will see until He returns as judge, jury, and executioner.

Let us be faithful in our witness to a lost and dying world.

Those in a place of spiritual famine, have received the invitation of God - ‘…And let him that is athirst come...’

Jesus stated, ...If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-38 KJV).

In a world of spiritual famine, where most are parched, the cries out, come.

I will give you water and you will never thirst again, But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14 KJV).

The invitation has been given, but must be received - ‘…let him take the water of life freely...’

Conclusion

As we all join with friends and family this Thanksgiving, let us be thankful for the invitation of eternal life that we have been given through the blood of Christ, Let him that athirst come.