The Power of an Invitation

Have you ever been invited to something?

How many of you have ever attended something you have been invited to?

LifeWay Research found that 67 percent of Americans said a personal invitation from a “family member” would be very or somewhat effective in getting them to visit a church. And 63 percent of Americans said a personal invitation from a “friend or neighbor” would be very or somewhat effective in getting them to visit a church.

Luke 14:16–18 NKJV

Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’

When all the A-list people had been invited and had presented their excuses, invitations continued to go out.

Luke 14:21–23 NKJV

So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

If we continue to invite people to join us, the House will be Full!

The Master wants His House to be full so everyone possible can enjoy the goodness available.

Come See

Jesus invited the curious to come and see something as simple as where He was staying.

John 1:35–39 NKJV

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John 1:46 NKJV

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Even for someone doubtful about if anything good can possibly come out of church - come and see!

Come and see some of the most wonderful imperfect people on the planet.

Come & Experience

Eating something is an experience - a description is just not the same!

Psalm 34:8 NKJV

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Invite someone to try the Holy Spirit restaurant.

Being in God’s presence is something that can’t be explained well - it has to be experienced.

John 4:29 NKJV

“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

John 20:27 NKJV

Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Don’t be weird about giving invitations - If you feel awkward, others will feel awkward.

If you honestly believe that Jesus has impacted your life positively on any level, invite someone to come and experience Jesus too.

An invitation to church can be just as normal as inviting someone to join you at a restaurant you enjoy, or going to watch a movie you like.

Consider giving someone a “compelling” invitation that overcomes excuses: Pick them up, stay with them, introduce them, help them to feel comfortable, take them for lunch.

At The Ark, we have a bringing culture.

Jesus’s Invitations to us:

We are invited into the plan of God with Jesus.

Revelation 4:1 NKJV

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Mark 16:20 NKJV

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Jesus invites us to follow Him

Mark 8:34 NKJV

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Jesus invites us to follow Him, and to be transformed by Him.

Mark 1:17 NKJV

Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

Jesus invites us to let Him in

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Knocking on our door is Jesus’ invitation for us to open the door of our life.

Opening the door to Jesus is an invitation for entry - Jesus ALWAYS takes that invitation.

Just One Thing:

Who can you give a compelling invitation to this week & which invitation(s) will you accept from Jesus?

Discussion Questions:

What’s something you really resent paying for?

On a scale of 0-10 where 0= Not at all comfortable & 10=Extremely Comfortable - How do you rate your level of comfort in inviting and bringing others to church? What is your biggest obstacle to inviting others?

Please Read Psalm 34:8 and share with your group what the most “delicious” part of your experience with Christ has been.

Who is the next person you want to give an invitation to for church? How can you make your invitation more compelling for that person?