Operation Andrew
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This sermon is
continuation of series
“Each One Win One.”
Each of us are called
to be soul-winners
for Kingdom of Heaven.
This sermon is
focused on the idea
that God is a
God of invitations.
Invitations - Why?
Invitations - Why?
Why are invitations
important to God?
General Invitations from Jesus
General Invitations from Jesus
Jesus was well know
for open invitations
to all who would listen.
The open proclamations
are some of the most
quoted and cherished
words of Christ.
For example:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jesus wanted everyone,
the broken and hurting
the apparently
composed and “put together”
everyone who needs rest
from sin and sadness.
This is the central
core of the gospel
core of the cross.
Jesus said:
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Why did Jesus
leave His throne?
To draw everyone to Himself!!!
Jesus said:
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
As Christians,
our role is
to be like Christ.
Christ was all about
giving these invitations.
While getting to know Raluca
I thought dating must be 4+ years
She thought different.
I had to adjust my
thinking about this invite.
Americans have strict
social norms in society.
One of our social norms
don’t offer people anything
unless they asked first.
The truth is...
Jesus was very taboo
in His society.
And if we are going
to be His followers
we too must stick out sometimes.
Look at Jesus:
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
Do you think
this appeared normal?
Was it usual to go
around say things like this?
NOOO!!!
Jesus was willing
to be uncomfortable
even a little weird
for salvation’s sake.
Invitations - Why Not?
Invitations - Why Not?
We covered why God
is passionate about invitations.
But why do we
seem to hate them?
It all comes down to:
Fear
Fear
Why don’t we
offer more invitations?
Simple:
We are afraid
of rejections.
We don’t want to look:
weird
out of place
unusual
peculiar.
What if they say no???
Remember,
Christians are like Christ.
Did Jesus get rejected?
Jesus is the best
soul-winner in world!
But he did not bat 1000.
Many,
Nay, MOST
rejected Him!
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
Most of the Jews
rejected Him.
May I ask,
who do we think
that we are?
If we only give invitations
when certain of acceptance
we are not Christians!
That is not Christ’s example!!
What time will never come...
Invitations - Who?
Invitations - Who?
We covered the why
and the why not
of invitations.
Now,
we come to the who...
Who should give them?
To whom should they be given?
Andrew
Andrew
The title of the sermon
is operation Andrew.
Andrew did not
let his fear of rejection
keep him from
being a soul-winner.
Andrew was know as
someone who brought
others to meet Jesus.
What type of people
did Andrew invite?
Family and Friends
Family and Friends
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus...
When Andrew found the Messiah
what was his first reaction?
He didn’t want to
hoard the best gift
he had experienced in
his entire life.
His first invitation went
to his own flesh and blood
- his family!
Andrew went to those
he loved most,
wanted them to have
gift of Jesus in their lives.
Acquaintances
Acquaintances
After close friends and family,
the next group is acquaintances.
These are people
you don’t plan to be around
you cross paths,
often for short time.
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
The context of the story
is the feeding of the 5000.
Jesus suggested to
get food for entire crowd.
The bewildered disciples
had no idea what to do.
Andrew found a boy
with a lunch.
He seemed to be
holding faith
and doubt
simultaneously.
But he decided to
do as usual.
Bring him to Jesus.
Let Jesus decide next move.
story of someone
being won by a track.
Andrew brought
family
close friends
acquaintances
who next?
Unlikely Seekers
Unlikely Seekers
Seekers come in many
shapes and sizes.
Frequently, in packages
you would not expect.
This was the case
in our next Andrew story:
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
They were gentiles,
Jesus was the Messiah.
In the mind of the disciples,
Jesus came for Jews only!
There are many today
who we will be surprised
to learn they are seeking Jesus.
Many have shocked me:
rough bikers,
covered in tats
people in jail
criminals
drug addicts
prostitutes
many are seeking.
I told you
jail is a great place
for bible study interests.
Jesus himself said:
... Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
God is working on hearts.
Many hearts,
that we may not guess.
We must be like Andrew,
ready to invite anyone
who may be willing to listen
Invitations - What?
Invitations - What?
We covered
Why we should give invitations.
Whom to give invitations to.
Next question...
What invitation
should I give???
Stages of Spirituality
Stages of Spirituality
Repeat
Stages of Spirituality
Your invitation is simple.
The next step...
Unless they
life changing experience.
Under deep conviction.
Then invite few steps ahead.
Invitations - When?
Invitations - When?
We covered:
Why to give invitations
Whom to give them to.
What invitation to give.
Now we discuss when
to give an invitations.
I’m going to review
another concept
from a previous sermon.
Christ’s Method
Don’t skip steps
Mingle with them.
Showed Sympathy
Ministered to Needs
Won Their Confidence.
Invitation to Follow Jesus.
They must either
somewhat trust you.
be very open person.
desperate situations.
Cultivate relationships
with people who need
spiritual growth.
Remember my story
neighbor who’s husband died.
Be with them in the pain.
Invitations - How?
Invitations - How?
We covered:
Why to invite
Who to invite
What invitation to give
When to give an invitations
now...
How to give an invitation
The Parable of the Great Banquet
The Parable of the Great Banquet
Jesus repeatedly preached
about the concept on invitations.
Many of His sermons on
on this topic but
Parable of Great Banquet
is most profound.
I’ve preached about
this parable before
so I’ll summarize it.
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Invitations gone out
people RSVP’ed.
People are told,
banquet is ready
come!
People who banquet
was prepared for
no longer wanted to come.
Who had the banquet
been prepared for?
The Jews.
They rejected God’s call.
But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
They rejected God
God rejected the Jews.
This applies to all...
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
What is the lesson?
everyone is invited!
We are the servants.
WE give the invitation.
Must give to everyone!
“Bad or Good”.
Whom should we invite?
“as many as you find.”
Don’t focus
on the religious only.
Remember,
the seemingly religious
rejected the invitation last time.
Remember Jesus’ favorite invite?
Follow Me
Follow Me
Jesus said this phrase 21 times
in the gospels.
And he said it
different people
different place
different scenarios.
To the disciples:
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
To the tax collector:
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
To Phillip (disciple of John):
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
To the crowds:
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ... Whoever does not bear his own cross and [follow] me cannot be my disciple.
Jesus did not
over complicated
the invitation.
He offered,
then offered again
then offered again.
Last week I mentioned,
you can give an invitation
3 different ways.
Invite in Morning
Invite in Afternoon
Invite in the Evening.
Just give an invitation!
Pray.
Leave rest with God.
He followed 5 steps.
Mingle with them.
Showed Sympathy
Ministered to Needs
Won Their Confidence.
Invitation to Follow Jesus.
He understood
stage of spirituality
to give proper invitation.
Invitation - Where?
Invitation - Where?
We covered:
Why to invite
Who to invite
What invitation to give
When to give an invitations
How to give an invitation
now
Where.
The where refers to
knowing where
we stand in time.
We must give
present truth.
Our time here is limited.
Time is running out.
Our invitations should be
passionate,
persuasive,
personal
persistent.
God’s invitations
are time limited.
Noah preached
for 120 years...
But the flood did come.
Lot’s family
was only given a few hours
to get out of Sodom.
We have to realize
in the invitations of God
there is some finality!!!
Speaking of the Final Invitation:
Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Marriage Supper of the Lamb
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
There is one invitation
that has eternal value...
This is it.
Everyone will get invite.
Everyone will decide.
Then it is final.
Some will accept.
Some will reject.
Won’t you be part
of giving that invitation?
Appeal
Appeal
Will you make list
with 5 names?
pray each day?
evaluate spiritual stage
be ready for life changes
Take steps:
Mingle with them.
Showed Sympathy
Ministered to Needs
Won Their Confidence
Give an Invitation
Will you find someone
to give an invitation
appropriate for them?
Will you do it this week?
