WORKS

2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

James 2:14–26 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

The Power Of An Invitation

Vss 9 - 10 - Love without hypocrisy

INTRODUCTION

A. True love does not use a person

B. True love does not exalt self

1. There is something about an invitation... a. An invitation makes us feel special b. An invitation makes us feel wanted and accepted

C. True love gives and expects nothing in return

2. Vs 11 - Be fervent in spirit

A. Seek to be busy in the Lord's work

2. An invitation is a powerful way to reach out to others... a.

A man invites a lady out for a date

b. A business person invites a client out for lunch

c. A housewife invites a friend over for coffee

d. A family invites another family to supper

B. Finish what you start

C. Avoid laziness (it is sin)

3. Invitations are important in the Bible as well...

a. Both God and Jesus extended invitations

b. People extended invitations to their families and friends

3. Vs 12 - Rejoice in hope ()

[In this study we will look at some of the invitations found in the Bible. Beginning with...]

A. The blessed hope -

B. Worldly dreams never satisfy

I. DIVINE INVITATIONS

C. Hope in the world soon vanishes

4. Vs 12 - Patient (qliyis) [tribluation] in oppression, affliction, pressure

A. Patience in hard times shows trust in God -

A. GOD INVITED SINNERS... 1. “Come now, and let us reason together” - . Offering forgiveness of sins to those willing to obey

B. Trials will come - - trials focus on faith -

B. GOD INVITED THE DESTITUTE...

5. Vs 12 - Steadfastly continue in prayer

1. “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat...” -

2. Offering those willing to hear that which truly satisfies

C. JESUS INVITES THE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN...

1. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden...” -

2. Offering spiritual rest for those willing to become His disciples

A. Importunate prayer -

D. THE HOLY SPIRIT INVITES THE THIRSTY...

B. Pick out 3 people and pray for them - without telling them you are praying

1. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come...” -

2. To all who desire the water of life

C. It is impossible to dislike someone you pray for.

6. Vs 13 - A Hospitable person

[We see that God’s message is often in the form of an invitation. It should not surprise us, therefore, that servants of God would often reach out to the lost in the form of...]

A. Give with wisdom (don't keep giving handouts to the church leech)

II. HUMAN INVITATIONS

B. principle

C.

D. 2 Principles for giving: ()

A. AS PROPHESIED...

1. “Many people will shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...’” -

1. Willing mind

2. As foreseen by Isaiah, many would invite their friends to learn about God

2. According to what you have

Topical Sermons 290

7. Vs 14 - Do not return evil for evil

2. As foreseen by Isaiah, many would invite their friends to learn about God

A. Bless (eulogew) Eulogize - speak well of, praise

B. "Curse" to condemn to hell -

B. AS PRACTICED...

The Messages of the Three Angels

12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

1. By Andrew, who invited Peter to meet Jesus -

2. By Philip, who invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus -

3. By the Samaritan woman, who invited her neighbors -

4. By Matthew (Levi), who gave a feast to introduce Jesus -

5. By Cornelius, who invited his family and friends to hear Peter - ,

6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

[We see that many came to know Jesus by way of an invitation. And so it can be today! Consider, therefore...]

8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

III. THE POWER OF AN INVITATION

A. WE HAVE SEEN IT WORK...

1. God and Jesus extended their invitation, and souls were saved!

2. The disciples extended invitations, and won souls to Christ!

3. Most people today have been saved by receiving an invitation

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

B. LET US PUT IT TO WORK...

1. Invite people to services of the church

a. “Come, and let us go...” -

b. “Come and see...” -

2. Invite people to study the Bible

a. “Come now, and let us reason together” -

b. “Come...He will teach us His ways...” -

3. Invite people to obey the gospel of Christ

a. “Come...all you who labor and are heavy laden” -

b. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized...” -

4. Never give up extending invitations

a. People will often make excuses - cf.

b. Simply extend the invitation to others - cf.

16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

19 "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

20 "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

21 "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

NIV

CONCLUSION

1. Have we made evangelism more difficult that it really is...?

a. Of course, calling it “personal work” may not help

b. When it can be as simple as extending an invitation: “Come...”

c. And should someone decline an invitation, we are free to offer it to someone else

2. Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation...

a. It transformed the life of Peter, brother of Andrew

b. It has transformed the lives of countless thousands ever since

c. Perhaps souls are not being saved because they are simply not being invited!

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

TNIV

God and Jesus believe in the power of an invitation. They invite us to believe and obey the wonderful gospel of Christ. Have you accepted that wonderful invitation...? - cf.

WORKS

Faith and Obedience Are Bound Together