Invitation and Witness

Introduction: Meeting Pat Mills

I have spent the last 20 years of inviting and witnessing

Big Idea: Be excited to INVITE and empowered to WITNESS

Luke 19:1–10 NLT

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:1-

1. Jesus shows us that ANYONE can be invited

Explain:

Zacchaeus was the ‘chief’ or the worst of the tax collectors

It was just as likely that Z would be keeping his distance from Jesus as much as he would have from the crowd

Jesus invites himself over and Z is never the same

Story: Inviting Pat Mills to Church

Apply: Who am I inviting?

Acts 1:8 NLT

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2. Jesus shows us that EVERYONE can be a witness

Explain:

The disciples were still worried about how they were going to be politicians

Acts 2:37–39 NLT

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

The promise of the HS is for everyone and the power to be a witness is too

Story: When Pat Mills went to Afghanistan

Prayed and sent him my marker

Psalm 91:1–2 NLT

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Illustration: Barna Stats—

It turns out that the way that MOST UN-churched people are comfortable explorIng faith is the same way that MOST churched people are comfortable sharing it.....1 on 1 conversation.

Apply: Who am I sharing with?

We don’t just invite people so that ‘pros’ can do the rest.

Conclusion: Pat called me a few months ago...

“I’m plugged into a church and I have that marker on my wall…”

Transition into prayer for boldness, Holy Spirit power to witness and intercession for our nieghbors.