How do we invite people toward faith in a natural, practical and authentic way? As I look around at those that do it well, here is what I am learning…
#1 Always Develop Relationships
Invitation is not a one-time event, it is a spectrum. Sometimes God prompts you to a stranger, but most likely He has been prompting you for years about the SAME people. Now should you intentionally build a relationship with someone to see them come to Christ? YES! Everybody has an agenda, let yours be LOVE! You should never be in a relationship that you do not desire for them to come to Christ!
#2 Always Be Yourself
Be assured that when you are prompted by God to take a step, God has already decided that who you are is enough for the invitation. No extra tools required! Be authentic. God has uniquely designed you, he has perfectly planted you in space and time to Invite those around you to another step toward Him.
#3 Always Be Ready
Only God knows when salvation is right around the corner for someone. Our job is to always be ready. One of the surest ways is to have an INVITE CARD in your wallet or purse. Now look, this isn’t about inviting someone to church just b/c. When God stirs your heart for your friend or neighbor across the lawn, it has nothing to do with getting them to church. It has everything to do with getting them to a place where they can experience and respond to God.
For some, that may mean having them in your home, fixing something in the garage, watching a movie, serving at the NEIFB, but a sure fire place where we are intentional about that is here on the weekend!
#4 Always Have A List
You know, if my wife didn’t make me a list every time I went to get groceries I would always end up with the same thing: a can of Easy Cheese and a 3 pound summer sausage, but forget everything else! I admit, sometimes I have spiritual ADHD. I need a list to anchor my prayer life. Every one of us should have a list that we are begging God just to be a part of their invitation into new life.
#5 Always Give Hope
Be bold with the promises of God.
To those overwhelmed with shame, He invites them to grace and forgiveness.
To those bound up in destructive habits, it is clear “If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!”
To the weak He becomes their Strength. To the weary, Jesus promises rest.
To the lacking, He gives us our daily bread. To the grieving, He gives comfort.
To the sick and dying, there is hope for eternal life and new bodies to come.
#6 Always Do What You Love with Christ in Mind
What are your hobbies? What are the things you love to do? If you love riding Motorcycles, you should do that with people who need to take another step toward God. If you love camping and the outdoors, grab some guys and do that! If you love making jewelry or quilts or scrapbooks or whatever, do it with Christ in mind and a lost soul on your heart!
#7 Always Start at Home
This one could possibly be the most important of them all.
I am not trying to step on toes here. But can we just be transparent for a minute? You can’t give what you ain’t got! Are you personally being transformed? Is your personal life inviting those around you into a deeper relationship with God? Are the steps you are taking in response to God’s invitation, leading you to love your wife/husband more and more?
Is your response to God’s invitation leading your children closer to stepping over the faith-line? Are you personally inviting them into a growing relationship with Jesus? Do they know that God made them? God loves them? And Jesus wants to be their forever friend?
You gotta start at home! As disciples of Jesus we need to be intentional about our kids.
(Missed last week's message? Catch it below.)
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