The Promise
Part 3 of “The Invite” message series
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God. – II Timothy 1:6-8 (NASB)
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. – I John 5:14-15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
The Gospel is Good News! The Gospel is thoroughly countercultural. The Bible promises us that if we offer the Good News of Jesus Christ, we will get some takers. God offers us three spiritual tools to share the Good News – God’s power, God’s love, and self-discipline. If we are followers of Jesus, we MUST be witnesses!
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
What is the “Gospel?”
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. – I Corinthians 15:1-5 (NASB)
The Gospel is thoroughly countercultural.
The Bible promises that if we offer the Good News to others, we will get some takers.
Failing to witness is not an option for the follower of Jesus.
God will save us, instruct us, and empower us, but there are some things we are going to have to do.
Fear and timidity are not of God.
God has given us three spiritual weapons:
The win is the invite!
Pray for the people you are inviting.
ILLUSTRATION: The vehicle accident by the First Christian Church in Chandler, Arizona
PRAYER
“Almighty God, would you fan our flickering faith into a mighty flame? Would you take away our fear and timidity and fill us with power, love, and self-discipline? Empower us to share Your Good News with others. Help us to never, never be ashamed and grant us the willingness to suffer if needed for the proclamation of Your Good News! We pray this in the strong and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.”
Questions for Reflection
What could you be praying for before inviting a friend to a Worship Experience?
Why do you think prayer is necessary for evangelism? How does it impact the process?
How does praying for someone else deepen your own relationship with God?
When has a specific prayer changed the life of a friend you invited to a Worship Experience?
Do you love Jesus enough to share Him with people?
Do you love people enough to share Jesus with them?
Will you give God something to bless?
Is your life being transformed by Jesus?
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. – I John 5:14-15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
The Gospel is Good News! The Gospel is thoroughly countercultural. The Bible promises us that if we offer the Good News of Jesus Christ, we will get some takers. God offers us three spiritual tools to share the Good News – God’s power, God’s love, and self-discipline. If we are followers of Jesus, we MUST be witnesses!
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
- Make new followers of Jesus.
- Forge new followers of Jesus into disciples.
- Send out followers of Jesus to make new followers of Jesus.
What is the “Gospel?”
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. – I Corinthians 15:1-5 (NASB)
- Jesus died for our sins.
- The Scriptures are accurate testimony.
- Jesus was buried.
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- There were witnesses to the Resurrection.
The Gospel is thoroughly countercultural.
The Bible promises that if we offer the Good News to others, we will get some takers.
Failing to witness is not an option for the follower of Jesus.
God will save us, instruct us, and empower us, but there are some things we are going to have to do.
Fear and timidity are not of God.
God has given us three spiritual weapons:
- Power
- Love
- Self-Discipline
The win is the invite!
Pray for the people you are inviting.
- Do you love Jesus enough to share Him with people?
- Do you love people enough to share Jesus with people?
- Will you give God something to bless?
ILLUSTRATION: The vehicle accident by the First Christian Church in Chandler, Arizona
PRAYER
“Almighty God, would you fan our flickering faith into a mighty flame? Would you take away our fear and timidity and fill us with power, love, and self-discipline? Empower us to share Your Good News with others. Help us to never, never be ashamed and grant us the willingness to suffer if needed for the proclamation of Your Good News! We pray this in the strong and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.”
Questions for Reflection
What could you be praying for before inviting a friend to a Worship Experience?
Why do you think prayer is necessary for evangelism? How does it impact the process?
How does praying for someone else deepen your own relationship with God?
When has a specific prayer changed the life of a friend you invited to a Worship Experience?
Do you love Jesus enough to share Him with people?
Do you love people enough to share Jesus with them?
Will you give God something to bless?
Is your life being transformed by Jesus?