The Power Of An Invitation(From our 2-16-25 Worship)
Introduction
- Tony introduces his lesson titled "Come and See: The Power of an Invitation."
- He shares a story about a woman who found new purpose in life after being invited to a museum due to her interest in insects.
Biblical Foundation – John 1:35-42 (ESV)
- John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:35-36).
- Two of John's disciples follow Jesus and ask where He is staying (John 1:37-38).
- Jesus invites them, saying, "Come and you will see." (John 1:39).
- They spend the day with Jesus, and Andrew, one of the two, immediately goes to find his brother Simon Peter, telling him, "We have found the Messiah." (John 1:41).
- Simon meets Jesus, who renames him Cephas (Peter) (John 1:42).
Key Lessons
- Recognizing Jesus
- John the Baptist points to Jesus, and his disciples recognize Him as the Messiah.
- Their response was to follow Jesus and learn more.
- The Transformational Power of Time with Jesus
- Spending time with Jesus changed Andrew and John.
- Though Scripture doesn’t detail their conversation, something about Jesus’ presence deeply impacted them.
- The Urgency to Share Jesus
- Andrew was so moved that he immediately invited his brother, Simon Peter, to meet Jesus.
- His enthusiasm was contagious—he could not keep the news to himself.
- The Power of a Simple Invitation
- Many people come to Christ because someone invited them.
- Invitations can be verbal or through actions that reflect Christ.
- Just as the woman’s life changed because she was invited to the museum, people’s lives change when they are invited to meet Jesus.
Application & Challenge
- Are we enthusiastic about our Savior?
- Do we invite others to see Jesus in our lives and in our church?
- The church at Westside has grown through invitations—starting with just a few people, now gathering many.
- Invitations don’t have to be grand; they can be as simple as a conversation, a kind gesture, or sharing a Bible study.
- The impact of one invitation can ripple through generations, just as Andrew’s invitation led to Simon Peter’s transformation.
Closing Encouragement
- Consider how Jesus has affected your life.
- Share that joy with others through simple invitations.
- If you have a need—whether prayer, encouragement, or a decision to follow Christ—seek support from the church.
- "Come and see." Let’s invite others into the presence of Jesus.
