The Power of an Invitation

1. The Power of an Invitation The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:1-3)

2. Biblical Examples of INvitations • Andrew invited Peter to meet Jesus John 1:40-42

3. John 1:40-42 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

4. Biblical Examples of INvitations • Andrew invited Peter to meet Jesus John 1:40-42 • Philip invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus John 1:43-46

5. John 1:43-46 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

6. Biblical Examples of INvitations • Andrew invited Peter to meet Jesus John 1:40-42 • Philip invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus John 1:43-46 • Samaritan woman invited her neighbors John 4:28-30

7. John 4:28-30 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

8. Biblical Examples of INvitations • Andrew invited Peter to meet Jesus John 1:40-42 • Philip invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus John 1:43-46 • Samaritan woman invited her neighbors John 4:28-30 • Matthew gave a feast to introduce Jesus Luke 5:27-29

9. Luke 5:27-29 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. 29 Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them.

10. Biblical Examples of INvitations • Andrew invited Peter to meet Jesus John 1:40-42 • Philip invited Nathaniel to meet Jesus John 1:43-46 • Samaritan woman invited her neighbors John 4:28-30 • Matthew gave a feast to introduce Jesus Luke 5:27-29 • Cornelius invited family to hear the gospel Acts 10:24, 33

11. Acts 10:24,33 (24), And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. (33), “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

12. Put the Power ofthe Invitation to Work ! • Invite People to Services Isaiah 2:3; John 1:46

13. Isaiah 2:3 – John 1:46 (Isaiah 2:3), Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (John 1:46), And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

14. Put the Power ofthe Invitation to Work ! • Invite People to Services Isaiah 2:3; John 1:46 • Invite People to Study the Bible Isaiah 1:18; 2:3

15. Isaiah 1:18; 2:3 (1:18), “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (2:3), Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

16. Put the Power ofthe Invitation to Work ! • Invite People to Services Isaiah 2:3; John 1:46 • Invite People to Study the Bible Isaiah 1:18; 2:3 • Invite People to Obey the Gospel Matthew 11:28; Acts 22:16

17. Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

18. Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

19. Conclusion The invitation is now extendedto any who are here. It is given by the Christiansof this congregation It is given by God!(cf. Revelation 22:16-17)

20. Revelation 22:16-17 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.