Eight Invitations of Jesus

Sixty years ago, during the summer of 1964, an Assembly of God pastor and his wife visited my boyhood home and invited us to church. Following a series of events, my parents allowed us to begin attending what is now Covenant Assembly, north of Jefferson. What was then, the Jefferson Assembly of God. That hallmark visit produced two gospel preachers! That's the power of an invitation!

Throughout the gospels, Jesus issues many invitations. Jesus was clear, confident, and fearless. He lived a life that set the standard for how men are to live, lead and work. 2,000 years ago He could be found on a country hillside, in the Jewish temple and throughout the bustling cities issuing an invitation to all men and whosoever will listen. He told the crowd, "If you have ears to hear, then hear this," (Mark 4:9). The modern equivalent would be, "Listen up and pay attention."

He not only showed men everywhere a new way of life, He invited them into it. In the gospels, He issued eight distinct and clear invitations, and He is still issuing these invitations today. Let me ask you this morning, "Will you answer the call to become a kingdom driven man or woman?"

The Bible is a story of two kingdoms colliding, the Kingdom of darkness versus the Kingdom of God. When Jesus declared the Kingdom of God had come, He issued a declaration that He had come to take everything back from the enemy. Our call as Kingdom driven men and women is to build and expand this Kingdom within us and around us until He returns. The spiritual tension you may be feeling is the direct result of you living in the kingdom of God and functioning in a world that is anti-Christ. It's a divine tension but nevertheless difficult.

Let me say that none of us are called to win the world; we are called to win OUR world, our sphere of influence! No one church can win an entire community; and no individual can win everyone he or she knows. Even though every local church is called to win the lost, all churches are given secondary assignments that I believe relate to their given community.

May God grant us divine appointments as we walk through life. I want to challenge you to look for opportunities to witness to and invite your friends, loved ones and enemies to check out your church. I believe the Lord will use your future conversations to speak life into some weary soul who desperately needs Jesus.

Jesus modeled and taught a new way of living and invited people to follow Him and enter this new Kingdom. These followers represented a new breed, Kingdom-driven individuals, who took up His charge to expand the Kingdom of God.

This same call is issued for the 'whosoevers' the 'anybody's' today, and those who have the curiosity and ears to hear. Someone you know, someone you have influence with is waiting for you to invite them to church. Don't be timid, be bold. Use the influence God has given you to win whoever you can. This church is but a tool for you to influence someone toward the gospel.

Jesus invites men into a new way of life. Allow me to discuss the first seven invitations that He makes to all men.

1. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). If you're tired and struggling, He can give you rest. This also describes the path to God the Father but it is not one of labor and hard work. Following Jesus frees us from carrying the burden of our own sin because He has already done that work.
2. "Jesus stood and cried, saying ... if any man thirst let him COME unto Me, and DRINK" (John 7:37). Every time you study the word, every time you pray, every time you let the Lord change you to be more like him, you are drinking that living water. God's purpose for building us as his temple is so we can be wells of living water as a source of life for the world.
3. "Jesus said unto them, COME and DINE" (John 21:12). The deeper meaning behind this verse lies in the themes of recognition, provision, and fellowship. Jesus' invitation to "come and dine" is not only a physical invitation to eat, but a metaphorical invitation to commune with Him. This signifies a deeper spiritual nourishment and fellowship with Christ. It is important to note that Jesus' invitation to dine with His disciples occurred after the miraculous catch of fish, symbolizing His provision for their physical needs. This serves as a reminder of Jesus' ability to provide for all our needs, both physical and spiritual.
4. "Come and See" (John 1:39). Andrew and John wanted to know whether Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. So they went to Jesus and asked. Jesus responded by inviting them to "come and see," and decide for themselves whether He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. What do you say? Who do YOU say the Son of Man is?
5. "Come and Take up your cross" (Mark 10:21). Jesus puts the disciples on notice that there is a high cost to following Him but there is great reward for those who endure it to the end.
6. "Come away to a secluded place and rest" (Mark 6:31). We too need to hear the Master's tender warning and provide ourselves with the necessary rest and refreshment in our wearisome labors, mounting pressures, escalating fatigue, and the worrisome hardships that are strewn across the daily paths of each one of us. We are all well aware of the effect of the disregard and neglect of our physical needs and need to be wise in the way we conduct our lives and our various duties, but of far greater significance is the neglect of true, spiritual refreshment, and the failure to spend quality time with our heavenly Father.
7. "Come you blessed of my father and inherit the Kingdom" (Matthew 25:34). Jesus openly welcomes those who know Him as their Lord and Savior. When we see the word, "blessed," Jesus is describing the differences in mankind. He addresses both "blessed" and "not blessed" people. This isn't what we've come to know as material blessing, but rather eternal blessing. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are "blessed!" These are invitations, actual promises, that are available to everyone. But a condition is you have to be hungry. Only those who are hungry are satisfied, only those who are thirsty drink. There is another invitation I would like to conclude with.

The eighth invitation: when Jesus calls men to Himself He uses two words, "Follow Me." When Jesus found Peter, He said "follow me." As a matter of fact, "Follow me" is the first and last words Jesus physically spoke to Peter. In the gospels Jesus says, "Follow me" in 12 different conversations. What does it mean to follow Jesus? It is far more than an invitation to walk behind Him. And it's more than Bible study. It means transformation. Following Jesus means to align our lives with His teachings and example, to embrace His values as our own. It signifies a willingness to leave behind old ways and habits, to take up our cross daily, and to live out a commitment to Him above all other influences.

A follower was known as a disciple. In an old-world paradigm, Rabbi's and others wanted disciples for themselves, just like we want "followers" on social media.

The real translation of disciple was a "disciplined learner," an active participant. This is what the followers of Jesus are known as. Disciples then, are both participants and partakers.

In Hebrews 3:1 we are called "partakers." "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling."

This same word used here for "partakers" is translated "partners" in Luke 5:7. "And they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and they filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink." Do you know the difference between an employee and a partner?

The difference between them is full responsibility. What needs to change in your mindset to shift and see yourself as a partner with Jesus? What's holding you back?

Who can you invite to church and invite to the Savior? Your local church is not for everyone but God will direct you and me and help us tap into the lives and families that belong in this church family. Only Jesus knows who we can reach and who we can't!

The call to the Kingdom driven man is an invitation to a new way of life, to co-labor and partner with the Lord in His work. To be a disciplined learner and subscribe to a new way of life as you follow Him.

I want to invite you to take stock of your life, to conduct a personal spiritual inventory. Into what areas of your life do you need to invite Jesus?

Take an inventory and ask yourself: Where does God want to partner with me in my life today? What is He speaking to me? What area in my life has been 'off limits' to Him? Is it my disjointed spiritual life? My way of thinking? Activities I am doing or not doing?

What's your answer?