Awkward Conversation

The Power of Invitation

April/08/ 2019

Awkward Conversation
Part 3
The Power of Invitation

Matthew 22:9 NCV “So go to the street corners and invite everyone you find to come to my feast”

Three things about the power of invitation:

1. God works through invitations

John 1:40-41 “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah”

John 4:28-29 “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

Luke 5:29 “Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.”

Acts 10:24 “The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

2. People are open to an invitation

3. Lives are changed by invitations

How do we invite someone?

John 1:40-42 “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.”

4 things

1. WHO did he tell?

Acts 1:8 “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2. WHEN did he tell him?

verse 41 “the first thing that Andrew did was find his brother Peter and tell him.”

Mark 16:15 (NCV) “Jesus said to his followers, go everywhere in the world and tell the good news to everyone.”

3. WHAT did he tell him?

Verse 41 “We have found the messiah”

4. HOW did he tell him?

Verse 42 “He brought him to Jesus”

How We Witness

March/31/ 2019

Awkward Conversation
Part 2
How We Witness

Luke 5:17-20 “17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Three things about bringing people to Jesus:

1. Share your life
2. Share your church

3. Share your story

Luke 5:24-25 “So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Three things that Jesus told him…

a. Get up:

b. Take your mat:

c. Go to your home:

Luke 5:25 “Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.”

Philemon 4:6 NIV “6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Why We Witness

March/20/ 2019

Three reasons we are called to be a witness…

1. The world is full of HURT.

Acts 3:1-3 “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money…”

Acts 3:2-8 “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

2. The lost are on God’s HEART.

Luke 19:10 (MSG) “For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”

Two different attitudes toward people who are lost.

A. The Loving father - is consumed with WHO’S MISSING

B. Older brother - is consumed with HIMSELF

3. Jesus is the only HOPE.

Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

2 things…

1. Be aware

2. Be available

Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”