The Power of Personal Invitation

The Power of Personal Invitation

2003043

Topic # 1535

Introduction:

A. John 1:35-51 provides us with some interesting insights into the lives of some fascinating people.

1. John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God.

2. next day – John standing w/two of his own disciples as Jesus walks by:

a) Andrew was one of those men.

b) John: Behold the Lamb of God.

c) Two disciples immediately started following Jesus.

d) Dialogue w/between them & Jesus.

3. Following His day w/Jesus –Andrew went to his brother – Peter. Takes Peter to Jesus.

B. Next day – Jesus went to Galilee.

1. Finds Philip & invites him to follow Him.

2. Philip finds Nathanael. Nathanael not at first impressed.

a) Nazareth?

b) Been said Nazareth was religiously insignificant; spiritually important.

c) Small out of the way town – away from any significant road.

C. Here are some important conclusions I want us to see:

1. Reason John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God was because God revealed it to him – 1:32-34.

2. Reason two of John’s disciples followed Jesus & spent a day with him was John’s recognition of Jesus as the Lamb of God. (1:35-37)

3. reason Andrew found Peter was his desire to spread the news – We have found the Christ (1:41)

4. Reason Philip found Nathanael was to share that they had found the person Moses & the prophets wrote about (1:45)

5. Reason Nathanael went to see Jesus was at his brother’s invitation. 1:46

I. Focus on Andrew for a few moments:

A. Andrew is referred to 12 times in Scripture. 6 of those times he is referred to as Peter’s brother. Only once is he mentioned without any connection to Peter.

1. Lived in shadow of his brother.

2. Native of Bethsaida – in Galilee. A fisherman.

3. After spending 1 day with Jesus – Andrew understood that Jesus was the Messiah.

B. From that moment on – Andrew began bringing other people to Christ.

1. John 1:40-42. This is the thing that most characterized Andrew’s life.

2. He brought Peter to Jesus.

3. Peter of course, would be come the bold leader of the Apostles.

4. Peter would bravely challenge those who arrest Jesus.

5. Peter would become a “pillar” in the early church

6. Peter would pen two books in the NT.

7. But it was Andrew that brought Peter to Christ.

C. Andrew never famous – always overshadowed by his brother.

1. Peter may have had the electricity – but Andrew was the magnet

D. He is mentioned again in John 6 – when Jesus was about to feed the 5000.

1. Some have said he doubted that such a multitude could be fed only w/5 loaves & 2 fishes.

E. The next time we read about Andrew is in John 12:20-22. Approached by Greeks who wanted to see Jesus.

1. Philip took them to Andrew & Andrew took them to Jesus.

2. Always involved in bringing people to Jesus.

3. Had full faith in Jesus; not governed by Jewish prejudice.

4. He was very sympathetic & wanted them to hear about the Messiah.

F. Andrew was one of the four who asked Jesus about the destruction of the temple & 2^nd coming of Christ. (Mk. 13:3)

1. After Acts 1:13 – he is not mentioned again in Scripture.

II. Some practical applications:

A. Andrew shows us the glory of the ordinary. Eph. 6:6

1. God calls not only great leaders, but great followers.

2. He needs not only great preachers; public speakers; but quiet personal workers in the kingdom.

3. A house is not built of pillars only, but of smaller stones & pieces of material.

B. Andrew has been called”sympathetic Andrew” because of his interest in other people.

1. He immediately to share what he learned w/someone else. Commendable!

2. Brethren: Jesus calls people to be His disciples for what they can do for Him and what He can do for them!

3. He is working through us – each one of us!

C. Christ has no hands but our hands; no feet but our feet; no tongue to tell the gospel story except the tongues of those who love Him & are devoted!

D. Christ can take ordinary people & do great things for them!

E. Someone said, perhaps we cannot all be Peters – but we can all be Andrews. God uses people like Andrew – people who quietly and obscurely bring others to Christ.

1. God knows that it sometimes takes an Andrew to reach a Peter!

III. There is power in personal invitation…

A. Each one of us can invite people to church. We can be just like Andrew! We can share the good news of Christ w/others!

1. Share with others why you worship God.

2. Don’t we come to grow closer to God?

3. Don’t we come to appreciate Jesus more & more?

4. Don’t we come so we can see our blessings more clearly?

5. Do we come so our understanding of Jesus, Our Lord can grow deeper?

6. Are our lives more spiritual because every week we’re studying about & worshiping God?

B. Don’t we want to share these blessings with others?

C. How important is it to you for your friends for find & experience what you have in Christ?

1. The most important thing that can happen in a person’s life is to follow Jesus!

2. Nothing brings the powerful blessings to life as does following Jesus.

3. We want friends & neighbors to come because we want to encourage them & help them follow Jesus!

4. We want people to see the hope that exists in Jesus, and to come because the want to share the hope.

IV. Others need to see the hope within us.

A. 1^st century Christians suffered real pain b/c they followed Jesus.

B. Peter said many things about a Christian’s attitude toward suffering other’s cause:

1. 1 Pet 4:1 – remember Jesus suffered for them.

2. 1 Pet 4:12-13 – rejoice when they suffered so they would rejoice when Jesus returned.

3. 1 Pet 4:13 – entrust their souls to God by suffering w/the attitude God wanted them to have.

C. 1 Pet. 3:13-16

1. How can you do good things for other people & suffer?

2. Where do you find the hope to keep on doing well?

D. We rarely suffer for our faith. At no time have Christians had it better than we!

1. Yet…our hope in Christ needs to be such a force in our lives that people see our hope & ask about our hope!

2. We need to be able to explain our hope!

E. For this to happen: certain things must be true:

1. We must be controlled by faith in Jesus – not by fear.

2. We must not be intimidated or troubled by suffering

3. Jesus must sit on the throne of our hearts – He rules us every day!

4. We must be gentle & reverent

5. We must keep a good conscience

6. We must have godly behavior.

F. When people see us committed to being that kind of people; when they see us with that kind of hope; they will want to come; they will want to find in Jesus what we have found!

Conclusion:

A. Tradition: Andrew had privilege of preaching in a province where governor’s wife became a Christian. Governor disapproved. When she refused to renounce her faith – he had Andrew crucified on an X shape cross.

1. It is said Andrew hung alive on the cross for 2 days and continued to preach the gospel – still trying to bring people to Jesus.

B. How is our love for others? Are we earnestly working to bring others to Christ?

C. Do you need to come to Christ? If so, here’s your opportunity!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



The Power of Personal Invitation 2003043 Topic # 1535 Introduction: A. John 1:35-51 provides us with some interesting insights into the lives of some fascinating people. 1. John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. 2. next day – John standing w/two of his own disciples as Jesus walks by: a) Andrew was one of those men. b) John: Behold the Lamb of God. c) Two disciples immediately started following Jesus. d) Dialogue w/between them & Jesus. 3. Following His day w/Jesus –Andrew went to his brother – Peter. Takes Peter to Jesus. B. Next day – Jesus went to Galilee. 1. Finds Philip & invites him to follow Him. 2. Philip finds Nathanael. Nathanael not at first impressed. a) Nazareth? b) Been said Nazareth was religiously insignificant; spiritually important. c) Small out of the way town – away from any significant road. C. Here are some important conclusions I want us to see: 1. Reason John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God was because God revealed it to him – 1:32-34. 2. Reason two of John’s disciples followed Jesus & spent a day with him was John’s recognition of Jesus as the Lamb of God. (1:35-37) 3. reason Andrew found Peter was his desire to spread the news – We have found the Christ (1:41) 4. Reason Philip found Nathanael was to share that they had found the person Moses & the prophets wrote about (1:45) 5. Reason Nathanael went to see Jesus was at his brother’s invitation. 1:46 I. Focus on Andrew for a few moments: A. Andrew is referred to 12 times in Scripture. 6 of those times he is referred to as Peter’s brother. Only once is he mentioned without any connection to Peter. 1. Lived in shadow of his brother. 2. Native of Bethsaida – in Galilee. A fisherman. 3. After spending 1 day with Jesus – Andrew understood that Jesus was the Messiah. B. From that moment on – Andrew began bringing other people to Christ. 1. John 1:40-42. This is the thing that most characterized Andrew’s life. 2. He brought Peter to Jesus. 3. Peter of course, would be come the bold leader of the Apostles. 4. Peter would bravely challenge those who arrest Jesus. 5. Peter would become a “pillar” in the early church 6. Peter would pen two books in the NT. 7. But it was Andrew that brought Peter to Christ. C. Andrew never famous – always overshadowed by his brother. 1. Peter may have had the electricity – but Andrew was the magnet D. He is mentioned again in John 6 – when Jesus was about to feed the 5000. 1. Some have said he doubted that such a multitude could be fed only w/5 loaves & 2 fishes. E. The next time we read about Andrew is in John 12:20-22. Approached by Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. 1. Philip took them to Andrew & Andrew took them to Jesus. 2. Always involved in bringing people to Jesus. 3. Had full faith in Jesus; not governed by Jewish prejudice. 4. He was very sympathetic & wanted them to hear about the Messiah. F. Andrew was one of the four who asked Jesus about the destruction of the temple & 2^nd coming of Christ. (Mk. 13:3) 1. After Acts 1:13 – he is not mentioned again in Scripture. II. Some practical applications: A. Andrew shows us the glory of the ordinary. Eph. 6:6 1. God calls not only great leaders, but great followers. 2. He needs not only great preachers; public speakers; but quiet personal workers in the kingdom. 3. A house is not built of pillars only, but of smaller stones & pieces of material. B. Andrew has been called”sympathetic Andrew” because of his interest in other people. 1. He immediately to share what he learned w/someone else. Commendable! 2. Brethren: Jesus calls people to be His disciples for what they can do for Him and what He can do for them! 3. He is working through us – each one of us! C. Christ has no hands but our hands; no feet but our feet; no tongue to tell the gospel story except the tongues of those who love Him & are devoted! D. Christ can take ordinary people & do great things for them! E. Someone said, perhaps we cannot all be Peters – but we can all be Andrews. God uses people like Andrew – people who quietly and obscurely bring others to Christ. 1. God knows that it sometimes takes an Andrew to reach a Peter! III. There is power in personal invitation… A. Each one of us can invite people to church. We can be just like Andrew! We can share the good news of Christ w/others! 1. Share with others why you worship God. 2. Don’t we come to grow closer to God? 3. Don’t we come to appreciate Jesus more & more? 4. Don’t we come so we can see our blessings more clearly? 5. Do we come so our understanding of Jesus, Our Lord can grow deeper? 6. Are our lives more spiritual because every week we’re studying about & worshiping God? B. Don’t we want to share these blessings with others? C. How important is it to you for your friends for find & experience what you have in Christ? 1. The most important thing that can happen in a person’s life is to follow Jesus! 2. Nothing brings the powerful blessings to life as does following Jesus. 3. We want friends & neighbors to come because we want to encourage them & help them follow Jesus! 4. We want people to see the hope that exists in Jesus, and to come because the want to share the hope. IV. Others need to see the hope within us. A. 1^st century Christians suffered real pain b/c they followed Jesus. B. Peter said many things about a Christian’s attitude toward suffering other’s cause: 1. 1 Pet 4:1 – remember Jesus suffered for them. 2. 1 Pet 4:12-13 – rejoice when they suffered so they would rejoice when Jesus returned. 3. 1 Pet 4:13 – entrust their souls to God by suffering w/the attitude God wanted them to have. C. 1 Pet. 3:13-16 1. How can you do good things for other people & suffer? 2. Where do you find the hope to keep on doing well? D. We rarely suffer for our faith. At no time have Christians had it better than we! 1. Yet…our hope in Christ needs to be such a force in our lives that people see our hope & ask about our hope! 2. We need to be able to explain our hope! E. For this to happen: certain things must be true: 1. We must be controlled by faith in Jesus – not by fear. 2. We must not be intimidated or troubled by suffering 3. Jesus must sit on the throne of our hearts – He rules us every day! 4. We must be gentle & reverent 5. We must keep a good conscience 6. We must have godly behavior. F. When people see us committed to being that kind of people; when they see us with that kind of hope; they will want to come; they will want to find in Jesus what we have found! Conclusion: A. Tradition: Andrew had privilege of preaching in a province where governor’s wife became a Christian. Governor disapproved. When she refused to renounce her faith – he had Andrew crucified on an X shape cross. 1. It is said Andrew hung alive on the cross for 2 days and continued to preach the gospel – still trying to bring people to Jesus. B. How is our love for others? Are we earnestly working to bring others to Christ? C. Do you need to come to Christ? If so, here’s your opportunity! D. I N V I T A T I O N .