|
SERIES: |
Topical |
MESSAGE: |
The Power of an Invitation |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
|
MESSAGE SUMMARY
There is something special about receiving an invitation; it makes us feel wanted, special, and significant. As we examine an invitation found in the book of Revelation, we are challenged to be part of God's work as instruments of change for the gospel, and we are reminded not to underestimate the power of a simple invitation.
STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap: September 28, 2015
Teaching: "The Power of an Invitation"
Text: Revelation 22:12-17
Path: There is a difference between informing someone and inviting someone. When you invite, you make it personal, relational, and individual. In today's teaching, Pastor Skip invites us to look at the power of an invitation.
- The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
- The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
- The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
Points:
The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
- Revelation 22 is the end of God's written disclosure in Scripture, leaving us His final offer and summons.
- Notice: God is not forceful in His invitations; He is inviting.
- There are over fifty-five invitations found in the Bible (e.g., Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55; John 1)
- There are two main types of cellular growth: anabolic and catabolic growth. Anabolic builds up; catabolic breaks down. Christians should be agents of anabolic growth, helping build the body of Christ by extending a natural invitation to people around us. This is what author Michael Green calls being "informal missionaries," a spontaneous outreach of the Christian community.
- Probe: Discuss a time you were invited to church or to receive Christ. What did that invitation tell you about the personality of God and His people?
The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
- Notice that the titles of Christ reveal His power:
- The coming One (see v. 12): He is coming for His people
- The rewarding One (see v. 12b): He will remunerate people
- Alpha—the beginning: a title used for God
- Omega—the consummation of all things in Christ
- Bright and morning star (v. 16): ancient Hebrew word similar to hero. Christ is the "star" on stage, the center point of history.
- Notice that Christ is "bright"; He is the light that fuels life and maintains existence on earth.
- To get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame there are three criteria: produce something iconic, wow the selection committee, and pay $30,000.
- Christ is the ultimate Star, fulfilling all three components: paying the price with His life, producing an everlasting effect on lives—a definite wow—and making our future bright.
- Probe: Some have surmised that there are over 150 titles for Christ found in the Bible. Why are titles important to describe God? What do they tell us about God's nature?
The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
- "The Spirit" is a reference to the Holy Spirit.
- "The bride" is a reference to the church, the bride of Christ.
- The Holy Spirit is in the world, drawing people to Jesus Christ. The church is part of the process.
- And we who have been changed by the gospel are instruments of change for the gospel.
- Many people are waiting for a personal invitation, not just given information.
- When we invite someone, we need to ensure we invite them to the One who can change their life, the One who has power to permeate the deepest need—salvation.
- When you invite someone to the One, there is no one who is unchanged.
- Probe: The Spirit is the person who is changing lives (see John 16:8), yet the church—you and I—participate in the process. Discuss a time you told someone about Christ. How did the conversation begin and end?
Connect Up: Can evangelism draw you closer to God? How can watching God work in the lives of people strengthen your faith in Christ?
Connect In: How can evangelism strengthen the body of Christ and the local church? Name some practical benefits the local church receives when people are invited to participate in God's work in the world.
Connect Out: What does evangelism tell the nonbeliever about God? Read Romans 10:14. Why is it important to continually invite people to Christ and to church?
DETAILED NOTES
- Introduction
- There is a difference between information and an invitation
- Information is impersonal
- An invitation is personal, individual, and more successful
- An invitation makes you feel special, wanted, and gives you a sense of significance
- The book of Revelation is an invitation that goes out to the entire world
- The Personality of God
- An inviting God
- God is not forceful
- The eternal state
- New heaven
- New earth
- New Jerusalem
- This is the last invitation to come to God
- Previous invitations
- Invitation to salvation
- Invitation for satisfaction (see Isaiah 1:18)
- Invitation for rest (see Matthew 11:28)
- Invitation for evangelism (see Mark 1:17)
- John 6:37
- The Power of Christ
- Terms that refer to Christ
- The Coming One
- The Rewarding One
- The Alpha and the Omega
- The Beginning and the End
- The First and the Last
- These are also terms that refer to God
- Jesus introduced Himself as God
- Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12
- When you invite someone, invite them to the One who can do something to help them
- The Bright and Morning Star
- A hero
- A cultural luminary
- He deserves to be called a star
- He produced something iconic: salvation
- He will wow the selection committee (see Philippians 2:10-11)
- The morning star is what you see in the sky right before dawn breaks
- When you come to Him, the shadows flee away
- The Devil has consigned people to spiritual darkness in this world
- We cannot survive without the light of the Son
- John 8:12
- The Participation of the Christian
- The Holy Spirit convicts people to come to the cross
- The bride = the church
- 2 Corinthians 11:2
- Ephesians 5:27
- Revelation 19:7
- The church has to be part of the process to bring people to Christ
- We who have been changed by the gospel should be instruments of change for the gospel
- If you are sure the gospel works, you want to get the message out
- Your response to God's calling in this task reveals how you feel about God
- See Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24
- People told others to "come and see" that Jesus was the Messiah (see John 1:41, 43; 4:29)
- We are ambassadors for Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:20)
- Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation
- Many people are just waiting for a personal invitation
- Closing
- If believers were consumed with bringing others to Christ, there would be a lot less fighting
- There are a lot of people who need to know the truth
Cross references: Isaiah 1:18; 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; 55:1; Matthew 11:28; 22:1-14; Mark 1:17; Luke 14:15-24; John 1:41, 43; 4:29; 6:37; 8:12; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 11:2; Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 19:7
Topic: Evangelism
Keywords: invitation, forceful, the eternal state, new heaven, new earth, New Jerusalem, salvation, satisfaction, spiritual darkness, the church, the gospel, truth