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.

  1. The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
  2. The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
  3. The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
Points:

The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
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

  1. Introduction
    1. There is a difference between information and an invitation
      1. Information is impersonal
      2. An invitation is personal, individual, and more successful
    2. An invitation makes you feel special, wanted, and gives you a sense of significance
    3. The book of Revelation is an invitation that goes out to the entire world
  2. The Personality of God
    1. An inviting God
    2. God is not forceful
    3. The eternal state
      1. New heaven
      2. New earth
      3. New Jerusalem
    4. This is the last invitation to come to God
    5. Previous invitations
      1. Invitation to salvation
      2. Invitation for satisfaction (see Isaiah 1:18)
      3. Invitation for rest (see Matthew 11:28)
      4. Invitation for evangelism (see Mark 1:17)
      5. John 6:37
  3. The Power of Christ
    1. Terms that refer to Christ
      1. The Coming One
      2. The Rewarding One
      3. The Alpha and the Omega
      4. The Beginning and the End
      5. The First and the Last
    2. These are also terms that refer to God
      1. Jesus introduced Himself as God
      2. Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12
      3. When you invite someone, invite them to the One who can do something to help them
    3. The Bright and Morning Star
      1. A hero
      2. A cultural luminary
      3. He deserves to be called a star
        1. He produced something iconic: salvation
        2. He will wow the selection committee (see Philippians 2:10-11)
        3. The morning star is what you see in the sky right before dawn breaks
        4. When you come to Him, the shadows flee away
    4. The Devil has consigned people to spiritual darkness in this world
      1. We cannot survive without the light of the Son
      2. John 8:12
  4. The Participation of the Christian
    1. The Holy Spirit convicts people to come to the cross
    2. The bride = the church
      1. 2 Corinthians 11:2
      2. Ephesians 5:27
      3. Revelation 19:7
    3. The church has to be part of the process to bring people to Christ
      1. We who have been changed by the gospel should be instruments of change for the gospel
      2. If you are sure the gospel works, you want to get the message out
      3. Your response to God's calling in this task reveals how you feel about God
      4. See Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24
      5. People told others to "come and see" that Jesus was the Messiah (see John 1:41, 43; 4:29)
      6. We are ambassadors for Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:20)
    4. Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation
    5. Many people are just waiting for a personal invitation
  5. Closing
    1. If believers were consumed with bringing others to Christ, there would be a lot less fighting
    2. 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


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