We are getting closer and closer to Easter, and we have been focusing on our own spiritual preparedness. Now we are starting to turn our attention toward inviting others to be here on Easter. 

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I hope that you already have a person in mind, or at least that you are praying that God will put someone in your life that you can invite to church. It has the ability to be a life changing moment not only in the life of an individual, but perhaps an entire family! 

Maybe you think I’m just kidding, or maybe you think I am over stating this, but it is a thing. It is real. I thought about that last night as I was leaving the church. We have several people who are faithful contributing members in our church that came from our emphasis on Easter. 

When I say contributing members, I am not talking about money. I’m talking about their participation, their attendance, and the many ways they are involved in the church, and it just makes me proud of how they have grown spiritually. It also makes me think about the person who invited them to church. What if that invitation was never extended?

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Our youth minster was out sick last night. We had one of our new deacons stand in for him. Several years ago, he came to our church, not just him, but his whole family, when someone invited him at Easter, and what a difference they have made in our church! 

Last night, he stood in for the youth minster with the youth and his daughter led the devotion for the youth. I can’t imagine our church without them!

 The title of the sermon this week is “What you wouldn’t do for the gospel’s sake.” The subtitle is, “When it is impossible to preach the gospel.”

Initially, you might say, “I’d do anything for the gospel’s sake! It’s never impossible to preach the gospel,” but actually the opposite is true in our lives on many occasions!

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We find it very hard to speak to other people about our faith, their faith, or about coming to church with us! 

Why is it so easy to talk to people about almost anything else in life, but not about our faith or their faith? There is not a more important conversation we can ever have with someone than about Christ! 

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I’m praying God will put a burden on your heart for someone specific, and that God will also give you an opportunity to speak to that person, and that they will respond to your invitation. 

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jlk