I had two conversations this weekend that were amazing…and it reminded me of the fact that, when inviting others to church, we never need to give up.
The first was a lunch I had on Friday with a friend who is now bringing his entire family to NewSpring. I literally made it a point for over three years to see this guy every week and invite him to church…and every week he would smile and say, “I’ll try to make it sometime.”
Sometime never seemed to happen…and I watched as this guys life began to unravel right in front of everyone. His marriage was on the rocks—he was addicted to drugs…and was about as far away from God as you could get.
Finally a lady who works with him had a CD of the message I had preached the following Sunday and she offered to let him listen to it. He said that he figured he didn’t have anything to lose—so he listened to it and God rocked his world.
The following week he was at NewSpring…and the next…and the next…and through the persistence of people who cared enough and the Holy Spirit working on his heart he accepted Christ. I never will forget the letter he wrote me after he received Christ…I sat in my office and bawled like a baby, telling myself over and over, “This is why I do what I do!”
And now, like I said, he’s there every week…with his family…and he invites everyone he sees because of what Jesus has done in his life. I ask myself, “What if I had given up? What if I had quit? What if the lady at his work place had thought he would not be interested in the CD?”
It’s a partnership—God has called our church to provide an environment where people can come and hear the message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand…we stripped away the rules and religion and offer Jesus and Scripture…and it’s working. AND it is as simple as you and I being willing to continually invite people—caring enough about them and the work that God is doing.
I had another conversation on Friday at the soccer game with a new friend named Chip. (See the end of this post for my reflections on the game.) Chip came up and told me that he goes to NewSpring and had recently accepted Christ. I asked him about how he began coming and he told me his daughter that plays soccer invited him.
WOW—a daughter invites a father…and over time he accepts Christ. I have to admit that I nearly lost it—I almost started weeping right there at Riggs Field—I am so thankful that people still care enough about people far from God to ask them to come to church…and it works!!!
It’s as simple as asking someone to come to church. We had three people on stage yesterday playing Deal or No Deal…all three first time guests…and all three said they were invited by someone. That’s how it’s supposed to be—people telling people!
Why are we afraid of this? We talk about other things, seriously—guys will go to the bathroom and then come and tell other guys about the experience…but we won’t tell people about Jesus or invite them to church…or we give up on people because they said no a few times.
I am so glad no one gave up on me! I am so glad someone thought I was worth the effort. So let me ask you…who are you investing your life in? Who do you need to invite to church this week? Make a list—write their names down…and let’s roll!!! DON’T GIVE UP! TRY AGAIN! IT’S WORTH IT…AND ONE DAY THEY WILL AGREE!!!
Quick Insights From The Soccer Game:
I loved the game—CU won 1-0. It’s a lot of fun when people you know are playing…just a few quick things…#20 smiles all the time—even on the soccer field, that’s awesome—I could not smile playing soccer. :-) I saw #10 score her first career goal @ CU, way to go—looks like she will have an opportunity to score more! I had no idea #14 was such a machine of a player—but her picture was on the little calendar they were passing out—and you’ve got to be good to have your picture put there! I heard people talking about #15 in the stands…and how she had accepted Christ and that since then her life had changed in an awesome way…and #17, holy cow, the girl has some jets…I’ve never seen someone run that fast. I’ll be back ladies—thanks for the invite!
And to you CU peeps—looking forward to hanging out with you @ FCA this Thursday @ 7:17 & 9:19!