October 13th, 2020
By Mike Bill
It’s interesting to note the many different ways that people become followers of Jesus in the Gospels. Sometimes it’s as a result of a healing or miracle. At times, it’s after hearing Him speak. In a few instances, it’s simply because of curiosity in what/who everyone has been talking about. In John 1, we read about the calling of some of the first disciples. A few follow Jesus because of the testimony and instruction of John the Baptist. Philip follows Jesus and then immediately goes to Nathanael and tells him all about Jesus. Philip, not easily convinced replies that there is no way the Messiah could come from the little town next door!
What Philip does next is so simple and yet so effective. He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t teach. He doesn’t even bargain or plead. He simply says:
Come and see.
There is tremendous power in invitation.
I bet there are items in your house that you own because you saw someone else happily use them. There are things you do regularly because someone once invited you to “try it out.” There are foods you now love that formerly repulsed you because someone invited you to taste it.
Our world is saturated with information.
Our culture does not lack for opinions, advice, and conclusions.
Our society does not need more things to do or more ways to stay busy.
But what everyone that you will ever see or interact with needs is the same: A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.
Who are you inviting?
…to church
…to an event or small group
…to your home for dinner
…to allow you to step in and help them
Your effectiveness as a witness for Christ has very little to do with your skills, your knowledge, or your maturity. Your effectiveness as a witness for Christ is directly tied to your willingness to engage in the lives of others.
Through your life, your love, your words, and your service, invite someone this weekend to “Come and See.”
Couple of ideas:
It’s interesting to note the many different ways that people become followers of Jesus in the Gospels. Sometimes it’s as a result of a healing or miracle. At times, it’s after hearing Him speak. In a few instances, it’s simply because of curiosity in what/who everyone has been talking about. In John 1, we read about the calling of some of the first disciples. A few follow Jesus because of the testimony and instruction of John the Baptist. Philip follows Jesus and then immediately goes to Nathanael and tells him all about Jesus. Philip, not easily convinced replies that there is no way the Messiah could come from the little town next door!
What Philip does next is so simple and yet so effective. He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t teach. He doesn’t even bargain or plead. He simply says:
Come and see.
There is tremendous power in invitation.
I bet there are items in your house that you own because you saw someone else happily use them. There are things you do regularly because someone once invited you to “try it out.” There are foods you now love that formerly repulsed you because someone invited you to taste it.
Our world is saturated with information.
Our culture does not lack for opinions, advice, and conclusions.
Our society does not need more things to do or more ways to stay busy.
But what everyone that you will ever see or interact with needs is the same: A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.
Who are you inviting?
…to church
…to an event or small group
…to your home for dinner
…to allow you to step in and help them
Your effectiveness as a witness for Christ has very little to do with your skills, your knowledge, or your maturity. Your effectiveness as a witness for Christ is directly tied to your willingness to engage in the lives of others.
Through your life, your love, your words, and your service, invite someone this weekend to “Come and See.”
Couple of ideas:
- Invite someone to come to church with you or meet you in the parking lot.
- Share our morning service on Facebook.
- Drop off food at someone’s house that you know could use some help.
- Call someone you know is alone, struggling, or in grief.
- St. John’s Nursery School opens this coming Tuesday. The entire staff has worked tremendously hard in order to be ready for students. Join me in praying for the safety of our school and that God would continue to use it in the lives of the families in our community.
- We are excited to begin to offer Children’s Church (11am) as well as regular youth activities in person. We realize that some are still not ready for in-person activities, but are excited to move forward in the next stage of reopening at St. John’s.
- This past Tuesday, our staff began to walk through what Christmas might look like at St. John’s. This is exciting! Don’t worry, we aren’t rushing you…we haven’t set up the trees yet! But in order to best plan and coordinate things, we must start early. We are praying for an awesome Christmas season together!
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