It’s that time of year. Spring is in the air. Blossoms are blossoming. Warm temperatures are on the horizon. Easter egg hunts are on the calendar. In the midst of all the excitement, the best news can be overlooked if we aren’t careful: He is alive!
Easter (or Resurrection Sunday as I prefer) is one of the best times of the year to invite a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor to church. It is really an “opportunity window” where the message of God’s Good News is received warmly and with hope. Statistics reveal that people who are seeking and searching are two times (2X) more likely to respond favorably to a family member or friend who invites them to worship on Easter Sunday. That is simply an amazing statistic!
For many Christians, the thought of inviting or encouraging someone to “come to church” with them is unfortunately a daunting undertaking. Fear of rejection. Not sure what type of response will come. Or even wondering about how they may be perceived can all overshadow a simple call, a warm invitation, and a caring heart. You see, Resurrection Sunday is about much more than time with family, or a special brunch, colorized eggs, and a scavenger hunt for chocolate. It must be focused on what matters the most in our life and in our faith: The God-man, the Risen Lord and Savior, Who rose on the third day and Who lives forevermore. Those unreached and disconnected, who live hopelessly, need this opportunity to meet Jesus!
Try these few things:
- Pray and ask the Lord for a heart that is moved toward sharing the Gospel and the courage to extend your reach outwardly. [Read Romans 10, v.15] God will help you! He can cross your path with anyone and if you show yourself faithful – opportunity will abound. After all, it is HIS DESIRE that you share your faith and live it courageously. God goes before us in this work, and some good news is He also goes beside us and He has our back.
- Contact and Communicate. Most already have a “personal” list of people who they would love to witness receive the Lord. Some are close family, others are people we share space with at work, and many are dear friends and contacts. Friend, if you are a Christian and you don’t have anyone you could name (who would be on your list), let me just encourage you to DO SO TONIGHT! Pray to God to show you who they are and allow Him to put them on your heart. He will! Then, simply reach out via the litany of ways that you can, and do so each day through Sunday morning.
- Be a Participator, not a spectator. We’ve talked about this on and off for years. I’ve heard some people say or reason, “Evangelism/Outreach/Sharing is not my strongest quality.” I’ve even heard some reason that it’s not their responsibility. Yet, the Gospel of Jesus Christ states differently. You see, in the Great Commission Jesus states “to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28), but no one can make a disciple without there first being a conversion. So together, with God’s help, we provide as many opportunities as possible for God’s work to infiltrate people’s hearts and lives. And it is OUR work! God has decided to partner with us in the great work of building His Kingdom, and to do so, we must participate. You can help spread the word, invite others, pass out information and Worship Guides, pray and prepare, and make calls and invite through email and social media. No, you shouldn’t shower people constantly and hound them. But you can encourage and let others know you are thinking of them, praying for them, and hoping they will come with you.
- Serve with a Smile. Have you asked the Lord how you can serve this Sunday, in order that SOMEONE would hear and receive Jesus Christ as Lord? Could you invite them to join you? Could you pick them up on your way to church? How about a lunch at a favorite restaurant after service, and lunch being your treat for them? Would some random act of love and compassion spur them on (mowing their grass, watching their 5 year old, making them a dozen cookies, etc. etc. etc.). Often times, a simple gesture added will convince them more than just a phone call will. Friends, this is Christlikeness and He promises that He will be with us.
Sunday is coming and the Resurrection is both powerful and true. Don’t let another Easter pass by without taking to heart what a simple invitation can and will do, if we are motivated with the right heart-set. Recent statistics reveal that nearly 80% of unchurched people in North America will join you for church if you simply invite them to come with you. It’s really just extending a heartfelt desire, “Why don’t you and your family join us this Sunday? We would love to have you.” Don’t let the 20% rejection rate deter you or stop you. Just ask the Lord and seek/follow His lead. He is faithful in everything He does, and He will be faithful in this.
I/we hope to see you this Sunday as we worship and praise the One Who is worthy, the One Who was dead, Who rose, and Who is alive forevermore! We cordially and warmly invite you and your family to join us at Bridgeway Church of the Nazarene, at 10:00 am. We will have a special gift for you if you are a guest. We do offer both Kid’s Church and Nursery with a great team of servants who will care and love your children (infants thru 5th grade). Visit us at www.BridgewayNC.org for more, or visit us on Facebook at Bridgeway.
In His love and hope,
Porter
PastorPG's Blog 