5 REASONS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONSIDERATION

1. To make baby steps in outreach.

Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...” To make disciples of all nations we must start somewhere. Evangelism and outreach cause us to “Go, not knowing.” Before we can run, we must begin walking. One of the easiest things we can do with the 3-5 people most of us have on our hearts is to invite them to Church. We always trust God for results in any efforts to evangelize, but Invitation Sunday gives the Church an opportunity to grow in faithfulness to reach out to people we are close to.

2. TO POSITION OUR LOVED ONES TO HEAR THE GOSPEL.

Romans 10:14 - “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” How will they hear without someone preaching? This might seem obvious but what better way for people on our hearts to hear the gospel in an undistracted way? Whether it’s singing the gospel, preaching the gospel, or displaying the gospel through serving one another, a friend that comes to Church will by the grace of God hear the gospel preached.

3. TO PUT THE CHURCH ON DISPLAY.

John 13:34-35 - “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I mentioned last Sunday during the pre-service prayer how I think the Church underestimates how powerful our community witness can be. When people observe our Church community and make comments like “this is a friendly Church” or “it’s great to see so many young people involved” or “this Church seems really passionate” – these are observations of the whole community who are gathered for one reason alone – we have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ! As guests and friends get to know a Church community, they witness the gospel effect not just on one person (that they can dismiss) but on a whole community.

4. TO ENGAGE THE UNCHURCHED.

1 Corinthians 14:23 - “…and outsiders or unbelievers enter…” Although the context of 1 Corinthians 14 is correction on the use of tongues and order in the Church, it’s interesting that Paul speaks of unbelievers AND outsiders. He creates a whole category of people. In our day, we have many relationships where we just don’t know the heart of our friend or family member. Unchurched people talk and seem like they are believers, but they have not prioritized the Church. They fit the description “unchurched.” It can be difficult for an unbeliever completely foreign to Christianity to enter a Church service but for the “unchurched” they know what to expect.

5. TO HAVE A COMMUNITY PRESENCE.

Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…” In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Jesus teaching certainly has individual application but a city is more than one person. An Invitation Sunday (verbiage we use inside the Church) or Community Event allows us to shine our corporate light to the community.