invite

By Team Writer Lindsay Lachapelle

The vision of 2023 for Expectation Church is Invite; invite people to church, serve, baptize, and, most importantly, to Christ. As we begin this new series on Invite, Pastor Christian starts in Acts 10:1-48. We begin by reading about Cornelius, a Roman soldier (who was in charge of many men) who was not taken by pagan culture but was curious about the God of the Bible. He started learning more about the God of the Jews and becoming more generous with his wealth and giving to those in need. One day while he was praying, he had a vision to go 33 miles and get a man named Peter and bring him back to his home. Cornelius immediately got up, got two of his men and a soldier, and sent them to go and find Peter and bring him back. 

- Have you ever heard a message from God to do something that you didn't quite understand why? If so, what did you do about it?

- Cornelius was quick to obey what God had commanded him to do. Do you have that same sense of urgency when obeying God, or do you tend to wait on things out of fear of what will happen?

During this time, Peter also had a vision from the Lord. He was staying with a friend named Simon the tanner and had gone up to the roof to pray as a meal was being prepared (he had become hungry). During his prayer, Peter had a vision that a large sheet from heaven had been sent down, and on it, there were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and birds. In the vision, God told him to get up, kill and eat them. Peter refused, though, knowing that they were unclean to eat, and yet three times the same thing happened, and God told Peter not to call unclean what he has made clean. At the same time, Peter is trying to think of what this could mean; the men Cornelius had sent come to the house where Peter is staying and ask to see him. Peter went to them right away, and when they told him who had sent them and what had happened, Peter asked that they stay the night and then left with them in the morning. 

- While Peter was still trying to understand the vision, three men showed up at the house he was staying at asking for him. Without delay, he greeted them and asked them to stay the night. Are you willing to be interrupted, or are you frustrated and annoyed when this happens? 

When Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, he is greeted by Cornelius, who says to him that he knows the law that a Jew is not to come into a Gentile's house, yet God had just told Peter that he should not call anyone impure or unclean and so this is why he came right away. He then asks why Cornelius had asked for Peter to come, and Cornelius tells Peter about his vision. As they enter the house, Peter is met by a roomful of people whom Cornelius had invited over. Peter begins to tell everyone about his story of how Jesus changed his life, and while he does this, the Holy Spirit falls upon every one who hears his message. This is believed to be the Pentecost continued, and after Peter finished speaking, he had everyone baptized. 

- How comfortable are you sharing your Jesus story with others? What makes you excited or nervous about sharing it?

- Have you ever had the opportunity to bring someone to Christ through your story? Share more about that experience.

This scripture passage teaches us so much about inviting people to Christ. It should begin by following divine initiative. Both Cornelius and Peter had visions that led them to this moment. If you have someone in your heart that God is leading you to invite to Christ, you may be the catalyst for them to finally take a step toward Christ. Your invite should also be covered in prayer, as the example of Peter and Cornelius shows us. Both men were worshiping when God started speaking to them through a vision, and they willingly listened to what He said. We need to be willing to attend during our prayers and not only focus on speaking. As it was for Peter to get up and go 33 miles to Cornelius' house, it is often inconvenient when Christ calls us to invite someone to Himself. Peter saw the importance and value of what God was calling him to do and did so without delay. Being invited to Christ is often best done by a friend, and Peter gives us this example by asking the men into his house for the night instead of just telling them to stay somewhere else, and he'd leave with them in the morning. He took it a step further to build a relationship with them before he even said anything about God. Finally, we learn just to share our Jesus story. When Peter does arrive at Cornelius' house, he is met by a crowd of people, and he proceeds to share his Jesus story, which in turn leads them all to Christ. 

- If you have invited someone to Christ before, what step was the hardest for you above? If you haven't, where can you start with the steps above?

- Following Christ and inviting others to Him is not easy; how can you encourage other Christians around you to find the value and importance of this work, despite the sometimes inconvenient challenges it may bring?

Make a Move: 

If you don't have someone on your heart to invite to Christ, start praying and asking God (and listening!) to see who he is leading you to invite. If you already have someone on your heart, take a step toward inviting them to Christ. This may look like inviting them to church or just taking another step to becoming friends with them and inviting them over for dinner. Whatever the action looks like, ask God to give you the courage to take it and watch as He moves in both you and them!

Prayer Prompt: 

Lord, we thank you for the example you give us in scripture about inviting people to Christ. We pray that you would give us the courage and wisdom to start asking more people to you as a church. Help us to use what we have learned to invite friends whom we have prayed over and been able to share our stories with. In your name, we pray, Amen. 

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Worship Set: My Testimony I Promises I The Blessing I King of My Heart I The Gathering