Invite Others
Rusty Wirt   -   May 18, 2025

Sermon 4: Invite Others 

Main Passages: John 1:35-51

 

Main Idea: John records for us how the first disciples began following Jesus. By observing this development, we can discern how best to connect modern people to Jesus. This strategy is not built on gimmicks, or circus show antics. Rather, this simple but effective approach is based upon one person talking to another person about their experience of Jesus.

Review

  • Be Saved
  • Attend
  • Invest in Others
  • Invite New People

Observe:

As soon as Jesus launched His public ministry, he started attracting a following. And He has commanded us to continue this work.

Background

Six Key People:
– John the Baptist
– John
– Andrew
– Simon Peter
– Philip
– Nathanael

Into the Text

  1. John records the various ways in which people came to Jesus (1:35-51)
    1. Andrew and John heard of Jesus through John the Baptist
      1. Faith can begin through an event where Jesus is preached
    2. Andrew invited his brother, Peter, to see Jesus
      1. Faith can begin through an invitation from a family member
      2. You never know the impact of you invitation
    3. Jesus invited Philip to follow him
      1. Faith can begin when Jesus speaks to you directly
    4. Philip asked Nathanael to follow Jesus
      1. Faith can begin even when you are a skeptic
  2. All of these incidents have two things in common
    1. A personal invitation was made
    2. This personal invitation was to give Jesus a try
      1. “Come and see” (1:39)
      2. “He brought him to Jesus (1:42)
      3. “He found Philip (1:43)
      4. “Come and see” (1:46)
  3. Jesus welcomes skeptics (and so should you) 1:46-51 
    1. Jesus is not put off by your suspicion
    2. Jesus knows your friend that you are trying to invite
    3. Jesus has big plans for your skeptical friend
    4. The next great leader of our faith will probably be a skeptic at first.
      1. Consider: Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, CS Lewis, Francis Collins, Craig Keener

Consider:

When you invite someone that you care about to church, you will begin to see our church through the eyes of a beginner. This is the most important shift in evangelism. People who have big faith are inviters.

 

Application:

Who’s in your circle?

Will you consider a carefully placed invitation to come and see.