Delivering the Invitation

THEME: Telling others about Jesus. 

OBJECT: An invitation and envelope -- addressed and stamped.

SCRIPTURE: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

Have you ever given a party? Have you ever been invited to a party? The first step in planning and having a party is to decide what kind of party you will have.  Next you decide who is going to be invited and you send invitations to all of the people that you want to come to your party.

I have an invitation this morning.  As you can see, the envelope has a name on it, an address, and there is a stamp on the envelope. Once I take this invitation to the Post Office and put in the mailbox, it is their job to deliver the invitation. When you mail an invitation, does the Post Office decide which ones they will deliver and which ones they won't?   No, of course not.  It is their responsibility to deliver all of the invitations that are mailed. The Post Office can't say, "We are pretty busy today, if we don't deliver these invitations, maybe someone else will tell the people about the party."

What if it is raining? Can the Post Office say, "It is raining today and if we go out to deliver these invitations, we might get wet so we will wait until it stops raining?"  No, the invitation has been sent and it must be delivered, come rain or shine. If they wait until the weather is just right, the invitation might be too late.

Did you know that Jesus has sent an invitation? His invitation says, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Jesus has also decided who is to be invited. Everyone is invited! The invitation is addressed to "whoever wishes to come." Now it is time to deliver the invitation.  Do you know who Jesus has chosen to deliver the invitation? You and me!

 In the verses of the Bible that we call "The Great Commission," he told us to go everywhere and tell everyone about his love for them! Jesus has sent the invitation and he has given the job of delivering it to you and to me. Busy or not, rain or shine -- we must deliver the message before it's too late.

Dear Jesus, we thank you that you loved us and invited us to come unto you. We ask you to help us to be faithful in delivering your invitation to others. Amen.