“…… I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”–1 Cor. 9:22
Sometimes we forget how important simple things can be– a smile, a handshake, a hug, an encouraging word, or how about this — an invitation to church. Inviting someone to church takes very little time and effort, but it can pay great dividends. It is a “little” thing of huge importance. No one can be saved without hearing the gospel and a simple invitation to Sunday School or church can cause that to happen. It happened to me. I doubt that I would have ever attended church had it not been for a friend encouraging me to do so. I had never read the Bible, nor had any desire to do so, and I had no idea that I would find exactly what I needed, what my soul longed for, at church. All of that changed when a friend invited me to church. Within a few weeks of attending church I was saved. Two months later God called me to preach, and that’s what I’ve been doing the last 48 years. That friend is now in heaven. The preacher who told me about Christ is in heaven. But, by the grace of God, I am still here telling others about Christ. And it started with a simple invitation.
I’m sure there are many folks reading this who also could say they were saved as a result of someone merely inviting them to church. Even so God wants to use you to reach others through this simple service. Without preaching a sermon, teaching a class, or ever opening your Bible you can make it possible for others to hear the glorious gospel of Christ and be saved. It doesn’t take much time, effort, or knowledge, but it can lead to the the most wonderful thing possible—a sinners salvation. What could you do in life that is more important or fulfilling than that? There is, however, one thing that absolutely essential— concern for others. Do you care enough about others to bring them under the sound of the Gospel through the simple service of inviting them to church?
When the Salvation Army started it was a much different organization than it is today. It’s primary interest was to win souls. When William Booth started the organization few churches had an interest in reaching the outcasts of society who lived in poverty or on the streets. Paul Chappell wrote, “After the Salvation Army was founded and began to see many saved and lives transformed, Booth became a well-known figure in both England and America. At one point he was invited to meet with Queen Victoria. As they talked she asked him what the secret of his success was. Booth replied, “Your Majesty, some men have a passion for money. Some people have a passion for things. I have a passion for people.”
That, my dear friend, is what it takes for any church to succeed— “a passion for people”. If we don’t care enough about people to do what is necessary to help them hear the gospel there is no reason for our existence. While our efforts shouldn’t stop with or consist only of inviting people to church that ought to be included in all we do and it should never stop. It could make the difference between heaven and hell for some poor lost soul. It did for me!
