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Title: Delivering the Invitation
Theme: Telling others about Jesus. Trinity Sunday
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 (NIV)
Have you ever given a party? The first step in planning a party is to make a list of all the people you want to invite. Next, you send invitations to all of the people that you want to come to your party. Your invitations might look like this one. As you can see, the invitation has a name, address, and a stamp on the envelope. Once you take the invitations to the Post Office and put in the mailbox, it is their job to deliver the invitations. The Post Office doesn’t decide which invitations they will deliver and which ones they won’t, do they? 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-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 sometimes call “The Great Commission,” Jesus 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.
Father, we thank you for your love. We thank you for Jesus who came so that we might have eternal life. We thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and guide. Help us to be faithful in telling others about your love for them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. |
