67 Sermon Illustrations on Invitation

On June 6, 1981, Doug Whitt and his bride, Sylvia, were escorted to their hotel's fancy bridal suite in the wee hours of the morning. In the suite they saw a sofa, chairs, and table, but where was the bed?

Then they discovered the sofa was a hide-a-bed, with a lumpy mattress and sagging springs. They spent a fitful night and woke up in the morning with sore backs. The new husband went to the hotel desk and gave the management a tongue-lashing.

"Did you open the door in the room?" asked the clerk.

Doug went back to the room. He opened the door they had thought was a closet. There, complete with fruit baskets and chocolates, was a beautiful bedroom!

Opening all the doors in a honeymoon suite is like obeying all the words of Jesus. Discipleship is the door to happiness.

Abraham Lincoln ran for Congress in 1846, and he faced a formidable opponent: Peter Cartwright. Cartwright, a raw-boned, circuit-riding Methodist preach, was known throughout Illinois. During his sixty-five years of riding the circuit, he would baptize nearly ten thousand converts.

During the intense 1846 Congressional campaign, some of Cartwright's followers accused Lincoln of being an "infidel." In response, Lincoln decided to meet Cartwright on his own ground and attend one of his evangelistic rallies. Carl Sandburg, in "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years," tells the story this way:

In due time Cartwright said, "All who desire to lead a new life, to give their hearts to God, and go to heaven, will stand," and a sprinkling of men, women, and children stood up. Then the preacher exhorted, "All who do not wish to go to hell will stand." All stood up - except Lincoln. Then said Cartwright in his gravest voice, "I observe that many responded to the first invitation to give their hearts to God and go to heaven. And I further observe that all of you save one indicated that you did not desire to go to hell. The sole exception is Mr. Lincoln, who did not respond to either invitation. May I inquire of you, Mr. Lincoln, where are you going?"

And Lincoln slowly rose and slowly spoke. "I came here as a respectful listener. I did not know that I was to be singled out by Brother Cartwright. I believe in treating religious matters with due solemnity. I admit that the questions propounded by Brother Cartwright are of great importance. I did not feel called upon to answer as the rest did. Brother Cartwright asks me directly where I am going. I desire to reply with equal directness: I am going to Congress."

He went.

Two flyers from a Christian writer who is looking for a wife. Mailed to church with a generic label. She must be creative and love missions. Person who matches him up gets a free trip around the world for two.

[In 2004, he was still single. http://www.openchurch.com/team.mhtml]

A familiar image from Scripture is Christ knocking at the door. It's been

replicated on everything from Sunday School posters to pew fans donated by the

local funeral parlor. It is still a powerful and important image. We feel

comfortable with what we think we know it means.

Kennon Callahan, author of "Twelve Keys to an Effective Church" and its

leaders guide suggests another view. He was consulting with a church that had

that image in stained glass in its sanctuary. As the sun streamed through

that window, he realized that Christ was onto just standing at the door of our

hearts knocking to invite Him in, but that Christ was standing at the door of

our hearts and our churches, knocking, so that He could invite us out, out

into His world where ministry and mission are to happen. [1683]

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Being a witness while being yourself.

Menacing Misconceptions

Peter's Confrontational Approach

Paul's Intellectual Approach

The Blind Man's Testimonial Approach

Matthew's Interpersonal Approach

The Samaritan Woman's Invitational Approach

Dorcas's Service Approach

Being Yourself

#4100

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D. L. Moody said that his “greatest mistake” occurred October 8, 1871. On that night his message was based on Pilate’s question, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” (Matthew 27:22) As he concluded, he said, “I wish you would seriously consider this subject, for next Sunday we will speak about the cross, and at that time I’ll inquire, ‘What will you do with Jesus?’” Ira Sankey then sang the closing hymn, which included the lines,

Today the Saviour calls;

For refuge fly;

The storm of justice falls,

And death is nigh.

Little did anyone know that these words would be the last ever heard in that huge hall. Even as they were being sung, the soloist’s voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of clanging bells in the street. That was the night of the great Chicago fire which almost destroyed the entire city. Among the hundreds who died were some who earlier had been in Moody’s audience. The evangelist was greatly distressed by this and lamented his tragic error in not asking men and women to receive the Lord that evening.

“Now, whenever I preach,” he said later, “I press for a definite decision. I would rather lose my right hand than give people even a day to decide for Christ, for I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again.” The gospel invitation is a “today only” offer!

________

Paul Lee Tan, “Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations.”

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Another version from the Frederickburg Collection:

During the early days of the ministry of Dwight L. Moody, the great evangelist launched a series of meetings in Chicago with promise of the largest crowds that he had ever addressed up to that time. He was speaking of the life of Christ, and on the first Sunday night, October 8, 1871, he took as his topic the trial before Pilate. As he came to the end of his message, he turned to Matthew 27:22, "What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?" He concluded, "I wish you would take this text home with you and turn it over in your minds during the week, and next Sabbath we will come to Calvary and the cross, and we will decide what to do with Jesus of Nazareth."

It may have been an artistic device. But speaking of it in later years, Moody called that conclusion to his morning's address the greatest mistake of his life. Even while Mr. Sankey was singing the final hymn...

Today the Savior calls;

For refuge fly;

The storm of justice falls,

And death is nigh

...the fire engines began to sound on the street on their way to their first contact with the great Chicago fire in which Moody's hall was laid in ashes, and in which it is estimated that over a thousand persons lost their lives. Moody never saw that congregation again, and some of those to whom he spoke on that night doubtlessly died.

During a series of meetings conducted by R.A. Torrey years ago, there was no response the first several nights. Homer Hammontree, the song leader, came to Torrey in distress. “Ham,” the evangelist replied, “'it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.’ Good night; I am going to bed.” Then came a service with tremendous outpouring of the Spirit and a huge response. Hammontree was exultant. Again Torrey said quietly, “Ham, ‘it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.’ Good night; I am going to bed.”

________

Leighton Ford, Leadership, 1984, 5/2, p. 106.

It was the biggest night of the year in a little town called Cornwall. It was the night of the annual Christmas pageant. Since there are no nearby malls or cities to compete with, the pageant is packed out every year. It's an especially big deal for the children in town. They get to try out for the roles in the Christmas story, and everybody wants a part.

Which leads us to the problem of Harold. Harold really wanted to be in the play, too, but he was ... well, he was kind of a slow and simple kid. The directors were ambivalent, I mean, they knew Harold would be crushed if he didn't have a part, but they were afraid he might mess up the town's magic moment. Finally, they decided to cast Harold as the innkeeper - the one who turns Mary and Joseph away the night Jesus is to be born. He only had only one line: "I'm sorry, we have no room." Well, no one could imagine what that one line was going to do to everyone's Christmas.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "The Christmas Invitation."

The night of the pageant the church was packed, as usual. The set was in place, and in fact, it was an entire wall with scenes of Bethlehem painted on it, including the door of the inn where Harold would greet and then turn away the young Jewish travelers.

Backstage, the angels were playing frisbee with their halos, the shepherds were waiting 'till the last minute to put on their annually laundered bathrobes, and Harold was being personally coached by the nervous directors. "Now remember, Harold, when Joseph says, 'Do you have a room for the night?' you say ... you say ..." Hesitantly, Harold said, "I'm sorry. We have no room." The directors looked at each other sort of hopefully. They'd done all they could.

Well, the Christmas story unfolded according to plan - angels singing, Joseph's dream, you know, the trip to Bethlehem. Finally, Joseph and Mary arrived at the door of the Bethlehem Inn, looking appropriately tired, discussing whether the baby might come tonight. Joseph knocked on the inn door. Backstage, the directors were just out of sight, coaching Harold to open the door now. And wouldn't you know it - the door was stuck! The whole set shook; Harold tried to get that door open. When he finally did, Joseph asked his question on cue: "Do you have a room for the night?"

Harold froze. From backstage, a loud whisper: "I'm sorry. We have no room." And Harold mumbled, "I'm sorry. We have no room." And, with a little coaching, he shut the door. Well, the directors heaved a sigh of relief - prematurely. As Mary and Joseph disappeared into the night, the set suddenly started shaking again, and the door opened. Harold was back! And then, in an unrehearsed moment that folks would not soon forget, Harold went running after the young couple, shouting as loud as he could, "Wait! Wait! You can have my room!"

I think little Harold may have understood the real issue of Christmas better than anyone else there that night. How can you leave Jesus outside? You have to make room for Jesus. And that may be the issue for you this Christmas Day. What will you do with this Son of God who came to earth to find you? This One who trades a throne room for a stable, angel's praise for human mockery, this Creator who gives Himself on a cross? The Bible gives us the only appropriate response in Galatians 2:20. "The Life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." You look at what Jesus did to pay for your sin on that cross, and you say those life-changing words - "For me."

Jesus is at your door this Christmas. Maybe He's been knocking for a long time and maybe He won't keep knocking much longer. All your life - even the events of the last few months - have been to prepare you for this crossroads moment with Jesus, your Savior.

Don't leave Him outside any longer. Open the door this Christmas Day. "Jesus, I cannot keep You out any longer. Come on in. You can have my room ... my life."

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. 'Practical Answers to Real Life Issues'

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1. I have a Saviour – He's pleading in glory,

A dear, loving Saviour, though earth friends be few;

And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me –

But O that my Saviour were your Saviour too.

Chorus

For you I am praying, For you I am praying,

For you I am praying, I'm praying for you.

2. I have a Father – to me He has given

A hope for eternity, blessed and true;

And soon He will call me to meet Him in heaven –

But O that He'd let me bring you with me too!

3. When Christ has found you, tell others the story,

That my loving Saviour is your Saviour too;

Then pray that you Saviour will bring them to glory,

And prayer will be answered – ‘twas answered for you!

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1. O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Saviour,

And life more abundant and free!

Chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

2. Though death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more has dominion —

For more than conq’rors we are!

3. His word shall not fail you — He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well;

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

And How About Meals at a Friend's House

The numbers of Americans inviting friends to dinner is dropping the busier our lives become. Less than half of Americans have had friends over for dinner (46%) during the past year. Only 27% have had friends over for dinner three times or more.

Seven years of junior high band concerts. Yes, that was the special joy Karen and I share since all three of the Hutchcraft kids were in junior high band. Now it wasn't always a supreme musical experience, but, hey, it's our kids, right? Now, let's imagine you have never heard of the brilliant composer Ludwig von Beethoven before. And I say to you, "Beethoven was a genius. His music is some of the most beautiful ever written." You're a little skeptical because you've never heard any of him, but I suggest a way to remedy that. See, the junior high band is having a concert this week, and they're performing Beethoven's 9th Symphony. So you go, and you come back to me saying, "I thought you said this Beethoven guy was a genius! I just heard his music. It wasn't brilliant!" Now what's the problem here? It isn't Beethoven - it's the way that band played his music. Just because they don't play his music well doesn't mean the man who wrote the music wasn't a genius!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "The Hypocrite Hang-up."

I've devoted my life to telling people about the Genius who can harmonize our lives, who wrote the music that's supposed to guide everything we do. His name is Jesus. But many people - maybe you - can't bring themselves to a point where they will put their trust in Jesus Christ to be their own personal Savior. And one of the biggest reasons? Christians. Christians who are hypocrites. Maybe some hypocrites you know have been a major roadblock in your considering Christ.

Well, that's why I'm so glad for today's word for today from the Word of God, where Jesus clarifies what, and who, is the issue in this whole Christian thing. Mark 2:14, our word for today from the Word of God - "As Jesus walked along, He saw Levi, sitting at the tax collector's booth. Follow Me, Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed Him."

Jesus sums up here the central decision we all have to make by issuing this clear, two-word invitation that He gave to many people: "Follow Me." Jesus said, "I'm the issue. Make your decision about ME." He repeated that invitation so many times when He was here on earth. And it's His invitation to you and me today. As for those Christians who aren't a very good advertisement - well, they're like that junior high band trying to play that Beethoven symphony. Unfortunately, some of us don't play Jesus' music very well. But that has nothing to do with Jesus. He is still the Genius who forgives our failures and loves us with "never-leave-you" love, and takes us to heaven when we die.

Jesus didn't say, "Follow My followers," or "Follow My leaders," or "Follow My religion." He said, "Follow ME." The only reason not to be a Christian is if you've got something against Jesus. And there wasn't a trace of hypocrisy in Him.

All that will matter when you keep your appointment with God is what you did with Jesus, His one and only Son who died on the cross to pay ... not for His sins, but for yours. Honestly, there is no place to hide when it comes to Jesus. Either you commit yourself to this Man who died for you or you turn your back on Him and walk away.

It is all about Jesus. And maybe you're ready to surrender all the baggage that's kept you from His love. It's Jesus and you, because it's Jesus you're trusting, not Christianity. Maybe you're ready to begin this relationship you were created for. Tell Him that.

On Judgment Day, it will be you and Jesus. Today it's you and Jesus. In the words of an old hymn, "What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. For someday your heart will be asking, 'What will He do with me?'"

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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It was probably one of the greatest adventures in American history - the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The size of the United States doubled overnight and President Thomas Jefferson picked his aide, Meriwether Lewis, to lead a group of about forty men to explore a route from St. Louis to the Pacific. The journey took more than two years, covering thousands of miles, meeting with some fifty Indian tribes, and charting a vast area, largely unexplored by anyone other than Native Americans.

One of Meriwether Lewis' first steps in his preparation was to seek out his former commanding officer, William Clark, to share the command of this historic journey into the unknown. In his letter to Clark, he asked him to "participate with me in the expedition's fatigues, its dangers, and its honors." It took a long time for the letters to make it back and forth, but William Clark's reply was worth the wait. Here's what he said: "I will cheerfully join you and partake of the dangers, difficulties, and fatigues, and I anticipate the honor and rewards." Good answer. It made him a hero.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Recipe For Heroes."

When I read Captain Lewis' invitation to Captain Clark, I couldn't help but think how much it reminds me of the much greater invitation that Jesus Christ gives to you and me. It is not an invitation to a party or vacation - it's an invitation to join Him in a bold adventure, filled with "dangers, difficulties, and fatigues." Oh yes, and the "honor and the rewards."

Our Western idea of a faith that is cushioned pews and convenient sacrifice flies right in the face of what Jesus called us to. It's in Luke 9:23-24, our word for today from the Word of God. "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." To which you can almost hear someone saying, "In that case, I think I'd rather run my own life - it sounds like there's too much to lose in following Jesus." Listen to Jesus' startling equation - "For whoever wants to save his life (or hang onto his life) will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it." Hang onto your life, you lose it. Give it away and you find it.

Maybe you've tried discount Christianity. It's very popular. Of course, it's only a pale shadow of the disciple Christianity Jesus calls us to. You go to the meetings, you believe the beliefs, you give in the offerings, you sometimes read your Bible, you pray. But it's a surface commitment, a limited commitment, a commitment that still leaves you in control. My guess is that discount Christianity has left you unfulfilled and unsatisfied. It can't satisfy you. You were made to be abandoned to Jesus, taking up a cross, making choices that might cost you, building His kingdom instead of yours, and accepting assignments from Him that go way beyond your comfort zone.

And as for "the honor and the rewards"? Jesus said that no one who sacrificed for His great adventure "will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age ... and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29, 30) You can't outgive Jesus. True Christianity is expensive and ultimately fulfilling ... ultimately rewarding.

Jesus is asking you to take your commitment to Him to a whole new level. And you can be sure the cost of not following Him is far greater than the cost of following Him. He's waiting for your answer to His invitation. By God's grace, your answer will be - "Jesus, I will cheerfully join You and I'll partake of the danger, difficulties, and fatigues, and I anticipate the honor and the rewards."

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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Years ago it was the custom in a certain theological college for the student who had preached a sermon in class to go into the principal's office next morning for a quiet talk about his work. On one such occasion, the revered and saintly old principal said to the young man before him, "It was a good sermon you gave yesterday; the truth you dealt with was well-arranged and well presented. But your sermon had one omission, a grave one. There was no word in it for a poor sinner like me."

It was one of those winter nights that chills you to the bone - cold temperatures, a brisk north wind, a freezing rain, some snow. Our friends were inside their house, and their horses were inside their barn - well, actually three out of four of their horses were inside the barn. Cassie, their Shetland, was standing outside for some strange reason. So as our friends looked out their window, they saw this pitiful scene - one lone horse under a barn light, standing there with the freezing rain and snow pounding down on her, forming ice on her mane. Now, her horse friends were all smart enough to be in their nice warm stalls ... but, no, not Cassie.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Standing Out In The Cold."

That horse chose to stand out in the cold - when all the time she could have been in the warm place that had been provided for her. You know in some ways, a lot of people are making the same mistake. Maybe you.

In a way, maybe you feel as if you've been standing out in the cold for a long time. There's this loneliness that no relationship has satisfied, this confusion, this gnawing sense of uncertainty and insecurity, this emptiness that never seems to go away no matter what you've filled yourself up with. Emotionally, spiritually, it's as if you're out in the chilling wind and the freezing rain. But you don't have to be. There's a warm place that's been provided for you - but you have to step inside. In fact, this very day, I believe Jesus Christ Himself may be beckoning you to come in where it's warm.

Listen to His invitation - it's our word for today from the Word of God in Matthew 11:28 - "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." If we're "weary and burdened," it may be because we haven't come to Him. It could be that Jesus has been asking you to come to Him for a long time - but you've never responded. He's been waiting to answer your loneliness with His unloseable love, to turn your confusion into a sense of knowing why you're here and where you're going, to replace the uncertainty with His unshakeable peace, to fill the emptiness in your heart with the relationship with Him that you were made for. But you're still in the cold because you've never really come inside where Jesus is.

There are actually five things you can do with the Man who died to pay for your sins. You can just outright reject Jesus. You can ignore Jesus, pushing Him to the margins for other pursuits. You can postpone Jesus -you'll get around to Him someday. You can agree with Jesus - believing everything you've been told about Him. Or you can commit yourself completely to Jesus. Four of those five responses end in the same place -out in the cold, now and forever. Only one leads to heaven - giving yourself to Jesus. Yes, it us possible to agree with everything about Jesus and you've yet never have given yourself to Him.

But today He's close to you, where you are, whispering, "Come to Me ... I will give you rest." His love for you, His forgiveness, His peace have gone unclaimed far too long. Today, you can begin your relationship with Him by telling Him, "Jesus, You died for me - I'm giving myself to You, for now, and forever." That's when you receive what He's been waiting all these years to give you.

You've been out in the cold long enough. There's no need for you to be out there anymore. You're so close to the warmth and safety of belonging to Him. Come inside.

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. 'Practical Answers to Real Life Issues'

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1. Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

2. Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

3. Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind –

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee to find –

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

5. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

[Tune “Woodward”]

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Our youngest son had waited a long time for this. He had loved this girl for a long time and she had loved him. And now it was time to ask her to spend the rest of her life with him. So, he asked her to go with him on an old horse-drawn carriage ride along some beautiful mountain paths. In cahoots with the driver, he asked if they could stop to take a picture on a nearby footbridge - just out of sight, of course. Well, the driver was loving every minute of this, you know. On that bridge, overlooking a picturesque little stream, our son declared his lifetime love and he asked the woman he loves to become his wife. She was not surprised that he would ask someday, but this day she was overwhelmed. He awaited her answer and it was more beautiful than our son could have ever scripted. She just said, “It would be my highest honor.” P.S. - the wedding was awesome.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Your Answer.”

There's someone who loves you very much, who has dramatically declared His love for you, and whose offer of a lifelong relationship requires an answer. He is the One who said in Revelation 3:20, our word for today from the Word of God, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in...” And while that invitation was initially addressed to some people who already belonged to Jesus, it's a powerful picture of His offer of His love to those who have never even begun a personal relationship with Him. Maybe you.

If you have any doubt about Jesus' love for you and His commitment to you, just pay a visit in your heart to an old rugged cross where He is nailed to that cross, bleeding and dying to pay for every wrong thing you have ever done. That's how much He loves you. That's how much He wants you to be in heaven with Him forever. That's how much He doesn't want to lose you.

His love for you and me is not based on how good we are. The Bible says we've chosen to hijack the running of our life from our Creator - and all our religiousness doesn't cover up our rebellion against a holy God. We deserve the hell that sin requires. But we're offered a heaven we could never deserve because Jesus took our hell for us.

And now He awaits your response to His blood-bought offer of forgiveness and eternal life. In the words of the Bible, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life ... Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” (John 3:16,36). See, there is no neutral response. It's “Jesus, I'm Yours” or “Jesus, forget about it.”

When our son said, “Will you marry me?”, what if his beloved had said, “Sure. You're a nice guy,” or “You have some great points,” or “We get along great.” Well, those are polite answers - but no commitment. So it is when Jesus knocks on the door of your heart - as He may be doing even now. Anything other than “Yes, I'm Yours” is just polite rejection. And “whoever rejects the Son will not see life.”

Jesus has declared His love for you. Just look at the nail prints in His hands. He's offering to forgive every sin, to never leave you, to take you to heaven when you die. You must give Him your answer. If you want this to be your Jesus-day, the day you consciously begin your personal relationship with Him, why don't you tell Him that right now.

The words of an old hymn clearly sum up the choice that's in front of you: “What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be. For some day your heart will be asking, 'What will He do with me?”

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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A few months prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, my wife and I visited New York City for the very first time. Growing up in West Virginia, as well as living in North Carolina and most recently Kentucky, truly did not prepare us for anything we witnessed while in the Big Apple. I was totally amazed at the sights, fragrances, and sounds of the most famous city in the world. The enormity of the Empire State Building, the magical effects of Times Square, the history of Broadway, as well as every type of food known to man were things I generally was not accustomed to in my everyday life.

The most memorable thing during the whole trip was experienced during the ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty. As we were moving closer to Lady Liberty, I thought of the famous poem by Emma Lazarus, which is graven on a tablet within the pedestal on which the statue stands. The ending states, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" These words and the mere sight of what Emma described as the New Colossus, brought tears to my eyes. While thinking of these words, and gazing at the massive statute that stands on the shores of what so many immigrants knew as the New World, I couldn't help but think of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Can you hear Jesus saying those very same words as He stands between this world and the next holding the torch high enough for the lost to find their way safely? "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" I immediately thought of the day when I made my own voyage as a spiritual immigrant, of being led by the light of His torch and giving my heart and soul to Him -- the day I pledged my allegiance to the Lamb of God. John 8:12 says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Then I thought of the many lighthouses that pointed a safe passage to Lady Liberty from around the world, and was reminded of something else Christ said in Matthew 5:14-16: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

After looking at these scriptures in this light (no pun intended), we should ask ourselves, are we as Christians shining a clear path to Christ? Are we pointing spiritual immigrants to Christ, and giving them an invitation of true Liberty? When you look again at the poem, and think of it as Christ speaking the words, then we must realize He would not say this to a spiritual immigrant, He would say this to you and I; the lighthouses pointing the way to Him. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

You probably have a picture of yourself that you don't like, either on your driver's license, an ID card, or maybe a passport. There's probably a picture of you that you do like. That picture is the one that shows your good side, your hair is just right, there is good lighting and you're smiling. Once at a conference, there was a lady who really appreciated the ministry of one of my fellow speakers. She asked, “Would you mind if I give you a picture of myself?” He said, “That would be fine.” She signed it with a note, and he didn't look at it until he got to a lunch that I was also attending. He opened it, and he said, “Look at this picture.” It was the most unusual personal photo I have ever seen. It was a picture of her hands.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about how “The Hands Tell it All.”

Our word today from the Word of God comes from Isaiah 49, beginning at verse 15. God asks this provocative question. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born?” Of course, the answer to that should be, “Never!” Occasionally it does happen, though. “Though she may forget,” God says, “I will not forget you!” He says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

That lady gave my speaker friend a picture of wrinkled, worn hands. You could see that those hands have obviously worked very hard for a long time, and that's how she wanted to portray her life. God seems to be saying to us here, “If you want to know how I feel about you, look at this picture of me. Look at my hands.”

Do you know what the message is in His hands? “I will never forget you.” First, look at the hands of God in a stable, in a little town called Bethlehem, where all of the power of the creator God is packed into this little Jewish baby boy. Here, His hands can't even grab His mother's nose. These are the hands that created the world and are now helpless as He becomes a human being.

Look at those hands touching people now with healing at the point of their need. You can see those hands, then, ultimately nailed viciously to a cross. A few days later, those hands are extended to Thomas to prove that He's alive. He's alive and glorified, but the nail scars are still there. God says we are engraved on the palms of His hands.

Maybe you're in a time when other hands have left you or let you down. Maybe the hand that you once held isn't there any more. The hands that paid you or met your material needs are maybe closed to you right now. The hands that once applauded you are silent now. Even the hands that would like to help you now cannot reach far enough to touch you where you're really hurting.

Well, today almighty God has His hands open, and He cannot forget you. There are nail prints in those hands because of how much He loves you, and no matter how alone you feel right now, He is offering you all the grace, and all the love, and all the understanding, and all the power you need. He has you deep in His heart, and He's touching you even now, inviting you into a personal relationship with Him through His Son who died for you.

If you would like this to be the day you finally grab that hand and begin your personal relationship with Him and experience the love you were made for, tell Him that right now. “Jesus, I'm yours.”

There's a beautiful hymn that has these words in it: “I shall know Him when redeemed by His side I shall stand. I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side by the print of the nail in His hands.” This is your day to grab that hand.

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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Some time ago a woman asked me what gave me the right to give an invitation.

My answer: We give an invitation because we are commanded to do so. Peter did so at Pentecost. The first century Christians stood and said publicly that Jesus Christ is Lord. Anybody Jesus ever called, He called publicly. Even Nicodemus had to make his commitment to Christ in public.

The Greek word “parakaleo” is used at least five times in Scripture in the verb form in conjunction with preaching. It is translated as “exhort” and “beseech,” and always means to give a come-forward, stand-by-the-preacher, invitation. Every preacher is commanded to give a come-forward invitation in 2 Timothy 4:2 (the word “exhort”).

Never allow exhaustion or too much music or any circumstance stop you from giving the invitation. Evangelist Len Turner did not lead the congregation in the sinner’s prayer one night in a church revival in South Carolina. The service had gone long and he hurried the invitation. Shaking hands on the front porch of the church, he heard a collision of metal striking metal three blocks away. Sirens began to go off as an ambulance and police cars rushed to the scene. A man came running and called for the pastor. The mom, dad and two teenagers had been in the service, and apparently all four were lost.

Len fell to his knees and asked God to forgive him for not extending a complete, clear, Gospel invitation that night. From that day to this day Len always leads in the sinner’s prayer in every service and calls for a public invitation.

Acts 2:40 tells us that Peter kept on giving that come-forward, public invitation until 3,000 were baptized. This may be the longest public invitation in history. It is certainly one of the most encouraging.

Last year I preached on the blood atonement one Monday night in Warrior, Alabama, because many there had just seen the Passion of the Christ. A 73-year-old man came to see the pastor the following day and said, “I need the cleansing blood of Christ applied to my heart.” He made that decision public on that very night and the church rejoiced in his decision. When people make public decisions the church is blessed and encouraged.

Last August in Alapaha, Ga., a 77-year-old man came forward on “family night” and publicly committed His life to Christ and His church. He had been on the prayer list of that church since 1960. The tears of joy and the impact on that church and community were incredible. That is why the invitation needs to be public and visible. It builds up the body of Christ. Every week when men and women are standing at the front of the church -- accepting Christ and joining the church -- the laity sees that praying, witnessing, teaching and preaching the Word is still effective and powerful.

Jesus gave to the church servants who specialize in giving the invitation. They are called evangelists. They had rather give an invitation than eat. As an evangelist, I understand that preaching is central to every service. I understand that music should melt the heart and call men, women, boys and girls to repentance and salvation. However the focal point of every service is the invitation.

In a revival service the music should be designed to minister. Music softens the ground of the heart, prepares the people to hear the Word of God and to respond to Christ. Music evangelists like Joe and Kim Stanley of Georgia, Jeff and Becky Carver of Mississippi, Price Harris of Louisiana and Jeff and Diane Anders of Florida craft the style and length of the music in the worship service to set the mood for God to work. If the congregation is sleepy, they wake them up. If the people seem to be hyperactive, they calm them down with the tempo of the songs. Musicians are sensitive to the Spirit and fully cooperative with the worship leader (the evangelist). They know real worship occurs at the altar. God’s time (the invitation) is the most important time in the service.

Once, George Beverly Shea was asked why he always sang before Billy Graham preached. He said, “You probably think I minister to the multitudes. I minister to one man and then God ministers to the multitude.” Music evangelists have a unique insight and point of view that every church needs. They are part of a team that focuses on the invitation. Music evangelists are time-conscious.

The sermon should start off with the invitation. One pastor from Lynchburg, Virginia, described how I preach. He said, “When you preach you first tell the people what you are going to do and what you are asking them to do. Secondly, you remind them during the sermon of what you are asking them to do. Thirdly, you warn them of the consequences of putting off the decision or refusing to get right with God. Finally, you call for a decision.”

He added, “Every person in the room asks, ‘Do I need to take action? What action have I taken in the past? Is it time for a new commitment? What is most beneficial?’ You make it clear that the most beneficial action you can take is to repent and be sold out to Jesus Christ. You make it clear that the least benefit comes from disobeying God.”

Urgency comes over my heart at invitation time. I believe Jesus can save anybody. No life can be too depraved for Jesus to redeem.

My brother, Lane Fordham of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, once told me, “The greatest advice you ever gave to me as a pastor was to train and use counselors.”

When the pastor is the only counselor talking to an inquirer about Christ, other people who are under conviction may not come forward. It gives the devil time to throw ice water on the heart and employ his tool of procrastination. Often people will dodge the church for weeks. Lane's church trained more counselors and since has seen between 25 and 30 extra commitments to Christ and new church members every year.

A minister shows a complete lack of faith in God’s power to change men when he gives an invitation and does not have people ready to receive those making decisions for Christ. (A byproduct of having trained counselors is that people will do more sowing of the Gospel seed, praying and soul winning if they help gather the harvest of souls.)

Make the invitation the focal point of your service. Praying, singing, preaching and counselor training all lead to God’s invitation. Many pastors have said that most of what they have learned about the invitation is in watching vocational evangelists. Contact one today at www.sbcevangelist.org.

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Keith Fordham is the president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists

*

Acts 2:37–47 — Invitation and Response — (outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT) — « Leader information shown in this fashion »

[A]. The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

[1]. The Forty Days and After (1:1–26)

[2]. The Day of Pentecost (2:1–47)

A. The Descent of the Spirit (2:1–4)

B. The Crowd’s Amazement (2:5–13)

C. Peter’s Proclamation (2:14–36)

1. “This is that” (2:14–21)

2. The resurrection of Jesus proclaimed (2:22-28)

3. Jesus: Lord and Messiah (2:29–36)

D. Call to Repentance — Acts 2:37–40 (NKJV): 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

1. The book of Joel the prophet, from which Peter launched this sermon, as well as the prophecy cited, gives a call to repentance as well (Joel 2:12–14).

2. What two messages does the gospel convey about God

a. God is L « ove » ________ (1 John 4:8)

b. God is H « oly » ________ (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:16)

3. which brings us face to face with S I N

a. Genesis 3 teaches us

(A) about the O « rigin » __________ of mankind’s sin

(B) that A « dam » _____ and E « ve » ____ sinned

b. the Law teaches us (see Romans 7:7) « — that I am a sinner (this is why secularists removed the 10 commandments from the schools in the U.S. — because they confront us with our need of forgiveness and reconciliation to God) »

4. with what sin had this audience just been confronted? « — the rejection of God, evidenced by their murder of His Messiah Son »

5. “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

a. what was right about this question? « — they recognized that by their actions they were in dire straits before God »

b. What may have been wrong about this question? « — the idea that by some form of works it could be made right »

6. Which of these did Peter’s answer concentrate upon when he said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”

a. the right part the wrong part

b. what did they have to D O?

(A) R « epent » ______________ — what is the implication of this?

(1) a R « ecognition » _______________ of

(2) a S « orrow » ____________ for S « in » _____

(3) a T « urning » ___________ from

(B) Be B « aptized » _________ in the N « ame » _____ of Jesus Christ for the R « emission » _____________ of S « ins » ______; meaning

(1) a visible declaration of

(a) my R « epentance » _______________

(b) my I « dentification » ________________ with Christ

(2) recognition of

(a) the D « ivine » ___________ nature of Jesus Christ

(b) the R « edemptive » ____________ work of Christ

(3) A « cceptance » _______________ of that work for oneself

c. that’s a lot of truth embedded in a few, short words! « Just because John’s baptism by water to repentance was to be distinguished from that administered by the Coming One (Mark 1:4, 8) does not mean water baptism is discarded. It was familiar to the Jewish listeners due to both the baptism of proselytes and that proclaimed by John the Baptizer »

7. What are some encouragements given so that the audience will respond to Peter’s message?

a. they would receive « — the gift (not gifts) of the Holy Spirit »

b. they would be taking advantage of « — God’s promise »

c. though Peter did not yet fully realize it, those responding were to be part of « — a great new people of God including both Jew and Gentile: those in the future; those afar off »

d. those who accept Peter’s invitation are « — answering God’s call, His effectual call to those who are chosen (Matt 22:14) »

8. So, once you have told someone the way of salvation, your job is finished and you leave all the rest to the Holy Spirit; right? « — Faith distinguishes one from this evil generation. Luke 9:41 »

E. The First Christian Church — Acts 2:41–47 (NKJV): 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together *, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking * bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added * to the church daily those who were being saved.

* The word, “together” found in verse 44, is found also, in some translations, in verses 46 and 47; it is also in Acts 1:15, being rendered “altogether the number.’ Literally it is “in the same” with “place” to be understood, but here may refer to disciples as the body of Christ

1. verse 41: who constituted this church of Pentecost?

a. those who « — received Peter’s message: listened, hearkened, obeyed, acted: includes repentance and all attending it »

b. who were « — baptized as had been commanded »

c. being « — 3,000 people »

2. Does this tie in with John 14:12 … give a quantitative answer? « — one might conclude that those who persevered to the end of Jesus’ disciples were about 500, those to whom He appeared; and there were only 120 waiting for the Promise of the Father so 3,000 in one day being converted is greater in that sense »

3. verse 42: what characterized this church of Pentecost?

a. S « teadfast » ________________ C « ontinuance » ____________

b. in being « — taught by the apostles »

c. by taking part « — in fellowship, in the community of other believers »

d. in worship by

(A) B « reaking » __________ of B « read » ____________ « or, the Lord’s Supper, Communion,, Eucharist »

(B) P « rayer » ______________ (which included those held at the temple (Acts 3:1) but what would have differed them?

4. verse 43: what were some further characteristics?

a. F « ear » _____ or A « we » _____ — who felt this?

b. W « onders » _________ and S « igns » ______ — for what purpose (see Acts 3:6, for example)?

5. verses 44–45: What practical outcome of the gospel message manifest itself in the church of Pentecost? « — a new family was being formed of the children of God; some would have been in need, either because they were pilgrims away from home, or they now were rejected by family, friends, and the religious rulers … it does not seem that as yet excommunication was taking place, but it was soon to come. The community shared from its riches, goods and possessions to meet its needs. The disciples in Jesus’ ministry and the Essenes at Qumran had a common purse as do some groups today. »

6. verse 46-49: what were the Pentecost church’s distinctives?

a. C « ongregating » ___________________ daily at the house of God

b. Breaking bread and eating a common meal … « among the various homes that were opened to them. The common meal was a feature of haburah (hrbx) »

c. G « ladness » ____________- or joy

d. Simplicity of heart, which means, see Ephesians 6:5, 3:22, Romans 12:8 « — sincerity, generosity, liberality (the last reference uses a similar word to that found here and in the other references) the idea being “without thought of return” »

e. W « orshipping » ________________ God

f. consisting of the S « aved » __________

g. outsiders thought of it as « … favourable; good reputation »

7. What is the formula for a church to increase its membership?

It would be strange to grow up knowing that your life is set apart. Of course, to a small extent this is the experience of many children. Wrapped within the dreams of parents and the promises of God, they grow with the assurance of a plan and a purpose for their lives -- albeit a purpose shrouded in hope and mystery. For John the Baptist, the only son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, there was much less mystery. John grew up knowing that he would one day be called a prophet. In fact, he grew up knowing his life's exact call: “You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” (Luke 1:76). He was to be a Nazirite, literally one consecrated to God and separated from the general population.

We know very little about John's life outside of his short public ministry. We are told that this miracle child of a barren womb grew strong in spirit and lived in the desert. He ate locusts and wild honey and wore clothing made of camel's hair. His entire life seemed to be marked with the knowledge that he was set apart for a unique and specific role. I imagine he thought often of the day he would meet the Lord whose way he was to prepare. I imagine he never expected that it would be someone from his own family.

John was baptizing in the Jordan River when the sky opened up and the Spirit descended like a dove, the sign that God had told him to expect. “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:31). The Spirit rested upon Jesus. Twice, John seems to note his astonishment; “I myself did not know him.” It is probably safe to assume that John knew who Jesus was; his mother, Elizabeth was Mary's cousin. But John did not know Jesus as THE CHRIST, the one he had been set apart to proclaim, the one whose sandals he was not worthy to untie.

I wonder how often I do not see the person in front of me -- the loved one, the colleague, the friend I sell short as an imager bearer of God. John was so taken with what God revealed about Jesus that he realized he had never really known him. This distant cousin, present at family gatherings and near on holidays, was the Lord, the one he had been waiting for all his life. Without questioning God, without doubting Jesus, John immediately reframed his perspective and bowed before the Lamb of God. For the remainder of his days, John gave this testimony of Jesus: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me... I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” (1:32-34).

How quick are we to adjust our eyes to what God would have us to see? If we are unwilling to let Him transform the world before our eyes, there will be people we will never really know, dynamics that will go unnoticed, signs we will miss completely. In the kingdom of God, astonishment should not surprise us.

The day after John was shown the truth about his cousin, he introduced two of his disciples to the Christ. “Rabbi,” they said, “where are you staying?” “Come,” Jesus replied, “and you will see.” Like Jesus himself, these words have both an element of the spiritual and the physical, something divine and something human. He reminds us that there is a vertical quality about our lives, a reaching to taste and see the goodness of God, to know the one in whose image we were formed. But there is also a horizontal quality about the invitation of Christ in our lives; we are called to see the image of God in our neighbor, to be salt in a world that has lost its saltiness, to reach out to one another as if reaching to Christ himself.

The disciples answered Jesus's invitation to come and see, learning in time that it was an offer of multiple dimensions. They went to his house and saw where he was staying, but they also discovered in his eyes a kingdom not of flesh and blood. They would not have known except that God revealed it. They would not have realized except that they were willing to see.

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Copyright © 2006 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. — Song of Solomon 2:13.

This call, like a “common chord” in music, has a threefold power of individual beauty in its unity of collective harmony. It is life-giving (Eph. 5:14), it is life reviving (Hosea 2:14, 15), and it will be our welcome home (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). In each instance it bids the soul from a lower state away, to a higher; it invites the loved one to leave the “far off,” and to enter into the “made nigh” (Eph. 2:13). It calls the dead sinner away from sin-death, to the the life of holiness; it summons the earth-trammeled Christian away from the grave clothes and wanderings, to the loosing and the letting go into fuller fellowship (John 11:44); it will lift the waiting bride away from the wilderness loneliness, into the presence of her Beloved, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The way is upward still, where life and glory are;

Our rest’s above in perfect love, the glory we shall share.

Forever with the Lord, forever like Him then,

We’ll see His face in that blest place, our Father’s house in heaven. — J. N. Darby.

Isaiah 55: Invititation to the Thirsty

God’s Calling; Drawing Night to God; Drawing Water with Joy

Who is speaking in this chapter?

• throughout most of the chapter, God’s own words are recorded

• verses 6-7: the inspired prophet’s application of God’s words to the people

Who is being addressed … a group of individual? — see Acts 13:26-38

• In one sense it is addressed to the nation of Israel

• verses 3, 6, 7 indicate it is individuals who must respond

• Paul’s sermon, however, applies it in part to Jesus Christ

• this illustrates one way in which His thoughts are higher than our thoughts

What indications are there that the invitation given extends beyond the Jewish people (verses 1, 5)

• all or everyone

• nations

There are promises in Scripture that are conditioned by obedience to some command (eg., 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matt 11:28-30); in verses 6-7, what are the

Commands Promises

• seek the Lord (spiritual will) • compassion

• call on Him (attitude, need) • mercy

• forsake, turn away (confess, repent) • pardon

• turn to, return to

How do verses 10 to 11 enlarge upon or explain verses 8 and 9?

• his ways and thoughts are immeasurable and without limit

• rain accomplishes its purpose; God’s commanding word does, too

As a result, what does that mean in looking at verses 6 to 7? … at verses 1 and 2?

• truth, effect of these promises is eternal

Sometimes Scripture uses words that echo back to earlier themes; one example is Christ’s words to the woman at the well (John 4) which echo this chapter; what is the echo in verses 12 and 13?

• Isaiah 35:10

So … what kind of well-being is envisaged in this chapter?

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, “Come as you are. No jacket required,” and found the location.

Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.

Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, “Come as you are. No jacket required.”

I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium.

“Your name, sir?” he asked me with a smile.

“Jimmy D. Brown,” I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn’t seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, “Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?”

I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, “Yes, of course!”

He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.

As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, “peace,” “joy,” “blessings,” “confidence,” “assurance,” “hope,” “love,” “faith,” and “mercy.” I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at. “God’s Grace,” was the name of this place!

The man returned and said, “I recommend the ‘Special of the Day.’ With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu.”

You’ve got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this!

“What is the ‘Special of the Day,’ I asked with excitement ringing in my voice.

“Salvation,” was his reply.

“I’ll take it,” I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said, “Mister, look at me. I’m dirty and nasty. I’m unclean and unworthy of such things. I’d love to have all of this, but, but, I just can’t afford it.”

Undaunted, the man smiled again. “Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there,” he said pointing to the front of the room. “His Name is Jesus.”

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, “Sir, I’ll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I’ll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this.”

He opened His arms and said with a smile, “Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you.”

Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, “Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life.”

Immediately, I heard the words, “It is finished.” I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.

“The ‘Special of the Day’ has been served,” the Lord said to me. Salvation is yours.”

We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God’s Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible.

As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the “real world,” He whispered to me softly, “And Lo, I am with you always.”

And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, “My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?”

“Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?” I replied.

“These are reserved tables . . . but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?” Jesus asked. “Of course,” I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.

“Go ye therefore into all nations,” He said as I turned to leave.

I walked into God’s Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man . . . robed in white, His righteousness.

And so, I’ll keep my promise to my Lord. I’ll go.

I’ll spread the Word.

I’ll share the Gospel . . .

I’ll hand out the invitations.

And I’ll start with you.

Have you been to God’s Grace? There’s a table reserved in your name, and here’s your invitation . . .

“Come as you are. No jacket required.”