Invitations of Jesus

March 6, 1988 and October 9, 1994

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

Jesus went through His earthly ministry calling people to Himself. Some of His invitations were intensely personal. Some were plainly understood to be for the whosoever. All his invitations were a call to share His love and His life:

He called to Zaccheus (up a sycamore tree/ Luke 19:5)— and we know He sees US, and calls US into His fellowship. He called to Peter (walking on the sea/Matthew 14:29)— and we dare to step out by faith into the 'impossible' when He calls US. He called to Lazarus (John 11:43)— and we know that He will never leave us in the grave.

But look with me at some of the universal invitations of Jesus:

I. COME, FIND REST!

(Matthew 11:28-29) A CALL TO REST OF SOUL !

To the weary, and especially to those who are bowed under the load of selfishness and sin, Jesus calls: "Come, and I will give you rest!"

These may be the most beautiful words ever spoken in any language!

II. COME AND BE SATISFIED!

(John 7:37 If any man thirst, let him come to Me! also from Isaiah 55:1 "Ho, everyone that thirsteth; come ye to the waters, come ye and buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.") A CALL TO SATISFACTION

There is a God-ache in my soul! I believe there is one in yours, too. I believe that everyone, made in the image of God, no matter how marred that image may be, everyone has this God-ache. We stuff the ache with things, with activities. But only a dynamic on-going God-love can fill this big ache in us. It is a healthy ache— a hunger that tells us there is hope, for God has made us— and knows how to fill us.

That filling involves love and worship— it also involves being fruitful— carrying forward the work of Jesus Christ.

To me...this is the POSITIVE side of salvation; Jesus not only calls us to REST, but He calls us to WORK— not just busy work— but work that makes a difference, work that gives great satisfaction!

III. A CALL TO FOLLOW

(Matthew 16:24/Mark 8:34/Luke 9:23) If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross (Luke adds "daily") and follow Me!"

  1. To follow means A YOKE/ A LEARNING/ seeking to be LIKE
  2. To follow means A DEATH! That is what the CROSS is all about! Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ!" Learning to GIVE instead of taking all the time!
  3. A call to childlikeness (Mt 19:14/Mk10:14/Lk 18:6 Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.)
  4. But remember: this "dying" is also "planting!" The seed falls into the ground and brings forth FRUIT! We are called to share in the JOY of Jesus!

John 15— abiding in HIM we bear much fruit!

IV. A CALL TO RULE!

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

But here there will be a Great Separation.

Conclusion:

One of the most beautiful scenes in all the Bible takes place in Galilee . . . along the shores of a lake early in the morning as the mists are rising. The disciples' faith is being restored after the devastation of the Crucifixion. Jesus has come to restore Peter— and as the disciples come to land they see, not an ethereal spirit, but a very real glorified Savior who has prepared a meal over glowing coals on the shore.

He calls to them (John 21:12): "COME, AND DINE!"

Let's sing "Jesus Calls Us"