Just an Invitation - But what a difference an invitation makes!

Hello.  Welcome.  In Matthew 11, Jesus “finished commanding His disciples” and taught and preached in their cities.  He answered John’s question; “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” with “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see.”  After speaking about John’s mission and His own, He rebuked the cities who should have believed in Him but would not repent.  He then prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to His Father after which He extended His great invitation; “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

One of our Christian brothers was not as faithful as he should have been.  This is his story.

I didn’t meet for worship and fellowship on the Lord’s Day this week.  On Monday a friend met me on the street and said, “I noticed that you were absent from our assembly yesterday.  Will you be there next Sunday?”  “No,” I replied.  “I can’t make it.  Don’t look for me.”  Two Christian brothers saw me on Tuesday at Walmart and asked me about my absence.  I said to the first, “I wish I could have been there on Sunday, maybe next Sunday” and to the second, “My schedule looks impossible, but I’ll try to make it.”  On Wednesday morning at the Post Office a fourth Christian brother asked if I would be at church next service.  “I’ll certainly try to be there, but I may not be able to make it.”  Before I reached my car a fifth Christian stopped me, and then and there I promised I would be there for sure.  I don’t know whose official duty it was to contact me, but I couldn’t resist the invitation from five Christian brothers and sisters. 

We all like to go where we are wanted and needed.  If we want the saved and the unsaved, the different and the indifferent, as well as the absentees to attend when the church meets together to hear the best news in all the world, we must let them know.  If we really want them to come, we will find the opportunity to invite them.  This is our task and the duty of every member of the church of Christ at Watterson Trail.  Let’s do this.  Jesus did.