This Sunday, March 16, is the International Day of Evangelism. And, at the Text-Driven Ministries, we have been building up to this day for quite some time, praying that we have provided you with resources you need in order to prepare for a day of harvest. Yesterday, on Episode 195 of the Text-Driven Podcast, we were joined by Dr. Brad Whitt to discuss how to give an evangelistic invitation. Dr. Whitt is a local church pastor in Georgia and has spent a lengthy amount of time studying the topic of effective decision counseling and the biblical invitation. To accompany this helpful podcast discussion, we want to discuss what you, the faithful church member, should be doing during the invitation time.
Be Praying
The moment the sermon ends and the invitation begins, you should be fervent in prayer. Pray that the Lord would save someone. Pray that Satan would be restricted from preventing every man, woman, boy, and girl from making a decision. Pray that the decision counselors and pastoral staff would be equipped to serve and counsel those who come forward. Pray for all distractions in the room to cease. Be fervent in prayer during the entire invitation time.
Be Patient
Do you usually use the invitation time to check your phone or prepare lunch plans? We urge you to be patient during the invitation time. Some would argue, that this is the most important time of the service—the opportunity to watch people go from death to life. Instead of getting a head start to the parking lot or jumping in line to pick up your children, use this time to remain patient and prayerful.
Be Ready
The moment the sermon ends and the invitation begins, you need to be ready. Though it may be too late to consider being a decision counselor for this Sunday, consider serving at some point. Also, be ready to answer questions or disciple the friend, co-worker, neighbor, or family member that came with you to church to hear John 3:16 preached. Take your guest to lunch after the service to allow an intentional conversation about the gospel. Be ready to probe your guest about their eternal state. Also, be ready to welcome other guests who have chosen to attend on Sunday, March 16.
Be Contemplative
Not only are you to be praying, patient, and ready, but you are also to be contemplative during the Sunday invitation time. Just because you're a church member, have been baptized, have been faithful in your tithing, or have been a deacon for five decades, does not mean that you're saved. During the invitation time, contemplate your eternal state. Do you know that you know that you know that you are saved? Have you truly given your heart and life to Jesus? There is nothing embarrassing about being honest about your eternal state and putting your faith and trust in Jesus. During the invitation, make sure that you know that you have been born again. Your life depends on it.
Conclusion
The International Day of Evangelism isn't the end of this evangelistic movement—it's the beginning. The Sunday invitation is an important time to commit yourself to be an active, text-driven evangelist. There is still time to invite someone to come to church with you on Sunday, March 16. Then, invite a friends to come with you on Sunday, March 23. Then, Sunday, March 30. And every Sunday until the Lord calls you home to glory. The task is too urgent to wait. Be praying, patient, ready, and contemplative.
Written by Klayton Carson
You can listen to the Text-Driven Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at www.textdriven.org/podcasts. New episodes are released every Monday, just in time for your morning commute.
