The Narrow Gate

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Christian Music Artist Steven Curtis Chapman is a great friend, and he wrote a wonderful song called, “The Invitation.” It paints a beautiful picture of God’s love for His children and how He is inviting them into His house. And the chorus of the song says, “This is your invitation. Come just the way you are. Come find what your soul has been longing for…”

God has invited each one of us into His Kingdom, but there are so many people who are missing out on the invitation. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life…”

In today’s day and age, there are more “gates” than ever. People are looking for Truth in all the wrong places. In money, in success, in fame, in power. But ultimately, none of these things will result in peace and Salvation. That can only be found in Christ. Will you show people the way to the narrow Gate? If you’re not sure where to start, pray and ask the Lord to reveal someone who needs to hear the Invitation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can start sharing the Good News today!

A Faithful Witness

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I want to remind you of an essential truth today: The Good News is an invitation. You may say, “OK, Luis. I already knew that.” But it’s amazing how often we don’t give a clear invitation for people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Unbelievers must answer the question, “How am I going to respond to Jesus Christ?”

We need to confront unbelievers as Jesus did, with compassion and love, so they won’t close their hearts to God’s voice. I think sometimes this is the hardest part. Many people who claim to know God approach evangelism by shaming and name-calling—but Jesus never did this. In fact, Jesus offered compassion and love to people long before they came to receive His free gift of salvation! I have found that when people are approached in love, they actually want to know what steps to take to respond to Christ. Often they turn God’s glorious offer down, true, but now at least they know. You did as you were told to do by God the Father.

So be bold. Be persistent. Be faithful to give an invitation. The Lord will give you fruit, and it will be your joy and crown in heaven. Jesus said, “…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—- fruit that will last…” [John 15:16] The Lord has appointed us to bear fruit for eternity, so let’s be faithful witnesses for Him.

An Easy Method

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When I talk to someone about Jesus Christ, I often use my friend Paul Little’s question: “Have you trusted Jesus Christ yet, or are you still on the way?”

It’s a great question because the moment the person answers you usually know if he’s in the kingdom or out. But it doesn’t put him on the spot. If he says, “I’m still on the way,” ask, “How far along the way?” That usually reveals how well he understands the Good News gospel of Jesus. It’s good to listen to where a person is coming from, and prayerfully relate God’s message to where they are, as far as we can tell.
After establishing some conversation, you could ask “Would you like to receive Jesus Christ right now?” If he or she is ready, discuss the basics of salvation. You can find these basics in the Four Spiritual Laws booklet. Essentially, the four laws say first, that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. The second law is that man is sinful, and therefore separated from God. The third law says that Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin, through His cross and resurrection. Through Him we can experience God’s love and plan. And the fourth law says, we must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Then, we can know God’s divine plan for our life! When the person is ready, lead them in prayer!
This week, I encourage you to use this method of evangelism on someone God lays on your heart. Jesus says, “I am the way” and indeed He is!

A Doorman for God

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What would you say if I told you I’m a doorman? As an evangelist, that’s really what I am. I stand at the door of the kingdom of God and call to the people passing by: “Come in, come in! This is the only door—- come in here!”

All believers have the responsibility of inviting people into the kingdom. Jesus said over and over, “Come. Drink. Eat. Receive. Follow Me. Repent. Believe.” On many occasions, He gave His listeners a clear opportunity to choose between surrender or rebellion, light or darkness, hope or despair. And you and I should and can offer the same invitation to friends, neighbors and co-workers. It doesn’t matter what method you use, as long as it’s ethical and clear. The important thing is giving people the invitation to come to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Soon, I’ll be working with hundreds of churches in the New York City area to invite New Yorkers to Jesus Christ. Together, we’re doormen for Jesus. We open the door and beg them, “Come in, come in. Be reconciled with God.” What a privilege!

This week, let’s tell everyone what Jesus said in John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Will you, too, be a doorman for God?

The Invitation

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Things are busier than ever! I’ve been traveling to and from New York City to prepare for CityFest, which Lord-willing will take place in Central Park this July. Being in the Big Apple has reminded me of all of the people who have yet to hear the Good News! And I am reminded that God loves every single one of them—old and young, rich and poor, regardless of their race or background. But to fully experience God’s love people must accept His invitation to come to Him.

Starting in Genesis three, the Bible is God’s invitation to the fallen human race. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

And perhaps the most touching invitation in Scripture is found in Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ’Come!’… Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Is there someone you know who has not heard God’s invitation? Share these verses with them and remind them that God is waiting for them with open arms.