"Now how can they call on one in whom they have never believed? How can they believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how can they hear unless someone proclaims Him?" Romans 10:14 (Phillips)

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVITING PEOPLE. No one can believe a message that they have never heard. We must proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus to non-believers ... and we must invite them to believe in Him. The Gospel message and invitation may only be the tip of the witnessing iceberg ... but without them, no one sees the iceberg. Proclaiming the Gospel and inviting people to believe in Jesus are critically important.

PAUL INVITED PEOPLE. Paul invited people to put their faith in Jesus. He begged people to be reconciled to God, 2 Corinthians 5:20. He reasoned with non-believers ... explained the Gospel to them ... gave evidence ... and did all he could to persuade them to believe, Acts 17:2-4.

JESUS INVITED PEOPLE. Jesus challenged Nicodemus with the words, "You must be born again” John 3:7. Later some non-believers asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" And He responded, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” John 6:28-29. Jesus did more than state the facts ... He asked for commitment. When Jesus called His disciples Peter, Andrew, and Levi (Matthew), He challenged them to make a commitment with the words, "Follow Me” Matthew 4:19, Luke 5:27.

OUR INVITING PEOPLE. The examples and teaching of the New Testament compel us to proclaim the Gospel ... and compel us to invite non-believers to believe in Jesus. We must be prepared to do those two things ... to proclaim and to invite. Be able to explain the Gospel clearly and simply. Know how to invite people to receive Christ as Savior. First ... be sure that you understand the Gospel. Know the facts, the flow, the invitation, and the prayer. Be bold and sensitive ... those two are not mutually exclusive. Apply the communication guidelines explained in the previous chapter as you share the Gospel. In addition, learn to illustrate the Gospel ... adding clarity rather than clutter to your presentation. Be ready and willing to help people come to faith in Jesus.

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