An alternative version of the sermon from the first service can be seen below.
Luke 15:1-10
Can we truly put a price tag on life itself? We hear of individual lawsuits over loved ones that have died. There are class action suits on behalf of multiple people that have died. Maybe a judge or a jury attempts to assign a price tag for the life that was lost. Let’s face it, no amount of money can compensate for the lost life.
Life on this earth is temporary and we look towards the everlasting life promised to us in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. If it is so difficult to put a price tag on life on this earth, then just what is the value of everlasting life? Christians believe in an everlasting life in Christ. We also believe as part of this promise, that the kingdom of heaven not only is a promise for the future, when fully realized but it is something that is breaking through to the hear and now and can be lived in today.
Is there a price tag that can be given to living in the kingdom of heaven today? We most likely have all heard of the term stewardship. Just in case you have not. When we refer to stewardship as Christians, it is to manage the gifts and talents that God has given us freely for our use. Catch that last part, use. They are not for ours to keep but to use. God came down and took on flesh and died once and for all, for all of humanity.
This gift of God is to be shared because it is the good news; it is the gospel of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, God in the flesh. We have been given this good news to share, not hoard for our sake. This gift was costly for God, in God’s death. So costly, there is no price tag. The gift is priceless.
How do we receive this priceless gift? It is only in hearing the Word. How does one hear the Word of God, if they have not been exposed to the gospel? I can think of one place where all have the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and it is not at the workplace.
Eighty-two percent of the un-churched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited, according to Dr. Thom Rainer in his book, The unchurched Next Door. Yet, as stewards of this priceless gift, Dr. Rainer says that, only two percent of church members invite an un-churched person to church.
There can be a multitude of perceived reasons we do not invite someone to church. Maybe it is how we perceives our own church environment or you do not feel competent in speaking with others about theology or religion. Which by the way, an invite to church, does not have to involve this. Just simply invite someone to see where and why you attend church. Maybe it is your perceptions of what others might think of church.
I want to tell you a true story of a man who was invited to church. Now this story goes back into his childhood. He was un-churched, his family did not believe in God, or at least did not see the value of attending church. Growing up, he often wondered what happened at church but at the same time believed that the people who attended, were somehow different than him. If they were different, then he would not fit in. Therefore did not investigate what it would be like to attend a church.
As the boy grew older, he had a girlfriend who took him to church once. Because the atmosphere was not inviting, he did not seek to go back. Eventually this boy became an adult and attended college. There he was invited to church, which he attended once. He did not hear of the good new but only found condemnation.
Later he met a woman who was a regular attender of church. They were married in a church, yet he did not frequent church often. He found that those that attended were not inviting and seemed to be unwilling to be inclusive towards him.
Eventually, he and his wife found another church, where the pastor was inviting and there was a connection made to the pastor but not the community. He still was not a regular attender, not really involved but was slowly attending more. After the pastor and associate pastor left the church, the man became discontent and no longer wanted to attend that church.
He was invited again to attend church. This time a neighbor invited him. She told him how exciting the church was. She assured him that he would be welcomed and he could be who he was. Not only that, there were others attending that were like him.
So, the man and his wife started to attend church more often. They found people there just like them. The atmosphere was welcoming and others walked with them at their pace to welcome them into the community of believers.
I hope you noticed a pattern here of invitation. Do you see the pattern to attend church? How about the invitation to be part of the community, when going to church? Stewardship of the gospel means we as Christians, will invite others to be part of the Christian church. No, we must not invite in order to win our salvation. However if we do not invite, the cost to others is priceless.
Oh, by the way, the man that was invited as a boy, a college student and as adult is still going to church today. He was invited to another congregation that has again changed his entire family’s life again. In fact, it so much changed his life, the life of his family that he is attending seminary and is preaching before you today.
Not all invites will result in someone attending church, but eighty-two percent of the un-churched, not even those that have been to church before but the un-churched, will likely attend. It does not say when but eventually.
On a final note, I should present a disclaimer about the invite, not all results will be like the one in the story today. You never know though, until you invite. The lost sheep has been found and brought back into the fold. The coin has been found and there is rejoicing. Invite someone every week, and then watch the Holy Spirit at work. You will be amazed!