Commentary: Proclamation demands an invitation

Steve Foster

I am convinced that every preacher can learn to give effective invitations that call people to repentance and faith in Jesus.”

One reason for ineffective evangelism is the lack of preparation in extending an invitation. Many pastors admit their weakness in giving invitations and they often state that it is not what they work on when preparing a sermon. C.E. Autrey wrote “that if a pastor fails to invite his listeners to accept Christ, he is departing from the practice of the New Testament Church.”

Jesus came preaching and inviting people, and we are to do the same. He told the man with the withered hand to “step forward” (Mark 3:3). He commanded Lazarus to “come forth!” (John 11:43).  The Gadarene Demonic was charged “to go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done” (Mark 5:19).

I am convinced that every preacher can learn to give effective invitations that call people to repentance and faith in Jesus. Following are suggestion that have helped me in giving effective evangelistic invitations.

1. Start your message with an invitation and weave that invitation all through your message. Example: if you read John 4 you immediately say, “Jesus invited the woman at the well to trust Him and I’m inviting you to trust Him today.” Weave that emphasis all through your message.
2. Give your invitation with urgency. Communicate with your listeners that this is their message, their opportunity, their moment of decision, their verse we are singing, their time to be saved. Make sure they know that we are not promised tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation!
3. Give your invitation with authority. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11).
4. Be specific in your invitation. Let them know what you are calling them to do. Have clarity about salvation and repentance. Call christians to a deeper walk and name the commitments you are asking them to make (witnessing, deeper prayer life, forgiving others, etc.).
5. Give the invitation with expectancy. Have a positive attitude that someone will want to trust God.
6. Give the invitation after personal spiritual preparation. Bathe the invitation in prayer. Cry out to God to put His hand of power on your life as you call people to Jesus.

Preparation and prayer will prepare us to give powerful invitations that will result in more live changed by the gospel. If no one responds, you have been a faithful servant. When people do respond, make much of their decision and celebrate the victory.

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Steve Foster is an evangelism regional leader at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.