Preview Dinner - This Wednesday!

Today, D.A. Carson gave us a glimpse of God-centered joy with an eternal perspective. What did the apostle John say to Gaius? “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” For a father or mother, there is no greater joy than to see your biological children walking in the truth of the gospel and bearing gospel fruit in their lives.

I pray to God that I will live to see the day when my children, by their own choice, are walking in the truth of the gospel and, by God’s grace, I hope to see my biological grandchildren walking in the truth of the gospel. I pray, and work, and trust God to that end.

I experienced some God-centered joy today as Mary and I had the privilege of worshipping with Karin Johnson, one of our spiritual mothers, and many from CrossWay who are her spiritual grandchildren, by the grace of God. What a privilege it is to turn to her and say “Thank you Karin, for sharing the gospel. My life has never been the same and I thank God for all the sacrifices you made to share Christ with me.”

It must have been an added joy for her to see the many who have been affected by the gospel through our witness, her seeds bearing fruit in the next generation. It was also a privilege today to turn to some of those people and say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” There is no greater joy.

Harvest Festival

God wants you to experience this eternal, others focused, God-centered joy as you share the truth about Jesus with others. Is this really true? I mean, I find joy in so many other menial things? I find joy in sports, in eating, in nature, in my family, but in seeing others bearing fruit from the gospel? No greater joy than seeing others come to faith in Christ and bear gospel fruit? Really? Yup. Really. No greater joy.

So, if you are not sharing the gospel with someone you are missing out. You are missing out on joy. No greater joy. So, I would encourage you, find someone to share Christ with. Do you know a neighbor, family member, work associate, friend from school with whom you can share the gospel? What about the person you invited to the Harvest Festival. This would be a perfect time to follow-up with them and invite them to the Preview Dinner.

We have our Preview Dinner for Exploring Christianity this Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in CrossWay’s lobby. Exploring Christianity isn’t the only way to share the gospel with someone. In fact, you might find more success if you shared the gospel with your friend Wednesday after Wednesday on your own. But if you are like me, and not that disciplined, or even skilled, Exploring Christianity might be a perfect place for you to share the gospel with them.

Why to Invite

So, why should you invite them to the Preview Dinner? I can given you a dozen reasons from obedience, to hell, to election, to a risen Savior, to your own experience of God’s grace. But let me give you one very compelling reason. So that one day, you can turn to them and say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

How to Invite

But how do you do that? How do you invite them to the Preview Dinner? If they were at the Harvest Festival it’s easy. Just say something like, “Heh, remember that invitation to the Preview Dinner for Exploring Christianity that my pastor talked about at CrossWay? It’s this Wednesday. Would you mind coming to the Preview Dinner with me? It will be fun. You don’t have to make a commitment beyond the Preview Dinner, but can you just come with me this Wednesday? I’ll pick you up.”

What if they weren’t at the Harvest Festival, what do you say? How about this? “My church is hosting a dinner this Wednesday about a series we’re launching called Exploring Christianity. I’ve heard it’s a really great course, you meet lots of people, but most importantly is creates a relaxed setting where you can explore the Christian faith. I want to go this Wednesday, would you be willing to come with me? I can pick you up.”

It’s not as hard as it sounds and it may result in no greater joy, not only for you, but for those who come to faith in Christ. Every time I see my spiritual parents I thank them for sharing the gospel with me. I have no idea what my life would be like without knowing Christ. I didn’t know what I was missing until I experienced Jesus Christ. I thank God for them.

How to Pray

Whether you are coming to the Preview Dinner or not could you please pray for us. Here is how you can pray. Pray that…

…CrossWay would extend many invitations to the Preview Dinner.

…many of the people invited would attend the Preview Dinner this Wednesday.

…God would remove or minimize all obstacles, fears, excuses for people who were invited so that they don’t back out the last minute.

…our guests would feel warmly welcomed, they would experience community, see that it is a safe environment, and want to come back.

…God would use the interviews to compel our guests to participate in Exploring Christianity.

…the presentation of the gospel would be clear, compelling, and powerful.

…God would regenerate sinners to the truth of the gospel with Wednesday night.