Inviting others to “Come with Us”
Who Gives the Invitation
Who Receives the Invitation
Numbers 10:29-32 (KJV)
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, (Jethro) Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. [30] And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. [31] And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. [32] And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
Family
Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail’s pace of the other. Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.
God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination without being burned. Yet when the program takes priority over people, people often suffer. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the number one slot? How many people never reach the destination because of the aggressiveness of a competitive captain? In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado Word Publishing, 1991, pp. 97-98.
Who gives the Invitation
Why should we call our families to Christ?
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
It is God who purposes to bring us to a “Promised Land”.
As Moses, we are called to share the wealth that we receive in being children of our “living God” with our family…
Is your whole family saved?
Have you told them of God’s salvation in your life?
Of God’s provision thus far in your journey.
Of God’s daily provision for you?
Of God’s eternal provision for you?
And each provision is available to each family member also.
God offers us the “Promised Land”
Amazing isn’t it, that God would offer former slaves a place in a “Promised Land”.
…We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you…
We are indeed journeying to this land today.
And we need not journey alone, God provides guides.
Do you see the “Promised Land” as the gift it is?
Heaven is our “Promised Land”
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Philip. 3:20
Former slaves to sin are now citizens of heaven.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Will you come with us?
Who Received the Invitation
…Leave us not, I pray thee v.31
Moses gave the invitation to someone in need of salvation and God’s blessings in their life.
God’s great desire is that all men might be saved, that our families might come to salvation…
Moses desired that his brother in law might join them in their journey and be blessed alongside of the Israelites.
Are you inviting others to be blessed alongside of you today?
…if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. [v. 32]
God’s invitations always help the one receiving it.
God’s invitations through you would do no less today for someone in need of His blessings.
God cares about every person we meet
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
If we are faithful to invite…
All who receive God’s invitation will be with us in Heaven, they will all be our “Family of God”.
And they will enjoy God’s blessings along the way.
Will you as Moses be faithful to issue the call to your family and friends?
How will you respond to God’s invitation today?
Will you put forth God’s invitation to all with whom you have contact today?
Will you let those around you know how much God loves them and how God longs to do them good.
No matter the journey that we are on, God knows the beginning from the end if we will simply trust in Him.
Wherever God calls us to walk, let us always invite others to walk and receive God’s blessings beside us, especially our families and friends.
