5 Invitations in the Moment

by Pastor Eric Carpenter

Based on the surveys from our first conference together, the overwhelming sentiment seems to be that it exceeded most everyone’s expectations - I know it certainly exceeded mine! Despite many of us not knowing what to expect, I believe it is fair to say that the presence of the Spirit was there and palpable. Many have called the conference a significant source of encouragement, having left it feeling encouraged and blessed. And hopefully, even in small ways, many felt better equipped for the ministries that we all returned to. Praise God for all that He has done! 

For me, it is easy to have a great experience at a conference or a retreat and leave with a determination to implement all the new stuff that I learned, only to leave those new ideas in a notebook somewhere on a shelf. My hope and desire are that this would not be the case regarding the Alliance’s first gathering. We have a great resource in the Alliance website where the workshop recordings are available to revisit all of the important content that was shared. But now that we are six weeks past the conference, it felt like a good time to remind you of the five invitations that were shared over the course of the three days. I believe these are not one-time invitations, like at a conference, but are available to us throughout our lives of faith. Jesus wants us to walk in these invitations, saying ‘yes’ to Him continually.  

Invitation #1: Renewal by His Presence

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

I love this incredible passage of scripture first and foremost because we see that when Jesus came to earth, He was the revelation of the kindness and love of God. But this passage is also meaningful because of the reminders that through His mercy we have experienced rebirth in Christ and that one of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is our renewal. Praise God! 

At the conference, Joel Baar, the president of the Alliance board, mentioned his “abiding time,” a time each day when he walks with both the Lord and his dog. He encouraged all of us to have a regular abiding time. My abiding time happens to be the same as Joel’s, walking with the Lord and my dogs (Jack Russell Terriers, Bentley and Niya) each morning. This is perhaps my greatest source of renewal in the Lord – a time away from phones and emails simply to be with Him. What’s your abiding time? Are you regularly allowing space and times of quiet to discern His voice? Without allowing Him to leads us by “quiet waters,” we soon grow weary in life and ministry.

Invitation #2: Reformation According to His Word

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

I think it is a fair assessment that many Christians in our world today are being deceived and are conforming “to the pattern of this world” and deeply grieving the Spirit. Perhaps the best part of our heritage as Reformed Christians is that we are committed to ever-reforming according to His scripture.

Why not spend some time with this passage in particular? Psalm 1 promises a blessing upon those who meditate on the Lord’s words, they are like “a tree planted by streams of water” (1:3). The Lord promises to transform our minds, reforming our understanding and discernment of His ways and will. But instead of studying this passage as you would for a sermon, try approaching it in a more contemplative way. In a quiet space, read it over several times, allowing the Spirit to highlight particular words or phrases. Sit with some personal questions of this text like: what patterns of this broken world have crept into my thinking and believing? What blocks or strongholds are getting in my way? How is the Lord seeking to reform my understanding? 

Invitation #3: Authentic Relationships

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:3-4

It was such a joy both seeing old friends that I had not connected with in many years (though some of the young leaders made me feel incredibly old) and all the new friendships that were made. I left the conference hopeful that the Alliance would become a place of deep and authentic relationships.

One of the great desolations of our time is the deep divisions that keep us apart. These divisions are within families, churches and denominations. These issues, as important as they may be, have caused the loss of a great many friendships. Partly in response to this (and in response to scripture), our church values what we call “Sacred Friendships.”

The gathering is now several weeks behind us, why not take a moment to reach out to a friend you made there? Or take a moment to catch up with an old friend, not for any ministry purposes but simply to stay connected, just for friendship’s sake. We are meant to be known by the love in which we have for one another (John 13:34-35). Why not take this beautiful and lofty command and get practical with it!  Prioritize others, especially those whom you don’t see on a regular basis.

 Invitation #4: Humble Repentance:  

 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of our time together was our shared confession. I thought it was powerful as we sought to be Spirit-led, confessing together as the Lord brought things to mind. In this past year, I was challenged in the area of my confessional life when my spiritual director asked me to consider confessing to another person. I have tried to make confession a part of the regular rhythms of my walk with God, but most of the time that is simply doing some personal reflection and confessing it to Him. I couldn’t remember the last time I had confessed to another person.

I reflected on James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed,” I believed the invitation spoken by my director was from the Lord. I felt like His kindness was leading me to repentance. I decided to take the plunge and I found a church and a pastor that I didn’t know (in a different city from my home). As I sat before him and shared some of the deep things on my heart, I could feel the Lord’s compassion and forgiveness through this leader. Through my tears, I received the Lord’s kindness and love. Perhaps the invitation from my director is for you today. Possibly in this moment the Lord is inviting you to live James 5:16 in a very practical way.

Invitation #5: Revival by His Power

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. Acts 3:19-21

I have always been fascinated by Peter’s presentation of the gospel here, just the second time the gospel is recorded in the early church. He declares that from their repentance their sins will be forgiven (literally obliterated) but also that “times of refreshing will come from the Lord.”  That Greek word there, anapsyxis, does mean refreshing but it also means “a recovery of breath or figuratively, revival”. Revival has been a prayer of mine for the Church since last year. I felt led to pray not just for our church and/or denomination, but for the greater Church.

Many of you are aware of the outpouring of the Spirit at Asbury University that happened this past February. Even the secular world was intrigued by what was taking place there. Thousands of folks, literally from around the world, went there seeking the fullness of the Spirit. I saw this as an answer to the prayers of many that have been crying out for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. My prayer is that this was just the beginning of something significant.

I continue to pray for revival world-wide but I also pray for it personally. I long to experience “times of refreshing” in every aspect of my life.

Do you pray for personal and corporate revival?  The psalmist prayed for the Lord to revive them (Psalm 80:18; 85:6).  Indeed, this is one of the promises of the Lord to those who walk in humility, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite,” Isaiah 57:15. Why not join the prayers of the psalmists?  

Have you ever reflected on how invitational our God is?  He invites us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Mt. 6:33), to come to Him if we are thirsty (John 7:37), and to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him (Mt. 11:28).  How incredible would our lives be if we recognized His daily invitations to us, and said ‘yes’ to Him each day.  That would be a beautiful life indeed! 

Eric has served as the Lead Pastor of Springs Community Church since 2008.  He is presently studying spiritual formation and direction.  Part of his ministry is supporting other pastors and leaders, especially in the areas of formation, the ministries of the Spirit and the Kingdom of God.  Please feel free to contact him at: eric@springsco.church.