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1. The invitation begins when a hand of welcome is extended at the door. When a member of the church reaches forth his hand, he is asking for a response. When the visitor extends his hand for a warm handshake, he is responding, and the invitation has begun!  There seems to be a certain kind of feeling that the church building is where God lives and that we come by to see Him every week. Therefore, the church house is a place of austerity and quietness. Nothing could be farther from the truth!  God does not live inside the church building any more than He lives inside your home.  I Corinthians 6:18-20.

2. The song service is a part of the invitation. When the song leader announces the number and the audience turns to that number; it is responding to the song leader, and the spirit of responding is being increased. When the song leader asks the congregation to stand for the next song, the fact that they grant his request and stand is in itself a response and becomes a part of the invitation. The singing itself is responding.  It is the audience participating.  It is used by the Spirit of God to make responding easier and to make the service conducive to a response when the invitation song is sung.

3. The opening remarks are a part of the invitation. Perhaps the Preacher says something that prompts a smile. This too is a response and helps to create a spirit of responding. This means that a warm introduction that causes the people of the audience to even have a nice thought is a part of the invitation. The people become participants with their thinking and with their acting. This will make it easier for them to participate throughout the service and especially at the end of the service when they can find the spirit of responding an asset to their responding to the call of Christ to receive His gift of eternal life.

4. The recognition of visitors is a part of the invitation. The fact that they are asked to stand gives them an opportunity to respond. Of course, by this time they are accustomed to responding. They responded to the handshake at the door. They responded to the congregational singing. They responded to the preacher's opening remarks. Now they are more likely to respond by standing as visitors.

5.  Humor is a part of the invitation. Humor, in good taste, is an excellent way to invoke response. Something is said from the podium, and people smile, chuckle or laugh. They are responding. This is one reason that humor is such a vital part of a church service. It is simply another way for the platform to seek a response and for the audience to grant it.

6. Identification with the speaker is an important part of the invitation. If the congregation feels that they are part of the sermon, if illustrations are used that pull the congregation into the speaker so that they can identify with him, it becomes easy to respond in one's mind. This too is apart of the invitation.

The sermon is now over. The person entered into the church and responded by extending his hand to a friendly greeter. He responded to the usher by following him to his seat. He responded to the song director by opening his song book to the number announced. He responded during the singing of a familiar song. He responded in his heart to the opening remarks. He responded with a smile or chuckle to some well-chosen humor. He responded at the recognition of visitors. For an hour or more he has been responding.  Now it is time to respond to the Gospel.  He is comfort- able. He feels at home.  The service has not been starchy or ritualistic.  The Holy Spirit speaks to him. Response has not been difficult thus far; it will not be difficult now. The invitation is begun. A song of invitation is being sung. Soon there are tears and conviction and then, praise God, a response.
They are now in the aisle. They are coming to the front. They are now talking to the elder or preacher.  They will now learn and study the steps of salvation, so that they can be baptized for their sin’s remission.
 
They are now a new creature in Christ Jesus, and to think, even the usher at the front door had a part!