Words of Christianity: Come

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The word come is a most special word of Christianity, and, well, that’s our study today. So come and join us right here from the International Gospel Hour back in a moment.

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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.

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For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.

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Well, thank you to our J-Web for his kind words. Greetings to all of you. Great having you with us today for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. We are under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee Church of Christ. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. That’s P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Our website for 24-7 search and perusal is internationalgospelhour, all one word, internationalgospelhour.com, and our 24-7 toll-free number is 855-444-6988. We love to hear from our listeners. And today we recognize our friends once again, our friends from Polishing the Pulpit, for our study today. In 2024, Polishing the Pulpit assembled for the first time in Branson, Missouri. During that week, the study of 12 words of Christianity was presented. And our friends at PTP have allowed us, in part, to share this study with you. And today we want to consider the word, come. might I defer to one of the directors, Alan Webster, some thoughts about the special word come. He notes the Greek word translated as come signifies a movement towards something or someone, and how this invitation is seen throughout Jesus’ ministry as he calls individuals to follow him, to enter a relationship with him, and receive the eternal life that he offers, John 6 and verse 37. We appreciate the good work of Brother Eric Owens of Round Rock, Texas, for the lesson of this broadcast, and in a moment, another lesson from the twelve words of Christianity, and that is the word come. But now, a few words about a fellow laborer with us, as well as polishing the pulpit, our friends at House to House, Heart to Heart.

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Please check out our fellow laborers at HouseToHouse.com, an outstanding website for topic research, an excellent media section, and some free materials. While there, please request a free copy of House to House, Heart to Heart. Check it out today at HouseToHouse.com.

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It’s a simple word, yet deeply profound. In the context of Christianity, it carries layers of meaning and significance. It’s a word of invitation, of welcome, of calling. A word that transcends mere command and transforms into a plea from the divine to the humanity. Throughout the scriptures, this word, come, resonates in various circumstances. Always inviting, always welcoming, always reaching out from God unto man. For those who do not know him, God says, Come to me. For those who have wandered away, he says, Come back to me. To those struggling without, he invites, Come reason with me. And for those with questions, he calls, Come listen to me. And to those who have lived faithfully and passed on, he extends the final invitation, Come home to be with me. When the Godhead says, Come, it is always a gracious invitation. It involves an offer and an acceptance. It’s never forced, but a gentle call, always with the potential for blessing, if accepted, or consequences, if rejected. Every member of the Godhead uses this word in unique ways. The Father says, Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55, 1. Near the end of the Bible, the Spirit echoes this invitation. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let the one who hears say, Come, and let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22, 17. Our focus here is on Christ’s use of the word, Come. The Father, the Spirit, the Bride all say, Come. In Matthew 11, before Jesus invites others to come to him, he first shows that he has come to them. Imagine Jesus standing on the earth surrounded by a crowd, mostly Jewish, speaking of his coming. The chapter begins with questions from John the Baptist’s disciples. In Matthew 11, 1 through 6, it says, Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding his twelve disciples, that he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, Are you the coming one, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John the things which you hear and see, the blind see and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. And the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of me. Christ’s response to John is clear. Yes, I am the one who was to come. He then turns to the crowd and announces his coming to them. In verses 7-15 of Matthew 11, Jesus speaks of John the Baptist affirming his role as the forerunner. Jesus emphasizes that John is the messenger sent to prepare the way. He tells the crowd that they should have listened to John who announced Jesus’ coming. Yet many in the crowd were missing the significance of his presence among them. Jesus speaks with urgency, denouncing the cities where his miracles were performed because they did not repent. He warns them of the impending judgment, emphasizing that their souls are at stake. We move on to verses 25-27 where Jesus makes it clear that if they miss Him, they miss the Father. For He says, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight. All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal him. Now, friends, only after emphasizing his coming and the importance of recognizing him does Jesus extend the invitation to come. We come to Matthew 11, 28-30 that says, And are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. So see, friends, his invitation to come, it’s the greatest ever given. It is an invitation from God in the flesh to humanity. The word invitation means a spoken or written request for someone’s presence or participation. Jesus’ use of come indicates belief. He believes in us and desires our presence. It manifests fellowship. He wants to share in his life, his love, his salvation. Jesus said, come unto me. The greatest host to ever invite anyone is Jesus. You know, if a celebrity called you to attend an event, you might go. If an angel from heaven invited you, wouldn’t you go? No. How much more should the invitation from Jesus, God in the flesh, compel us to come? The invitation, come unto me, invites nearness and intimacy. It invites unity and fellowship. Jesus, the Word made flesh, extends this call to all. It is the greatest guest list ever assembled. The Scripture says, Whosoever will, let him come. God loves the world and desires that none should perish. His invitation is inclusive, extending to all without discrimination. Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. An invitation to put down the greatest burden ever carried, the burden of sin. Sin affects every aspect of our existence, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It damages relationships with God, ourselves, and others. Jesus offers rest. I will give you rest, He says, a personal promise, a reset, a renewal, and Jesus has the power to fulfill this promise. He extends it to you, seeing your struggles and offering relief. The greatest rest that’s ever provided. Rest for the soul, relief from the burden of sin. Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Sin deceives, lies, entices, and destroys. But Jesus offers a pleasant, easy yoke and learning of Him. Taking on His character, thinking, speaking, and living like Him brings wisdom and peace. Take my goal upon you. is the greatest trade ever made. Christ invites you to trade the burden of sin for His yoke, for sin is a cruel taskmaster, but the Savior is kind. Sin is evil, the Savior is good. Sin destroys, the Savior delivers. Sin deceives, the Savior is the truth. Sin pushes you down, Jesus exalts. Sin fails, the Savior forgives. and trading sin for the Savior will improve every aspect of your life. It brings abundant life now and eternal life later. Your soul can be healed. Learn of me, Jesus invites, the greatest subject ever studied. He has the words of eternal life and brings immortality to light. Learning of Christ means understanding the fullness of God, His teachings, His example, and His love. Christ’s invitation to come is the greatest ever made. Jesus said, Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins, John 8, 24. And you cannot come to the Father without coming to Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. So the Father says come, the Spirit says come, the Christ says come, the Bride says come, the greatest invitation ever extended. Dear friends, have you accepted the invitation of Christ to come to Him? We’re grateful for the good work of Brother Eric Owens of the Westside Church of Christ in Round Rock, Texas, about a half hour north of Austin, Texas. The website is wscoc.org. Please check out the good work there by Brother Owens. And friends, when we invite people to come, we want you to know that coming to Christ, indeed, we must respond to Christ. You may want to study this a little further. We have a new Bible study available by mail from the International Gospel Hour. It’s absolutely free as everything that we send to you is free. It is titled, God and Man, How to be Saved from Sin. Here’s all you do. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988. Leave us your name and address and just say, God and Man. That’s all you have to do. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave the same information. Name and address and type God and man in the message box. Again, 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say God and man. Or our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave the same information. Your name, address and just type God and man in the message box. another new Bible study that is free from International Gospel Hour. And friends, concerning study, we’ll continue at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.

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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today. To God goes all the glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. To listen to it again or our other broadcasts, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.