Lost Cause

What if the goal of sharing our faith was not just about rescuing people from something, but inviting them into something? That question sits at the heart of this message, and it reframes everything we think we know about evangelism and salvation. Drawing from Jesus's prayer in John 17:3, where he defines eternal life as truly knowing God, we are reminded that the Greek word for 'know' points to a deep, intimate relationship, not mere intellectual awareness. This is what we are inviting people into. But here is the challenge: the wounds and experiences we carry from life shape the lens through which we see God, ourselves, and others. A child who experienced love being withdrawn as punishment may grow into an adult who instinctively pulls away from God when they fail. Someone who never had a present, loving father may struggle to feel the nearness of God as Father. These are not small hurdles. They are soul-level wounds that affect how we receive grace. The good news is that Jesus speaks directly to this reality. His invitation in Matthew 11 to come to him and find rest is not just about physical exhaustion. It is a promise of restoration for the deepest parts of who we are. This message calls us to take that invitation seriously, not just for the people we are reaching, but for ourselves first.