We were at gay pride today and i got to speak with a person from xxx church about evangelism. Let me set the stage. There was a Gay friendly church called Trinity UMC that had signs up promoting that "God loves everbody" and "whosover means everyone." They were welcoming homosexuals. I was on the opposite corner, very close to them, and decided I was going to open air. This wasn't just any open air, this was a 90% scripture 10% preaching/explanation open air. I wanted to let the word speak for itself. I raised my voice loud enough for them to hear, but I was being very careful. As I began, you could see there eyes rolling and their heads shacking. I was only reading scripture, it was the words of God they hated. I gave a balanced message, I did mention homosexuality in a few passages, but not just focusing on that one sin. I even smiled when preaching about Jesus imploring everyone to come and lay down ALL their sin.
As I was still preaching, I recognized Craig Gross from xxx church. He had a frined with a camera. The minute I saw him, I knew exactly what he was going to do. He interviewed me with the purpose of thinking Im a typical hell fire, no grace, street preacher. He was trying to provoke me. He started by asking me what I was doing and why I was doing it. My answers were very scriptural and grace centered. I emphasized my desire for all to come to repentance and be saved, telling him that knowing that the scripture teaches that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of god (1 corinthians 6:9-11) and that I would be a terrible person if I barred the kingdom of heaven by not telling the truth. I also explained that Galatians 1 speaks of being accursed for preaching a diffrent Gospel, and the UMC gay church was preaching a wrong gospel ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE.
He then began to ask me on camera why we as christians were arguing?(he was calling the gay methodists christians.) I explained that true christians have repented and turned from all sin. He was trying to make me the bad guy and insinuating that I was doing things the wrong way. I answered all his questions with scripture and was very grace centered with my bible in my hand and he asked "If Jesus were here, would he be on my corner or the other one?" I told him he would be where his word is proclaimed rightly. He then went over to talk to the other folks and get some footage for himself.
Now the interesting things happened. After they wer finished, I went over and asked them (offcamera) what they do with the concept of God hating people?(Psalm 7:11,psalm 11:5, etc. they have a new book called God Loves you and harp on that alot.) Craig said in short that he believes most of the OT law was done away with (Matt 5:17-20 Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law.) He was asking "Why do you come here and focus on this one sin?" I explained that I personally go to alot of diffrent events, even christian ones, and speak about Christ. I continued that I was speaking a balanced message of Law and Grace and that I wasn't focused on this one sin alone, but that it is a sin and needs to be spoken about. Craig replied and said that Jesus was only harsh with the relegious, other than that he was kind. I brought in the woman at the well and how Jesus pointed out her sin specifically and the rich young ruler how Jesus spoke directly to his sin (Mark 10:17-22, and John 4:10-12). He didn't really respond to that. He went on about how we are not effective.
He believes that Jesus never preached, he just made relationships with people and as they were open he shared. I brought up the sermon on the mount with look of shock on my face. I couldn't believe that hew was saying this. He also asked me for 1 verse where Jesus condemns homosexuals, and there isnt directly one, so I brought up romans 1. He said "NO, thats paul, I wan't a verse from Jesus." He went explain He believes that Jesus words in red are higher above paul and peters. (Jesus quouted the OT as sripture and 2 tim 3:16-17 says ALL scripture is inspired.) He couldn't pin me like he wanted. I am not a heartless screamer, I am beggar who has found bread telling other beggars where to find bread.
He went on to say that the Bible is a book for christians and unbelievers don't want to hear the word, thats why we must make disciples. (He is using make disciples to mean befriend lost people and hang with them and they are your disciple, at least thats how he used it in our conversation.) I asked him where faith comes from? Romans 10 declares Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Where is the word of Christ unbelievers need? IN THE BIBLE!!!!!! I told him the word of God teaches men hate the light becuase there deeds are exposed. He was judging my brothers like crazy. Our brothers with signs (resonable sign guys), he was saying they aren't effective in reaching people. My buddy shot back by saying "have you ever held a sign and had people come to you?" He said no. He said the days of tracts and open air are gone and that speaking with people about Jesus Christ the way Paul did isn't effective. We must make disciples (befriend lost people) and eventually they will ask us.
I write this so others will have information of his theology. If you are questioning its reliability, email him at his site about his beliefs and email me about mine. I am not promoting a book, im not making money off this. People need to know this. At their booth they handed out bracelets that said "We're sorry." My buddy Keith asked them exactly what it meant? The lady at the booth said they were sorry that the relegious have condemned the homosexuals and told them they are going to hell. Even if a person says that with a wrong tone, it is TRUE from scripture that Homosexuality is a sin. I desire all men to come to Jesus, Thats why I go. Even in a dark place like this, I Go with the gospel of peace and a heart full of love. Pray that God would save ALL Gay people and that these people from xxx church would repent. God Bless
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
THINGS MUST CHANGE!!!
Luke 9:23-26
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,[a] and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
1 John 1:5-6
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Surely the original audience understood that this verse clearly teaches its ok to go to hear the music about the goddess Diana. Most definitely they knew it was ok to buy carved idols because they look really cool. Surely they understood that they could yell and cheer with worshippers of Baal, Or does these passages mean what they say? If you went to witness at the KISS concert, you would have thought that the first 3 were the proper interpretation. I have become more and more grieved for those who profess Christ and attend concerts that are 100%, absolutely demonic. Now I admit that there are many secular bands that are morally nuetral, and I think we can wrangle over this. KISS overtly promotes sexuall immorality and I know becuase I used to listen and play their music, thats right I actually do know it.
Light has nothing to do with Darkness. NOTHING. Now the scriptures clearly teach we are here to witness, and that does involve time and contact with the lost, but not participating in SIN! Now think of this concert. It doesn't start with buying a ticket and putting on makeup. It starts with following after the things of the world, perhaps turning on the radio or internet. Then, allowing something that appeals to the flesh to take hold, in this case, buying some cd's. What we put into our minds influences us for the devil or for Jesus Christ. In the scriptures, there is no middle ground.
I was holding the God Loves/God Hates sign and started chatting with Nelson. He played musical intstruments and so do I, so we talked about that. He had bought a premium ticket for $1,000 to meet the band and get front row. He asked what I was doing and I said I was spreading the Gospel. He said that was good and told me he was a christian. He did acknowledge that sounded weird to be a christian and go into a KISS concert. He said he was a pentecostal and his pastor liked Elvis. This was a great conversation, he actually asked me what I thought about a christian going into the KISS concert. THANK YOU JESUS!!!! I told him it doesn't matter what anyone says but God and and God says Darkness has nothing to do with light. I talked about that and talked about KISS and compared their message with scripture. I really challenged him and told him I cared about him and assured him that if he continues in sin, he is not saved. I urged him to throw his tickets away and go home if he really loved Jesus. I didn't say it, but I thought about saying "Go and turn from worldly pleasures to Christ and you will have treasure in heaven." Now my tone was proper, and I shared my testimony to him. I was in rock bands and I had to turn from wicked music because it is opposed to Jesus. Jesus doesn't withhold the Joys of Music from us, he gave a whole book in the Psalms. Jesus cares for us and wants us to have him, not worldly knockoffs of true joy. He wouldn't turn from his sin. He wouldn't leave his sin behind. The conversation was friendly, he listened to me and I told him I really cared about him.
I am sick and tired of seeing crosses inbetween the cleavage of badly dressed women. I handed a tract to one of those ladies passin by, and she replied in a very sweet voices "Oh god bless you sweetie." And I agree, they don't know, and I do sincerely echo the words of Jesus "Forgive them Father for they don't know what they're doing." The terrible thing is this, they are full accountable to God. I am not saying scream at them and call them names, but for the Glory of God, TELL THEM THE TRUTH!!! I am guilty as anyone else, probably even more, but we must stop all this superficial living and tell our lost friends the Good news of the Gospel and share the truth with relegious people who love sin. WE MUST!!! And it starts with us. We are not bigtime bookwriters, we are not high profile evengelicals, we are not well speaking businessmen, we are not crafty solicitors. WE ARE AMBASSADORS OF JESUS CHRIST. Everyone who is a christian is an ambassador. Take the news to the deli man at the grocery store, take the news to your neighbors, whatever we do we must take the news and teach people the truth.
I agree they are ignorant, but their sin is cosmic rebellion against the KING and it will land them in the Lake of Fire. I am not joyful about that, God is willing that none should perish and so should we, and especially to my beloved calvanist bretheren, don't think so highly of Gods soverenty that you can't see youre responsibiblity. If we think so high of his soverenty and don't recognize the human responsibility that God has given us as christians, We haven't seen his sovernty like we think we have. His soverenty is great and his commands are a delight to all who name his name. That is not an attack on my reformed brothers, think of it is as some balance.
It is also time that pastors preach very practical things from there exposition of scriputre. Im not saying stop deep theological expostion, im saying help us as sheep to understand these things. Take the cost of discipleship, Imagine a pastor was to say in summary "you must give up things to follow Christ." Question, what things? I know the answer having been born again 5 years ago, but there are many who don't. Get specific and don't be afraid to preach against worldly media, not in a legalisic way but in a Christ and Gospel centered way. Let us be found faithful.
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,[a] and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
1 John 1:5-6
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Surely the original audience understood that this verse clearly teaches its ok to go to hear the music about the goddess Diana. Most definitely they knew it was ok to buy carved idols because they look really cool. Surely they understood that they could yell and cheer with worshippers of Baal, Or does these passages mean what they say? If you went to witness at the KISS concert, you would have thought that the first 3 were the proper interpretation. I have become more and more grieved for those who profess Christ and attend concerts that are 100%, absolutely demonic. Now I admit that there are many secular bands that are morally nuetral, and I think we can wrangle over this. KISS overtly promotes sexuall immorality and I know becuase I used to listen and play their music, thats right I actually do know it.
Light has nothing to do with Darkness. NOTHING. Now the scriptures clearly teach we are here to witness, and that does involve time and contact with the lost, but not participating in SIN! Now think of this concert. It doesn't start with buying a ticket and putting on makeup. It starts with following after the things of the world, perhaps turning on the radio or internet. Then, allowing something that appeals to the flesh to take hold, in this case, buying some cd's. What we put into our minds influences us for the devil or for Jesus Christ. In the scriptures, there is no middle ground.
I was holding the God Loves/God Hates sign and started chatting with Nelson. He played musical intstruments and so do I, so we talked about that. He had bought a premium ticket for $1,000 to meet the band and get front row. He asked what I was doing and I said I was spreading the Gospel. He said that was good and told me he was a christian. He did acknowledge that sounded weird to be a christian and go into a KISS concert. He said he was a pentecostal and his pastor liked Elvis. This was a great conversation, he actually asked me what I thought about a christian going into the KISS concert. THANK YOU JESUS!!!! I told him it doesn't matter what anyone says but God and and God says Darkness has nothing to do with light. I talked about that and talked about KISS and compared their message with scripture. I really challenged him and told him I cared about him and assured him that if he continues in sin, he is not saved. I urged him to throw his tickets away and go home if he really loved Jesus. I didn't say it, but I thought about saying "Go and turn from worldly pleasures to Christ and you will have treasure in heaven." Now my tone was proper, and I shared my testimony to him. I was in rock bands and I had to turn from wicked music because it is opposed to Jesus. Jesus doesn't withhold the Joys of Music from us, he gave a whole book in the Psalms. Jesus cares for us and wants us to have him, not worldly knockoffs of true joy. He wouldn't turn from his sin. He wouldn't leave his sin behind. The conversation was friendly, he listened to me and I told him I really cared about him.
I am sick and tired of seeing crosses inbetween the cleavage of badly dressed women. I handed a tract to one of those ladies passin by, and she replied in a very sweet voices "Oh god bless you sweetie." And I agree, they don't know, and I do sincerely echo the words of Jesus "Forgive them Father for they don't know what they're doing." The terrible thing is this, they are full accountable to God. I am not saying scream at them and call them names, but for the Glory of God, TELL THEM THE TRUTH!!! I am guilty as anyone else, probably even more, but we must stop all this superficial living and tell our lost friends the Good news of the Gospel and share the truth with relegious people who love sin. WE MUST!!! And it starts with us. We are not bigtime bookwriters, we are not high profile evengelicals, we are not well speaking businessmen, we are not crafty solicitors. WE ARE AMBASSADORS OF JESUS CHRIST. Everyone who is a christian is an ambassador. Take the news to the deli man at the grocery store, take the news to your neighbors, whatever we do we must take the news and teach people the truth.
I agree they are ignorant, but their sin is cosmic rebellion against the KING and it will land them in the Lake of Fire. I am not joyful about that, God is willing that none should perish and so should we, and especially to my beloved calvanist bretheren, don't think so highly of Gods soverenty that you can't see youre responsibiblity. If we think so high of his soverenty and don't recognize the human responsibility that God has given us as christians, We haven't seen his sovernty like we think we have. His soverenty is great and his commands are a delight to all who name his name. That is not an attack on my reformed brothers, think of it is as some balance.
It is also time that pastors preach very practical things from there exposition of scriputre. Im not saying stop deep theological expostion, im saying help us as sheep to understand these things. Take the cost of discipleship, Imagine a pastor was to say in summary "you must give up things to follow Christ." Question, what things? I know the answer having been born again 5 years ago, but there are many who don't. Get specific and don't be afraid to preach against worldly media, not in a legalisic way but in a Christ and Gospel centered way. Let us be found faithful.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
approaching evil
We approach Gay Pride this week and to be honest, I don't have a heavy heart. I am praying the Lord will give me a supernatural Love for those who hate him the same as he loved me. In years past, there has been an overwhelming emotion to just cry, right there in the park in front of everyone, just weeping over souls. In Romans chapter 1 we find this sin to be one in which the unbeliever rails against God continually and God gives them over to the desire of their heart to the sin of homosexuality.
We must go with a heart of love. If we step onto the park without, we might as well leave. 2 peter 3:9 states that God is willing that none should perish. Our attitudes should reflect that truth. We must remember that we are representing Jesus Christ and when the Gay people see and hear us, they should see and hear Christ in us.
This is a hard word. Before you look sternly at someone and proclaim "unless you repent, you will perish," ask yourself, is that tone the way Jesus would proclaim to that particular person? There are all diffrent kinds of people in the scriptures. There were those whom Jesus gave a stern warning, and Im not against stern warnings. There are others whom Jesus was compassionate and more gracious in tone, still proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, never comprimising.
In Short, Let us think of Jesus. Let us be sensitive to the individual homosexuals we speak with. As we speak with them, let us think of the scriptures and how did Jesus deal specifically with this type of person. Its easy to stand on a street corner and scream repent uncontrollably. Its alot harder to talk to an individual and be sensitive to that person, responding to them accordingly. I am not promoting squishiness, Im promoting Christ. It is amazing how Jesus deals diffrently with a humble person, seeker, tax collector, relegious person, etc.
He never changed the message, but he was sensitive to his hearer. Let us go as dying men speaking to other dying men about Christ. Let us give law to the proud and grace to the humble. Let us sternly rebuke the relegious and have love and compassion on the humble and broken hearted. Let us pray this week that God would keep us faithful if there be persecution and let us pray even now he would work in the hearts of people we will come across. To God alone be the Glory.
We must go with a heart of love. If we step onto the park without, we might as well leave. 2 peter 3:9 states that God is willing that none should perish. Our attitudes should reflect that truth. We must remember that we are representing Jesus Christ and when the Gay people see and hear us, they should see and hear Christ in us.
This is a hard word. Before you look sternly at someone and proclaim "unless you repent, you will perish," ask yourself, is that tone the way Jesus would proclaim to that particular person? There are all diffrent kinds of people in the scriptures. There were those whom Jesus gave a stern warning, and Im not against stern warnings. There are others whom Jesus was compassionate and more gracious in tone, still proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, never comprimising.
In Short, Let us think of Jesus. Let us be sensitive to the individual homosexuals we speak with. As we speak with them, let us think of the scriptures and how did Jesus deal specifically with this type of person. Its easy to stand on a street corner and scream repent uncontrollably. Its alot harder to talk to an individual and be sensitive to that person, responding to them accordingly. I am not promoting squishiness, Im promoting Christ. It is amazing how Jesus deals diffrently with a humble person, seeker, tax collector, relegious person, etc.
He never changed the message, but he was sensitive to his hearer. Let us go as dying men speaking to other dying men about Christ. Let us give law to the proud and grace to the humble. Let us sternly rebuke the relegious and have love and compassion on the humble and broken hearted. Let us pray this week that God would keep us faithful if there be persecution and let us pray even now he would work in the hearts of people we will come across. To God alone be the Glory.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I am now a Father
Its been a little while since I've written, our son was born on september 26th and its been a roller coaster ride of new experiences. I feel that I am changing in some ways from this experience. I want to share some musings. There are times when a child is crying uncontrollably and you can't do much. This happened this morning and I thought of the patience of God for us. Now there is NO theological link, im just saying what has come to mind. Just as you love a crying baby and will stay up with him till he sleeps, God is patient with his children when they are whining. God shows us grace and mercy and even when we sin.
I have thought of the Great love of God for Mankind. As tony miano says in his preaching, If you a guilty criminal could go free if I were to give my son over to death for you, I couldn't do that. I can't love a rotten criminal that much, But God the Father so loved us filthy rebelious wretches, he gave us the greatest, most precious gift of the sacrifice of his son for us. I feel as if I understand that love of God for his son a little better, even though I could never fully comprehend it.
I feel the great and awesome responsibility of Shepherding a child to the cross. Not just telling him the way, not just showing him one day, but daily living and teaching it to him. It was overwhelming, but now I just take it one day at a time. As a 24 year old, im frustrated because I want everything to happen now. This has truly been a wonderful experience.
John 3
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
I have thought of the Great love of God for Mankind. As tony miano says in his preaching, If you a guilty criminal could go free if I were to give my son over to death for you, I couldn't do that. I can't love a rotten criminal that much, But God the Father so loved us filthy rebelious wretches, he gave us the greatest, most precious gift of the sacrifice of his son for us. I feel as if I understand that love of God for his son a little better, even though I could never fully comprehend it.
I feel the great and awesome responsibility of Shepherding a child to the cross. Not just telling him the way, not just showing him one day, but daily living and teaching it to him. It was overwhelming, but now I just take it one day at a time. As a 24 year old, im frustrated because I want everything to happen now. This has truly been a wonderful experience.
John 3
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
God loves, God Hates part 2
I was re reading my post from a few months ago on this, and somthing needs to be said about the God hates part. Though God does hate all workers of iniquity and is angry with the wicked everyday, God even has grace and mercy on them. When they blaspheme his name, he continues to give them air. When they suppress the truth in unrighteousness, he continues to give them food to eat and clothes to wear. When they murder babies by the millions, He allows them to see the sunshine, and smell the roses. God is also longsuffering and willing that none should perish. The offer of the Gospel is free to all men, When Christ uttered "Father forgive them, they know not what they do," I don't believe he just talking about the elect. Gods hatred is diffrent than ours.
If I hated you, I wouldn't do anything to benifit you. Our God is merciful even on those who hate him in a way that we don't fully understand. Even while God hates the wicked, salvation is still offered to them. I rejoice in these truths thinking of my own salvation. God was patient. Praise be to God.
If I hated you, I wouldn't do anything to benifit you. Our God is merciful even on those who hate him in a way that we don't fully understand. Even while God hates the wicked, salvation is still offered to them. I rejoice in these truths thinking of my own salvation. God was patient. Praise be to God.
Fruits of Labor
Many of you know I have commited myself to a skate park in hamilton mill. Its just a great place to go. I was able to go out last week and I get nervouse, so I have a habit of sitting on a bench and reading some scripture before I preach or evangelize. As I was heading toward a bench, a voice called out "Hey, do you have any million dollar bills?" I looked and there was a 10 year old kid, and I didn't have any, but I told him I got somthing better. I gave him a gospel of John and told him to put it in his pocket and take it out and read every so often, he skated away.
I then read some scripture on the bench to focus my attention on the Lord, and I decided to open air. I had to get a bottle of water, my throat gets very dry. I went to get a water and Taj (a young black man) said "hey, can I borrow a dollar?" I was going to give it to him, but I shot back "Borrow, when are you going to give it back?" He said "Next time I see you." I replied "You don't even know me dude." He said something that really got to me, he said "Yeah I do know you, youre the preacher man." He knew me, he knew I come and talk to people about Christ, after all this time and energy thinking no one is listening and no one cares, he knows me. I bought him chips and a coke and offered a tract, I began talking about spiritual things and we sat down and I got my bible out. Taj was a classic american. Grew up in a "christian home" with bible on his shelves and DIDN'T know the main message of the Bible. I began to explain God creating the world and us for his glory, then sin, etc. He started fidgeting alot after the Law, he wasn't comfortable. I got to hell and explained it and asked him if there was a way of escape from the wrath of God, would you want to know about it? He said no. I was heart broken and asked why. He said he deserves to be in hell becuase of his sin and if God just let him go that wouldn't be right. AMEN. He understood Gods justice. I gave him the good news of Christ and focused heavily on the fact that it is Just and how God is both Just and the Justifier of many. He wasn't ready to repent, but he was still fidgeting, but listening. He was startled, praise God.
Saturday night, I got the privelege of taking a soldier out witnessing at the skate park, and it was fantastic, 2 stories really stick out. One is about a young man named Keithon. I have handed him tons of tracts, he is there skating all the time, but we've never chatted much. I actually got in a conversation with him by asking why people don't wear helmets and he responded that many don't, becuase they know how to fall. We chatted a few minutes and I swung to the spiritual and he really sincerely opened up to me. He is post modern to the bone. I took him through some analogies to show the absurdity of post modern thinking and began talking about truth. I have a new general definintion for truth. truth is the acknowledgement and acceptance of facts based in reality. You cant just recognize truth, you must believe it. Truth must be based on facts, real facts and I explained to him the claims of Jesus are the same way. I used apologetics for the proof of the Bible and our chat was cut short, but gave him a summary of the gospel and gave him my card and challenged him to email me and I would send him all the evidence for the Bible he could ever dream of. He hasn't ofcourse, but I really pray he will.
I finally got to open air, and its a passion of mine and I don't get to do it much. I began by reading romans 1 becuase there was a fight that broke out resulting in cops showing up and then went into to romans 3. I open aired a typical Law/Grace message,and there were about 4 loafing around and listening, but afterward I had the privelege to sit with one of those young men and explain the Law and the Gospel to him and speak with him about His need to repent. It was incredible.
God has really blessed me by opening these doors, and I'm so thankful my commitment to this park has begun to pay off. At a recent Christian concert a young man that Keith and I witnessed to about a year ago said he had since repented and trusted Christ. I wish I had more time to commit, and I have this Idea to do a bible study in the park (or any park where there is people) for christians, but if you do it in the park open air style other people are bound to come and listen for minute. Baby is coming so that is my main focus now, hmmmm, how can I let the wife let me go saturday night this week.
I then read some scripture on the bench to focus my attention on the Lord, and I decided to open air. I had to get a bottle of water, my throat gets very dry. I went to get a water and Taj (a young black man) said "hey, can I borrow a dollar?" I was going to give it to him, but I shot back "Borrow, when are you going to give it back?" He said "Next time I see you." I replied "You don't even know me dude." He said something that really got to me, he said "Yeah I do know you, youre the preacher man." He knew me, he knew I come and talk to people about Christ, after all this time and energy thinking no one is listening and no one cares, he knows me. I bought him chips and a coke and offered a tract, I began talking about spiritual things and we sat down and I got my bible out. Taj was a classic american. Grew up in a "christian home" with bible on his shelves and DIDN'T know the main message of the Bible. I began to explain God creating the world and us for his glory, then sin, etc. He started fidgeting alot after the Law, he wasn't comfortable. I got to hell and explained it and asked him if there was a way of escape from the wrath of God, would you want to know about it? He said no. I was heart broken and asked why. He said he deserves to be in hell becuase of his sin and if God just let him go that wouldn't be right. AMEN. He understood Gods justice. I gave him the good news of Christ and focused heavily on the fact that it is Just and how God is both Just and the Justifier of many. He wasn't ready to repent, but he was still fidgeting, but listening. He was startled, praise God.
Saturday night, I got the privelege of taking a soldier out witnessing at the skate park, and it was fantastic, 2 stories really stick out. One is about a young man named Keithon. I have handed him tons of tracts, he is there skating all the time, but we've never chatted much. I actually got in a conversation with him by asking why people don't wear helmets and he responded that many don't, becuase they know how to fall. We chatted a few minutes and I swung to the spiritual and he really sincerely opened up to me. He is post modern to the bone. I took him through some analogies to show the absurdity of post modern thinking and began talking about truth. I have a new general definintion for truth. truth is the acknowledgement and acceptance of facts based in reality. You cant just recognize truth, you must believe it. Truth must be based on facts, real facts and I explained to him the claims of Jesus are the same way. I used apologetics for the proof of the Bible and our chat was cut short, but gave him a summary of the gospel and gave him my card and challenged him to email me and I would send him all the evidence for the Bible he could ever dream of. He hasn't ofcourse, but I really pray he will.
I finally got to open air, and its a passion of mine and I don't get to do it much. I began by reading romans 1 becuase there was a fight that broke out resulting in cops showing up and then went into to romans 3. I open aired a typical Law/Grace message,and there were about 4 loafing around and listening, but afterward I had the privelege to sit with one of those young men and explain the Law and the Gospel to him and speak with him about His need to repent. It was incredible.
God has really blessed me by opening these doors, and I'm so thankful my commitment to this park has begun to pay off. At a recent Christian concert a young man that Keith and I witnessed to about a year ago said he had since repented and trusted Christ. I wish I had more time to commit, and I have this Idea to do a bible study in the park (or any park where there is people) for christians, but if you do it in the park open air style other people are bound to come and listen for minute. Baby is coming so that is my main focus now, hmmmm, how can I let the wife let me go saturday night this week.
Monday, September 7, 2009
remember the sabbath day
I am writing primarily to brothers on facebook whom have misunderstood my sabbath observance thing. I want to tell you the whole story how this came about. First, a dear brother was with other brothers who remember and keep the sabbath, but are evangelical christians. Kind of like seventh day baptists, Not Seventh day adventist. My brother in Christ then came home and showed me these things in the Bible and I started to become convinced That Gentiles should remember and keep the sabbath, the same way Gentile believers after conversion don't lie, steal or covet becuase they love their savior Jesus Christ.
First from scripture, there is the sabbath in the creation account, before jews and gentiles where God rests from his creation on the seventh day. Obviously God wasn't tired, he is God, but it is in the creation account. Next we have Exodus 16, which pre-dates the 10 commandments, Where the sabbath was to be kept and yes this was to the nation of israel. Next you have exodus 20 and the 10 commandments, the moral law. My understanding is that the moral law never ends. Also, God in general is very specific about how he is to be worshipped in the OT and the day the sabbath is to be observed is the seventh day, which is the equivelant in our calendar is friday night to saturday night.
Now I do understand that there are many,many,many rules about the sabbath in the old testament. Then we get to the new testament and Jesus said that he came not to abolish the law but to fulifill it. Now the releigous people of the day did abuse the sabbath and Jesus corrected them. Jesus observed the sabbath in the gospels. Now, Jesus dies and is resurected on sunday. After his death. there are a few texts that talk about meeting on the first day, Acts 20:7 is one of them and they did meet on the first day of the week to break bread and hear preaching, no doubt about it.
There are some other texts that talk about gathering offerings on the first day, and John being in the spirit on the Lords day, but these texts I don't believe are adequate to say that there is now an observance of the "Lords day" as opposed to the sabbath. And I firmly belive Jesus is Lord of the sabbath and that he fulfilled the law, but even though he fullfilled the law, we come to Jesus in our sin, repenting and believing, then out of love for God with our new nature, we naturally keep the things in the law. We don't want to lie and offend God, or steal or lust becuse we love our saviour. *I am not suggesting observing the Sabbath becuase we must fullfill a legal requirment for salvation, I am not saying that at all.*
Here is the skinny that im thinking. The moral law, 10 commandments are clear. Salvation by grace through faith is very clear. the Sabbath being the seventh day is clear. The idea of a change from the sabbath to Lords day observance is not clear. That is what I am seeing. Now please understand I have not come to a definitive conclusion, I am doing as the bereans, searching the scriptures to see if these things are so. I have just been confronted with something that seems to be true, and i am going to the Word of God and the Word ALONE for the answer. I welcome you into the discussion with me, but please understand, I am in no way abandoning Jesus to attempt to keep 600+ laws, What I am becoming convinced of is that I should observe the sabbath the same as I don't lie, steal, look with lust.
Acts 15 the Jerusalem council must only have been about a few issues, in the apostles response, they didn't say "and teach them not to lie, not to steal, to obey parents, etc." They seem to be only concerned with a few matters their given their response. Collosians 2 and a few other texts state let no man judge you in sabbath, new moon or festival, etc. My understanding of these passages seems to be that he is refering to the festivals, ceremonies, and other sabbaths that were fullfilled in Christ. I am not making a case that we should keep the festivals, ceremonies and other sabbaths.
Now I will be honest and also write that there is no warning in the new testament that sabbathbreakers wont inherit the kingdom of God, why is there not. I have no idea, but I can only be honest and say its not there. We dont have sections of scripture where the gentile believers are being taught to obey sabbath, I acknowledge this to be true.
My email is Benjamind105@gmail.com and feel free to tell me your thoughts, but only from scripture, I don't care about mans opinions. If you send me church history, include scripture, or I will not read/look at it. Church history can only be called right if it followed the scriptures in whatever area. Please only send me things related to my issues, I don't disagree that Jesus is our sabbath rest or that he is Lord of the Sabbath, that is not my issue, My issue is observance of the 4th commandment, not out of legalism for salvation, but love for my savior. God Bless.
P.s. don't gossip about this, talk strait to me.
First from scripture, there is the sabbath in the creation account, before jews and gentiles where God rests from his creation on the seventh day. Obviously God wasn't tired, he is God, but it is in the creation account. Next we have Exodus 16, which pre-dates the 10 commandments, Where the sabbath was to be kept and yes this was to the nation of israel. Next you have exodus 20 and the 10 commandments, the moral law. My understanding is that the moral law never ends. Also, God in general is very specific about how he is to be worshipped in the OT and the day the sabbath is to be observed is the seventh day, which is the equivelant in our calendar is friday night to saturday night.
Now I do understand that there are many,many,many rules about the sabbath in the old testament. Then we get to the new testament and Jesus said that he came not to abolish the law but to fulifill it. Now the releigous people of the day did abuse the sabbath and Jesus corrected them. Jesus observed the sabbath in the gospels. Now, Jesus dies and is resurected on sunday. After his death. there are a few texts that talk about meeting on the first day, Acts 20:7 is one of them and they did meet on the first day of the week to break bread and hear preaching, no doubt about it.
There are some other texts that talk about gathering offerings on the first day, and John being in the spirit on the Lords day, but these texts I don't believe are adequate to say that there is now an observance of the "Lords day" as opposed to the sabbath. And I firmly belive Jesus is Lord of the sabbath and that he fulfilled the law, but even though he fullfilled the law, we come to Jesus in our sin, repenting and believing, then out of love for God with our new nature, we naturally keep the things in the law. We don't want to lie and offend God, or steal or lust becuse we love our saviour. *I am not suggesting observing the Sabbath becuase we must fullfill a legal requirment for salvation, I am not saying that at all.*
Here is the skinny that im thinking. The moral law, 10 commandments are clear. Salvation by grace through faith is very clear. the Sabbath being the seventh day is clear. The idea of a change from the sabbath to Lords day observance is not clear. That is what I am seeing. Now please understand I have not come to a definitive conclusion, I am doing as the bereans, searching the scriptures to see if these things are so. I have just been confronted with something that seems to be true, and i am going to the Word of God and the Word ALONE for the answer. I welcome you into the discussion with me, but please understand, I am in no way abandoning Jesus to attempt to keep 600+ laws, What I am becoming convinced of is that I should observe the sabbath the same as I don't lie, steal, look with lust.
Acts 15 the Jerusalem council must only have been about a few issues, in the apostles response, they didn't say "and teach them not to lie, not to steal, to obey parents, etc." They seem to be only concerned with a few matters their given their response. Collosians 2 and a few other texts state let no man judge you in sabbath, new moon or festival, etc. My understanding of these passages seems to be that he is refering to the festivals, ceremonies, and other sabbaths that were fullfilled in Christ. I am not making a case that we should keep the festivals, ceremonies and other sabbaths.
Now I will be honest and also write that there is no warning in the new testament that sabbathbreakers wont inherit the kingdom of God, why is there not. I have no idea, but I can only be honest and say its not there. We dont have sections of scripture where the gentile believers are being taught to obey sabbath, I acknowledge this to be true.
My email is Benjamind105@gmail.com and feel free to tell me your thoughts, but only from scripture, I don't care about mans opinions. If you send me church history, include scripture, or I will not read/look at it. Church history can only be called right if it followed the scriptures in whatever area. Please only send me things related to my issues, I don't disagree that Jesus is our sabbath rest or that he is Lord of the Sabbath, that is not my issue, My issue is observance of the 4th commandment, not out of legalism for salvation, but love for my savior. God Bless.
P.s. don't gossip about this, talk strait to me.
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