20-Minute Conversation
Ministry Update August 31, 2020
There were a couple of encouragers and a couple of mockers last Wednesday at Missouri State University. Right off the bat, a student laughed as she recorded the open-air preaching as she walked past. The older man that said. “Jesus wants you to wear a mask” last week repeated the same thing again. I told him that he shouldn’t try to hinder the Gospel from going forth and that he needs to repent and believe the Gospel. The student that was worried about the mask last week didn’t say anything as she passed this time. One young man said “Amen brother” as he walked by me and one young woman nodded her head in agreement. The encouragers are always welcomed and the highlight of witnessing was the 20-minute conversation at the end.
I was nearly finished with the message when Frank walked up and stood in front of me. I was so near the end that I actually just ended it right then and there. Since Frank was wearing a mask, I stopped and put mine on too before conversing with him. Frank is a skeptic and he asked very good questions. He started off questioning the effectiveness of open-air preaching. I was tempted to point out that it caused him to come talk to me, but I refrained from saying that.
How Do You Decide What To Follow And Not Follow In The Bible?
He also wanted to know how I decide what to follow and what not to follow in the Bible. I gave the example of not eating pork or shrimp and he nodded his head yes. So I explained that there is a difference between the laws God gave the Israelites (including the ceremonial laws) and moral laws. The rules that God gave the Israelites were for the Jewish nation. We are not under those laws. But the 10 Commandments are still applicable today. I explained that as a Christian, I don’t try to keep the 10 Commandments for anything to do with trying to save my soul. I’m saved because I have repented and put my trust in Christ. No, I try to keep the commandments because Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). I love Jesus and want to obey Him.
Frank also wanted to know how so many so-called Christians can be under one umbrella. He gave the example of the prosperity gospel. I told him that was easy because the prosperity gospel is no Gospel at all. True Bible believing Christians who have repented and surrendered their lives to Jesus are my brothers and sisters in Christ. There are many professing Christians that have never done this (including the cults) and those people are not really Christians. Even though they profess to be Christians. I pointed out to Frank that Christianity is growing the fastest in areas around the world where Christians are being persecuted – such as China and Nigeria. Where is the promised “God has a wonderful plan for your life” for Christians that are being thrown in prison or even killed in these and other countries?
Read The Bible
It’s not about our happiness – it’s about being obedient to Jesus who was obedient to God the Father, even obedient unto death. You become a follower of Jesus when you recognize your sinfulness and God’s Holiness and you cry out for Him to save you; when you truly surrender your life to Jesus. Somewhere along the way we talked about false converts and I got the opportunity to share my testimony with Frank. He was very respectful and really seemed to listen after he asked questions. He took a Gospel tract and he told me that he has a Bible. I highly encouraged him to read the Bible, to read it humbly, asking God to show him if what I was telling him was right or not. I pray that Frank will read the Bible and that God will grant him repentance and faith in Jesus.
(Due to health issues, I was unable to witness downtown Friday night.)