Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Lord talked to Lazarus’ sister Martha. Basically, Martha told Jesus that if He had been there, she knew that Jesus would have healed him and her brother wouldn’t have died. She was lamenting the fact that Jesus didn’t get there in time to heal her brother. Martha and her sister Mary were heartbroken over the death of their brother. [Read more…]
While I was open-air preaching at Missouri State University on Wednesday, a student politely interrupted me and said, “I want to talk to you about how you got the way you are.” I assured him that I’d be happy to talk to him, but I was just getting ready to share my testimony and that would answer his question. Since I wanted all the students nearby to hear, I would go ahead and tell everyone how I became a Christian and then we could talk one to one. Surprisingly, he agreed and stood around for the next few minutes. [Read more…]
I was asking students on Monday at Missouri State University this question: Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah? Do you believe this? A student in a red jacket walked by and never said a word, but shook his head side to side no. He does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the promised one; the only Savior of mankind. I’m sure he’s not alone, but he did respond to the question. [Read more…]
The older Asian gentleman walking toward me had taken a Gospel tract the week before at MSU, so I really didn’t think he would take another one. But to my surprise, he did. He actually stopped when I handed him the Chapel Library Tract Coming To Christ, by Thomas Willcox. Since he stopped and looked at it, I asked him if Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. He didn’t answer, but kept looking at the tract and asked, “What church?” [Read more…]
We keep hearing about social justice in the mass media. It appears that many liberal churches are concerned about social justice too. I’m more concerned about churches than the mass media. The liberal church that I mentioned last week talked about social justice under their about tab on their website. So it begs the question: Is social justice the Gospel? [Read more…]
Student Yells “No One’s Listening To You”
A student turned the corner in front of me on Wednesday at MSU and yelled, “No one’s listening to you.” I ignored him, so he turned around and yelled it again and this time I ignored him as well. This comment is nothing new. Mockers love to discourage the Gospel going forth. But even if they are right and “no one is listening” the Gospel is still going forth. God’s word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Those whose hearts are being softened by the Lord are being softened and those whose hearts are being hardened are being hardened. Jesus Christ is glorified either way. Of course my hope and prayer is that lost souls will be saved, that they will repent and trust Jesus. [Read more…]
There is a very liberal church in Springfield, MO that has a message on their church sign that reads: ALL MEANS ALL. I agree with this church that all means all, but unfortunately there is a vast difference between what this church and I think all means all really means. They mean it that they are an open, affirming church. In other words, they affirm people in their sins. Conversely, I have a biblical viewpoint. [Read more…]
I had several mockers when I witnessed downtown Friday night. It’s been several years since this has happened, but one woman (apparently very drunk), propositioned me from the backseat of a car. I was turned slightly away from her at first, so I turned her direction and she yelled, “How much?” and then she laughed as the car drove away. Sometimes I reply “No thank you, I’m happily married”, but this time I didn’t say anything. [Read more…]
Are you condemned or pardoned tonight? Actually, you may protest and say that you’ve never even been to jail, so how can I ask you if you have been condemned or pardoned? I ask this question tonight because each and every one of us are condemned or pardoned. No exceptions. So I ask again, condemned or pardoned? Which is it? [Read more…]
There were a lot of people downtown Friday night. The country singer Frank Foster had a concert at the Gillioz Theatre and it was also Art Walk. I handed out New Testaments and brought a message. Lifting up Jesus in the open-air typically draws mockers. In fact, you just pretty well expect to have some mockers. But this Friday night, there were the usual mockers and wicked mockers.
Thumbs Down Woman
Thumbs Down Man
Couple Flipping Me Off
Several mockers were just the usual type of mockers. In fact, I can’t really recall anything significant that any of them said. They just yelled or made noises as they passed by. The wicked mockers started off just giving a thumbs-down. The woman did so first, then the man that was with her followed suit. Next, they flipped me off. Then they moved on to making sexually suggestive gestures. I just kept pleading with people to repent and trust Jesus and this couple just kept ramping it up until they reached their car and drove off.
But the highlight of the night was Nicholas. He walked up to me when I was first handing out New Testaments and asked if I was part of the “Go Team?” I told him no and that I didn’t know what the Go Team was. He then told me that they are part of Calvary Chapel. Then I told him, “Yes, I now know who you are talking about. They hand out water downtown and get into Gospel conversations with people”.
I hadn’t seen them this Friday night, so I suggested that he walk to the square and see if his friends are there. I told him that they typically pass by me when they come out and they usually walk toward the square. Later on while I was open-air preaching, Nicholas came back by and asked if he could witness with me. I told him sure thing.
Nicholas Boldly Sharing The Gospel
So this bold brother started asking people as they walked by if they had a Bible. Many said, yes, so then he asked them if they read the Bible. Not only that, he asked them if they listen to the Bible. More than once, he gave the good person test. About the time I was finishing up my message, his friends showed up, so he joined them, heading off toward the square. But it was quite encouraging to meet such a bold brother in Christ who was out sharing the Gospel.
Student Says, “I Call God The Universe”
It really wasn’t raining on Wednesday at MSU, but it was misting and the wind was cold. It was 38 degrees and felt colder. Because of the cold weather, I didn’t expect much interaction and didn’t get much. One student walked by and said, “I call God the Universe”. It’s unfortunate the young man missed the first part of the message because I addressed how some people worship the created rather than the Creator. I just shared with him that his opinion isn’t important.
What’s important is what the Bible says and the Bible tells us that God made us to glorify Him, not the created, not the universe. Psalm 19:1 says: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. It’s young people like the young man that worships the universe that compels me to share the Gospel at MSU and other places. God call all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30-31). We are to repent and trust the one true Savior – Jesus Christ the Lord.
Polite Mocker “Are You Going To Answer My Question?”
Then the polite mocker walked by and asked, “Did you ever answer my question?” “Are you going to answer my question?” Then he ended with “I guess you aren’t going to answer my question.” He had one thing correct, I wasn’t going to answer him and I didn’t. The polite mocker didn’t ask his question this week, but I assume he was referring to the question he asked last week which was, “You never learn do you?” Maybe I do learn after all. I have learned that it is futile to argue with this guy whose heart is so hardened. I pray that God will save him, but I see no reason to continue casting pearls before swine (Mathew 7:6) when it comes to this particular mocker.
(These updates are given to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others)