God Sent Me To Test You
Ministry Update October 30, 2016
We had a fairly quiet night Friday night witnessing downtown. The crowd was very small, but a lot foot traffic moved around us the whole time Aaron, Erica, Diana, Elise, Serenity and I were witnessing. We sang a few hymns to start the night, then I brought a message Do You Have Peace With God? Toward the end of my message a young man wearing a Halloween mask tried to interrupt me. I told him that I was about finished then I’d be happy to talk to him. He tried several more times to interrupt me, but I finished it. The earth shattering thing he had to say was to complain that I was reading my message. He said I needed to speak from my heart and then he said “God sent me to test you.”
I assured this young man that I had worked on the message all week and that God had given it to me and that there was no way God sent him to test me. I told him that I was finished with it and that he could read it for himself. He took it from me but wanted to test me to see if I knew the material without looking at it. Then he mumbled something about dying four times and coming back to life and that he knew what was in his heart. So I kept asking him if he has repented and put his trust in Jesus. I told him if he doesn’t, the fifth time he dies he will split Hell wide open if he doesn’t repent and surrender his life to Jesus.
Not A Gifted Preacher
I freely admit that I am not a gifted preacher like Aaron. I also admit that I don’t have a good memory anymore. In fact, my memory is flat out awful. I do admit that I pretty much read my messages on Friday nights. I do work on them all week and I pray about them. When I’m on the box sometimes I leave parts out and I believe God gives me other things to add right there on the spot. But most of the time I do read the message. It’s still God’s truth and I still read a lot of Scriptures because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Now I know that I am no Jonathan Edwards. Not even close. He was the President of Princeton University back when it was godly institution that turned out many preachers and missionaries. He was a brilliant man and a true man of God. He also preached one of the greatest sermons ever preached in America – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. According to Pastor Steve Lawson, Jonathan Edwards held on to that sermon with both hands, with his head down, read the whole thing word for word to his congregation? Do you know what happened? People were on the floor begging him to stop. They couldn’t take anymore. They were crying out for God to have mercy upon them. My point is, it’s not our delivery that matters, it’s God’s truth and it is God that convicts and converts sinners.
Tried to Steal The Cross
While Aaron was preaching a young man came over and looked like he was going to take off with the cross propped up against a small tree. But Serenity jumped up and confronted him. I was far enough away that I couldn’t hear the conversation, but I think he cussed her out and walked off. Real tough guy cussing out a teenager.
After that a another young man stood over to the side while Aaron was preaching about Christ suffering for us, giving His all for us and describing Jesus’ agony in great detail. The young man threw down his cigarette and kneeled in front of where I was standing with a sign. I couldn’t really hear what he said, but it sounded like he asked God into his heart and then he asked God to save Aaron and I. I’m not sure what he was really after, but it wasn’t a sincere cry for God to have mercy upon his soul.
We sang a few more hymns to end the night. Aaron talked to a couple of guys and I forgot to mention that Aaron, Erica and Serenity walked around earlier in the night and handed out tracts while I brought a message. Overall it was a good night and the Gospel went forth. As we walked to our vehicles to end the night, Serenity carried the cross, which I thought was very fitting since she jumped up so quickly earlier and saved the cross from the guy who looked like he was going to take off with it.
Nice Blazer
On Wednesday, Brian and I witnessed in the rain at MSU (it’s rained two of the last three Wednesdays and the one week it didn’t rain it rained right after we finished up). While I was reading Romans 6, a young woman walked by and yelled “Nice blazer” and kept walking. I had to laugh a little, looked up and thanked her and continued reading the chapter.
Overall in the rain, it was a quiet lunch hour. In addition to the nice blazer comment, I had students say “God bless” “I’m good” and “No thanks” when I handed out tracts while Brian preached. But even though it didn’t look like much was going on, while I was preaching earlier, one young lady stopped and listened to some of the message, even though it was raining. May God save her if she is lost and may He save the students who walked on by and appeared apathetic. May our gracious Lord draw lost souls to Himself as only He can do.
(These updates are given to encourage Christians to share their faith with others. Are you telling others about the great salvation that you have through Christ Jesus?)