How Much?
Ministry Update November 10, 2019
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.
A couple of other drivers mouthed off as they drove by and some people walking by also mocked while I was bringing a message. But one guy yelled, “You aren’t going to reach anyone this way.” I’ve heard this many times over the years; people claiming that open-air preaching is the wrong to reach people. Just like this guy, they typically say something and walk away. This guy kept walking too. But I always want to ask them if they think people are just going to wake up one morning and say, “Today I’m going to find Jesus”. If this is really what they think, it isn’t biblical. The Bible says that we don’t seek God. Instead, God seeks us. Jesus said no one comes to me unless the Father draws them (John 6:44).
God Is A Seeking God
The bible also says that God is a seeking God. Furthermore, most people think they are good, even though the Bible says none are righteous (Romans 3:10). It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that God convicts people over their unrighteousness and God reveals His Holiness to those He saves. The Bible also says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). So, we do need to share the Gospel with this lost and dying world; whether it’s through Gospel tracts, handing out Bibles, one to one conversations or through open-air preaching. Proclaiming the glorious Gospel is how people are saved.
It was a tough crowd Friday night. I only handed out 10 New Testaments. Most of the people downtown including several of the mockers, were going to The Mystery Hour at the Gillioz Theatre. The Mystery Hour (so I’m told) is like a late night show like the Tonight Show or Late Night. A few people said they already had Bibles, but most people just said no or no thank you.
One woman walked by and said no thank you. Then she walked back by (heading to her car to get a jacket) and said no thank you again. The third time she came back by she was on the phone and just ignored me altogether. As she passed, she told her friend on the phone, “I will call her my b____. Then she blasphemed God’s Holy name and laughed while she cussed so more. I thought, the sad thing is the people that refuse New Testaments and Gospel tracts are the people who need them!
Are You Security?
On Wednesday a group of visiting students walked past me while I was getting ready to bring a message. One student asked, “Are you security?” Before I could answer him, the guy next to him yelled, “What are you doing?” I told them that I was getting ready to lift up the name of Jesus my Lord and Savior. I was getting ready to open-air preach. Then the first guy said, “Amen”. There weren’t any interactions after that, so I just handed out some tracts on the way back to my car after I finished the message.
(These updates are given to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others. We share the Gospel and the results are up to God)