Jesus Came To Save His People From Their Sins
Ministry Update December 24, 2017
I tried something different on Wednesday since there weren’t any classes in session at MSU because of Christmas break. I held a sign at the corner of Glenstone and Battlefield during the lunch hour. The sign states: Jesus Came To Save His People From Their Sins. Are You One Of His People? Have You Repented And Surrendered Your Life To Jesus? It was only five days until Christmas. Most people were probably thinking about shopping or lunch. Maybe some were even thinking about Christmas – about the birth of Jesus. So, was it wrong to bring up the fact that Jesus came to save His people from their sins?
Obviously, I don’t think it was wrong or I wouldn’t have stood at the corner holding the sign. Not only do I not know of a wrong time to share the Gospel, but do you realize the Bible verse that states Jesus shall save His people from their sins is actually stated in the account of the birth of Jesus? (Matthew 1:18-25) So if the angel of the Lord stated this to Joseph in a dream while telling Joseph that Mary was going to conceive a child of the Holy Spirit, how can it be wrong for us to say this same thing at Christmas time? At any time? Jesus came to save His people from their sins. It’s a wonderful message. It’s good news. There’s nothing better than telling people that there’s hope and that hope is found in Christ Jesus alone.
Pleasantly Surprised
I have to admit that I didn’t know what to expect on Wednesday before I got there, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Several people passing by could be seen reading the sign. When I noticed they were reading it, I tried not to look at them because I wanted them to read the message. Several people waved in support, others gave a thumb’s up and some honked in support. I don’t remember seeing any negative reactions. I’m praying that God will use the seeds that were planted, that He will send others along to water and most of all, that God will give the increase. May God be glorified and may He convict and convert lost souls.
Preaching In The Rain?
Friday night Conner and I were preaching in the rain. Really? Yes, really. Why preach in the rain? Because people still walked in the rain from their cars to the bars. Frankly, I was shocked when I got downtown. The parking lot Northeast of the square was completely full and the lot Northwest of the square had several cars there. Conner beat me downtown and as I was walking to our usual spot, he was walking away from it, toward me. He said only one person walked by while he was there, so he thought we should go somewhere else. The group that normally witnesses at South and Walnut were on the square, so we went to South and Walnut.
Conner started us off and there was a crowd still entering into the Outland Ballroom. He read some Scripture and told the crowd about some of the responses people tell us on what they think it takes to get to Heaven. Some don’t care and don’t want to know. Others think they are good enough to make it, because they basically think they are good. Conner explained that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and the only way to Heaven. I noticed a woman smoking outside a building just South of us and she appeared to be listening to his message.
Appreciation For Sharing The Gospel
I brought a message after Conner talking about how Christmas focuses on the birth of Jesus and we should talk about this, but the death of Jesus is what we really should focus on. That Jesus was born to die. That he came to save His people from their sins. How we need to repent and put our faith in Jesus and in Him alone. While I was bringing a message the lone mocker of the night was a woman who asked Conner something unrepeatable.
But praise God, Conner gave out several tracts. I on the other hand had four or five rejections to every one taken. After we both preached, we stood around and handed out tracts. A couple of guys walked by and took tracts from Conner. One guy wanted to know what he was handing out. I told him it was a Gospel tract. He stuck out his hand and shook Conner’s hand and then mine. He genuinely appreciated us being out there sharing the Gospel. It truly is a privilege and an honor to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.
(These updates are provided to encourage Christians to share the Gospel with others. Time is short. There’s no time like the present to tell someone about Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior)