Parable of the Two Ships
Greetings in the Name of our Wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Many of you getting this newsletter haven’t received a letter from us since last year. If you would like to get this letter monthly, and will read it and pray for us, please return the enclosed response sheet. We hope this letter will be a blessing to you, and will help you to grow in your knowledge of and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians often ask us what “SOS” stands for. “SOS” is the international distress signal, used initially for ships that were in danger of sinking: “Save our Ship.” Speaking of sinking ships, let me tell you the Parable of the Two Ships:
Two ships were traveling together: “Destruction” and “Salvation.” “Destruction” was beginning to sink. This was evident to the people on “Salvation,” but those on “Destruction” couldn’t see it. “Salvation” had all the necessary resources to save the people on “Destruction”. So the people on “Salvation” sent out a few rescue boats. They rescued a few people but found that most people refused to believe their ship was sinking, and would not be rescued. “If they could see that our ship is sinking,” they reasoned, “why did so few people from ‘Salvation’ come to rescue us?”
Word spread throughout “Salvation” that the rescue operation would be difficult because of this resistance. A few people were determined to continue the effort, but most refused to join them. They had comfortable living quarters, great food, and lots of activities to keep them busy. Why brave the seas on small boats to try to rescue people who didn’t want to be rescued? They also reasoned that they didn’t have any special training in rescue operations and that they were not especially gifted at rescuing people. So they continued on their cruise and pretty much forgot about the other ship, although some enjoyed speculating about the exact date when the ship “Destruction” would finally sink.
No Excuse
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16: 15). “You will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you shall be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our Lord has commanded us to rescue those around us who are headed for eternal torment in Hell. He has given us supernatural power to rescue them. Still, most Christians refuse to obey Him. We are busy with our job, family, church activities, and entertainment.
Many Christians say, “I am not called to do evangelism.” It is like a person on a sinking ship saying, “I am not called to rescue people.” We have forgotten the urgency of the task God has called us to. Where is our compassion for the lost people Jesus died for? A hundred thousand people die each day, destined for Hell! Yet how much time do we spend trying to reach these people with the words of Eternal Life? Can you imagine someone who had discovered a cure for cancer and kept it a secret? We have a message that can change a person’s eternal destiny, and we are silent!
Our churches should be places where Christians are trained and stirred to bring the gospel to the lost. Instead, the subject is rarely mentioned from the pulpit. We need to stop being so preoccupied with the cares of this life, and start thinking about eternal things. This world is a sinking ship, and it is going down fast! We need to rescue as many as we can, before it is eternally too late!
Outreach Details
San Francisco is certainly one of the most influential cities in the world, along with New York, Los Angeles and a few other places. Its influence has been almost totally for evil. While most San Franciscans have heard something about Jesus, they have seen a lot more religious hypocrisy than real Christianity. There are thousands of children, immigrants and tourists here who have never heard the gospel. This city is still the third most popular tourist destination in the world.
So for the 22nd year we are sending out an “SOS” ‑‑ a call for Christians to “preach the Word of God urgently” (2 Tim. 4:1) to the people of San Francisco. God also wants to use this outreach to shake us from our spiritual apathy and lukewarmness and give us a new excitement about serving Jesus. Those who think Christianity is boring have never been to SOS‑San Francisco.
We have printed 10,000 bulletin inserts and will soon be printing hundreds of full-color posters to let people know about this outreach. Please help us get this literature to churches, Christian bookstores, and Christian schools in your area. You can give it out at Christian concerts and other events. Also, talk with your pastor and Christian friends and encourage them to get involved. Set aside the week of June 22-30 to attend the SOS outreach and bring a friend.
DON’T DELAY. SEND IN YOUR SOS REGISTRATION FORM TODAY!
On the Streets
Over the years, we have seen many strange things in San Francisco. What happened on March 3 was certainly one of the strangest. When we arrived at Washington Square to set up our sound system, only a few people were in the park. But soon after we began our outreach, hundreds of people in weird dress began gathering in the park. We soon learned that they were having “human dog races.” It had something to do with the dog races in Alaska. Mostly, it was a combination of silliness and perversion. We expected this group to be hostile toward our gospel music, but they seemed to like it. They weren’t as happy with our preaching, but they all heard about Jesus. Several of their “leaders” offered us beer and drugs, which we politely refused, and asked us to make announcements for them. Noreen Coca prayed with one of their leaders.
That afternoon, Eric received a phone call from Girard. Girard had written us in response to a tract he received from us at United Nations Plaza two months ago. Eric invited him to Washington Square and we ministered to him. He seems to be doing well spiritually, but needs our prayers.
Coming Events
Note: All outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531‑5325 or (510) 616-0712 (my pager number) to confirm outreaches or for more information. We witness in the rain, but our outreach location may change.
Friday April 6, 20, 27 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in various S.F. neighborhoods. (Call for meeting location.)
Sat. April 7 San Francisco “Church on the Street” worship rally. 1-5 PM. Washington Square (Columbus and Union St.)
Sat. April 21 San Francisco worship rally. 12-5 PM. United Nations Plaza (7th St. and Market).
Sat. April 28 Berkeley Outreach. 12:30‑4:30 PM. Telegraph and Haste St.
Legal Victory
During our SOS outreach in 1998, I was cited for violating San Francisco’s noise ordinance and our sound system was confiscated for a year. The ordinance states that our sound cannot be “audible” 250 feet from the audience. This is an unreasonable standard, and we are the only group that has been cited under this law. While preparing our defense, we learned of one two-day concert that was so loud it disturbed residents over two miles away! The city’s chief noise officer investigated the complaints and found the group clearly in violation of the law, but did not cite them or even ask them to turn down their volume. We found many other instances in which the police refused to enforce this law against other groups.
In 1999, we participated in a hearing that lasted several days. Judge Mason ultimately ruled that the city was enforcing the noise ordinance in an unconstitutional manner by discriminating against our ministry. She dismissed the criminal charges and ordered our sound system returned to us. However, the District Attorney appealed her ruling. Twice before, an appellate court has reversed the dismissal of criminal charges against our ministry on various technicalities.
Recently, we learned that the District Attorney had decided not to continue his appeal. This leaves Judge Mason’s ruling in place. This ruling should give us legal protection if the police again cite us under this ordinance. It is a big victory for us.
Ministry Needs
Once again we want to thank you for your prayers and support for this ministry. Our expenses are always greatest in the spring as we prepare for SOS‑San Francisco. We hope to print 200,000 more tracts this spring. Also, consider supporting a worker for SOS. Many Christians would like to participate in the SOS outreach but cannot afford the registration and meal costs.
Please pray for those who have prayed with us and written us in response to tracts, including Gerard and Stephan (SF), and Sidney (Berkeley). Sidney wrote us “Thank you for guiding me to the Lord! I am crazy about Jesus! Please give me tons of info. On the Lord and especially on how to resist future sin because I was a big time sinner before I asked Jesus into my heart.”
Our Tape of the Month is Give Me Souls by Nicky Cruz. Nicky Cruz is a former gang leader who was saved through David Wilkerson’s ministry. Also, many of you have never read my book You Shall Be My Witnesses: How to Reach Your City for Christ. This 140 page book tells the story of SOS Ministries and contains teachings to help you reach your community for Jesus. If you’ve already read the book, you may want to get one for a friend.
Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for SOS‑San Francisco. We need God’s wisdom in putting everything together. Pray that He will guide us in every area of the planning. God bless you all. Don’t forget to order SOS posters and bulletin inserts, and to send in your SOS registration form. I hope you will join one of our outreaches this next month.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum