Motivating the Church
Over the years, I have learned that Christians can get angry when you tell them they have a responsibility to witness. I wonder how many of our readers got so upset with last month’s teaching that they won’t even open this letter. I am happy that you have at least read this far, and hope you will continue to read this month’s teaching and test it to see if it lines up with God’s Word.
I believe that many pastors would like to talk about this subject, but fear that they will lose members and finances if they do. As a result, very few pastors or evangelists speak about it. Jesus could easily have avoided the cross by softening His criticism of the Pharisees. I believe God wants me to continue these teachings, even though it may cost us some readers and financial support.
Yesterday, a pastor called requesting permission to reproduce last month’s teaching for his congregation. He wanted more of them to get involved in their door-to-door outreach and said this was the best teaching he had seen on this subject. I pray that many others will be encouraged to witness for Jesus Christ through these teachings.
Over the years, I have found a major difference between those Christians who consistently witness and those who don’t. Those who regularly witness — almost without exception — are very conscious of the reality of Heaven and Hell, and have an intense burden to save people from eternal torment in Hell.Those who rarely witness don’t think very much about the fact that the unbelievers they encounter every day are heading for eternal torment.
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once wished that all his workers could spend 24 hours in Hell so that they would obtain the burden for souls needed for effective ministry. In Luke 16, the rich man suddenly developed that burden as he was tormented in Hell. He asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers “lest they also come into this place of torment.” An experience of Hell’s torment is sufficient to give even a wicked sinner a burden to evangelize the lost. While we cannot visit Hell, what we can do to develop a greater burden for souls is to spend time meditating on scriptures concerning God’s judgment and eternal punishment.
Sadly, most churches are preoccupied with their potlucks and other social activities while the world is going to Hell. Modern Christians face lots of pressure and need times of rest and relaxation. And married people need to spend time with their families. But we must find time in our busy lives to reach those who are headed for eternal torment in Hell. Few Christians are too busy to commit a few hours monthly to evangelism. Pastors can stir up their congregations by preaching regularly on the need for evangelism and the reality of Hell, praying continually for God to send forth laborers, starting some ongoing outreaches and setting an example by participating in them.
The Greek word “ekballo,” used in the expression “send forth laborers into his harvest” in Matthew 9:38, is used in the next verse for casting out demons. Apparently, it is as hard to get a Christian to witness as to drive out a demon. If you’ve ever tried casting out demons, you know how stubborn they are! In Acts 8, we are told that after the persecution led by Saul, the church was scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (v.4). It took persecution to force the church to do what Jesus had commanded them to do. We feel secure in our church buildings, but need to be cast out into the harvest field.
Christians often tell me, “You have to have a special calling to witness like you do.” But if you saw a child drowning in a swimming pool, would you think “I’m not called to be a lifeguard” or “I don’t have any special training in lifesaving?” No, you would make every effort to save that child! Once you see the urgency of the task, the question of “calling” becomes irrelevant, even foolish.
What is the difference between this drowning child and the people who are dying in their sins? For one thing, the child’s situation is undeniably urgent. If the child is not rescued in a few minutes, he will die. There is no time to wait around wondering if someone else will rescue him. What about the unsaved person? Does he have plenty of time? That is the excuse many unbelievers use to postpone their decision regarding Jesus. Many say they’ll turn to Jesus when they get older, not realizing they may die at any time, or will harden their heart as they continue to reject Him.
If I don’t witness to an unbeliever, perhaps someone else will later. On the other hand, this could be his last opportunity to be saved.My witness could make the difference between Heaven and Hell for him. This is an awesome responsibility. I could take this to an extreme and think I cannot let a single unbeliever walk by without trying to witness to him. If I did, I would become a nervous wreck. I cannot take upon myself the responsibility of saving the world singlehandedly.
However, one rarely sees a Christian go to this extreme. The problem is that almost all Christians have gone to the opposite extreme — they hardly ever speak with anyone about their eternal destiny. If you look for witnessing opportunities and regularly witness to people, I believe that God will use you to change the eternal destinies of at least a few people during your lifetime.
Next month’s teaching will be on mobilizing the church to evangelize. I believe that we should expect nothing less than the involvement of every Christian in evangelism. I pray that God will use these teachings to open your eyes to the ways Satan seeks to keep you from witnessing, and that you will be given a renewed desire to witness for Jesus — both in your everyday life and through special outreaches. Please pray with us that God will cast out laborers into the harvest fields of this world, including the San Francisco area.
God has called this ministry to reach an area with five million people, yet we have but a handful of workers. 1200 Christians receive this newsletter each month, most of whom live in this area, yet only about 20 participated in any of our outreaches last month! I believe that God wants many more of you to join us on a regular basis. Satan does not want any of us to witness, and sadly, his efforts to stop us have been highly successful. All he has to do is whisper some excuse in our ear, and we think we have a good reason not to witness.
A London prisoner once told a preacher, “Mister, if I believed this Gospel you say you believe, I’d crawl across England over broken glass to get the message out.” People around us are dying and going to Hell. Over one person each second is entering eternity without Jesus. We need to do everything we can to save them.
Ministry News
I just received the Full Gospel Business Men’s Voice magazine, which included a report on their world convention. The report focused on the street outreach we did with them. “Taking to heart the theme of the convention–`to heal the brokenhearted’ (Luke 4:19), many men literally `took to the streets’ to reach out to the many suffering homeless. Over 300 street people were treated to a banquet at the San Francisco Hilton, with 80 responding to the Gospel. Businessmen also touched the lives of other business men at the Embarcadero Rally spearheaded by Gene M. Ellerbee who told FGBMFI to `hit the streets!’…Numerous miracles took place, not only in the banquet rooms, but on the streets, too….As the torch was lit in the hearts of all at the San Francisco World Convention, the urgency of the hour was felt to `take the Gospel to their streets…and nations.'”
Yesterday, we had a visit from Eric Livingston, who was saved two years ago during SOS, along with his fiance and his younger brother, who received Christ last week through Eric’s witness, and will be attending the Great Commission School with Eric this fall.
Here are some letters we have received recently in response to tracts:
After having read your handout (Questions) there is no doubt in my mind that God has entered my life. I have tried so very hard to let Christ in and to change my sinful ways, though on occasion I have a tendency to backslide. Is this normal for people or is this due to the possibility that I haven’t completely let Christ into my life?
I enjoyed your “World Peace” leaflet. Please send me more literature.
I would like any literature you can send me about leading a good Christian life (in response to “Who is this Man?” tract).
Last weekend, our house went to San Jose to participate in the First Annual Bay Area Evangelism Conference at Evangel Christian Fellowship. In addition to the teaching sessions on Friday night and Saturday morning, we had an excellent time of intercession from 6-8 AM Saturday and conducted an outreach at the Santa Clara County Fair Saturday afternoon. Chuck Girard and the Evangel worship group played at a bandshell while we gave out 2000 specially-designed tracts. Several outreach participants indicated a desire to be involved in a weekly or monthly outreach in San Jose.
We are still getting free loudspeaker permits in Berkeley. Please pray that they will continue to give us free permits. On Saturday afternoon, October 31, we will have a Halloween Outreach in San Francisco. We will have a worship rally from 3-6 PM at the Powell St. BART Station, followed by evening witnessing until 10 PM in San Francisco. Light always shines brightest in dark places, which makes Halloween a great time to witness. Our Tape of the Month is “Witnessing to Children” by Sharon Flack, Bay Area Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Most people come to Christ before they are 18. Children are most receptive to the gospel, and we need to reach them while their hearts are soft.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
