Lion in the Streets
“The slothful man says, `There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets'” Prov. 22:13.
One of the main reasons Christians give for not witnessing is fear. Evangelists and missionaries often speak in churches about their “war stories.” They might tell how they were surrounded by an angry mob, beaten up, or thrown in jail. This certainly did not make Christians want to get involved in evangelism or missionary work. I have my own war stories of being surrounded by angry mobs and put in jail for preaching, but the thing that most impresses me is the way God has protected me and others who have been involved in evangelism. During these times of persecution, God gave me an abundance of grace. But those who hear our stories don’t have that grace, and may become afraid.
Over the past thirteen years, thousands of Christians have been involved in this ministry, yet not one has been hurt in any significant way. Of course, there is no guarantee that we will not be hurt or even martyred for preaching the gospel. This has happened to many godly men and women throughout church history. And all of us face danger every day, simply walking down the street. A few months ago, I was mugged walking down a “safe” street in the middle of the afternoon, and needed several stitches in my head. Life is filled with danger, and I can think of no better way to die than while preaching the gospel.
“But the fearful and unbelieving…shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” Rev. 21:8. Each of us has a choice either to fear God or to fear man. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Prov. 9:10. Some say that we are not to fear God, but rather to have reverence or respect for God. However, the Hebrew word “yirah” is stronger, meaning “to fear from an apprehension of danger and a sense of our own weakness, joined therefore with trembling” (Wilson). I fear God because I know His power is great and that He will chasten me if I sin (see Hebrews 12). This fear deters me from sinning when I am tempted. “By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil” Prov. 16:6. So the fear of the Lord is healthy, and causes us to turn from evil.
If we fear God, we will not fear men. If we do not fear God, we will fear men. “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoso puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe” Prov. 29:25. The greatest fear that we experience in witnessing is that people will reject us or make fun of us, not that they will do us physical harm. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” 2 Corin. 5:11. Because he feared God, the apostle Paul overcame his fear of man and persuaded men to come to Christ.
Some say that we are to love God, not fear Him. But God’s Word says we are to both love and fear Him. Some say that we should not talk about Hell, judgment, or fearing God. We are told instead to speak only about good things–the peace, joy, health and prosperity He gives us. But Christians who do not fear God often find themselves dabbling in various sins. They become slothful about spiritual disciplines. They neglect prayer and Bible study and seek comfort from the things of the world. Their marriages often end in divorce and their children often turn from God. They fear man and will not witness. “The slothful man says, `There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.'”
Mobilizing the Church
On Labor Day weekend, we went to Lakeport, a resort town about 120 miles north of San Francisco. This was the fourth year we had gone there to do an outreach with Lakeport Christian Fellowship. On Saturday afternoon, their worship group ministered at the bandshell at Library Park, a downtown park on Clear Lake. People are very relaxed in this small town, and we had many good conversations. That night, we witnessed at the Lake County Fair. On Sunday afternoon, the worship group again ministered at the bandshell. Most of the church came to the park for a picnic lunch. The church held a baptism at the lake and had their evening service at the bandshell. Pastor Dale Hunter preached an evangelistic message. Another brother preached in Spanish to the many Hispanics in the park. Guy Strohmeier has begun a Friday night outreach at the church. Only a few people are participating in these outreaches, but he and his wife are faithful to witness every week.
I am encouraged to see the beginnings of outreach in this church. I hope they will continue these afternoon outreaches as well as the Friday night outreach, and that more church members will get involved. I pray that other churches will follow this example. Bringing the church to the street (and park) is one of the best ways to get Christians started in evangelism.
God wants to use you to help mobilize your church to witness. Talk with your pastor and church leaders about taking your church to a nearby park. Plan a Sunday afternoon for your church to have a picnic at a busy nearby park. Bring extra food so you can invite others to join you. Also bring some guitars to sing worship songs. You could have a service with an evangelistic message. If you do this on a regular basis, your church members will get more comfortable with evangelism and many will start witnessing.
You will need the support of your pastor and church leadership. The pastor needs to set an example by participating in these outreaches and he needs to speak on Sunday morning about the importance of witnessing. You can share the teachings in the past three newsletters with him. As Cincinnati Vineyard Pastor Steve Sjogren said. “Most pastors I know aren’t natural evangelists. However, we have all been called to do the work of an evangelist. Your people will listen to all you teach and talk about, but they really won’t do more than you as the primary leader do.”
Pray (and fast) for your church and its leaders. Be patient. If your church is totally opposed to evangelism, you may need to find another church. But it is very hard to find a church that is actively involved in evangelism. Yes, we are “living in Laodicea” (Rev. 3:16), but we must cry out to God to bring revival to the church and an outpouring of worldwide evangelism empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Ministry News
On September 12, Reachout Ministries from San Jose led an outreach at the Powell St. BART Station. Many people listened to the gospel message and received New Testaments. I prayed with a man who wanted to rededicate his life to Christ and be set free from crack. Reachout also gave out over 100 lunches to street people in the area. On September 19, the West Contra Costa Christian Center Choir ministered at the BART Station. Hundreds of people gathered to hear the music and about a dozen came forward for prayer. One angry policeman almost shut us down. Please pray that we will be able to continue these outreaches.
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).
These past years I have gone through great personal crisis and mental upheaval and it has only been recently that I have recognized that possibly God and true faith may hold the key to the solution of my problems. Please send me any literature pertaining to the achievement of salvation through Jesus as soon as possible. (John from Berkeley.)
Was reading your tract and realized that on the back of it was the answer to one of my prayers. I am a believer in the Lord and would very much like to receive any and all Christian literature. I am from Orlando, FL and that is where all my family is, so I have no way of getting the above. Please consider helping me. (from SF jail).
A Final Word
Two encouraging events occurred in September. “See you at the Pole” on Thursday September 17 brought as many as three million Christian high school students together for morning prayer at their school’s flagpole. On Sunday September 20, Christians from over 60,000 churches from over 70 denominations sought to do a survey and witness door-to-door in every home in America as part of the National Evangelistic Census. In the SF Bay Area, 10,000 Christians from 400 churches were expected to participate. One organizer called it the “single largest mobilization of Chris tians in the history of the country.” Several other nations also participated in the survey.
We have scheduled our Thanksgiving Outreach for Saturday November 28. Come join us for a worship rally at the Powell St. BART station. What better way to express our thanksgiving to God than by sharing His goodness with those who do not yet know Him. Our Tape of the Month is “Evangelical Paralysis” by Ray Comfort. According to Ray, this teaching gives two dynamic keys to set you free from the “fear of man” forever.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
