Overcoming Fear
Dear Christian friends,
A few months ago, I shared from a book I have been reading on John and Charles Wesley and the 18th Century Revival in England. While we sometimes face opposition to our preaching on the streets, it is nothing compared to the persecution they faced. Here are some excerpts from the book concerning one incident:
“Charles preached for three quarters of an hour the next morning. But the mob soon attacked, at first using a hand-operated pump to cover the Methodists with water. Then they resorted to a larger engine which broke the windows, flooded the rooms and spoiled the goods. We were withdrawn to a small upper-room, in the back part of the house, seeing no way to escape their violence…One brother they dragged away. They threw him into the horse-pond and broke his back.”
Continuing from Charles’ journal: “Now we stood in jeopardy every moment. Such threatenings, curses and blasphemies I have never heard….They were now close to us, on every side, and over our heads, untiling the roof. I was diverted by a little girl, who called to me, `Mr. Wesley! Mr. Wesley! creep under the bed: they will kill you. They are pulling down the house.’ Our sister Taylor’s faith was just failing, when a ruffian cried out, `Here they are, behind the curtain!’ At this time we fully expected their appearance, and returned to the furthermost corner of the room…In about an hour after the last general assault the answer of faith came, and God made bare his arm. Soon after three, Mr. Clark knocked at the door, and brought with him the constable. He said, `Sir, if you will promise never to preach here again, the gentleman and I will engage to bring you safely out of town.’ My answer was, `I shall promise no such thing.'”
“Finally they were able to leave town on horses, with the mob following. They pulled one brother off his horse, and two bulldogs tore his flesh. He got back on his horse and they rode off, singing the hymn `Worship, and thanks, and blessing.'”
Fear of Witnessing
A great many in the church have a fear of witnessing. Our word martyr comes from the Greek word martus meaning “witness.” Because so many in the early church who witnessed died for their faith, the word “witness” became associated with death. We are fortunate in America today that we have great freedom to preach the gospel and little danger of physical harm or death for doing so. Over the past twenty years, thousands of Christians have witnessed in San Francisco through this ministry, but nobody has been seriously hurt. Yet, it seems that fear of witnessing is even more prevalent here than in places where witnessing often results in death.
Today, the main fear that keeps us from witnessing is fear of ridicule or rejection. This is one of the main reasons we do not witness as we know we should–whether at work, to our friends and relatives, to people we meet in everyday life, or in special outreaches.
How do we overcome this fear? The first step is to recognize this as a sin, and repent of it. Second, understand that the reason we fear rejection, ridicule, injury or death is because we do not reckon ourselves dead to the world. Finally, we overcome fear of man by trusting in God’s love. Here are a few of the many scriptures relating to this:
“Do not be afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do….Fear not therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God; But he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:4-11).
“If any man come to me, and hate not…his own life…he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).
“I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung” (Phil. 3:8).
“Fear none of those things which you shall suffer; Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried…be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). “And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:11).
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4: 18-19). “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).
As we come to know God’s love, and are assured that He is with us and that nothing can come into our life that He does not allow, then we will be freed from the torment of fear and know His peace. “He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).
On the Streets
Sometimes our experiences in San Francisco and Berkeley remind me of the Wesleys. Last Friday, we witnessed in the Tenderloin district. Several people confronted us with angry and lewd behavior as we worshiped God. But once again God protected us and nobody was hurt. And we prayed with a few people.
The next day, the New Life Christian Church worship group ministered a block away, at 5th St. and Market. We had no opposition as hundreds of people gathered to listen to the music. Several dozen people requested prayer.
During the SOS outreach, I met a brother from the S. F. Foursquare Church, Bob Ramos. He said he was involved with a band called the Narrow Road Band and wanted to work with us. So we scheduled an outreach with them on August 26. They brought a few more music groups with them and ministered for six hours at 5th St. and Market–our longest outreach yet. A large crowd gathered to listen to the excellent music and several people requested prayer. Mark rededicated his life to Christ that afternoon. Rick attended church the next day and made a profession of faith.
On September 9, Eric Livingston led a team to the Chinatown district of San Francisco. He played Chinese worship and preaching tapes over an amplifier as the team gave out hundreds of Chinese (and English) tracts.
Letters
Twenty-five years ago, in September, 1970, some Christians near Portland, Oregon witnessed to me and Jesus saved me. Hallelujah! A few days ago, I received a letter from a friend I hadn’t heard from for many years. “Hope you remember someone you witnessed to in Portland, Oregon twenty-five years ago….It is comforting to see that despite all the turmoil of the world, Larry Rosenbaum is still laboring faithfully in the gospel in San Francisco. I’m now living in Omaha, fellowshipping at Calvary Chapel. Leah (my daughter) is a senior at Cornell, active in inner-city ministry with Intervarsity….” Bob H. Bob and I had been involved in a cult called the “Love Family” before we were saved. Shortly after I was saved, I met Bob in Portland, shared the true gospel with him, and he was saved and joined me in the Shiloh ministry. I rejoice that he is still serving the Lord after all these years.
We continue to receive responses to the tracts we gave out during SOS. Gerald from Sacramento wrote: “When I was 13 years old my Dad tried to kill me, but my mother saved my life. I need somebody to talk to. I’m a sinner too. Yes I have accepted the Lord as my savior.” Roger, age 58, from Santa Barbara wrote: “You said, you will receive something good to read. Would that be a Bible to read, because I don’t own one? I was given this tract to read so I would like to start to read the Bible” (we sent him one). Jeff from San Francisco wrote: “I think your tract is the most beautiful I have ever read–the 3-paneled one in purple ink with the Eric Gill illustration and which said, `I need someone to pray for me.’ He is good, and his mercy endureth forever.” Randy from Martinez jail wrote: “Thank you for taking the time and effort in helping people like me! It is true that I am a `baby’ Christian and as such your “comic” tract has enlightened me even though I’ve only made it to page 3….In closing I want to again say thanks, and God’s blessings be with us all. Thanks everybody for the prayers!! Peace be with you…my newest friends.”
Mona from Burlingame wrote: “I need someone to pray for my family too. My family is not Christian. Since the Lord has touched me, I am walking in the light of Jesus Christ. Please also pray for my husband to our father to change his heart….Once again, thank you very much for sharing with me.” And Will from the USS Carl Vinson wrote: “I want to thank you for your heart warming infor mation. It will continue to aid me in my walk with Christ. I became a Christian on March 26 of this year and my walk has been quite faithful thus far. Right now I continue to finish up my naval career. I’ll forever serve God. Thank you for praying for me. I pray continually for you. Pray for my ministry that God has led me to start. Do you have any additional tracts that would be of use to me? The church I attend is Alameda Community Church….Thank you and let’s continue praying for one another.”
Last month I mentioned Clint, who was saved through the ministry of the Prodigal Project in Haight Ashbury. He has entered the San Francisco Teen Challenge program and is doing well. Last weekend, we had a visit from Robert, who committed his life to Christ six months ago. He has been in the Teen Challenge program in Turlock for six months, is really growing in the Lord, and is looking forward to completing the program and being reunited with his two young sons (who are staying with their grandparents).
Please pray for these people, for all those who have responded to the gospel this past month, and for those who have written us in response to tracts: Pete (Richmond), Yitbarek (Santa Rosa), and Kevin, Cheryl, Kemp, James, (San Francisco). As I was writing this I received a call from Lolita, a Filipino Christian who lives in San Francisco and suffers from depression. Please pray for her.
Our Tape of the Month is Street Ministry through the Local Church by Mel Rolls. Mel is Director of Rescue Atlanta, a street ministry working in the inner city of Atlanta. Before starting this ministry, Mel worked as Youth Pastor at a large Assembly of God church.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
