Y2k and God’s Judgment
As you now know, the “Y2k bug” did not create the major disaster
that many had predicted. Almost everyone, including President
Clinton, thought it would a problem at least in those nations
that did little to prepare for it. The New Year arrived without
even a terrorist act or computer virus outbreak.
In the Old Testament, God often judged the Jewish people. When
Israel turned to God, God caused it to prosper. However, when
Israel prospered, it would turn away from God. God would then
bring judgment to the nation, usually through military defeat,
and the Jewish people would again turn to God.
Many of our nation’s founders were godly believers. God has
blessed our nation with military strength and economic prosperi
ty. The American church has been a leader in sending missionaries
to preach the gospel worldwide.
However, our nation in its prosperity has certainly turned its
back on God. Many Americans worship “money” and “pleasure” as if
they were gods. There is an epidemic of sin in the church as well
as among unbelievers. The message that “God wants to make you
rich, healthy and happy” has replaced the call to risk our lives
by taking the gospel to the world.
Perhaps only an economic collapse will humble our nation and
cause multitudes to turn to God. Many Christians hoped that “Y2k”
would cause this crisis. But God does not need a computer bug to
bring judgment to this evil world.
God will bring judgment to our nation if, when, and how He
chooses. Our job is to obey his command to preach the gospel in
all the world. God is constantly bringing “judgment” to individu
als. Many people, through sickness, death of a loved one, econom
ic loss, divorce, rebellious children, etc. are in a personal
crisis that makes them more receptive to the gospel message. I
hope that with this “Y2k” distraction out of the way, we Chris
tians can focus our energy on reaching everyone we can for Jesus.
Open Air Preaching
“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those
who believe” (1 Corin. 1:21). Throughout the Bible, God called
His servants to proclaim His word in the public places. People
were warned to repent of their sins and get their lives right
with God. In some cases, many repented and were spared God’s
judgment. The entire city of Ninevah, for example, repented at
the preaching of Jonah. In other cases, few or no people repent
ed. Noah was called a preacher of righteousness. As he built the
ark, he warned of God’s judgment, yet only his family was saved.
God told the prophet Ezekiel, “Go to the house of Israel and speak
with my words to them…whether they listen or not” (Ezek. 3:4,11).
Some will claim that preaching the gospel is not effective, or that
you will only “turn people off.” It is very important that we preach
with love, gentleness and sensitivity. Even when we do this, however,
some will be offended at the gospel.
Bill Bright, the founder and director of Campus Crusade for Christ,
said, “Effective witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share
Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the results to God.”
God has called us to walk by faith. We must obey God and continue
to preach the Gospel, whether or not we see results.
The apostle Paul had a powerful ministry and saw much fruit amid much
opposition. But the thing that disturbed him most was not the persecution
by unbelievers, but the criticism and lack of support by other believers.
Even those who were saved in churches he had started, criticized him
and forsook him. They said he was not a true apostle. They said he
had no right to receive financial support. “If we have sown unto
you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal
things?” (1 Corin. 9:11) They criticized his speaking ability.
“His bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible” (2 Corin.
10:10). At the end of his life, as he was awaiting death in a Roman
prison, he wrote Timothy, “Take your diligence to come to me.
For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world….Only
Luke is with me….At my first answer no man stood with me, but
all men forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:9-16). Truly, the life of God’s
servant is difficult, but God is faithful to comfort and strengthen
us. “Nevertheless, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me,
that by me the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles
might hear” (2 Tim. 4:17).
Preaching the Gospel Today
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolish
ness, but to us who are saved it is the power of God” 1 Corin.
1:18. We know from God’s Word that the preaching of the cross
will be regarded as foolish by the unsaved. What surprises us is
that many professing Christians also consider it foolishness.
Today, there is much criticism of open-air preaching by other
Christians. Despite the tremendous Biblical support for this
approach, many Christians think that this approach is ineffec
tive, out-of-date, and only “turns people off” to the gospel.
Generally, friendship evangelism, mercy ministry, and inviting
people to church are proposed as inoffensive alternatives.
I witnessed on the streets for about seven years before I began street
preaching. When I came to San Francisco, I saw a number of street
preachers who would preach at Market and Powell, near the cable car
turnaround. Many of them spent a lot of time arguing with one another,
calling one another “devils” because they disagreed on some doctrine.
Many of these street preachers did not have any regular church involvement.
What I saw definitely did not make me want to be a street preacher.
After a few years, I met some other street preachers who joined us
for our outreaches. They were good, solid Christians who preached
under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the message was
strong, emphasizing the holiness of God. At other times it was very
gentle, emphasizing the love and mercy of God. After listening to
them, I decided to give street preaching a try.
I was very nervous when I first started preaching, but I found that
the Holy Spirit would give me words if I would open my mouth. While
some preachers can preach comfortably without an amplifier, I find
that using an amplifier helps me to speak loudly without yelling
or straining my voice. I usually use a “Maximouse amplifier”
which contains a rechargeable battery, produces good-quality
sound and is also excellent for music.
On the Streets
Last month, I told you about the problems we have been having
with the police, particularly Officer Jones, in Berkeley. We had
an outreach scheduled in Berkeley on December 11. The street
vendors had closed off the street that day for their Christmas Fair.
The day before, I didn’t know if I would have any helpers
and almost canceled the outreach. However, God provided the
workers we needed on Saturday. “Children of the Rock” played
music and we had a peaceful time of ministry that afternoon.
Officer Jones was busy monitoring the street fair and didn’t have
time to harass us. Mike Mills, the brother who moved into our
house this past month, arrived by plane that afternoon. He imme
diately joined us on the streets and prayed with Alisha to re
ceive Christ.
On Friday December 17 we witnessed at Union Square. We sang, gave
out tracts, and distributed some clothes to the homeless. On
Saturday December 18, we held our Christmas outreach at United
Nations Plaza. “Tribe of Judah,” a worship group from Faith
Fellowship Foursquare Church in San Leandro and “Children of the
Rock” ministered in music. Christians joined us from Hope Center
in Pleasant Hill and from Santa Cruz, giving out food and toilet
ries to the homeless and sharing the gospel with them. About 30
people responded to two altar calls that afternoon. Please pray
that these people will truly repent and follow Jesus.
SOS-San Francisco
July 7-15, 2000
We have set the dates for this next year’s SOS outreach, our 21st
year. Again, Glad Tidings Church is opening up their wonderful
facility to us. I hope many of you will join us this summer. Each
outreach is special, and we trust that God will use everyone who
attends to bring people to Jesus.
Chinese New Year Outreach
Sat. February 19
For the past 20 years, we have been witnessing at the Chinese New
Year Parade. This is the largest annual event in San Francisco,
drawing about 300,000 people. We will meet at Union Square,
Powell and Geary St., for a worship rally at 2 PM. We will stay
until 7 PM to witness to those who gather to watch the parade. I
hope many of you will join us for this outreach.
Coming Events
Note: All outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325
the day before to confirm outreaches or for more information.
Friday February 11, 18, 25 7:30 PM. Witnessing in various S.F.
neighborhoods. (Call us for meeting location and directions.)
Sat. February 12 San Francisco Worship Rally. 12-1 PM Powell and
Market St. 2-4 PM Union Square (Powell and Geary St.)
Sat. February 19 Chinese New Year Parade Outreach. 2-7 PM. Meet
at Union Square, Powell and Geary St. (If it is raining, call us
by noon Saturday for our meeting time and place.)
Sat. February 26 Berkeley Outreach. 1:30-5:30 PM. Telegraph and
Haste St.
March 1-4 Mardi Gras Evangelism Training and Outreach, Galveston,
TX. Chuck Girard, Scott Hinkle. Call (409) 986-7889.
Ministry Needs
Again, I want to thank you for your prayers and financial support
of this ministry. Please pray for those whom we have witnessed to
and who have written us this past month, including Willie (Sacra
mento), Anthony, Carlos and Mark (SF). Please pray also that we
will have more workers to help us on Friday night and Saturday
afternoon.
Our Tape of the Month is God’s Heart for the Lost by Darrell
Walker. Darrell preached on the streets of San Francisco for many
years with Agape, Inc. and SOS Ministries. He also shared his
burden for the lost with thousands of Christians in the San
Francisco area before the Lord took him home in 1982.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
