SOS Monthly Newsletter - February 2006

Welcome To Heaven - part 2

Dear Christian friends,

"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 does 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 28 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. Many years 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."

ON THE STREETS

On Fri. December 9, we witnessed at Union Square in San Francisco. Tom and Carol sang Christmas carols and worship songs. When we arrived, we taped our Christian signs to poles, as is our custom. A police officer told us to take them down, which we did. However, a few minutes later, he changed his mind and told us we could put up our signs. Thank you, Jesus.

On Sat. December 10, we witnessed in Berkeley. The city was holding its annual holiday street fair and Telegraph Ave. was closed to traffic. The street was filled with vendors and thousands of people doing their Christmas shopping. The worship group from Independent Community Church in Richmond sang and Raymond Landry preached. Pastor Mark Whitehead brought a group from Northridge Assembly of God. He also sang and preached.

A crossing guard told me I couldn’t pass out tracts. When I refused to stop, he called the police. The police officer also told me I couldn’t give out tracts to the people at the fair. I asked to speak to his supervisor, but he wouldn’t allow it. I thought I was going to get arrested that day. I left to get my video camera and asked the officer to repeat what he had told me on videotape. When I turned on the video camera, the officer changed his story and said I could give out tracts.

On Sat. December 17, there was heavy rain. We couldn’t get a permit for Berkeley, so we went to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. We set up our two canopies and our sound system. The last time we tried to set up the canopies at this location, the police ordered us to take them down. On this day, the police left us alone. The “What the Dickens” carolers sang Christmas carols while dressed in Victorian costumes. A team from Monte Horeb Church in Fresno also joined us on the streets. Despite the rain, we witnessed to many people that afternoon.

Many commentators have observed that it has suddenly become “politically incorrect” to mention Christmas. I went into the San Francisco Shopping Center and noticed they were not playing any songs that mentioned Jesus. It seems that things have changed dramatically since last year. In San Francisco at least, Christ has been totally removed from the “holiday” whose name cannot be mentioned. In the past, it seemed to me that people were more receptive to the gospel at Christmas time. This year, people seemed as hardened to the gospel in December as during the rest of the year. People ran around frantically buying presents, not knowing whose birthday they were celebrating. We did our best to remind them of the reason for the season.

“I give you this charge: Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:1-2). The Bible states that we are to preach the word in season (when many people are responding to the gospel) and out of season (when we see little fruit). In the previous chapter, Paul had told Timothy “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1-4). We should not be surprised that people’s hearts are hard. Many Christians use this as an excuse not to witness. (“It’s a waste of time. Nobody wants to hear about Jesus.”) However, during hard times, we need to make an extra effort to reach everyone we can for Jesus. “Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

	“What the Dickens” Carolers Sing at Wharf
	Singing in the Rain
	Independent Community Church Choir sings at Berkeley Street Fair
	Thousands hear Gospel at Berkeley Street Fair
	Jeff (center) witnesses to two men at Berkeley fair

SOS-San Francisco June 23-July 1, 2006

We have set the dates for next summer’s SOS-San Francisco outreach-June 23-July 1. Once again we are blessed to be able to meet at Temple Baptist Church. This is our 27th annual outreach to the people of San Francisco. Please plan to join us for this important outreach. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Matt. 9:27-28.

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325 or 541-9903 (cell phone) to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday February 3, 10, 24 7:30-10 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. (Call for location).

Sat. February 4, 11, 25 11:30-5 PM San Francisco or Berkeley Outreach. (Location depends on weather. Call Sat. morning 9-10 AM to confirm location.)

Ministry News and Needs

On behalf of everyone in this ministry, I want to thank you both for your prayers and for your financial support for this ministry. We don’t do any fund-raising and rarely have opportunities to speak at churches. All we do is mail out our newsletter each month. Yet God is faithful to meet our needs through those of you who give to this ministry. Thank you.

This past month we were blessed to have Randy and Maciel Schillaci and their three children stay with us. Randy witnessed with us for many years before moving to the Philippines. Today, Randy and Maciel are missionaries who minister to children in Manila.

Yesterday, I applied for twelve 2006 San Francisco Park permits. I learned that a new General Manager wants to start charging us $500 for each park reservation, in addition to the loudspeaker permit fee. I was told we could request a waiver, which I did. Please pray that we will be granted this waiver. We certainly cannot afford such a fee.

Our Tape of the Month is Use of the Arts in Evangelism by Gabriel Arosemena. Gabriel is co-author of Life in Christ: A Manual for Disciples.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum