|
|
SOS Ministry Newsletter - December 2009
Overcoming Fear
Dear Christian Friends,
A few years ago, I read a book 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 We were withdrawn to a small upper-room, in the back part of the house, seeing no way to escape their violence...One brother they dragged away.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 thirty 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. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ... 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 12:4-8). "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
On October 9, we witnessed in Berkeley. Richard Griffin played music. We had several good conversations. Dan witnessed to Tony from England, who was very receptive to the gospel. Amanda witnessed to Michael, who was also receptive. We returned to Berkeley the following Saturday. While Timothy was preaching, a group of high school students gathered across the street. One of them, Cody, was heckling. I started talking with Cody. It turns out that he has a Christian background and was actually quite receptive to the gospel. I gave him a book by Mark Cahill, One Heartbeat Away.
On October 30, the Bay Bridge was closed. It took us an extra hour each way to get to San Francisco. We witnessed at Powell and Market St. A young man named Jimmy approached Larry DuBois and said, “I’m Jewish and gay.” His friends immediately tried to get him to leave with them. Larry told him, “If you want to hear the truth, I’ll tell you the truth.” He stayed and listened as Larry ministered to him, and he took a gospel of John.
On October 31, we again witnessed in Berkeley. Tim Moon played music, and several of us preached. Sky Cline brought his four children to witness with him. Gary stood across the street from us holding two signs. One said “Away with all Gods.” The other stated that Mao was the great liberator of women. While I was preaching, I invited anyone who had a good reason for not believing in Jesus to discuss it with me. Gary came over, and asked to debate me. He spoke about the various people who had been killed in the name of Jesus. I replied that it was sad that people had been wrongly killed in Jesus’ name over the years, but far more had been killed by a single atheist, his hero, Mao. An estimated 48-70 million! In contrast, 500 years of Inquisitions resulted in about 6000 deaths. The Salem witch trials resulted in about 30 deaths. He was not able to give any evidence that God does not exist. I do think that our brief debate did stir up some interest in what we were saying. Later, Sky witnessed to Gary. Several hundred people received gospel tracts that day. Adam, a young man from Berkeley, returned his tract to Eric. Eric wondered why he was doing that, but then he noticed he had put his name and address on the back and checked the box saying “I want to know more about Jesus.” He walked away before Eric could talk with him.
On November 6, we witnessed on Castro St. We hadn’t been there for two years, and were a bit concerned about hostility. However, a lot of people took gospel tracts and we had a few good conversations. Larry DuBois spoke with Bob, a backslidden Christian. We gave Spanish tracts and a Spanish Bible to five tourists from Spain. Dennis, a homeless Christian, preached while two students who are making a documentary on his life filmed him. Apparently, the film will be shown at the Castro Theater!
Coming Events
Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325 or 926-3299 to confirm outreaches or for more information.
Friday December 4, 11, 18 Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. 7:30 - 10 PM (Call for location.)
Saturday December 5 Berkeley Evangelism Outreach (Telegraph & Haste St.) 12:30 – 4:30 PM
Saturday December 12, 19 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach 11:30 AM – 4 PM (Jefferson St. between Powell & Mason.)
Ministry Needs
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Our tract supply is getting low and we need to print some more tracts. It will cost us about $1300 to print 60,000 tracts. We also want to put in some new landscaping in the front yard of our house. It is looking pretty bad, and is a poor witness to our neighbors. This will cost about $1000.
We still have two openings in our Oakland ministry house. We are looking for men in their 20’s or 30’s who are spiritually strong and are committed to evangelism. We need to train younger believers in evangelism – to reach a new generation and help us continue this work of evangelizing San Francisco and Berkeley. We are also open to having older Christian men live in this house. I have been letting my 4000 Facebook “friends” know about this need. So far we have a few inquiries and one good applicant.
Please pray that God will bring the right people for our house. Our CD of the Month is Introduction to Personal Evangelism. This is Part 2 of a teaching I gave at my home church. You may also request Part 1 of the teaching.
I hope many of you will join us for an outreach this next month. Christmas is a great time to witness. We need to remind people of the real reason for Christmas – not shopping and Santa but Jesus!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Yours in His Love,
Larry Rosenbaum
|
