Preaching Against Sexual Sin
Dear Christian Friends,
The favorite topic among too many street preachers is sexual sin. I have heard preachers who describe the most decadent sins in graphic detail on the streets. They especially focus on homosexuality, but also preach against fornication, adultery, pornography, and other sins I won’t mention. The most extreme group is Westboro Baptist Church, who protest at the graves of servicemen who they claim died because of our nation’s acceptance of homosexuality. All of us, I hope, will agree that they have gone way too far.
But should we even preach against sexual sins on the streets? How did Jesus deal with people involved in sexual sin? When the woman taken in adultery was brought to Him, He said, “Let Him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Then He told her, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus also taught regarding divorce, that it was not allowed except for adultery or fornication. He said that looking at a woman with lust in your heart was equivalent to adultery. These statements were made in the Sermon on the Mount, to those who gathered to hear His teachings, and in response to questions by the Pharisees. That’s about all He said on the subject of sex.
Jesus was extremely gentle in His treatment of those involved in sexual sin. That is one reason He was criticized as a friend of publicans and sinners. In contrast, He was quite strong in His condemnation of other sins – unforgiveness, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, making a public show of religion and of giving, etc. I think the way Jesus dealt with prostitutes should be a model for us in terms of how we speak about homosexuality and other sexual sins.
Paul, in particular, taught against homosexuality, fornication, and other sexual sins in Romans and the epistles, but those teachings were directed to Christians. I could not find one example of anyone preaching against sexual sin to non-Christians in the New Testament.
Sometimes, Christians tell me that we must take a position on the religious controversies of our day. But Jesus often avoided such controversies. In John 4, when the Samaritan woman tried to get Jesus into an argument about where people should be worshipping, Jesus refused to be drawn into the controversy (though clearly the Samaritans were wrong on this matter). In Luke 13, when the issue was raised about whether those who suffered in certain tragedies were being judged by God, Jesus again avoided the argument. He did the same thing with the blind man in John 9, was he blind because of his own sins, or his parents? He did the same with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus told us to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves. Jesus knew these were no-win situations. The best thing He could do was to avoid confronting these issues head-on.
I realize it is necessary to speak about repentance from sin as part of the gospel presentation. However, I think we should use wisdom in choosing which specific sins we mention. I think it is better to speak about the kinds of sins we all deal with, such as covetousness, lust, pride, unforgiveness, self-righteousness, etc., instead of rebuking unbelievers for sins that Christians generally do not engage in. Instead of telling the non-Christian that he is a terrible sinner deserving of Hell, I can say that I am a terrible sinner deserving of Hell, but for God’s mercy. I think it is better to combat the sin of pride by speaking in an attitude of humility, speaking of our infirmities, not of our virtues. Paul certainly did that, boasting in his infirmities, and calling himself the chief of sinners.
I am not trying to make a rule of what we can or can’t say when we witness, but I think it is generally wise to avoid preaching against sexual sin. When I presented this teaching on Facebook, a reader shared a video clip of Ray Comfort using the law to bring conviction of sin to a homosexual without mentioning homosexuality. If he had, it could have resulted in an argument, instead of conviction of sin.
We have heard too many stories in the media about Christian preachers who were known for preaching against sexual sin, and then were found to be committing sexual sins. I wonder if we should even be preaching against sexual sin to unbelievers. But if we do so, we should exercise great restraint, gentleness, humility and love.
Machaira ministers at UN Plaza on June 5.
Masao from Calvary Chapel Bible College preaches at Wharf
Eric and Jill Baxter married on June12
Norman witnesses to young man at Metreon.
SOS San Franciso July 16-24 2010
The greatest need for every person on this earth is to receive salvation from Jesus Christ. The greatest thing any one of us can do is to present the gospel to someone and give him or her a chance to be saved. Almost every day, we have opportunities to witness to people. We encounter people at work, at school, on the bus or airplane, on the street, at the grocery store, in our neighborhood, etc. We all need to take better advantage of these opportunities and be bolder in our Christian witness.
However, there are many people who do not have any Christian friends or co-workers to witness to them. They will not be reached for Jesus unless someone makes a special effort to reach them. This is why we need special evangelistic outreaches.
One of the main reasons we do not witness in our everyday lives is that our minds are focused on other things. During an outreach like SOS – San Francisco, we can focus on one thing — reaching people with the gospel.
Another reason we do not witness is because we fear rejection by friends or coworkers. SOS – San Francisco provides an opportunity to overcome fear and witness boldly for Jesus, with the encouragement of other Christians.
A third reason we don’t witness is that we don’t know how. SOS – San Francisco provides an opportunity to get practical training and experience in personal witnessing.
An “SOS” is an urgent call for help. The people of San Francisco are in great spiritual need. They may not be starving physically, but they are starving spiritually and are headed for eternal torment if they do not trust in Jesus. We have the spiritual food, the Word of God, that can save them from a fate worse than death. How can we withhold God’s Word from those who desperately need it?
Many Christians at one time had a zeal for God and a burden for souls. But today they are caught up in worldly activities and have lost that zeal. I believe that God wants to use this summer’s SOS outreach to restore this fervor in many of His people. Jesus is coming soon! Let’s get our hearts right with God and get busy doing the work He has commanded us to do: investing our lives winning souls for His Kingdom.
The hardest part is overcoming apathy and fear. Once you actually come to SOS, God will give you divine appointments to witness to people. He will give you the right words to speak to each person. The experience you get during SOS week will help you become a bolder and more effective witness for Jesus in your everyday life.
Don’t miss this year’s SOS outreach. This year we will be meeting at the Gate Ministry, 1429 Mendell St. (near 3rd St. and Oakdale) San Francisco 94124. This is a new location for us with one big advantage—it has two showers! Contemporary Christian music pioneer Chuck Girard will be ministering throughout the week. Registration begins on Friday July 16 at 6 PM. Meetings are scheduled daily except Sunday at 8 AM from July 17-24. If you live in the Bay Area and must work, you may join us at night and on weekends.
Evangelism training will be provided throughout the week. We will be holding daily noon worship rallies in city parks, bringing the church to the street. Free housing is available during the outreach. Bring a sleeping bag and foam pad. If you prefer, we can send you information about inexpensive motels in the city. We will be serving breakfast and lunch from July 19-24.
For the 5th year, a youth group from Christian Life Assembly of God in Payson, Utah, will be joining us. We expect other youth groups to participate. Youth under 18 need adult supervision. This outreach is guaranteed to change your life — and the lives of those you will reach for Jesus.
This is our 31st year to bring together Christians to proclaim the gospel in San Francisco and Berkeley. Please pray that God will bring many laborers, especially youth groups, to help us bring in a harvest this summer.
Coming Events
Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 761-6120 to confirm outreaches or for more information.
Friday July 16, 23, 30 Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. 7:30 – 10 PM (Call for location.)
Sat. July 3 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach Union Square, Powell & Geary St. 3:30-5:30 PM
Sun. July 25 San Francisco Evangelism Outreach (with Teen Challenge—Oakland) 3-7 PM
Sat. July 31 Berkeley outreach Telegraph & Haste St. 12:30-4:30 PM.
July 16-24 SOS-San Francisco 31st year. Please consider taking time off work so you can attend this important outreach.
Ministry News & Needs
This past month we held two outreaches at United Nations Plaza. A lot of homeless and poor people congregate in this plaza. On May 22, Last Days Harvest Church from Sacramento ministered. They brought most of their church with them, so we had many workers. The weather was quite windy and cold, and it was hard to escape the water blowing from the fountain. Still, we had many good conversations, and prayed with a few people. On June 5, the band Machaira ministered. It was a warm, sunny day, and we moved away from the fountain to escape the water. Yvonne witnessed to Geraldo from Spain. He was a Catholic, but was open to knowing about having a personal relationship with Jesus. Over 100 people took Bibles that afternoon. On May 29, we ministered at Fisherman’s Wharf. A team of young people joined us from Word of Grace Church in San Francisco. Several people sang and did rap. We also had three young men staying with us from Calvary Chapel Bible College. It was very encouraging to meet three men who are serious about preaching the gospel on the streets.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. Eric got married on June 12 and moved out of our house. We now only have three men in our house, all of us over 50. It is very difficult to continue doing these outreaches with so few laborers. We really need some younger believers to live in our house. Please continue to pray that God will bring the right people for our house.
Also, please pray for us as we make preparations for SOS-San Francisco, July 16-24. I hope many of you will be able to join us for this important outreach.
Yours in His Love,
Larry Rosenbaum