Coming Events
Friday September 2, 9 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday September 3 1—5:30 PM Witnessing at Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero between Powell and Taylor.
Saturday September 10 2 – 5 PM Dolores Park outreach, 19th & Dolores.
Saturday September 17 11 AM – 5 PM “Jesus Reigns” March and Rally. Meet at Ferry Building, march to Fisherman’s Wharf.
October 6-9 Fleet Week Outreach
WHY WE SHOULD WITNESS (PART 1)
Dear Christian friends,
One of the main purposes of this newsletter is to encourage Christians to witness for Jesus Christ. Perhaps 80% of all Christians never or almost never witness to anyone. Not only do they not witness through organized outreaches, they don’t witness at work or even to their unsaved friends. Also, many Christians who at one time were involved extensively in evangelism no longer do much, if any, witnessing.
Over the years, I have thought a lot about this problem, its cause and possible solutions. I am convinced that much of Satan’s attacks on Christians is focused on two areas: prayer and witnessing. In the area of evangelism, Satan will give us every excuse not to witness. He will tell us our witnessing is not effective, that we should do other things with our time. Whatever method we are using, it is the wrong method. We are turning people off to the gospel. We are neglecting our family or church activities. Satan has been very effective at preventing Christians from witnessing. We can see the result in the current condition of our nation and world.
One area in which Satan attacks us concerns our motivation for evangelism. We have seen preachers who condemn people, as though they were happy people are going to Hell. All of us who preach know that our motives are not always perfect. We may enjoy the attention we are getting when a crowd gathers. We may think we are earning favor with God or making up for past sins by witnessing.
What is the proper motivation for evangelism? First, we witness out of our love for God. When you fall in love with someone, it is natural to tell others about that person. Also, we know that God loved this world so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins. He does not want to see anyone perish but that all come to repentance. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and He has ordained that people are saved through preaching. “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corin. 1:21). “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
We do not want to be like Martha, so busy serving God that we neglect fellowship with Him. Or like the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, which had an abundance of good works, but had left their first love for Jesus.
Christians sometimes tell me that they find they are witnessing out of duty or obligation, and that they will stop witnessing until they can witness with the right motive or get their relationship with God right. Certainly, we need to give first priority to our relationship with God. But why is witnessing the first thing to go whenever we have a spiritual problem? (to be continued)
On the Streets
On Fri. April 29, we witnessed at 4th and Market. After listening to Tat’s preaching, Federico approached Andy and I, literally asking us, “What must I do to be saved?” Federico is Filipino, 59, a former Navy seal, and works as a paramedic. He has a serious health issue but did not say what it was. We explained the gospel to him, showing him Romans 3 and John 3, and explained about the new birth. We gave him a Bible, prayed with him, and invited him to Andy’s church. Andy and I called him, emailed him, and left messages, but so far, he has not responded. Please join us in praying for him.
The next day we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Ryan was preaching at Pier 39 when two lesbians, Marie and Alexis, approached him. Their clothing and behavior were quite outlandish. They asked Ryan if God loves gay people. Ryan said, “Yes, but he does not agree with their lifestyle.” Ryan said that one man and one woman are necessary to generate life. The women were genuinely interested, and the conversation ended well.
On Fri. May 6, we witnessed at 24th & Mission. Alex prayed for a Catholic woman who only spoke Spanish. Roger translated what Alex said into Spanish. Alex explained about being born again (John 3:3) and Roger spoke about Jesus being the only mediator between God and man.
While Josue was preaching, he mentioned abortion. A woman who was listening got extremely angry. She assaulted Josue and kicked our amplifier. When John picked up his phone to record the interaction, she knocked his phone on the ground. Fortunately, it still works. The police came immediately and arrested the woman. John refused to press charges against her and we think the police released her. John told her he had forgiven her.
The next day, we witnessed at the Wharf and Pier 39. Alex witnessed to a man from India who was studying various religions. Alex explained that other religions do not provide a way we can be forgiven for our sins. He also witnessed to Mohammed, a Muslim man, who asked, “Where does Jesus say he is God?” Alex showed him several scriptures such as John 1:1, John 1:14 and John 8:58. They ended up sharing each other’s contact information.
On Fri. May 13, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Ryan witnessed to Kristina, who had been a believer but had gotten into witchcraft. Ryan got her contact information, and scheduled a meeting with her, but she cancelled it. Ryan will try to reschedule the meeting. Mike, John and Alex spoke with Kyle, who had attended Bethel Church in Redding, but now was studying Buddhism. He believes God is in everyone. Kyle said he didn’t understand why Jesus had to die on a cross. Alex explained the gospel to him.
The next day we again witnessed at the Wharf. Andy spoke with an elderly homeless man whose last name is Roosevelt. Clearly, he was suffering from dementia because he couldn’t even remember his first name. Andy gave him a Bible and Roosevelt immediately showed Andy some Bible verses he knew. He appeared to have a serious alcohol problem, and Andy warned him that he needed to get right with God. Roosevelt insisted that he had said a sinner’s prayer years ago and God was OK with his lifestyle. Andy and Tats prayed with him before he left.
Ryan ministered to Rob, why grew up in a Christian home but was now living a worldly lifestyle. He passed by on a scooter, but turned around to speak with Ryan. He confessed that his life is in shambles because of drug addiction. He used to attend Victory Outreach, but no longer attends church. Ryan got his contact information, and tried to contact him but couldn’t reach him. He will try again. At the end of the day, while I was preaching, Ryan witnessed to Omar and his wife Alexis, both in their mid 20’s, with their baby daughter. They had sat down to listen to the preaching, and Alexis was crying. They said they had to hear the preaching. They said they had been using drugs and alcohol, and that earlier in the day, they felt convicted that they should throw away their drug paraphernalia. They were concerned about their daughter and said they would throw it away when they got home.
On, Fri. June 10, we witnessed at 16th & Mission. Andy spoke with Melissa, 60, who had a long history of drug abuse. He asked her if she would like to receive the Lord Jesus and be born again. She said she would. Andy and Tats prayed with her to receive Christ. They also shared with her the importance of reading the Bible, praying, and joining a fellowship of believers. She said she agreed.
A Final Word
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. I hope many of you will join the Jesus Reign’s rally on September 17 (details above). We are also scheduling a special outreach for Fleet Week, Oct. 6-9, which draws up to a million visitors. Contact us for details.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
