Coming Events
Thurs. Oct 6—Sun. Oct 9 Fleet Week Outreach. Contact Scott Crawford scott333bx@yahoo.com, (785) 443-3218 for details.
Friday October 14, 21, 28 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday October 15, 22, 29 1—5:30 PM Witnessing at Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero between Powell and Taylor.
WHY WE SHOULD WITNESS (PART 2)
Dear Christian friends,
I may not feel like praying or reading the Bible or going to church, I may not feel like going to work, I may not feel like witnessing, but I discipline myself to do the things I know God wants me to do regardless of my feelings. Yet it is usually in the area of evangelism that Christians think that they should only do it when they “feel led” lest they be legalistic.
The apostle Paul didn’t worry much about people’s motives for evangelism. “Some indeed preach Christ of contention, not sincerely…What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice” (Phil. 1:15,18). Even when people’s motives for preaching were wrong, Paul was more concerned that Christ be preached. “Just do it.”
Some might even criticize Paul’s motivation for preaching. “When I preach the gospel,” he wrote “I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me” (1 Corin. 9:16-17). Paul is saying that even if he does not want to witness, he is compelled to do so and something bad would happen to him if he were disobedient. Then he compares the discipline involved in preaching the gospel to that of a runner and a boxer. Athletic competition involves great discipline even to the point of pain. “No pain. No gain.” It is painful to see people reject the gospel, and reject us because we proclaim the gospel. Without sufficient motivation, we won’t be willing to endure this pain. “They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (v. 25).
Paul wrote to the Corinthians “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corin. 5:11). And he told the people of Ephesus, “I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27). Paul was referring here to God’s warning in Ezekiel 33: “If you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.” Paul apparently thought that this Old Testament scripture does apply to us in this age of grace.
Christians often ask me what motivates me to continue preaching the gospel for so many years in a city that is known for its resistance to God’s Word. I grew up in the “Bible belt” and probably many of my friends were Christians, but none told me how to be saved. At the age of 24, after years of tormented searching for meaning in life, I finally met some people who cared for my soul and showed me the way of salvation. Once I realized the Bible is really true and there really is a Heaven and Hell, I was amazed that nobody had ever warned me before. In light of this truth, I knew that the only sensible thing for me to do was to dedicate my life to warning people of the reality of eternal Hell and showing them the way of salvation.
Some may say that this is not a lofty motivation. Some Christians teach that it is wrong to witness because of our desire to save people from Hell. Yet Paul wrote in Romans 9 that he had “great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren (the Jews).” Paul was so burdened by knowing his fellow Jews were heading for Hell that he was willing to take their place. Of course, we can’t do that, but we can warn them of the danger and show them the way out. If you study church history, you will find that virtually every great evangelist was motivated by an overwhelming desire to keep people out of Hell.
I am continually amazed that Christians who believe that all the unbelievers around them are headed for eternal torment in Hell would care so little about warning them. The only explanation I have is that Satan is very clever at giving us excuses for not witnessing, and that our hearts are so deceitful that we fall for his lies. I rarely feel like witnessing to anyone. Every week when it is time for us to witness, I can think of some reason for not going. But then I remember that no sacrifice is too great to save even one soul from Hell.
There are many valid motives for preaching the gospel. While we should examine ourselves for impure motives, the most important thing is that we continue to preach the gospel in a consistent way. Setting aside a regular time to witness is as legitimate and necessary as any other spiritual discipline. Waiting until you are in perfect spiritual condition before you start witnessing is as foolish as waiting until you are in perfect physical condition before you start exercising.
On the Streets
On Sat. June 11, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Tim Moon played music. Mike spoke with Sib, a 16-year-old girl who asked him, “Why do Christians hate gay people?” Mike said that Christians don’t hate gay people, but that all of us have sinned against God and need a savior, Jesus Christ. Sib’s mother is Jewish and father is Christian, so she knew something about Christianity and knew that God has a standard for what is right and wrong. She went away thankful that Mike answered her question. Alex met a young man named Kyle. Alex had been preaching about his past life of heroin addiction. Kyle wanted to know more about Alex’s testimony. Alex also shared that his mother helped steer him in the right direction. Kyle was with his mother, who seemed to be in agreement. It appeared that Kyle was dealing with drug issues, similar to what Alex went through. Alex prayed for him that he would receive Jesus as Lord. He was very humble and receptive to Alex’s prayer.
On Fri June 17 and Sat. June 18, we again witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Andy spoke with a young black man named Grantley. He was raised in Seventh-Day Adventism and is now a nominal Christian. He spoke with Andy about what the Christian walk really looks like. Andy informed him that real Christians read the Bible and pray and have fellowship with other believers, and seek to live a pure and godly life. Grantley agreed that that’s how true Christians should live. Andy gave him contact information for his church. Grantley said that he wanted to attend.
Alex spoke with a 10-year-old young boy named Marcelo at Pier 39. Marcelo was very attentive to the preaching. Alex showed him his devotional notebook, with his Bible planner showing how he reads a Psalm and a chapter of Proverbs, and a section of the New Testament daily. Marcelo was very intrigued by that level of spiritual discipline. Marcelo came to the Wharf again the next day and Alex encouraged him to walk with Jesus.
Mike and John spoke with a very contentious young man named Luke. Luke had grown up in a Christian school but was very upset with his treatment there. He said he was abused physically and mentally. He is now very angry at Christianity. He debated the Bible with Mike, John and Tats. Luke is now an atheist and believes in evolution. He stayed with SOS almost the whole 3 hours debating the veracity of the Bible and Christianity. Eventually he became frustrated and left. We believe that he wanted to break down our claims about the truth of the Bible but was unsuccessful.
The next day, Tats spoke with a young couple named Mike and Nicole. Nicole initially mocked them, but changed her attitude during the conversation. She admitted she had a Christian background. They both admitted they have done wrong. Tats gave them a Bible which they were glad to receive. He also got their phone number for follow-up.
A Final Word
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We are scheduling a special outreach for Fleet Week, Oct. 6-9, which brings up to a million visitors to the Wharf.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
