Coming Events
Friday December 6, 13, 20 4 – 7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday December 7, 14, 21 12 – 4 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
SHIPWRECKED
Dear Christian friends,
We are near the end of our series on New Testament preaching. In Acts 27, Paul gives a word of knowledge to those who are sailing the ship carrying him as a prisoner to Rome. First, he warns them that the ship will be damaged if they leave Crete immediately. After they ignore his warning, he tells them that an angel appeared to him, telling him that nobody will perish in the wreck, but the ship will be destroyed, and they will be cast on an island. They listened to his advice, and nobody died. While there is no mention of Paul preaching the gospel on this occasion, his word of knowledge, as well as his behavior, ministered to these people. Certainly, these people knew Paul was imprisoned because of his beliefs. Most likely, he also spoke with them about Jesus.
When they landed on Malta, a poisonous snake bit Paul. The natives expected him to die quickly. When he didn’t, they thought he was a god. Paul healed the father of the island’s leader, as well as other people.
When Paul arrived in Rome, he called together the Jewish leaders. “Though I have committed nothing against the people…yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem.” These leaders were more receptive to the gospel than the Jews in Rome. “We desire to hear of you what you think.”
“He expounded and testified about the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” Luke concludes by quoting Isaiah 6:9-10, a prophecy that the Jews as a whole would not receive the gospel, but that the Gentiles would receive it.
In this section, we can see how Paul operated in the supernatural gifts of word of knowledge and healing. God used these gifts to witness to unbelievers. While the passage does not say that Paul used these opportunities to share the gospel with people, he certainly did. After all, he wrote “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe” and “How shall they hear without a preacher?” Paul certainly would not have missed these opportunities to share the gospel with people. A miracle can certainly get people’s attention and help them to believe. He certainly would not have wanted people to think that these miracles were done through his own power.
Finally, we have Paul, in Rome, making one last effort to reach the Jews. While the Roman Jews were more receptive to the gospel than those in Jerusalem, the Jewish people as a whole rejected the gospel, while the Gentiles were much more receptive. From that point, the gospel went mainly to the Gentiles, and many did in fact receive it.
On the Streets
On Friday May 17, we witnessed near the Ferry Building. I witnessed to four teenagers. One of them, jokingly, asked if I would give him $1 if he sang a song. I said I would. He sang the Frank Sinatra song “My way.” I gave them all gospel tracts and told them that we need to live our lives God’s way, not “my way.”
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Paul and Noreen Coca and Mark Whitehead played music. Mike witnessed to Ken, 40, who was raised Buddhist. He said he did not know anything about Christianity. After caring for his dying father, he wanted to know more about spiritual things. He said he wanted to learn more about Christianity and would like to attend church. Mike told him about City Impact, and gave him a flier with their meeting times. He seemed eager to attend. Mike also spoke about creation, sin, and Jesus’ redemption, but he seemed to be overwhelmed by all the information. When several of us were about to pray, he asked if he could join. Mike offered him a Bible, and he took it. Mike encouraged him to read the books of John and Romans. He also knew some Japanese, so Mike introduced him to Tats and they spoke some in Japanese.
Alex spoke with Cory, who had a New Zealand accent. Alex said he liked his accent and asked if he knew of Ray Comfort (who is from New Zealand). Cory said he used to study apologetics and reasoned with people but has taken a step back and hasn’t been to church for 10 years. He said he doesn’t believe that God sends people to Hell. Alex was going to share some scriptures with him, but Cory said he didn’t want to discuss the topic. He said he just wanted to believe that God loves him and accepts him as he is. Alex also spoke with a man in his early 30’s who said that he was a believer. He said that Jesus has returned and is in Wisconsin. Alex warned him that Jesus said when he returns everyone will know it so don’t be led astray by false prophets.
On Friday June 14, we witnessed at Market and Montgomery St. This is the main corner in the financial district. We have not witnessed here since Covid, and there were far fewer people on the streets than before. Still, we had many people to witness to. Andy and Mike spoke with Peter, who claims to be a Christian but thinks that if a sign or number occurs repeatedly in his life, this is how God speaks to him. He said he stopped reading the Bible 5 years ago. Mike said that God primarily speaks to us through His word, the Bible, and that we need to study the Bible so that we can discern whether a sign is from God. Mike and Andy encouraged Peter to read one chapter of Romans each day, and Peter was open to doing that. Andy got Peter’s contact information and will follow-up on him. Mike also spoke with a man who asked what it meant when Jesus said, “except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:20). Mike responded that we are all sinners, and none of us are justified by our own works. The scribes and Pharisees wrongly believed they were justified by their works. Jesus was saying that our righteousness only comes by faith in Him and in His death and resurrection.
Alex witnessed to Mike, 70. He claimed to be a believer and thought a lot about what happens when we die. He said God wouldn’t send people to Hell. Alex responded with Matt. 25:41 where Jesus says “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” He listened to what Alex said. John witnessed to Chris, 27, who lives in Oakland. He said he was trying to get back into the good graces of God. John explained what it means to be born again.
On Sat. June 29, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. A man who works for the Public Work’s Department approached us and demanded we take our banners and signs down. I asked him to show me the law that says we can’t put them up. He showed me a pamphlet titled “Guidelines for displaying merchandise in sidewalk locations.” I pointed out that this does not apply to us, as we are not displaying merchandise. He became extremely angry and arrogant and cursed at us. When I asked to speak with his supervisor, he lied and said, “I have no supervisor.” When Mike pointed out that he was not behaving like a public servant, he accused us of being racist. He started writing up a citation for me and asked to see my id. I refused to show it to him. Eventually he walked away. Over the next month, he and another Public Works official showed us some confusing laws that could be interpreted as not allowing us to put up banners or signs on city poles. Instead we are using self-standing poles to hang up our 10 foot banner. They have not shut that down yet. They have also placed a gigantic shipping container in the center of our witnessing spot, cutting our space in half. They are hoping to rent it out.
Coming Events
Friday December 6, 13, 20 4-7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday December 7, 14, 21 12-4 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
A Final Word
Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We have three openings in our ministry house. We are looking for spiritually mature young men with a serious desire to evangelize San Francisco.
Please pray for our nation and for our world. As I write this letter, I have no idea what the world will look like by the time you receive this newsletter. We have a presidential election with enormous implications for our nation’s future. Hurricanes are battering our East Coast. And now Israel is perhaps facing the greatest threat to its existence since 1948 with attacks from eight directions. As I see it, the Bible predicts that the Antichrist will make a 7-year covenant of “peace” with Israel. The Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. The Antichrist will
break his covenant with Israel, and worldwide persecution of Israel will result. Israel will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah. gotquestions.org/end-times-Israel.html
I hope all of you will have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
I hope many of you will join one of our Christmas outreaches or witness in your own community.