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Friday  July 5, 19   4 – 7 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Saturday July 6, 20   12 – 4  PM    Fisherman’s Wharf outreach. Powell & Jefferson St.

RISE UP AND WALK

Dear Christian friends,

The second New Testament evangelistic message took place at Solomon’s porch at the Jewish temple. Peter had just healed a lame man who regularly begged there. Word quickly spread of this miracle, and a crowd gathered. Peter’s message to them was similar to the one he gave on Pentecost. Many in his audience had been part of the mob that called for Jesus to be crucified, and Peter accused them of rejecting God’s Messiah and killing Him. He then called for them to repent and be converted, so that they could receive forgiveness of sins. He spoke of Moses’ prophesy in Deut. 18 concerning the Messiah, which included a severe warning to those who would not listen to Him. “All the prophets from Samuel…have likewise foretold of these days.” Peter’s sermon was interrupted as the Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John. However, it was noted that 5000 adult men were saved that day, in addition to many women and children.

In Luke 24, after the resurrection, Cleopas and another disciple were walking towards Emmaus when a man (later revealed as Jesus) “beginning at Moses and all the prophets … expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” These disciples undoubtedly told the other disciples, including Peter, what they had learned from Jesus.  In this message, Peter began with Moses’ prophesy in Deut. 18. He mentioned that there were many other prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. As I read this, I wondered why Peter did not go into more detail about the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Perhaps he shortened his message because of the approaching Jewish authorities. At any rate, the miracle, the brief message, and the deep conviction of sin in those who had consented to His death were all that were needed on this occasion.

What can we learn from this message? Again, Peter took advantage of the attention drawn to the gospel by a miraculous healing. The audience knew that Jesus had performed many miracles and healings. But Jesus had been crucified. On Pentecost, the believers were speaking in languages they had never learned. Now, one of his disciples had performed a dramatic healing on someone most of them knew. Certainly, they must be wondering if Jesus is truly the Messiah.

Again, we see Peter using Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus to argue that He is the Messiah. Again, we see Peter pointing out the sin of those who had called for Jesus to be crucified. Again, he called people to repent and be converted. However, this time Peter softened his message, “I know through ignorance you did it” and “God…sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Sometimes our preaching can get too hard, and we need to soften our approach – emphasizing God’s mercy and forgiveness in addition to His holiness and judgment. At the cross, Jesus had prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” The thousands who were saved in response to Peter’s first two sermons were a dramatic answer to His prayer.

On the Streets

On Sat. Feb. 3, we witnessed at Powell and O’Farrell. This has been our default rain location for over 20 years, because it has an awning that covers the sidewalk. The owners of the property were very angry at us. They hated our message and complained to the police that our presence might prevent them from leasing their storefront. Because of all the shoplifting in the area, and all the open drug use nearby, most of the businesses on this street have closed. However, these owners have become friendly with a police lieutenant. He had researched a court case our ministry had been involved with and he threatened to arrest us and confiscate our sound equipment if we returned. After all the many years I have been involved in legal battles with the police, we decided to find a new rain location.  Andy and I walked around Market St. near Powell and found 5 locations we could possibly use on a rainy day. None are as good as that location, but we wanted to avoid lengthy court battles.

Despite the forecast of 40% chance of rain, it didn’t rain that afternoon and Tim played music and several of us preached that day. Because it wasn’t raining, we moved across the street from the man’s store. Mike witnessed to Tom, 22, who grew up in church and attended the Academy of Arts College.  Tom still talks with his mother, who encourages him to follow Jesus. Mike shared his testimony and the gospel with him. Mike said that the gospel seed that was planted in him as a child will not leave him, and Tom agreed.

Tats witnessed to Jiro, a homeless Japanese man who begs on that corner. Tats has been trying to witness to him for 2 years. He said that his father is wealthy but his father’s girlfriend is trying to steal his inheritance. Tats said that Jesus never sinned, but suffered terribly on the cross. Jesus understands what you are going through. They spoke in Japanese. Jiro was much more open to the gospel than ever before. He has a sister who is a Christian, but he was resisting her witness.

Tats has started attending Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto. He had attended that church when he was first saved. On Sunday Feb. 4, he met Matthew, one of the church leaders. He has a friend Louie who is transgender and wants to arrange for Tats to meet him and witness to him. He says he has quite a few friends who are homosexual that Tats could share his testimony with.

On Friday Feb. 9, we had planned to witness at 16^th St. and Mission. A police officer stationed there said we could not preach, so we moved to 24^th St. and Mission. We preached there for almost 2 hours, when another police officer told us we could not preach there. So we preached without an amplifier for the last hour. This is the third time in two weeks we have been shut down by police at 3 different locations, after not having any problems with them for about four years.

Mike witnessed to Julius, 30, who professed faith in Christ and said his mother is a believer. He invited him to City Impact, but he didn’t come. Mike also witnessed to Juan (25) and Jose (17). Juan said he had been free from drugs for 5 months but his friend Jose was still struggling with drugs. Mike shared his testimony and the gospel with them and encouraged them to read the gospel of John. Mike also spoke with Michael, who oversees a public restroom. Michael shared his testimony of how he had overdosed on drugs five times before he was saved. He graduated from Teen Challenge and is now free from drugs. Tats witnessed to Wanda, 25, who was into witchcraft but said she knew Jesus. She said she doesn’t sin so she doesn’t need to be forgiven. She said she can control Jesus through witchcraft. Tats went over some of the 10 Commandments and she admitted to breaking some of them.

The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Alex witnessed to two Jehovah’s Witnesses. He compared their translation of John 1:1 with that of the King James Version. Their translation says “and the Word was a god” making Jesus one of many gods. They actually listened to Alex. Tats witnessed to Naoki, a Japanese Catholic who approached Tats while he was preaching. Tats shared that he can only be saved by God’s grace, not by his works. Naoki had never heard that. Tats witnessed to him in Japanese and recommended a good Japanese Bible to him. Mike witnessed to Ken, who is homeless. He said he had to leave but returned later. Mike shared the gospel with him and asked him if he wanted to receive Christ. He repeated a “sinner’s prayer” with Mike. Mike explained more about what it meant to be a Christian, gave him a Bible, encouraging him to read the gospel of John.

A Final Word

Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this ministry.  We are finding it increasingly hard to find churches that are willing to do an outreach with us on Saturday at Fisherman’s Wharf. If you live in the SF area, please consider talking with  your pastor or worship leader about joining us some time.  We bring the gospel to thousands of people at Fisherman’s Wharf each week.

 I hope many of you will join us for SOS-San Francisco  or witness in your own community.    

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum