It can be for you...
... or against you.
"What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead" - Romans 7:7-8
This is important... We do not know sin but by the law... Interesting...
This law I speak of is The Ten Commandments.... This is the essence of the philosophy of the type of evangelism we are doing, let me explain...
Fist of all, this weekend was AMAZING!! We had the opportunity to help Kirk out at the Halifax Buskers Festival... This was our first actual chance to try out full on witnessing... And yeah, it was scary... But when you submit and lean on God for strength and courage, you'd be surprise what amazing this He has in store for you!! We did get kicked off the Halifax harbour front Saturday afternoon when we did a mock funeral... One woman found our attempts at reaching the lost, less than what she wanted to see and hear... And fought with Kirk over little details, causing quite a scene... What an introduction to street evangelism for us!! Police and everything (the other part of the law that physically exists here)... We broke for dinner, and yes, returned that night for the best crowd yet (and even an applause after Kirk's presentation)... This was a great day!!
I don't know exact numbers, but I am sure at least 100 people heard the Gospel in Halifax this weekend.. God was evident in the strength and determination presented by our group (which by the way on saturday grew to about 13 Christians working together with the common goal of ministering to Halifax during this year's buskers festival)... It was an awesome feeling to be on fire with a large group of others and really reaching out to every person we cam in contact with... As as most church members sit in their pews each Sunday, they'd be amazed at how much one person can do on the street when the Holy Spirt moves within them... We are only vessels of good news... What a privilege!!
When talking to someone we would ask some basic questions to start off easy...
1.) Do you believe in God?
2.) Do you believe there is a heaven?
3.) (assuming there is) How do you hope to get there?
From there we move to the ten commandments, as Paul said is the very definition of sin. Have you ever noticed that Jesus always used the law (10 commandments) too!? When the rich young ruler came to him, what did Jesus question him by? The Ten Commandments!! Many people may feel this is a very intrusive and 'wrong' way to witness... But I dare say I am convinced it is the only way!! Unless we realize we are guilty, the Good News of forgiveness doesn't mean a thing...
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
I will be honest... Until I began learning this stuff, I believed todays watered-down beautiful story of redemption... Although God is 100% love, I didn't give full credit to Him also being 100% wrathful...
... take a look in the book of Mark, and what Jesus had to say...
"... and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel."" - Mark 1:15
Jesus didn't just say, 'believe in the me and you will be saved'... He
said REPENT!! So why are we no longer repenting? Instead we offer
the guarantee of love and forgiveness and blessing if we accept Him who
died and rose for us... God doesn't long for lukewarm converts who do
nothing but believe, but he wants Christians who fear Him, Christians
who repent... Christians who are ready for action... So I urge you, act!!
I once said, "Evangelism just isn't my thing... It's not my gift..."
Jesus claimed different...
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8
As recorded in the Bible, those where Jesus' last words... Sort of important... Notice He didn't say, 'some of you will be witnesses to Me'...
Unfortunate news for those who are comfortable...
He meant you...
He meant me...
He meant us...
If you can't tell, I am excited... God is doing amazing things, and is
maturing me in ways I didn't expect... And at the same time, revealing my weaknesses...
Amazing...
I wouldn't trade this experience for anything... God is doing amazing
things and I am seeing it!!
I am so thankful for this... Thank you for praying for me and the guys!! Your prayers make a difference!!
So as for an update.... We have a few days off (Monday and Tuesday) and head out again Wednesday until Saturday at another event... Please pray for us during this time!!
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