Post by Jed on Aug 26, 2005 17:40:03 GMT -5
Thought I would post a few things happening here in the Deep South. It has been very encouraging to read the reports. I have only been going out on the street for only a year, and that on and off, but I can hardly mention anything that is more exciting! To read of people in club lines going home... this is what makes all of the discouragement (and lack of encouragement from people we wish would give it) worthwhile. I could really write a million words, but it would probably be superflous as many of you have been into public evangelism for much longer than I.
I could mention several things but will probably just mention a few. Two other guys and I went down to a local urban park on July 4th to pass out tracts and preach. Well the very first lady we spoke with was somewhat standoffish at first but warmed up to us. She was sitting in her car with the windows down, so maybe she thought it was weird. We asked her if she had gotten a tract, and went through the law. This lady admitted several things there after on her own accord! She said she was married but was waiting there for another man. She left the park and went home after talking to us! It is incredible what God will do if you allow him to use you. We are not anyone special... just pvc pipe (actually we are made of dust) that GOD can use as a vessel. Who knows if I was born and live here now for "such a time as this". God does not need me to reach this city, and if delay, "deliverance will arise from another place" (See Esther 4)
As far as open airs, last Saturday we went downtown to a street that has a few clubs. Jackson is not big enough to command a heavy downtown traffic flow at night, but has "pockets" of people who go to various bars and clubs. There were several people sitting outside on their cars and wasting time, many drinking. Now this particular club is on the 2nd story. We went catty corner across the street to the federal building of all places and I "lifted up my voice as a trumpet and spared not" (Isa 58:1) Now directly across the street is a humongous parking garage. Many buildings directly on the other side encompassed the club (narrow streets etc) Basically if you lift up your voice, it will resonate and reverberate, bouncing off of buildings in every direction. And this parking garage was no exception. I could speak over the music without screaming (I believe Mr. Wesley said he thought it a sin to scream during field preaching.)
This was the first "full length" street sermon I had ever given, being about 10 minutes. Many stopped and appeared amazed at the message. It was from Ps 7:11. And i enunciated it like this: God is angry with the wicked EVERY day. Also Heb 9:27 and several of the Commandments. I even ended with the verse from Psalms. My friend also preached. But since no one came by to talk to us, we resisted passing out tracts to all of the people around the club. I know the Word did not return void.... but nobody seemed repentant. So we left. What do yall think? Should you pass out tracts if people are not broken after giving a message, hoping they will read it later or not? I would like some feedback. Later I will try to give the account of holding up signs outside of a high school right as school got out and seeing school bus after school bus go by and were forced to read the signs. Public evangelism forces people to examine their opinion of the gospel who would never go to church (almost never).
And I could list many excellent books websites sermons Wesley quotes and etc not to mention other accounts but will have to conclude here.
I encourage everyone to keep it up and not become discouraged. You may not receive encouragement from anyone, but you must continue! Jesus did so much for us, can't we at least do this for him? I love this public evangelism, but I am still but weak and not as strong as I ought to be. Pray for us this weekend. Shalom, Jed
I could mention several things but will probably just mention a few. Two other guys and I went down to a local urban park on July 4th to pass out tracts and preach. Well the very first lady we spoke with was somewhat standoffish at first but warmed up to us. She was sitting in her car with the windows down, so maybe she thought it was weird. We asked her if she had gotten a tract, and went through the law. This lady admitted several things there after on her own accord! She said she was married but was waiting there for another man. She left the park and went home after talking to us! It is incredible what God will do if you allow him to use you. We are not anyone special... just pvc pipe (actually we are made of dust) that GOD can use as a vessel. Who knows if I was born and live here now for "such a time as this". God does not need me to reach this city, and if delay, "deliverance will arise from another place" (See Esther 4)
As far as open airs, last Saturday we went downtown to a street that has a few clubs. Jackson is not big enough to command a heavy downtown traffic flow at night, but has "pockets" of people who go to various bars and clubs. There were several people sitting outside on their cars and wasting time, many drinking. Now this particular club is on the 2nd story. We went catty corner across the street to the federal building of all places and I "lifted up my voice as a trumpet and spared not" (Isa 58:1) Now directly across the street is a humongous parking garage. Many buildings directly on the other side encompassed the club (narrow streets etc) Basically if you lift up your voice, it will resonate and reverberate, bouncing off of buildings in every direction. And this parking garage was no exception. I could speak over the music without screaming (I believe Mr. Wesley said he thought it a sin to scream during field preaching.)
This was the first "full length" street sermon I had ever given, being about 10 minutes. Many stopped and appeared amazed at the message. It was from Ps 7:11. And i enunciated it like this: God is angry with the wicked EVERY day. Also Heb 9:27 and several of the Commandments. I even ended with the verse from Psalms. My friend also preached. But since no one came by to talk to us, we resisted passing out tracts to all of the people around the club. I know the Word did not return void.... but nobody seemed repentant. So we left. What do yall think? Should you pass out tracts if people are not broken after giving a message, hoping they will read it later or not? I would like some feedback. Later I will try to give the account of holding up signs outside of a high school right as school got out and seeing school bus after school bus go by and were forced to read the signs. Public evangelism forces people to examine their opinion of the gospel who would never go to church (almost never).
And I could list many excellent books websites sermons Wesley quotes and etc not to mention other accounts but will have to conclude here.
I encourage everyone to keep it up and not become discouraged. You may not receive encouragement from anyone, but you must continue! Jesus did so much for us, can't we at least do this for him? I love this public evangelism, but I am still but weak and not as strong as I ought to be. Pray for us this weekend. Shalom, Jed