Charles Spurgeon Said:"If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for."
_________________Bill
pij wrote:I think the problem is we are still expecting to "bring sinners" to our church to get them saved, which I'm not against but I can't think of one example where Jesus invited someone to the synagogue. What I do read is that the religous were angry with him for drinking wine and eating with the outcasts of society. Saturday nights restaurants and bars are filled with people. Who is reaching them? "The Son of man cam eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children." Matthew 11:19 KJV
_________________Aaron Ireland
One thing to consider;If God tells someone to go and hand out here or there they should by all means go and follow orders regardless of appearance. BUT, this can also be a trick of the enemy used to get believers separated from the flock and surrounded by bad influence. If someone feels called to do this they must remain honest about where they are and as soon as temptation grows out of hand they must leave the place for a while to recharge. Also, and I am not saying this to any one here, but sometimes we hold a little piece of the world in our hearts with out fully turning everything over to Jesus Christ, and it can sometimes be a longing created in our minds from this little reserve in our hearts justified by the appearance of concern for others. I have recently experienced temptation and noticed that in my heart of hearts I will rebuke the tempting spirit and woo it back at the same time.If anyone feels lead to do a ministry like this you should let other believers know what you are doing so that they can pray for you and or hopefully go with you i.e. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Remember, even Jesus took his disciples with him to these places.God Bless you in your endeavors.
Hello all,So much in my heart. So many excellent points, encouragements, truths, healthy warnings to pray about and put into practice, to allow to be incepted and nurtured and birthed through us, His Body. After all didn't our Lord say, "Wisdom (the practical outworking of knowledge) is known by her children"?I don't want to write a book here, that gets tedious. But the Lord has taught me alot over the last few years (I know there are far more wiser than me in these areas, and I am by no means a pioneer in street ministry, only one who is desiring to stand in the ways, and see, and asking for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and I shall find rest for my soul...I want to be willingly obedient, as we all should, whatever 'way' He might have for each of us. We're not called to follow each other, we're called to follow Jesus and the leading of His Spirit in accordance with the truth of His word.I would like to keep this thread going because I think there is alot of wisdom to be shared with the size of the body that feeds and grows and gets pruned here.And I would like to answer some of the excellent points that have been brought up, and like to hear what you all have to share, as the Lord leads.Prayerfully,
_________________Josh
"Jesus never went anywhere he wasn't invited to go". And when he went He preached the gospel using alot of different object lessons, parables and teachings.
Someone wrote:
Hey All, I was reading through the posts again and was wondering where you were picking up on the idea of people going where they weren't invited and where that was said? (i.e. Bars, etc).Sorry, maybe I missed something? Thanks for the help.
RobertW wrote:
Homosexuality, harlotry, etc. are sins that devestate lives. We meet them on the streets all the time in homeless ministry. These people's lives are wrecked! Wasn't it Ravenhill that said that we had better have a Gospel that could reach these folks? Something to the effect they couldnt hear a 'flip Gospel'- they needed to hear the real deal. Where would some of these people even begin to get their life right?
Here's where I came up with that saying and why. pj wrote about going to resturant - bars to lead people to the Lord. I do believe its ok to stand out side of these establishments and ingage the people though the preaching and tract distribution, but to enter into an establishment with out being asked is wrong. I was just using an observation about Jesus' life and ministry that shows He never went to the publicans and sinnners homes without an invite. When He was invited it was used as an occassion to reach the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew- Zach- ect... Other than that He allowed for the Holy Spirit to draw the people to Him and then He taught the people and healed them and delivered them.
_________________D.Miller
While I don't subscribe to going street witnessing alone, I do believe that God'll give you another person to go with. However has anyone considered the possibility of different types of ministries--2 brothers in the Lord called them selves "mall missionaries" and used to frequent the mall and pass out tracts. I know of sisters who when they go for thier groceries to feed thier families, they pray and ask God to lead them to those who need Jesus. The testomonies are wonderful to hear.The bottom line is this, even though street evangelism is a good work, we are called to BE Jesus where we are daily in our lives, at the malls, work, school, in our neighborhoods, in life. When we walk out the front door we should be a ready vessel for the Holy Spirit's use. Then hell will tremble. I know sooo many wonderful christians who simply live Jesus in thier world that are much closer to him than I ever was when I was witnessing on the streets in my early years, it really humbles me. A life lived is a better gospel preached than a message just preached, but combine the 2 and you have power! God Bless Bro. Daryl
