tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75405846127954724572024-02-20T09:59:27.935-08:00Cross EncountersSometimes people ask, "How many people have you led to Christ?" My answer: "All of them." When I share the gospel, I bring everyone with whom I speak to the foot of the cross, where I leave them in the hands of the sovereign Creator and Savior. Salvation is of the Lord. I am simply one of his ambassadors. And these are my stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-56179397951410170812015-07-20T11:01:00.003-07:002015-07-20T11:14:27.927-07:00The Burglar<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Burglar</span><br />
By Tony Miano<br />
© 2015</b><br />
<br />
<b>Author's note:</b> I am indebted to two people for their assistance in writing this parable and gospel booklet.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.proofthatgodexists.org/">Sye Ten Bruggencate</a></b> patiently reviewed multiple versions of the text, providing both creative and theological insights along the way. Sye was also most instrumental in encouraging me to put this parable to paper, after hearing me use it in my evangelism efforts. Thank you, Sye.<br />
<br />
Allison Pari, my lovely niece and editor of The Master's College periodical publication <b><i><a href="http://www.masters.edu/media/current/">The Master's Current</a></i></b>, edited this work. Her professionalism, as well as her love for the Lord and literature, has made this work far better than it was when I presented it to her. Thank you, Allison.<br />
<br />
All Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) ©2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.<br />
<br />
This work is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced in any form without the expressed, written permission of the author. However, readers are encouraged to share the link to this post both far and wide.<br />
<br />
This work will soon be published in booklet form.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b></span></div>
<br />
His life was one of petty crimes. Well known in the community as a self-righteous young man, he always had an explanation to justify his run-ins with the law. He was often in trouble, but he repeatedly managed to avoid appearing before the judge, choosing to accept plea bargains instead of taking responsibility for his actions. Ignorant of legal proceedings, he was unaware that the judge had to approve every plea bargain. Blinded by his self-righteousness, he did not realize that his freedom wasn’t the result of his own ability to manipulate the system. His freedom was the result of the judge’s patience—a patience that had its limits.<br />
<br />
He was always sorry when he got caught, but his remorse was nothing more than worldly sorrow. It never amounted to true repentance. Even before being released from jail for one of his myriad offenses, he was already planning his next effort to satisfy the ravenous desires of his darkened heart. <br />
<br />
He was really no different than the other members of his community. He was simply more prone than others to act upon his sinful thoughts, though he wasn’t very good at it. His sins always seemed to find him out.<br />
<br />
Tired of being known in the community as a petty criminal, the man set his sights higher. He decided he would expand his criminal activity from bike thefts and shoplifting to burglary. He would enter someone’s home and steal from the residents as they slept in their beds. He knew in exactly which home he would begin this seedier and more desperate work: the largest home in town.<br />
<br />
Late one night, after filling his stomach and liver with 40 ounces of malt liquor, the man decided to break into the home. He watched the home from a distance, waiting for the last light to be extinguished. Emboldened by liquid courage and thinking himself a crafty criminal, he waited a while longer for the residents to fall deep into sleep.<br />
<br />
The burglar hopped over the small picket fence surrounding the front yard of the home, causing it to creak. Then, the neighborhood dogs began to bark, alerted to the fact that something was moving in the night. The burglar hid himself in the darker shadows and waited for the dogs to quiet themselves.<br />
<br />
The burglar made his way to the back of the home, where he found the kitchen door. To his surprise, it was unlocked. He entered the house with a flashlight in his hand. He also had a knife in his pocket, just in case.<br />
<br />
The burglar slowly made his way through the dark kitchen and even darker hallway into the living room. He stood in the corner of the room and surveyed its contents with his flashlight. The light briefly drew his attention to several family pictures on the walls. A father and mother. Parents with what appeared to be an only son. He felt a smile form on his face as he wondered what it would be like to have a family, to have parents who loved him. The smile quickly turned to a grimace as he envied the framed testaments of relationships he saw on the walls.<br />
<br />
He didn’t stop there. His anger toward the family, a family he had never met, grew. He didn’t believe he could ever have what they had, so he didn’t think they should have it either. The burglar was a coveter, never content with what he had, always wanting more, always wanting what someone else had.<br />
<br />
The burglar realized he had already been too long in the home. He cleared his mind and returned to the task at hand. As he rummaged through the darkened room, opening and closing bookcases, end table drawers and the like, the burglar didn’t realize how much noise he was making. That is, until he heard a sound coming from the back of the house.<br />
<br />
Someone was awake.<br />
<br />
He froze in his tracks as the sounds came closer and closer. Was it someone going for a midnight snack, or had they heard him rummaging through their possessions? The footsteps were getting louder; the person was getting closer. Then the figure gasped loud enough to startle the burglar, who immediately turned and shined the flashlight on a young boy. <br />
<br />
The boy screamed.<br />
<br />
Acting impulsively and according to his nature, the burglar rushed toward the boy while pulling the knife out of his pocket. With an instinctive lunge, the burglar plunged the knife into the boy's chest. <br />
<br />
The boy slumped forward but did not fall right away. He lifted his head and looked at the burglar as if to ask, “Why?” With a loud exhale, the boy cried, “Father!” He fell to the ground, holding the handle of the knife still in his chest.<br />
<br />
The boy was dead.<br />
<br />
With the boy’s spattered blood on his clothes and face, the burglar stood silent, motionless. Then he heard the sound of feet running down the hall in his direction. He turned and rushed through the closed front door, almost ripping it from its hinges.<br />
<br />
And he ran. While he ran from the police who he knew would soon be on the scene, he also tried to run from his conscience, which, until this moment, had been seared by years of sinful behavior. But no matter how fast or how far he ran, he could not run from his thoughts. He could not run from the images and the sounds of a boy dying in front of him. He could not run from the thoughts of the burglary and murder he had just committed.<br />
<br />
So lost in thought was he, that the burglar didn’t see the patrol car coming toward him. It wasn’t until he heard the siren that he looked up to see the flashing blue and red lights directly in front of him. The burglar made no effort to evade arrest. He simply put his bloody hands on the hood of the patrol car and allowed the officers to take him into custody. He gave no resistance.<br />
<br />
After being booked at the police station, the burglar was interrogated by detectives. He confessed to his heinous crime and provided a written statement.<br />
<br />
This was a death penalty case. The burglar would receive no plea bargains. His only hope was to plead not guilty and hope for the best in court. Maybe he could get off on a technicality. Maybe the confession would be thrown out.<br />
<br />
Still no remorse. Still no repentance. Nothing more than a worldly sorrow. While the burglar knew what he did was wrong, while he felt bad about it, and while he might even be able to convince some that he didn’t intend to kill the boy, his thoughts were really only of himself and the consequences he would likely face.<br />
<br />
The trial began early on a Friday morning. It was unusual to begin a trial on the last day of the work week.<br />
<br />
It didn’t take long for the prosecution to make its case. Horrific crime scene photos brought both male and female jurors to tears. Compelling physical evidence including finger prints, DNA, and blood splatters on the burglar’s clothing was presented to the jury.<br />
<br />
And then there was the burglar’s handwritten confession.<br />
<br />
Throughout the morning, as the burglar sat and listened to the testimony of the detectives and the district attorney’s presentation of the physical evidence, he could not shake the nagging thought, “I’ve seen the judge before. But where?”<br />
<br />
The burglar’s attorney made little noise, rarely objecting to the prosecution’s line of questioning or introduction of evidence. He knew his client was guilty. His strategy was to do as little as possible to upset the judge and jury and then make a plea for his client, focusing on his client’s poor upbringing and lack of opportunities in life.<br />
<br />
To the amazement of all in the courtroom, the case was given to the jury for deliberation before the noon hour. Nobody left the courtroom. Something told them the jury would quickly return with a guilty verdict.<br />
<br />
The burglar was led out of the courtroom and into a holding cell. There he sat. He wondered if he would die an old man in prison or strapped to a gurney with a sharp needle inserted into his arm. He saw no other options. He knew there were no other options.<br />
<br />
And there was that nagging thought: “I’ve seen that judge before.”<br />
<br />
An officer came to the burglar’s holding cell. “It’s time,” he said as he inserted the large brass key into the cell door. The officer led the burglar from the holding cell back to his seat at the defense table. His reappearance caused a low and mumbled buzz in the courtroom.<br />
<br />
The people in the courtroom snapped back to attention when the judge reentered from his chambers. “All rise!” barked the bailiff.<br />
<br />
Everyone rose to their feet, standing quiet and still. Then the jury was led into the courtroom.<br />
<br />
“You may be seated,” said the judge.<br />
<br />
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” he asked.<br />
<br />
The foreman of the jury stood, holding a folded piece of paper in his hands. “We have, your honor.”<br />
<br />
“Please hand the verdict to the bailiff,” the judge ordered.<br />
<br />
The jury foreman extended his note-holding hand to the bailiff, who received the written verdict and presented it to the judge at his bench. The judge slowly opened the piece of paper and read it to himself.<br />
<br />
“Oh no!” the burglar whispered to himself with a terrified tone. “Now I remember where I’ve seen the judge!”<br />
<br />
The burglar’s mind was taken back to that fateful night—to the living room where he murdered a boy in cold blood. He closed his eyes to replay the scene in his mind, and his mind’s eye took him to the framed family portraits.<br />
<br />
“He’s the father!” the burglar said to himself with a gasp. “I murdered the judge’s son!”<br />
<br />
The judge refolded the piece of paper and placed it on his bench in front of him. He turned his gaze to the defendant.<br />
<br />
“Will the defendant please rise?” ordered the judge.<br />
<br />
Both the burglar and his attorney rose to their feet.<br />
<br />
“Mr. Foreman, how do you and the jury find the defendant in this case?” asked the judge.<br />
<br />
“We, the jury, find the defendant in this case guilty of murder in the first degree.”<br />
<br />
The burglar’s attorney asked, “Your honor, the defense requests that the court poll the jury.”<br />
<br />
One by one, the 12 jurors verbalized their decision. “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty…”<br />
<br />
Once the jury had been polled, the judge thanked them for their service, released them, and had them escorted from the courtroom.<br />
<br />
“Do the people have any objection to the court imposing sentence upon the defendant at this time?”<br />
<br />
“No, your honor.”<br />
<br />
“Does the defense have any objection to the court imposing sentence upon the defendant at this time?”<br />
<br />
The defense attorney turned and looked at his client, now shedding tears for maybe the first time in his life. The burglar shook his head.<br />
<br />
“No, your honor.”<br />
<br />
The judge looked sternly into the burglar’s eyes, holding his gaze for several silent moments. “Young man, having been found guilty of murder in the first degree, while in the commission of a felony burglary, you are sentenced to death. You are to be taken from this courtroom and into the execution chamber without delay for the immediate imposition of sentencing.”<br />
<br />
The burglar, now loudly sobbing, dropped his chin to his chest. The bailiff moved in between the burglar and his attorney to lead him from the courtroom to the last place he would ever see on earth—the execution chamber.<br />
<br />
The bailiff, holding the now convicted murderer by the arm, took the dead man walking to a side door, which led out of the courtroom.<br />
<br />
“Wait!” the judge ordered.<br />
<br />
The bailiff stopped. All eyes in the courtroom turned from the man about to die to the man who sentenced him to death.<br />
<br />
“Young man, you murdered my son. You broke into my home and, in cold blood, you murdered my only son. The sentence I have issued to you is just, according to the requirements of the law. You deserve to die for your crimes. You deserve to die for murdering my son.”<br />
<br />
What happened next had never before been seen in a courtroom and has not been seen since.<br />
<br />
The judge rose from behind his bench—his sovereign place of authority. As he stepped down, he removed his robe—the symbol of his authority.<br />
<br />
The judge made his way to the murderous burglar. Again, he looked his son’s killer in the eye.<br />
<br />
“Yes, you deserve to die for your crimes. There is nothing good in you. You have no redeeming qualities. You are a wicked, unrepentant man. You are, after all, a man with a sin nature and a heart that is deceitful and desperately sick. Yes, you most certainly deserve to die.”<br />
<br />
Knowing his life would soon be over, knowing there was no hope, the murderous burglar’s worldly sorrow turned to hateful rage.<br />
<br />
“Get on with it! If you’re going to execute me, then execute me! I’m tired of hearing that I killed your son! I know I killed your son! And you know what? I would probably do it again!”<br />
<br />
“I know,” the judge said.<br />
<br />
“You know? That’s it? I killed your son and I tell you I would probably do it again, and all you have to say is, ‘I know?’”<br />
<br />
“I have more to say,” replied the judge. Again, several moments of silence filled the courtroom. “Yes, I have found you guilty,” he said, “and I’ve sentenced you to death. But I’m going to take your place.”<br />
<br />
Every jaw, including that of the murderous burglar, dropped.<br />
<br />
The judge ordered the handcuffs removed from the convicted man and placed on himself.<br />
<br />
“You are free to go. You are exonerated of your crimes and your conviction is hereby expunged from your record. What the law requires of you—death as the just punishment for your crimes—I am going to take upon myself. I’m doing this because I love you. I’m doing this because I love my son.”<br />
<br />
With those solemn and unbelievable words, the judge was escorted to the execution chamber, where he allowed the executioner to strap him to a gurney and inject a chemical cocktail into the vein of his left arm. <br />
<br />
Standing just outside the execution chamber was the convicted, murderous burglar. There he stood and watched.<br />
<br />
And there, the judge died. He died a death he did not deserve in order to take upon himself the punishment the burglar rightly deserved for his crimes committed against the judge.<br />
<br />
No one took the judge’s life. He willingly laid down his life so the burglar could go free.<br />
<br />
The tears the burglar shed were different now. No longer did tears of self-pity flow from his eyes. The tears that now flowed were tears of love, contrition, brokenness, and repentance.<br />
<br />
The wrath, anger, bitterness, and hate he had felt toward the judge were gone. He knew the pardon he received was undeserved and unmerited. He knew he had just been given a gift he could never repay. In an instant, by a supremely sacrificial act of love, the burglar’s heart was changed. No longer was his desire to satisfy himself. He now had a new heart, with new desires to try to live up to so great a sacrifice, so great a gift. He knew he never could live up to it, but it would become his life’s labor of love.<br />
<br />
How do I know these things?<br />
<br />
I am the burglar.<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
What you just read was a parable, a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. While the story is not true, there is much to learn from it.<br />
<br />
Yes, I am the burglar, but so are you. We have all sinned. We have all broken God’s law and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23) every day of our lives.<br />
<br />
What is sin? <br />
<br />
All wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:17). Everything and anything a person thinks, says, or does that does not proceed from faith in Jesus Christ is sin (Romans 14:23). Sin is to disobey, to break the law of God (Nehemiah 9:29). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).<br />
<br />
You, like every other human being, were created in the image of God. You are an image-bearer of your Creator. You know this is true for two reasons: <br />
<br />
First, creation itself testifies to the reality of the Creator.<br />
<br />
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18-20).<br />
<br />
Second, God has given you a conscience. He has written His law on your heart. God has given you the ability to understand the difference between right and wrong, good and evil.<br />
<br />
“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:15-16).<br />
<br />
You know it is wrong to lie, because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a liar. God is truth.<br />
<br />
You know it is wrong to steal, because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a thief. God is good.<br />
<br />
You know it is wrong to engage in any form of sexual immorality, because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a fornicator. He is not an adulterer. God is faithful.<br />
<br />
You know it is wrong to harbor bitterness or resentment in your heart. You know it is wrong to be angry without cause. You know it is wrong to hate another human being, which God equates with murder (1 John 3:15), because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a murderer. God is love.<br />
<br />
You know it is wrong to take God’s name in vain, to use His name to express anger, surprise, disgust, or even joy. You know it’s wrong to make His name common or a curse word, because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a blasphemer. God is holy.<br />
<br />
But your sin goes even deeper than this.<br />
<br />
Your sin is not simply wrong thoughts, words, and actions toward other people. All of your sin is against God. King David of Israel knew this well.<br />
<br />
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment” (Psalm 51:3-4).<br />
<br />
So heinous are your sins in the mind of God, it is as if you broke into the Judge’s house and murdered His Son, trampling through the Son’s blood as you ran out the front door.<br />
<br />
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31).<br />
<br />
Like the burglar in the parable, you are without excuse (Romans 1:20). The soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4, 20). When you die and stand before the Judge (Hebrews 9:27), your Creator and God, you will not be able to claim either innocence or ignorance of violating God’s law. <br />
<br />
God, the good Judge who shows no partiality (Romans 2:11) and will not accept a bribe (Deuteronomy 10:17), will judge you according to the law He has written on your heart. And contrary to what you may have heard, the Day of Judgment is not a court trial. It is a day of sentencing, and the punishment God has determined for all sin against Him is eternity in hell.<br />
<br />
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:35-36).<br />
<br />
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).<br />
<br />
“The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).<br />
<br />
“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43).<br />
<br />
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).<br />
<br />
In the parable, the burglar received the death penalty as the just sentence for his crimes. Likewise, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The just punishment for your sins against God is eternity in hell.<br />
<br />
It is a remarkable, even shocking, scene in the parable when the judge, having sentenced the burglar to death, stepped down from his bench and took upon himself the punishment the burglar rightly deserved.<br />
<br />
Even more shocking than an unbelievable scene in that fictitious human courtroom, is the fact that God has actually done this. God has literally taken upon Himself the just punishment for a countless number of sinners. And here is how He did it.<br />
<br />
Some 2,000 years ago, God the Father sent His Son to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin, just as the prophet Isaiah declared He would be more than 700 years before His birth.<br />
<br />
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).<br />
<br />
And:<br />
<br />
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).<br />
<br />
Jesus, God the Son, humbled Himself and submitted Himself to the will of the Father, taking on the form of human flesh without setting aside His deity. Jesus did not regard equality with God the Father as something He had to hold onto, as if it were something He could lose or forfeit. Jesus was and is fully God and fully Man.<br />
<br />
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).<br />
<br />
Jesus, the God-Man, walked this earth for some 33 years. During that time, He obeyed the Father and His law perfectly in thought, word, and deed. He knew no sin. He could not sin, because He was, is, and always will be the sinless Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.<br />
<br />
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).<br />
<br />
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29).<br />
<br />
Yet, in spite of the fact that Jesus was the sinless God-Man, He voluntarily went to the cross. He suffered and died a horrific, bloody death He did not deserve.<br />
<br />
“So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.’ And all the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.<br />
<br />
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.<br />
<br />
“As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’ Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, “I am the Son of God.”’ And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.<br />
<br />
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling Elijah.’ And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.<br />
<br />
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:24-54).<br />
<br />
Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father in His life and in His death. In doing so, just as the judge in the parable did for the burglar, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment sinners rightly deserve for their sins against God.<br />
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However, unlike the judge and the son in the parable, Jesus did not remain dead. After Jesus died on the cross and was buried, He rose from the grave, forever defeating sin and death.<br />
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“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.<br />
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“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me” (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).<br />
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Jesus sacrificially shed his innocent blood on the cross for those who would humble themselves, turn from their sins and turn toward God, and by faith receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.<br />
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“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:6-10).<br />
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The burglar received mercy. He did not receive what he deserved—the just condemnation for his crimes.<br />
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The burglar received grace. He received what he did not deserve—a full pardon for his crimes.<br />
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Justice was served. The burglar received the benefit of justice executed upon another on his behalf.<br />
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The God who created you and before whom you will one day stand is not capricious, arbitrary, or unjust like the false gods of Islam, Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, the Watchtower Society, or any other man-made religion. God is perfectly holy, righteous, and just. He must punish sin or else He would cease to be holy. At the same time, God is perfectly loving, merciful, gracious, and kind.<br />
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God’s perfectly consistent character was beautifully displayed on the cross of Jesus Christ. At the cross, justice and mercy kissed, making salvation possible for those who repent and believe the gospel.<br />
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“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26).<br />
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God will either be your Judge or your Father, your Executioner or your Savior. You must come to Him on His terms, for God does not negotiate with sinners.<br />
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“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:9-13).<br />
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Repent. Believe the gospel. Turn to Christ and live. He will take your heart of stone that loves what is evil and hates what is good, and He will give you a heart of flesh that loves what God loves and hates what God hates. You will be reconciled to your Creator, not on the basis of anything you have done to earn or deserve it, but on the basis of God’s mercy that permitted His Son to die on behalf of sinners.<br />
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“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).<br />
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Repent and believe the gospel while God has given you time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-48186208705177387252015-07-05T23:12:00.000-07:002015-07-05T23:12:04.255-07:00It's as Easy as Saying "Thank You"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoefXwXQt_wFS54x7izu8BlS91WfNkjptAH2Y-8w7mMuOqiliH2cjql4LO052HqkDovPG0dqL9VhTmkU4RJixHtUZp-kk8ZQPQwrvbe-T0e4cTB4qub8zEL-ToRMOt1mx6PQ2aG0IRUO2b/s1600/Thank+You_Tract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoefXwXQt_wFS54x7izu8BlS91WfNkjptAH2Y-8w7mMuOqiliH2cjql4LO052HqkDovPG0dqL9VhTmkU4RJixHtUZp-kk8ZQPQwrvbe-T0e4cTB4qub8zEL-ToRMOt1mx6PQ2aG0IRUO2b/s320/Thank+You_Tract.jpg" /></a></div>Recently, I received this wonderfully encouraging message from a sweet young lady, on Facebook:<br />
<blockquote>"Thank you for writing the '<b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Thank-You-Gospel-Tract-100ct-pckg-2-x-3-1-2-083.htm">Thank You</a></b>' tracts, Papa Tony! They have been such an encouragement to me to keep sharing Gospel tracts! And they are generally very appreciated!<br />
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"Today God allowed me to give one to a security guard outside my credit union. When I came back out I saw him reading it. Left one for the teller too (all glory goes to God; I couldn't do it on my own). His name was Daniel. I do not know the name of the officer. Please say a prayer for them. Thanks."</blockquote>One of the <i>many</i> things Ray Comfort taught me during the years I was blessed to work for him was never publish a gospel tract I wouldn't use myself. The "<b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Thank-You-Gospel-Tract-100ct-pckg-2-x-3-1-2-083.htm">Thank You</a></b>" gospel tract, one of the <b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Tracts-By-Tony_c31.htm">several</a></b> I have now published with Marv Plementosh of <b><a href="http://www.onemilliontracts.com/">One Million Tracts</a></b>, is one of my favorite tracts. And it has to be the easiest tract to distribute. Distributing this tract is as easy as saying, "Thank you."<br />
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I've received notes from a number of people who are new to gospel tract distribution--people who would also describe themselves as shy. And each person has told me how this particular tract has made it so much easier for them to step outside of their comfort zones and to engage in biblical evangelism. I don't know if I can receive a better review of one of my gospel tracts than that.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-51015024604466197922015-06-29T11:28:00.004-07:002015-06-29T11:28:35.692-07:00The Next Time Someone Asks if Gospel Tracts are "Effective".....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk7MUWoSVD73owHpJGCB8UpxqO4CzZ4BNLphjdxM8_pfO_DUULhlZ0AczEMQH7aqEGuLdXQMStbCFY7L3xg5yQOh2gqt2jXL6BPrR0fo2lU1UE_UFb79hxFNBOmKYzSFPnomm38z4o23j/s1600/022_PrideTractBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk7MUWoSVD73owHpJGCB8UpxqO4CzZ4BNLphjdxM8_pfO_DUULhlZ0AczEMQH7aqEGuLdXQMStbCFY7L3xg5yQOh2gqt2jXL6BPrR0fo2lU1UE_UFb79hxFNBOmKYzSFPnomm38z4o23j/s400/022_PrideTractBox.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Recently I published a gospel tract with Marv Plementosh of One Million Tracts titled: <b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Pride-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-TM-010.htm">What Comes After Pride?</a></b><br />
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Recently, Marv received the followin email from someone in Hawaii who found the gospel tract in a rental car:<br />
<blockquote>"I work at Avis Budget Maui and when I was cleaning one of the cars, I found this card that said <b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Pride-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-TM-010.htm">'What Comes After Pride?'</a></b> I am a Christian. I use to go to church. And I admit that I am a sinner in a sinful world. That moment when I found the card, God was trying to tell me something, I read the message and the website, and I'm willing to give up myself to Jesus Christ. Thank you very much! & God bless!!"</blockquote>So, the next time someone asks you if gospel tracts are effective, feel free to share this testimony with them.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-25799602912392296922015-06-10T21:32:00.005-07:002015-06-10T21:32:39.856-07:00Martin's Faith in Meaninglessness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBWTmMYcWoLubZz9EM_DQaRmd8D06fFVys_AUDJnir129BWfS8svPKsaCMgImUyuoN1e0pNsqtthGrSLNWnowZZrp84s5w-KDI335sXtaGiGPM0zeBrunCOVI04NoevoWsPEhVZNAVoSt/s1600/Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBWTmMYcWoLubZz9EM_DQaRmd8D06fFVys_AUDJnir129BWfS8svPKsaCMgImUyuoN1e0pNsqtthGrSLNWnowZZrp84s5w-KDI335sXtaGiGPM0zeBrunCOVI04NoevoWsPEhVZNAVoSt/s320/Martin.jpg" /></a></div>While distributing gospel tracts on Wimbledon Hill Road, in Wimbledon, England, I handed a gospel tract to a man named Martin. When Martin received the tract, he asked what it was. When I explained to Martin that it was a message about Jesus Christ, Martin asserted he was an atheist. What followed was a 15-minute conversation during which Martin acknowledged he had to draw from the Christian worldview to assert any basis for morality and that his godless worldview provided know basis for a morality that was anything more than the arbitrary opinions of people. During the conversation, Martin conceded that his worldview could not give an account for knowledge, logic, or purpose for human existence. Martin lives by faith, but sadly it is faith in meaninglessness.<br />
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Martin was on his lunch break. He left, not in a huff, but simply due to a lack of time. While I did not get to communicate the gospel with Martin, the paper missionary I gave him went with him as he walked away.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=610152314436">Listen now</a></b> to my conversation with Martin.<br />
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<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=610152314436" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-36255549965285898882015-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:002015-06-04T11:24:43.631-07:00My Bible, My Cell Phone, and My New ConvictionMy friend, Gayle Metcalf, shared the following image today on her Facebook page.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA7XogCQq9-MxAjdhBbk74Kai7UsPinl6CDm8JYPixkD_zJhfvHg6Cp6eKkt3I-XIaeKEz-Vs0wEyqFGq8gACs7dYCQeqHcOYt0yJkqrphYBexGlzrx6J2n6jvBBi98gVHZlK-IgkXm4y/s1600/028_Bible_CellPhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA7XogCQq9-MxAjdhBbk74Kai7UsPinl6CDm8JYPixkD_zJhfvHg6Cp6eKkt3I-XIaeKEz-Vs0wEyqFGq8gACs7dYCQeqHcOYt0yJkqrphYBexGlzrx6J2n6jvBBi98gVHZlK-IgkXm4y/s400/028_Bible_CellPhone.jpg" /></a></div><br />
My friend, <b><a href="http://cfbcstl.org/">Pastor Geoff Kirkland</a></b>, posted an article today titled <b><i><a href="http://vassaloftheking.blogspot.com/2015/06/lessons-for-young-men.html?m=1">Lessons for Young Men</a></i></b>, which included a charge to greater commitment to the Word of God.<br />
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The above items have been used by the Lord today to bring much conviction to my heart and mind. <i>Great conviction</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXHo-XFEm5Bm_dSmXUDSPAxlp1wliqqbwnnYhPU82QRwL0F1RrHSkp1wpbeGzGKv-7GrjhRjNSCO4LwNfBgYxtGXNPicFw0JHsE8gpz1ynw2bnbhVXYtpiJoODNFsQS6_-PQuUu2cgTjf/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXHo-XFEm5Bm_dSmXUDSPAxlp1wliqqbwnnYhPU82QRwL0F1RrHSkp1wpbeGzGKv-7GrjhRjNSCO4LwNfBgYxtGXNPicFw0JHsE8gpz1ynw2bnbhVXYtpiJoODNFsQS6_-PQuUu2cgTjf/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" /></a></div>My cell phone is with me wherever I go. It is my primary source of communication with the world: phone calls, text messages, emails, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, news outlets, the Weather Channel, traffic alerts, law enforcement alerts, my calendar, and Bluetooth for my GoPro camera. The only game on my phone is Chess.<br />
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The apps that are least often used on my phone are my Bible apps. I prefer the printed page over the electronic page for most of my reading, especially my Bible reading.<br />
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I am in my Bible every day, more often than not for the edification and evangelization of others. In other words, most of my time spent in the Bible is spent in preparation for writing articles and pulpit sermons, or preparing for sermons I preach in the open-air.<br />
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An ongoing challenge in my 27 years of Christian living is staying consistent in my Bible reading, for the purpose of worship and devotion.<br />
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Reading Pastor Geoff's article and seeing the image Gayle posted this morning hit me like a ton of bricks.<br />
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Making even a cursory, side-by-side comparison today of my daily time on my cell phone with my daily time in my Bible has been shocking to me. Shocking. Appalling. Stomach churning. Discouraging. Convicting. I spend much more time on my phone than I do in my Bible.<br />
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I do take a Bible with me most places, but not everywhere. On the other hand, I take my phone <i>everywhere</i>. To be without my phone is like being without my house and car keys; it is like being without my wallet or my driver's license. But I can't say I have the same sense of incompleteness, or the sense of not being fully dressed, if I walk out of the house without my Bible the way I do with the before-mentioned items.<br />
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What does that say about me? What does that say about my love for the Word of God?<br />
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The above image is a picture of me holding my cell phone and a small Bible, which was given to me (ironically enough) by Pastor Geoff and Elizabeth Kirkland the last time I was guest in their home.<br />
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I have a <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBslcB6fIE">preaching Bible</a></b>. I have a number of study bibles. And I now have a specific use for the compact Bible the Kirklands gave me.<br />
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Like many people, if I have an idle moment (i.e. standing in line at a store, post office, or some other place; waiting for someone to return from a restaurant restroom; stopped at a red light while driving my car; etc.), I reach for my phone. I want to change that. In all of the before-mentioned moments and others, I want to start reaching for my Bible instead of my phone.<br />
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Ray Comfort often says, "If you find me without a gospel tract in my possession, I will give you $1,000." Ray has yet to pay out to anyone.<br />
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While I will NOT give you $1,000, I welcome you to hold me accountable if you ever see me without a Bible (the one pictured above or another).<br />
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Now, I'm not trying to start a "thing." Don't join me in my conviction simply to be part of something. Carry a Bible. Don't carry a Bible. That's up to you. If you want to follow me as I <i>try</i> to follow Christ, then you're welcome to join me in this simple effort to spend more time in the Word. Just know that if you decide to do it, you have NOT joined a new Christian club or fad.<br />
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If you do it, do it for <i>only</i> the right reasons.<br />
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Well, here it goes. I hope it lasts. Pray for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-54336166681697869902015-06-03T17:15:00.000-07:002015-06-03T17:15:12.242-07:00Jerusalem's King: A Review<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lHlFz1gQ9hQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zs2aScT0qVedEbeI2WdX4fN_CQeaNP13Nuowo31axbWHVT88qpbTIMsbpUn70gwIXilQuksjFtnOYyEYsV6OPpTL3aaCHzbIbHIA36KCQ_LP3K8xW8dcwt0f006Y0zIlDv85F9YyqF4E/s1600/027_JerusalemsKing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zs2aScT0qVedEbeI2WdX4fN_CQeaNP13Nuowo31axbWHVT88qpbTIMsbpUn70gwIXilQuksjFtnOYyEYsV6OPpTL3aaCHzbIbHIA36KCQ_LP3K8xW8dcwt0f006Y0zIlDv85F9YyqF4E/s200/027_JerusalemsKing.jpeg" /></a></div>
<b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b> is a feature-length documentary, written and directed by <b><a href="http://www.signetringministries.org/">Ryan Habbena</a></b>. My friend, Andy Olson, of <b><a href="http://www.echozoe.com/">Echo Zoe Radio and Blog</a></b>, served as the film's Director of Photography and had his hands in other aspects of the project.<br />
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As I watched the film with my family last night, it didn't take me long to discover the true strength of the film. It is an artistic, Scripture-laden, 90-minute summary of the Word of God. More than that (not that that is not enough), <b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b> is a cinematic gospel tract. For 35 years, <i>The Jesus Film</i> has been used by missionaries to present the gospel to more than 200 million people around the world. I can see <b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b> used in a similar way.<br />
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Filmed almost entirely in Israel, <b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b> takes the viewer on a panoramic tour of the nation where most of the world's greatest history has taken place. As the viewer sees flyovers, views maps, and watches reenactments of some of the Bible's most memorable stories, they are treated to biblical narration, from Genesis to Revelation.<br />
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Ryan Habbena did an exceptional job making clear the story Scripture has always told--how man can be reconciled to the Sovereign Creator of the Universe, through faith in the sinless Lamb of God, the Messiah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords--Jesus Christ. From the <b><a href="https://carm.org/dictionary-protoevangelium">Protoevangelium</a></b> to the Law, to the History, to the Psalms, to the Prophets, to the New Testament, Habbena visually weaves the tapestry of the Gospel.<br />
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At $8 for the DVD, and $3 for the digital download, <b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b> is <b><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/store/c1/Featured_Products.html">affordably priced</a></b>, allowing for the purchase of the film in bulk. And I recommend you do just that. Purchase as many copies of this film as you can and distribute it like you would a gospel tract.<br />
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I enjoyed <b><i><a href="http://www.jerusalemsking.net/">Jerusalem's King</a></i></b>, and it will be another weapon in my evangelistic war bag.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-62007323339192314572015-05-05T20:53:00.000-07:002015-05-05T22:15:34.910-07:00What Comes After Pride (New Gospel Tract!)In partnership with Marv Plementosh of <i>One Million Tracts</i>, I've written a new gospel tract titled <i><b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Pride-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-TM-010.htm">What Comes After Pride?</a></b></i><br />
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Here's the front of the tract:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSINmcQuH1Zt5SrGerloYYANY_ix5Jnr0HUJbBv2kk4MCbVusCqEJeZz2BDVAXdnru3AEKi9LKkuNzQCqKoC7Qg1MGNS9VzBa_ClLnmYlOlY4vPkH-OlT1koR9Oak5GfKC0YqD_yyIoxwb/s1600/pride-TRADINGCARD-3.5X2-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSINmcQuH1Zt5SrGerloYYANY_ix5Jnr0HUJbBv2kk4MCbVusCqEJeZz2BDVAXdnru3AEKi9LKkuNzQCqKoC7Qg1MGNS9VzBa_ClLnmYlOlY4vPkH-OlT1koR9Oak5GfKC0YqD_yyIoxwb/s400/pride-TRADINGCARD-3.5X2-1.png" /></a></div>
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While I came up with the general concept, Marv creatively put together this striking design, which utilizes the flag for the Alphabet Soup of sexual immorality (LGBT......letters being added daily).<br />
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And here's the text on the back of the <b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Pride-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-TM-010.htm">baseball card-size gospel tract</a></b>:<br />
<blockquote>
The world defines “pride” as: “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” Yet the Word of God says a person’s pride is followed by disgrace (Prov. 11:2); pride is arrogance (Prov. 21:24); pride will bring a person low (Prov. 29:23). The Word of God says pride is something evil that comes from a person’s heart (Mark 7:21-23), and that God is opposed to prideful people (James 4:6). God sees pride the same way He sees so many other behaviors—as sinful (2 Tim. 3:1-4). God sees pride as evil because it is contrary to who He is. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, humbled Himself to take on human flesh and then humbled Himself even further when He sacrificed His life in the most humiliating way—death on a cross. What awaits prideful people? What comes after pride? Destruction (Prov. 16:18)—God’s judgment of sin, the punishment for which is eternity in hell. Your only hope is to turn from your sinful pride, turn toward God and, by faith alone, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man, yet without sin, voluntarily shed his innocent blood and died on the cross, taking upon Himself the punishment you rightly deserve for your sins against God. Three days later, He forever defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. Yes, God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Humble yourself. Repent and believe the gospel, today.</blockquote>
You will notice a significant term missing from the text: <i><b>homosexuality</b></i>.<br />
<br />
While the front of the gospel tract draws the reader's thoughts toward the social and moral issue of our day--the issue by which God-hating societies will set out to try to destroy the Bride of Christ (His Church), the back of the gospel tract makes no mention of the topic--not even an allusion to it.<br />
<br />
When a person receives this gospel tract, regardless of the form(s) of sexual immorality in which they engage (heterosexual or homosexual, thoughts or deeds), the reader will be compelled to consider a sin they love just as much: <i><b>pride</b></i>.<br />
<br />
Of course, what matters most is that those who receive this gospel tract will read it to the very end. Marv and I hope <b><i>every</i></b> recipient will read the biblical gospel message this tract contains, repent, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.<br />
<br />
I hope you will find this gospel tract useful in your evangelism efforts. May God receive the glory, and may the Lamb receive the reward for His suffering.<br />
<br />
Order your <b><i><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Pride-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-TM-010.htm">What Comes After Pride?</a></i></b> gospel tracts today!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-46939108606274026512015-04-10T22:47:00.000-07:002015-04-10T22:47:15.794-07:00The Arrest of Francis Jared Pusok: Beating Social Media Sycophants to the PunchThis is difficult.<br />
<br />
<script charset="UTF-8" src="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/portableplayer/?cmsID=299261221&videoID=yuKKp6nJ21Va&origin=nbclosangeles.com&sec=news&subsec=local&width=600&height=360" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
While I needn't remind those who know me, for those who may have been drawn to my blog by this article, I am an advocate of the law enforcement community. I'm a retired, 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (1987-2007). Since I was 23-years-old, and until my dying breath, the law enforcement community has been and will be family to me. I love my brothers and sisters behind the badge.<br />
<br />
In the minds of some I am a "<b><a href="https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061027141032AA92gAx">homer</a></b>" when it comes to the law enforcement community, even though I have said innumerable times that the law enforcement community is far from perfect. The law enforcement community draws from the same fallible human race as every other profession.<br />
<br />
At the same time, I can't abide arm-chair quarterbacks--pundits (pastoral or otherwise) who are ignorant of what life is like behind the badge--people who don't have so much as a rudimentary level of knowledge regarding law enforcement policies and procedures, officer safety tactics, or the law (local, state, and federal) and its application. I get particularly riled when I see Christian social media sycophants jump on the "no justice, no peace" bandwagon to court favor with the unsaved masses, at the expense of a law enforcement community that, by and large, are motivated by a commitment to protect and serve.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>Pursuit Termination</b></span><br />
<br />
There are few activities in law enforcement more harrowing or more dangerous than a pursuit. It doesn't matter if it is a vehicle pursuit or a foot pursuit. Likely the most dangerous part of a pursuit is the pursuit termination--when the pursuit comes to an end. An officer is at considerable risk at the end of a pursuit--both physically and professionally. While the physical dangers are probably obvious, even to a civilian, the lesser considered danger is the danger to an officer's career.<br />
<br />
This is one of those times when, unless you have been involved in vehicle and/or foot pursuits, your understanding of what I'm about to say is woefully limited. Oh, you'll understand every word. This is not a matter of intelligence. But you won't be able to rightly or fully discern the emotion behind the words, because of what you lack. This is a matter of experience.<br />
<br />
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure. So much adrenalin released into your system that you can almost taste it. It's like the taste of lead with sulfur-based antibiotics. Respiration fast and shallow. Fear. Heavy, blinding sweat. Barely-controllable shaking. Indignation. Determination. Exhilaration. Relief. Anger. Hate. Rage. Massive emotional release resulting in unexplained and unstoppable tears. All of these emotions and reactions, and many others, are experienced either in part or in whole by officers at the end of pursuits.<br />
<br />
Any civilian who says he or she knows, without a doubt, how he or she would feel and behave at the end of a police pursuit is simply ignorant and arrogant.<br />
<br />
I say that the end of a pursuit is a very dangerous time for an officer's career because if an officer looses control of his emotions and is unable to keep himself in check, his career could be over. One too many punches; an out-of-character, gratuitous kick; an errant swing of the baton; one too many pounds of pressure applied by a shaking finger to a trigger, and a career could be over. Livelihood lost. Reputation forever sullied. Freedom taken away. Or suicide.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>Why I Refrain from Commenting on Police Videos</b></span><br />
<br />
I rarely, publicly comment on videos involving law enforcement, unless it is to call some of the before-mentioned people to account for their incendiary rhetoric in which they call for an officer's head on a platter based on a video clip chronicling only a portion of a much longer incident. I would like to think my engagement in these situations is consistent. "Wait." Wait for the investigation to run its course. If the investigation reveals the officer acted outside department policy or the law, then I will join you in calling for disciplinary action at the hands of the officer's department and/or through criminal court proceedings.<br />
<br />
I rarely comment on videos involving law enforcement because I don't want to become the arm-chair quarterback I loathe.<br />
<br />
Bad cops (and there are some) should be exposed and dealt with according to the law. If an officer's actions rightly warrants him to be at the defense table in a court room instead of at the prosecution table, so be it. That being said, I don't know if any of the deputies involved in this incident are "bad cops." This is to say I don't know if any of the deputies came to the end of this pursuit with malice aforethought or with a willful premeditation to do bodily harm to the suspect in the video. I don't know if any of the deputies in the video have a "jacket"--a reputation for having a heavy hand. I don't know if any of the deputies have prior incidents involving questionable uses of force.<br />
<br />
Integrity and conviction compels me to comment on the above video. I will not prejudge the deputies' hearts. But I have to say something about what I see in this video.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>What I Know</b></span><br />
<br />
These are the facts, as I know them. There are plenty of holes that need to be filled, which I'm sure the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will fill and make known to the public in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time.<br />
<br />
San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at a location, as part of an investigation of identity theft crimes. At some point during the execution of the warrant, Francis Jared Pusok fled the location in a vehicle. Deputies initiated a pursuit. Pusok subsequently abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. A coordinated manhunt ensued. Deputies received word that Pusok had stolen a horse and was trying to flee through rugged terrain. Pusok was spotted and deputies converged on his location. It is at about this point, or shortly thereafter, the above news chopper video begins.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>What I Saw</b></span><br />
<br />
A police helicopter appears to spook the horse (nice move). Pusok soon falls off the horse and scrambles behind what appears to be a low shrub. After slipping and falling, a deputy contacts Pusok. It appears that Pusok initially prepares to flee or fight. It appears at this point the deputy deploys his taser.<br />
<br />
Pusok goes to the ground, either voluntarily or as a result of being tased. Pusok quickly extends his arms to his sides. Just as quickly, Pusok places his hands behind his back, palms up. Thus far, there has been no mention of Pusok being armed at the time of his arrest. As this is happening, a second deputy arrives.<br />
<br />
The second deputy appears to kick Pusok directly in the side of the head.<br />
<br />
There is a standard that governs the law enforcement <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_820093187"></span>Use-of-Force Continuum<span id="goog_820093188"></span></a></b>. An officer may use the level of force that is both necessary and reasonable to overcome the resistance of a person.<br />
<br />
In my opinion, the second deputy on-scene engages Pusok by using what can be described as lethal or deadly force. No, he didn't shoot Pusok. But lethal force can be applied in many different ways--not the least of which is a forceful booted kick to a person's head.<br />
<br />
The first officer immediately follows the second deputies head strike with a forceful, booted kick to Pusok's groin. At the very least, the force of this kick could have caused great bodily injury. There are documented cases in which men have died as a result of a kick to the groin.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the next two minutes, as many as eleven officers arrive on-scene, with several of them participating in the subduing of Pusok, by using various forms and levels of force. Channel 4 News <b><a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Man-on-Stolen-Horse-Stunned-by-Sheriffs-Deputies-in-IE-299250951.html">reported</a></b>:<br />
<blockquote>
"In the two minutes after the man was stunned with a Taser, it appeared deputies kicked him 17 times, punched him 37 times and struck him with batons four times. Thirteen blows appeared to be to the head."</blockquote>
If Channel 4 News reporting is accurate, Pusok was struck 58 times in two-minute's time, after he lied on the ground and put his hands behind his back.<br />
<br />
58 times.<br />
<br />
I've watched the above video many times. Over the course of the last 24 hours, I have thought so much about this incident that I can see it when I close my eyes.<br />
<br />
Pusok is no angel. Three children out of wedlock (yes, that makes him a bad guy; in God's eyes Pusok is an adulterer and a fornicator). In addition to being the primary suspect in an identity theft case, running from police, and stealing a horse, the <b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardino-deputies-kick-man-pursuit-20150409-story.html">Los Angeles Times reports</a></b> the following about Pusok's criminal history:<br />
<blockquote>
"Pusok’s previous brushes with the law span more than a decade through several counties in California, according to public records.<br />
<br />
"He pleaded no contest to felony attempted robbery in a 2006 incident as well as to several misdemeanor charges, including disturbing the peace and animal cruelty. In December, he was charged in San Bernardino County with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest; he pleaded no contest."</blockquote>
Another online <b><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/11/10-california-deputies-placed-on-leave-following-violent-arrest/">news source</a></b> added:<br />
<blockquote>
"[Sheriff] McMahon said deputies had previously been called to a home where Pusok allegedly made threats to kill a deputy and fatally shot a family puppy in front of his family members. 'We were very familiar with his aggressive nature,' McMahon said."</blockquote>
It is unlikely the media will ever refer to Pusok a hard-working, <i>white</i>, father of three. But I digress.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>What I Believe</b></span><br />
<br />
The deputies who wrote and executed the search warrant against Pusok no doubt were well-aware of his criminal history, including the fact that he is known to resist arrest.<br />
<br />
Having written many search warrants myself, knowing a suspect had prior physical confrontations with law enforcement always put me and my team on a heightened sense of awareness. And we went into such search warrants ready and willing to fight, if the need to do so presented itself. The deputies' state of mind likely included the real possibility that Pusok would go "the hard way."<br />
<br />
However, what I saw in the video, without knowing any of the possible, prior, extenuating circumstances that may yet come to light, was an unlawful use of force. What I saw from the distance of a hundred miles (the distance from my living room to that plot of ground in the desert), and separated by the zoom lens of a television camera in a helicopter a thousand feet above the scene, was several deputies unlawfully assault Francis Jared Pusok, under the color of authority.<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>How I Feel</b></span><br />
<br />
My heart sank as I watched the video, over and over again. Another black mark in the history of my noble, God-ordained profession--for my family behind the badge. As of the writing of this article, the latest <b><a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/San-Bernardino-County-Deputies-Arrest-Horse-Pursuit-Desert-California-299356131.html">news reports</a></b> indicate ten of the deputies involved have already been placed on paid, administrative leave. Some of them will likely be disciplined (suspensions, loss of pay, mark in their service records). Others may be fired. Some might face criminal prosecution.<br />
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And Francis Jared Pusok, a criminal, is going to walk away with millions of dollars. As was the case with Rodney King, it is quite possible Pusok will head down the same road. Instead of committing crimes with no money in his pocket, Pusok will likely continue to commit crimes with a full bank account. Money never changes a person's nature. Money never changes a person's soul.<br />
<br />
Earlier this afternoon, I had a brief online conversation with a retired officer. He served with a large agency and retired a commanding officer. One of the thoughts I shared with him was this: Was there a man of God in the group of deputies on-scene? <i>Was there not one man among the lot who had the integrity and courage to try to put a stop to what was happening?</i><br />
<br />
I've had another reoccurring thought--one that has troubled my spirit. <i>What would I have done if I had arrived while the deputies were beating Pusok?</i><br />
<br />
And that thought is always immediately followed by an image in my mind.<br />
<br />
As the scene develops, I see myself yelling at the other deputies to stop striking Pusok. When that doesn't work, I lie down on top of Pusok and shield him with my body.<br />
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Before you scream, let me assure you my thoughts about this scene, each time I see it in my head, <i>never</i> turn to heroism. There is absolutely no chest thumping or thoughts of, <i>"Well, if I had been there, I would have....."</i> The thought of shielding Pusok's body with my own causes me to cringe. It curls my toes. The visceral fear of the possible physical and professional consequences for taking such action is palatable.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
I don't think I can love Francis Jared Pusok enough to do that for him. My heart is not as pure as it should be. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.<br />
<br />
There wasn't a deputy present who had the temerity to stop the beating. Pusok is a criminal. To some, a dirtbag. To many in law enforcement, people like Pusok are job security--the "them" of society. Yet what happened to him on that patch of desert dirt was wrong.<br />
<br />
To many outside of law enforcement, the deputies involved in this situation are the criminals. To others, the deputies are what's wrong with society.<br />
<br />
There are no winners in this situation.<br />
<br />
Everyone--the deputies and Pusok--need someone to step in, to put himself in harms way for them. More than that, the deputies and Pusok need someone who will literally lay down his own life for them. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>What I Want Every Deputy, and Pusok, to Hear</b></span><br />
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Jesus Christ is Lord.<br />
<br />
He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He was with the Father in and at Creation. All things—all things—were created by Him, and through Him, and for Him. Nothing has ever been made that was not made by Jesus Christ. He is the sinless Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. He is also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who will judge both the living and the dead. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. He is sovereign over all things.<br />
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He owns every person, just as He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and it matters not if, at present, the person is in wanton rebellion against Jesus Christ or one of His born-again, beloved children. Jesus owns it all. Jesus owns us all. God is. God is one. God is Three in One—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—One God in Three Persons—the Triune One—the Trinity—God. And this God, for there is only one God, is the God before whom every person will one day stand to give an account for their lives. Because God alone is truly and perfectly good, He will judge each person according to the perfect moral standard He has written on every human heart.<br />
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Every person reading this knows that it is a sin to lie because you were created in the image of God, and God is not a liar. You know it is wrong to harbor bitterness, resentment, and hatred in your heart toward another person because God is not a murderer. You know it is wrong to fornicate (to engage sexually with a man or a woman outside the bonds of marriage between one man and one woman). You know it is wrong to look and think with lust. You know it is wrong to commit adultery. You know it is wrong to engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, or any other form of sexual depravity because God is not a fornicator or an adulterer. You know it is wrong to take the name of the Lord your God in vain, to bring his name down low and use it as an adjectival term of excitement, anger, sorrow, or fear, because God is not a blasphemer. God is true. God is love. God is faithful. God is holy.<br />
<br />
For the above reasons, and others, everyone who stands before God, including you, to give an account will do so without excuse. You won't be able to claim innocence or ignorance of violating God’s law—whether in thought, word, or deed. Because God is good, because He is holy, righteous and just, He must punish sin. The punishment God has determined for sin, all sin, is eternity in Hell.<br />
<br />
It matters not whether you, the reader, believe this. What matters is that it is true. Truth is not determined by what one believes. God is truth, though every person is found to be a liar. Truth is that which comports to reality, and any attempt to live life apart from the reality of God is to live a life of chaos, absurdity, arrogant denial, and sin.<br />
<br />
This same God—again, for there is only one God—who is angry with the wicked every day, whose wrath abides upon the ungodly, who will judge the world in righteousness, is the same God who is loving, merciful, gracious, and kind. And He showed His great love for mankind when He sent His Son to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ—fully God and fully Man, yet without sin.<br />
<br />
Jesus of Nazareth, born of a virgin just as the prophet Isaiah declared more than 700 years before Jesus’s literal, physical birth, lived the perfect, sinless life you cannot live. For some 33 years, Jesus lived a life in perfect obedience to the law of God—in thought, word, and deed—a life you and I could not hope to live for a mere 33 seconds. And then He voluntarily went to the cross. Yes, it was the Jewish people who hatefully and viciously demanded Jesus’s execution.<br />
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Yes, it was the Roman government that carried out the despicable act. But they were all merely instruments in the hands of another. For it pleased God the Father to crush God the Son under the full weight and fury of His wrath against sin. God the Father made God the Son, who knew no sin, to become sin on behalf of those who repent and believe the gospel so that through the sacrifice of His Son many would be made righteous in the eyes of Almighty God. In other words, on that great and terrible day God the Father looked upon God the Son as if He had lived the depraved life of a sinner and in exchange—a great exchange—God the Father looks upon those whom He has caused to be born again, to repent and believe the gospel, as if they had lived His Son’s perfect, precious, and priceless life.<br />
<br />
Jesus shed His innocent blood on the cross. He died a literal, physical death on the cross. And He was buried in a tomb not His own. Three days later, Jesus forever defeated sin and death when He physically, bodily rose from the grave. And unlike every false god created in the imaginations of men—whether the false gods of Islam, Catholicism, Mormonism, Hinduism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oprah-ism, or Atheism (a religion like every other spiritual “ism.”)—Jesus Christ is alive today and He will return at a time of the Father’s choosing.<br />
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What God commands of you is the same thing He commands of me and all people everywhere, and that’s that you repent—turn from your sin and turn toward God—and by faith alone receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.<br />
<br />
You must come to God on His terms. God does not negotiate with sinners. God will not be bribed by your religious practices or what you may perceive as “good works” acceptable to God. God will not weigh your “good” against your “bad,” for God does not see you or anyone else as good—good in keeping with His standard of moral perfection. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.<br />
<br />
If you do not read the gospel of Jesus Christ and see it for what it is, good news, it is because you love your sin more than you love God. It is because you love yourself more than you love God. It is because the love of God and the Truth of His Word is not in you.<br />
<br />
But if God causes you to be born again and extends to you the gifts of repentance and faith, which only He can give, then He will take your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. You will begin to love the things God loves and hate the things God hates. You will stop presuming upon God’s forgiveness as if it is something you have earned or deserved. Instead, you will have the confident assurance He has forgiven you—not on the basis of any deeds you have done in righteousness, but based entirely upon God’s mercy, grace, and love.<br />
<br />
And why would God allow His one and only Son to die a sinner’s death He did not deserve in order to take upon Himself the punishment sinners rightly deserve for their sins against God, so that sinners could be forgiven and saved? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).<br />
<br />
May all (including the deputies and Francis Pusok) who read this who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior repent and believe the gospel while God has given them time. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward for His suffering!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-48948922913103258742015-04-06T10:11:00.000-07:002015-04-06T10:11:11.642-07:00"Debating Dillahunty" - A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
In Sye Ten Bruggencate's first film, <b><i><a href="http://www.proofthatgodexists.org/store.php">How To Answer the Fool</a></i></b>, viewers were given a glimpse of the mind of God. In his second film, <b><i><a href="https://vimeo.com/store/ondemand/buy/30000">Debating Dillahunty</a></i></b>, viewers are given a glimpse of the heart of God.<br />
<br />
For the record, and for the purpose of full disclosure. I am an unapologetic apologist for Sye Ten Bruggencate. He is my friend. I love him as my brother in Christ, and I am indebted to him for his work in presuppositional apologetics. I know Sye's labors have not been in vain, for they have produced fruit in my life and ministry.<br />
<br />
I watched <i>Debating Dillahunty</i> for the purpose of providing a review of the film. I entered into this process carrying with me the presuppositions that Sye would represent Christ and His truth well, and that the lies Dillahunty would tell regarding God would be evidenced by the fact that his lips were moving. Dillahunty is not my friend.<br />
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No, I don't hate Matt Dillahunty. I pity him. I pity him the way I pity every human being who denies the God they know exists (Romans 1:18-25). I pity Matt and people like him because the Dillahunty Delusion (an all-too-common malady) is simply a byproduct of an absurd worldview (one that searches for coherence and meaning without God), which is born out of a love of self, a love of sin, and a hatred of God (Romans 1:31-32).<br />
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The video begins by introducing the viewer to Matt Dillahunty, host of the online program "The Atheist Experience." Sye's detractors, which are legion, might come away from the opening scenes with the impression that the producers of the film sought to poison the well against Dillahunty. I don't believe that's the case. Dillahunty is an unashamed hater of God and a hater of God's people. The film simply paints him in his true light, at least as it pertains to his interaction with Christians. You can't poison a well already already poisoned by a heart blackened by haughty depravity.<br />
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From here, the film moves into the debate proper. And from here, it becomes increasingly difficult to write a review. The reason: I want to write about every moment of it. The film is that good. However, to chronicle every moment of the film would make this review extremely long and might discourage people from watching the film. <i>That</i> would be a shame--an injustice, really.<br />
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In his opening statement, Sye declares the debate over before it starts. He declares, "Matt's world view is dead; it just doesn't have the courtesy to lie down." He then proceeds to expose the inconsistencies of Dillahunty's worldview, using Dillahunty's own words to do it.<br />
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Matt Dillahunty begins his opening statement of the debate by mocking Sye's opening statement. This is a common tactic among the intellectually dishonest and unarmed. "I can't defeat my opponent, so I'll mock him and/or his position."<br />
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Dillahunty then makes a statement that provides the viewer with an "out"--a reason not to give any weight, credence, or even an ear to anything Matt would say for the rest of the film. Dillahunty makes a statement that frees the viewer from having to take seriously anything he says in the film, from this point forward. He makes a statement that frees the viewer to focus on the truth of Sye's argument and the loving heart behind it. Dillahunty says, "Knowledge and certainty are completely irrelevant."<br />
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Welcome to absurdity!<br />
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15 minutes into a 45-minute film, <i>Debating Dillahunty</i> is over, but only in the sense that the debate is over. However, don't touch that remote or mouse. Take a deep breath and enjoy watching a man of God not only beautifully articulate the mind of God, but also the heart of God. You see: Sye does not see Matt Dillahunty as merely an intellectual opponent--someone to beat in a debate. Sye sees Matt as a pitiful soul, a fool (not as a character assault, but as a moral judgment). Sye sees Matt as a man who is lost and will one-day stand before the God he has always known--the God who, unless Matt repents and receives Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, will punish him in hell-fire for all eternity.<br />
<blockquote>
"Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel" (Ezekiel 33:11)?</blockquote>
God will take no pleasure in the physical and spiritual death of Matt Dillahunty. And neither will Sye. The reason: Sye Ten Bruggencate loves Matt Dillahunty.<br />
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And so do I.<br />
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So, why did Sye Ten Bruggencate agree to debate Matt Dillahunty? Well, I'll let Sye answer that question with his own words. But you won't read them here. You'll have to watch the last eight minutes or so of <i>Debating Dillahunty</i>.<br />
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I cried.<br />
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If you come away from <i>Debating Dillahunty</i> having only been entertained, if you come away from this film having only your apologetic sword sharpened to a finer point, then you entirely missed the point of the film. If this is you, I have only one suggestion.<br />
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Watch it again.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-85605547667160498292015-04-04T22:32:00.002-07:002015-04-04T22:32:29.700-07:00A Biblical Defense of the Public Proclamation of the Gospel - Sermon Manuscript and AudioI preached this sermon during the Herald Society at First Baptist Church of Milton (Milton, FL), on March 26, 2015.<br />
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Following the sermon manuscript, you will find the audio for the sermon.<br />
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I pray this is an encouragement to all Christians--pastors/elders, open-air preachers, and the Body of Christ-at-large.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>*****</b></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Introduction</b></span><br />
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The venerable pulpiteer and open-air preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, said: <br />
<blockquote>“No sort of defense is needed for preaching out-of-doors; but it would need very potent arguments to prove that a man had done his duty who has never preached beyond the walls of his meetinghouse. A defense is required rather for services within buildings than for worship outside of them. Apologies are certainly wanted for architects who pile up brick and stone into the skies when there is so much need for preaching rooms among poor sinners down below. Defense is greatly needed for forests of stone pillars, which prevent the preacher from being seen and his voice from being heard; for high-pitched Gothic roofs in which all sound is lost, and men are killed by being compelled to shout till they burst their blood-vessels; and also for the willful creation of echoes by exposing hard, sound-refracting surfaces to satisfy the demands of art, to the total overlooking of the comfort of both audience and speaker.<br />
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“Surely also some decent excuse is badly wanted for those childish people who must needs waste money in placing hobgoblins and monsters on the outside of their preaching houses, and must have other ridiculous pieces of popery stuck up both inside and outside, to deface rather than to adorn their churches and chapels: but no defense whatever is wanted for using the Heavenly Father's vast audience chamber, which is in every way so well fitted for the proclamation of a Gospel so free, so full, so expansive, so sublime.” </blockquote>The Prince of Preachers was right. It is not necessary to make a defense for the public proclamation of the gospel—a defense for open-air preaching. The biblical examples span thousands of years. The post-apostolic examples span 2,000 years.<br />
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The arguments against open-air preaching are emotional, arbitrary, pragmatic, non-binding, eisegetical, and/or extra-biblical. And most arguments against the public proclamation of the gospel have as their sandy foundation a sinful fear of man, and a willful showing of preference to the King’s enemies over the edicts of the King.<br />
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Accusing me of poisoning the well at this point, a well already putrefied by the philosophical and traditional dung of American Evangelicalism, would be like accusing an open-air preacher of pushing lost people away from Jesus. Push them where? To hell? Every lost person, in compliance with his sinful nature that hates God, is already willingly running toward hell. Push him away from Jesus? By his very nature, a lost person wants nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus. He is running toward destruction and away from life eternal.<br />
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In order to push someone away from Jesus, I would first have to be able to catch them. But they already have a life-long, sinful head start on me, and they all are simply running too fast away from Jesus. The only way I could catch such a person to push him is if God the Holy Spirit stops him in his tracks, changes his heart, causes him to be born again, and changes his mind and direction 180-degrees—causing him to run the opposite direction, to run toward Jesus. At that point, any pushing I would do would be toward Jesus, through discipleship.<br />
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While God’s sovereignty in all things, including the salvation of the lost, does not give me license to behave poorly, communicate ignorantly, or otherwise run rough-shot over people’s lives, it is that same sovereignty that informs my understanding that there is nothing I can do to push a person away from Jesus. I have neither the ability nor authority to undermine the eternally predetermined plan of God for a person’s life.<br />
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So, in the time we have remaining in this session, with the before-mentioned presuppositions in mind, I will make a defense for the public proclamation of the gospel. And I will do so by focusing my attention on two Greek words: κηρύσσω and παρρησία.<br />
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Let’s begin by taking an extended look at the Greek word κηρύσσω.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Κηρύσσω </b></span><br />
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As some of you know, I wrote a rather unpopular book titled, <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Should-She-Preach-Biblical-Evangelism-ebook/dp/B00FL1WFK6">Should She Preach—Biblical Evangelism for Women</a></i></b>. In the book, I make what I believe is a sound, biblical case against the practice of women preaching the gospel in the open-air. While I affirm a Christian woman’s role in evangelism, I believe the Bible not only doesn’t give a mandate for a women to preach in a pulpit or on a box at the corner of Walk/Don’t Walk, but the Bible also does not allow for a woman to do so. The three main points of my argument are: 1) God’s created order; 2) a Christian woman’s role not simply in the corporate gathering of believers, but in any spiritual enterprise; 3) the gentle and quiet spirit to which God has given to every Christian woman.<br />
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One of the most common affirmative arguments concerning women open-air preaching stems from the biblical appearance and use of the Greek word kerusso, which is usually translated in the verb form “to preach.” Kerusso appears 60 times in the New Testament. The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon defines the word this way:<br />
<blockquote>“To be a herald, to officiate as a herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done; used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers.”</blockquote>Having read all 60 New Testament verses in their context that use the word κηρύσσω (to preach), I did not find a single use of the word by a woman, of a woman, or as instruction to a woman. To point this out is not to put forth an argument from silence. Not only is the primary Greek word for preaching never used in the New Testament in relation to women, there is not a single instance in the New Testament of a woman engaging in the biblical practice of heralding the gospel in the open air.<br />
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Undoubtedly, some will balk, maybe even wince. Some will immediately object to my assertion, using Mark 16:15 as their authoritative reference. “And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim [preach] the gospel to the whole creation.’”<br />
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Preaching is teaching. Preaching is teaching with authority. Preaching is teaching people, believer and unbeliever alike, the way of eternal life, and doing so with a level of authority that calls the hearer to listen and obey. To preach the gospel is to teach the gospel. To preach repentance is to teach repentance. Any open-air message that does not explain (teach) the meaning of sin, righteousness, the coming judgment, Hell, the deity and hypostatic union of the Lord Jesus Christ, the cross, propitiation, regeneration, justification, salvation, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life is what? It’s unbiblical babble. It’s not worth the air being moved across the vocal cords.<br />
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Now granted, not every open-air preaching opportunity allows for the articulation of all of the before-mentioned doctrines. Things happen (i.e. hecklers and other distractions, police contact, etc.). But the goal of every open-air preacher, during every message, should be to articulate these precious doctrines in terms his listeners can understand.<br />
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Whoever stands to proclaim the truth of the law and the gospel is teaching that which he proclaims, whether they are doing it off the top of their head or with an open Bible in hand and expositing a text from the Word of God. Preaching is not the mere regurgitation of words void of emotion, meaning, message, explanation, and authority. Preaching is teaching.<br />
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As stated in the above definition of kerusso, preaching is “always” accomplished “with the suggestion of formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed.” One thing that is lacking in the open-air preaching community is formality. Fortunately, I see positive changes happening in this area. Open-air preaching is not a game, sport, or hobby. It is not merely an opportunity for the Christian to exercise their liberty in the form of public expression. It is a calling, not a curiosity. It is a weighty responsibility, not a whimsical form of recreation. It is a privilege, not a right. It is for the glory of Christ, not the personal satisfaction of the preacher.<br />
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The open-air preachers of old preached sermons in the open-air. Yes, great preachers like Charles Spurgeon called for brevity in the message, but not for a lack of sobriety.<br />
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The bench, rock, horse-drawn cart, or tombstone upon which these blood-bought, Spirit-driven, Bible-wielding titans stood was reverenced like a hand-carved pulpit behind which a shepherd of a flock stood. They treated the ground upon which they stood as holy ground, for from that spot the Spirit of God would move upon the herald and the hooligan, in a manner the Father desired, for the glory of the Son and the gathering of His Elect.<br />
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Open-air preaching requires gravitas. Gravitas is defined as “seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech.” Gravitas is also defined as “seriousness, solemnity, or importance,” “a serious or dignified demeanor.” To preach (kerusso) is to articulate the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ with a sense of gravity. Open-air preaching should be conducted by men with gravitas, men who understand the weightiness and the gravity of what they are doing. These men, by their demeanor and voice, can convey the gravity of the situation in which lost souls find themselves.<br />
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The open-air preacher must carry himself with a very real air of authority. Even the lost, God-hating heckler should see that the open-air preacher speaks authoritatively, knowing the preacher ought to be listened to and obeyed. What I’m describing is known in law enforcement and military circles as “command presence.” A good open-air preacher is part orator, part herald, part diplomat, part street cop, and part field general. A good open-air preacher is one who does not manipulate a crowd, but can control a crowd with the sheer weight of his Holy Spirit-wrought, authoritative presence. People in the crowd will do what the street preacher says (i.e. “stop,” “wait,” “answer,” “be quiet,” etc.), at times, without even realizing they are obeying the preacher’s commands.<br />
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If you watch some of the men I consider the best open-air preachers of our generation, which include a number of men gathered here this weekend, you will see distinctly different personalities. You will see men who look and sound different from each other as they preach.<br />
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However, in addition to a love for Christ, a love for His Church, a love for His Word, and a love for the lost, you will see another commonality in all of them. You will see command presence. You will see men acting like men: mature men, fearless men. You will see men who rightly divide the Word of God in the heat of battle. You will see men who are truly meek: men who are Holy Spirit- enabled to exercise power under control (Matthew 5:5). You will see men who are willing and able to give a defense for the hope that is in them, yet with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). You will see men who are uncompromising with the message: men who will not back down from truth merely so that the yet unconverted, sin-stained hearts of lost people will be appeased and remain unchanged.<br />
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You will never hear God’s heralds of yesterday or today ask, “Can we all get along?” What you will see are men who rule their emotions, not men who are ruled by their emotions. You will see chivalrous men who defend and protect women, not men who act like women—not men who stand behind women, not men who are afraid of women. You will see men who speak with authority—an authority given to them by God—the authority that comes with their God-given gender-specific role as men and the authority that comes with the role of a herald of the King.<br />
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I believe, with all my heart, one of the reasons why a vast majority of American Evangelicalism is against open-air preaching is this. American Evangelicalism is effeminate. Weak and compromised churches are producing weak and compromised men. Men considered men of God these days by American Evangelicalism are men who do not command respect, but who beg for acceptance. They are not men who stand firm, but instead are often men who can’t wait to bow their knees to culture. They fear other men, but they don’t fear God.<br />
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Instead of spines straightened and strengthened by the rods of God’s Word and the proclamation of the gospel, men in American Evangelicalism are just like men in the rest of the world—spiritual invertebrates comfortable on the soft, pliable, conforming bean bag chairs of emotionalism, egalitarianism, ecumenism, and escapism. And they just comfortably sit there and wait—wait for a dying world to go to hell. For they care more about what people think of them than where people will spend eternity.<br />
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No. Open-air preaching and sound, biblical open-air preachers aren’t the problem. Cowards hiding behind the cross instead of denying themselves, taking up their crosses and following Christ: they are the problem.<br />
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Open-air preaching is biblical. The mere presence of the word kerusso in the Word of God and the various contexts in which it is used, is defense enough. Again, no defense need be made for the practice. Yet some insist that “it’s just too bold.” It’s too “in your face.” By open-air preaching, we are just “shoving Jesus down people’s throats.”<br />
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Look: if my heart ever stops beating and I stop breathing, I want someone trained in its use to shove a tube down my throat and pump air into my lungs. I want them to jump up and down on my chest, crack my ribs if they need to, and bring my ticker back online.<br />
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And if they’re able to bring me back to life, when I regain consciousness my chest is going to hurt and my throat is likely to be sore from the intubation. But I’m pretty confident of this. I’m not going to sue the paramedics who worked on me. I’m going to shake their hands and thank them for a job well done.<br />
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I will be glad that the paramedics were more concerned with my life than how uncomfortable my recovery might be. I will be glad that they were decisive, commanding, demanding, skilled, undaunted, and cared enough about a human being to fight for my life—a life that might never be of any personal benefit to them.<br />
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If Mahria or someone else were to find me clinically dead, I want some bold person to rush to my aid and do their job. The last thing I want is some faint-of-heart, fearful, shy, uncertain person strolling up to my body and vacillating about what to do, worried about what I will think of him if he engages in life-saving efforts without first getting my consent. I’m dead! I can’t consent! Do your job! Save my life!<br />
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Yes, American Evangelicalism is uncomfortable with open-air preaching; American Evangelicalism is afraid of open-air preaching because these days boldness in the church is seen as making friends with an unbeliever who looks like you, talks like you, shares some common interests with you, and won’t be too upset if five years from now you invite him to church.<br />
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American Evangelicalism is opposed to open-air preaching, not because it is unbiblical, but because the public proclamation of the gospel might draw unwanted, negative attention to Christian clubhouses across the country.<br />
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American Evangelicalism sees boldness as sending vacationaries—people who often think so highly of themselves that they actually believe people can see Jesus in them—to faraway places to take pictures with disadvantaged children at an orphanage, or to take pictures of driving nails into a half-built home, between trips to Starbucks. American Evangelicalism sees service without the verbal or written communication of the gospel as a bold statement for Jesus. It’s not. <br />
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The Bible defines boldness much differently.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Παρρησία</span></b><br />
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Acts 3-5 is one of my favorite sections of Scripture. It is three chapters of public proclamation of truth, prayer, and boldness—great boldness.<br />
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This particular episode began with Peter and John healing a lame beggar who was sitting outside the Beautiful Gate. The ever-growing crowd followed the apostles to Solomon’s Portico where Peter is preaching an extraordinary and convicting sermon in the open-air (Acts 3).<br />
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Turn with me to Acts 4:1-31 (READ PASSAGE).<br />
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The Greek word in verse 13 translated in the ESV as “boldness” is the word παρρησία. Various constructions of this word appear 31 times in the New Testament. Needless to say, time precludes us from looking at all of the references.<br />
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Παρρησία is a compound word: “pas,” meaning “all,” and “rhésis,” meaning “speech.”<br />
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By definition, the word means: freedom and unreservedness in speech; free and fearless confidence; cheerful courage; the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity. Public speech is imbedded deep in the meaning of this word.<br />
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The biblical definition of “boldness” is the very antithesis of what is common and encouraged in American Evangelicalism.<br />
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In his Pentecost sermon, Peter referred to his preaching as μετὰ παρρησίας, with boldness, with freedom, with confidence. He was unashamed. He was unafraid. He would not be deterred. Only physical death could stop him from testifying for the glory of Christ and the salvation of the thousands of people gathered in the open-air, in front of him. The Peter in the courtyard late that horrible night who, before 3 AM, as Jesus prophesied, would deny the Lord, was gone. Now, the Peter who the Lord would use to gather His elect during the infancy of His Church—was the King’s chief herald.<br />
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Luke the Physician would also describe Peter and John’s preaching as bold. First in Acts 4:13.<br />
<blockquote>“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”</blockquote>Sadly, today the term “shock and awe,” when used in reference to open-air preaching has been hijacked by heretics—Pelagians, Open Theists, Sinless Perfectionists, false converts, apostates. Yet, in the eyes of the Pharisees, that’s just what Peter and John were—“shock and awe” preachers. Here were two men who the religious elite saw as village idiots—ἰδιώτης, uneducated men. Yet these two men who the Pharisees recognized as having been with Jesus astonished them. They marveled at how boldly Peter and John publicly spoke. The confidence, freedom, and courage with which the two apostles spoke caused the Pharisees to wonder.<br />
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The apostles were following in their Master’s footsteps—their Master by whom people were once astonished because of the authority with which He spoke.<br />
<blockquote>“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29).</blockquote>Now these simple fishermen, turned disciples, turned evangelists, turned public heralds of the gospel spoke with an alien authority given them by their King, through salvation by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.<br />
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Luke uses the word παρρησία again when recounting the prayer of Peter and John’s Christian friends in Acts 4:29.<br />
<blockquote>“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.”</blockquote>After Peter and John recounted for their friends the threats made by the religious elite if the apostles dared to preach Christ and Him crucified, the fledgling Church asked God not for protection. They did not ask for acceptance by their culture. They did not ask for a slick, man-centered strategy with which they could woo haters of Christ. They didn’t ask for wisdom and discernment for figuring out how to preach Christ without people knowing that’s what they were doing.<br />
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No. Peter, John, and how ever many Christians gathered at this crucial moment in Church history asked for more of the same—more boldness so they could look upon the threats of the haters of God and lovingly shove Jesus right down their fleshy open sepulchers.<br />
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And then, for a third time in Acts 4, Luke uses the word παρρησία. In Acts 4:31 we read:<br />
<blockquote>“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”</blockquote>These first Christians were not double-minded in their prayers. They were already bold. They asked for more boldness. They believed God, by faith. More boldness was given to them. And they acted upon their answered prayers. They “continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”<br />
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They spoke. These Christians opened their mouths for the glory of God and the proclamation of the gospel.<br />
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The lie had not yet been told in the Church that a Christian should live their life in such a way that would lead spiritually blind (1 Corinthians 2:14) and spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) people to ask them why.<br />
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The lie had not yet been told in the Church that Christians should preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.<br />
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The lie had not yet been told in the Church that Christians should wait until the enemies of God give them permission to obey God’s command to preach the gospel to all people everywhere.<br />
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The lie had not yet been told in the Church that before a Christian could proclaim Christ and Him crucified to a lost person, he first had to develop a relationship with that lost person so the Christian could earn the right to speak.<br />
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The lie had not yet been told in the Church that lost societies, lost cultures had the authority to play the spiritual FCC and determine for the Church where, when, and how Christians could talk about Jesus.<br />
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No. These Christians opened their mouths for the glory of God and the proclamation of the gospel.<br />
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Praise God! The formation of today’s unbiblical, anti-gospel American Evangelicalism was still 1,800 years away!<br />
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The biblical defense for open-air preaching is provided by Scripture. To boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ is to herald the message publicly, with one’s voice, sometimes loudly.<br />
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Now, this is not to say that the only Christians who boldly preach the gospel are open-air preachers. Far from it. The gospel can be boldly preached from a pulpit, of course. The gospel can be boldly preached across a sticky, wooden table at Starbucks. It can be boldly preached in a philosophy class term paper. It can be boldly preached by the homeschool mom at the dining room table. It can be boldly preached by the shaky, nervous hand distributing gospel tracts.<br />
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As I began this message, I say again: the defense for the public proclamation of the gospel from the mouth of a herald standing on a step-stool, park bench, or block wall is that no defense is necessary. From Noah to David, to the prophets, to Jesus, to the apostles, Scripture affirms the open-air proclamation of the gospel. Open-air preaching is every bit as biblical as the preaching of a shepherd from his pulpit, or as the one-to-one conversations between friends or strangers, or as the distribution of the gospel in written form whether letter or gospel tract.<br />
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Gospel preaching always involves speech, whether verbal or written. Biblical boldness always involves speech, whether verbal or written. There’s no getting around it. Biblical preaching and biblical boldness demands unafraid, unfettered, unapologetic, unflinching communication with words. And one cannot remove open-air preaching from biblical examples without first changing the definitions of biblical terms. Even the thought of doing so is sinful.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Final Word to Bold Preachers</b></span><br />
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So, I would like to close with a word to the open-air preachers gathered here today.<br />
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The open-air preacher must have a boldness that is seasoned regularly and perpetually with humility. He must see himself as the least worthy to publicly declare the edicts of King Jesus. While he is indeed given a special privilege, he is by no means a special class of Christian. Paul understood this.<br />
<blockquote>“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:7-13).</blockquote>Similarly, the open-air preacher must have a boldness that is exercised judiciously, giving deference to another brother or sister in Christ whenever appropriate and practical.<br />
<blockquote>“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:8-9).</blockquote>The open-air preacher must have a boldness that can be found well-beyond his favorite corner or campus. He must be bold in season and out of season. He must be bold if standing before a crowd of hundreds or locked alone in a cell. He must be bold without the limelight, without the attention, without the notoriety or publicity that being a public spectacle can bring.<br />
<blockquote>“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:30-31).</blockquote>The boldness of the open-air preacher must be seen in his love for the Church, for his Christian brethren. His boldness must come from a heart that would never intentionally wrong, corrupt, or take advantage of a brother or sister in Christ. His pride should be in others, and not in himself. He should be willing to take a bullet for any of his eternal kin.<br />
<blockquote>“Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4).</blockquote>And I will close with this admonition.<br />
<br />
While no defense is necessary for the open-air proclamation of the gospel, this does not mean that every Christian man is called to the age-old, biblical, and warranted discipline. Whether you are an open-air preacher today, or you see yourself as an open-air preacher one day, it is not enough for you to examine yourself, to test yourself. It is not enough for you to qualify yourself. And it is not enough for your fellow open-air preachers to examine you, test you, and qualify you. That is the role, responsibility, and privilege of your pastors/elders. Humbly, selflessly, sacrificially, and lovingly submit to the shepherds in your life.<br />
<br />
We will talk more about his in my next message, in which I will ask the question, “Have you been sent?”<br />
<br />
Finally, to my brothers and sisters in Christ gathered here who are not open-air preachers: your faith in Christ was never intended to be a private matter. The purpose of a lamp is always to shed light. Unless a lamp is lit, it is a useless ornament and nothing more than a decorative piece of furniture.<br />
<br />
God has given every Christian boldness—some more than others—but every Christian has boldness as part of their new nature. The question is will you light the room by boldly opening your mouth to proclaim the gospel? Or will you settle for being an ornament, a decorative piece, serving little to no purpose.<br />
<br />
But there is much more to bold preaching than public speaking. The public herald of the gospel must be a bold man with solid Christian character.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></b></div><br />
And here is the audio of the sermon.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe width="450" height="97" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=4515111424" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></IFRAME><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-35612526709889593982015-04-03T23:27:00.004-07:002015-05-12T15:10:34.004-07:00Mall Evangelism: Ten Words in ASL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVUU6SD6-qYyd3nYht-XFm5Ohc69K5-2rDsIt8zBeI_2YuvT622HNNwPvzKSP4wFXOLZbn_FHR9K45yLK7LOLr0BUrZTPclGZ1Yt4Bt1f4KvZIfsDLTe9AbSuZoVEVkoJXjpBg9UJjYm4/s1600/006_Table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVUU6SD6-qYyd3nYht-XFm5Ohc69K5-2rDsIt8zBeI_2YuvT622HNNwPvzKSP4wFXOLZbn_FHR9K45yLK7LOLr0BUrZTPclGZ1Yt4Bt1f4KvZIfsDLTe9AbSuZoVEVkoJXjpBg9UJjYm4/s400/006_Table.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
I spent the afternoon manning an evangelism table at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.<br />
<br />
After checking in at the security office, I made my way to the second floor where my table was already set up near an escalator. I really like this particular spot since it puts me in close proximity to people making their way up and down the escalator. More traffic means more bibles and tracts distributed, as well as better opportunities to engage people in conversation.<br />
<br />
A young couple was relaxing at the table when I arrived. I greeted them and let them know I was there to use the table. They were gracious and kind. I told them I would be distributing bibles today. I asked them if they would each like one. Both accepted the gift. It was a good start to my afternoon.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8I80Kban2yYKpMvkfgwvwCHsUgq1ou82LLsvSrTpIPFsNVXaOeuCIc0CvHukoZxNl-M-GvoAzLgD2xfH4wWxaSyzJltPySrNC4nVvwC6a98rdvNaFP22UP3yJJPDtS-M3srkpioUckTu/s1600/007_Tracts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8I80Kban2yYKpMvkfgwvwCHsUgq1ou82LLsvSrTpIPFsNVXaOeuCIc0CvHukoZxNl-M-GvoAzLgD2xfH4wWxaSyzJltPySrNC4nVvwC6a98rdvNaFP22UP3yJJPDtS-M3srkpioUckTu/s320/007_Tracts.JPG" /></a></div>
While I had other tracts on the table, two of my titles I focused on distributing were "<b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Miranda-Rights-Gospel-Tract-50ct-25x35-073.htm">Miranda</a></b>" and "<b><a href="http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Thank-You-Gospel-Tract-100ct-pckg-2-x-3-1-2-083.htm">Thank You</a></b>." As the Lord would have it, I was able to give "Thank You" tracts to five uniformed soldiers and a uniformed Marine Corps sergeant. I thanked each man for his service and, in turn, they thanked me for the support.<br />
<br />
I distributed about 150 of the "Miranda" tracts, at the top of the escalator. I greeted people by saying, "Happy Good Friday!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;"><b>Timothy</b></span><br />
<br />
As I sat at the table, I noticed a young man looking at the table as he made his way to the escalator. "Would you like a free Bible?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"No. I've got <i>so</i> many bibles at home."<br />
<br />
As he was about to step onto the escalator, I said, "Make sure to read at least one of them!"<br />
<br />
That stopped the young man in his tracts. He quickly changed directions and came over to the table.<br />
<br />
I introduced myself. His name was Timothy, and he was 19-years-old. "I'm trying to read the Bible. I wish I could read it every night, but, you know." Timothy said.<br />
<br />
"Where do you worship?" I asked.<br />
<br />
I go to a Church of God in Christ in Pasadena. My uncle is the bishop.<br />
<br />
"Can I ask you something?"<br />
<br />
"Sure."<br />
<br />
I took Timothy through a "<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22F130C0B8D20158">Three Minutes to Live</a></b>" scenario. The best Timothy could offer me, his hypothetical unsaved friend, was to invite me to church so his bishop-uncle could talk to me.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, what if I don't want to go to your church and talk to your uncle? You're my friend. I have a relationship with <i>you</i>. I'm coming to <i>you</i> for help. What are <i>you</i> going to tell me?"<br />
<br />
"I guess I would tell you to turn to God?"<br />
<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah. Why would you tell me to turn to God? What will happen to me if I don't?"<br />
<br />
Timothy stammered for a few moments, looked around to see if anyone was eavesdropping, lowered his voice, and said, "I guess you would go to hell."<br />
<br />
"Okay. I kinda put you on the spot."<br />
<br />
"Uhuh."<br />
<br />
"Let's switch. Now, I'm the Christian and you're my unbelieving, dying friend. Here's what I would say to you."<br />
<br />
I communicated the law and the gospel to Timothy.<br />
<br />
Timothy said he understood and believed everything I shared with him.<br />
<br />
"What do you like to do, Timothy?"<br />
<br />
"Play basketball."<br />
<br />
Timothy was presently attending our local community college. His plan was to transfer to another SoCal community college where he hoped to make the basketball team.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, what if I told you I could teach you everything you need to know about playing basketball?"<br />
<br />
"Okay?"<br />
<br />
"Here's what you need to know about playing basketball. You need to make sure the ball you use is orange and round. There are two baskets at opposite ends of the court. You need to make sure you put the ball in the right one."<br />
<br />
I let the level of my "knowledge" of basketball sink into Timothy's mind.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, if I were to say that to you would you think I knew anything about basketball?"<br />
<br />
"Well, maybe. I don't like to judge people."<br />
<br />
"Come on, Timothy! You judge all the time. If you're standing in front of two restaurants and one has a "D" from the Health Department on the front door, and the other restaurant has an "A," you're going to make a judgment and go into the restaurant with the letter "A" on the door. Judge me!"<br />
<br />
Timothy smiled. "Okay. I wouldn't think you knew anything about basketball."<br />
<br />
"Now, I have a tough question for you. If you wouldn't think I knew anything about basketball, based on what I said to you, then why should I believe you know Christ when you can't tell me how to know Him?"<br />
<br />
Timothy thought about that for a moment.<br />
<br />
"Look, Timothy, I don't know you're heart. But there are millions of people your age who have grown up in church. They think they know Jesus because going to church is all they've ever known. They think they are Christians because they were raised in a Christian home. Yet they have never repented of their sin and received Jesus Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. They go to church on Sunday, and they live like hell Monday through Friday. They think because they prayed a prayer and asked Jesus into their heart, raised their hand, and walked down the aisle that they're right with Jesus. And they live like they have some kind of "Get Out of Hell Free" card. They say they know Jesus, but nothing has changed in their life. They are the same people they've always been.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, can you point to a time in your life when your faith became your own--when you turned from your sin and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"<br />
<br />
Timothy thought about it.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, something a friend taught me last weekend at a conference is this. A person doesn't have to hit rock bottom and be lying unconscious in an alley with a needle and syringe sticking out of his arm before they can come to faith in Christ. There are many people like you who grew up in church and can't point to an exact moment in time when they came to faith in Christ. That's okay. What matters is whether or not Christ has saved you and that you know you have turned from your sin and truly received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior."<br />
<br />
I could tell Timothy wasn't sure how to respond.<br />
<br />
"Timothy, what's going to happen to you when you die?"<br />
<br />
"I'm going to heaven?"<br />
<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"Because of my faith?"<br />
<br />
"And?"<br />
<br />
"Well, because God will see what I've done with my life...."<br />
<br />
"Weigh the good against the bad you've done?"<br />
<br />
"Yes."<br />
<br />
Again, Timothy had affirmed everything I said when I communicated the law and the gospel to him. Yet, his faith was not in Christ alone. It was in Christ.....<i>and Timothy</i>.<br />
<br />
I spent some time taking Timothy through a couple court room scenarios, while explaining to him doctrines such as depravity, propitiation, and justification, in terms he could understand.<br />
<br />
By the time we parted company, Timothy was asserting he was trusting in Christ alone for his salvation. Maybe he had been. Maybe he came to faith in Christ during our conversation. Or, maybe he remains a young man who, having grown up in church, is a false convert. God knows.<br />
<br />
Pray for Timothy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Maria</span></b><br />
<br />
Just moments after I said goodbye to Timothy, a middle-aged woman dressed in summer hiking/walking clothes, carrying a backpack approached the table. Her skin was dark and leathery. She looked like she spent a lot of time outdoors.<br />
<br />
"I'm a believer. I'm just wondering if you will pray for my friend."<br />
<br />
"Certainly."<br />
<br />
"His name is Jerry. He is Jewish. I've been trying to get through to him for years, but he just won't believe."<br />
<br />
I held out my hand to the woman. "My name's Tony."<br />
<br />
"The woman shook my hand. "I'm Maria."<br />
<br />
"Well, I won't forget your name. My wife's name is Mahria. Where do you worship?"<br />
<br />
The look that came upon Maria's face told me she didn't like the question.<br />
<br />
"I worship everywhere, all the time."<br />
<br />
Maria went on to tell me that she was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and attends the largest Roman Catholic Church in the community. She also attends a seeker mega-church and a charismatic church.<br />
<br />
I happened to look to my right, and I saw <i>my</i> Mahria. She got off work early and was able to join me at the mall. What a blessing!<br />
<br />
I introduced the two ladies and brought Mahria up to speed regarding my conversation with Maria.<br />
<br />
Maria talked for several minutes about her spirituality. When it seemed like Maria was ready to pause, I asked, "May I tell you what I would say to Jerry?"<br />
<br />
"Please."<br />
<br />
"I would begin by reading Isaiah 53."<br />
<br />
I opened my Bible to Isaiah 53. I held the book so that both ladies could see the pages. As I read, something inside me said, <i>"Maria is going to stop me."</i><br />
<br />
"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the angui....."<br />
<br />
Maria place her hand over the page in order to stop me from continuing.<br />
<br />
"I read that to Jerry just today."<br />
<br />
"You read all of Isaiah 53 to him, today?"<br />
<br />
"Well, not all of it. Look, I have to get going. I'm already late for an appointment. Please pray for Jerry.<br />
<br />
"We will. But Maria, before you go there's something else I need to say to you. You need to find a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church and settle there."<br />
<br />
"I'm in church on Sunday. I go to all three churches every Sunday."<br />
<br />
"I understand. But, the churches you are going to don't preach the real gospel."<br />
<br />
"I don't believe that."<br />
<br />
"Maria. You look like you are athletic. You probably run or hike?"<br />
<br />
"I do it all."<br />
<br />
"Maria, what if you were running a race, and you came to a water station and I handed you a bottle of water. And just as you put the bottle to your mouth, I tell you there is a drop of poison in the water. Would you drink it?"<br />
<br />
"I've heard this before. One church tells me there's poison in another church. Another church tells me there's poison in another church." They all have poison, but they also bear fruit."<br />
<br />
"Maria, a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. It might look good. It may even taste good. But the fruit is always bad from a bad tree. The churches you are going to are bad trees."<br />
<br />
Maria then asserted that she believes she is saved by the blood of Christ and faith in him alone, apart from works. She acknowledged that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that works are necessary for salvation, but she didn't see it as a big deal. She said the Bible is the only infallible authority, and that there are no perfect human teachers.<br />
<br />
We parted company with smiles and well wishes. While Maria made many biblical assertions I could affirm, I was left after the conversation with little confidence she is saved. She finds comfort and peace in three of the worst churches in the community--churches where false gospels and unbiblical traditions are exalted.<br />
<br />
Pray for Maria.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">Julie and Cheri</span></b><br />
<br />
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Two ladies approached the table. One was a shorter lady, possible of Latin America descent. The other was a lady who appeared in her 30's. There names were Julie and Cheri, respectively.<br />
<br />
Cheri was immediately drawn to the bibles on the table.<br />
<br />
"Everything on the table is free." I said.<br />
<br />
Julie touched Cheri to get her attention. Using American Sign Language (ASL) and her voice, Julie communicated to Cheri what I had just said. Cheri was deaf.<br />
<br />
Cheri quickly took a Bible from the table and joyfully put it into her bag.<br />
<br />
"Would you like one, too?" I asked Julie.<br />
<br />
"Oh, I can have one?" She asked.<br />
<br />
"Of course. I would love for you to have one."<br />
<br />
Julie, once again gaining Cheri's attention with a gentle touch, told her, "I will read this to you at bedtime."<br />
<br />
Mahria and I looked at each other and smiled.<br />
<br />
"She has the mind of a five-year-old." Julie said, indicating Cheri was also developmentally disabled.<br />
<br />
Our hearts went out to both Julie and Cheri as Cheri continued to pick up tracts off the table and put them into her bag. Then something at the end of the table caught Cheri's eye--my marble Ten Commandment tablets (The Ten Words).<br />
<br />
Cheri pointed to the tablets and signed to Julie, indicating she wanted Julie to read what was on the tablets.<br />
<br />
I almost cried as I watched this absolutely beautiful, God-ordained scene. One by one, Julie signed the Ten Commandments, explaining to Cheri what each one meant. Julie thought Cheri would be satisfied learning what was on the first of the two tablets. When Cheri realized Julie had stopped reading, Cheri pointed to the second tablet.<br />
<br />
Julie continued signing the commandments, but came to a stop before getting through all of them.<br />
<br />
"Can I help? Does Cheri have a question?" I asked Julie.<br />
<br />
"Adultery. How do I explain that in terms she can understand."<br />
<br />
Together we explained to Cheri that adultery happens when a person in a marriage behaves toward their husband or wife in a way that is not loyal, trustworthy, or faithful.<br />
<br />
Julie asked Cheri if she wanted to get married. With the consternation of a child, Cheri made a pouty face, shook her head, and said, "no." We all chuckled, including Cheri.<br />
<br />
As the two ladies started to leave, I handed Julie one of my business cards, from the table.<br />
<br />
"My email address is on the card. If you find you or Cheri have any questions about what you are reading in the Bible, please email me. I would love to help the two of you in any way I can."<br />
<br />
Both ladies made the sign to say, "<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_ISJRvNx8">Thank you</a></b>." I did the same in return.<br />
<br />
Before the two ladies reached the escalator, Cheri turned back, smiled, and made the sign for "<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX6DKkdJeYo">I love you</a></b>."<br />
<br />
"I love you, too, Cheri." I said, repeating the hand gesture.<br />
<br />
As the ladies made their way down the escalator, Mahria and I turned to each other and embraced, rejoicing in what had just happened--rejoicing in what the Lord had done for His own glory. It was a moment I will never forget.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: large;">"Mission Good Friday"</span></b><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF6twO6eQCSXR2BRewb0L1P4IZgXuOBQAQItN3XOXNrvLnIVo-epDbZUGPXeFIXINJJbSTNZd0SJtAIvIpulIrjyshgRKQaHR3VSdqg49_rrbw7S-zd7a6OBfWbkGd7m5eDsJbSQjf2fN/s1600/009_Bible.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF6twO6eQCSXR2BRewb0L1P4IZgXuOBQAQItN3XOXNrvLnIVo-epDbZUGPXeFIXINJJbSTNZd0SJtAIvIpulIrjyshgRKQaHR3VSdqg49_rrbw7S-zd7a6OBfWbkGd7m5eDsJbSQjf2fN/s320/009_Bible.JPG" /></a></div>
One of my closest friends, Bobby McCreery, with <b><a href="http://totheendoftheearth.org/">To the End of the Earth Ministries</a></b>, reminded me that this particular day was the sixth anniversary of Mission Good Friday. Six years ago, on Good Friday, I was prompted in my heart and mind to read Matthew 26-28 aloud, in the open-air. A number of people around the world joined me in the effort. Bobby was one of them. And it was the day that marked the beginning of his open-air ministry.<br />
<br />
Open-air preaching is not allowed in the mall. No surprise, there. So, I decided I would read Matthew 26-28 aloud while sitting next to my table. I would read it loud enough for people close by to hear, but not loud enough to possibly alert security or mall management. I've established a good rapport with both, and my ministry at the mall, while adhering to the rules and regulations, has proven to be fruitful. I didn't want to mess up a good thing by pushing the envelope, so to speak.<br />
<br />
I was nervous. In fact, it took until the last half-hour of my time at the mall for me to raise the courage to go through with it.<br />
<br />
I prayed.<br />
<br />
I opened my Bible to Matthew 26 and began to read.<br />
<br />
Several times people paused to listen to the reading. One young man stopped me momentarily to shake my hand and to thank me for what I was doing. Some gave me strange looks while others smiled and gave approving nods of the head.<br />
<br />
Here's the audio of today's public reading of God's Word.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=4415155183" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
<br />
It was a wonderful afternoon of ministry at the mall today, which was highlighted by enjoying partnership with my wife.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-15922363620441835602015-04-02T16:10:00.002-07:002015-05-12T15:07:37.602-07:00Javi Delivered 400 Bibles and Received One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbGmv9UukmxhTUAwX1mc-1OFVfR0bhkMKTsIykeCmcMmgyILSJaNZ6qauFnW_DvUZcIcd1xl1yXA9np3NKcPjtdYOfSXDhC-FYoeT_pKi-_W6kgPaH_cazcBb8hqEE4Xj3g4aTuxZWwZY/s1600/005_Me+and+Javi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbGmv9UukmxhTUAwX1mc-1OFVfR0bhkMKTsIykeCmcMmgyILSJaNZ6qauFnW_DvUZcIcd1xl1yXA9np3NKcPjtdYOfSXDhC-FYoeT_pKi-_W6kgPaH_cazcBb8hqEE4Xj3g4aTuxZWwZY/s400/005_Me+and+Javi.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Not long ago I let folks know, via social media, that I was running low on <b><a href="http://www.biblesbythecase.com/9781433528460.html">giveaway bibles</a></b>. This was some time after multiple supporters made donations of an amount that allowed me to purchase almost 1,000 bibles (English and Spanish). In less than a month's time, due in large part to multiple outreaches I led during last month's Shepherds' Conference, the 900+ bibles I had purchased were gone--placed into the hands of people throughout Southern California. When I put out the word that my Bible stock was almost gone, one family stepped up and made a donation, which allowed me to purchase another 400 bibles. The bibles arrived at my home today.<br />
<br />
The truck driver making the delivery of one pallet loaded with ten cases of "books" called me to let me know he would arrive at 12:14 PM. I thought he must have a really good GPS system to be that exact with his arrival time, especially in the greater Los Angeles area. I was skeptical, of course. But sure enough, the truck drove down my street at 12:14 PM. I'm easily impressed by such things.<br />
<br />
The driver hopped down from the cab of the truck and introduced himself. His name was Javi. He was personable and looked to be about half of his 42 actual years of life.<br />
<br />
As Javi maneuvered the pallet jack in the truck's trailer, he asked, "Are these books?"<br />
<br />
"Yes. They're bibles."<br />
<br />
"Really? Are you a minister?"<br />
<br />
"I'm a street preacher. I give these bibles away to people I meet on the streets."<br />
<br />
"Oh. That's cool." Javi said.<br />
<br />
Javi loaded the jacked pallet onto the lift gate and slowly lowered the gate to the ground. He offloaded the pallet and put the pallet in the carport.<br />
<br />
"I grew up Catholic." Javi said.<br />
<br />
"So did I"<br />
<br />
"Really?"<br />
<br />
"Yep."<br />
<br />
"I went to a big church with my girl friend at the time, about three years ago. It was a <i>big</i> church off the 118. It was an experience. I liked it. The pastor was funny."<br />
<br />
My heart sank a bit as Javi continued to describe the church and his experience. I knew with certainty of which church Javi spoke. I have no doubt there are genuine followers of Jesus Christ who attend the church. I know this is true because I've met them. A few of my friends, whose salvation is not in question as far as I'm concerned, have attended, even served at the church in the past. But the church in question is not known for the gospel. Furthermore, there have been times over the years when the church (or at least members of its staff) have been better known for their opposition to public evangelism than for reaching the lost with the gospel. American Evangelicalism.<br />
<br />
I said nothing to Javi about the church. I only acknowledged I was familiar with the church he attended.<br />
<br />
"So, Javi." I began. "Is it safe to assume that since you've attended church that you believe in God?"<br />
<br />
"Yes. I believe in God."<br />
<br />
"What do you think is going to happen to you when you die?"<br />
<br />
"I don't know."<br />
<br />
"Nothing wrong with that. That's an honest answer."<br />
<br />
"If you were to die today--and I don't want that to happen--and God were to ask you why He should allow you to enter heaven, what would you say?"<br />
<br />
"I don't know. I've done some bad things in my life--a lot of bad things."<br />
<br />
"Okay. How about this. Would you consider yourself to be a good person?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah. I guess so."<br />
<br />
"What is your definition of a 'good person?' According to Javi, a 'good guy' is...?"<br />
<br />
"Someone who helps other people. Someone who is considerate?"<br />
<br />
"Did you just describe yourself?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah." Javi acknowledged with a smile.<br />
<br />
"And that's what most people do. When I ask people on the streets to describe a 'good person' for me, they look into the mirror and describe the first person they see."<br />
<br />
Javi smiled again.<br />
<br />
"But, Javi, the problem is this. God's standard for goodness is moral perfection. Jesus said, 'You are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect'" (Matthew 5:48).<br />
<br />
"No one can live up to that." Javi said.<br />
<br />
"That's right. No one can. The Bible says, 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). You and I have both sinned against God. You've admitted you've done lots of bad things. If God gave you and me what we deserved for our sins against Him, we would both spend eternity in hell.<br />
<br />
"Have you ever been inside a courtroom?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Yes I have."<br />
<br />
I then shared with Javi a "<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1JlB6HiNxM">courtroom analogy</a></b>" (something I learned many years ago from a man whose influence in my life has been great--Ray Comfort). I have shared this analogy with thousands of people during conversations and while open-air preaching.<br />
<br />
"Javi, if the judge released you, would that be good news?"<br />
<br />
"Yes." He said with a chuckle."<br />
<br />
"What would you think of the man who paid your fine."<br />
<br />
"I would be indebted to him forever."<br />
<br />
"Well, let's see if that's true."<br />
<br />
I proclaimed <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PovDvpv5k8">the gospel</a></b> to Javi.<br />
<br />
I decided to go back over the "courtroom analogy" with Javi, this time changing the scenario.<br />
<br />
"Let's go back to that courtroom. This time, let's say you broke into someone's home late at night. As you're going through the house, you notice pictures on the wall."<br />
<br />
"Family pictures."<br />
<br />
"Right. Family pictures. Then, a teenager, hearing noise in the house, confronts you in the living room. You panic and you stab the kid. He dies.<br />
<br />
"You are arrested and you confess to the crime. Now, instead of life in prison, the judge sentences you to death. Throughout the trial, you have this weird feeling that you had met the judge before."<br />
<br />
Javi interrupted. "I know where this is going! The pictures on the wall!"<br />
<br />
"Yep. You got it. Javi, you killed the judge's son. The man who just sentenced you to death is the victim's father."<br />
<br />
Javi slowly dropped his head and looked at the ground.<br />
<br />
"Javi. In this case, it's not like our court system today. In this case, you don't get 20 years of three hots and a cot (meals and a bed), all the pornography you can look at, and all the weights you can lift. As soon as the judge sentences you to die, they start to take you into the room where they are going to strap you to a table, stick a needle in your arm, and put you to sleep like a stray dog.<br />
<br />
"But before you leave the courtroom, the judge stands up from his chair, takes off his robe of authority, and steps down from his bench. He looks at you and says, 'You deserve to die for murdering my son. But I'm going to take your place.'<br />
<br />
"Javi, ever time you sin it's like driving a knife through the heart of God's Son, Jesus Christ. It's as if you are murdering Christ over and over, again. But if you repent, if you turn from your sin and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God will forgive your crimes against Him.<br />
<br />
"The Bible says, 'These things have been written so that you may <i>know</i> that you have eternal life' (a paraphrase of 1 John 5:13, emphasis mine). Javi, you can <i>know</i> the forgiveness of God, the mercy of God, the love of God. You can <i>know</i> you will spend eternity with Him in heaven, if you repent and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior."<br />
<br />
Javi nodded his head. "I'm listening." He said.<br />
<br />
"Javi, is there anything, any sin in your life that you love so much that you just won't give it up? Is there any sin you won't give up today, knowing if you don't repent and receive Christ you will spend eternity in hell?"<br />
<br />
Javi looked skyward and thought for a moment.<br />
<br />
"That's a <i>really</i> good question. I'm going to have to think about that."<br />
<br />
"Please do."<br />
<br />
"I will."<br />
<br />
"Do you have a Bible?" I asked pointing to the pallet of 400 bibles Javi had just delivered.<br />
<br />
"No I don't."<br />
<br />
"Can I give you one of these?"<br />
<br />
"Sure!"<br />
<br />
Together, Javi and I tore through the plastic shrink wrap holding the cases of bibles together. Once we exposed the top of one of the boxes, Javi pulled his keys out of his pocket and used it to break the seal of the box. I reached inside and removed a Bible. Before handing it to Javi, I took Javi's pen from his shirt pocket, signed the Bible 'To Javi, From Tony,' and wrote down my cell number and email address.<br />
<br />
I handed the Bible to Javi. He opened it up to look at the inscription I wrote. "Thank you." He said.<br />
<br />
"A good place to start reading is the Gospel of John."<br />
<br />
I turned the pages in the Bible Javi was now holding to the Gospel of John. I dog-eared the first page so it would be easier for him to find.<br />
<br />
"Javi. All I know about you is your first name. No salesman will come to your door."<br />
<br />
Javi laughed.<br />
<br />
"I wrote down my number and email address. If you have any questions about what we've talked about, or if you have any questions about what you read in the Bible, give me a holler."<br />
<br />
"I will!"<br />
<br />
Javi allowed me to snap the above picture before he headed to his truck.<br />
<br />
As Javi opened the door and stepped up and into the cab, I called out to Javi. "Hey, Javi! I'm going to have more bibles delivered here in the future. I hope you're the one to deliver them!"<br />
<br />
"Me, too!" Javi said with a smile.<br />
<br />
Javi drove away with only 399 less bibles in his truck. Javi delivered 400 bibles, and he received one.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></b></div>
<br />
My friend, Paul Washer, has often said, "Some are called to go down into the well. Others are called to hold the rope."<br />
<br />
While I went down into the well to have this wonderful conversation with Javi, the family that made the donations, which allowed me to purchase the bibles that Javi delivered, held the rope.<br />
<br />
Those of you (churches and individuals) who regularly provide financial support to the ministry: you hold the rope.<br />
<br />
Those of you who make donations according to the needs of the moment--needs like bibles, gospel tracts, and other evangelism-related equipment: you hold the rope.<br />
<br />
Those of you who pray for me and my family, and for the ministry to which God has called me: you hold the rope.<br />
<br />
You hold the rope.<br />
<br />
Thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-41866777872907418342015-04-01T16:49:00.000-07:002015-04-01T16:49:07.231-07:00Have You Been Sent? - Sermon Manuscript and AudioRecently, I was given the honor and privilege of serving as one of the speakers of the <b><a href="http://jeremiahcry.com/">JeremiahCry</a></b> <b><a href="http://jeremiahcry.com/florida-herald-society/">Herald Society</a></b>, in Milton, FL, which was hosted by <b><a href="http://www.fbcmilton.org/">First Baptist Church of Milton</a></b>. I preached two sermons: "A Defense of the Public Proclamation of the Gospel" and "Have You Been Sent?"<br />
<br />
What follows is the original manuscript of my sermon "Have You Been Sent?" Below the manuscript, you will find the audio for the sermon. It's important to note that the below manuscript is not a <i>transcript</i>. In other words, I try to preach from the heart, as the Lord leads, and according to what I believe are the needs of the moment. Therefore, what you read will differ in some ways (additions/deletions) from what you hear.<br />
<br />
I pray the Lord uses this sermon for His glory. I pray in doing so, He will also choose to bring about what I believe are necessary course corrections within the Body of Christ, in the area of open-air preaching.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">**********</span></b></div><br />
<b>Scripture Reading: Romans 10</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Introduction</span></b><br />
<br />
Some pastors present this hour may take offense to what I will say in this message. I am all but certain some street preachers present this hour, or some of those who will listen to the audio of this sermon at a later time, will take offense to what I will say in this message. While I would rather these things didn’t happen, I love Christ and each of you too much to worry about it. I want everyone who hears this message to be both edified and/or dropped to their knees in repentance. I want Christ, His church, and His gospel to be lifted up.<br />
<br />
I want to give everyone present, here, now, the benefit of the doubt. I want to believe that there are not any nomadic street preachers, here. I want to believe that every street preacher, here, is serving as a herald under the biblical authority of the leaders in their churches. And I want to believe that every pastor present is here either because he supports the biblical practice of open-air preaching, or he is here to investigate open-air preaching honestly, through the lens of Scripture.<br />
<br />
With that, let me get right to the point.<br />
<br />
If you are a street preacher and you refuse to submit yourself to both the authority of and examination by the elders of a local church, if you insist on living a spiritually nomadic existence, you are in sin. You must repent.<br />
<br />
Have you been sent?<br />
<br />
If you are an elder/pastor and you are not discipling men, developing men, equipping men, raising up men to go and die to self and die for Jesus on the wicked streets of this world, you are in sin. You must repent.<br />
<br />
If your own sinful fear of man, and your sinful adaptation of American Evangelicalism’s Christ-less, evangelistic traditions and methodologies, is keeping you from lovingly preparing men to serve as modern-day Lollards, you are in sin. You must repent.<br />
<br />
If you have welcomed American Evangelicalism’s Christ-less and powerless traditions into the Lord’s house, into your flock—traditions like friendship evangelism (as it is most commonly practiced), the sinner’s prayer, any other form of synergism, confusing service with evangelism, or sending “vacationaries” around the world who intentionally do not share the gospel—and if you do this while marginalizing, mocking, and mischaracterizing one of the oldest forms of ministry found in Scripture—open-air preaching, you are in sin. You must repent.<br />
<br />
Who and where are the men you are sending?<br />
<br />
And why is this issue so important? It’s important because nomadic tribes of Christians led by self-appointed, de facto, open-air preaching “pastors,” are growing in number. There are far too many men (and women) on the streets engaged in open-air preaching who have neither the moral character nor the spiritual qualifications, including the ability to rightly divide the Word, to do so.<br />
<br />
This subject, this issue is important because there are too many men on the streets propping up themselves as God’s heralds who simply have not been called by God to serve Him in that capacity.<br />
<br />
Now before we look at our text, Romans 10:14-15, I am obligated to give credit where credit is due. At the end of last month, while taking a walk, I listened to a sermon from this text, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The sermon’s title: “Called to Preach (Part 1).” As soon as the sermon ended, I sent a text to Brother Jeff Rose, telling him (almost begging him), I needed to preach the message I am bringing you now. Whether you see it as a strength or weakness in his character, Brother Jeff trusted my judgment, and so here we are.<br />
<br />
Much of what I will share with you from this text is influenced by the teaching of “The Good Doctor.” So, while I may not quote him per se, rest assured there is nothing new under the sun and what I’m bringing to you I’ve learned from others—including Lloyd-Jones.<br />
<br />
Before we answer the two primary questions I ask in this sermon—have you been sent; and who are you sending—there is another question we must address first. Is there no distinction between the Christian and the Christian herald? Is everyone sent?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Is Everyone Sent?</span></b><br />
<br />
Paul writes:<br />
<blockquote>“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news’” (Romans 10:14-15).</blockquote>Once again, we meet the herald’s friend—the Greek word κηρύσσο. I think in my last message we established a biblical and working definition for the word κηρύσσο. For the purpose of review, here again is the NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon definition of the word:<br />
<blockquote>“To be a herald, to officiate as a herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald; always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; to publish, proclaim openly something which has been done; used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers.”</blockquote>But there is another word in the New Testament, another word often used for proclaiming or announcing the gospel of Jesus Christ, which makes a clear distinction between two different kinds of gospel proclamation, as well as a clear distinction between one Christian and another. The word is εὐαγγελίζω.<br />
<br />
Strong’s Concordance defines the word this way:<br />
<blockquote>“I bring good news, preach good tidings, with or without an object, expressing either the persons who receive the good news or the good news itself (the good news being sometimes expressed as a person).”</blockquote>We are fortunate in that not only do the New Testament writers provide us with numerous uses of both words, but they also provide us with more than one instance when both words are used in the same verse or passage.<br />
<br />
A wonderful example is found in Acts 8:4-5.<br />
<blockquote>“Now those who were scattered went about preaching [a form of the verb εὐαγγελίζω] the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed [a form of the verb κηρύσσο] to them the Christ.”</blockquote>The Diaspora, the scattering of the Jews throughout the Roman Empire during a time of great persecution, included most of the Christian Church, which, to that point, was comprised almost entirely of Jews. These faithful and bold believers, whose hope was now in Christ, did not stop giving a defense for the hope that was in them. These relatively new Christians did not stop sharing the gospel with their neighbors, their masters, their employers, their persecutors, their jailers, and (for some) their executioners. They “went about preaching” (εὐαγγελιζόμενοι).<br />
<br />
But they did not preach as Philip preached. Whereas the bulk of the Christian Church proclaimed the good news of the gospel, bringing to lost people the glad tidings of the word, in whatever life context God had placed them, Philip went to the city of Samaria on a mission, on assignment, with a particular task to accomplish. Philip went to Samaria to preach Christ and Him crucified, to make the name of Jesus known, to serve as one of God’s heralds.<br />
<br />
While Philip most certainly engaged people in conversation (we see this come to fruition in his encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch), his primary mission was not to engage in conversations, but rather to make declarations. Philip went to Samaria to preach to the people of the city the crucified and risen Savior, and to do so with more than just an air of authority.<br />
<br />
Philip preached with sobriety, solemnity, and gravitas. He preached in such a way as to not only command listening ears, but also to command response. We can draw this conclusion, not by forcing anything upon the text, but by simply taking Luke at his word with his word choice. And as was the case with Paul in Athens, I’m sure during Philip’s time in Samaria some responded by mocking; others responded by wanting to hear more; and some responded by repenting, believing, and following.<br />
<br />
As Martyn Lloyd-Jones studies these two important Greek words, he discovered that there is not a single instance in the New Testament when the word κηρύσσο is used in reference to a man who had not been called to the specific role or task of a gospel herald. <br />
<br />
We see the word κηρύσσο applied to men like John the Baptist; Peter, Paul, Philip, Timothy, Titus and the God-Man Jesus. But no such application is made to the women who found the empty tomb, or the woman at the well, or Phoebe, or Priscilla—all women I once pointed to in order to wrongly justify my errant support of women preaching in the open-air. And again, we never see the word applied to a man who was not first commissioned, who was not first sent.<br />
<br />
In this short but significant passage, Acts 8:4-5, we see that all Christians were engaged in evangelism, while some were designated to serve Christ and His Bride as heralds. While God has given the mandate of evangelism to every Christian, He has not called every Christian to serve as a herald.<br />
<br />
The gospel is a message that is only communicated with words—verbal or written. And it is a message every Christian is commanded to communicate, but not every Christian is tasked with communicating it the same way.<br />
<br />
Some of you just breathed a sigh of relief. Some of you may have just become angry. Some of you think you were just given an excuse to remain nestled uncomfortably in your sinful fear. Maybe others of you were just exposed—the reality that you have not been called to be an open-air preacher laid bare before your eyes and ears.<br />
<br />
Most and maybe all of you are listening. Some of you, sadly, might not be listening. Some of you might still be looking for excuses. Some of you may have just come to the realization that you have none.<br />
<br />
It’s of no consequence that I don’t know which person you are. I’m not your conscience. Although, it might be easier to blame me for what might be going on inside you right now instead of dealing with and facing the conscience God has given you.<br />
<br />
With the above in mind, I will once again ask my first question. Have you been sent?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Have You Been Sent?</span></b><br />
<br />
Again to our passage:<br />
<blockquote>“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news’” (Romans 10:14-15).</blockquote>“And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”<br />
<br />
Sadly, it is likely that most open-air preachers on the streets today are not sent out to do so. They have examined themselves. They have qualified themselves. They have called themselves. They have sent themselves.<br />
<br />
Worse still, some of them have been examined, qualified, called, and sent by other open-air preachers. Other self-made preachers unbiblically sending out other self-made preachers. There are men, even women, on the streets today that I had a part in sending. I was not their pastor. I was an over-zealous street preacher who thought it good to put as many Christians as possible on the street to herald the gospel. I was wrong. And I’ve done my best to repent of that wrong, at the loss of not a few friends.<br />
<br />
There were many reasons why, by God’s grace, I was brought to the realization of my error—not the least of which is this one. There is not a shred of biblical support, in neither narrative nor instructional form, of a Christian man sending himself out to the field to serve as one of God’s heralds.<br />
<br />
To make such an assertion is to certainly bring a bold biblical character to the minds of those who want to disagree. And his name would be Apollos. In Acts 18:26, we read:<br />
<blockquote>“He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”</blockquote>Apollos is a wonderful example of boldness. Apollos is a man to whom every Christian, man or woman, young or old, should look as a role model for bold, biblical witnessing. But he was not a herald.<br />
<br />
Apollos, according to the Greek text, was frank in utterance and spoke with a boldness of speech that was evidence of a confident spirit. Yet there is no Scriptural indication that he was an open-air preacher, or that he was ever called by a local church to serve the church as a preacher.<br />
<br />
Apollos wasn’t sent. On the other hand, John the Baptist was sent by God. In Luke 3:1-6, we read:<br />
<blockquote>“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,<br />
<br />
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:<br />
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,<br />
make his paths straight.<br />
Every valley shall be filled,<br />
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,<br />
and the crooked shall become straight,<br />
and the rough places shall become level ways,<br />
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”</blockquote>God the Son was sent by God the Father to serve, in part, as the perfect herald. We are told this in Luke 4:16-21:<br />
<blockquote>And he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,<br />
<br />
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,<br />
because he has anointed me<br />
to proclaim good news to the poor.<br />
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives<br />
and recovering of sight to the blind,<br />
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,<br />
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”<br />
<br />
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”</blockquote>Jesus sent the apostles out to herald the good news. In Matthew 10:1-7, we read:<br />
<blockquote>"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.<br />
<br />
"These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’"</blockquote>The apostle Paul was called and sent by Christ. In Acts 26:15-18, we read:<br />
<blockquote>"And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen in me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’"</blockquote>And in Romans 1:1-6, we read:<br />
<blockquote>"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."</blockquote>So, how is it that a man is sent to herald the gospel?<br />
<br />
First, a man is called to serve Christ as a herald. And this is a two-part call. First, there is an inner call, a desire, a sense that serving Christ in this unique, unpopular, misunderstood, difficult to fund, frightening-to-other-Christians way is what God would have you do.<br />
<br />
I have met many, many men and women who believe with all their hearts that God has called them to be open-air preachers. Among the men in this lot, I have met many who, I believe, truly have been called to this noble work. But it is not for me, their friend, or even if I happen to be someone they look up to, to affirm their call to be an open-air preacher. Oh, I can tell them that I think they are a good preacher, or that they have potential to be a good preacher. But it is not my place to legitimize what they believe is a call from God to preach.<br />
<br />
I’ve desired to do many things in my life. In some cases, the desire has been so deep within me, so palatable, so seemingly spiritual, that I assumed the desire must be a call from God. There have been many times when I have been wrong—times when I simply convinced myself that my desires were God’s calls in my life.<br />
<br />
So, how can a man know if what he believes is a call of God on his life is, in fact, an authentic call?<br />
<br />
This is where the second element of the call comes in—the church element.<br />
<br />
Since its earliest days, the church has been organized. While the church is not a structure, it most certainly is structured. In Acts 6:1-6, we read:<br />
<blockquote>“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”</blockquote>The calling of men to ministry not only included the laying on of hands, but appointment by the apostles/elders to specific roles and tasks. In Acts 13:1-3, we read:<br />
<blockquote>“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”</blockquote>Even the leaders of each church were men who were examined and then appointed to the role. In Acts 14:23, we read:<br />
<blockquote>“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”</blockquote>While all church members are to give a defense for the hope that is in them, not all church members are not meant to preach in the sense of a herald. In the early Church, this was confined to the prophets, apostles, elders, and evangelists. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “We must not have the notion that every member, every man, is to be a preacher. [The idea of being] 'sent' always has a limiting connotation.”<br />
<br />
The customary or usual way in which preaching happened, both in the first century church and throughout post-apostolic history is that a man senses a call to preach. The elders then examine the man to see if he is in fact called and qualified to preach. And then the elders, through public affirmation, such as the laying on of hands, calls the man to preach.<br />
<br />
Once the Church came into being, not even the apostles acted independently of the Church. Even the apostle Paul, called and commissioned, in person, by the Lord Jesus Christ, submitted to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. He subjected himself to their examination and he was sent by them to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles.<br />
<br />
In post-apostolic history:<br />
<br />
Most men have been called by the church, often times before he even senses an inner call. Sometimes, of course, it is the other way around.<br />
<br />
The church is at times so apostate when she doesn't recognize the preachers in her midst. There are examples, like Howell Harris, men who preached without the calling of the church.<br />
<br />
Many times men “run, but are not sent” (and see Matthew 7:21-23).<br />
<br />
The great and noteworthy men of God throughout history approached such a call with fear and trembling. There is no greater confirmation of a man’s call to preach than his humility and sense of unworthiness for the task.<br />
<br />
“Preaching is the most important thing under the sun. Nothing is more important than to herald the gospel” (Lloyd-Jones).<br />
<br />
Great care must be exercised to determine if a man is competent to herald the gospel. Is the man’s doctrine right? If he’s sent by the church, it can be determined. If he is not, then it cannot be determined. And if the man goes doctrinally astray, who, if not the elders of the local church will discipline him? His fellow open-air preachers? Cults are forming as a result of that practice.<br />
<br />
It is utterly unscriptural for a man to set himself up as a preacher. There is no example in either testament, except for the false prophets and teachers. A man does not send himself.<br />
<br />
It is equally wrong for one man to appoint another. If there is no action of on the part of the church, even if it is simply an affirmation, then there is not commissioning. And the commissioning of and by a local church is the difference between simply going on your own and being sent.<br />
<br />
Every man did that which was right in his own eyes…..Far easier in America. Para-church ministries, quasi-churches, etc.<br />
<br />
Spurgeon: “The Lord has told me to preach here next Thursday night.” “Well, he hasn't told me yet.”<br />
<br />
We should never be content with our own feelings on the matter. If you are really called of God, the church will call you.<br />
<br />
What about times of apostasy? GO FIND A CHURCH!<br />
<br />
The open-air preacher, the public herald of the gospel, should be sent by his local church. Now, I know there are men in this room and who will listen to this message, who are in weak churches where the gospel is preached, but there is an element of the fear of man and the acquiescence to unbiblical traditions in the area of evangelism. And yes, as I've already said, there have been times throughout church history when the church was so unbiblical, when the gospel was an unwelcome message within the four walls of the church, that biblical preachers were forced out of the building and literally into the fields and graveyards outside the churches.<br />
<br />
But I also believe that there are unqualified men, determined to open-air preacher whether or not they are biblically qualified to do so, who use the “there are no good churches” excuse to justify their sin of refusing to submit themselves to the authority of the local church.<br />
<br />
Some men are so proud, so arrogant, so haughty that they refuse to even consider that, for biblical reasons—reasons of character, maturity, and ability—they should not be on the streets heralding the gospel. And these men quickly expose themselves as unqualified, even unscrupulous men, through their errant theology, poor behavior, and nomadic lifestyle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Who Are You Sending?</span></b><br />
<br />
As planned, I've spent the bulk of this session asking and answering the first of two questions: Have you been sent? In what little time we have remaining, I want to ask the second question: Who are you sending?<br />
<br />
Again, we look to our text:<br />
<blockquote>“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news’” (Romans 10:14-15).</blockquote>“And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”<br />
<br />
Pastors, there are many legitimate reasons for you to be skeptical of open-air preachers, especially men you do not know. But pastors, you have no biblical warrant, none, to be skeptical of open-air preaching.<br />
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Pastors, with love and respect for you as men of God and for your positions of authority in the Body of Christ—His Church—I submit to you that every reason you have (if, indeed, you have any) for not supporting the public heralding of the gospel might be philosophical. They might be cultural. But they have never been, and they never will be, biblical.<br />
<br />
And I believe—and again, I say this with love and respect—I believe I will find in every reason you present to me for not supporting the public proclamation of the gospel either a fear of man, a love of self, or both. And I fear I will also find a certain level of unintended treachery—unintended acts of treason against the King of kings as you ignore the commands of the King and instead make the King’s enemies the ones who determine when the King’s evangelistic commands will be obeyed and how His commands will be obeyed.<br />
<br />
So, beloved pastors, God’s appointed leaders of His Church, assigned undershepherds of the Great Shepherd’s flocks, who are you sending? Who are your Lollards—your men who, like the brave young men discipled by John Wycliffe who, upon their appointment as preachers, were given their first English bibles and sent out to die?<br />
<br />
Pastor, who are you sending? How will the world hear without preachers? And how will the preachers preach unless they are sent? When will your pulpit resemble John Calvin’s “School of Death?” John Calvin who sent out from under his teaching and discipleship more than 90 missionaries—men who would take their bibles, preach wherever they found listening ears, and die martyrs’ deaths—yes, this lesser known, lesser talked about John Calvin.<br />
<br />
Pastor, who are you sending? How will the world hear without preachers? And how will the preachers preach unless they are sent? Pastor, who are you sending? Where are your young men who, like Spurgeon’s students at his Pastor’s College, were required to preach the gospel in the open-air for upward of two years before they began their pulpit ministries?<br />
<br />
Pastor, are there men, is there even a single man in your church who, by night, weeps bitter tears, waiting for you and the rest of the elders of your church to pace his courage, match his resolve, share his heart? Is there one man in your church of hundreds who comes to you on a regular basis and says, “Pastor, I've heard your call from the pulpit to reach the lost with the gospel?” But when you find out he wants to herald the gospel in the open-air, do you find a way to discourage or even ignore him? Are you frustrated with your pews being filled with people depravedly indifferent to the eternal plight of the lost while, at the same time, you ignore the one man in your church who says, “Here I am, pastor, please send me?”<br />
<br />
Pastor, is it that you won’t send men in your church to take their bibles, go to the public square, and, if need be die a martyrs’ death, because you are afraid to do so yourself? Pastor, if this is you, it is time for you to repent and to stop allowing your fear of man to be a stumbling block to the man or men in your church who are genuinely called of God to serve as His heralds on the streets.<br />
<br />
Pastor, you might be thinking, “I would send such a man, if I had even one such man in my church.” Pastor, if you don’t have such a man in your church, it’s your fault. I love you pastor, but it’s your fault. The reason you have no such men in your church is because you are not training your men to take their bibles, go to the highways and byways, die to themselves and, if need be, die for Christ’s sake, for the sake of His gospel, and for the sake of the lost.<br />
<br />
Remember, pastor, many men throughout history who served Christ as heralds were discipled and called by the church, before they ever sensed an internal call from God to go and preach. Pastor, I ask again (and I hope the question rings in your ears until you take action), who are you sending?<br />
<br />
Who are you sending?<br />
<br />
Pastor, just as there is no excuse for nomads to roam the countryside, and city streets, and college campuses to ply their self-examined, self-appointed, self-anointed ministry wares and bring a reproach upon the great name of Jesus in the process, there is no excuse for you not to be actively, prayerfully, passionately, and sacrificially engaged in raising up this generation’s Lollards.<br />
<br />
How many more times will a man in your church, with trembling voice and a tear in his eye, plead, “Here I am, pastor, please send me?” How many more times will such a plea fall on deaf ears? How long, pastor, will the Lord of the Harvest allow you to keep one of His lampstands in your church, as you snuff out candle after candle in the hearts of men who are willing to be burned at stakes to preach the gospel in the streets?<br />
<br />
Pastor, I know of what I speak. I was such a man—a man who spent 18 months being examined by the elders of his church. At the end of that time of deep, probing, thoughtful examination, the elders, to a man, said, “We affirm that God has called you to preach the gospel in the open-air.” And with the next breath they said, “But we think you should do it somewhere else. We think you should go find a church that supports that kind of evangelistic ministry.”<br />
<br />
And so, with a broken heart, that’s what I did. I found such a church—the church my family and I call home, today. And I’m happy to say that several other churches, learning of my former church’s decision, said, “Come, Tony. Serve, here. We will send you out.”<br />
<br />
Who will you be, pastor. Will you be the man who sends the herald onto the streets? Or will you be the pastor who simply sends the herald away?<br />
<br />
Who are you sending, pastor? Who will you send?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
<br />
Yes, the open-air preacher must be a sent man. Yes, the local church must send the men to open-air preach. This is biblical. And that is enough.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><IFRAME width="450" height="97" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=41151616406" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></IFRAME><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-79507889066518829502015-03-22T16:29:00.002-07:002015-03-22T16:29:41.429-07:00Word Study: παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia)<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Definition</b></span><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3954&t=KJV">παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia)</a></b> – 1. Freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment; without ambiguity or circumlocution; without the use of figures and comparisons. 2. Free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance. 3. The deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity. <br />
<br />
A French philosopher, Michel Foucault (1926-1984), who was influenced, by all people, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (best known for his “God is dead” philosophy), <b><a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02773945.2012.740130#abstract">wrote extensively about this important Greek word</a></b>. <br />
<blockquote>
“Foucault's most complete conceptual analysis of parrēsia appears in his last lecture series, published as The Courage of Truth, when, in the first lecture, he summarizes the previous years' lectures on parrēsia. To paraphrase Foucault: parrēsia occurs when a speaker, at risk to himself or herself, speaks an unwelcome truth or gives unwelcome advice to a powerful person or group (9–11). After defining parrēsia thus, Foucault offers this detailed analysis:<br />
<blockquote>
‘In short parrhēsia, the act of truth, requires: first, the manifestation of a fundamental bond between the truth spoken and the thought of the person who spoke it; [second], a challenge to the bond between the two interlocutors (the person who speaks the truth and the person to whom this truth is addressed). Hence this new feature of parrhēsia: it involves some form of courage, the minimal form of which consists in the parrhesiast taking the risk of breaking and ending the relationship to the other person which was precisely what made his discourse possible. In a way, the parrhesiast always risks undermining that relationship which is the condition of possibility for his discourse (Courage of Truth 11; translator's interpolation).’”</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Puritan theologian John Gill, in his <b><a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/acts/4.htm">commentary on Acts 4:29</a></b>, defined παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia) this way: <br />
<blockquote>
“. . . that with all boldness they may speak thy word; and not their own, or another's; the Gospel, which is God's speech, or a word, a message of grace and mercy from him to sinful creatures. The request of the whole church is, that the ministers of the word might not be intimidated by the menaces of the sanhedrim; but go on to declare it with all freedom of expression, with all boldness, courage, and intrepidity of mind, and all openness and faithfulness, and in the most public manner. And such a petition shows, that as it is gift of God to speak his word, or preach his Gospel, so it also is, to speak it freely, boldly, and faithfully, as it should be spoken.”</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Occurrences in Scripture (ESV)</b></span><br />
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This is not an exhaustive list. The English translation of the Greek word παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia) is indicated in <b><span style="color: red;">red</span></b>. Following each verse/passage of Scripture are my brief notes (<i>italicized</i>).<br />
<br />
“And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this <b><span style="color: red;">plainly</span></b>. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man’” (Mark 8:31-33).<br />
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<i>What comes to mind when you hear someone say, "That man is 'plain-spoken?'"</i><br />
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“After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known <b><span style="color: red;">openly</span></b>. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ For not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:1-5).<br />
<br />
<i>Boldness carries with it the idea of being open, up front, and in plain sight. A bold person is never in hiding.</i><br />
<br />
“And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, ‘He is a good man,’ others said, ‘No, he is leading the people astray.’ Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke <b><span style="color: red;">openly</span></b> of him” (John 7:12-13).<br />
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<i>Fear is the opposite of boldness. God has not given the Christian a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power and love and self-control (see 2 Timothy 1:7).</i><br />
<br />
“Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, ‘Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking <b><span style="color: red;">openly</span></b>, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ’” (John 7:25-26)?<br />
<br />
<i>Boldness is a behavior that testifies to the character trait of courage. Boldness is not simply seen in the mirror; it is seen by others.</i><br />
<br />
‘Jesus therefore no longer walked <b><span style="color: red;">openly</span></b> among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples’ (John 11:54).<br />
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<i>Those who are bold often maintain higher profiles--not as attention-seekers, but as those who, even in humility, are a presence or a force with which to be reckoned.</i><br />
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“Since we have such a hope, we are very <b><span style="color: red;">bold</span></b>, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end” (2 Corinthians 3:12-13).<br />
<br />
<i>See 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6 for more context.</i><br />
<br />
<i>From <b><a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/2_corinthians/3.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></b>:</i><br />
<blockquote>
<i>"3:12-18 It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and improve these privileges. We should not rest contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into union with Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to shine, the faces of Christians shine also."</i></blockquote>
“Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great <b><span style="color: red;">boldness</span></b> toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4).<br />
<br />
<i>With biblical boldness comes humility, other-mindedness, contentment, and joy.</i><br />
<br />
“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have <b><span style="color: red;">boldness</span></b> and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:7-13).<br />
<br />
<i>The Christian's boldness not only comes <u>from</u> Christ, but his boldness is also <u>in</u> Christ. The same boldness that gives us the confidence to approach Christ is ours also to approach people on behalf of Christ.</i><br />
<br />
‘In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth <b><span style="color: red;">boldly</span></b> to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it <b><span style="color: red;">boldly</span></b>, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:16-20).<br />
<br />
<i>All Christian boldness not only includes, but requires and demands the opening of the mouth.</i><br />
<br />
“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.<br />
<br />
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full <b><span style="color: red;">courage</span></b> now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:18-21).<br />
<br />
<i>If you are not a bold witness for Christ, could it be that you are ashamed of Christ? And if this is the case, where does your assurance of salvation lie? Might you need to examine yourself, and test yourself, to see if you are even in the faith?</i><br />
<br />
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to <b><span style="color: red;">open shame</span></b>, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:13-15).<br />
<br />
<i>At the cross, Christ boldly and publicly shamed his enemies--all of them. The triumphant boldness of Christ on the cross shames not only His enemies, but also should shame the Christian who fears man to the point of causing him to refuse to open his mouth to testify for and about the Lord Jesus Christ.</i><br />
<br />
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with <b><span style="color: red;">confidence</span></b> draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).<br />
<br />
“Therefore, brothers, since we have <b><span style="color: red;">confidence</span></b> to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23).<br />
<br />
<i>How can any Christian claim to have confidence to approach the very throne of the King, while living comfortably and cowardly with a lack of confidence to call others to repent and believe the gospel?</i><br />
<br />
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the <b><span style="color: red;">confidence</span></b> that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:13-15).<br />
<br />
<i>Because of Christ's propitiation and our redemption as a result, we can boldly petition our God, with the confidence of knowing He will answer.</i><br />
<br />
“‘And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’<br />
<br />
“Now when they saw the <b><span style="color: red;">boldness</span></b> of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:12-13).<br />
<br />
<i>Christian boldness is an astonishing thing to behold, even to the unbeliever.</i><br />
<br />
“‘And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all <b>boldness</b>, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with <b>boldness</b>” (Acts 4:29-31).<br />
<br />
<i>Boldness was part of the first Christians' new nature, and it is part the nature of those of us who are Christians today. The first Christians prayed for more of the same--for more of the same boldness they already had. The worse the persecution, the greater the opposition, and the more costly their faith, the more boldness the first Christians wanted.</i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Closing Remarks</span></b><br />
<br />
<i>Christian: your faith in Christ was never intended to be a private matter. The purpose of a lamp is always to shed light. Unless a lamp is lit, it is a useless ornament and nothing more than a decorative piece of furniture.<br />
<br />
God has given every Christian boldness--some more than others--but every Christian has boldness as part of their new nature. The question is will you light the room by boldly opening your mouth to proclaim the gospel? Or will you settle for being an ornament, a decorative piece, serving little to no purpose.</i><br />
<br />
And here is the audio of the study.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=3211517574010" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-65345546223831321792015-03-11T17:19:00.001-07:002015-03-11T17:19:41.611-07:00Evangelism Report: UC Santa Barbara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmglaM2PHo0uYxCrdS5cbMuVHwQmxNKTcsqySACKzEVtzJf05q5idpuDD98KYVjuKRhLNa0JfNXLUkHNiW24Yl86xNR2eUJcgPcu0nUNwl1Jsb8YAnIBa9H_MbOMIrNTG4Rj46Wjnynk02/s1600/001_Keith+Preaching.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmglaM2PHo0uYxCrdS5cbMuVHwQmxNKTcsqySACKzEVtzJf05q5idpuDD98KYVjuKRhLNa0JfNXLUkHNiW24Yl86xNR2eUJcgPcu0nUNwl1Jsb8YAnIBa9H_MbOMIrNTG4Rj46Wjnynk02/s400/001_Keith+Preaching.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday, <b><a href="http://whitefieldfellowship.org/">Keith Darrell</a></b> and I spent the afternoon on the campus of UC Santa Barbara. Known for its beautiful seaside location, reputation as a "party school," and 15,000 bicycles, UC Santa Barbara, like every university campus, is a place filled with people who need the gospel.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Larry</span></b><br />
<br />
Keith and I began our time on campus with prayer. As we sat in the cool shade of a tree, we noticed an elderly gentleman standing behind a very creative, handmade booth. <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iruF92fqBM">It literally looked like this</a></b>. No doubt that was the intent.<br />
<br />
Of course, there were some clear differences between the older man's and Lucy's booths. The man was not offering psychiatric help. He was offering advice and answers to questions. He did have a small donation jar, but he also had a small, bi-fold, paper tent sign that assured people his services were free.<br />
<br />
Keith had before seen the man and his booth on campus. Since the man was set up so close to where we planned to spend the day preaching, we approached him to find out what his plans were for the day. His name was Larry. After very brief introductions, Larry asked to hear our Christian testimonies, which we did not hesitate to provide.<br />
<br />
Larry was noticeably cautious with us. Throughout the conversation he gently made his opinion known that conversations with students is a better than open-air preaching, for reaching them with the gospel. Doing our best to respond to Larry with the kindness and gentleness he showed us, Keith and I tried to explain to him that if we are all proclaiming the biblical gospel, of which we are not ashamed and which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16), then our preferred methodologies are of little account. Of course, we stressed the fact that our methodologies should not be overtly offensive, while recognizing that the cross, in all of its biblical presentations, is an offense to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18).<br />
<br />
After our conversation, Larry decided to move his booth to the opposite side of the courtyard, only a couple hundred feet away. Throughout the day, I looked toward Larry's booth, almost always seeing him engaging a student in conversation. During our conversation with Larry, I was left with no reason to question the authenticity of his profession of faith. So, I rejoiced that Larry was communicating the gospel to students, in a way that was in keeping with his personality and godly preferences.<br />
<br />
Here's the audio of our conversation with Larry:<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=310152238429" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">John 1-3</span></b><br />
<br />
Keith and I are different preachers who herald the same message. That should come as no surprise. No two open-air preachers are alike in every way--at least they shouldn't be--accept for the gospel. Keith's grasp of apologetics, the sciences, and philosophy eclipses my own several times over. I can sit and listen to Keith preach and teach all day long. He has the stamina of a German Shepherd, the tenacity of a terrier, and the gentleness of a retriever. Yes, Keith "doggedly" preaches the gospel. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.<br />
<br />
I started our open-air preaching with a general law and gospel message, which I followed with the public reading of John 1-3. Here's the audio for my first open-air and Scripture reading:<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=31015235060" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Gospel of John</span></b><br />
<br />
My chosen gospel tract for the day was the Gospel of John. Through the generous donations of several people, I was able to purchase almost 1,000 bibles in English and in Spanish. I was also able to purchase several hundred copies of the Gospel of John, in English and in Spanish. With my Bible stock almost depleted, I focused on distributing copies of the Gospel of John. Dozens of students appreciatively received a copy of the fourth Gospel.<br />
<br />
As I distributed the Gospel of John, Keith began his first open-air message for the day. Almost immediately, he was engaged by a very pleasant student who professed to be an atheist (see the above photo). The interaction drew a small crowd that listened intently for some time. Keith was, of course, intentional about weaving the gospel throughout the exchange of ideas. And he left the young woman to contemplate that no matter how ardently she denied it, she was, in fact, a relativist.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel</span></b><br />
<br />
While Keith preached in the open-air, I continued distributing copies of the Gospel of John to those passing by--to those who would accept the free booklet. As happens often while distributing gospel tracts, many people when indicating they do not want a tract will say, "No. I'm good." What most people mean when they say that is that they believe they do not need what is being offered to them. A young man named Daniel walked by and said just that: "No. I'm good." Wanting to engage Daniel in conversation, I asked, "Can you give me your definition of 'good?'" Twenty-five minutes later, Daniel accepted the offer of a copy of the Gospel of John.<br />
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Here's the audio of my conversation with Daniel:<br />
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<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=31115030397" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Not an Offer of American Evangelicalism</span></b><br />
<br />
As Keith "tapped out," and I began my last open-air message of the day, I had a sense in my heart that I needed to preach a message to the students in which I made a clear distinction between American Evangelicalism and biblical Christianity. In doing so, I knew it would be important to stress that there is a cost, a real cost, for following Jesus Christ. While the crowd was small, those present listened intently, with most staying for the entire message. Following the message, a number of students accepted copies of the Gospel of John. It also led to a good conversation with a freshman named Michael who recently converted from the Church of the Nazarene to the Orthodox faith.<br />
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Here's the audio of my last open-air sermon of the day:<br />
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<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=31115058201" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Demoniacs?</span></b><br />
<br />
Those who know me well know that I am not one to look for or find demons under every rock. While I fully believe in the spiritual forces of darkness (because I believe the Bible), I think much of what I see on the streets in the behavior of people can be attribute to their sinful hatred of God and love of self, and not the direct, possessive influence of Satan. However, there have been times in the last decade when I've been left to wonder, to the point of almost being convinced, that I had been in the presence of a demon-possessed person.<br />
<br />
Yesterday on the campus of UC Santa Barbara it happened not once, but twice.<br />
<br />
When we arrived at our spot on campus, we noticed a middle-aged woman sitting at a nearby picnic table. We never could determine what she was doing, but she had the picnic table covered with a large piece of black felt or cloth. While distributing copies of the Gospel of John, I approached the lady as she was packing up to leave.<br />
<br />
The woman had a look in her eyes that gave me the impression she was there and, at the same time, she wasn't there--if you know what I mean. I asked her if she would like a copy of the Gospel of John. She immediately became hostile. The audio doesn't do the encounter justice. Her posture, the look in her eyes, her facial expression, and the tone of her voice: every aspect of the encounter left me wondering if I had been in the presence of a demoniac.<br />
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Here's the audio of our very brief interaction:<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=311151958200" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed--><br />
<br />
The second suspicious encounter was with a large man in his mid-30's. He was dressed in black, with very dark sunglasses, and (I'm not kidding) an Anton Lavey-esque goatee.<br />
<br />
As I preached my last open-air message of the day, the man stood a short distance away and to my right. He stood with his arms folded, eyes locked on me, and a very unhappy look on his face.<br />
<br />
At one point during my message, I asked those gathered and listening if anyone had lived a perfect life. The man in black slowly and methodically raised his hand. "Sir?" I asked. "Are you saying you have never sinned?"<br />
<br />
He slowly nodded his head without taking his eyes off me or changing his facial expression.<br />
<br />
"Well, with all due respect, I don't believe you."<br />
<br />
Nothing. No reaction. No change in posture or expression. He just stared.<br />
<br />
When I finished preaching, I was almost immediately engaged by a young, very personable adherent to the Orthodox faith. The man in black had drawn closer and was standing behind me, talking to a student. I could tell he wanted to talk to me. Meanwhile, Keith sat down between me and the man and engaged the man in conversation. When I finished my conversation, I turned around to listen to Keith's conversation with the man. The conversation revolved around the man's insistence that he was perfectly righteous and his insistence that Jesus was not God.<br />
<br />
I had to leave before Keith finished his conversation with the man. But Keith would later tell me that he wondered if the man was a demoniac.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Good Day</b></span><br />
<br />
Keith and I enjoyed a good day of fellowship and side-by-side gospel ministry. Please pray for those who heard the gospel--either through our preaching, the conversations we enjoyed, and/or the Gospel of John they received.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-72341389698465555712015-02-25T20:25:00.000-08:002015-02-25T20:49:42.640-08:00The Arrest of Street Preacher Tatsuo AkamineOn Wednesday, February 25, 2015, outside of the DMV in Torrance, CA, a street preacher named Tatsuo Akamine was arrested by an officer with the California Highway Patrol. He was first detained for investigation of disturbing the peace with loud noise (415 PC). As of the time of writing this article, I do not know what were the arresting charges.<br />
<br />
Before I comment further, here is a video that documents the officer making contact with Tatsuo, which runs through to moments after his arrest. I do not know what happened before or after the segment of time captured in this video.<br />
<br />
Please watch the video in its entirety, before you continue reading.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gU8HFzmQ398" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>My Bona Fides to Write This Article</b></span><br />
<br />
While many of my readers are familiar with my law enforcement and evangelism background, there will likely be several people who read this article who have no idea who I am. And they may wonder, "What gives him the right to....."<br />
<br />
I have 20 years of law enforcement experience and 10 years of street evangelism and open-air preaching experience. I made thousands of arrests during my law enforcement career, and I served as a field training officer for a portion of that career.<br />
<br />
I've been threatened with citation and/or arrest many times while open-air preaching.<br />
<br />
I was cited once by an LAPD officer on Hollywood Boulevard who lied on the citation (citing me for using amplification when I had none on my person) and, being Korean himself, encouraged me to go to North Korea to "sell God." The significance of the Korean-American officer suggesting I go to North Korea instead of South Korea should not be lost on you, the reader.<br />
<br />
I was <b><a href="http://youtu.be/F2vu9CI5Ij4?list=PL4NJjpnG33s-XTTuhitrVBGzZ9CTPio16">arrested in London</a></b>, on July 1, 2013, for allegations of breach of peace and homophobic hate speech. I was held for seven hours and <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2013/07/police-interrogation-of-tony-miano.html">interrogated</a></b> about not only the incident, but what I thought and felt about homosexuality as a Christian. I was subsequently released from custody with no charges preferred against me.<br />
<br />
I was <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r56Opmzz6QM&list=PL4NJjpnG33s_bjNjzvzWtcTl5MhDTvrkX&index=4">arrested in Dundee, Scotland</a></b>, on January 8, 2014, for allegations of breach of peace and homophobic hate speech. I was held for 30 hours and charges were filed against me. In June of 2014, all charges were dropped after investigators and prosecutors reviewed the video evidence of my open-air preaching.<br />
<br />
I have provided training and counsel--in person, by phone, and in writing, to thousands of Christians (and several churches) regarding how to interact with private security and law enforcement. I have also provided counsel to a number of brothers in Christ following their arrests, which stemmed from open-air preaching and other forms of street evangelism.<br />
<br />
I have written and commented extensively regarding issues pertaining to how Christians should interact with law enforcement, in the context of public evangelism. <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2013/11/hello-officer-interacting-with-law.html">One article I wrote</a></b> has seen wide distribution.<br />
<br />
I have been on both sides of the criminal justice system, and I have something to say.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Personal Context and Disclosure</b></span><br />
<br />
I met Tatsuo Akamine outside of Staples Center, during the 2009 NBA championship series. He was one of a number of open-air preachers present that day. Tatsuo was friends with several of the men present--men whom I respect and hold in high regard. To the best of my recollection, I have not seen or talked to Tatsuo since that day. All I know of Tatsuo I've gleaned from watching portions of just a few of his open-air preaching videos.<br />
<br />
I have known several men--good men--who, over the years, have preached at the Torrance DMV. Each of them experienced both positive and negative contacts with people standing in line, DMV security, and law enforcement. The fact that Tatsuo was contacted by law enforcement, in and of itself, is no reason to automatically assume Tatsuo did anything to create or instigate a negative contact with law enforcement.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, I would like to restate the following. <b><u>I was not there</u></b>. I was not at the Torrance DMV when this happened. As I said at the beginning of this article, I have no idea what happened before the video starts or after the video ends.<br />
<br />
However, having only the video to critique does not invalidate a critique limited to the content of the video. I did not have to be at the Torrance DMV to speak about what I saw in this video.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Did You Talk to Tatsuo, First?</span></b><br />
<br />
I am sure to be asked the following questions certainly by some of those who will not like this article. "Did you talk to Tatsuo before writing this article?"<br />
<br />
Answer: No.<br />
<br />
I have no ax to grind with Tatsuo. I haven't seen, heard from, or thought of him in some six years. Our paths have simply not crossed. I don't know what his doctrinal positions are now. I didn't know what they were when I met him. I don't know if he is walking down the path of apostasy like some of the open-air preachers out there, or if he is a theological Rock of Gibraltar. <br />
<br />
I am under no ethical or moral obligation to talk to Tatsuo about this video before writing this article. This video has been made part of the public record, presumably by the person who made the recording, which was made at Tatsuo's request, as evidenced at the beginning of the video. I am no more obligated to contact Tatsuo before writing this article than I am obligated to contact the CHP officer before writing this article. I am no more obligated to contact Tatsuo than you are obligated to contact an author before writing a review of his or her book, or a producer before writing a review of his film.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">What Tatsuo Did Right</span></b><br />
<br />
The video makes it clear that Tatsuo positioned himself on a public sidewalk adjacent to DMV property. Therefore, regulations that apply to the exercise of free speech on DMV property did not apply to Tatsuo's open-air preaching on a public sidewalk. While Tatsuo's distance from the crowd is not germane, the video also shows that there was quite a bit of distance between Tatsuo and the people standing in line outside the DMV.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo had someone with him making a video recording.<br />
<br />
These days, the Christian who takes to the streets to proclaim the gospel in any way whatsoever and does so without having a <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/evangelism-gear-part-2-voice-recorders.html">voice recorder</a></b> and/or <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/evangelism-gear-part-1.html">video camera</a></b> with him is simply foolish. Had it not been for the presence of a video camera, I might still be in a Scottish prison to this day. Had I been found guilty on all charges and enhancements, my exposure was up to five years in prison.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo did not raise his voice or become overly animated while he talked to the officer. Had Tatsuo done otherwise, the officer could have perceived that as a precursor to a physical attack.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo put the large cone down, on the ground. With it out of his hands, the officer was less likely to perceive the cone as a potential weapon.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo, to a point, engaged the officer in respectful and reasonable conversation, asking legitimate questions.<br />
<br />
There is nothing wrong with asking the officer for information regarding the law(s) allegedly violated. There is nothing wrong with asking the officer if he was being detained or was facing arrest.<br />
<br />
Not knowing what Tatsuo preached prior to the start of the video, I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that one thing Tatsuo did right was tried to preach the gospel to lost people.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, in my opinion, based on my training and experience, this is where the list of things Tatsuo did right comes to an end.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>What Did Tatsuo Do Wrong?</b></span><br />
<br />
Tatsuo initially refused to give the officer his identification.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo was lawfully detained for the investigation of a crime. It matters not whether a crime was actually committed. Officers lawfully detain people every day for investigation of infractions, misdemeanors, and felonious crimes, later to determine that no crime was committed. The officer was there, either because someone called to complain about the preaching or because the officer observed what he believed could have been a violation of law. Under these circumstances, Tatsuo was obligated, by law, to show the officer his identification.<br />
<br />
The moment Tatsuo refused to show his identification to the officer, he was subject to arrest. The officer was not required to ask Tatsuo more than once for his identification. The officer was under no obligation whatsoever to negotiate with Tatsuo.<br />
<br />
The moment Tatsuo refused to show his identification, since he was being lawfully detained, he was also subject to search. The law allows for an officer to conduct a patdown search of a person being lawfully detained for weapons, for reasons of officer safety. The law also allows for an officer to search someone being lawfully detained for identification when the person being detained either cannot or refuses to show identification.<br />
<br />
The moment Tatsuo refused to comply with the officer's lawful orders to turn around and place his hands over his head, for the purpose of either a cursory search for weapons or a search for his identification, he was subject to arrest. The officer, at that moment, could use whatever amount of force he deemed both reasonable and necessary to overcome Tatsuo's resistance.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo was right in one sense when he told the officer he had "a choice" as to whether or not to comply with the officer. What he experienced from that moment were the consequences of a bad choice. He was not being persecuted at that moment; he was breaking the law by physically resisting an officer.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo was very fortunate that he was not injured. The way Tatsuo locked up his body and clenched his hands together, which are behaviors that are obvious to even the untrained eye watching the video, were aggressive acts, which could lead a reasonable officer to believe a physical altercation was imminent. Again, the officer is, at this point, justified to use whatever level of force necessary to overcome Tatsuo's resistance. The officer was not obligated to "play fair" or use the same level of force Tatsuo was using to resist.<br />
<br />
Even though Tatsuo was resisting, the officer shows commendable restraint by trying to deescalate the situation through conversation--explaining his "plan" to Tatsuo.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo, not the officer, then re-escalates the situation by refusing to comply with the officer. He refuses to obey the officer's lawful command to "turn around," and then he resists the officer's efforts to turn him around.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo momentarily resists the officer's command and efforts to place Tatsuo's hands above his head. Tatsuo then refuses to spread his legs and resists, multiple times, the officer's efforts to move his legs so he could safely conduct a search of Tatsuo's person, incident to a lawful arrest.<br />
<br />
Even after being handcuffed, Tatsuo continues to physically and unlawfully resist the officer.<br />
<br />
Then, Tatsuo and his friends begin to make a scene by shouting.<br />
<br />
<i>Any</i> officer--<i>any reasonable officer</i>--would experience myriad of emotions as a result of recognizing he or she was in real and present danger. That the officer didn't put out an assistance request at this moment is a discussion for another time. I cannot get into the officer's head to ascertain to what degree he was in fear for his safety.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo then foolishly asks his friend with the camera to follow him, now putting his friend in potential danger and maybe even making him subject to arrest.<br />
<br />
For reasons of officer safety, the officer's order to Tatsuo's friend not to follow him was reasonable and appropriate, considering the circumstances. The officer even told Tatsuo's friend, "You're violating my officer safety!" But foolishly, the person behind the camera argues with the officer.<br />
<br />
The video ends with Tatsuo being escorted in handcuffs to the patrol car, while Tatsuo shouts Scripture quotes about persecution. Another person, away from the camera, begins to preach.<br />
<br />
While I do not believe Tatsuo was in violation of California Penal Code section 415 (disturbing the peace), I also do not believe Tatsuo was persecuted for his faith. I believe he simply suffered the consequences for his unlawful behavior. And, sadly, that same behavior brought a reproach upon Christ and His gospel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">What the Officer Did Wrong</span></b><br />
<br />
Tatsuo was not the only one to make mistakes, egregious mistakes, in this situation. The officer made mistakes, too.<br />
<br />
As many street cops seem to be these days, the CHP officer in this video appears to have a wrong understanding about the relationship between catch-all "disturbing the peace" laws and ordinances and a person's First Amendment right to open his mouth, raise his voice, and proclaim his deeply held religious beliefs, regardless of the religion, in a public place.<br />
<br />
Piecing together what I can from just a six-minute video, it appears the officer's assertion that Tatsuo was disturbing the peace was a result of a complaint or complaints made by people standing in line at the DMV regarding Tatsuo's loud preaching. Having received those complaints, the CHP dispatched the officer to the DMV.<br />
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The fact that people were bothered by Tatsuo's preaching, in and of itself, does not necessarily constitute disturbing the peace. The Bill of Rights protects the freedom <i>of</i> religion not the freedom <i>from</i> religion. The First Amendment protects a person's right to speak, not a person's desire not to hear something in a public place they don't like. In other words, a heckler doesn't have veto power over someone lawfully speaking in a public place. <br />
<br />
In a 1951 Supreme Court case, <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feiner_v._New_York">Feiner v. New York</a></b>, the Supreme Court "reaffirmed that a speaker cannot be arrested for the content of his speech, and that the police must not be used as an instrument to silence unpopular views, but must be used to silence a speaker who is trying to incite a riot."<br />
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While the courts are <b><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/388181/ninth-circuit-guts-student-free-speech-upholds-hecklers-veto-american-flag-david">trying to change legal precedence</a></b> that has stood for more than 60 years, for now the law of the land remains that the government cannot silence public speech simply because listeners are annoyed or even offended by the content of the speech.<br />
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In the video, the officer cited that Tatsuo was using amplification. Most municipal ordinances, when regulating the use of amplification, specify that amplified sound refers to sound which is electronically enhanced/amplified. In most cases, using a cheerleader-type cone does not constitute, in a legal sense, amplified sound. Tatsua can be heard in the video, more than once, trying to explain to the officer that he has talked to Torrance PD officers on multiple occasions and that he has received some assurances that standing on the sidewalk and preaching with a cone falls within the guidelines of local ordinances.<br />
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Curious as to what the noise regulations are for the City of Torrance, I looked up <b><a href="http://www.codepublishing.com/ca/torrance/mobile/?pg=Torrance04/Torrance0406.html">the code</a></b>. Under "Definitions," in section 46.1.2 (j), it reads:<br />
<blockquote>
"Sound amplifying equipment shall mean any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. Sound amplifying equipment shall not include standard automobile radios when used and heard only by the occupants of the vehicle in which the automobile radio is installed. Sound amplifying equipment, as used in this Chapter, shall not include warning devices on authorized emergency vehicles or horns or other warning devices on any vehicle used only for traffic safety purposes."</blockquote>
The City of Torrance's definition of "sound amplification equipment" is vague, at best. Unfortunately, this gives officers on the street a great deal of latitude when determining what is and what isn't sound amplification equipment. While most officers would not see Tatsuo's cheerleader cone as an amplification device, the code leaves room for an officer to have a differing opinion.<br />
<br />
In section 46.5.3 of the City of Torrance Municipal Code, guidelines are given for the use of amplified sound. Once again, the ordinance is vague, not specifying amplified sound as that which is produced electronically.<br />
<br />
While the officer could have legitimately (although, in my opinion, unreasonably) considered Tatsuo's cone "amplified sound," the officer still had a problem. The officer insisted that Tatsuo was not allowed to be, well, loud--that raising his voice was a violation of 415 PC. The City of Torrance Municipal Code, like most municipal codes are not on the officer's side.<br />
<br />
In order for the officer to make a legal determination that Tatsuo's preaching was "too loud," the officer is required by statute to use a device to determine just how loud Tatsuo's preaching was. The law does not allow for an officer's subjective determination as to what does and does not constitute noise that is "too loud." According to section 46.1.3 of the City of Torrance Municipal Code:<br />
<blockquote>
"Noise levels shall be measured with a sound level meter satisfying the requirements of ASA S1.4-1961, American Standard Specification for General Purpose Sound Level Meters, or latest revision thereof. Noise level of steady or slowly varying sounds shall be measured using the slow dynamic characteristic of the sound level meter and by reading the central tendency of the needle. Noise level of impulse sounds shall be measured using the fast dynamic characteristic of the sound level meter and by reading the maximum indication of the needle."</blockquote>
Section 46.7.2 gives very specific enforcement guidelines in which readings of both ambient and source noise levels must be taken before a determination of a code violation can be determined.<br />
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The officer was wrong. He was wrong about his application of 415 PC, and he was wrong by applying an arbitrary standard for what constituted loud noise.<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Tatsuo's Choices</b></span><br />
<br />
There were at least three ways Tatsuo could have handled this situation:<br />
<br />
1. Submit to the officer's request to stop preaching, contact legal representation such as Alliance Defending Freedom, and allow attorneys to try to bring the situation to a positive resolution--one that would allow Tatsuo to continue preaching at the Torrance DMV<br />
<br />
2. Refuse to submit to the officer's request to stop preaching, subject himself to arrest, and peaceably allow himself to either be cited in the field, or be taken to the station where he would likely be booked, cited, and released. He could then challenge the law in the courts.<br />
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3. Go the hard way..... Refuse to comply with the officer's request to stop preaching, resist arrest, create more legal problems for himself, and bring a reproach upon Christ and His gospel. This was the choice Tatsuo made. This was the worst and most unbiblical choice of the three.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Scriptural Considerations</span></b><br />
<blockquote>
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience" (Romans 13:1-5).</blockquote>
The governing authority, in this case a CHP officer, was wrong in his application of the law. Yet in this situation, Tatsuo should have submitted to his authority. The officer responded to a complaint of noise. There is no evidence (and conspiracy theorists may hate me for this one) that the officer asked Tatsuo to stop preaching because of the content of his message. This was not an Acts 3-5 situation. Tatsuo was not ordered to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. He was ordered to, well, pipe down. There is no indication that this officer would not have acted the same way, making the same mistakes and doing the same right things, if Tatsuo had been a street preaching Muslim or Mormon.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo was not persecuted for what he said. He was not persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10-11). No; sadly, Tatsuo was detained and subsequently arrested for what he did.<br />
<blockquote>
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:13-17).</blockquote>
Tatsuo had an opportunity to bring glory to Christ. He had the opportunity to silence the ignorance of foolish people. But he missed both opportunities and chose to sin instead. Instead of silencing those standing in line who may have been mocking Christ and His gospel, Tatsuo's behavior, particularly toward the officer, gave mockers and revilers more opportunity to store up wrath for themselves on the day of wrath (Romans 2:5). Tatsuo's behavior likely encouraged blasphemers and haters of God to foolishly further justify their unbelief.<br />
<br />
I do not know or even presume to know Tatsuo's heart. So, I cannot say that in this situation Tatsuo used his freedom in Christ and freedom as an American citizen as a cover-up for evil. I am only evaluating his actions in the context of the video. However, I believe Tatsuo wrongly tried to assert his freedoms and did so in such away that resulted in evil--sin.<br />
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Again, the officer was wrong in his application of the law, but he did not behave unbecomingly in the video. He was not disrespectful toward Tatsuo or anyone else in his group. While his application of 415 PC was in error, he behaved professionally. The officer did not threaten Tatsuo in order to force or coerce him to choose man over God. The officer did not order him, under threat of harm or imprisonment, to not teach in the name of Jesus. The officer, while wrong in his application of a particular penal code section, acted professionally, patiently, and again, showed commendable restraint when Tatsuo began to physically resist him.<br />
<br />
Tatsuo did not, as a servant of God, honor the officer. By resisting arrest and then creating a scene, which could have escalated the situation into something more dangerous for both Tatsuo and the officer, Tatsuo disobeyed and physically challenged a man put in place as an authoritative representative of the government. He dishonored one serving as a representative of an institution established by God. Tatsuo did not break the law by raising his voice on a public sidewalk, outside the Torrance DMV. But he did break the law, multiple laws, when he escalated the situation and refused to obey the officer. He sinned. He needs to publicly confess his public sin and repent before God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">What Will Be The Outcome?</span></b><br />
<br />
Had this situation ended quietly with Tatsuo receiving a citation for disturbing the peace, I doubt he would have ever seen the inside of a courtroom. I believe as soon as the district attorney or a judge saw the circumstances surrounding the citation, the case would have been dismissed.<br />
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There is still the possibility of that happening. It is possible, in spite of Tatsuo's actual crimes post-contact with the officer, depending on whether or not other charges beyond 415 PC are filed, that any and all charges might be dismissed. It is possible the D.A. will look at the totality of the circumstances, see that Tatsuo's other crimes, which did not result in injury to the officer, were the result of the officer's misapplication of 415 PC, and dismiss the case.<br />
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However, Tatsuo upped the ante when he refused to show his identification, resisted arrest, and created a disturbance as he was being escorted to the patrol car. The D.A. could choose not to file the 415 PC charge and simply file a charge of resisting an officer. The D.A. could concede that Tatsuo did not disturb the peace, but he interfered with an officer in the performance of his duties.<br />
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Of course, a dozen other scenarios could play out, with the outcome being something I'm not considering.<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>The Sovereignty of God in Tatsuo's Sin</b></span><br />
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Tatsuo's behavior, as dishonoring as it was to Christ and His gospel, did not and will not push a single person away from Jesus. No one's salvation is contingent upon how Tatsuo behaved during this incident. If the CHP officer or the people standing in line at the DMV, or anyone else present at the time of Tatsuo's arrest were offended by Tatsuo's behavior, or if any of them are presently using his behavior as an excuse for their unbelief, there is nothing that Tatsuo did or said that can or will thwart the predetermined, eternal plan of God for the before-mentioned people.<br />
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That being said, God's sovereignty does not give me, Tatsuo, or any other Christian a license to sin. The extent to which God will discipline Tatsuo for what he did, only God knows. Whatever God decides to do and/or allow will be good and perfect and loving toward Tatsuo. Of this we can be assured (Hebrews 12:7-11).<br />
<br />
I hope Tatsuo will read this. Although the article is critical of his behavior, I hope he will be able to receive what is written in the spirit it is written.<br />
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I hope Tatsuo is released from custody soon, if he hasn't been released already.<br />
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I hope Tatsuo does not spend any time in jail if he is found guilty, in a court of law. I doubt that will happen, anyway. With the jail overcrowding and the minor nature of Tatsuo's offenses, if he is found guilty he is probably looking at a fine and probation.<br />
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I hope Tatsuo will learn from his mistakes. I hope he will humble himself enough to be able to see the mistakes he made.<br />
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I hope this situation draws Tatsuo closer to Christ and is used by God to further mature his faith.<br />
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And I hope in this situation and in all things the Lamb will receive the reward for His suffering.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-14586888936123806422015-02-21T15:58:00.002-08:002015-02-21T23:37:51.659-08:00The Mall: A Great Fishing Pond..... While it Lasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3wtwvdXYarpDwbJn_IQaIXkdcSPItZYLjxnu9d7ikPIcmymf5auG5yr3cBOqWaB4-MOunmVDqah5XOFbzkylSKQ8SHISHsg1DcXJPIjwG3vAya_7dVrfPNlk-TJmtttZbe0kYIovYvBq/s1600/Mall+Table+(edit).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3wtwvdXYarpDwbJn_IQaIXkdcSPItZYLjxnu9d7ikPIcmymf5auG5yr3cBOqWaB4-MOunmVDqah5XOFbzkylSKQ8SHISHsg1DcXJPIjwG3vAya_7dVrfPNlk-TJmtttZbe0kYIovYvBq/s400/Mall+Table+(edit).jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
After reading Ray Comfort's <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Militant-Evangelism-Ray-Comfort/dp/B000W23H4C">Militant Evangelism</a></i></b>, being convicted by the Holy Spirit for my sins of evangelistic apathy and depraved indifference, I was determined to engage in biblical evangelism. Through the Living Waters website, I discovered there were other people (not many) in my area for whom the evangelism light bulb was now illumined.<br />
<br />
It was about 11 years ago that I went to a mall for the first time to engage in evangelism. A man who would become a good friend, and remains one to this day, <b><a href="http://windowdude.com/">Dru Morgan</a></b>, was my leader that evening. It was one of the first times I distributed gospel tracts, and I think it was the first time I ever engaged a stranger in evangelistic conversation. Wow. A lot of life and ministry has happened since.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Dru.<br />
<br />
The <b><a href="http://www.westfield.com/valencia/">Westfield Valencia Town Center</a> </b> is the only mall in my community. I arrived at the mall yesterday afternoon, about a half-hour before my appointed time. After I parked, I packed up my rolling cart with bibles (English and Spanish), gospel tracts (again, English and Spanish), and an assortment of other visual aids.<br />
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I made my way to the security office where I signed in. Liking to patronize the mall while I'm there, I stopped at Starbucks on my way to my assigned location, on the second floor. My spot was at the top of the escalator and situated between the children's play-place and the family lounge. A great location.<br />
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Waiting for me was a table with a nice, black tablecloth and three chairs, provided and set up by mall staff.<br />
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The above photo is what my evangelism table looked like once I set up everything.<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>It's a Different Kind of "Fishing"</b></span><br />
<br />
Allow me to use some fishing analogies to describe the various kinds of evangelism in which I engage.<br />
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Open-air preaching is like commercial fishing with nets. The preacher casts a wide net hoping to catch many fish at one time.<br />
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Engaging strangers in conversation is like fly fishing. The fly fisherman is hunting with rod and reel. He reads the flow of the stream. He looks for tell-tale signs of spots where fish might be hiding. And then he tosses the fly in the general proximity of where he suspects fish to be, hoping they will bite. Engaging strangers in one-to-one conversation involves many of the same tactics. The Christian is constantly surveying the area in which he finds himself, looking for people who might be ready for a conversation.<br />
<br />
Tract distribution is like chumming the water--throwing bait on the water to attract fish. The Christian distributes tracts hoping everyone who takes one from his hand will come to repentance and faith as they read the tract. He also hopes people will stop as they receive a gospel tract and engage in conversation.<br />
<br />
Mall evangelism is like the kind of fishing you might see in a Norman Rockwell painting. Picture a fisherman sitting on a chair or his tackle box along the shore of a peaceful pond or lake. His pole is propped up on a Y-shaped stick. He eats a sandwich, or reads a book while he waits for the pole to move, indicating that a fish is going after his bait.<br />
<br />
In all of the above scenarios, there is a common denominator. They are all examples of fishing, which doesn't always equate to <i>catching</i>.<br />
<br />
If you were to ask me what is my favorite kind of "fishing," my answer would be open-air preaching. If you were to ask me which of the before-mentioned forms of evangelism is the most effective, I would tell you they are all tied for First Place. Why? The effectiveness of evangelism, when the evangelism is biblical, is not found in a particular or preferred <i>method</i> of evangelism. The effectiveness of evangelism is found in the power of the <i>message</i> (Romans 1:16). The gospel is the power of God for salvation. <i>The gospel</i>.<br />
<br />
While God has hard-wired me to be a herald on the streets and college campuses, I love <i>all</i> forms of biblical evangelism, including (but not limited to) conversations, tract distribution, and mall evangelism.<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Some Resources</b></span><br />
<br />
If you would like to read some stories about my experiences in mall evangelism, you will find them <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/mall-evangelism-i-want-to-talk-about-god.html">here</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/mall-evangelism-christmas-present-for.html">here</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2012/08/mall-evangelism-tender-young-hearts.html">here</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/search?q=mall+evangelism">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>THE VERY BEST</i></b> mall evangelism team of which I am well-aware is the <b><a href="http://norcalseedsowers.com/">NorCal Seedsowers</a></b>. This is the group, under the leadership of my good friend, Daniel Beaudoin, who inspired me to starting "fishing" at my local mall. Daniel is also a security supervisor for the Westfield Mall in San Jose, which gives him some obvious street cred (or should I say, mall cred) when it comes to evangelizing in malls.<br />
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Seven years ago, I wrote an article titled "<b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2013/11/hello-officer-interacting-with-law.html">Hello Officer! -- Interacting with Law Enforcement and Security</a></b>." I believe you will find the information in this article helpful all of your public evangelism efforts.<br />
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<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Legalities</span></b><br />
<br />
Disclaimer: What I'm about to offer is <b><u>NOT</u></b> legal advice. I'm not an attorney, and I don't even play one on TV. The following is for informational purposes only.<br />
<br />
A 1980 United States Supreme Court decision in a landmark case, <i>Pruneyard v. Robins</i>, set the standard for the exercise on private property that is accessible by the public.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/447/74">Here's what happened</a></b>.<br />
<blockquote>
Soon after appellees had begun soliciting in appellant privately owned shopping center's central courtyard for signatures from passersby for petitions in opposition to a United Nations resolution, a security guard informed appellees that they would have to leave because their activity violated shopping center regulations prohibiting any visitor or tenant from engaging in any publicly expressive activity that is not directly related to the center's commercial purposes. Appellees immediately left the premises and later filed suit in a California state court to enjoin the shopping center and its owner (also an appellant) from denying appellees access to the center for the purpose of circulating their petitions. The trial court held that appellees were not entitled under either the Federal or California Constitution to exercise their asserted rights on the shopping center property, and the California Court of Appeal affirmed. The California Supreme Court reversed, holding that the California Constitution protects speech and petitioning, reasonably exercised, in shopping centers even when the center is privately owned, and that such result does not infringe appellants' property rights protected by the Federal Constitution.</blockquote>
And here's how the United States Supreme court <b><a href="http://aclu.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=429">decided the case</a></b>.<br />
<blockquote>
"Appellants first contend that Lloyd Corp. v. Tanner prevents the State from requiring a private shopping center owner to provide access to persons exercising their state constitutional rights of free speech and petition when adequate alternative avenues of communication are available...<br />
<br />
Our reasoning in Lloyd, however, does not ex proprio vigore [by its own strength] limit the authority of the State to exercise its police power or its sovereign right to adopt in its own Constitution individual liberties more expansive than those conferred by the Federal Constitution...<br />
<br />
Appellants next contend that a right to exclude others underlies the Fifth Amendment guarantee against the taking of property without just compensation and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee against the deprivation of property without due process of law...<br />
<br />
Here the requirement that appellants permit appellees to exercise state-protected rights of free expression and petition on shopping center property clearly does not amount to an unconstitutional infringement of appellants' property rights under the Taking Clause. There is nothing to suggest that preventing appellants from prohibiting this sort of activity will unreasonably impair the value or use of their property as a shopping center. The PruneYard is a large commercial complex that covers several city blocks, contains numerous separate business establishments, and is open to the public at large. The decision of the California Supreme Court makes it clear that the PruneYard may restrict expressive activity by adopting time, place, and manner regulations that will minimize any interference with its commercial functions. Appellees were orderly, and they limited their activity to the common areas of the shopping center. In these circumstances, the fact that they may have 'physically invaded' appellants' property cannot be viewed as determinative...<br />
<br />
Appellants finally contend that a private property owner has a First Amendment right not to be forced by the State to use his property as a forum for the speech of others...<br />
<br />
[T]he shopping center by choice of its owner is not limited to the personal use of appellants. It is instead a business establishment that is open to the public to come and go as they please. The views expressed by members of the public in passing out pamphlets or seeking signatures for a petition thus will not likely be identified with those of the owner. Second, no specific message is dictated by the State to be displayed on appellants' property. There consequently is no danger of governmental discrimination for or against a particular message. Finally, as far as appears here appellants can expressly disavow any connection with the message by simply posting signs in the area where the speakers or handbillers stand. Such signs, for example, could disclaim any sponsorship of the message and could explain that the persons are communicating their own messages by virtue of state law...<br />
<br />
We conclude that neither appellants' federally recognized property rights nor their First Amendment rights have been infringed by the California Supreme Court's decision recognizing a right of appellees to exercise state-protected rights of expression and petition on appellants' property."<br />
<br />
The US Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Supreme Court of California.</blockquote>
While this court decision was good news for free speech advocates in California and 36 other states, to this day there remains 13 states that refuse to follow the precedent set in the <i>Pruneyard v. Robins</i> case. <b><a href="http://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1247&context=clevstlrev">Those states are</a></b>: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Washington.<br />
<br />
Now, I know some of my friends who live in the before-mentioned 13 states just had their hearts broken. I'm so very sorry. Really. I know what such news would do to my spirits.<br />
<br />
But all is not lost.<br />
<br />
Just because you live in a state that has not adopted the Supreme Court decision in <i>Pruneyard v. Robins</i> as state law, that doesn't mean the malls in your area will not allow you to engage in evangelism on mall property. It simply means they are not legally <i>obligated</i> to allow you to engage in evangelism on mall property. That is an important distinction.<br />
<br />
Now, if you live in one of the 37 states that recognizes the <i>Pruneyard v. Robins</i> decision, this does not mean you can simply walk into your local mall and do whatever you want. Don't expect to waltz into the mall, stand atop a table in the food court, and start open-air preaching without quickly being told to stop and/or escorted off mall property by mall security. In the before-mentioned scenario (which has been tried by some zealous evangelists, by the way), mall management would have every legal right to send you and your gospel tracts packin'.<br />
<br />
If you look again at the Supreme Court's decision in <i>Pruneyard v. Robins</i>, you will see that business owners/management, while they cannot prohibit free speech exercise, they do have the right to regulate it. The Supreme Court indicated that businesses can establish "time, place, and manner" regulations for free speech exercise on their property. This means malls can legally require you to fill out an application and determine where, when, and how you will engage in free speech while on their property. If you do not comply with their legitimate "time, place, and manner" policy they can (and will) ask you to leave.<br />
<br />
<b>When it comes to mall evangelism, I want to strongly encourage you to play by the rules. Do not bring a reproach upon Christ by trying to be a law unto yourself, by ignoring legitimate and legal policies of property owners.</b><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Getting Started</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>Step One: Talk to your pastors/elders about what you want to do.</b><br />
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Explain to them what you want to do. While in American Evangelicalism anything is possible, it is unlikely your pastors/elders would balk. Get their blessing. Get their prayerful and maybe even their financial support (i.e. tracts, bibles, etc.). Do everything you can to make your mall evangelism a ministry of the church. Get your pastors/elders permission to have information about the church available on the table.<br />
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<b>Step Two: Go to the management office of your local mall.</b><br />
<br />
If your local mall is part of a larger corporation or groups of malls, as is the case with my local mall (<b><a href="http://www.westfield.com/us/">Westfield</a></b>), then you will likely discover your mall has a well-researched, nice and tight, legal "time, place, and manner" free speech policy. If the mall is an independent establishment, then, if they are current on the issue (and smart) they will likewise have a solid free speech policy.<br />
<br />
Go to the management office of your local mall and request an application for use of the common area for free speech. Or you can ask for an application for the distribution of literature. Or you can ask for an application to set up a free speech table.<br />
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The application will likely ask for your name, address, phone number, email address. It will also ask for information regarding the group, organization, ministry, or church you represent.<br />
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Give the information. Set your conspiracy theories and fears of "big brother" aside. Getting the gospel to the lost is more important than the illusion of privacy. That's right. Privacy is an illusion. But that's another article. The mall has the legal right to know to whom they are granting permission to exercise free speech on their property.<br />
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When you go to the mall to complete and submit the application, have some samples of the material you plan to distribute at the table. Mall management will likely request this, too.<br />
<br />
As part of the application process, you will be given choices regarding dates, times, and locations within the mall to set up your evangelism table. In my case, it has been a very pleasant experience working with mall management. My local mall provides me with the choice of one of seven different locations in the mall. Most of them are well-traveled areas. And a few of the options are high traffic areas where I can go through hundreds of tracts in a matter of a few hours.<br />
<br />
<b>Step Three: Decide what you will put on your table.</b><br />
<br />
Your mall will likely provide you with a table (6'-8') and a few chairs. My mall limits me to three people working my table, at any given time.<br />
<br />
Pack your table with <b><a href="http://www.biblesbythecase.com/">bibles</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.onemilliontracts.com/">gospel tracts</a></b>, <b><a href="http://store.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=10&Itemid=371&lang=en">DVDs</a></b>, church information, and any other material you would like to give away.<br />
<br />
Try to include some <b><a href="http://www.ourchurch.com/member/r/rocksolidtencom/index.php?p=1_2_Ten-Commandment-Plaques">eye-catching props</a></b> that will draw attention to your table. The mall will likely allow you to small, standing signs on the table. Get creative.<br />
<br />
<b>Step Four: Demeanor</b><br />
<br />
Okay. So, you went to your pastor. He's an on-fire evangelist and loves that you've taken the initiative (nothing wrong with being hopeful, is there?). You've gone to your local mall, completed and submitted the application, and picked your time and date. You've got all of your material and props together, and you're ready to go.<br />
<br />
The big day comes. You've got everything set up. You've posted pictures of your table on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and in your favorite atheist chat room, just to send them into neurotransmitter misfire (some evangelists are a little twisted that way).<br />
<br />
You sit down behind the table and begin to check your email on your phone or your begin to dig in to that new book you've been meaning to read.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
STOP!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
How inviting do you think it is to a stranger walking toward your table when all he or she can see is the top of your head? In my case, the reflection of mall lighting off my cranium could blind the person and potentially expose me to a civil suit.<br />
<br />
Your demeanor need not (and should not) be over the top. But you should be at least as excited to be there as the kids working the different kiosks throughout the mall. Come to think of it, you should be more excited than the kids working the kiosks. Many of them look like they are waiting for a root canal.<br />
<br />
Keep your head up. Keep your eyes open. And smile.<br />
<br />
Yes. Smile.<br />
<br />
Look. I'm a retired deputy sheriff. I look like a cop. I sound like a cop. And when I make eye contact with a person, I can leave them thinking, "What? I haven't broken the law. Have I broken the law? Is he going to take me to jail? I think he wants to take me to jail." Sometimes their first impression would be accurate. But I digress.<br />
<br />
The point is that I know enough about myself to know I have to be intentional to smile--to look and sound friendly.<br />
<br />
Again, at the mall you are going to be contacting strangers. People you've never met are going to be the majority of folks who walk up to the table. You can have the best looking table on the planet, but if the look on your face, your body language, or your overall countenance is telling folks to stay away, what do you think people are going to do? That's right. They're going to stay away.<br />
<br />
When someone makes eye contact with you, say hello. Whether or not the person comes over to the table, wish people a good day.<br />
<br />
Did I mention the whole smiling thing?<br />
<br />
If someone stops and his eyes seem to linger in the direction of your table, let them know that everything on the table is free. Ask them if they would like a free Bible. Engage them in conversation. Ask them about their day. Ask them what brings them to the mall. Ask them if they attend church locally or if they have any spiritual beliefs. One look at the table and the person knows why you're there (at least they should). So, you can skip all the uncomfortable formality of trying to engage a stranger in a conversation without the other person having any context for why you are talking to them.<br />
<br />
Oh, one more thing.<br />
<br />
Have fun! Let the joy of the Lord be your strength! Think nothing of how many or how few people are coming to the table. Remember, this is a different kind of "fishing." You're the fisherman sitting peacefully on the lake's shore, waiting for the big one to bite.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
<br />
I've titled this article "The Mall: A Great Fishing Pond..... While it Lasts." The reason: the availability of this kind of evangelism won't last forever. I think it's pollyannic for anyone to think laws are going to become more favorable for Christian evangelism. Free speech rights for Christians are not going to become more liberal, but rather more prohibitive.<br />
<br />
Yet for now, malls are still a wonderful place for reaching your community with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
While this article is detailed, it is not exhaustive. However, I hope you find it helpful. And I look forward of hearing your testimonies of how you've seen the Lord work around your mall evangelism table.<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-13577024898110989762015-02-12T12:19:00.002-08:002015-02-12T13:37:21.912-08:00The Joy of Freedom from Fear's Grip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I often receive private messages, emails, and the like about the many different things that can kill me. My Facebook and Twitter feeds are also inundated with news about things that can kill me: microwaves, carrying my cell phone in my pocket, caffeine, a lack of caffeine, whole milk, meat and dairy products containing antibiotics, Mad Cow, Mac & Cheese, the second-hand smoke I inhaled as a kid from my chain-smoking parents, vaccinations, not getting vaccinations, medications, not taking medications, drinking tap water, living or driving underneath radio towers, terrorists who want to kill me because I'm an American, FEMA camps, being on "The Grid." The list goes on an on. In fact, I'm a bit hesitant to post this article, anticipating warnings and conspiracy theories showing up in the comments (which are strictly moderated, by the way).<br />
<br />
(To those of you who have sent me correspondences about the less-than-silly things mentioned above, I am <b>NOT</b> making fun of you. I love you for your concern for me. And I am grateful. This post is <b>NOT</b> about you; it's about ME.)<br />
<br />
I used to have a very unhealthy, unbiblical, and frankly sinful fear of death and dying. It effected where and what I ate. It effected where and when I would travel--even to minister the gospel. It effected where and with whom I stayed when I traveled. It negatively impacted my family and close family relationships. It permeated every area of my life, including my faith. Thank God that He was and is faithful, even when I was and am faithless, because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Those outside my immediate family who know me very well know how bad I got.<br />
<br />
I was a functional and very secretive hypochondriac. Which also made me a liar.<br />
<br />
No, I wasn't being tormented by Satan. The devil wasn't making me do it. The sin--both the thinking and the doing--was all mine. I alone was responsible (James 1:12-15).<br />
<br />
Several years ago, God set me free from this particular, debilitating sin of the flesh--from this love of self, from this lack of faith and trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God. The Lord used His Word, prayer, the prayers of others, biblical counsel, tough love from family and friends, and a whole lot of patience from the same folks. The Lord used the biographies about and/or writings of men like Martyn-Lloyd Jones, Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, and Jerry Bridges (to name a few), to help me right the ship of my mind. The Lord used <i>many</i> things and a few very special people (family and friends) over the years to release me from fear's grip.<br />
<br />
Someday I might write more extensively about this aspect of my life that is, by God's grace, behind me.<br />
<br />
So, why am I telling you this. Well, I'm not sure. Maybe it's, in part, the recent dust-up over the vaccination debate. Maybe it's the comment I recently received on Facebook from a good friend who, in response to a post I wrote about the goodness of God as seen in the provision of a new microwave oven. He innocently shared that his research about the health risks related to microwave ovens led to his decision years ago not to have one in the home. I dunno.<br />
<br />
What I do know is this:<br />
<br />
I spent many, many years--time my family and I can never get back--worrying about the myriad things the world says can, might, or will kill me. What does that say about who ultimately received my worship during those times of worry, anxiety, and fear? It says that <i>I</i> receive my worship. It says that I feared man and the world around me (seen and unseen) more than I feared God. It said that in those times of worry, anxiety, and fear, I would have rather stayed here on earth (with unholy motives, unlike the apostle Paul) than be with my Lord in heaven (Philippians 1:23-25). It said I feared physical and emotional pain more than I was thankful for the pain and suffering Jesus endured to save me (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 12:4). It said I was not willing to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23).<br />
<br />
Now, this is not to say that I throw all caution to the wind. I believe I am still obligated to be a good steward of the physical life God has given me. But I am so obligated as a means of worshiping Christ, not as a means of preserving my physical life so I can worship myself.<br />
<br />
I will be 51-years-old in ten days (Feb. 22). I will never again have the waistline when, as a 23-year-old, I graduated from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Training Academy. Life and ministry does not allow me to spend 3-4 days in the gym every week. I'm on the streets most days, and I travel away from home 80-100 days each year. I do not have the time, or the practical ability to count calories, milligrams of fat and cholesterol (I know, I know, those things can kill me, too). I have to eat what's available. I have to eat what's put in front of me. And I have to do so with joy and praising, with thanksgiving in my heart, for the provisions of my great God and King.<br />
<br />
As an aspect of ministry, I have to travel (a lot) by land and air in packed petri dishes. And the day could very-well come when I have to get used to and be thankful for.....jail food, a plastic-covered mattress used by hundreds of criminals before me, and roommates infested with bugs or infected with disease.<br />
<br />
Yes, I need to try to take care good care of myself. But I cannot allow the fear of death, the fear of disease, the fear of injury as a result of my own carelessness or as a result of the hateful act of another human being (this last one has never bothered me much, probably because of my 20 years as a deputy sheriff) keep me from serving Christ. I cannot allow it to hinder me from loving God and loving people. I cannot allow it to become an opportunity for sin--declaring myself sovereign when only God is.<br />
<br />
Since being brought to repentance and I believe wholeness in this area of my life, the Lord has allowed the ministry to which He has given me stewardship to flourish. He has allowed me to travel to places I never thought my eyes would ever see or my feet would ever trod. He has allowed me to meet Christian brethren I otherwise would never have met. He has allowed me to stay in their homes and sit at their tables. He has allowed me to be adopted by so many young ones, as "uncle" or "grandpa." Oh, what a tragedy it would have been to not be loved by the brethren around the world who have shown me such great, sincere, and sacrificial love! Oh, what a tragedy it would be to one-day stand before Christ and have Him say something like, "But Tony, had it not been for your sin, I had all of this for you, too!"<br />
<br />
Some will see what I've shared in this article as an opportunity to question, to gossip, to deride. Others will see what I've shared as a balm, an encouragement, a provision of hope. I pray, dear reader, you are the latter. And if you find yourself in the former group, well, I pray for your repentance.<br />
<br />
A godly, young man once share with me a very biblical way to battle the sins of the mind--what my family and I like to call "stinkin' thinkin'" (also not an original thought). I, in turn, have shared what he taught me with many Christians who struggle with sins of the mind. I present it in a sermon titled "<b><a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=92312327130">How to S.T.O.P. Wrong Thinking</a></b>." I hope you find encouragement in this humble offering.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="97" scrolling="no" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=92312327130" width="450"></iframe><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-65700403063895446062015-02-03T10:07:00.003-08:002015-02-03T10:07:53.558-08:00American Evangelicalism: Where Bad Things Happen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>What I Believe about American Evangelicalism</b></span><br />
<br />
I believe American Evangelicalism is a Christ-less religious system that creates myriad false converts and is used by Satan to deceive the lost and to lead astray, as if it were possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24). The children of a generation ago raised on Foosball, Pizza, emotionalism, bad teaching from untrained, unqualified man-cubs, and a sinner's prayer every Tuesday night for reassurance are today's American Evangelical pastors. And the state of American Evangelicalism isn't sliding, but is free-falling, from bad to worse.<br />
<br />
I hate American Evangelicalism. I love American Evangelicals.<br />
<br />
I shudder and my heart breaks at the thought of the untold masses, boasting of membership in American Evangelical churches, who will stand (or who have already stood) before Christ, rubbing their hands together, just waiting to receive their condo in the sky, only to hear Jesus say, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23). False converts who made false commitments to a false Jesus represented in a false gospel, which was presented by a false pastor. American Evangelicalism, as a system, is false.<br />
<br />
I hate American Evangelicalism. I love American Evangelicals.<br />
<br />
While American Evangelicalism is <i>not</i> Christian, there most certainly <i>are</i> Christians within this demonic system--both solid churches that are included in the definition of "evangelical" and remnants of God's people in churches that are not His. When I speak of American Evangelicalism, I am not speaking about the Bride of Christ. While not yet fully sanctified, she is beautiful and she is cherished by the Bridegroom. Shame on and warning to anyone who mocks the Bride of Christ--the true Church.<br />
<br />
I have not received any new revelation from God about being a very outspoken critic of American Evangelicalism. While some may think I rant on my keyboard while wearing a camel hair kilt, with honey dripping from my goatee (can't quite get passed the crunch of the locust), I don't. I know I am not a lone voice crying in the American Evangelical wilderness. I know there are many brothers and sisters in Christ who agree with me. But, even so, a minority we make. I believe the genuine Body of Christ is much smaller than I or anyone else realize. It is certainly smaller than American Evangelicalism would have the world believe.<br />
<br />
Last night, American Evangelicalism, that reoccurring bur under my saddle, got me thinking.....and tweeting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">American Evangelicalism: Where Bad Things Happen.</span></b><br />
<br />
American Evangelicalism.....<br />
<br />
Where everyone's will is free.....except God's.<br />
<br />
Where Katy Perry's Half-Time Show is an acceptable form of worship.<br />
<br />
Where any man (or woman) can be a pastor.....no qualifications needed.<br />
<br />
Where a pastor's "spiritual vision" can be 20/200, but he'll still get the keys to the family car.<br />
<br />
Where more biblical titles can be found in Barnes & Noble than in the church bookstore.<br />
<br />
Where <i>vacationaries</i> are called missionaries and they actually believe they're reaching the world for Jesus.<br />
<br />
Where pastors, maybe struggling with porn themselves (according to published statistics), see "50 Shades of Gray" as an opportunity to draw a crowd.<br />
<br />
Where you can find Joyce Meyer's and John MacArthur's study bibles on the same shelf, in the Christian bookstore.<br />
<br />
Where calling people to the stadium floor, getting them to repeat a prayer, and then welcoming them to the family of God on the Jumbo-Tron is seen as biblical.<br />
<br />
Where 80-90% of the people's giving go to staff salaries and facility upkeep, while missionaries beg and starve.<br />
<br />
Where elders pray about how they can remove the cross from the church logo and remove church from the church name.<br />
<br />
Where CRU exists. Nuff said.<br />
<br />
Where church and ministry leaders can be found on the local crime blotter, but will be "restored" to ministry in a matter of weeks.<br />
<br />
Where bibles are optional (from pulpit to pew) on Sunday morning, but coffee is not.<br />
<br />
Where the first song on Sunday morning isn't <i>really</i> a call to worship, but a stall tactic to accommodate late arrivals.<br />
<br />
Where Bill Johnson, Joel Osteen, Mark Driscoll, Russell Moore, and the Pope can all coexist. And it's seen as a good thing.<br />
<br />
Where some pastor will replicate Katy Perry Liger Zoid ride to make his entrance on a Sunday morning.<br />
<br />
Where a pastor can boast about how little time he spent preparing his sermon and his people will smile.<br />
<br />
Where pastors have their own lines of clothing.<br />
<br />
Where, for many pastors, "B" stands for "Bentley," not "Bible."<br />
<br />
Where the Message and the New Living Translation are considered viable options for deeper study and the <i>Purpose Driven Life</i> is considered deep theological reading.<br />
<br />
Where.....oh, just fill in the blank. Whatever the world is doing, American Evangelical is doing, but with less talent.<br />
<br />
Yes, sadly, the list could go on and on and on. But I think (I hope) you get the point. American Evangelism is where bad things happen.<br />
<br />
I believe American Evangelicalism is the largest mission field in the United States. And it is one of the toughest fields in which to labor, for everyone believes they are already saved. So, until American Evangelicalism ceases to exist in its present ungodly form, or the Lord takes me home--whichever comes first--I will keep banging the drum. I will keep warning Christians and non-Christians away from the spiritually dead vortex of American Evangelicalism. I don't want to see another life sucked into the dangerous, whirling, contaminated water that only poses as Christianity.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-20971723022181618872015-01-07T21:33:00.002-08:002015-01-07T21:33:05.202-08:00Nigel the Black Hebrew IsraeliteToday was my first time preaching alone at Pershing Square. I set up just outside the square, on the northwest corner of <b><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0474381,-118.2531608,40m/data=!3m1!1e3">6th Street and Hill Street</a></b>. It's a great spot. Constant pedestrian traffic and a large sidewalk area large enough for people to stop and listen without running into each other.<br />
<br />
Many people were praying for me, and my sister encouraged me to read <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+25&version=ESV">Psalm 25</a></b>, which I did. After reading Psalm 25 and praying, I decided to try to read the entirety of the Gospel of John, in the open-air. I began with a gospel presentation. No sooner did I finish that gospel presentation that a young, black man named Nigel approached me. It's possible Nigel isn't his real name. It took him a few moments to recall it. As soon as he asked me a couple of questions, I knew I was dealing with a <b><a href="http://carm.org/black-hebrew-israelites">Black Hebrew Israelite</a></b>, a racist cult that hates "the white man's Bible," "the white man's Jesus,' and "the white man." Black Hebrew Israelites also hate any person of color who does not hate white people.<br />
<br />
For 90 minutes I read John 1-10 aloud while periodically engaging Nigel. I did my best to apply the wisdom of Solomon. I did <i>not</i> answer Nigel so not to be like him (Proverbs 26:4). And I <i>did</i> answer Nigel so as not to allow him to be too wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 26:5).<br />
<br />
Nigel was relentless. Taking time only to catch his breath and collect his thoughts, Nigel was profane, self-deceived, and blasphemous with every hate-filled word that came out of his mouth (Matthew 15:17-20). It's been some time since I encountered a heckler as depraved as Nigel.<br />
<br />
By God's grace there were a couple moments of peace and rejoicing as I stood atop the step stool. One young man stopped to ask me if I was familiar with Ray Comfort. I told him I was. Another man stopped to listen. When he heard Nigel berating me, he smiled at me and told me to keep preaching the Word of God. The man was able to distract Nigel with conversation, which allowed me to finish reading John 10 and preach the law and the gospel.<br />
<br />
When I finished preaching and packed up my gear, I started for the subway station. Nigel followed me and continuing his self-righteous, scornful harangue. He seemed genuinely stunned when I asked him if he wanted to join me for a cup of coffee. It was the first time I saw him smile. But he quickly pulled himself together and told me he would only sit down with me if I would debate him. I told him I couldn't. To do so would be to cast pearls before swine.<br />
<br />
Nigel followed me all the way to the subway station entrance, calling me "Esau" and other assorted names.<br />
<br />
Sadly, in the Black Hebrew Israelites, Nigel found a religious cult that encourages him to hate The Triune God, the Word of God, people made in the image of God, and the only Savior who can forgive his sins.<br />
<br />
Here is the unedited audio of my time at Pershing Square.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">WARNING:</span></b> this audio instances of blasphemy, the 'N' word, and other profane speech.<br />
<br />
<!--Begin SermonAudio Embed--><IFRAME width="450" height="97" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?iframe=TRUE&reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=TRUE&tiny=FALSE&minimal=TRUE&eventtype=EVENTID&series=SUBTITLE&speaker=SPEAKERNAME&sermonid=17152254451" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></IFRAME><!--End SermonAudio Embed-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-1053507262171021922015-01-06T18:06:00.000-08:002015-01-06T22:06:11.367-08:00Living on Infinite Regress Avenue in Absurdityville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnxCdJrNDcNtCmq04cGjiM5khZYLPGwAjekS7vFfdwo1G_m1NiGF40umlVrAgSw4rMuJ0a_1y8bQCaJS2mkbiqQsa439XE-iuUS7tN_2rovN6n00gNOntK3F2PBy2JrAps70FfFzobiqT/s1600/001_Tony+Jorge+Andrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnxCdJrNDcNtCmq04cGjiM5khZYLPGwAjekS7vFfdwo1G_m1NiGF40umlVrAgSw4rMuJ0a_1y8bQCaJS2mkbiqQsa439XE-iuUS7tN_2rovN6n00gNOntK3F2PBy2JrAps70FfFzobiqT/s400/001_Tony+Jorge+Andrew.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday, I was really blessed. The Lord gave me the opportunity to take to the streets of Los Angeles with two younger brothers in Christ--Jorge and Andrew. These two men of God co-lead the Evangelism Society at The Master's College, where they are both students. Jorge was too busy honorably and sacrificially serving his country in the military, right out of high school, to get an early start on college. Andrew will graduate this year and is hoping to attend Westminster Theological Seminary, Southern California.<br />
<br />
Mahria and others were a bit nervous about me heading into downtown Los Angeles alone to open-air preach. It's good to be loved. :-) There was a collective sigh of relief when Mahria and others concerned heard that I had a couple brothers going with me.<br />
<br />
It was a wonderful day of fellowship and ministry. We evangelized at Pershing Square and on Hollywood Boulevard, with a break for an amazing pastrami sandwich at a place just outside MacArthur Park. Many people heard the gospel by way of open-air preaching and conversations. And many others received the gospel by way of gospel tracts.<br />
<br />
Some audio and possibly video from the day's efforts is forthcoming.<br />
<br />
While waiting on the subway platform to make our way back to North Hollywood Station from Hollywood Boulevard, we met Omar. Omar claimed to have grown up in a Christian church, but converted to Islam because there was so much he didn't like about Christianity. Omar asserted, among other things: the Bible was written by a white man named King James; the concept of "one God" was brought about by King Tut's father; Jesus never existed.<br />
<br />
While some might think it a little too sarcastic, I told Omar that he spent entirely too much time on the Internet.<br />
<br />
Omar was also one of those people who wanted to have a conversation, so long as he was the only person to speak. When I could slip a word or two in, I asked Omar, "How do you account for truth and determine what is true?"<br />
<br />
With a slight stammer, as his mind tried to catch up to his mouth, Omar answered, "Well, it's the truth that will set you free!"<br />
<br />
"Omar, do you see what you just did? You assert that the Bible can't be trusted and that Jesus never existed, yet you quote the words of Jesus, from the Bible. You can't account for truth without coming into the Christian worldview to do it."<br />
<br />
Befuddled and even angrier, Omar tried to change the subject with ad hominems and more Internet-derived wisdom. Sadly, this is all-too-often the response of unbelievers when confronted with the reality that their attempt to defend and live according to a worldview without God is to live in a windowless and doorless condo, in Absurdityville. And how does one make himself comfortable while locked in his home on Infinite Regress Avenue? It's simple and common: deny; dismiss; deflect; disdain.<br />
<br />
While the conversation didn't go well, Omar was confronted with the reality he has always known: God exists, and he hates Him. For a moment, Omar was forced to deal with the reality of his self-imposed absurdity.<br />
<br />
Much of American Evangelicalism would assert my encounter with Omar was a failure. After all, I didn't hear his whole story. I confronted him with truth. We didn't agree to disagree. And Omar may never join the "Christian" club. Yet my evangelistic efforts with Omar were anything but a failure. I stood on the truth of God's Word. I implored him to repent of his blasphemous idolatry (before parting company, Omar asserted he was god--not very Muslim of him). And Jorge, Andrew, and I prayed Omar would have no rest until the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin and brought him to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
There are only two worldviews: the truth or all lies; the worship of the one, true God or all other forms of religious belief (i.e. Catholicism, Muhammadanism, Mormonism, Buddhism, Atheism, and every other man-made "ism"); submission to the Creator or worship of that which is created. Sadly, the vast majority of people in the world today are like Omar. They walk in darkness. They walk not in ignorance, but in willful rebellion against the God they know, whether they are numbered among aborigines living far removed from the modern world or they are among the academic elite sitting in their first-world ivory towers.<br />
<blockquote>
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.<br />
<br />
"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen" (Romans 1:18-25).</blockquote>
Omar couldn't account for truth while trying to live outside the Christian worldview. Neither can anyone else, be it the college student with only a semester of philosophy under his belt or the current pope of atheism, Richard Dawkins.<br />
<br />
Omar was right about something. Only the truth will set him free.<br />
<blockquote>
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free'" (John 8:31-32).</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-17485984412472517832015-01-04T17:14:00.003-08:002015-01-04T17:14:50.973-08:00Ray Comfort: A Genuine Man of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tJAtn-AKshnq9Y5I13vAdjpk9CYVvvcAEPw97TZK_NjMeaMdIry9F9C1eQx3TJiBasshQ06GtDNfT3j7julF43LulcCtjhP_g17kEA_weF-7TQBnpkWe76R-swzVMiOtdTTtZGE4g34C/s1600/001_TonyAndRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tJAtn-AKshnq9Y5I13vAdjpk9CYVvvcAEPw97TZK_NjMeaMdIry9F9C1eQx3TJiBasshQ06GtDNfT3j7julF43LulcCtjhP_g17kEA_weF-7TQBnpkWe76R-swzVMiOtdTTtZGE4g34C/s400/001_TonyAndRay.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The above photo represents just one of many times Ray Comfort and I have prayed together. The occasion in this photo was just before Ray preached at Huntington Beach, during the last Ambassadors' Academy (#20).<br />
<br />
I have been a Christian for more than 26 years. During the second half of my lifetime, I have been blessed to not only meet, but to come to know as friends, many genuine men of God--men I respect, men who are my friends, men I love. Pastors, open-air preachers, laymen of various stripes and professional backgrounds (including law enforcement). So many men have, and still do, positively and significantly impacted my life that it would be impossible to name them all.<br />
<br />
But if I had to pick one man, while desperately not wanting to offend the many godly men I know (including the very godly men with whom I served at Living Waters)--one man who has impacted my life more than any other--it would have to be Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ray Comfort's Impact on the World</span></b><br />
<br />
Yesterday, I watched a six-minute micro-documentary about Ray Comfort, which was posted on Facebook. After watching "<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=781696385212029&set=vb.549052605143076&type=2&theater">10 out of 10 Die</a></b>," I posted the following comment:<br />
<blockquote>
"Ray Comfort is a once-in-a-century kind of man. That the Lord would so bless me by allowing me to spend more than four years in day-to-day, side-by-side ministry with Ray Comfort is, to this day, beyond my full comprehension. Ray Comfort has positively, spiritually impacted my life more than any man.<br />
<br />
"I have never met a more humble, Bible-saturated, Christ-loving, gospel-focused, man of honor, integrity, selflessness, and generosity than Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
"I could go on. And someday I just might."</blockquote>
Well, now is as good a time as any to "go on" about Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
There is so much Ray Comfort has done for the Body of Christ, as well as for individuals, both saved and lost. To go into too much detail would only serve to embarrass Ray. I will say this. I believe, when Ray's time comes, he will have more crowns to lay at his Master's feet than just about any man who has ever lived.<br />
<br />
Think about it.<br />
<br />
We can all think of great evangelists throughout the ages. In doing so, we can all think of men who might have been more theological than Ray, more eloquent than Ray, more famous than Ray, more beloved than Ray. But I challenge anyone to think of another man who, just in his own lifetime, has inspired more people to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ than Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
Don't hurt yourself trying to come up with someone. You won't think of anyone.<br />
<br />
If I had a dollar for every person, literally around the world, who has said to me, "My life was forever changed when I read 'The Way of the Master," I would never again have to raise support. Some of the men I consider the very best open-air preachers in the world today got their starts when they opened one of Ray's books, attended one of Ray's conferences, watched one of Ray's YouTube videos, or watched an episode of the television show "The Way of the Master."<br />
<br />
Ray Comfort has instructed and encouraged thousands upon thousands of Christians to proclaim the gospel. Some of those people were enthused for only a season. Others were motivated for life. Others have made evangelism their way of life and their livelihood as a direct result of Ray Comfort's influence. I am one of those people. Still others include Ray Comfort in their salvation testimony--people who lived for years as false converts, but were drawn to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ after hearing Ray preach the gospel.<br />
<br />
Now, just picture in your mind, if you can, all of those Christians Ray has impacted, and then picture all of them proclaiming the gospel. Some are distributing tracts with a smile so bright, so wide, it's obvious that the joy of the Lord is their strength. Can you see them?<br />
<br />
Some no longer have the word "stranger" in their vocabulary, for they talk to everyone they meet about Jesus. They see everyone as more important than themselves. Can you see them?<br />
<br />
And some remind the world that there are still prophets (those forth-telling God's truth revealed in His Word), heralds, in the land--men of God willing to risk life and limb, position and popularity, and even the consternation and rejection of their churches and a Christ-less system called "American Evangelicalism" to stand atop a box, or a stool, or a park bench, just to fill their lungs with air and roar like a lion for Jesus' sake. Can you see them?<br />
<br />
I can. I can see them. I <i>have</i> seen them. I <i>do</i> see them. I see them most every day of my life. And when I see them I cannot help but to also see the beaming smile draped now in a beard and the sparkling shimmer in the eyes of Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ray the Preacher</b></span><br />
<br />
Ray Comfort's message has not changed in some 40 years. The reason: the gospel has not changed in 40 years, and it never will. The gospel is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The way Ray communicates that never-changing gospel hasn't changed either. Trivia, the "Good Person Test," the law and the gospel, the call to repent and believe, answering questions, the law and the gospel, the call to repent and believe, more questions, and so on. If it ain't broke, why fix it?<br />
<br />
I remember being with Ray one afternoon on the campus of USC. For almost two hours, Ray handled everything the young, stubborn, arrogant, intellectually elite students (and a few professors) could throw at him. One-by-one, he dismantled godless worldviews and arguments, always bringing the conversation back to the gospel. For almost two hours, Ray preached, debated, and smiled. It was fitting we were on a college campus that day, for Ray took all of us who were with him through a Master's Degree-level class in open-air preaching.<br />
<br />
Ray is more consistent than an In-n-Out Double-Double (Socal burger reference). Every time Ray steps atop a box or some other apparatus to elevate his diminutive frame, those familiar with him know exactly what they are going to get. It's never boring--not because Ray isn't entertaining (he is), but because the gospel is never boring. And it's never boring to hear the gospel come from the mouth of a man who loves Jesus, loves people, and loves the mission to which the Lord has called him as much as Ray Comfort does.<br />
<br />
Ray Comfort, more than any man I know, <i>truly</i> loves lost people. While Ray's emotions run very deep, he would not describe himself as a crying man. In fact, he used to tease me because I can cry like a baby, over just about anything. "Tony, you're not going to cry again, are you?" He would ask me with a a wink and a smile.<br />
<br />
To see and understand just how much Ray loves lost people, you need to watch the end of his open-air interactions with hecklers. The hecklers Ray attracts are some of the vilest, most wicked, most profane people with whom you could ever have occasion to make contact. Ray never backs down. Even more remarkable is that in spite of the torrent of verbal abuse he faces when he preaches, Ray never responds in kind. Ray is firm. Ray is resolute. Ray doesn't let anyone off the hook. Ray will provoke people who walk away just to make them come back and hear the gospel. But Ray is always kind.<br />
<br />
Ray can spend 30 minutes being berated by a heckler and, when he steps off the box, walk over to the heckler and shake his hand or give him a hug. More remarkable still is the heckler, who a few moments earlier was spitting mad, will likewise embrace Ray. You cannot watch Ray Comfort preach to the masses and not realize he believes what he says and he loves the people to whom he says it. I wish I could be more like Ray, in this regard.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ray Behind the Scenes</b></span><br />
<br />
Many of Ray Comfort's retractors accuse him of being one man when in the public's eye and another man entirely when the world can't see him. Let's face it, who among us can honestly say we never put on airs, from time to time. There is a little, sinful "people-pleaser" in all of us. But I have never met a man whose character and persona is as consistent as Ray Comfort's. What you see is really and literally what you get, with Ray Comfort.<br />
<br />
The Ray Comfort that most people don't get to see is the Ray Comfort I love the most--the Ray Comfort with whom I spent more than four years, on a daily basis. Out of respect for Ray and his privacy, I will give very few details. What Ray does in his day-to-day life is ultimately his business, and for me to go into great detail might violate a trust or a confidence. But this I can say.<br />
<br />
I spent 20 years of my life reading people. We had a saying in law enforcement. "I know you're lying because your lips are moving." It was never a question of <i>if</i> a person would lie to me. It was simply a question of <i>when</i>. Phony criminals; phony victims; phony witnesses; even a few phony officers: it was easy to see through people. It still is.<br />
<br />
One of my concerns about joining the Living Waters team (it's a family, really) was having my Ray Comfort bubble burst. Would I learn that the Ray Comfort I had come to love and respect from afar wasn't the same man up close? So, I watched him. I watched all of the public faces at Living Waters. I'm sure they watched me, too. After all, I was new to the family.<br />
<br />
In the more than four years I served with Living Waters, Ray <i>never</i> gave me any reason to question his integrity, his passion, his compassion, his love, his kindness, his truthfulness, his zeal, or his commitment to the gospel mission. On the contrary: what I saw from Ray behind the scenes only served to bolster everything I had seen in his public persona. In fact, as wonderfully endearing as his public persona is, the Ray Comfort within the confines of Living Waters HQ, or his living room, or in a car on the way to open-air preach or to do a film shoot is even more wonderfully endearing.<br />
<br />
And Ray is loyal. If you are part of Ray's team, his family, he will do everything and anything he can to support you, encourage you, and correct you with the love of a father or, in my case, an older brother.<br />
<br />
Ray Comfort is far from perfect, and he would be the first person to say so. But Ray has been as close to a "Paul" in my life as I've ever had. I am forever in Christ's debt, and Ray's, for the time I was given to spend with Ray.<br />
<br />
Yes, Ray is far from perfect. But I've learned so much from Ray. Yes, Ray has taught me much about open-air preaching and evangelism in general. But Ray has also taught me about how a man should love his wife, how a father should love his children, how a leader should lead others, what a man of the Word and a man of prayer really looks like, and what real humility looks like in a genuine man of God.<br />
<br />
That's Ray Comfort. That's who Ray Comfort is to me: a mentor, a true friend, a genuine man of God.<br />
<br />
I love you, Ray. Thank you, brother.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-40019713747417841182015-01-04T15:06:00.000-08:002015-01-04T15:06:54.596-08:00Evangelism Gear (Part 3): Amplification<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3-cPtBTQLRFk67O2hUSxqBgFmIfWQbnKnLOLKGDqV_5syjBVhOab8italTw7-cJM6I17Gn8pQMYwmJdA15SB6GQsQ1qGj3XAh7jZhNt4hUzKn_lLKA-mud5HhKoC7MtzDeJ-e6yj_baS/s1600/Aker+AK38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3-cPtBTQLRFk67O2hUSxqBgFmIfWQbnKnLOLKGDqV_5syjBVhOab8italTw7-cJM6I17Gn8pQMYwmJdA15SB6GQsQ1qGj3XAh7jZhNt4hUzKn_lLKA-mud5HhKoC7MtzDeJ-e6yj_baS/s320/Aker+AK38.jpg" /></a></div>
In "<b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/evangelism-gear-part-1.html">Part 1</a></b>" of this series, I discussed video cameras. In "<b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/12/evangelism-gear-part-2-voice-recorders.html">Part 2</a></b>" of this series, I discussed digital voice recorders. In "Part 3," let's take a look at amplification.<br />
<br />
The amplification system I presently use is the <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/VoiceBooster-Voice-Amplifier-MR-AK38-Presentations/dp/B00558AYUS">Aker MR-AK38</a></b>. I've used this little amp for about three years, now. For the price, it is the best amp I've ever used. At just $88, the Aker MR-AK38, with its surprising volume and sound quality for such an inexpensive unit, will provide you with all the sound you will need, in most settings.<br />
<br />
With inexpensive units like this one, you would expect to have to replace it every year or two. Not with the Aker MR-AK38. Three years into the life of my system and I still get exceptional sound (quality and volume) and battery life. This is a rechargeable amp and it holds its charge well.<br />
<br />
The Aker MR-AK38 is a very durable unit. I've traveled extensively with it (across the U.S., England, Scotland, Norway, Canada). It can live in my backpack without a worry of it being damaged. I'm sure the manufacturer would cringe if they found out I was sharing this. I once used my Aker MR-AK38 in a heavy rain. I did what I could to shield it from the rain, but by the time I was done preaching the unit was soaked. I thought for sure it was ruined and I was thankful it would cost less than $100 to replace it. That was two years ago (we get very little rain in SoCal). The unit dried out and has shown no reduction in performance after it took a bath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3D-KLHMq8AXEcAtBfMOAzVR9-A0WBt0icdpVGKp-RGIDKuEZhy6PvDsFoq8pUPmzBUScLFLn0y3hlRku_PlQ9uR9U2GvmZtxXiqf-3MPcFCmprLCtOYa5V46STnOiTwi064kqfuUhHjW/s1600/Half-Mile+Hailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3D-KLHMq8AXEcAtBfMOAzVR9-A0WBt0icdpVGKp-RGIDKuEZhy6PvDsFoq8pUPmzBUScLFLn0y3hlRku_PlQ9uR9U2GvmZtxXiqf-3MPcFCmprLCtOYa5V46STnOiTwi064kqfuUhHjW/s320/Half-Mile+Hailer.jpg" /></a></div>
There are times, however, when you will need more power. And what open-air preacher doesn't like that! If you want to cover a large area, or if you are open-air preaching in an environment with an excessively large crowd and a cacophony of sound, then the <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amplivox-SW610A-50-Watt-Wireless-Hailer/dp/B000FJ1VJK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1420410600&sr=1-1&keywords=half-mile+hailer">Amplivox Half-Mile Hailer</a></b> is the system for you.<br />
<br />
Folks, the Half-Miler Hailer's intended application is for--you guessed it--<i>hailing</i> boats on the open water. It's an attention getter. Plain and simple. Don't expect concert-quality sound from this beast. But if you want something loud, then the Half-Mile Hailer is your system. <br />
<br />
While I don't own one, I've had the opportunity to use this system at the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl Outreaches, and other large-scale events. It's durable and reliable. It is built to withstand the rigors of boating, so it will be up to the task for anything an open-air preacher can throw at it.<br />
<br />
The Half-Mile Hailer runs between $300 and $600. The price range is wide because you can buy a variety of systems (i.e. with a corded microphone, cordless, battery powered, rechargeable).<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A Word about Using Amplification</span><br />
<br />
You DON'T need an amplifier to open-air preach.<br />
<br />
I think too many open-air preachers have become amplification-dependent. In other words, there are some open-air preachers who have a mindset that has them believing that if they don't use an amp no one will hear them.<br />
<br />
Granted, using amplification is very helpful. It saves the preacher's voice. It allows the preacher to better modulate his voice so people don't think he's screaming from start to finish. And in most cases (not all), an amplifier will allow the preacher to be heard over greater distances. But for thousands of years, open-air preachers heralded the law and the gospel without the aid of electronic amplification.<br />
<br />
Remember, God is sovereign.<br />
<br />
Everyone God wants to hear an open-air preacher, on any given day, <i>will</i> hear him. Whether the preacher has a Whitefield-like voice or can barely be heard at the other end of his own home, the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation, <i>will</i> be heard.<br />
<br />
And keep in mind, the day is coming when governing authorities will clamp-down on, restrict, or outlaw the public proclamation of the gospel. The elimination of the use of amplification in public places could be one of the first steps in such anti-gospel efforts. So, open-air preacher, what will you do? If the government outlaws preaching with amplification, are you going to sit in your house, staring out the window, pouting about days gone by? I hope not!<br />
<br />
Use amplification when and where you can, but also take the time to preach without it. Learn how to use the instrument God has given you, without the aid of mechanical devices.<br />
<br />
Oh. One more thing. Don't be one of those open-air preachers that is on the streets more concerned about fighting for your rights than for lost souls. If an officer asks (or tells) you to shutdown your amplification, comply. Better to stay on the street preaching without amplification than to find yourself in the back seat of a patrol care because you had to try to win an argument with an officer.<br />
<br />
For more information regarding how to deal with law enforcement and security, <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/2013/11/hello-officer-interacting-with-law.html">read this article</a></b>.<br />
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In "Part 4" of this article, we will take a look at gospel literature.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-62507637003709421812015-01-01T22:20:00.001-08:002015-01-01T22:20:27.893-08:00How Can I Pray for You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP_GSywmzVt8jsGpaQAv20gTlOYr-qbWnv9IASAFCQK_D4TxwrqjUaRTWJqI1P788R_bMEimdUbDKuPTJ-A7AzpEcw29nlqUFsYTfaLbPtOeBqTypXlNJFabUFLtTd9Vammk_uLvkEvIy/s1600/20120511_Tony_Praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP_GSywmzVt8jsGpaQAv20gTlOYr-qbWnv9IASAFCQK_D4TxwrqjUaRTWJqI1P788R_bMEimdUbDKuPTJ-A7AzpEcw29nlqUFsYTfaLbPtOeBqTypXlNJFabUFLtTd9Vammk_uLvkEvIy/s320/20120511_Tony_Praying.jpg" /></a></div>
This picture was taken several years ago at a local park. While I cannot remember the young man's name, I remember the conversation. I saw him sitting on the bench, reading his Bible. I engaged him in conversation and learned that he was struggling. He grew up in church, but he knew he wasn't right with God. He was searching the Scriptures for answers. I shared the gospel with him and he made a profession of faith in Christ. Before I left him, I prayed for him.<br />
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Recently, I began asking people on Facebook and Twitter how I can pray for them. The response has been wonderful--so wonderful that it is already becoming difficult to gather all of the prayer requests, since I am collecting the prayer request from multiple online locations.<br />
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So, in an effort to collect all of the prayer requests in one place, I'm writing this post.<br />
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If I can petition the Lord on your behalf, through prayer, simply share your prayer request by leaving a comment on this post. If the prayer request is too personal to share publicly, please email me at <b><a href="mailto:Tony@crossencountersmin.com">Tony@crossencountersmin.com</a></b>.<br />
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How can I pray for you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540584612795472457.post-45819825747833028152014-12-27T17:23:00.000-08:002014-12-27T20:53:54.004-08:00Why I Number Myself Among "The 15"Pastor Tom Chantry of <b><a href="http://crbc.us/">Christ Reformed Baptist Church</a></b> (Milwaukee) <b><a href="https://twitter.com/tjchantry/status/548939436436647936">summed it up</a></b> well.<br />
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"'The 15' is not akin to a silly boycott of a secular company; it is an uprising of serious churchmen calling for ecclesiastical action."</blockquote>
Twitter has been all-a-buzz the last couple of days over the hashtag #The15. It all started when a leader in American Evangelicalism (a <b><a href="http://www.crossencounters.us/search?q=%22American+Evangelicalism%22">subject about which</a></b> I have written at length), came to the defense of John Piper, after Christians had the audacity to grimace and question what seemed to be a <b><a href="https://twitter.com/JohnPiper/status/547233893653704704">pro-Roman Catholic tweet</a></b> by the well-known and much beloved pastor. In doing so, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/547416871859781632">Stetzer snarked</a></b> on Twitter:<br />
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Stetzer followed up his shot against the "same 15 Calvinists" with <b><a href="https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/547436484891279361">this</a></b>, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/547466542334889985">this</a></b>, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/547489574440947712">this</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/547781501858107392">this</a></b>.<br />
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Well, Stetzer's rant led to JD Hall to post the first-ever #The15 Tweet:<br />
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Hall soon followed the inaugural tweet with an article titled, "<b><a href="http://pulpitandpen.org/2014/12/26/who-are-the15/">Who are #the15</a></b>," on the <b><i>Pulpit and Pen</i></b> blog. Please read Hall's article for the best explanation, for the original intent of #The15.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why I Number Myself Among #The15</b></span><br />
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The above picture is of a 16th century engraving by <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Galle">Philips Galle</a></b> titled, "Samson Destroying the Temple of the Philistines." For the record, the "15" on Samson's chest is my personal touch. According to the biblical record, there is no evidence that Samson ever wore a jersey with the number 15 on the front.<br />
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As I thought of the tragic yet redemptive end of Samson's life (Judges 16:25-30), I thought of what #The15 represents (cue the melodramatic music). I see the Philistine temple the same way I see American Evangelicalism. Both are godless structures. I see Samson the same way I see the Bride of Christ. As Samson stood within the Philistine temple determined to bring it to the ground, within the godless system of American Evangelicalism is the Bride of Christ, fighting for the truth of God's Word, the fidelity of the gospel, and the purity of the Church.<br />
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One day (and I hope it is soon) Jesus Christ will use His Bride, the Church, to bring down, to utterly destroy, the temple of quasi-Christianity commonly referred to as American Evangelicalism. Oh, it won't be violent. It won't be a hostile takeover. American Evangelicalism will simply burn up like every other piece of chaff. The tare that is American Evangelicalism will be uprooted, without harming the wheat (God's people).<br />
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And how will God use His Bride to accomplish the destruction of American Evangelicalism?<br />
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Persecution.<br />
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No, it won't be the persecution of American Evangelicals at the hands of true Christians. It will be the other way around. The Bride of Christ will, I believe, soon be persecuted by those who would number themselves among the American Evangelical ranks before they would ever dream of counting the cost of following Christ. It won't be long (again this is simply my belief; I don't even play a prophet on television) before American Evangelicals, because of their love of the world and the things of the world, because of their desire to be loved by the world and the people of godless religions and political systems, will begin to side with the popes, pundits, and politicians of the world against the Bride of Christ.<br />
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It will be the persecution of the true saints of God, which will include the blood of martyrs, at the hands of people (American Evangelicals) who have created a Jesus in their imagination--a socially relevant, all-inclusive, gentlemanly, demonic Jesus--that will be used of God to separate the tares from the wheat, to separate the Bride of Christ from American Evangelicalism.<br />
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While American Evangelicalism is awash with everything God hates--from abortion to divorce, to homosexuality, to sexual predator pastors, to pluralism, to greed, to unbiblical tolerance, to false prophets and teachers, and so on--the Bride of Christ that finds herself within this depraved and debaucherous system is beautiful. While yet imperfect, she is set apart to God, for the Son, by the Holy Spirit. And the Bridegroom will one-day rescue His Bride from this fallen world and the fallen religious system known as American Evangelicalism.<br />
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I number myself among #The15 because I see American Evangelicalism (not all evangelicals) as an enemy of Christ. I see American Evangelicalism as a tool of Satan to fill Hell with Matthew 7:21-23 false converts. I see American Evangelicalism as a demonic system that gives people what they want, a wide gate into what they think is heaven. Yet all-the-while they are strolling on an easy religious path that leads to destruction.<br />
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I number myself among #The15 because I don't want people to go to hell while thinking they are on the fast track to heaven. There is no group of people for whom I fear, worry, and weep more than false converts--people who think they will stand before Christ and say, "Lord! Lord!" They will say it only to hear Jesus say in response, "Depart from me."<br />
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Why do I number myself among #The15? I do so because I love Jesus, His Church, and the lost more than any religious system that blasphemes the first, sullies the second, and damns the third.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978469378943098559noreply@blogger.com1