The Rooster Days Festival is an event in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma that attracts a large and very diverse crowd to its many booths, events, and attractions. It's a field that's ripe for harvest (John 4). I had the privilege of sharing with several small groups of people who were just hanging around and milling around the park grounds. It's really quite simple to do in that context, especially when people see you standing with a big wad of what appears to be large bills but are really Million and Trillion Dollar Bill gospel tracts. Here's a taste of the evening.
The "Church Goers"
I shared with a small group who said they attend LifeChurch.tv and Destiny Church. Sadly, they didn't know their eternal destiny and didn't know the gospel. However, the good news is that several in the group really soaked the full gospel message up like a dry sponge.
Young, Unwed Mothers
I shared with two young, unwed mothers. After going through the law together, they honestly admitted that if they died today they would be judged guilty and deserving of God's just wrath and punishment in hell. However, they were encouraged by the depth of God's love and mercy demonstrated on the cross. When I asked them if they knew what Jesus said to do in order to be declared innocent and righteous on the day of judgment in order to have eternal life with the Lord, they admitted they did not know. I gladly explained the gospel to them and asked them if they had ever done what Jesus said to do--(1) repent and (2) believe (Mk. 1:15). They hadn't done that before. I urged them to do it before it's too late and explained how to follow Jesus.
Mr. Body Piercing and Hoop Earrings
Chase sported all of the latest body piercings and huge hoop earrings that make your earlobes look like basketball hoops. He was clearly awakened to eternal realities by Jesus' teachings about the law, judgment, and the righteousness that's needed to enter heaven (Matt. 5-7). And he was equally touched by the message of the gospel and the reason Jesus died on the cross for his sins. He, too, did not know what Jesus said to do to have eternal life, so I gladly explained it to him.
Bobby the Homosexual
Bobby said he knew he was going to heaven because his dad's a pastor. I asked him if my dad had to be a pastor in order for me to go to heaven. No, he laughed. You just have to believe in Jesus. Really, I asked? Is that all? Yes, he said. I know Jesus loves me, he added, and then said that Jesus loves him even though Bobby said he is a homosexual. Jesus does love you very much, I responded, even if you are a homosexual. But do you know what Jesus said to do in order to have eternal life, I asked. What, he inquired. Jesus said you have to believe AND repent (Mk. 1:15; Matt. 4:17; Lk. 13:1-5). Do you know what repentance means, I asked. Ask forgiveness, he asked with a question in his tone. That's one side of the repentance coin, I said. The other side is to turn--turn from going your own rebellious sinful way to following Jesus' way. James wrote that even the demons believe and shudder. I urged Bobby to consider the fact that Jesus said he who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who really loves him (John 14:21). I explained that the Greek word translated "keep" in that verse does not mean perfect obedience but a focus on being obedient as best as God enables. Bobby, however, admitted that he was rebelling in the area of his homosexuality. I urged Bobby not to gamble his eternal welfare on a fleshly indulgence but do "pluck out that eye" and "cut off that limb" for the sake of his destiny (Matt. 5).
Abdul the Muslim
The Lord capped the evening off with an amazing and encouraging discussion with a very open and inquisitive Muslim young man named Abdul. We talked about how truth is discerned by careful examination of evidence. We talked about how to look for evidence to divine the truth about which religious claims were true and which weren't. We talked about the abundance of evidence for the fact that Jesus is who he claimed to be--Immanuel, God with Us--and all of the evidence supporting the fact of his resurrection, proving he is God that he alone paid for man's sins and is the way, truth, and the life. Abdul listened carefully. I explained to him the full gospel message and that he could know for sure that his destiny is heaven if he will obey the Gospel and choose to follow Jesus as Lord, not just as a mere prophet. Abdul allowed me to give him a Gospel of John (ESV) and small explanatory booklet published by John Piper called, For Your Joy.
The Sad Part
It's not always joyful, though. There are sad times when you venture out to witness. There were also several who refused to hear the gospel. Several who walked off while some of their friends remained behind to hear the gospel and learn how to receive life. Many who showed no concern that their destiny may be hell. That always breaks my heart.
To God be the glory. Great things He has done! What a blessing to be a part of His work in proclaiming the glorious news of the gospel.
And many others who walked off ....
No comments:
Post a Comment