CBC Evangelism: Let Your Light So Shine 10/11/2014

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-16 NKJV)

With several other important events taking place on this Saturday evening, including the 60th anniversary celebration of Calvary Bible Church, and Paul Washer speaking at a local church, the team was rather "lean" at first. Jeremy and Steve met for prayer at the Burbank PD parking lot, but when they arrived on location at San Fernando and Magnolia they were quickly joined by Deacon Mark, and brothers Vinny and Shawn.

Shawn, who plays guitar almost every Sunday at CBC, was a key member of the CBC mission team to the Philippines this year. He wasted no time, jumping right in to hand out tracts and to ask people boldly, "Would you like to hear the Good News about Jesus Christ!?"

Brother Vinny dropped by to encourage the team and to take a turn on the box. His challenging style never fails to prompt hecklers who are offended by the glorious gospel.

Vinny: You see over and over, when catastrophes happen, just like in New York when the World Trade Centers went down, and I was there, all of a sudden people were scared and afraid and praying. Praying to what? If you don't believe in God then what are you praying to? You see the reason those people were praying on that day, the reason that the Churches were so filled on that day, I was there and I saw it, was because the Bible says that God has placed eternity into the hearts of men. You see, we know there is a God, and YOU know that there is a God! And you deny it, because you don't want to hear the Bible that we are preaching to you.

Heckler: You're really loud dude, really loud!

Vinny: Good! Because some people are deaf! And even though they may hear this message they'll tune it out. And the message is that there is a loving God who offers forgiveness for our sins, the wrath of God, the judgment of God against sinful men. You, I, we are all sinners, and a just God is going to bring us judgment. The Bible says that Jesus is going to come, and He will bring His judgment upon those who have disobeyed God.

Second Heckler: Will Jesus forgive us?

Vinny: If you are willing to deny yourself, repent of your sins, and turn to God for forgiveness, yes He is willing to forgive. And it's a free gift, you can't work for it, you can't earn it.

As this discussion progressed it became clear that the man who was heckling was a Muslim who said he believed Jesus was a prophet, but not God. Vinny strongly cautioned Him that Jesus is more than a prophet, He is God, and that Muhammad is a false prophet. The Muslim men did not stay to discuss the issue. Providentially, we have just received a new tract that carefully compares the Lord Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible, with the false view of Christ presented in the Koran. If you are witnessing to Muslim friends or co-workers please check with Steve for a copy of this informative tract.

As always, the Lord is faithful to bring laborers to the field. If you feel the calling of the Holy Spirit to step out in faith and see what this ministry is about, please join us. We'll equip you with everything you need to serve in this way.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

The Morning Shift 10/8/2014

It's starting to get light later in the morning so we are starting out in the dark, but it is always bright and sunny by the time we leave. No, the K-9 unit is not there for us, although we had a moment of concern when they pulled up.

This week, Jeremy and Steve shared the gospel through tracts and proclamation. Please stand with us on Wednesday mornings at 6:00 AM at the North Hollywood Metro Station on Lankershim Blvd. It's a great opportunity to share the truth with the thousands of commuters who pass through this area.

Also, during Deans's Magnet Evangelism outreach on Thursday, the 9th, an unusual event occurred in which the gates into and out of the train station were closed and locked for around 20 minutes. No one could enter or exit the station. Although President Obama was in town at the time, it did not appear to be related to the traffic interruptions caused by his motorcade.