CBC Evangelism: Bringing Light 11/9/2013

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:3-5)

In His continual faithfulness to answer prayers for laborers, the Holy Spirit provided a strong group of brothers and sisters: Mark, Dean S., Dean C., Paul, Sharon, Jeremy, Dr. Jack, Barbara, and Steven V.

Elder Bob joined us later and he also took a turn on the corner box with the satellite group.

Blessed with Hecklers (Sort of)

Dr. Jack was blessed with an inquisitive and very polite heckler, named Miguel, who explained that he wants to write a screenplay about the second coming, set in modern times, but showing Christ "not as a white man, but rather as a black woman."

Jack asked Miguel why he would want to change the character of Jesus. Miguel replied that he wanted to show that the "message is universal, and it is beyond the messenger." Jack replied: "The messenger is everything. If you take Jesus out of the message, you don't have a message. Because the Bible says that Jesus is the Word. And the Word became flesh. So Jesus and His words are one. You cannot separate Jesus from His words."

Jack followed up by giving Miguel the gospel.

Steve's heckler approached the mic with what seemed to be a chip on his shoulder. Identifying himself as "Joseph" he expressed a concern that there are many terms that Christians use, the meaning of which most non-Christians don't understand. A small crowd gathered as Joseph, with a tone of incredulity, asked many lengthy questions which zeroed in on the meaning and importance of Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross. It was a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel in a clear and thorough way. Several times, Joseph looked around to see if anyone in the crowd wanted to ask some questions, but only one woman spoke up and said, "Keep going! You're asking some great questions!"

In fact, it began to seem as if Joseph was better acquainted with the Gospel than he initially appeared to be. Afterwards, Joseph came forward to shake Steve's hand and he admitted that he attends Grace Community Church, and we all had a good chuckle over his well-intended role playing. Although we don't use this technique, due to it's inherent deception, we've often kidded about doing that. Joseph was quite convincing, Steve was grateful for the "perfect" heckling, and it undoubtedly served a good purpose. Since none of our team was in on the ruse, Steve claimed to have a clear conscience about it. (Although he could be heard repenting later in the parking lot, just in case.)

Gospel Proclaimed

Brother Paul has been faithfully growing in depth and stirring content.

"Our sin has brought about a chasm between us and God, and we can't get to Him. God wants us and He has made a way. He has leveled it with the Cross. You may cross (that chasm) through the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why Jesus says, 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.' There is no other way. There is no other system. He saved us not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy. It doesn't matter how many good deeds you have done, you cannot make up for your sins. Somebody has got to take the punishment for those sins, and God says, 'I am going to send my Son into the world and He is willing to receive your punishment.' But you've got to turn from your sins, you've got to repent, you've got to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

For with the heart a person believes and, guess what, it results in a visible change of lifestyle. If you believe in Jesus, get ready, get your seat belt on, because you're going to be going for a ride, and it's not going to be an easy ride, because the Bible says that all those who desire to live godly in Jesus Christ will be persecuted. And this world has no tolerance for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why people cringe when they hear the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why people use the name of Jesus Christ as a swear word when they hit their finger with a hammer. It is because they do not believe in the God who made this world, and they do not want Him in authority over them. That's what the Bible says of those who reject the authority of Jesus Christ. Yet the scriptures say every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It's gonna happen friends. What will it be? Do you want to bow the knee under His judgment? Or do you want to bow the knee in submission to a glad and wonderful God, who has given His Son for you? That's the choice tonight! Choose life that you may live! And Life is in Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world. . ."