Although this is from Labor Day 2009, read this from Ambassador Alliance brother Allen Peek:
Labor Day weekend 2009 was over the top! A friend of mine and I preached open air at the Pismo Beach Pier on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We arrived on Saturday at around 2PM. It was a glorious time serving along side my brother in Christ. While he preached, I prayed, passed out tracts, and served as a single-man "rent a crowd." Brother Robert had an appointment at 4PM, so after that, I was on my own. I reasoned within myself, 'better leave now, you shouldn't continue by yourself.' But at the same time I questioned my motive for wanting to leave. What was it? I was thinking of my own safety.
My self-centered-reasoning was not based on loving GOD lifting up the Name that is above every name. My motive for wanting to leave was not based on loving man. I was more concerned for my own well being instead of thinking of what was best for those who are lost, dying, under the wrath of God, and who desperately need be saved and enjoy peace with God. I understand that God can save people without me He is in need of no help! But at the same time, I also understand this, "brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
So I stayed. Right after Brother Robert left on Saturday the hecklers came out in full force. They heckled me from every direction. It was imposable to keep up with all their straw-man arguments and false accusations.
I continued to preach their need to be born again. I hammered John 3:18-19, 36 expounding on the ramifications of a person who "rejects the Son" - while pointing and firing the ten cannons of God's moral law at them. The more I preached the more angry hecklers came out of the woodwork. The more angry hecklers - the bigger the crowds grew.
It was a wonderful time! There were times when I spoke very gently to try and calm them. There were other times when I spoke firmly with them. During the times when it was got a bit volatile, I was trembling inside while at the same time had great sense of peace about being there. I was threatened; hecklers coming right up to me few times but God caused me to trust in Him through it all.
Even now, I trust that His will is accomplished through the preaching of His law and the lifting up of the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. I was so encouraged! I pray that this encourages you my fellow fishermen - especially you who find yourself out on the streets alone. "DON'T QUIT!"
Sunday afternoon really went about the same - decent sized crowds standing/sitting listening to the preaching. However, I found out before Saturday's open-air meeting, that amplification is not totally prohibited the code stipulates that the sound generated cannot exceed a certain decibel level. I was informed of this by an on-duty Sergeant from the Pismo Beach PD. He was very kind and showed me the actual code he had with him. I was overjoyed.
I didn't have my PA with me on Saturday so we went "A la Whitefield." But Sunday I brought the PA and used it all afternoon. I was so pleased because my voice was burnt from Saturday. I thank our Sovereign God for all the support, encouragement, and yes, I thank Him for each and every one of those dear hecklers. Because of them, (ultimately because of God) many heard the law and Gospel over the two days of preaching.
I don't feel it necessary to defend my actions in any way shape or form. However, for Christians who might hear/watch this, it may sound like I'm yelling at these people. This is not the case. I do my best to keep from sounding like I'm yelling. While I'm preaching I regularly explain why I'm lifting my voice. My voice is raised, not because I'm angry, but because I want everyone near and far to hear the preaching of the law of God and the Good News the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sola Dei Gloria!
Allen Peek
---------------------------------------------------------------
This brother was open air preaching. What excuse do we have for (at the very least) not handing out a gospel tract?
The majority of the confessing church is silent when it comes to opening up it's mouth and proclaiming Jesus Christ.
Why?
Are we afraid of the heckler? Are we afraid of man in general? Are we afraid we might not have the right thing to say to a particular question? Are we afraid we will die right there on the spot?
Is not He who is in you greater than he who is in the world?
People all around us are dying and going to Hell and we have the Word of life and the cure for sinful man.
At the very least we can give someone a tract...right?
Dawg
Praise God! Excellent post, Wayne!
ReplyDeleteAllen is a faithful gospel giving brother in Christ whom I enjoy tapping in on through his blogsite at
www.crossbearingservant.blogspot.com/
There are thousands of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who give faithful witness of our Lord through their daily sufferings in at least 40 countries where Christians are truly persecuted.
They are hunted down and beaten. Their houses and churches burned down. They are rounded up, jailed, tortured and put to death for their faith in Christ; for their refusal to deny Christ; for their refusal to obey man and continue so spread the gospel, as did Peter and John.
THIS is their witness!
And, sadly, I know some professing Christians who would not do so much as hand out a gospel tract to a stranger for fear of what that stranger might THINK of them if the offer is rejected.
I dare say, what a slap in the face that is to our overseas fellow believers described above.
T