General Articles

Is Street Preaching Relevant? :: By Howard Green

Published on: by RR7

 

When I mention the words “street preaching,” what sort of images come to mind? Is it a wild-eyed man dressed in a t-shirt filled with screen-printed flames clutching a turn or burn sign? Maybe you think of an angry person screaming verses of scripture from the top of their lungs at passers-by. Perhaps you envision a dear saint handing out tracts and winsomely preaching the gospel with truth and love in a crowded city marketplace. Regardless of the plethora of images street preaching may conjure up, history has shown and eternity will testify to its eternal relevance.

Street preaching or open-air evangelism are terms used interchangeably and simply mean to go and take the gospel to the places lost people gather. It is a biblical response to Jesus’ imperative for us to go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in (Luke 14:23).

I’m under no illusion that everyone is called to open-air evangelism, but we are all called to be witnesses of Jesus and his gospel. With that thought in mind, let’s dispel some confusion regarding street preaching.

I want to make a distinction between proclaiming Christ out of selfish ambition versus Spirit-led street preaching rooted in goodwill. In the first instance, there is the sort of street preacher who is looking for prestige. There is an unhealthy quest for visibility bordering on celebrity status. They will use human means and craftiness to stun people. They will even go so far as to instigate fights and then claim that they are being persecuted in Jesus’ name. Oftentimes this appears to be done for personal gain measured in YouTube clicks, Facebook likes, or website hits. They may be bold, but they aren’t necessarily loving.

In the second instance, there are street evangelists who preach the gospel with such simplicity and clarity that the message isn’t obscured by theatrics or persona, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4). The one thing that separates a true evangelist who is called of God from one who is working in the flesh and mired in the ugliness of self-promotion is the word motive. If the motive is wrong, then you will seek to increase self. If the motive is love for lost souls, you will seek to decrease self and give God all of the glory (Philippians 1:15-17).

The other notion I want to dispel is that street preaching is not relevant or in step with the local church. I think that evidence will prove both of these notions to be categorically false. I understand why some people come to these conclusions. They have seen worldly methods used to reach the lost, and it has colored their view of street preaching. On the other hand, there are some in the church who seem to demean street preaching. I’ve heard fellow ministers use terms such as “street-screamers” or “street-screechers” from the pulpit to mischaracterize street evangelists. Isn’t it sad, prideful, and frankly unbiblical to diminish a mandate from Jesus with one broad brushstroke and not differentiate between right and wrong motives?

This isn’t an indictment of the local church or pastors. I believe in the absolute necessity of the local church. For every hireling that diminishes the necessity for evangelism, I believe there are many more true shepherds who love and support the ministry of biblically centered street preachers. They see co-laborers in the faith (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Street preaching is relevant because evangelism is an absolute necessity. Let’s not forget that the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles were all street preachers. Some of the last words Jesus spoke to his followers were to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). The means and methods may vary slightly, but the common denominator is always the same. The message being preached is always centered on the bad news and good news. The bad news is man’s utter depravity, sinfulness, and expectation of coming judgment from a holy God. The good news is that Jesus came to save sinners who come to repentance and put their faith in him.

I’ve had the blessing to preach in churches, Bible studies, Christian gatherings, and here is what I’ve noticed. Most of the people who come to these events are professing Christians. Although our fellowships may have an occasional visitor on any given Sunday, oftentimes they will be a transplant from another church. Ask yourself how many times you’ve heard of an unsaved person randomly walking into a church to hear the gospel? The answer is rarely, except maybe Easter or Christmas, and that is usually just a matter of obligation or tradition. I would love it if every evangelical church had dozens of visitors flock to hear the good news each Sunday, but that isn’t reality.

So how do we reach lost people who will, in all probability, never walk into a church to hear the gospel? We bring the gospel to them! In his excellent book, The School of Biblical Evangelism, evangelist Ray Comfort puts it like this, “If we are serious about reaching this world, let’s follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the apostles and preach where sinners gather. In thirty minutes, a good open-air preacher can reach more sinners than the average church does in twelve months!” Dear friends, let me remind you that the much-beloved A.W. Tozer came to faith in Jesus after hearing a street preacher. You never know the seeds you will plant through obeying the great commission.

If you are thinking of street preaching, let me recommend several resources: The aforementioned book by Ray Comfort and his ministry, Living Waters. Torch of Christ ministries led by Phillip Blair also has examples of Christ-centered street preaching on YouTube. I will place links to these resources below.

Here’s what some great Christians said about evangelism and open-air preaching:

“The great benefit of open-air preaching is that we get so many newcomers to hear the gospel who otherwise would never hear it.” -Charles Spurgeon

“The great commission isn’t an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” -Hudson Taylor

“It is the greatest pleasure of living to win souls to Christ.” -Dwight L. Moody

“Jesus commands us to go; it should be the exception if we stay.

It’s no wonder we’re movin’ so slow when His church refuses to obey, feelin’ so called to stay.” -Keith Green

“The One who calls you to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature is the One who by your consent, goes into all the world and preaches the Gospel to every creature through you!” -Major Ian Thomas

Dear Christian friend, Street preaching is of eternal relevance because God has already commanded you to be a witness to all the world. As our days grow more perilous and Jesus’ coming draws near, let me encourage you to boldly share the gospel on the streets. If your motive is the glory of God and love for lost souls, the Lord will certainly work in and through you (Romans 10:14-15).

All for Him,

Howard

The School of Biblical Evangelism by Ray Comfort of Living Waters: http://store.livingwaters.com/books/equipping.html

Torch of Christ Ministries on YouTube with Phillip Blair: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKYcfq8_yAieQRZ81M_A7hw

 

Don’t Worry About Nothin’ :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7

 

My wife and I have always enjoyed watching the Rocky movies, specifically the first four. We were watching Rocky II one evening, and I happened to realize that Rocky had quoted part of a Bible verse.

Rocky was saying goodbye to his newborn son as he was preparing to leave and fight Apollo Creed once more for the heavyweight boxing championship. As he leaned over the crib, he told his son, “Don’t worry about nothin’.”

Philippians 4:6 begins with, “Be anxious for nothing.” Better translated, it says, “Don’t worry about anything,” or as Rocky would say, “Don’t worry about nothin’.” I like that.

Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Our world of today is topsy-turvy in what God originally intended for mankind. We are standing on our head, neck-deep in rebellion against a holy God. Many in our society who are still sane, Christians and non-Christians alike, are wondering what in the world has happened to us and how did it happen so rapidly.

As I look around at what we have become, I can only hear the gurgling of water as it quickly drains from the tub. We are dying spiritually and don’t even know it.

I am reminded of Noah and his world of many years ago, just before the flood.

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37-39).

In the book of Luke is recorded Jesus’ further example of the days of Lot.

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30).

We know that every imaginable sin against God was being committed in those days, just as they are today. We know they were going about their lives as if God did not exist but were suddenly awakened to the truth when it was too late. God’s patience ran out and was replaced with His judgment against all those in rebellion.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Those of Noah’s day had never seen rain or waters gush up from the ground. They had never experienced a flood, but the flood of all floods was coming. For 120 years Noah warned his generation, but they would not listen.

Those of Lot’s day had no fear of God, but they too were destroyed. God rained fire and brimstone down upon them and destroyed them all.

For almost two thousand years, God has been warning mankind of judgment to come. Unfortunately, most of mankind is just as bull-headed as they were in Noah and Lot’s days. Most today are just repeating the actions of those of long ago.

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created’” (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Most of you who know the Lord have probably heard those comments as you have witnessed to others about Jesus’ return. Listen to Peter’s response.

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment” (2 Peter 3:8-10).

Sometimes, even Christians will wonder why Jesus is taking so long to return for us, but “a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.” That’s not all, though. Notice what Peter repeats in the next few verses.

“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:15, 17-18).

Thank God for His patience. Because of His patience, many have had time to come to Him and be saved. That should be the way we look at it. Yes! Absolutely! We want the Lord to return, but our waiting a little while longer gives us more time to witness and for someone to turn to Him to be saved.

Peter closes by warning us to not be swayed by the wickedness that is all around us but instead “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In the meantime, as we witness and prayerfully hope that others accept Jesus as their Savior, they too then could have the frame of mind … “Don’t worry about nothin’,” for we are safe in His hands.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html