Looking back, and Looking Ahead

December 31, 2009

Looking backward at 2009 I see the first year of “Just Truth” we handed out a ton of tracts, though next year we intend to double that. We spoke to a lot people, and shared the gospel in the open air a few times as well, we intend to do more in 2010. A lot of people look back and see the good of the year, and while the year held many great things, Ambassadors Academy, Festivals, and events. It’s in the mist of missed opportunities, missed events, and missed souls.  I am challenging myself in 2010, and you all as well…. everyday. Everyday we need to share the gospel with people, verbally, through a tract, and/or Open Air. 

I am also challenging you to take a stand for truth, know someone sharing the gospel wrong? Tell them (lovingly)… lives depend on it. Know someone who may be a false convert? TELL THEM!!(gently) the worse they can do is ignore you. Know someone who hates God, loves evil, and lives for themselves… tell them(boldly)..  they need it. I see people saying pray for an hour this new years! Really? we should be in prayer an hour a night anyway!!  we should constantly and consistently in prayer! I also challenge you to learn to defend your faith, learn your faith so that when false teaching raises it’s ugly head you can spot it immediately, and stamp it out before it takes root! Whether that teaching is from your best friend, your pastor, me, or the person you look up to the most. Confront it, I plan to. 

I am pretty vocal about things, my dislike for Santa Claus, and book stores that sell out, as well as Christians that compromise. I guess I would be considered “Intolerant” because of my views on evangelism, and how it should be done, as well as confrontational in my evangelism style. 

I am considering some things with the website, and Lord willing more.  I pray ”Just Truth” would be the catalyst to send people out into our community, not with any one church or denomination. I’ve seen a few churches turn evangelism into marketing and slap their website on everything, and have no link to the gospel once you get there. I don’t care where people go to church as long as it’s biblical. It’s about Christ, not how many people showed up on Sunday. (or how many said a prayer!) 

I want to get the site away from opinions…. I.E. my Santa Claus post, probably the most “popular” of the year, however it was my opinion. (can’t promise they’ll go away altogether :-) )  I would like to post more stories of “adventures from the street” for encouragement. As well as step out a little bit and take “teams of people” to local areas to tract, witness, and/or Open air. Places I’ve not witnessed, and places not in the reach of where I go to church. 

I hesitate to use the word “ministry” simply because it implies authority and education that I haven’t earned,  however I do want to use “Just Truth” to gather people together in one place whether that place is a fair or concert, or a 4th of July celebration, or just a Friday night at a popular place in town, and for one reason, to share the gospel of Christ, through open air preaching, one on one witnessing, tract distribution, and displaying the cross.  Currently my wife and I are putting together a “missions statement” so to speak and will post it on the blog ASAP.  

2010, Lord willing will be a year of overcoming fears through prayer and the grace of Christ, I pray a year of growth, spiritually, as well as a year when many people come to truly know the Lord..  and as we end 2009 who do you know that isn’t saved? or that is in a false religion?  I urge you to send them to this site, its a great gospel presentation

When all other folks are asking for “faith” offerings I am asking you to take a step of faith too. Commit to sharing the gospel daily, even if it means you lose some friends.. Law to the proud, grace to the humble is the only way… Thank you, and God bless… we’ll see you out there in 2010!

 Are you interested in joining us in witnessing, tracting, and Open Air? shoot me an e-mail.


It’s about the cross…

December 24, 2009


A Call to Return

December 11, 2009

Now I have only been saved a few years, I am blessed because the Lord had blessed me with teachers who, despite some disagreements with theology have taught me a lot. Some more than others, some through their actions, some through their lack thereof.

I look at a leader in anything as a waterfall, as the water rushes over the leader, his likes, dislikes attributes, and likewise pour over and change the likeness of those in under him. If his attributes are noble, and good, then that will flow downward to all those below him. likewise if it’s bad, and ugly, that will flow downward as well. I’ve seen both.

I think the church needs a call to return to the leadership of Christ. Are all our leaders in church a true reflection of Christ? Are they uncompromisingly biblical? No, they’re not. I can think back to experiences where I know that not to be the case. Sadly the bible has moved from pure fact, absolute authority, into the realm of opinion. It’s my opinion that means this, and his opinion this means that, and yet someone elses opinion it means something else.

I want to put out a call to return to biblical truths… I am not saying we need to live holy to earn our way to heaven, I am not saying we need to keep the law to get there. I fully understand and believe we are saved by God’s undeserved grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

I AM saying Christians for the most part are a sad lot. Where can you find some of us on a friday night? Sadly, sitting at the bar sipping our drink and smoking with the lost guy from work, or something goes wrong and we spew out a chorus of profanity that makes sailors blush. and so on and so forth.

We’ve been sitting under church leaders who are NOT uncompromisingly biblical. The teachers tend to silence truth, other than squash the lies. They’re more interested in relationships, church growth, and numbers than teaching the congregation how to live, and condemning those who don’t live right. I am not saying put them out of the congregation, but speak to them, and show them BIBLICALLY their errors. The Word says it is good for teaching, and rebuke. Use it.

We see leaders backing away as professing Christians blaspheme the name of God through their very lifestyle. We need a call to return to biblical lifestyles, we need biblical leaders.

Leaders especially should live immaculate lifestyles, both in and out of the public eye. I know people who I would consider Holy people..living a life befitting a Christian, people I respect and admire, and people I look up to and long to be like (Next to Christ of course). I see them as people without compromise, people with strong ethical, and biblical convictions who will stand up and say “Thats right!!” or “Thats wrong”.

Leaders should be the examples that our lives are to be reflections of Christ, to quote a t-shirt.. “we should be the moon, and reflect the Son”  but how many are!?!  Why do Christians have such a bad name? Because 80% of us are hypocrites! are you one? Galatians tells us to examine ourselves! Read 1 John, I urge you. Due to a law free gospel presentation, the removal of words like sin, punishment, etc Christianity has become just another thing people do. It has no consequence, it’s filled with false converts.

Leaders, Pastors, I beg you to examine yourselves. Think about it, because of your position people put you on a pedestal, this leaves no room for personal opinion! You HAVE TO TEACH THE BIBLICAL TRUTH! ALL of the truth.. sin, repentance, wrath etc. Jesus is amazingly loving, but He’s also amazingly wrathful, John MacArthur said it beautifully.. “God loves absolutely, and God hates absolutely” there is no mixing of love and hate, their is no mixing of sin, and righteousness.

OH I BEG!! Can’t we put out a call to return to holiness, righteousness, biblical evangelism, uncompromisingly biblical truths. Can’t we put out a call to let the Bible, God’s holy word rule in our lives over the TV, the Internet, the Computer, the daily humdrum lives we are all way to caught up in.. I’ll be honest, I long to be at the saviors feet, to say Jesus, I have sinned! I have not lived as I should… and BEG for forgiveness from Him. I love to spend eternity with Him, and anxiously await the moment He calls me home. but until then I want to live for HIM, not because I have, but oh how it will be my pleasure to step up and live as righteously as he allows me to live. Being a good witness in everything.

Other than being clearly unbiblical you know why lifestyle evangelism doesn’t work? because Christians don’t stand out, we blend in.. we are pushing people in line to see twilight, we are paying $4.00 a pack for smokes (or whatever they cost now), basically going to church on Sunday and living like hell monday – saturday. we are NO different.  step up, take a stand….

Not all Christians are “bad” some are living righteously, that how I know that most in leadership are not. Those living properly will likely applaud this post, those not will probably call me judgmental, hateful, and angry.


10 reasons NOT to ask Jesus into your heart.

December 10, 2009

By:
Todd Friel

The music weeps, the preacher pleads, “Give your heart to Jesus. You have a God shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it.” Dozens, hundreds or thousands of people who want to get their spiritual life on track make their way to the altar. They ask Jesus into their heart.

Cut to three months later. Nobody has seen our new convert in church. The follow up committee calls him and encourages him to attend a Bible study, but to no avail. We label him a backslider and get ready for the next outreach event.

Our beloved child lies in her snuggly warm bed and says, “Yes, Daddy. I want to ask Jesus into my heart.” You lead her in “the prayer” and hope that it sticks. You spend the next ten years questioning if she really, really meant it. Puberty hits and the answer reveals itself. She backslides. We spend the next ten years praying that she will come to her senses.

Telling someone to ask Jesus into their hearts has a very typical result, backsliding. the Bible says that a person who is soundly saved puts his hand to the plow and does not look back because he is fit for service. In other words, a true convert cannot backslide. If a person backslides, he never slid forward in the first place. “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (II Cor.5) No backsliding there.

Brace yourself for this one: with very few if any exceptions, anyone who asked Jesus into their hearts to be saved…is not. If you asked Jesus into your heart because you were told that is what you have to do to become a Christian, you were mis-informed.

If you have ever told someone to ask Jesus into their heart (like I have), you produced a false convert. Here is why.

1. It is not in the Bible. There is not a single verse that even hints we should say a prayer inviting Jesus into our hearts. Some use Rev. 3:20. To tell us that Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts begging to come in.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” There are two reasons that interpretation is wrong.

The context tells us that the door Jesus is knocking on is the door of the church, not the human heart. Jesus is not knocking to enter someone’s heart but to have fellowship with His church.
Even if the context didn’t tell us this, we would be forcing a meaning into the text (eisegesis). How do we know it is our heart he is knocking at? Why not our car door? How do we know he isn’t knocking on our foot? To suggest that he is knocking on the door of our heart is superimposing a meaning on the text that simply does not exist.

The Bible does not instruct us to ask Jesus into our heart. This alone should resolve the issue, nevertheless, here are nine more reasons.

2. Asking Jesus into your heart is a saying that makes no sense. What does it mean to ask Jesus into your heart? If I say the right incantation will He somehow enter my heart? Is it literal? Does He reside in the upper or lower ventricle? Is this a metaphysical experience? Is it figurative? If it is, what exactly does it mean? While I am certain that most adults cannot articulate its meaning, I am certain that no child can explain it. Pastor Dennis Rokser reminds
us that little children think literally and can easily be confused (or frightened) at the prospect of asking Jesus into their heart.

3. In order to be saved, a man must repent (Acts 2:38). Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of repentance.

4. In order to be saved, a man must trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of faith.

5. The person who wrongly believes they are saved will have a false sense of security. Millions of people who sincerely, but wrongly, asked Jesus into their hearts think they are saved but struggle to feel secure. They live in doubt and fear because they do not have the Holy Spirit giving them assurance of salvation.

6. The person who asks Jesus into his heart will likely end up inoculated, bitter and backslidden. Because he did not get saved by reciting a formulaic prayer, he will grow disillusioned with Jesus, the Bible, church and fellow believers. His latter end will be worse than the first.

7. It presents God as a beggar just hoping you will let Him into your busy life. This presentation of God robs Him of His sovereignty.

8. The cause of Christ is ridiculed. Visit an atheist web-site and read the pagans who scoff, “How dare those Christians tell us how to live when they get divorced more than we do? Who are they to say homosexuals shouldn’t adopt kids when tens of thousands of orphans don’t get adopted by Christians?” Born again believers adopt kids and don’t get divorced.

People who ask Jesus into their hearts do. Jesus gets mocked when false converts give Him a bad name.

9. The cause of evangelism is hindered. While it is certainly easier to get church members by telling them to ask Jesus into their hearts, try pleading with someone to make today the day of their salvation. Get ready for a painful response. “Why should I become a Christian when I have seen so called Christians act worse than a pagan?” People who ask Jesus into their hearts give pagans an excuse for not repenting.

10. Here is the scary one. People who ask Jesus into their hearts are not saved and they will perish on the Day of Judgment. How tragic that millions of people think they are right with God when they are not. How many people who will cry out, “Lord, Lord” on judgment day will be “Christians” who asked Jesus into their hearts?

So, what must one do to be saved? Repent and trust. (Heb.6:1) The Bible makes it clear that all men must repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ. Every man does have a “God shaped hole in their hearts,” but that hole is not contentment, fulfillment and peace. Every man’s heart problem is righteousness. Instead of preaching that Jesus fulfills, we must preach that God judges and Jesus satisfies God’s judgment…if a man will repent and place his trust in Him.

If you are reading this and you asked Jesus into your heart, chances are good you had a spiritual buzz for a while, but now you struggle to read your Bible, tithe, attend church and pray. Perhaps you were told you would have contentment, purpose and a better life if you just ask Jesus into your heart. I am sorry, that was a lie.

If you have been preaching that people should ask Jesus into their hearts, I beg you to stop immediately. You will give an account for all the souls you have led astray. Read two articles on this site that will help you present the Gospel correctly: Hell’s Best Kept Secret and How to Witness Manual (“Witness Tools” section).


Ambassadors Academy

December 9, 2009

 

Have you ever been somewhere, or done something and said “that was a once in a lifetime experience”?  I have… for me that experience was Ambassadors Academy – an intense 3 day evangelist training arm of Ray Comfort’s ministry Living Waters.  Set in Beautiful Southern California for 3 days upwards of 70 evangelists converge on Hollywood Blvd, Open air malls, and popular packed beaches. The first day is intense classroom training with Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne, Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, Stuart Scott, and Tony Miano. The day is packed with new friends, and an air of excitement learning how to biblically evangelize. 

My wife and I were scared; we were challenged to go out there. We had some fear when handing out tracts when we started, and more fear talking to people one 2 one. We had never “Open air preached” before in our lives and

Our Team

it petrified us. Now before I go any further, going to the academy doesn’t mean you have to open air preach! If you’re stretched to simply hand out a tract, and get into one on one conversation… then that’s what the amazing team of leaders will see that you do, with coaxing, encouragement and love. You are never “forced” to step up on the box and preach. Do not let that stop you from going. 

If you’re like most evangelists you probably pretty near alone in your efforts, my wife and I were, yes we had a few people who would go out with us occasionally. For the most part in our efforts and enthusiasm we were alone.  It was amazing to go to this academy and find out we were NOT

Brother Allen - a new and dear friend

alone… I was nearly in tears every day because the talk was all God all the time, and how to glorify God, and making new friends that you will have for the rest of eternity. I have never been a people person (which makes evangelism hard in the 1st place!) but because of Ambassadors Academy, through the grace and provision of God,  we now have lifelong friends, common interests, and a love for God and the lost bind us together. That alone is worth the cost of the course. 

Days 2 and 3 are spent out on the streets, Day 2 would be the most intense day on the street,  simply because it’s the longest, and when you’re preaching to the lost, having conversations, and proclaiming Christ you get tired… but you keep going. It’s a great day to put to use everything you just learned the previous day. You’re never alone; you always have several folks around you to help you if you get stuck, and to encourage you as you proclaim the great news of Christ. I would encourage anyone who goes, to

Our team, on the last day

stretch yourself… Because once you do it that first time, whether it’s handing out a tract, or preaching in the open air… the next time is a little easier, and people will be encouraged, and seeds will be planted… We ALL make mistakes; you have at your disposal the best of evangelism. Decades of experience, godly men and woman bring wisdom, and know how, and they offer it to you – take advantage of it.  Our team leader did everything he could to ensure we had the chance to do what we came out there to do, he gave us tips as to what we might change, and challenged us to go a little further. 

I can not do Ambassadors Academy justice, for me being in the presence of evangelism’s powerhouses, with 50+ like minded people, and ALL of ONE ACCORD was as close to heaven as I can get on this earth. I started this post out saying this was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” – We really thought it was, we had hoped to go back, but the economy being what it is, we seriously doubted our being able to…  Living Waters once again proves that this isn’t about them, and it is about training up evangelists to preach the one true word of God, by cutting in half the cost of the training. I myself think that they have to be taking a financial hit by doing this, but I can assure you it’s not about the money. It’s my honest opinion that if it were possible, Living Waters would give everything away at no cost just to get it into the hands of evangelists, who then put it into the hands of the lost. 

I want to encourage you, once again, whether you’ve been preaching for 50 years, or you quake in fear at the thought of handing out a tract sign up for Ambassadors Academy.

Sign up now, while the cost is so low. you will NOT regret it.


Love ‘em to death

December 7, 2009

 

Would the police have right to punish you if you were never told or shown that murder is wrong?

There is a law against it, but no one ever told you and by horrible upbringing, you never truly knew it was wrong, so one day Sven makes you really mad and you push him off a cliff, sadly Sven passes away, and you go on about it like nothing happened. Soon police detectives link you to the murder and your hauled off to jail, it’s proven that you simply didn’t know the law, however, now you’re truly sorry for breaking the law.. are you guilty? Yes, you are.  Will you be punished? Yes! You’ve been shown to have a sound mind, that you planned the murder, and carried it out. Your parents are questioned, and to the amazement of everyone they never taught you murder was wrong, because they “loved” you so much they refused to set rules for you to live by. The remaining children your parents have are taken away, and the parents are punished to the fullest extent of the law. And as they flip the switch on the electric chair your last thought is.. “I never knew”. While you’re guilty of this crime they are guilty of a worse one. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and hiding the law from other is as great an offense.

Recently I had a discussion with a Christian that he thought showing people the law of God, and their sins in that mirror was judgmental, and unbiblical. I think Romans 7:7 is in order “.. I had not known sin but by the law..” Paul the apostle, the Pharisee had not known sin but by the law… the light of the Law that Jesus expounded upon in the Sermon on the Mount shone on his heart and opened his eyes to the law of God, that he would be judged on every thought, word and deed.

This Christians view is that we should show the lost the love of Christ, and that will lead them to repentance and faith. However is that love? Is the above scenario of not telling your kids the rules love?? Absolutely not!!! How many lost people can name the 10 commandments? Not many I’ll bet… how many that can name them know their purpose? And how many got to heaven by trying to keep them? And how loving is it NOT to tell the lost about their sins…and the punishment awaiting them.

This post could go so many different ways, and lead into to so many different things, why is that? It’s because preaching a love only, law starved gospel is the root of 99% if not ALL the problems in the modern church. This is what happens when we don’t show people they’re guilt before a just and holy God, we have to “push for decisions” because the Holy Spirit has not been allowed to work in that persons life. They’ve only been shown the love of Christ, they make a decision because, well who doesn’t like love, and when the promised trials and tribulations come they fall away, or worse stay in church with a hard heart playing like they’re a Christian all the while believing they’re saved.

Is it love to not tell the person they’re a sinner? It is Judging? We’re not telling them anything, it’s by their own admission!! If I ask a murderer is he murdered a person, and he says “yes”.. am I judging him? It comes down to scripture twisting and not knowing the bible. No it’s not judging, Firstly the bible makes it clear “there are none good, no, not one” hence “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” is it judging to walk into a prison and say to the rapist “you’re guilty of rape”? Absolutely not! However, it is murder for the evangelist to walk up to a person, knowing the bible declares them guilty, and knowing the only payment for that guilt is death, and then ignore that death sentence completely…but telling the person how much they’re loved, and all the great things that God will do for them… but when they die, they’ve never repented of their sins… and they experience the deserved wrath of God. Oh how I feel for those people… because they were lied to. By “loving people” who do not understand the role of the law in evangelism, or the seriousness of the sins we have all committed, or the wrath of a Just and HOLY God. In short it isn’t “love” to hide this from the lost, it’s murder, it’s hatred, it’s selfish, it heartbreaking, it’s… heresy.

Ignorance, and “love” will condemn entire generations to the lake of fire. I can not help but think it’s fear of confrontation, perhaps conviction of something we have in ourselves that we wont let go of. In any case Ezekiel 3 says the following… if we do not warn the dying man, or speak out to dissuade him he will die in his sin… “You will surely die” is the word of the Lord.. NOT “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” – Seriously, how I weep for those misled by the love only heresy. (Yes, Heresy)…

16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
20 “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

In short, Presenting Law then Grace is the only way to evangelize biblically. everyting else is a man made attempt to fulfill the great commission, and please man at the same time. Kids don’t like spankings, and the truth hurts.. it hurt me when I found out I was a murderer, a liar, and a theif. But it also drove me to Christ….

Tell them the truth IN LOVE and show the “Love of Christ” by being honest, and 100% truthful with them..Don’t leave out the “bad” because you’re uncomfortable with it. Love them enough to tell them.


Poll

December 5, 2009

Lopsided Evangelism…

December 4, 2009

Now, I am no expert on evangelism! 

Let me tell you my experience, I’ve followed evangelism and been in some way involved in it since the Lord saved me. I’ve read numerous books on the subject, and been to a few trainings on the “how to’s” of it. The first book I read was “Fire evangelism” by Dr Che Ahn (I think) I didn’t agree with most of it. The second book, was “One thing you can’t do in Heaven” by Mark Cahill, third was “The Way of the Master” by Ray Comfort, which led into the School of Biblical Evangelism, and attending Ambassadors Academy through living waters. I’ve also read “Becoming a Contagious Christian” by Bill Hybels. As well as “Evangelism in the New Testament” by Jon Speed…So I think I have a balanced view of some of the techniques involved in evangelism.  I’ll admit, lifestyle evangelism is far easier than all other kinds… after all, I am living a good life hoping someone asks me about the light that’s in me! (Not evangelism, it’s being a good witness, but not evangelism) It takes far more love and courage to walk up to someone and present the Law and Grace… 

Putting yourself out there isn’t evangelism. Putting yourself out there and actively speaking of Christ to everyone you meet might be evangelism. Are you speaking the law and grace? That’s evangelism. Are you telling only one side of the story? Law or Grace? I wouldn’t consider that evangelism, it’s a lie… Not evangelism. The real definition of evangelism is proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the people, if you’re only preaching Love, or only preaching Law, that’s not the gospel of Christ. However an equal and balanced presentation is preaching correctly, congrats that’s evangelism! This goes for food pantry’s, clothing distribution sites, etc.. if we’re not sharing the Law and Gospel DO NOT CALL IT EVANGELISM!!! Also if you’re not sharing the law and grace in those places, shame on you. How can you claim to be showing the love of Christ when you’re not telling them how to be saved, all you’re doing is sending them to hell with warm clothes, and full bellies! Share the whole gospel with them!! 

It’s obvious I don’t believe in Lifestyle evangelism, here’s why – what if you’re planning on sharing the Gospel the next day, and your friend dies the night before? How many years did you hide the gospel, the truth from your friend? It’s deceitful as well, are you making a friend only to share Christ with him? And if you’re not sharing Christ, is that person really your friend? It’s a dangerous game. Everyone has their own evangelism style, however the law and grace is the only right way… Whether you do it through tracts, open air, or one 2 ones.  Lifestyle evangelism is a fear filled, man centered response to the great commission, it’s a lie, saying that you are evangelizing, when you’re not. Friendship evangelism…? Well.. I’m up in the air on that one. I recommend the book “Evangelism in the New Testament” By Jon Speed. Decide for yourself. 

Likewise I don’t believe in preaching grace or love only. (or law only) Why? Because while God is love, how loving is it for me to ignore the law, and not present to you the mirror of the law? How can you know sin, unless the law is presented?  If we go around ONLY presenting love, then we will give the impression that God is only love. That He won’t punish sin, and that He won’t send anyone to hell.  And that’s NOT the God of the Bible.  Likewise going out and preaching ONLY law portrays God as a hate monger who wont save anyone – since this isn’t a problem that I am aware of, I am not even going to address it. 

Paul says in the Bible “I had not known sin but by the law” what’s this mean then? It means that unless we use the law, and share the law people who don’t know it, won’t know their sin before God, hence they won’t see the seriousness of their situation.  A love only gospel has produced a country full of false converts, where 80% of the nation claims Christianity, yet lives like hell Monday through Saturday, we can’t even outlaw abortion! The road is wide to hell; want to send more people there? Preach love only. Now I am not saying don’t preach love… by ALL means preach LOVE!! But balance that love with the law… show them how great that love is! Show them that they’re guilty before the Judgment seat of God, then show them how loving God is!! How HE sent HIS Son to DIE for THEM on a cross, a horrible and brutal death, only to RISE AGAIN forever defeating SIN and DEATH and that HE did ALL THIS FOR THEM.. THAT’S LOVE FRIENDS!!  Is it love to never say repent and turn? Or is it love to warn them, and say repent and turn because here’s what’s waiting if you don’t, and here’s WHO is waiting if you do! 

In short if you’re not preaching the law AND grace… you’re not preaching the bible. 

Exodus 24:12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.   (emphasis added) 

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. – (can we do all the law???? NO!! that’s what makes GRACE so wonderful) 

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (SHALL NOT DEPART!! IF WE FORGET THE LAW, WE’RE LAWLESS MEN AND WOMAN DESERVING OF HELL, BUT WE DON’T KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE LAW IS FORGOTTEN, YET WE’LL STILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IT’S THE LAW) 

Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. ( WE WILL BE JUDGED BY THE LAW, HOW HATEFUL TO NOT TELL THE LOST ABOUT IT)

**please don’t think these are the only verses that deal with the law, and presenting it, there are tons… look it up!!!

It goes on and on, to preach the gospel, without the law, is nothing short of heresy. And every preacher who does, whether they’re a street preacher, or in a pulpit should be kicked out and banned from preaching until they know the truth. AFTER they repent to those they’ve lied to, and tell them the truth. 

Harsh? Not if you’re telling the truth already. 

Ray Comfort say it far better than I can in Hells Best Kept Secret and True & False Conversion


How much of “the world” should we use in evangelism?

December 3, 2009

 

I’ve been struggling with this since my previous “Santa” post. I was told the “Christian” bookstore was using  jolly old St. Nick as a tool to draw people in hopes of sharing the Christmas story, and that the folks may pick up (buy?) some literature. I can see the point, but also stand behind my previous post that Santa is a pagan symbol, that attempts to blot out Christ from Christmas. 

If we’re using Santa as a tool, what to stop us from hiring bikini models or hard body beach guys to preach in the open air, and witness on summer days?  Perhaps because the models would cause lust?  just as Santa’s presence is promoting a lie, and a false god.  The bible tells us to be in the world, NOT OF the world. Why not use the characters from Twilight to spread the good news?

 In all honesty why not have the manger scene, and have the shepherd boy share the story of Christmas, and then the gospel of Christ. Why bring in the world at all? If we held a music concert for outreach, would we let Black Sabbath play? I certainly hope not! 

Thoughts? please??

Here’s my thoughts:

 open your doors to the public, offer some (Free) refreshments, and give away a book on the gospel of Christ.. FREE! Perhaps a FREE Bible.. and have people there to answer questions, and share the LAW & Grace!!   THEN throw out your Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, the shack, and emergent church lies, and promote the truth.

 


Streeeeetch….

December 2, 2009

Like many other “evangelists” my black Friday morning started about 2:30 am, cold and dark…. my wife and children got up to meet others at local dept. stores, to share with the shoppers the free gift of Christ. 

My wife and I started “just truth” about year ago, We really had no intention of being anything other than a “web presence” occasionally updating the site with something that would help the lost hear the gospel. From there the Lord changed us, and continues to change us into what He wants us to be. I always had an interest in evangelism, but with that interest, came an overpowering fear. Through Ambassadors Academy we learned that fear is nothing more than pride, and that pride must be slain.  Also through Ambassadors Academy we were stretched, and taken out of our comfort zone,  It is truly a life changing experience.

We (My wife and I) also met many like minded people..(Click here to find out more about Ambassadors Academy)  One of those like minded individuals honored us by visiting us over 4 day weekend. Laura is an evangelist in Indiana, where she is typically alone, except for her son, Amos who accompanies her on many her trips to evangelize. They both came to see us. 

Laura and her son Amos really stretched us and challenged us to get out and do ALL we can, not just what we’re comfortable doing. Laura was first to open air preach at the lines at Best Buy, she was first to Open air preach in Kirkwood, on the side of the street we  had considered off limits (due to shops, and what not)  I truly hope Laura was encouraged, but I can tell you, I have never felt more convicted to do more, and not only do more, but to do it with boldness. We had a wonderful time with them, both on the field and off the field. .  They’re welcome back anytime. It was good to see that someone else was experiencing some of the things we were going through. I thank God that He used Laura and her son to bring us to this realization. I thank them for being obediant to the Lord. I t was such a blessing to see her so excited for the Lord, and willing to do anything to get that word out.

Black Friday and the following Saturday we’re pretty average, no stonings, or angry drunks, or hateful people. The word was preached, tracts were handed out and the cross was displayed. Thanks to the team that went out with us, Rick, Andrew, Laura, Amos, and Michele. It’s our prayer that God was glorified in all we said and did.

My daughter holding the cross