Monday, Aug 27, 2007

Stone Soup 2007 Part 2 – Open Air Offence

Download this episode (16 min)  
On Saturday, my bother in Christ, Andy, showed up around 2 o’clock. I asked Andy if he wanted to do some open air preaching. That’s a silly question to pose Andy, he’s always up for preaching.

We proceeded to make our way down to the park area, where most of the activity was.

The photos here were taken on Sunday afternoon when the festival was almost over. I just wanted to give you an idea of the layout. There were a lot more people in the park and on the street when the preaching started.

The park area is right on the corner of two cross-streets which where blocked off for the festival. A large bandstand was kitty-corner from the park. Everyone was waiting for the next performers to set up. Our plan was to preach a couple of short messages to the people during this intermission time.

I laid my inflatable mannequin in the grass and covered it up with a sheet. It looks just like a dead body. I stepped up on a bench, and began my discourse. You can see the bench in the fourth photo down. There wasn’t anyone sitting on them at the time.

Everything was going well. I preached a bit about death and how we will all die someday. I preached a bit about God’s judgement and opened up four of the Ten Commandments.

About six minutes into it, a very LARGE man in a tie-dye shirt stepped up and began to give me a hard time, saying, “Do me a big favor, Why don’t you ask all of these people if they want to listen to you. If they want to listen to you they can listen to you. If they don’t, why don’t you respect their space.” Wow! It got a touch volatile after this guy showed up.

In addition to this guy, there were three others who were coming against me pretty hard (Listen closely, you’ll hear them). They were mad for sure. At one point the big guy turned and asked this sizable crowd if they wanted to hear me preach. It seemed about half said NO and the other half said YES. Isn’t it always that way?

The big guy told me that I didn’t have the right to stand on the bench, so I stepped off and stepped up on my portable stool that was in front of my “dead body.” About that time he walked right up to me, got in my face (nose to nose) and wouldn’t back off at all.

This agitated man made a comment that I thought revealed why he was coming against me so hard. I tried to reason with him that we all have our First Amendment right that protects freedom of speech. His response to that was, “that’s right, but you know something, you don’t have the freedom…to infringe upon other people’s faith because you believe your God is better than theirs.”

It wasn’t a matter of infringing on people’s space; he had a problem with God. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

You’ll hear that I tried to calm the guy a bit by speaking to him softly. “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” But this guy didn’t back down one bit. He was mad!

At one point you’ll hear Andy jump in and debate the guy about our freedom of speech rights. A the man backed away from me and walked toward Andy, I must confess, as I looked across the park and turned around and saw all the people watching this transpire, these thoughts flashed through my mind:

“Maybe my approach wasn’t smooth enough…Maybe I came on too strong…These people are irritated with you Allen, your big mouth has you in trouble now…Have you made a foolish decision to preach here today?…This big guy is going to rip your head off Allen, this is dangerous…I know a lot of the people here, now what are they going to think of you?…I wonder what my pastor would say if he finds out about this?…maybe this was a bad idea.”

While the guy was speaking with Andy, I tried to continue to preach. They had already endured the Law so I wanted to finish with the Good News and get out of there. I lowered my voice a bit so as not to upset the big guy, and tried to proceed. At this point the same big guy came back and got in my face as I’m reading out loud from Romans 3. This time he starts yelling, over and over, “Do you like to be yelled at?” At the same time, he’s trying to push me off the stool with his belly – that’s how close he was. Yeiks!

When emotions fly, I’m usually pretty emotional myself. I was waiting for my bottom lip to quiver or my eyes to water up. Funny thing is, it didn’t happen. I was totally calm and actually felt quite comfortable. Other than the thoughts that I mentioned initially rushed through my head, I didn’t get distressed at all.

The big guy and several others continued to interrupt me as I continued. So I did my best to preach Christ Crucified and repentance and faith. Wow! What an experience...

Do you think that I exercised spiritual wisdom in preaching here? Is it your impression that I was using carnal wisdom when deciding to continue to preach? I would really appreciate your input. If you read this, post your thoughts please.

On one hand I understand there is a time a place to preach the Gospel. And I’m not saying I have perfect discernment. I have so much to learn. “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” Prov 15:23 This is another reason why we need MORE LABORERS out there with us. We need each other’s godly council. On the other hand 2 Tim. 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching”

I found an excerpt from Thomas Boston’s book entitled, “A Soliloquy on the Art of Man-Fishing.” Check out his comments below.

Carnal vs. Spiritual Wisdom

OUR LORD’S command “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, emphasis added) implies a renouncing of our own wisdom. Human wisdom cannot be our guide (Matt. 16:24); we must deny ourselves. Paul refused to preach with the wisdom of words (1 Cor. 1:17)—nor did he follow the rules of carnal wisdom. Therefore, oh my soul, renounce your own wisdom. Seek the wisdom that is from above; seek to preach the words of the living God, and not your own. When you determine to take this direction, praying that you might not preach according to your own wisdom and natural reason, you receive God’s signal blessing.

Do not take the way of natural reason or follow the rules of carnal wisdom. Its language will always be, “Spare yourself. Guard your honor and your reputation among others. If you speak freely, they will call you a troublemaker and call your preaching reactionary. Every church will be frightened of you as a monster that would preach them all to hell; and so you shall never be settled. Such and such a man, who has a great influence in the church, will never like you. After all, direct preaching is not the way to win people; it unnerves them from the very beginning. Instead, you should bring them on little by little, being somewhat smooth—at least at first. For this generation is not able to abide such doctrine as what you preach.”

But hear and follow the rules of the wisdom that is from above: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God” (1 Cor. 3:19). That which is in high esteem among men is nothing in God’s sight. The wisdom that is from above tells us we must deny ourselves (Matt. 16:24; Luke 14:26). We cannot seek honor, reputation, acclaim, or other such earthly enticements. Heavenly wisdom tells us people may call us what they will, we must nevertheless “cry loudly, do not hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet, and declare to My people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). Divine wisdom says, “Not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” are called (1 Cor. 1:26). “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are” (vv. 27, 28). “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious” (Ezek. 2:7). God’s wisdom will show you rules quite contrary to those of carnal wisdom. Consider then what carnal wisdom says, and what the wisdom from above says:

Carnal Wisdom - Your body is weak; don’t weary it. It cannot abide toil, labor, and stress. So spare yourself.

Spiritual Wisdom -Your body is God’s as well as your spirit; don’t safeguard it from glorifying God: “You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). Paul said, “I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (2 Cor. 11:27). But God “gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power” (Isa. 40:29). This you have experienced.

Carnal Wisdom - Work diligently for fluent and eloquent speech; fine style very much appeals to the learned. Without it they will think nothing of your preaching.

Spiritual Wisdom - Christ sent you “to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech” (1 Cor. 1:17). Do not preach “with superiority of speech or of wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1). Your message and preaching should not be “in persuasive words of wisdom” (v. 4).

Carnal Wisdom - Attempt to be somewhat smooth and calm in your preaching. Do not attack the particular sins of the land, or of the persons to whom you preach.

Spiritual Wisdom - “Cry loudly, do not hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet, and declare to My people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed” (Prov. 27:5). “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God . . . handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Carnal Wisdom - If you are not subtle, your hearers will be irritated against you and may create trouble for you. And what a foolish thing would it be for you to speak boldly to such a generation as this, whose very looks are disagreeable!

Spiritual Wisdom - “He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue” (Prov. 28:23). I have experience of this. “Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces. . . . Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house” (Ezek. 3:8, 9). Experience confirms this, too.

Carnal Wisdom - It is dangerous to speak freely and deal with specifics: there may be more hazard in it than you are aware of.

Spiritual Wisdom - “He who walks in integrity walks securely” (Prov. 10:9). “He who walks blamelessly will be delivered” (Prov. 28:18).

Carnal Wisdom - You will be perceived as a fool, as a monster; you will be called a railer and so lose your reputation and prestige. You need to preserve that. People will hate and abhor you; why should you expose yourself to such things?

Spiritual Wisdom - “If any man among you thinks that he is wise . . . let him become foolish that he may become wise” (1 Cor. 3:18). “We have become a spectacle to the world. . . . We are fools for Christ’s sake” (4:9, 10). “ ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Who cares what people say about you? After all, many said of Jesus, “He has a demon and is insane” (John 10:20). He said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you,” says our Lord (John 15:18).

Carnal Wisdom - Great people especially will be offended unless you speak charmingly to them and court and caress them. And if you are looked down upon by great people who are wise and mighty, how will you have any self-respect?

Spiritual Wisdom - “Let me now be partial to no one; nor flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away” (Job 32:21, 22). “No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?” (John 7:48). “Not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” are called (1 Cor. 1:26). “I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and shall not be ashamed” (Ps. 119:46). “If you show partiality, you are committing sin” (Jas. 2:9).

Carnal Wisdom - Our people have just come out from under the oppressive hierarchy of a state church. They would not desire to have certain sins disclosed or especially old sores to be ripped open. They cannot abide certain doctrines. More agreeable doctrine will be better for them. Hold off negative things. Such doctrine may do them harm; it will do them no good.

Spiritual Wisdom - “You shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious” (Ezek. 2:7). “Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die’; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand” (3:17, 18). “What the Lord says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kings 22:14).

Carnal Wisdom - If you do preach such things, prudence requires that you speak of them very cautiously. If conscience says you must speak, do it somewhat covertly, so that you do not offend people too badly. This is especially important with respect to people who are young in the faith. Take your time exposing them to the hard truths and soften them as much as possible; you don’t want to turn young believers away.

Spiritual Wisdom - “Cry loudly, do not hold back” (Isa. 58:1). “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully” (Jer. 48:10, kjv). “[We] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2, kjv, emphasis added). Peter, preaching to unbelievers in the first sermon of the Christian era, told the Jewish inquirers, “You nailed [this Man] to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). “We must work . . . as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Carnal Wisdom -Be especially pleasant to those who have the most influence in the church—at least until you are settled and secure with a comfortable salary. Otherwise, you may be always looking for work; for churches will be frightened away from you, and will not call you. How then will you live? Forthright preaching, therefore, may be detrimental to your livelihood. A more subtle approach might also afford you a broader ministry.

Spiritual Wisdom - “To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress” (Prov. 28:21). “The will of the Lord be done!” (Acts 21:14, 15). God has “determined [your] appointed times, and the boundaries of [your] habitation” (Acts 17:26). “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure” (Isa. 46:10). “God makes a home for the lonely . . . only the rebellious dwell in a parched land” (Ps. 68:6). “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished” (Prov. 28:20). “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Prov. 29:25).

Thus you see how carnal wisdom—although it speaks convincingly and with a good deal of seeming reason—is quite contrary to the wisdom that is from above (cf Jas. 3:15–18). It promises great advantages to those who follow it, but its promises are not always performed. It threatens great calamity for those who defy it, but neither do its threatenings always come to pass. It makes molehills mountains, and mountains molehills. Therefore reject the wisdom of the world, for it is foolishness with God.

Carnal policy would make us fear those who can only kill the body—and they can hardly do even that much these days. Worldly wisdom would make us cast off the true fear of God. But remember this and use it to strengthen yourself: “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Prov. 29:25). Never seek temporal profit by putting your soul in hazard, but “Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it” (Ps. 37:34). For His way is the safest way, though carnal wisdom may speak otherwise and call His way mere folly. Above all, remember that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25).

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (v. 27). “Your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (2:5).

“The word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:18–21, emphasis added).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish” (Isa. 41:10, 11).

Posted by Ambassador at 7:38 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Aug 27, 2007

Stone Soup 2007 Part 1

Download this episode (19 min)  
Saturday, my son Sawyer and I attended the 2007 Stone Soup Music Fair. It is a typical small town festival, where they close off a block or two, set up stages for entertainment, food, beer, and kiddy rides for the community.

We arrived around 11am and stayed until 6pm. Our purpose in being there was to do nothing other than share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we could. Calvary Chapel, Arroyo Grande set up a ministry booth this year – what a blessing to see a Church obeying the Great Commission.

I spent quite a while standing in front of the booth passing out tracts and sharing the Gospel. I watched Pastor Steve Carr (Calvary Chapel AG’s pastor) passing out tracts and engaging in 1-2-1 encounters – one after the other. I thank God for you Pastor Steve.

Pastor Steve is a guy passionate about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ that’s for sure. Best of all, he's passionate about doing Biblically. He was so excited, like a kid in a candy store. When I asked him how it was going he said something like, “Allen, this is the greatest thing – we have to make sure to be at all these local festivals.” He then proceeded to list all the local festivals he could think of – but with that same big smile on his face and a gleam in his eye. This guy loves people. But more importantly, he loves Jesus Christ!

There were hundreds of tracts distributed over Saturday and Sunday. Many heard the Gospel again or some for the first time, believe it or not. Please pray for the salvation of the individuals who received tracts and heard the Gospel.

The first person I approached was a young lady named Mellana. Mellana was very kind in allowing me to interview her. Her picture is at the bottom of this group of photos. This is an interesting interview. Besides the fact that I again changed the persons name during the interview (Call me Mr. Bag Of Hammers), Mellana has combined elements of Christianity, Yoga, faith healing, and probobly some other eastern religions I didn’t pick up on. Please pray that the One True God would break down the deceptions in her mind. Pray that God would save this young lady.

There were so many encounters it is hard to pick out the most memorable because they are all so special. Christian, when you step out to be deliberate in sharing the Gospel, trusting God for each and every encounter, and surrendering to His will to use you as His vessel, each time you speak with someone, you’ll experience God working. That’s why I say, each encounter is special.

On Saturday, two encounters that turned out really cool went down like this. Two young guys on bike rolled up to the booth. I offered the million-dollar bill and proceeded to share Law and Grace with them. Maybe an hour later two other young guys walked up and the same thing happened. All four of these 15-16 year old guys felt the burden of their sin, understood that they deserve to be punished by a Good God, and His grace through Jesus Christ. By the end of the encounter, they also understood they needed to repent and trust in Jesus in order to be forgiven. It is encouraging to see soft hearts towards the Gospel – very cool indeed. Later that afternoon I noticed that all four of these young guys were hanging out together.

Sunday afternoon, I’m standing outside of the booth talking with my brother in Christ, Robert Bass, when all four of the young guys walked up and politely waited for us to finish our conversation. I turned around and greeted them. One of them said, “We’ve been talking about what you told us yesterday. Would you tell our other two friends?” Can you believe it? These four guys brought two other teenagers to me so I could communicate this glorious message with them. I spent a half-hour with them, taking my time helping them understand the truth of sin, righteous, and judgement. They both had the deer in the headlight look in their eyes. Then we talked about Hell. These young men were crushed. What a pleasure it was to communicate the Good News to them – it is indeed Good News. To make a long story short, all six young men have an understanding of the truth and know how to respond to God in repentance and faith. Praise His wonderful Name!

Hang on to your hats! The next podcast is a bit zesty so come back later to hear what happened on Saturday afternoon when we tried to so some open air preaching.

Posted by Ambassador at 5:12 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Monday, Aug 13, 2007

PREACHING SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUDGMENT OPEN AIR

Download this episode (22 min)  
Doth that man love his Lord who would be willing to see Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, while for himself he craves a chaplet of laurel? Shall Jesus ascend to his throne by the cross, and do we expect to be carried there on the shoulders of applauding crowds? Be not so vain in your imagination. Count you the cost, and if you are not willing to bear Christ’s cross, go away to your farm and to your merchandise, and make the most of them; only let me whisper this in your ear, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ open air is scandalous these days. Of course, it was in NT days as well. Now that I think about it, even the preaching in the OT was scandalous. I guess some things never change after all. I’ve heard Paul Washer say time and time again that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in fact scandalous. And if a preacher removes the scandal, they are no longer preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I’m afraid that more often than not, that is exactly what has happened. When open air preaching it’s neat to see Christians enthused about hearing Jesus Christ exalted in public. Often they yell, “Amen brother,” or “Preach it!” Christians love to hear the Gospel. You expect the unregenerate person to be upset with the message, just like you expect Christians to be excited with the message being preached. However, more often than not, “Christians” often are upset more than the unbelievers are.

I’ve had professing Christians pretty antagonistic towards open air preaching specifically. Last Sunday a pastor from a church approached me and expressed that he didn’t feel that what I was doing was effective, “no one is listening, everyone is passing you by.” Many times individuals will say things like, “I appreciate your passion to see people saved, but I don’t think this is the right way to do it. They need to hear about the love and grace of God – not how awful they are.” Believe it or not, I had a professing Christian very angry with me one time because she said I was causing other Christians to “look bad.” In one sentence, this one mad lady summed up what the real issue is. Many modern churches and their attendees don’t want to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. They desire to be “well thought of,” instead of faithful to the message God has given us.

I understand that preachers can be offensive in and of themselves. I pray that the offence is never from my personality, body language, tone of voice, etc. But if the world was offended when OT prophets preached God’s message can we expect anything less? If the world hated John the Baptist because of the message God gave to him, can we expect that we will be loved by all for the message God gave to us? If they hated the Apostle John, Peter, Paul for the Gospel… and what about our Lord Jesus:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:18-22

The problem is, the modern church is failing to be faithful. I once had a conversation with a pastor that was implementing marketing techniques in order to “grow the church.” I asked him, “Pastor, why can’t we just be faithful to what God has given us? Let’s just preach the Gospel! The Bible says that it is the power of God unto salvation.” I’ll never forget his response. I began to literally weep when he said it. He said, “Allen, it doesn’t work anymore.” You see the individuals who sit in church week in and week out are not hearing anything about sin, righteousness, and judgement. This is why when they hear someone preaching the truth, especially in the open air; they are offended to the max. Sad but true.

Here is a quote from John MacArthur’s book, “The gospel according to the Apostles.” Chapter 12 – What Must I Do to Be Saved?

“If we want to follow a biblical model, we cannot ignore those issues. “Sin, righteousness, and judgment” are the very matters about which the Holy Spirit convicts the unsaved ( John 16:8 ). Can we omit them from the message and still call it the gospel? Apostolic evangelism inevitably culminated in a call for repentance ( Acts 2:38 ; 3:19 ; 17:30 ; 26:20 ). Can we tell sinners they don’t have to turn from their sin, and then call that evangelism? Paul ministered to unbelievers by “declaring … that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” ( Acts 26:20 ). Can we reduce the message to simply, “accept Christ” and still believe we are ministering biblically?

Furthermore, in all the instances where Jesus and the apostles evangelized—whether they were ministering to individuals or crowds—there are no two incidents where they presented the message in precisely the same terminology. They knew that salvation is a sovereign work of God. Their role was to preach truth; God Himself would apply it individually to the hearts of His elect.

The new birth is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” ( John 3:6 ). The Spirit sovereignly chooses where, how, and on whom He will work: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” ( John 3:8 ).
Clear proclamation of truth is the means through which the Spirit works—not inventive methodology or human charm ( 1 Cor. 1:21 ; 2:1–5 ).”

Here is another quote from John MacArthur’s book, “Ashamed of the gospel”

Market-Driven Ministry?
“The new philosophy is straightforward: The church is in competition against the world. And the world is very good at capturing people’s attention and affections. The church, on the other hand, tends to be very poor at “selling” its product. Evangelism should therefore be viewed as a marketing challenge, and the church should market the gospel the way all modern businesses sell their products. That calls for some fundamental changes. The goal in all marketing is “to make both the producer and consumer satisfied,” so anything that tends to leave the “consumer” unsatisfied must be jettisoned. Preaching—particularly preaching about sin, righteousness, and judgment—is too confrontive to be truly satisfying. The church must learn to couch the truth in ways that amuse and entertain.

One best-selling author has written, “I believe that developing a marketing orientation is precisely what the Church needs to do if we are to make a difference in the spiritual health of this nation for the remainder of this century.” He adds, “My contention, based on careful study of data and the activities of American churches, is that the major problem plaguing the Church is its failure to embrace a marketing orientation in what has become a marketing-driven environment.”

That all may sound very modern, and very shrewd—but it is not biblical. And it has given the church a hard push onto the slippery slope. Marketing principles are becoming the arbiter of truth. Elements of the message that don’t fit the promotional plan are simply omitted. Marketing savvy demands that the offense of the cross must be downplayed. Salesmanship requires that negative subjects like divine wrath be avoided. Consumer satisfaction means that the standard of righteousness cannot be raised too high. The seeds of a watered-down gospel are thus sown in the very philosophy that drives many ministries today.
And make no mistake, the new philosophy is altering the message the church conveys to the world, although many who propound these ideas think of themselves as loyal to biblical doctrine. Christianity is on the down-grade again.”


I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave a comment to weigh in on this issue. If you feel I’m way off base, please let me know.

Posted by Ambassador at 11:01 PM |  1 comments  

Monday, Aug 13, 2007

First Amendment & Open Air Preaching

Download this episode (23 min)  
First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution

CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.

The Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791

Christian, God has sovereignly placed us in this country. What a blessing it is to have the religious freedoms to gather together whenever we desire to do so. “Pray without ceasing,” even in public. Read your Bible whenever and wherever you desire. Fellowship with other Christians and above all, worship the One who has richly blessed us with these liberties. Praise His Wonderful Name!

Christian, we have been commanded to, “Preach the Gospel to every creature.” In God’s sovereignty, He has also blessed His Church with the freedom to preach the Gospel in the public arena. So why don’t we take advantage of this freedom? Why aren’t there more Christians partaking of the blessing there is in obeying God in taking the Gospel to our local communities? I heard a pastor once say, “God doesn’t need us to take the Gospel to the lost, He chooses to use us – it is our privilege.” God graciously desires that we partake in His work with Him. We get to experience God at work when we “GO.”

Christian, we have no excuses! God has commanded us to take this Gospel and share it with the world. He has also placed us in a country where we have the freedom to do so. And Christian, it is our privilege to partake in this work of spreading the Gospel. It’s not a chore! God is glorified in the preaching of the Gospel. So lets glorify God to the best of our ability – because He has been so gracious toward us.

This is the first of two parts of an open air I did on my birthday – Aug 12th. What a cool birthday present! I’m not sure, it’s a bit different every time but it seems the longer the preaching goes on, the more people are drawn in to hear. Maybe that’s pragmatic – may it never be! But it seems most people do just pass by, but stick with it for an hour or so, God will draw in those whom He wants to hear this glorious Good News.


Here is another good resource in regard to our First Amendment Rights and Open Air Preaching.

http://www.biblicalevangelism.net/451

Posted by Ambassador at 9:20 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Saturday, Aug 11, 2007

Central Coast Idol @ SLO Farmers Market

Download this episode (32 min)  
The stage was set. The television cameras were on and the first contestant stepped up to perform for the audience gathered at SLO Farmers Market for the Central Coast Idol auditions. Contestants are selected to go on to additional competitions, ultimately trying to become the next American Idol.

Just before the first performer began, I met two very nice young ladies named Rachel & Alison (see the middle photo). I won’t write too much about them due to the fact that the interview is just over a half-hour in length. They were very kind in allowing me to interview them and have thirty minutes of their lives. Thank you ladies.

The one thing I will say about Rachel & Alison is this. Their understanding about who God is and what God is like is typical. Many today believe that God is our friend and Father in the sky just looking for ways to bless us. He must forgive, because he is forgiving. He must be loving, like us, because he is loving, etc. In all fairness, I’m not sure they would articulate this with these words – but in the interview, it seems that it is implied.

In addition, there are many individuals who say on one hand, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior,” and yet they don’t believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God. They believe that Jesus died for their sins and yet they believe what the Da Vinci Code says.

The contradiction is obvious. If Jesus is your Lord, you WILL surrender to the truths that God gives us, in the most authoritative manner, in the Bible.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (II Tim 3:16)

Many today allow history books, television, fiction writers, etc., to shape their worldview, these are their authority instead of the Word of God. Many today understand that they need to be forgiven. They may not understand the seriousness of their sin before a holy, righteous, and just God. But they have a conscience that informs them of their guilt. So they say, “yes, I need the forgiveness offered through Jesus dying on the Cross.” But they don’t understand that the Da Vinci Code and its like, are attacking who Jesus Christ is, and how He revealed Himself to mankind, thus making Jesus and His finished work nothing that important.

These individuals also do not understand that if Jesus is who the Da Vinci Code says he is, then they have NO SAVIOR. Because Jesus is the sinless, spotless, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He was a man, being tempted, though NEVER sinning. Jesus Christ lived a perfectly righteous life. Jesus fulfilled the LAW that God commands each of us to keep – in perfect righteousness, always obedient to the Father. Living the life that I was commanded to live but chose not to long ago. He was not only a man, but GOD IN THE FLESH and He died as a substitute for sinners, taking our sin, shame and God’s wrath upon Himself on that Cross. Jesus was perfectly obedient to the plan and will of God, even unto death. He was put in a tomb – DEAD. But oh what glory! Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Showed Himself to many and then ascended into heaven and He now sits at the right-hand of the Father. This is what the WORD OF GOD teaches.

This is the redemption plan of God to save sinners from sin, death and God’s just wrath for the praise, glory and honor of His name. What an offer! A person can be forgiven of sin, cleansed of all unrighteousness. Why? Because of the blood of Jesus and and His resurrection. A person can recieve the righteousness of Christ so that God will declare them righteous in His sight. What grace! What love! What kindness! Everlasting life in God’s presence is ours IF we are willing to repent (turning from sin) and trust in the blood of Jesus, in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS to save us from the wrath that is to come.

Jesus didn’t take Mary Magdalene as His wife nor have a child with her. If He did, then all the other things said about Him in the WORD wouldn’t be true and we would have no Savior. Mmm…That sounds like a lie from Satan himself and so it is. Jesus is not the jesus revealed in the Da Vinci Code or any of the like. He is eternal, infinite God! Either a person humble themselves to God’s Word as the ultimate and final authority or they will trust history books, TV – Discovery, A&E, PBS specials, fiction writers – the Da Vinci Code as their ultimate authority. This will ultimately be to the damning of their souls.

Please pray for Rachel and Alison.

I also thank God for bringing another seed sower to the streets. My brother Matt invited his friend Michelle. You can see a photo of Matt and Michelle sharing truth with three young ladies. Michelle hadn't been exposed to street evangelism, but this young lady wasn't fearful. At least I couldn't see it. God gave her a boldness that just blew me away. I thank God for your obedience and faith in Him Michelle.

Posted by Ambassador at 5:05 PM |  1 comments  

Friday, Aug 03, 2007

Sunday's Open Air Part 2

Download this episode (23 min)  
After preaching for thirty minutes or so I sat down and began to pray and read some Scripture. Sawyer and I began talking a bit and things began to settle down. I passed out a few more tracts and had a nice conversation with two older couples before returning to my preaching stool. I thought about going home at this point - I was a bit tired. I sat down again and opened up the Bible and read Genesis 1:1. Without event thinking about it, I stood up and went for it again.

What happened afterwords was really neat. When I finished, all the young adults that were standing there, stayed and engaged in more discussion. Most of them seemed to be genuinly interested and/or concerned. There were a half a dozen people who received Bibles and lots of tracts were passed out.

God also provided a Christian couple, whom I had never met before, to minister to these young people. The Christian couple prayed with many of these kids. We read Scripture to them - they even read some Scripture out loud for themselves. This went on for another hour or so. Praise God! It was just amazing to see what God did in Pismo on Sunday afternoon. I thank God that I could join Him in His work.

Christian, please come out some time and experience this with us. This is my prayer - that more laborers would come out into this harvest. Please, come out and share the Gospel with them - preach the Good News - have "beautiful feet."

Romans 10:15-16 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"

Please pray for all those who heard the Gospel. Also thank God for His provision of faithful ministers to step up and love on these kids.

Posted by Ambassador at 11:34 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Friday, Aug 03, 2007

The Ten Commandments vs. a 10th Degree Blackbelt

Download this episode (12 min)  
I met a guy named John Hackleman and his girlfreind Jennifer in Pismo on Sunday. John told me he was into martial arts and that in fact he owned THE PIT in Arryoy Grande, CA. Here is some background info about him I found on THE PIT's web page:


The founder of Hawaiian Kempo, and The Pit, and KuZen John is a 10th degree Blackbelt. He has been studying martial arts for over 30 years, and holds two black belts. He also fought on the US Army boxing team, where he won numerous National titles. After turning professional, John fought the world's best Boxer's and kickboxers winning many State, National, and World titles, as well as fighting on television many times, and for Don King. He has 30 years of amateur and professional fighting experience. John was rated as the #1 Kickboxer in the world in the 1980's. He has also worked as a bouncer and a bodyguard. John has trained 1000's of people into the best shape of their lives, as well as taught, and trained many of the world's best kickboxers, and No Holds Barred fighters. John is sought out by professional martial artists from all over the world to learn Hawaiian Kempo... .

Talk about nervous. This guy could have snapped me in half. He could have, but John was very cool. He and Jennifer allowed me to ask them a few questions. I asked more than four questions and John called me on it - "hey, you've asked more than four questions." He was right, I shouldn't say, "I have four questions for you," and then ask more and more. I'll watch that in the future.

Christian, this is the best way to learn - go out and do it! Don't sit in church all your life studying "HOW TO," but never "DOING." At some point, you must trust that God will use what He has taught you up to this point and move out in obedience to share the Gospel.

Please pray for John. Although he was very cool in allowing me to share with him, he was resistant towards the message. Remember, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Also, pray for Jennifer. She, at least at a couple of points in this short podcast, seems receptive.

Father, have mercy on John and Jennifer. Humble them under Your mighty hand. AMEN

Posted by Ambassador at 4:01 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Friday, Aug 03, 2007

Keith

Download this episode (12 min)  
Keith was passing by when I stopped him and asked if he would be interested in being interviewed. He indicated that he was in fact a Christian - "washed in the blood." That's so cool!

Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. It's not up to me to determine that. I'm just the messenger. God says, "preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) So, that's what we must do. If Keith is in fact a Christian, he will rejoice in hearing the Good New again. If he isn't, he has the opportunity to hear that God Himself died to save sinners.

Again, just because someone says that they are a Christian doesn't mean they are or are not. Just preach Christian!

Remember Matthew 7:15-23?

A Tree and Its Fruit

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

We cannot be sure who is and who isn't a Christian, so preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they might be saved by God's grace.

Posted by Ambassador at 1:14 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007

"ALLEN, MY NAME ISN'T KIEITH, IT'S JACOB!"

Download this episode (17 min)  
How gracious - I met a couple on Sunday afternoon in Pismo. There names are JACOB and Melissa. Note that I emphasize Jacobs name. I'm a bag of hammers! Did you know that? Yep!

My new found friends Jacob and Melissa gave me twenty minutes of their lives and I kept calling Jacob, KEITH. I even called Melissa, "dude" at one point.

Jacob and Melissa were the first encounter of the day. Maybe it was nerves, maybe I wasn't being a good listener, maybe it's like I said earlier - I AM a bag of hammers.

Despite my short term memory, Jacob allowed me to call him "Kieth." Can you believe that? He never said, "Hey Allen, my name isn't Keith, it's Jacob!" He was very gracious. Please forgive me Jacob. Thank you for your time.

Please pray for this very nice couple. They were both very tender towards the Good News.

Posted by Ambassador at 12:17 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT