Thursday, Aug 07, 2008

Learning from Others

Download this episode (17 min)  
I met a nice young man named Aaron last weekend. He was just kick’in it on one of the benches in the Pismo Beach plaza area - just enjoying the sunshine. Aaron has a Presbyterian background so he didn’t feel at all uncomfortable discussing spiritual matters.

About seven minutes into this encounter, as we turned from discussing the law of God – sin, righteousness and judgment, I asked Aaron, “What is the good news?”

Aaron said, “That you can make it to heaven if you deserve forgiveness – if you show that you deserve it.”

At this point it was clear to me that Aaron, like most people, didn’t understand what God has communicated in the Bible. As I was sharing with Aaron, doing my best to emphasize that he could never earn forgiveness from God, I remembered listening to an encounter Tony Miano had with a guy that also needed understanding in regard to the grace of God. This brother used a couple of analogies that I thought were very effective in helping a sinner see that they do not and will never deserve or be able to earn God’s favor through being good.

Below are two of the analogies that, Lord willing, I’ll start working into my evangelism tools. I pray that the Holy Spirit will take pleasure in using them to bring about understanding.

1. There is nothing you can do to save yourself

If I were to have a massive heart attack, my heart stopped beating, my lungs stopped working, I died - is there anything that I could do to bring myself back to life?

I could do nothing to revive my dead body. I need outside intervention right?

Unless someone else begins to perform CPR on me, I have no hope.

It’s the same with us spiritually, we are dead in our sins and trespasses, and we need intervention from an outside source. Jesus is the Savior of your soul – the outside intervention you so desperately need. We must be born again and Jesus is the only one who can make us born again. And when he makes us born again, we are born into the family of God – made a child of God.

2. We are saved by grace

Picture this: You came up to my house, knocked on my door and said, “YOUR NAME, I am going to mow your lawn so I can be your son.”

Would that make you my son? NO! That’s silly.

Picture this: You ARE my son. You came to me and said, “Dad, I’m going to go mow the lawn, not because I’m trying to get out of trouble, not because I want a raise in my allowance, but because I’m so thankful you’re my dad and I love you so much, I just want to do something that pleases you.” Makes more sense doesn’t it?

In like manner, no one goes to heaven by mowing God’s lawn. You’re not going to be able to stand before God and say, “I tried to live a good life, I tried to be a good person so you have to adopt me as one of your kids.” That silly isn’t it?

But if He changes your heart and draws you to repentance and faith and adopts you as His child (makes you born again), you’ll want to do things that please Him. Not because of what it will earn you, but because you’re so thankful for the free gift of eternal life that God has given you.

Do you like these? I hope that they will help you in your evangelism encounters. If you have any ideas on how these can be tweaked to be more accurate please let me know. We can learn so much from each other. I thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ - God's Church.

I pray that God would use His gospel to bring about understanding in Aaron’s mind that he can be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Would you please pray for Aaron?

Posted by Ambassador at 1:39 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008

Gospel Relief

Download this episode (15 min)  
Evonte is a young man that I met last weekend at Pismo Beach. He was sitting alone at one of the picnic tables, overlooking the shoreline. He was listening to his iPod, just looking out at the water. He looked as though he was deep in thought. I approached him and struck up a conversation with him. We chatted for a bit before I asked him if I could interview him.

I asked Evonte if he was a born again Christian. He said yes. I pressed in a bit and asked him if he saw himself as a good person. He replied yes to this question as well.

I’m nobody’s judge. I DO NOT profess to know the heart of men. But, you tell me, is it possible for a born again Christian to see themselves as good person?

Maybe Evonte hadn’t ever pondered the depth of his personal sin before God. Maybe he’s a new believer. I mean, the more we mature as Christains in knowing Christ Jesus the more we understand the depth of our sinfulness, His holiness and grace toward us. Maybe Evonte had never just never taken the time to look at himself in the mirror of God’s standard before.

Our God is a merciful God! Not only did God provide the sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, but He also provided the law to bring about the knowledge of our sinful state, to teach the value and depth of love of the precious blood of Christ Jesus.

What do you think? This young man professed to be a born again Christian. Evonte even said he went to church regularly. Was I wrong to conclude that because he also professed to be a good person to proceed to take him through the law and speak to him about sin, righteousness and judgment? Should I have just accepted his profession, continued to talk with him as my brother in Christ?

Again, maybe he IS my brother in Christ…but it’s also possible that he isn’t yet a child of God. Because of his contradictory profession, I proceeded to speak to him as I would an unregenerate person.

When Evonte and I finished talking about the bad news and just began to speak of the gospel, Evonte was a bit shaken – you’ll hear it in his voice as he speaks of Jesus. It seemed to be another one of those “Aha” moments that I’ve seen on the faces of so many people when bringing Good News only after bringing bad news first.

The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to bring relief to a trembling sinner. Sometimes it’s almost like you get a glimpse of Him working on the sinner’s heart. As He uses the preaching of the righteous character of God and His holy law, He sort of hems the sinner into a corner. The sinner begins to understand their guilt before God. They begin to understand that there is no escape – no place to turn – but away from sin and death and to the kindness of God found in bloody cross of Calvary.

I must say that it was very encouraging to see his countenance change as the gospel was delivered. As I delivered the good news to Evonte (I know this is going to sound cliché) the gospel took my breath away again. As I preached to Evonte, I heard the good news again for myself and it blew me away. My Lord Jesus died for me a sinner! It’s good news Christian!

Evonte looked relieved - His countenance changed after hearing of the mercy of God in sending the Jesus to the Cross for sinners. I believe that Evonte heard the gospel before but, in the context of bad news, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, dying for sinners and rising again, was indeed good news to Him in a new way.

Ultimately, only God knows the condition of Evonte’s heart. Let’s pray that our Savior will bring eternal relief to Evonte.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mt 11:28-30

“He is inviting to Himself those who were labouring (weary) and heavy laden, which may be understood in a twofold sense: those who are sick of sin and bowed down by a sense of its guilt, and those who are labouring to meet the requirements of Divine holiness and are cast down by their inability to do so. Those who, in a servile spirit, seek to fulfill the letter of God’s Law, so far from finding it “easy,” discover it to be very hard; while those who earnestly endeavour to work out a righteousness of their own in order to gain God’s esteem, prove it to be a heavy task and not a “light burden.” And there is no RELIEF for such until they come to Christ and put their trust in His finished work. Coming to Christ requires us not only to turn our backs upon the world, but also to repudiate all our own merits and works.” -A.W. Pink

Posted by Ambassador at 11:36 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Thursday, Jul 31, 2008

Christ is Preached – Rejoice with Us!

Download this episode (3 min)  
Christ is Preached – Rejoice with Us!

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Php 1:15-18

Often when preaching the gospel open air the preacher is heckled by those who oppose the gospel. It is not uncommon to hear people openly blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ in response to the good news. It’s very common that professing Christians approach the preacher and say things like, “your only pushing people away from God,” or, “you are making Christians look bad.” I must admit, the latter can be a bit disheartening.

For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Ps 139:20

Think about that phrase for just one second Christian! ‘An enemy of God.’

It causes me to shutter to think of being separated from the Lord Jesus. God stirs compassion in my heart for those who are in this state. Remember Christian, “and such were some of you.” It’s so true. On this side of the Cross, a Christian knows that their sin is exceedingly sinful and deserving of eternal condemnation. But we rejoice and thank God that there is no condemnation (Rom 8:1). We are “washed,” “sanctified” and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Co 6:11

Understanding our former state, we see why the unconverted person can be so hateful towards God and His gospel. A hateful response towards God, His gospel and His people is to be expected. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. Jn 15:18 Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Ti 3:12

So yes – we expect the world to hate it when the Name of Jesus is proclaimed. We must expect their response to be hateful just as it was towards our LORD. But what should be the Christian response when the Name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed outside the walls of the church?

What’s your response? Do you worry about what people will think of ‘Christianity’? Christian, what’s your heart attitude toward God when you hear the Name of Jesus Christ proclaimed with authority – openly – for all to hear?

What was Paul’s response in Php 1:18? “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

“The preaching of Christ is the joy of all who wish well to his kingdom among men. Since it may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice in it, though it be done in pretence, and not in reality. It is God’s prerogative to judge of the principles men act upon; this is out of our line. Paul was so far from envying those who had liberty to preach the gospel while he was under confinement that he rejoiced in the preaching of it even by those who do it in pretence, and not in truth. How much more then should we rejoice in the preaching of the gospel by those who do it in truth, yea, though it should be with much weakness and some mistake!” – Matthew Henry

Paul rejoiced when others preached the gospel of Christ. Why? Because he understood that God saves the souls of men when the gospel is heralded and it would turn out to the glory of Christ. Christian, is that your attitude toward the public proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

When we hear the gospel (anytime any place) heralded, our heart attitude should be like that of John the Baptist, "…this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jn 3:29-30

Another Matthew Henry quote for your consideration.

“This is one of the things which accompany salvation—to be able to rejoice that Christ is preached, though it be to the diminution of us and our reputation.”

You know what? Although we take a little heat when preaching in the streets, God provides much encouragement too.

I can’t count how many times a brother and/or sister, whom I have never met is drawn in to come and listen to the gospel being preached. Sometimes they just pass by and yell, “AMEN” or “THAT’S RIGHT” or “PREACH IT!” This is very encouraging.

I can’t say that just because they say things like this they are saved BUT their attitude toward the proclamation of the gospel is like that of Paul’s and John the Baptist is it not? “Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

There have been others who rejoice with us when Christ is preached.

Just the other day, a young man named Joey came up to me while I was preaching. His face was glowing with enthusiasm. Before I even talked to him it was clear to see that this guy really loved to hear the Name of Jesus lifted up. We had the most wonderful time of fellowship, talking about our Lord Jesus. He encouraged me very much.

Again, I could share so many stories of God encouraging us in this awesome labor of sowing the seed of the gospel.

We’ve seen brethren whom we’ve never met before be so encouraged that Christ’s Name is being lifted that they were compelled to get up and preach too.

Please listen to one such young man named Aaron (Top picture). Aaron is a sixteen-year-old Christian from Texas who was visiting with family. He too was so excited about the proclamation of the gospel. He stood and listened to Brother Robert preach for quite awhile before he came up and started talking to us – expressing his gratitude to God for the gospel going out. This kid was beside himself with excitement about the preaching. Robert and I asked Aaron if he wanted to get up on the stool and read from God’s Word. He said, “I can’t do that. I’m scared.” Hey that’s a reasonable first response. We encouraged him by ensuring him that we would be standing right with him and that no one would hurt him. Without hesitation he asked if he could use my Bible. He jumped up on the stool and with a very authoritative voice read from John chapter three. After he read a passage, he looked up at Robert and I with the biggest smile on his face – you’ll actually hear him laughing at the end and saying, “I love that verse.” He was so excited, he read it again, this time, with even more enthusiasm – if it were possible. Oh that all Christians were as enthusiastic about the proclamation of God’s Word…

Right after Aaron finished, another brother in Christ (middle picture) got up and preached for a bit. We wasn’t with Aaron or us but he too was so encouraged by the preaching that he wanted to preach.

In the second half of this short podcast you’ll hear a bit of preaching from the 4th of July in Pismo. There were hundreds standing just in the plaza area where we normally preach. But the sidewalks and pier area were packed as well. Brother Robert and I witnessed 1-2-1 for most of the day and we also did a bit of open air together. At some point, Robert had to go home. But there were so many people there that I couldn’t get myself to leave – so many could hear the Good News! However, it’s a bit unnerving to preach ALONE – even though we know God never leaves us. Anyhow, I prayed and then preached for maybe forty minutes, the whole time knowing that Robert had left and that I was going it alone. You’ll hear me finish up, calling sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, then you’ll hear another man (bottom picture) preach for a bit.

I didn’t know him. I have never seen him and to this day have never met. After he finished, I got into a really solid 1-2-1 so I wasn’t available to go and meet him. But you know what? I was so encouraged! This kind of thing just makes my heart rejoice in the goodness of God.

Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice!

Posted by Ambassador at 1:16 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Friday, Jul 25, 2008

THE GOSPEL = GOOD NEWS!

Download this episode (12 min)  
This is an awesome witnessing encounter I heard on the July 22, Way of the Master Radio show.

This is another “phone fishing” encounter. In this instance, Tony Miano finds a young man named Jose at the Valencia Superior Courthouse and gets him on his cell phone with Ray Comfort on live radio.

Ray communicates the gospel message. Then Todd talks to Jose and encourages him to repent and trust Jesus Christ. The show came to a close but just before it ended, Jose asked Todd what he needed to do to become a Christian. The show ended as Todd told Jose to ask Tony Miano that same question.

In this podcast you’ll hear the witnessing encounter with Jose speaking with Ray and Todd. Then you’ll hear the encounter end. Immediately after you’ll hear Tony Miano call Todd to give an update as to what transpired after the show.

After the show was over Tony continued the conversation with Jose. You can read about and even listen to what happened after the show ended and Tony’s conversation with him started. http://tinyurl.com/6zq6b7

Be encouraged Christian. God chooses to use you to communicate, with your mouth, the gospel to all people. It is the proclamation of His gospel, through you, that is the means He uses to bring in His sheep. So preach it! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Posted by Ambassador at 9:56 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008

Preaching At Strawberry Festival

Download this episode (6 min)  
This entry is from back in May at the 2008 Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival. My son Sawyer, my buddy Robert and I went to this festival in order that we might proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For most of the day we did 1-2-1 witnessing and passing out tracts.

In case you didn’t know it, it is God provides us the time, places, and people where His gospel is to be proclaimed. It was God’s providence that we found the Strawberry Festival Shuttle area.

The shuttle was taking Strawberry Festival visitors back and fourth between the festival and a parking lot down the road. Hundreds lined up to get on the busses to be shuttled back to their cars. We noted that there was at least five minutes (if not more) where the people waited patently in line for the shuttle to arrive.

Robert said, “Brother Allen, lets preach to them while their waiting!” So we did.

We preached at least six times in this park to fifty people or so at a time. It was the perfect place to preach because there was a raised flowerbed nearby to stand on. After each short message, we distributed gospel tracts to them. Hundreds heard the gospel that day. Praise God!

Christian, you can do this. I’m not a gifted orator – that is for sure. But, It doesn’t matter.

If you are born again, you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you. You Christian, in His strength and power, can, should, and must lift up your voice and proclaim the name that is above all names – the Lord Jesus Christ – for the glory of God and good of men.

Posted by Ambassador at 11:17 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008

I Believe

Download this episode (2 min)  
Most people believe in god. I don’t capitalize the “G” in “god” due to the fact that many people have an idolatrous concept of Who God is. There are many people who believe in Jesus. However, sad to say, many also have an idolatrous idea of Who He is. It is an understatement to say that idolatry is a huge sin.

The Holy Spirit says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters…will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Co 6:9-10

Someone might say, “Hey, I believe in god. I may not go to church. I don’t believe in organized religion but I believe in God. That’s all that matters!”

It is very possible that they have a false sense of security due to their idolatrous concept of the One and True God. They might be thinking that all is well because they ascent to the existence of God – head-knowledge. Here is the problem.

In the book of first John, not only does God provide the moral test for the professing believer, but He has also made it clear that what we believe about Jesus Christ is critical.

One of the many verses that speaks to this issue points us to a MORAL TEST. 1 John 1:6 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” That’s clear! But there is also a DOCTRINAL TEST in 1 John:

“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:22–23).

“By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (4:2).

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (5:1).

If a person has saving faith their doctrine of Who Jesus (God) is will square with these and other related verses. Again, it is clear that John is telling the professing believer that their doctrine of Jesus Christ is of highest importance.

Oprah would like the world to believe that we are deities. She makes statements like, “Does God care about your heart or does God care that you call his son Jesus?” It’s sad, but many buy into this shallow idolatrous doctrine.

This is a very short encounter with a man I met a SLO Farmer’s Market. You'll hear nothing earth shaking. It's just an example of person who probably believes in a god that doesn't exist. He figures, “hey I believe in God, that’s good enough.” I’m not his judge. But if he is holding onto a faulty doctrine of who God is, and if this poor man will not repent of it and trust in the finished work of Christ Jesus, he will perish on The Day when he stands before the True and Living God.

I didn't get his name. But God knows who he is. Please pray for him.

Posted by Ambassador at 9:29 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008

SLO Pride - Johnny

Download this episode (12 min)  
I met Johnny at the SLO Pride festival on Sunday afternoon. Johnny was very generous in giving me a few minutes of his time and allowed me to ask him about his spiritual beliefs. What I found out was that Johnny, like most people in this world, sees himself as a very good person. Even after a look into the “mirror” of the Ten Commandments, Johnny was still proclaiming his goodness.

I agree Johnny is a very cool guy but this will not help him on Judgment Day. Johnny will stand naked in his sin of self-righteousness before the holiness of God and based on what God has revealed in the Bible, God will judge Johnny in righteousness.

Please pray that God will use this conversation to soften Johnny's heart.

Posted by Ambassador at 12:55 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Two Extremes at SLO Pride – Part 2

Download this episode (22 min)  
Andy, Robert and I went to the 2008 Pride festival in San Luis Obispo on Sunday. We shared the good news and passed out over 300 gospel tracts.

We used the same gospel tract last year. Leon at Evangelism Team creates and stocks high quality gospel tracts. I highly recommend this ministry to you Christian.

www.evangelismteam.com

This particular tract has a wonderful message on the back, which is tailored specifically for the gay community. The tract communicates the good news of forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God through repentance from sin and faith in Christ alone by grace alone. Praise God – all 300 tracts were distributed.

We had lots of very good conversations with individuals who were receptive – and even some who were not. It’s funny how there were some individuals who, when approaching them, “looked” like they wouldn’t have been receptive, who in the end were very receptive. And there were others who were very approachable who “looked” very receptive, who in the end wasn’t receptive at all.

I watched/listened to Brother Robert approach and initiate a conversation with a young lady sitting on a short wall. She was a lesbian. Robert was very gentle in his approach. The young lady was receptive to talk so away they went. Robert used a few survey questions, of which she seemed very willing to give her opinion. I just sat back and listened/prayed. Her partner came and sat next to her on the wall and Robert included her in the conversation. She said, “I don’t have much of an opinion so I’ll just be quiet.” In the same breath, this young lady proceeded to clean Robert’s clock.

Just before the young lady had sat down with her partner, Robert and the first young lady was talking about the Church. So when the second young lady came into the conversation, it was on the topic of the Church. Wow – for a person who didn’t have an opinion, she sure gave Robert a hard time.

Now it wasn’t Robert’s approach or method that stirred up this ladies anger, I’m really not sure what it was because Robert never even got to really witness to either of them. The first young lady was fairly calm but no longer receptive to the conversation. The second young lady was going off on a rant about why we shouldn’t be at Pride. She was so loud that others around us heard her ranting at us and they started to get upset with us - although Robert had not had the opportunity to say hardly anything – anything to get upset about for sure. It ended up ok. They just walked off and left us. A few words from those who were listening and it was over.

Robert and I talked for a second, encouraged each other and went back at it. I grabbed a stack of tracts and walked into the middle of the heavy foot traffic and proceeded to distribute my tracts. After passing out maybe 100 or so, I had several people bring the tracts back to me and say, “I’m not interested.” I felt this was a nice gesture that these individuals were kind enough to hand the tracts back to me as opposed to throwing them in the trash or on the ground.

I was expecting some rejection. I mean, in their eyes we are intruding into their festival and giving them information that many of them don’t want to hear. I continued to hang in there when four individuals that I had given tracts out to earlier walked right up to me and threw the tracts in my face. However, they had ripped the tracts up into little pieces. Whack! Whack! Whack!….well you get the point, four times I got it. Then these young guys proceeded to curse at me like I’ve never been cursed at before. These guys were angry! To be honest – I was rather uncomfortable at this point because I was now standing in the middle of a bunch of people who didn’t really want me there. And the more these four guys yelled at me, the more people were gathering around me.

At this point, I sort of turned my back on the guys cursing at me, when I realized there were five very big gay men standing just behind me. Then these guys started to get angry and asking, “why are you here?” My heart was pounding at this point. One of the guys that initially hit me in the face with the torn up tract was now being held back from coming at me by another guy. All I kept saying is, “Guys, its good news. We can be saved from our sins.” I thank God for the guy holding back his friend because it wasn’t long before the situation dispersed and I found an exit from the situation. I walked ten yards down the sidewalk to where Andy and Robert were – a bit shaken I must admit. Was it worth it? Yes! If one person read the tract and one seed was sown – it was worth it.

So if I wanted to be pragmatic about it, I wouldn’t go next year. I mean, that was some pretty negative results wasn’t it? As Christians, we have to buck that manner of knowing God’s will. If we receive negative results from our efforts we tend to say, “well, it must not have been God’s will, wont do that again.” That’s nonsense! I’m glad that the prophets, Apostles, and Jesus Christ didn’t take that approach. Even if there were nothing good to report from going to this festival, my inclination would be to return next year. Bottom line – these people need to be saved from the wrath that is to come. As Christians, we have been forgiven much by a kind God who is not willing that any should perish. So in light of what God has done for us, we must take the Gospel of Jesus Christ TO THEM – even if they continue to reject it and us with it.

So where is the other extreme I talked about in the previous post? I’ve posted audio and written of a few “bad” encounters with the gay community. I’ve done that so that you’ll appreciate the audio you’re about to listen to.

I met two very nice young ladies named Alex (left) and Ilene (right). Actually I saw Alex standing against the wall by herself when I approached. I asked her if I could interview her and record it for the blog. She graciously agreed. Then her partner Ilene walked up and she agreed to let me interview her too. These ladies were smart, articulate, and very polite.

Also – after informing them that I was a conservative Christian; they didn’t put up a wall or get hostile as I have experienced in the past. Alex and Ilene went against my stereotype (that helped me very much). These ladies seemed to me to be very understanding of my position. They were sure of themselves but soft-spoken at the same time. So the conversation never got heated or uncomfortable at all. I really appreciate the time they gave me. Thank you ladies.

So here are some of the questions I asked the ladies:

1) What were your feelings on the recent California Supreme Court ruling, which struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage? (I kept saying “legislation” that recently passed – it’s not law yet but when the California Supreme Court rules – interprets the constitution – it’s like legislation).

2) When did you first find out you were gay?

3) When you finally came out, what kind of emotions were you feeling?

4) How did your families take it?

5) What kind of religious background do you have?

6) What kind of reaction did you get from the church?

7) Is there anything that you would like to express to a group of conservative Christians in regard to how you perceive us? How we are doing in treating you as human beings?

8) What do you think happens when you die?

Please pray that God would grant these two dear ladies repentance from sin and faith towards Jesus Christ.

Posted by Ambassador at 7:02 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008

Two Extremes at SLO Pride – Part 1

Download this episode (2 min)  
Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Christian, What is your attitude toward the gay community? Is it an attitude of fear and/or judgmentalism, as some would suggest? Do you stereotype the gay man or lesbian woman? In your mind do you assume that each gay or lesbian person is like this or like that?

I’m going to be honest. I personally have had tendencies of prejudice toward them. I do tend to be fearful of them. I also must admit that, in the past, I’ve had the “holier-than-thou” attitude (judgmentalism) with them too. I’ve looked at them as sexual deviants instead of sinners like I used to be.

If we take our eyes off of the Lord Jesus and His Cross, sad to say, it’s quite easy for us to embrace this attitude: “Their sin is worse than my own.”

Based on the sure Word of God, I am convinced that the homosexual lifestyle is indeed sin against God and those that are unrepentant to death will receive God’s just punishment in Hell for all eternity. However, based on the passage sited above, this is also true of the heterosexual “drunkards” who die in their sin, is it not?

God has mercifully given us passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, where He tells us very plainly who will not “inherit the kingdom of God.” In the passage the Christian is reminded of who they were before God saved them – how they once lived. This passage also provides the necessary truth the lost person despritely needs to hear in order for them to understand God’s judgment upon them.

John MacArthur’s commentary says that it’s, “a catalog of sinners who are typical of the unsaved. Persons whose lives are totally characterized by such sins are not saved and therefore unrighteous, unjustified. They shall not inherit the kingdom of God, because they are not right with God. They are outside the kingdom, the sphere of salvation.”

He goes on to say that, “The catalog of sins in verses 9–10 is not exhaustive, but those sins represent all the major types of moral sin, the types of sin that have always characterized ungodly societies and that ought never to characterize the godly society of the redeemed.”

Take a look at the entire list in this passage: Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Effeminate & Homosexuals, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, and Swindlers. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the homosexual lifestyle is sin in God’s eyes. As Christians we must love enough to express this truth that God has given us. But let’s not loose sight that God sees other lifestyles as sin as well – sins that are committed by heterosexual’s everyday. As Christians we must love enough to take this position as well with the heterosexual community.

A group of us went to SLO Pride (a gay festival). There we met some of the people who I’ve stereotyped in my mind. We also met some people who didn’t fit my stereotype. We met individuals who were “whacked out” in their sexual sin. But I also met some very nice people from the homosexual community as well.

So here is what I want to do. In this first audio blog, I’m posting one extreme. An extreme that you are probably familiar with. It’s less than two minutes long so it’s not that hard to sit through. This is the extreme that may make you fearful or may make you want to look down your nose at them. This encounter ended rather abruptly. Then in the next episode, I’m going to post another extreme. One that surprised me as well.

Bottom line, we cannot get caught up in judging one sin as worse than the any other sin – “there is none righteous,” says the Holy Spirit. We have all sinned and desperately need God’s mercy - the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Keep this in mind when you encounter a homosexual. Christian, reach out to them and gently help them see that even if they were not homosexual or lesbian, they are still sinners and on their way to Hell because God is just. Help them to see that it’s because God is good, holy, righteous, and just that he will punish sin.

Posted by Ambassador at 6:50 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Thursday, Jun 19, 2008

Witnessing to Caesar

Download this episode (18 min)  
I wanted to do something a bit different with this post. I’ve uploaded an audio of an interview I had with a young man named Caesar. In addition, I’ve provided links below to the video footage of the same interview. I had to upload the video footage in two parts.

Please pray for Caesar – a very nice young fellow who clearly loves his sin so much that he’s unwilling to bend the knee to King Jesus. Caesar’s sin is so darling to him that he’s willing to go to Hell for it.

After watching the video footage, I realized that I might have been a bit “squishy” with him. I should have been more firm with him in addressing his faulty positions. Please watch the two-part video and give me some input.

A friend of mine gave me this very helpful critique after watching the video:

“I personally might have turned up the heat a bit... Dealt with some of his presuppositions a bit....Maybe asked since there is nothing inherently bad according to you, would it be okay for a grown man to be with a 6 yr old girl if they love each other?" Since they "feel" love and it can never be wrong, how can you judge him? Asked how he came to some of his conclusions.... Questioned him a little more on his assertion that his feelings are never wrong. "I feel so much more loved and free of restraints when I just be myself...." That speaks volumes based on his lifestyle..... Way to hang in there! It's always easier to critique than to be the one on film!”

This is helpful. Please consider leaving me a few comments on how I might have better communicated the truth to Caesar.

Here are the two video links.

Part 1
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=789c4e0bfdc01bb7ab1a

Part 2
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e90833ec3921bcf30a00

Posted by Ambassador at 12:57 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT