Friday, November 16, 2007

Street Evangelism 101

“For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.’”

Last night I went out for the second time to do street evangelism at a popular street-market in the nearby city of Redlands. I went with a classmate who invited me to go with him and some other men from his Bible church. I have felt a desire to do this for a while, especially after hearing of the exploits of my friends Josh and Tres in their experiences of taking the gospel to the streets. We handed out tracts and used “The Way of the Master” technique when we got to have a conversation with someone. This involves confronting a person with their own sinfulness in order to try to bring them to realizing their need for Christ. I like this method because I don’t think it is possible to come to salvation in Christ if we don’t even know what we are being saved from, that is, the wrath of God(Romans 5:9). Last night we got to pray for a number of non-Christians and we got to share the gospel with around nine or ten people. I haven’t seen anyone actually come to Christ in my two times of going out but I know that a lot of good seeds have been planted. For God’s word will not return empty. My hope is that I can eventually witness to people who will want to meet again later. It is certainly not the easiest or most enjoyable thing for me to go up to random people and preach the gospel but I am praying that God will give me courage and a greater compassion for the lost. What inspires me most about going out though is thinking of God’s glory and the worship that He deserves. I find particularly inspiring a quote from John Piper, “Missions exists because worship doesn't.”

6 comments:

TLF+ said...

It is certainly not the easiest or most enjoyable thing for me to go up to random people and preach the gospel but I am praying that God will give me courage and a greater compassion for the lost.

Often, the initial impact of our witness in our own transformation. It isn't the most uplifting theological example, but those Mormon missionary teams you see are designed to convert the missionaries themselves into more committed Mormons! (LDS gets just a tiny percentage of converts from visits by the missionaries - most conversions come via relational proselytizing).

Bless you, Matt, for taking this bold step. There is a street evangelism group here in Sioux Falls called "Tread", and I am looking to go out with them on an upcoming Thursday night. Feeling the need to let God break up more stony places in my heart.

Matt said...

Hey Northern Plains, thanks for the encouraging post. Going out twice already has changed me. It has caused me to think more about the price God payed to save me. May God bless you as you go out to take his truth and love to those who do not know him.

Joshua said...

Matt, it's good to see that you're taking the reality of God to the streets. I agree that the more we are willing to step outside our comfort zones, the more we can see God work in our lives. Maybe when you come home for Christmas we can go down to Portland together and share the gospel. I pray the Lord will continue to fill your lamp so you may draw others to King Jesus!

Anonymous said...

Have gone to a Lutheran Seminary, although did not graduate. Did graduate some years later from a program called 'Director of Christian Outreach'. So much about me -- I have been part of the Street Evangelism passion for a very long time. I use Way of the Master (Law/Gospel) a whole lot. My desire is to get them past the Law relationship to Christ to a daily walk with Him: Being in the Word, Being in a Biblcally based fellowship, and as I have said,being in a covenental relationship, a daily relationship, with God. Would like very much, but that seems unlikely. So I do pray for you and that God uses you. I just married and Anglican woman. Am being stretched, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

2nd message from 'Anonymous': Would very much like to meet you and minister with you, but that seems unlikely. So I do pray for you. Haven't figured out to leave my name. It is Paul Luther Vavrin.

Matt said...

God bless your ministry Paul!