Tuesday 27 August 2013

Street Preaching 7

Well guess I wasn't quite done...

While reading comments from readers of articles on street preaching, I found this young man who posted a link to his testimony:




He proves the point that God uses faithful less than perfect street preachers to plant precious seeds.

This young man is now himself a street preacher:

Sunday 25 August 2013

Street Preaching Part 6: Christ Alone

Yesterday I posted about a situation regarding Tony Miano. I made an assumption regarding Lyn's removal action, which followed on the heels of that situation. She said:

Susan, for what it's worth, I am in the process of 'unfollowing' everybody on my blog...why? Because it is Christ and Christ alone I follow. I did not mean to offend you in any way, for that I do seek your forgiveness.

So for that portion of the blog entry, I am the one that needs forgiveness. I still stand by the rest of what I state. Of course it is Christ and Christ alone that we follow, all men fall short, we all need God's grace.

I work in an environment of constant gossip and backbiting. It is the nature of man. It is a horrible environment to work in. We can continue to backbite and gossip regarding all the nitpicky things we find wrong in each other. When it  involves things like outright heresy, or sexual sins inside the church the person needs correction directly. Paul confronted Peter to his face about something that he was hypocritical about, and hypocrisy requires a confrontation, as the example given in scripture. That is unpleasant for many people. Most of us like everything to be calm and peaceful all the time. Of course I would like that too, however that is not the world we live in.

I was talking with my husband about this dialogue. He said "God uses all kinds of people to preach. Some are reached  one way, and some He reaches with another approach, and in every case where a sinner realizes their need for a savior it is God who gets the glory for using people who are less than perfect" . Yes! That is the bottom line, isn't it?

 1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.


Not everyone is going to be a "masterbuilder" like Paul was, or like some of the greats like Spurgeon or even Steven Lawson. But even then, it is God working in them who gets all the credit, because it is the power of God. If then God uses men like Tony Miano, why must we then say that He cannot? And if we reluctantly admit "Well, I suppose He can, but...." No, no buts, God uses men made of sinful flesh to prick hearts of those He is reaching, and for us to question and to outright attack the means that He uses is the height of arrogance and hypocrisy.

1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Co 12:19  And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1Co 12:20  But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1Co 12:22  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
1Co 12:23  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1Co 12:24  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

1Co 12:25  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.


Thankfully, I think I've exhausted the topic of Tony Miano, lol.

Hallelujah!

Saturday 24 August 2013

Street Preaching 5

So there is a blogger, Lyn, whom I've agreed with on most things she has on her blog, except for her treatment of a brother in Christ. It was so much of an issue for her that she had to remove herself from my "followers" (which I don't need followers anyway, if what I say blesses you all glory to God alone and hopefully the ranks of His followers increases daily). And when  a person shows me their "true colors" a friend once told me a bit of good advice:
"Don't get angry with someone who reveals who they really are to you, thank them because now you know who you are truly dealing with".

 People can make themselves look good on the outside of the cup while inside something isn't right. When that is revealed, I pray and hope better things for them in their future.

I'm looking at this brother in what he himself says (Lyn says you cannot go by what a person himself says, to which I disagree), and he is "by the Book" in everything I've looked at thusfar. Of course he is human and if we are going to examine him with a microscope we will find things that might not line up perfectly, and I doubt any of us would pass such scrutiny. We know we are in need of a savior when we realize how horrible we truly are. Tony is very blunt about the fact, true. I think God can and does use what Tony and any true preacher of the gospel says about our fallen, sinful, hateful to God condition, (liars, cheaters, blasphemers, etc) that we are prior to coming to Jesus, and still are in our flesh, prior to our shedding of this mortal carcass. Might he be "legalistic"?.... Perhaps. And she says he does not represent his work history as accurately as he should ALL THE TIME. Maybe. I don't go into detail about my work history with everyone I meet, and may shorten/abbreviate what it all entails instead of going on and on about myself, what a boring topic anyway, lol.

Here is an excerpt of what he said about his carrying of a cross-sign which had "Are You Ready?" painted on it:

"And then, of course, there are the positive things God has done that I will not come to know until I am with Him in Heaven. I have faith, believing I will enjoy fellowship with people I never met on Earth who were impacted in one way or another, by seeing a man on a street corner holding a cross. Sola Deo Gloria!"


The rest of the blog article about his thoughts and the conversations he has had with people on the streets of the Los Angeles area while carrying this cross:


http://www.crossencounters.us/2012/03/why-do-you-carry-cross-and-other.html

Friday 23 August 2013

Street Preaching 4

Again I want to take a moment to talk about something that truly I sorrow about. I know that we all have our "pet peeves", myself included, however when we then use it as a platform against a brother, that is just wrong and there is no way to justify it. I'm not talking about someone who is preaching heresy; that is a different circumstance altogether. What I am talking about is a personal preference of delivery, because the Bible itself says that any way that Jesus is preached is cause for rejoicing:

  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:   The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:   But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.   What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18


There was some dispute as to whether Tony Miano is truly doing the work of the Lord in what he says and does, and that he doesn't always in every instance mention the way to salvation. Sigh. He also calls people liars by citing:

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:3-4

Truly, it grieves me that people who are blaming Tony of being contentious, are being even moreso themselves by what they are saying and bring greater condemnation to themselves.

I have read Tony's testimony (previous post) and acknowledge him as a brother in Christ by the truth of his convictions in Jesus the Lord.

If a person will not come to Christ, he won't come no matter how sweet sounding the call to him, and if a person will run to Jesus, he will do so no matter how much his flesh feels condemned.

Members of British Parliament wrote to Tony after his arrest for street preaching in Britain. You can find the letters here:

https://www.facebook.com/OpenAirTony/photos_stream

My comment on one of the images of a letter by an MP:

"It was my understanding of my sinfulness that had me run to the fountain of God's mercy and grace. If it is preached another way, it becomes another gospel which is unable to save. There are many "Christians" who are in name only, who wear it as a badge, and who put on their own righteousness rather than the righteousness of God. Sad, really. Those are the most hardened and unreachable sinners, because they have deluded themselves into believing that they are saved, but their god is their belly and their comforts and want the approval of men over the approval of God."

If our personal perfection were a prerequisite for telling others about Jesus, no one would talk of Him, we would all be silenced. Thankfully there are "Tony's" in this world who aren't going to count on their own perfection while preaching of the need for Jesus forgiveness and need for our repentance. I have seen him several times admit his own need of forgiveness and of the love of God, as should we all.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Street Preaching 3: A Personal Testimony

The last couple of posts were concerning street preaching, and a street preacher named Tony Miano. There were some comments made about Mr Miano and about his personal life that made me want to dig a bit further. Today I found where Tony has put his personal testimony of how he came to Christ, and some thoughts about the charismatic movement (where his faith in Jesus had it's beginning). He tells about how it went from casual to crazy, and ends his thoughts about the movement with these words:

Excerpt:

The only thing, the only One who can bring spiritual addicts out of bondage is the true Holy Spirit--the Third Person of the Godhead. Only the Holy Spirit can take a heart and mind that craves what is false and change it to love what is true. Only the Holy Spirit can so regenerate the heart of the spiritual addict, enabling them to come to genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. While I don't question the salvation of my Christ-loving, Bible-believing, gospel-sharing, discerning Charismatic friends, I most certainly do question the salvation of spiritual addicts who seek the gift with no concern of who the giver might be. I do question the salvation of those who ignore what the Bible says about discerning every spirit and, instead, simply swallow whatever the latest spiritual snake oil salesman is selling. I do question the salvation of those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit by attributing to the Holy Spirit that which should rightly be attributed to Satan (i.e. the magical appearance of gold dust and gold teeth, fire tunnels, healing evangelism, treasure hunting, trips to heaven, swine anointing (I can't make this stuff up), toking the Holy Ghost, and other outrageous, man-centered, Holy-Spirit degrading, demonic, blasphemous activities).
My hope for those addicted to false spiritual movements is not their eternal demise. On the contrary: my hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit will bring them to their senses and extend to them the most precious gifts--repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And may the Lord bless His Church and the world with yet another Great Awakening, true revival that brings true glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 


Read the rest of this testimony here

I still have more digging to do regarding Mr Miano, however, thus far I am not convinced by those who have so much to say against him.

Edited to add:

I found a Facebook page as well where Tony has posted the letters he has received from members of Parliament:

 https://www.facebook.com/OpenAirTony/photos_stream 

I posted a comment at one of the images of a letter. The letter suggested that in an open air preaching that it would be better to only speak about the love of God and not the facts about sexual immorality. I'll do a post about that later.

Monday 19 August 2013

Street Preaching 2: Offending People

Many today think it is a sin to offend people with the truth about the need for repentance. That is a big sign of our evil times.

John the Baptist didn't shy away from telling the truth for fear of offending people:

Mat 14:3  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Mat 14:4  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Mat 14:5  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Mat 14:6  But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Mat 14:7  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
Mat 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Mat 14:9  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
Mat 14:10  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
Mat 14:11  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Mat 14:12  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 


Luke went a little further and said that John the Baptist reproved Herod for ALL the evil he had done, and not just the sexual immorality which everyone already knew about anyway. Just like today, people knew about their corrupt politicians:

Luk 3:19  But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done

Matthew points to the fact that Herod would have killed John the Baptist but because he feared the multitude, he put him in prison. And then he later behaves as though he is sorry that his daughter asks for John's head, but nevertheless all of a sudden "gets religious" about being honorable to an oath (he never seemed to be concerned about being so honorable before) and has John beheaded. That is how the flesh operates. 

We shouldn't offend people for the sake of wanting to offend them. If that is what you gain from what I'm saying, you couldn't be more wrong. But we do need to be bold, to speak up, tell the truth about sin, and explain where those who stubbornly cling to their sin (rather than repent of all their sin) are headed. Their sins will cost them eternity in hell if not repented of. Even something as seemingly small as disobedience to parents can send someone to hell.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;   Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.   For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7

 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.Philippians 3:18

 
Those times spoken of in the above passages are here today more so than than has ever been true in the past. Should we not all be speaking up about all the various offenses to God in hopes that perhaps even one person in a thousand will have his or her conscience pricked and perhaps be used by God to save that one person? But I agree that it is much easier to type into a computer from the safety and anonymity of those who might hate us for saying what needs to be said. We can sit in a comfy chair and "speak up" all we want and others can ignore us just as easily online as they can in person...can't they? I'm guilty of this too. I sit at home and see others speak out about their faith in God (and I can find defects in their delivery, or their grammar or their seeming lack of compassion, or what have you). 


But:

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Let's not hide behind "I knew God is a very demanding God and I knew that I wouldn't get everything exactly perfect as He would expect me to, so I didn't go out to all the people to tell them about sin and repentance and forgiveness of sin", because we are without excuse. God will supply us all we need, and even though others will criticize us for it, it should not make us afraid to serve Him by taking the truth out to the streets.

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Street Preaching

Some might find street preaching inappropriate and/or offensive. I personally am glad there are a few that would do it, to be bold by taking the truth about the need for repentance to the lost. Tony Miano has been in Britain and gotten flack for street preaching. Does he do it perfectly with perfect eloquence and tact? No. Is he a bit abrasive and somewhat annoying, perhaps even to the point of badgering? I would say yes to that. But isn't it easier to pick apart why Mr. Miano is wrong (from the ease and comfort from a home computer) than to be out there being uncomfortable. And I also don't like the "Christian rap" at the beginning and end of the video. These however are minor annoyances. John the Baptist would be considered annoying for what he said regarding the need for repentance. He too came right out and named offenses such as what King Herod and his brother's wife were doing, that it was shameful and disgusting and shouldn't be happening. Yes it is terrible to talk about, but it is even worse to be doing these things and then be self-righteous about such sinfulness.

 I personally think that however Jesus and the need for repentance is preached (aside from outright heresy of course, which I did not detect from Tony's message) is needed for people to be pricked. In this clip I believe many are having their consciences pricked, including the officers and the young woman who called the police on him. Perhaps it won't bear fruit immediately, but I do believe the Lord will use this for good.



Wednesday 14 August 2013

Escaping the Lake of Fire

In this short audio excerpt from Pastor Arthur W. Pink, he shows the reason for Biblical preaching that doesn't skirt the issue of sin.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=218091044224

(4 minutes of your time)

We today want a soft and easy message, one that only speaks comfort and joy and love...but the love of the Bible preaches the necessity to escape the coming wrath, and that Jesus will say to many who thought they served Him: "I never knew you"

Sanctification is a necessary and mostly overlooked aspect of the true believer's makeup. It is the inward working and power of the Holy Spirit. If there is no sanctifying power going on inside a person who thinks they are saved, they are deceived, in the worst possible way, and are headed on the wide path, the easy road that has many on it, leading them all to their terrible fate.

The narrow way is the one that we need to seek, hope for, and find. That is the one that leads to life, and the indwelling Spirit of one who is truly saved, will desire it above all the riches and delusions of this world, even though it brings us many enemies, and much sorrow in this short mortal existence.


Tuesday 13 August 2013

Separate from Among Them

This morning I awoke with this verse on my thoughts:

"always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth". 2Timothy 3:7


This is something that, when I was first saved would remain heavy in my thinking when I was "studying to show myself approved". I wanted God to apply what I learned into my heart and soul and not just read and read to no avail. But if you examine the context of this verse, it is about the last days, and about the types of people we are to avoid.

Lynn posted a message by Arthur Pink on this topic, and it pierces the soul.

There is also a short audio clip on this sermon on Sermon Audio.

Solid warnings for times such as these. We can be "growing in the knowledge of the truth", or we can be wasting our time "ever learning" yet never arriving at the knowledge of the truth, having a form of godliness yet denying His power.