PREACH ON THE STREET To The Multitudes?

[JonathanDT]

Here at Cedarville we have an Open Heirs program that is fantastic. Every Friday night there is a group of students that go to three different cities around us, Dayton, Cinci, and Columbus. We don't go around yelling, just pair up in groups of two and walk around and talk to people one on one(or two on one more accurately. Some partners will talk to groups at a time, I've never done it). We say hi and ask them if they have a couple minutes to talk. If they say yes then awesome. If not we walk on and talk to someone else. Last week my partner and I talked to a girl in Dayton. She invited us to sit down out of the cold with her in Uno's, and before we left she was a Child of God!! It was incredible (in fact I think I used that more more in the hour following that conversation than I ever have in my life), one of the highlights of my life. We're leaving for Dayton in just over two hours for tonight's Open Heirs, I'm sure God's plans will be in effect tonight as always.

 

[Walls]

Jonathan that's great!

I truly believe that the purpose for being out on the streets is to reach the lost. But I also believe that Christians can make a difference if they would ban together and stand against certain sins.

Based on what I have seen that works best, my personal preference is not to mix the two. If you are out to win souls then go out and win them! If you want to protest abortions, then stand before planned parenthood and picket and so on.

If we are the salt and light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14) we must be out there! God be with you all that get out there!

 

[Hamtramck_Mike]

( Now concerning the adulterous woman…read the context of John 8…the scribes and Pharisees were tempting Jesus so they could accuse him (v. 6) In that day, an adulterer was condemned to death by stoning (v. 5). The woman obviously got saved during this time because she called Jesus, LORD in her reply. That is why in verse 11 Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn (the condemnation in these verses is the physical death of stoning..read the context)thee: go and sin (adultery..that was the sin at hand) no more. This woman was saved because she was “called on the carpet” for her specific sin of ADULTERY! This is a prime example of what pointing out sin in our lives can do…you can’t repent if you don’t know something is wrong! Farmers Wife's Original Commentary)

It is a very serious error to conclude here that the Lord Jesus was dealing with the specific sin of this woman's adultery when He here uttered "neither do I condemn thee" if so, what about all her OTHER sins? What about her sin nature? What about us? Is there not a far greater Truth to this passage than is revealed by the puny human mind? One who lets the Holy Spirit interpret Scripture can come to only one conclusion: The Lord Jesus knew from the foundation of the world what He was going to do in this situation and He could not and would not be frustrated! One other thing: the adultress did NOT get saved because she called the Savior LORD; no, that could NEVER HAPPEN! She called the Savior LORD by the Holy Spirit AFTER she was Saved! What a WONDERFUL GOD WE SERVE! AMEN AMEN!

 

[Wiedertaufen]

Jesus said, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:23

Street preaching is an ancient practice going back to the prophets of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed his glorious message in the "open-air," speaking plainly to the common man. The Book of Acts records the early Church obeying the command of the Saviour to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Church History reveals that our forefathers brought the glad tidings of the Gospel to those outside their church buildings. We as Christians and true followers of Christ should seek to practice and preserve this biblical practice in these last days. Therefore in these last days you will see this tradition of the Church of God forsaken and under attack.

 

[GrannyGumbo]

On Saturday, April 3rd, two preachers were arrested in Winnsboro for preaching the Word of God. They were charged with remaining on premises after being forbidden. These men were standing on the public right of way of Hwy. 15. They cannot be forbidden to remain on an area of public access.

The leadership of the city of Winnsboro and its police dept. have proven Amos 5:10(KJB) to be true even here. They have conspired constantly to deprive preachers of the truth the right to obey the call of God. We have a constitutional right to preach on the public right of way and sidewalk. And there is a higher Law that demands that we be faithful to God's direction.

The Winnsboro city police leadership have time and again demonstrated themselves to be tyrants, bullying and harassing the men and women of God. The only way that these tyrants will cease is if the citizens of the city make them stop. (Psalms 94:16 KJB)

We have given every chance for them to do right, but apparently all that the city is willing to listen to is their pocketbook.

 

[Spirit and Truth]

Granny G:

We carry a camcorder(for our protection) to tape the conversations. This also is a good training tool.

S&T:

This is a smart idea. A while back, a pastor in Flageler [Fla] and his assembly were protesting in front of Benny Hinn's house in the Orlando area, and in front of his church.Hinn had some pull with local "law" enforcement and Hinn's brother was a volunteer for the sheriffs department. These protestors were being illegally harassed by the police, and they got it on video tape. It made the news and the department headed up an investigation. A bunch of officers, including Hinns brother got bounced.The tape is definately worth seeing.

 

[onestand]

I personally rather the family life centers than street preaching. Screaming things on the streets just turns me off completely and I can see how it would turn the unsaved off as well. The idea is to compell the unsaved to come in and not cause hatred in them. Street preaching, done tactfully, can produce amazing fruit, problem is too many want to just yell at people about particular sins and reaching people for Jesus means more than just pointing out sins.

 

[onestand]

S&T....mainly because those people weren't doing something for Jesus, they were acting out on their personal opinions of Hinn, what did protesting in front of his house accomplish for bringing more people into the kingdom?? NOTHING!!! Now, I personally disagree with having much if any police for "protection", but for real, sounds as though these people were a bit dangerous.

 

[Spirit and Truth]

onestand:

S&T....mainly because those people weren't doing something for Jesus, they were acting out on their personal opinions of Hinn, what did protesting in front of his house accomplish for bringing more people into the kingdom?? NOTHING!!! Now, I personally disagree with having much if any police for "protection", but for real, sounds as though these people were a bit dangerous.

S&T:

onestand, onestand, onestand.What will I ever do with you? Your statement about doing nothing for Jesus is interesting. Since when has pulling people from the fire of false docrtine, exposing false profit$, and exposing the merchandising of the saints doing nothing for Jesus? The only dangerous person there was Hinn's brother who flashed a badge, and said that he was an orange county detective, when he was not, and the other policeman who were found guilty and fired from the force.Everyone else was obeying the law and were vindicated.

 

[onestand]

S&T in answer to your question. Where there unsaved brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Was anyone's life changed and renewed in Jesus mighty name?

If Hinn is wrong, it certainly isn't the responsiblility of anyone else to stand outside his home causing a scene and I think can safely assume Hinn himself was not effected in the slightest way to change what he preaches or believes as a result. Had it been me, I wouldn't have even bothered with cops, I'd met the group outside with a gun and calmly requested or demanded the protest end. I mean talk about invasion of privacy.

 

[Spirit and Truth]

He was living inside a gated community with security.The protestors were on the main roadway in front of the entrance to the community.Shortly after this went public, Hinn moved his "ministry" to Texas.The minister that led the protest stated that Hinn had tried to pay him off to keep quiet.He didn't accept, and went public with a statement.

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Around here, everyone in those "family life centers" claim to be saved already...so it'd be kinda like preachin' to the choir, I would think.

There is a difference between "screaming things on the street" & preaching the word of God by lifting up one's voice like a trumpet. I just hold my sign...but I can defend it too, if need be.

Surprisingly, it's mostly the 'christians' that get turned-off. The ones who have a "fish" symbol on their car or just got out of church, who come sailing by cursing & "voting" us #1.

We are always encouraged & thankful for a small number who appreciate the work of the Lord. May God be glorified in our lives! ~Granny, an unsissy Christian

 

[Spirit and Truth]

Granny G:

Surprisingly, it's mostly the 'christians' that get turned-off. The ones who have a "fish" symbol on their car or just got out of church, who come sailing by cursing & "voting" us #1.


S&T:

Oh...the stale foul smell of "churchianity". I laugh out loud at that kinda stuff.The problem is, that they do not have the Biblical "stones" to do what you do, so they get all bent out of shape. Next time tell them, that if they keep it up, dat ol' Spirit n Truth is gonna drop in an take me some names. [It's not good upbringin to yell at Granny]

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Hey dere, S&T!

Tho' I hang-out with folks who look-out fer me, sometimes da granny will get a shot in~if there's a cause...and you is welcome here on my end of da bayou anytime!

 

[Jailminister]

Preach in the Family Life centers if you want to do so. Just don't knock those who are called to street preach.

 

[onestand]

don't get me wrong, there's a type of street preaching that i think would be awesome. standing and yelling or holding signs i don't consider one of them. Although there are people getting saved in what you call family life centers, these are typically churches where it's more geared to helping families and reaching out in a different capacity.

Street preaching churchianity is more in the face, and at times that is well accepted but i think for the most part viewed as a group of nutso religious folks...sorry, that's just what i hear from others about stuff like this. Perhaps where the calling is street preaching could also involve meeting basic needs of the poor.


S&T....once again, sounds as though the protesters need to rethink and refocus on what's more important. I'm quite sorry for them in feeling they must waste precious time doing stuff like this.

 

[Debby in Philly]

When I was a kid, there were organized "street meetings" every day of Holy Week. These were held at lunch time on a busy corner of THE main street in downtown Philadelphia (Broad & Walnut). There was a raised platform alongside the building, not blocking folks walking down the street. A pastor would get up and lead the assembled crowd in a hymn or two, and then another pastor would preach the plain and simple gospel. My mom and I would "go downtown" and stand with them in support. People got saved that way, and local churches grew.

I believe that is the biblical model, as well as the American tradition of "standing in the public square" and speaking your mind. I don't think the protest model does much good, as you usually get positive responses only from those who already agree, and negative responses from those who don't.

 

[onestand]

Debby

that's what i'm trying to say, it's not that i have a problem with being on the street and preaching, but i do have a problem when it becomes more of a scream fest while unsaved just shake their heads than something a bit more inviting to the lost world. the idea is to be out there where the world can clealy, visably see you and see something different and want to be part of it, something interesting to them. i've always wanted to be part of a street drama team and then have the freedom to pray for stopper by's.

 

[GrannyGumbo]

I Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.â€￾

 

[onestand]

Luke 14:23...Go out into the highways and hedges and COMPEL them to come in that my house may be full.