Requesting elder authority/support regarding street evangelism

[evangelist6589]

You must take in all accounts of the Great Commission rather than merely picking and choosing the one you want to obey. "Go" preach the gospel and baptizing are but two aspects of a threefold command to "make disciples" (Mt. 28:19-20). The third aspect is "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded." Look at my previous post and you will see that not all Christians are authorized to "make disciples" because not all Christians have been baptized or instructed how to observe his commandments and that would be like authorizing the blind to lead the blind, as one cannot teach what he has not yet learned.

I am all for making disciples. I just have not made any in my experience. But I am still preaching the gospel to every creature (NIV) as far as I can on the streets. As JonC said God expects "faithfulness" and faithfulness does not always bring forth numerical results.

 

[StefanM]

I have lots of debt so I can't minister except on the streets.

Is that really true? Are you unable to do anything else?

I'm not suggesting the pastorate, but volunteer ministries through your church could be opportunities to serve. I'm also not suggesting that your street preaching needs to go.

I've never been divorced, so I can't relate to that specific situation, but I have come close to a divorce. I can only imagine how painful that process must have been for you because when I almost divorced, it was quite painful.

Regardless of what you come to believe about remarriage, I would suggest taking some time off from trying to pursue another relationship (except for with your ex-wife, which is not likely to happen, as you mentioned). Maybe you can get some counseling if you haven't already.

From your posts, I sense some anger, bitterness, and frustration. All of those things are to be expected after a divorce. Just try to make it through day by day. Eventually, things will get better for you in this area. I do apologize if I have interpreted your posts incorrectly.

 

[Revmitchell]

Care to tell us how it's biblical to keep pastoring while a person is in blatant unrepentant sin?

I did not say that.

Serving (as engaging people with your gifts) can be a form of worship, but it's not the *same thing*.

You need to do a word study on worship

It's difficult for a person laid up in a hospital bed who is on the mend from a heart by pass to be out helping other people. Sometimes getting ministered to is what a person should fully concentrate on.

Uh no its not. They can share the gospel with anyone who comes in their room. Many, many Christians do that.

And that is the heart beat of this thread, you can't minister while you're in need of being ministered to...that's like a person who has suffered a gun shot wound to the head trying to give mouth to mouth to a unresponsive person...hard to do when you yourself are lying motionless on the ground as well.

There is nothing about this statement that is true or correct. Your comparison is not on equal footing to what we are talking about.

 

[JonShaff]

I did not say that.



You need to do a word study on worship



Uh no its not. They can share the gospel with anyone who comes in their room. Many, many Christians do that.



There is nothing about this statement that is true or correct. Your comparison is not on equal footing to what we are talking about.

One can only share the Gospel (Effectively, ie "And being filled with the Holy Ghost...When they were filled with the Holy Ghost...) in the power of the Holy Spirit, when a person is in unrepentant and blatant Sin he is Quenching and Grieving the Holy Spirit. NO Holy Spirit = no ministering. I gave you analogies that perfectly described the OP's situation. Once again, sometimes it's important for a person to get the care and attention they need so they can get back to doing what God has called them to do, if it's within the principles laid out in Scripture.

Edited to add

Back to Worship (even in your own definition) We worship God in Spirit and In Truth. No Spirit, no worship, correct? How can someone serve who is devoid of the Spirit?

 

[JonC]

One can only share the Gospel (Effectively, ie "And being filled with the Holy Ghost...When they were filled with the Holy Ghost...) in the power of the Holy Spirit, when a person is in unrepentant and blatant Sin he is Quenching and Grieving the Holy Spirit. NO Holy Spirit = no ministering. I gave you analogies that perfectly described the OP's situation. Once again, sometimes it's important for a person to get the care and attention they need so they can get back to doing what God has called them to do, if it's within the principles laid out in Scripture.

Edited to add

Back to Worship (even in your own definition) We worship God in Spirit and In Truth. No Spirit, no worship, correct? How can someone serve who is devoid of the Spirit?

The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

 

[JonShaff]

The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

That is the IMPORTANT thing, however, For an individual's relationship with Christ concerning worship/service, Motive is EVERYTHING.

 

[Revmitchell]

One can only share the Gospel (Effectively, ie "And being filled with the Holy Ghost...When they were filled with the Holy Ghost...) in the power of the Holy Spirit, when a person is in unrepentant and blatant Sin he is Quenching and Grieving the Holy Spirit. NO Holy Spirit = no ministering. I gave you analogies that perfectly described the OP's situation. Once again, sometimes it's important for a person to get the care and attention they need so they can get back to doing what God has called them to do, if it's within the principles laid out in Scripture.

Edited to add

Back to Worship (even in your own definition) We worship God in Spirit and In Truth. No Spirit, no worship, correct? How can someone serve who is devoid of the Spirit?

Oh well they should just stay home on Sunday then.

 

[JonShaff]

Oh well they should just stay home on Sunday then.

That's where they will get ministered to, why would they stay home

 

[JonShaff]

I mean let's be honest, is this powerful preaching? Not trying to be critical...

 

[Revmitchell]

That's where they will get ministered to, why would they stay home

Well it appears we have different ideas about what is supposed to happen on Sunday morning. I go to church whether I am preaching or not to give God my worship regardless whether or not I receive anything. God deserves it.

I do not go to church to get, I go to church to give. I cannot worship God for the purpose of getting something. That is antithetical to worship in Spirit and Truth. Our focus is either on God or it is on us. If on us then we are not worshiping.

Ministering is done one on one. Further, we do not stop because we fail. If that were the case we would never be able to serve as we all fail every day.

 

[JonShaff]

Well it appears we have different ideas about what is supposed to happen on Sunday morning. I go to church whether I am preaching or not to give God my worship regardless whether or not I receive anything. God deserves it.

I do not go to church to get, I go to church to give. I cannot worship God for the purpose of getting something. That is antithetical to worship in Spirit and Truth. Our focus is either on God or it is on us. If on us then we are not worshiping.

Ministering is done one on one. Further, we do not stop because we fail. If that were the case we would never be able to serve as we all fail every day.

I think somewhere in my responses i've either misrepresented my views or you may have mistaken them. I apologize if i wasn't clear, brother

1. We go to Service on Sunday to GIVE God our Worship. Agreed. We GIVE Him Praise, We GIVE Him Thanksgiving, We GIVE Him our Time, We Give Him our heart...Totally Agreed

2. Does God Minister to us through the Preaching of the Word? Christ said, "I came to Serve." God STILL demonstrates His love by Ministering to Us through His Word and His Spirit. Did He stop Ministering After His resurrection and say, "OK, I'm done serving, now it's on you."

What i'm specifically speaking about is this--If we have a particular Gift or calling and We are in rebellious, Unrepentant Sin, particularly in a Lifestyle of Sin, We should stop that particular Endeavor and refocus our Attention on the Triune God for a time of repentance and healing. Specifically, a guy who is a "Street Preacher". Get off the street and get on your knees...repent.

 

[Scarlett O.]

I mean let's be honest, is this powerful preaching? Not trying to be critical

Well, you said it - "let's be honest".

I think being critical is exactly what you are trying to do by posting that video. You aren't showing us anything we haven't already seen many times for many years.

For YEARS on this board and many other boards, help - discipleship -a ministering heart have been offered and earnest advice about a ton of subjects from a proper motivation has been given to this poster.......unfortunately to no avail. And there are reasons for that many don't understand.

It's easy to see on this thread alone who has servant's heart - even though stern words have to be used - and who have critical spirits. And I'll readily confess - over the years, I've been both.

I'll just leave all of you to sort out who is whom.

 

[Revmitchell]

I think somewhere in my responses i've either misrepresented my views or you may have mistaken them. I apologize if i wasn't clear, brother

1. We go to Service on Sunday to GIVE God our Worship. Agreed. We GIVE Him Praise, We GIVE Him Thanksgiving, We GIVE Him our Time, We Give Him our heart...Totally Agreed

2. Does God Minister to us through the Preaching of the Word? Christ said, "I came to Serve." God STILL demonstrates His love by Ministering to Us through His Word and His Spirit. Did He stop Ministering After His resurrection and say, "OK, I'm done serving, now it's on you."

What i'm specifically speaking about is this--If we have a particular Gift or calling and We are in rebellious, Unrepentant Sin, particularly in a Lifestyle of Sin, We should stop that particular Endeavor and refocus our Attention on the Triune God for a time of repentance and healing. Specifically, a guy who is a "Street Preacher". Get off the street and get on your knees...repent.

He needs to repent. Quite frankly I doubt a particular calling to street preaching. I think it is born out of personal preference. However, we should never stop serving God. There are high callings like pastor and deacon that require a more mature and prepared position but even Jonah did what God told him to do without the proper motive. In fact he was mad that God saved them. We need to be careful about telling someone to stop serving God. They may need to change how they do that for a time but never stop altogether.

 

[blessedwife318]

I mean let's be honest, is this powerful preaching? Not trying to be critical...

My question is at the end when that one guy is asking about Hell, why not go down to his level and talk to him face to face. Why stay up on the stairs and talk down to him.

 

[JonShaff]

Well, you said it - "let's be honest".

I think being critical is exactly what you are trying to do.

For YEARS on this board and many other boards, help - discipleship -a ministering heart have been offered and earnest advice about a ton of subjects from a proper motivation has been given to this poster.......unfortunately to no avail. And there are reasons for that many don't understand.

It's easy to see on this thread alone who has servant's heart - even though stern words have to be used - and who have critical spirits. And I'll readily confess - over the years, I've been both.

I'll just leave all of you to sort out who is whom.

You and God alone know the motives of my heart. Got it. I mean what i say and say what i mean. I was NOT trying to be critical. I was saying let's be honest, that's not powerful preaching. Examine it.

But you obviously know the intent of my heart.

 

[JonShaff]

He needs to repent. Quite frankly I doubt a particular calling to street preaching. I think it is born out of personal preference. However, we should never stop serving God. There are high callings like pastor and deacon that require a more mature and prepared position but even Jonah did what God told him to do without the proper motive. In fact he was mad that God saved them. We need to be careful about telling someone to stop serving God. They may need to change how they do that for a time but never stop altogether.

I agree with what you say brother, i will re-examine how i approach subjects like this. My apologies for any confusion.

 

[Jerome]

Craig S. Keener has written a essay in the book I am reading called [Remarriage After Divorce in Today's Church: 3 Views] and says one can get remarried for abuse.

But he's an Arminian.

I listen and read from them in some areas.

But in this area (relationships), Keener is egalitarian, not complementarian. Oh no!

Christians for Biblical Equality - Craig Keener

 

[Revmitchell]

But in this area (relationships), Keener is egalitarian, not complementarian. Oh no!

Christians for Biblical Equality - Craig Keener

Does anyone know what this post has to do with this thread?

 

[Yeshua1]

Not once have I stated to anyone that I talk with or open air too that I am innocent of sin or breaking the 10 commandments.

NONE of us hre can claim that! Just need to really step back and draw close to Lord, and a good Church home, and make sure your walk with your ex and the Life is all right now first!

 

[evangelist6589]

Is that really true? Are you unable to do anything else?

I'm not suggesting the pastorate, but volunteer ministries through your church could be opportunities to serve. I'm also not suggesting that your street preaching needs to go.

I've never been divorced, so I can't relate to that specific situation, but I have come close to a divorce. I can only imagine how painful that process must have been for you because when I almost divorced, it was quite painful.

Regardless of what you come to believe about remarriage, I would suggest taking some time off from trying to pursue another relationship (except for with your ex-wife, which is not likely to happen, as you mentioned). Maybe you can get some counseling if you haven't already.

From your posts, I sense some anger, bitterness, and frustration. All of those things are to be expected after a divorce. Just try to make it through day by day. Eventually, things will get better for you in this area. I do apologize if I have interpreted your posts incorrectly.

I appreciate your attitude. I wish others on this board spoke like you. Counseling heh? Through a Christian counseling agency? The church? I tend to be more open with females but the problem is that most in the area that claim to be Christian are just loaded with so much psycho babble. The pastor at church would be better.