Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Maria K Brazda on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Why do some Christians choose not to witness?
  • Giannis - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Dear Maria

    It is an easy thing to preach inside a church where you are surrounded by fellow Christians but going out there at the front line one has to have guts. God provides His strentgh though. I agree with brother Jesse that that is not for everybody. In my life I have seen christians that go out there and talk to the crowds feeling sooo comfortable and selfconfident like they talk to friends sitting at a cafe. I can't do that. Once two of my brothers in Christ asked me to accompany them when they went to talk in public at a cental spot of the town where i live in. I didn't have to talk, just stand there and support them with my presence. When they started talking to people and saw so many people looking at me I got terrorised, wished the land to open and got inside it. But I felt so ashamed of that, and I did s little prayer inside me. Said, Lord give me courage, I must be here supporting my brothers. And then I realized that I actually didn't care at all about people stirring at me, it didn't bother me at all. God provides you with His grace when you ask for it. But still one has to be of a specific character to do that. But on the other hand if nobody makes himself available to God for preaching in public whom is going God to send? That is why I admire people like Mishael who spent their whole lives fighting at the front line. They are christians' heavy artillery. God bless them. And you.
  • Witnessing - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Fear of man

    Be I've been a street preacher 35 yrs.

    If you read your Bible relentlessly, you're ready

    If you've been baptized by the Holy Spirit

    I love how Peter did it when he met a blind begger: " silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I to you! The man was healed.

    Come hang around in here and answer questions with the rest of us. If you know enough to be saved yourself, you are able to help save someone else.

    Minister one on one. Crowds attract hecklers.

    Kirk Cameron has street witnessing videos on YouTube. On Google there are many websites to help you feel informed about street ministry.

    Easy way to start is to get some "Chick Tracts" online. They aren't expensive. You view the ones you like. I put them on bus stop benches, on a sidewalk away from foot traffic, park benches on weekends. When that feels comfortable, you can try saying hello with eye contact.

    Most important: first Pray to the Lord of the Harvest and ask Him to bless your efforts.
  • Wayne - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Some definitely witness by word but I have to believe the strongest witness is by the way we live. As we are living for the Lord, His fruit is expressed outwardly by our daily living and reactions. Because we have a relationship. This includes our thoughts, words and actions. Others will notice and as we pray for an opportunity to speak, the Lord will provide. The Holy Spirit will let you know when the opportunity arises. The next step is the step of faith. To share the good news.
  • Jesse - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Brother Wayne, Amen!!!

    Sometimes we don't even have to say a word for God's Spirit in us to testify and minister to someone!
  • Jesse - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    Maria,

    In Matthew 9:35-38, we have the teaching of the harvest. In Verses 37 and 38, Jesus says to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

    First of all we have the condition of the harvest. Jesus said to His disciples that the harvest truly is plenteous. Notice the condition of the harvest? It is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Now when it comes to the harvest, it is not just reaping the harvest. It is the entire process, the planting, the watering, and the reaping of the harvest. But there's not enough workers.

    But notice verse 38. This is the command concerning the Harvest: (Pray), and that is a command in the Greek. We are commanded to pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.

    Did you catch that? We are to pray that He sends them out! The best I could do in proper representation of Jesus Christ and His word is to say to someone that God's kingdom work is going on here on the earth, and is the Lord sending you? You see, we can't volunteer! The Lord has to send out the harvesters. It is not an appeal for volunteers. It is praying to the Lord that He sends people.

    Witnessing Christ to others is such an awesome experience but the Lord does not put a guilt trip on anyone because they are not getting out there or meeting a quota. I can only speak for myself. I have witnessed Christ to others and it is such a blessing when the Lord presents those opportunities for me to do so. But if He's not leading me to witness, in other words, if His Spirit is not in it, my labor is in vain.
  • Mishael - In Reply on Romans 2 - 1 year ago
    My first time out alone, I was outside the bar I previously got tipsy in a lot. A group came out the door. I said, did you know some of you might be on the road to hell?

    They all said, WE KNOW, and laughed all the way to their cars.

    I got home and laid my head on the table feeling bad.

    The Lord asked me so clearly, "Are you through doing it your way?"

    I was expecting a club on the head__ but I jumped up, YES SIR! I'm yours. I began to seriously cram large chunks of scripture; mostly the Gospels through Revelation.

    Like Peter I began to perceive the state of those I talked to. No more crowds. One at a time. Back when coffee was cheap, I invited folks to share a cup.

    The Lord of the Harvest brings people to us that are open to hear Truth. He sets up Divine Appointments. People prayed with me.

    My church was a house of Street Preachers. Age 16 to 70. In warm months, we had Rapture Movies on Friday nights on the Courthouse Lawn. It was like a big family gathering. Folding chairs for Old Folks. There was a gigantic Navy ships anchor out front; that the kids all sat on. It was such a blessed time. The pastor took people who wanted baptized that night to a nearby friends swim pool.

    I'd never in my life experienced so much love! Why can't we take the church outside sometimes? I'm who Jesus called. I'm not orthodox. Just happy to follow Jesus around town. I keep to well-lit streets now. 35 years ago it was much less opposed or heckled.

    See you Monday :D



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