Protesters, pamphlets, and posters. [Archive]

marichino_freedom

09-01-2006, 12:08 PM

This has been on my mind. School started up again last week. Along with that comes the revealing clothes and party animals. But honestly, that isn't as bothersome to me as protesters. They are there all the time. Well, last week there were people lining the area outside of the student center (deliberately in the very center of campus). They had huge posters saying things like "Jesus could save you from hell"....not that he WILL, but he COULD. That seemed a bit odd to me. The were also handing out pamphlets and information. Lots of people were grumbling about it, but it bothered me. I walked right by a girl in jeans and a tank top holding a poster and she said, "you don't have to suffer" or something like that.

I'm all for practicing/preaching/sharing what you believe, don't get me wrong. But I honestly felt uncomfortable being around them for just the minute I was (walking by). My skin actually felt prickly. I can't explain it, but it was weird. I don't know why. But I felt bad afterwards for feeling like that. Am I crazy?

AndrewMichael

09-01-2006, 02:19 PM

What I think you might be feeling is that those people can't have the Holy Ghost yet.

You are definitely for evangelism, as all Christians are, but you are used to the true Holy Spirit's presence when you are near professed Christians, and even though these are professed, you know that they are not preaching the real truth, but only a small degree.

Kinda like, if you are used to eating steak and lobster everyday and you see someone who eats trash, even though you both are getting energy, you can't help but go, "Why do you want that, when you can have this??" The world definitely wants religion, but they don't want anything to do with the Word.

Best advice, is to by love tell them what you think. That THEY need to know that they have the Holy Ghost before they can convert anyone else. How can you plant seed in someone else if you don't have any seed in yourself to give? or just bad seeds?

I am not telling you to speak against their stand for the gospel, but the hypocracy that they aer protraying. Hope that helps a little bit (even though I realize a lot of that is my opinion).

and yeah.. the "could" is definitely just because they don't really understand Scripture. We are saved, and we were always saved, we just had to come here to live it out and see our need for our Savior. Again, without the Holy Ghost, people can't make this distinction easily.

marichino_freedom

09-01-2006, 02:39 PM

thanks. i havent seen them around this week. I think they were escorted off campus or something that day, because people were complaining....i dont know for sure though.

you are right about feeling the holy spirit. it just doesnt feel the same.

joris

09-01-2006, 03:30 PM

TThey had huge posters saying things like "Jesus could save you from hell"....not that he WILL, but he COULD. That seemed a bit odd to me.
I think COULD in fact is better than WILL, though - assuming andrew's claim, neither is correct
though -- saying you ARE saved wouldn't do the right thing there either, no matter how true it may be (see, if somebody told me that in the darkest of time, me being saved already would have sounded like complete rubbish to me)
then - but I like COULD more as -- it's... saving you, taking you from that deep darkness you find yourself in - but there's your choice He's waiting on

that of predestination, it all puzzles me anyway; it seems it's in conflict with the notion of free will; if it's not, then I have not a clear idea what predestination in fact means

AndrewMichael

09-01-2006, 04:05 PM

that of predestination, it all puzzles me anyway; it seems it's in conflict with the notion of free will; if it's not, then I have not a clear idea what predestination in fact means

I'll admit that the Predestination/Free will is definitely a confusing thing, especially at the natural mind.

But how I see it, God knows everything. That means He had to be able to predestinate because He already knows what is going to happen. We were given a chose of who to serve in this life, even though God already knows who will and who won't serve Him. We still have the chose, but God already knows... Maybe that helps (and hopefully I am not contradicting anything).

BroTrevor

09-01-2006, 04:16 PM

FOREKNOWLEGE. key word there.

I once saw some protestors in a town square holding signs that said "God hates (delete word - insert "people of homosexual orientation")"

I almost stopped and spoke with them. God does not hate them. He does not like what they are doing that's sure enough.

But does God hate them? They can still be saved as well. Also, I don't think telling someone that God hates you, really helps you come to Christ.

marichino_freedom

09-01-2006, 04:40 PM

exactly....how could a God of love and compassion be a God that hates. it is simply not conceivable.

joris

09-01-2006, 05:28 PM

FOREKNOWLEGE. key word there.uhm yes... something like that; well I got to think about that one (and what it means/whether it means something)

I once saw some protestors in a town square holding signs that said "God hates (delete word - insert "people of homosexual orientation")"ouch; that's severe religion :(

God loves them - at least as much as He loves you
(I know some friends have/had been struggling with that, and... it's difficult for them; praying God'll change... whatever it is they need in that situation)

marichino_freedom

09-01-2006, 05:46 PM

same here. i still care for them, but i pray for them

AlanaH

09-02-2006, 02:39 AM

It's hard to talk to people who believe that they are anything but wrong...
But you never know what door God may open up....Personally, I like to talk to those kinds of people to see where they're at, and that always seems to open the door. They can be saved as well!
And AndrewMichael has an awesome post there!

marichino_freedom

09-05-2006, 12:38 PM

jtucker

09-05-2006, 12:57 PM

so true. i have a friend who has been talking to me about christianity and he is hindu. he told me the other day that he thinks he wants to become a christian. i wanted to ask him for what reasons, but i told him "that's awesome" instead. he askes me questions all the time: "why is your hair long? why don't you wear pants? what's the difference between the christian denominations?" and so on... he has a hard time grasping some things.

i do my best to answer, but some things i think would be better answered by a pastor or someone else. right now, he's attended a charismatic pentecostal church once or twice, but he said he wants to find a different one. i was thinking about inviting him over with me sometime.......

please somebody correct me if i'm wrong on this but, you could always invite him to church, introduce him around alittle after the service to get to see the love of the church for one another and get him in contact with your pastor, and that way he can answer any questions this young man has if he is unclear about something, i find that my pastor is able to explain things form a different aspect. and able to get across to people alot better than i can at times.

God'schild

09-05-2006, 01:20 PM

so true. i have a friend who has been talking to me about christianity and he is hindu. he told me the other day that he thinks he wants to become a christian. i wanted to ask him for what reasons, but i told him "that's awesome" instead. he askes me questions all the time: "why is your hair long? why don't you wear pants? what's the difference between the christian denominations?" and so on... he has a hard time grasping some things.

i do my best to answer, but some things i think would be better answered by a pastor or someone else. right now, he's attended a charismatic pentecostal church once or twice, but he said he wants to find a different one. i was thinking about inviting him over with me sometime.......

I have a friend that lives in Edmonton Alberta.. and he wittnesses to people everyday of his life, people will ask him questions about what he believes and stuff like that he waits untill they ask him what church he goes to or can i go to church with.. In the last little while i think he said he has brought 3 people with him to church without even inviting them..
He lives what he believes.. People in the world will look at your life and if you live what you say you believe it will draw them to what you have and they will want to have what you have..

I would wait if i was in your shoes untill he asks what church you go to.. or gave him your pastors #.

marichino_freedom

09-06-2006, 01:43 PM

please somebody correct me if i'm wrong on this but, you could always invite him to church, introduce him around alittle after the service to get to see the love of the church for one another and get him in contact with your pastor, and that way he can answer any questions this young man has if he is unclear about something, i find that my pastor is able to explain things form a different aspect. and able to get across to people alot better than i can at times.

i thought i said that.....oh well, that's what i meant anyway..:confused:

Jezz

09-07-2006, 11:33 AM

exactly....how could a God of love and compassion be a God that hates. it is simply not conceivable.

Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated?

God can and does hate, the deeds of the Nicolaitanes for example.

Not that I would tell anybody that God hated them but nor would I give them the notion that God is some luvey dovey wishy washy kind of the God who says "oh he's an adulterer, how nice!" or "oh he's a murderer, boy ain't he great". He is a God of vengeance, wrath, jealousy and hate as well as love.

"As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent"

But he doesn't rebuke and chasten everyone does he?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying God hates you, me or anybody else out there in the world but he isn't the way so many people see him as some kind doting old grandpa who is so silly he will miss everything that people do and save them anyway.

AndrewMichael

09-07-2006, 12:19 PM

TOKEN_ JEFF_IN 09-01-63 Morning

You say, "I still believe. I am a believer." That's all right, but if you reject the Token, then how you going to be a believer? It speaks against you. See? It speaks against your testimony that you do... Bible student, good person, church member, ever what you are, doesn't mean a thing. Yes, sir. Maybe your father's a preacher, maybe your--your mother was a saint. May... That's--that's okay; they have to answer for themselves. As I've said, try... People try to make God some big old fat doting grandfather (See?), a bunch of grand-kids that's like little Rickys and Elvises, and there's no harm in them. Not God, He has no grandchildren; He's a Father. You got to be borned again. He's not big, soft, doting; He's a God of judgment. The Bible speaks He is. His wrath is fierce.

I think this is what Jezz is refering to.

AlanaH

09-07-2006, 04:40 PM

That's true, and a lot of people somehow refuse to believe it. But that's the prophet's word on the subject.

JoeC

09-07-2006, 04:48 PM

I'm a little squirmish about mass evangelism to people who are just trying to get from one class to the next. Perhaps it's just something I need to grow into...

marichino_freedom

09-07-2006, 07:39 PM

God works a bit differently than in the old testament somewhat where i was going with that i guess. we don't see fire and brimstone kind of stuff right now and haven't in a long time (even though i know it will be different in the end).

he isnt turning people into pillars of salt anymore.

i dont know where i'm going with this, forgive me.

God'schild

09-08-2006, 12:12 AM

your forgiven..

Jezz

09-08-2006, 12:58 AM

I think this is what Jezz is refering to.

Thanks for that quote Andrew, I don't think I had ever read that before actually but its exactly what I was trying to say. Denominations have to portray God as the kind old grandpa because if they started preaching the truth like they should then nobody would go to their church.

BroTrevor

09-08-2006, 10:31 AM

I'm a little squirmish about mass evangelism to people who are just trying to get from one class to the next. Perhaps it's just something I need to grow into...

Is there any mass evangelism you aren't squirmish with?

Is there a proper time and place for "mass evangelism"??

After listening to some of the stuff the "wayofthemaster" people put out, I've considered open air preaching... Where and When would it be most effective?

marichino_freedom

09-08-2006, 11:15 AM

what do you mean by mass evangilisim? like preachers who are televised or host the great big meetings? :confused:

BroTrevor

09-08-2006, 11:16 AM

I think what is being referred to is more like setting up somewhere and "evangelising" like was being talked about with the protesting people (weak as their evangelism efforts were)

Mass evangelism as in, evangelising somehow to more than one person at a time.

marichino_freedom

09-08-2006, 11:20 AM

oh i see...thanks

Anna

09-08-2006, 12:49 PM

well Brother Branham talks about how when he was just starting out he would testify to everyone everywhere. He also preached on the corners. And prayed for people in the middle of the streets. I think if you have the right spirit and are doing the Lord's work with sincerity in your heart and a real desire to reach people wherever you are can turn into the right place. Just be aware that in this day and age many have already heard and turned away.

TommyLewis

09-09-2006, 05:21 AM

I tend to think preaching on street corners, holding up signs and such can be a bit of an easy way out, in that it allows people to feel like they are "doing their part" without actually having to engage people. Also, in what I have seen, it is rarely effective, and in some cases can even bring a reproach. The far more effective way to testify is to live a life in such a way as to become salty, and to enage people on a one on one basis. In fact, I would say the only way "mass evangelism" is effective is if it is used as a tool to bring about individual engagement.
I believe if we live the life of Christ on a daily basis, that life will attract the thirsty, and doors will be opened to allow us to witness to people. The trick is to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to be able to recognize the thirsty.

JoeC

09-09-2006, 11:25 AM

I agree with you on that, Tommy. I do believe that we have to do more than just live the life though (in the sense that some might think of it).

We should testify of it. Mention God in our daily conversations with people. Let them know that he is an intimate and real part of our lives. Just dropping God into our conversations goes a long way. If we just live and never even mention the name of Christ, there's something wrong - and it's something that I'm working on.

But yeah, I definately prefer a fireside chat style of evangelism than "Hey you! Whatever your name is, God loves you!" I think that there's a place for that and a way it can be done (if you exemplify the real love of God--see Way of the Master witnessing series). But in general, I think that people are more responsive after you've already established a rapport with them.

Jezz

09-28-2006, 08:59 AM

Something to remember is that God is the only one that can call somebody to serve Christ. God chooses us, we do not choose him. You can't make somebody believe, all you can do is say "this is how it is" and pray that something that you have said sparks something within them.

I preached to you about Abraham and the confirmation of the covenant. When he tore that covenant apart, it was dovetailed the same way. The same... When God made His covenant with man at Calvary, He tore the part of His own Son. He took His body up, and lifted it up out of the grave, and set it on His right hand, sent the Spirit that was in that body back to the Church. That Church will have to have the same kind of a Spirit in its body that that body had, or the covenant is not right.Oh, what assurance, blessed assurance. Pray now. If the Holy Spirit will come and at least take two or three people here tonight... We took up our prayer cards last night. And if He will come tonight and do just like He did when He was here on earth...
How many knows that the way that He confirmed ministry of being Messiah, was knowing the secret of their heart? That's exactly right, sure. Believers that was ordained to Eternal Life believed it. There was many there who professed believers that was not ordained to Eternal Life. Isn't it a sad thing to see that people, human beings, will set, and look, and yet can't see it?
Jesus said, "Well did Isaiah speak of you?" Have eyes that can't see, ears that can't hear." See? Yet looking right at it... Oh, they just couldn't understand it, because they wasn't ordained to Eternal Life.
Jesus said, "No man can come to Me except My Father draws him. My sheep know My voice."

marichino_freedom

09-28-2006, 10:28 AM

You are right.

There was a group of mennonites (i think) on the corner of our downtown/old market area when i went to dinner with my friends the other day. They were yelling (yes, yelling) that this was our last chance and they would run up to cars as they stopped at the stop signs and try to hand them pamphlets, or stick them under the windshield wipers.

I felt really uncomfortable. The mormons that go door to door don't make me feel like I did: I guess I just dont think it the best to be standing on the corner shouting, when all that will do is turn peoples' ears away. People don't like to be shouted at; it sparks a natural defense. People actually started walking around that area (in the street, the opposite sides, etc). I know they were just trying to preach what they believed, but there are other ways to go about it. I guess that if I was a stranger to God, I'd be more apt to listen to the door to door guys.

SisTrev

09-28-2006, 10:42 AM

Very good post. I totally agree with you. Let your Light shine, but dont try and force it on people. That will only turn them away.

HotShot53

09-28-2006, 02:01 PM

People don't like to be shouted at; it sparks a natural defense.

Very true... I know for me, if someone strongly takes one side, chances are I'll automatically take the other side, even if I started out with no opinion.

BroTrevor

09-28-2006, 03:09 PM

Very true... I know for me, if someone strongly takes one side, chances are I'll automatically take the other side, even if I started out with no opinion.

you're one of THOSE people.... I see.

marichino_freedom

09-28-2006, 03:34 PM

lol....thats funny.

i dont necessarily think i would take the opposite side, but i would try to hear where this person was coming from. if i had an opinion to begin with....heehee....well, then it shall be heard!

JoeC

09-28-2006, 04:19 PM

Very true... I know for me, if someone strongly takes one side, chances are I'll automatically take the other side, even if I started out with no opinion.
That makes me question your leadership abilities... :chris:

HotShot53

09-28-2006, 09:35 PM

That makes me question your leadership abilities... :chris:

No, it's a good thing, not bad... if you take the opposite side, then you can have a discussion, and possibly come to a real conclusion that will hold... if you just agree with them, then there will be no discussion, and the next person to come along can easily change your mind.

Jezz

09-28-2006, 09:53 PM

No, it's a good thing, not bad... if you take the opposite side, then you can have a discussion, and possibly come to a real conclusion that will hold... if you just agree with them, then there will be no discussion, and the next person to come along can easily change your mind.

I agree, for me personally the best way to be sure that I'm right is to play devils advocate and argue all the points against my case and then see if I can defend my position. Just because you take the other side that doesn't neccesarily believe it.