Turn Him Back

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. - James 5:19-20

This verse really hit me hard just now in light of evangelism.

The other night a friend of mine was open air preaching in San Bernardino. I noticed a young man who listened for a while, then he turned and began to walk away. I followed and tapped him on the shoulder.

Me: "Hey, I noticed you were listening to that guy. I just wanted to give you this gospel tract. It's a summary of what he was talking about."

Young Man: "Yeah, thanks... I know alot of the people listening didn't really care, but I do......"

So began the conversation. His name was Manuel, he used to go to church when he was a kid. Manuel had just been released from jail, where he had been reading the bible and following the Lord. He was now afraid that he was heading back towards sin, crime and life without God. I guess it's easier to follow Christ in a jail cell, it's alot harder on the outside where temptations are everywhere.

To sum up a very long conversation, I made sure he understood what he had heard about the law and the gospel. I encouraged him to trust Jesus. By the end of the conversation he was planning on going back to his old church, and he was thanking me for talking to him.

I can't help but think about the verse above as it pertains to Manuel. Our encounter may have been the very turning point in his life, the thing that saves his soul from death and covers a multitude of future crimes/sins.

You have no idea what the strangers around you are going through. You have no idea how much you are needed. Don't be afraid, just open your mouth and let it out.

Turn them back.

Nobody's Listening

Often people criticize open air preaching, saying that it's not effective. At first glance, sometimes it does seem that way.

Last night I was preaching to a crowd of people as they passed by at a huge car show in San Bernardino. It was a rough crowd, tattoos and gang members everywhere, one guy even had 666 tattooed on his neck. He flicked a cigarette at me but I didn't notice (a friend later told me). At one point I heard a young woman yell out, "Nobody's listening to you!"

But she was wrong. Last night after one of my preaching episodes (what should I call them? Messages? Sermons? haha) I was approached by a woman who had a question. She was confused about purgatory. I told her that purgatory is not in the bible, in fact the bible teaches that after death, people are judged:

It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement. Hebrews 9:27

She thanked me and when on her way.

Later in the evening I was preaching through Romans chapter one and I noticed a woman staring at me in awe, eyes wide open, as if she had never heard anything like this before. As the crowd walked by, passing between her and I, I looked into her eyes and told her about God's law, God's wrath, about her sin being an offense to God, about her need for forgiveness, her need for a savior. Then I told her about Jesus Christ, the only one who can save her from the punishment she deserves. She stood and listened to the whole message, and when I was finished, she stayed and spoke at length with one of the female Christians who was part of our group. Here's a woman who was not planning to hear the gospel when she left her home that night, and now she knows the truth. I didn't stick around to find out what the woman ended up doing, but I do know that she heard the gospel.

People are listening.

One Liner Of The Night 9/19/09

In response to, "there are so many different religions, how can you possibly say yours is right?":

Response: There are only two religions in this world. True religion and false religion.

Thanks to the late Dr. Adrian Rodgers for that gem.

Sincere

Sincere from Fishing Stories on Vimeo.

This was my first attempt at doing a video gospel interview. My fumbling for words proves that anyone can explain the message of salvation, no matter how bad of a speaker you are.

The Patient Fisherman

The next time you see a fool holding a cross, don't laugh too hard.

I Don't Care

Jon and Eddie from Fishing Stories on Vimeo.

I think Eddie's attitude is typical of today's young men, they just don't care. I can totally relate, since I used to have the same attitude.

Evangelism Class Promo

Sunday Morning Class Promo from Fishing Stories on Vimeo.