Sharing Christ in the City Part 2 – Wednesday November 4, 2009

Part 2 of 2 of  Sharing Christ in the City Wednesday November 4, 3009

Once downtown, I set up my sound box near the fountain in the court square.  After some more prayer, I introduced myself and what my intention were.  Many people turned to look.  I read from the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.   This chapter was the assigned text given to me to   read as part of Project Ezra. When I finished reading the text, I went into the Law and the Gospel.  I spoke about two things most people would agree are certain, death and taxes.  Some will try to get away with paying taxes and many in  the world will never pay them. But everyone will die.  So the question was where will you go?

As I delivered this message, I saw a guy across the street fixed on me.  So I used him as the one I would preach to.   I shared with him the Law, taking him through the Ten Commandments. In this, showing him what he has done wrong that has offended God and therefor why he deserves Hell, like the rest of us.  Then the Gospel.  That only through Jesus are we saved. That when Jesus died on the cross, he was paying a legal transaction, paying the fine for a crime we committed.

Afterward, when I had finished sharing this message, I looked at the guy and he was listening as was many others.  I encourage the guy on some things and closed. He waved to me and saying thanks and walked away .

I read another chapter from the Bible from the book of Psalms.  I was approached by a young man of fourteen named Hunter. He said he was home schooled and lived near downtown.  Speaking with him,  I asked him if he lived at the Salvation Army shelter.  He said he lived nearby.  Are you homeless, I continued. With a brief pause that left me guessing he said no.

I asked him about what he heard me say and he only heard a brief part.  I gave him a tract and spoke to him about being a good person and  would he still be a good guy if looked at through the 10 commandments.   Still pretty good.  He gave me an OK to take him through them.   Very quickly as we went through them and he realized he was not that good of a person, he demeanor changed.  It was time to go.  As we were speaking another young man approached that he was with and called him away.  I gave him some info to contact me if need be and to think about what we talked about.

I packed my gear up afterward and made my rounds through the downtown area.

Located in Downtown Montgomery is the luxurious Renaissance  Hotel & Conference Center.  Built into one of the corners of the building is a new eatery called “Wintzell’s Oyster House. “     I mentioned that I have been trying to be more bold and not just pass out tracts but engage people in conversations. So right outside of  Wiintzell’s was were “Michael” heard the Law and the Gospel from an unexpected stranger.

As I was walking down the street, I saw him heading my way and as he approached where I was at, I offered him a tract and told him what it was.  We got into a conversation about this topic of the tract, “Are you a good person?”   After going over the tracts and giving him the Law and Gospel,  I discussed with Him since he said he was a follower of Christ, on how important it is to share your faith.  That if we as believers in Christ really believe in Jesus and what the Bible teaches, that if a person dies without turning from their sins and places all their trust in Christ that they would spend eternity in Hell.  How much would I have to hate someone not to warn them of it and tell them about Jesus?  He agreed with me.  We talked about a few more things and shared some personal stuff and he shook my hand and we went are separate ways.

I did not make if but a few feet before I was involved in yet another conversation.  This time with a Mrs. Crenshaw.   I believe she said she was in her 80’s and from Greenville, Al.  I gave her a tract  and we discussed some of the contents.  She shared her faith with me among other things.  She was in town for a doctor’s appointment and came downtown for a bite to eat.

After that encounter, I went to the Hotel for a break and some water.  Standing near the restroom were about five employees of the Hotel.    I went into the restroom and dropped some tracts off and when I came out, I engaged the employees .  I had been given some “Curved Illusion Tracts” by a friend and used these as an ice breaker.  I simply asked them if I could show them something.  They had no problem with it.  Which one is bigger? I asked then as I held the tracts near each other.  The red, they replied.  I moved the cards and asked again which was bigger?  The blue one, one lady said.  Once again, I moved the cards around.  One lady accused me of switching cards.  I told her I did no such thing.  I showed them the trick and that they cards were actually the same size.  Their eyes seemed to be amazed.

I then discussed briefly with them that not all things are the  way they seem.  It is so easy to be deceived.   I told them that many people think they will go to  Heaven when they die, but Jesus said that many will call to Him, “Lord Lord”  and he will say to them,” Depart from me I never knew you.”  Matthew 7:22

I encouraged them to know for sure where they will go when they die.   I gave them each an illusion tract and told them to enjoy their day.  I left them were they were at and went and got a drink of water.  I returned to find them reading and trying to figure out how to do the trick.    I confronted them about trying to figure it out and some laughed.  I told them who I was and what I was doing- Sharing my faith.   I discussed with them as well on the importance of doing this.  They let me take a picture of all of them with their cards for this blog, but as I took the picture, my camera’s battery failed.

I exited the Hotel and made my way back to my car about 4 blocks away.  4 blocks is a long way and a great opportunity to pass out tracts.  I did just that.

If you are reading this post, I hope you are encouraged to go and share your faith with others as well.   We have such a great message, why keep it to yourself.  Be bold, go and bring some glory to God.  If any you have any questions or wish to accompany others or myself on the streets to proclaim the Gospel, contact me  my posting a reply.

Thanks,  Lighting the darkness,

David