Battle Log

Wednesday, 27 March, 2019

Posted 2 April 2019, 8:20 AM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

On Wednesday God provided a steady stream of rain keeping the conversations under the sheltered areas. What has been extremely exciting is that there are now six different Christians who work in nearby offices that are using their lunch break to share the Gospel. At first there was one man faithfully coming out (during his lunch hours) who ran into the team then committed to coming on Wednesday's specifically. Then a second man joined and now there are six.

This week four city-workers made it out. If you work in Brisbane City, may you be encouraged to join the team, or with these men as they head out at other times during the week.

One funny moment during a conversation was with a man named Christian. He said he was quite sure there was nothing after death because there was no God. When asked why he believed that he didn't give much of a reason just that he thought it was true. Then he was shown that creations need a creator. For example, a bus that drove past was pointed to and he was asked, "How do you know someone built that bus?", quickly he responded, "Because I can see it".

Next he was asked, "How do you know someone built that building?", again responding, "Because I can see it". Then he was asked, "How do you know someone built this world?", this time responding, "Because I can. Actually no, I don't believe there is a God". The simplicity of the explanation showed that it wasn't really an intellectual disagreement with the existence of God but a moral one. This moment was taken to point out to Christian that our real reason for the rejection of God is our love for sin and hatred of what is good, we want to be in charge.

He was shown his guilt through the law, the penalty it deserves and all the while David jumped between two arguments, "There is no God" and "I'm not really that bad". He was shown that neither of those two answers will be of any help on judgement day, just as they wouldn't help you get out of a speeding fine. As his bus arrived the predicament he was in was left before him and he headed off.

An interesting conversation was had with Carla who at first was saying things like, "This life is an illusion" all a product of our brains. This was addressed a number of times and she seemed to understand that couldn't be the case. But the most confusing thing she believed was that forgiveness is actually the acknowledgement that the someone hasn't actually done the wrong thing. She gave a number of examples from her own life.

What was so confusing is that she struggled to understand that forgiveness is only needed if someone has wronged you. What she was describing is denial. This was the link taken to show that what God does in regards to forgiveness is far better than pretending we're not guilty, He actually pays the debt we owe, so that the guilty can walk free on the basis of trust in Christ. She seemed to understand and it was actually exciting to see that she purposely missed two buses so that she could continue to talk.

Lastly Ben was engaged and he had many ideas but surprisingly with a simple apologetic about the Bible was so challenged that he went on and listened to the Gospel and responded positively. He didn't say that he would trust in Christ straight away but seemed visibly challenged upon hearing the Gospel.

Please be praying for those who heard the Gospel today, that God would continue to work in the hearts and minds of these people. Please also consider, if you work in Brisbane City, to come and join the team one Wednesday and help us share God's glorious gospel!