Battle Log

Saturday, 15 June, 2019

Posted 18 June 2019, 12:48 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink

On Saturday night in Brisbane City it was exciting to see so many team members out with the intention of telling people what Jesus has done to save sinners.

An early conversation took place with Mark and Claudia. They said they weren't really worried about the afterlife but they said they also didn't know what was coming. They were shown that they should very seriously consider it. Firstly because it could happen at any time. Secondly they were shown God's law and realised that if they were to be judged based on how they live because God is good, they'd be heading for Hell. They were shown the seriousness but their friends arrived and they decided to head off instead of continuing to chat.

This was followed by a conversation with Christian and Jordi. They saw God's existence and were shown the bad news that because God is good they, as lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderous, adulterers at heart are heading for eternal punishment in Hell. They saw this and then said, "We're in a hurry, can you quickly explain to us the solution". They were shown the gospel and with some clarification questions and checking questions they showed that they'd understood justification by faith alone and that true faith will always be followed by obedience to God. They both took tracts, were thankful for the chat and headed off.

There was a precious moment during the night when a young lady and her son were walking past and the son wanted to know what the flip chart was about. In God's providence, as a result the boys mother was taken through the flip chart and she came to understand the simple message of the gospel. She was encouraged this very day to trust in Christ and to rely on His perfect life and sacrificial death as the only reason she'd be going to Heaven. She was thankful for the conversation, took a gospel of John and was encouraged to start reading.

Two late conversations in the evening took place. The first with Sophie who walked up to the flip chart and had a few spare minutes before work and so she was taken through the simple gospel presentation. She saw that goodness isn't judged based on comparison to others, that by God's law everyone stands condemned and therefore are headed to Hell. She then was asked what could be done and she said she wasn't sure but she came to hear the good news, seeing the imagery of the flip chart showing how Christ has stepped in and taken the punishment for sin of those who believe.

She heard clarification on the simple message that sinners are made right before God, simply by trusting that Jesus has paid for their sin on the cross and then came to understand that in response to this gift of forgiveness they will turn from their sin and instead live in obedience to God. She too was challenged with her comprehension of the message she'd just heard with some simple questions which by God's providence, due to the time limit she got right straight away! Praise God for such an exciting yet short conversation.

This was then followed by a conversation with two Muslims. This wasn't the only conversation during the night of this nature but it was hard work. The reason it is so hard is that Muslims are taught to try and convert others to Islam rather than listening to what is being said. Most of the time, instead of engaging with the challenges being placed before them as to what they are saying, they simply repeat it or say it louder. This isn't always the case and there are some very patient, humble and interested Muslims. Sadly, more often than not this isn't the case. In this specific scenario Khaled and Abdullah just wanted to talk.

The solution that worked in this scenario to enable the gospel to be shared was that, it was explained to them that the team understood Islam and what it proposes. They were given a simple yet accurate explanation of Islam to which they agreed but when they were asked what Jesus says is the way to Heaven they could not answer. On the back of this then, the opportunity was taken to show them what Jesus has actually said.

They like usual were taken through God's law, humanities sinfulness, the position sin leaves us and therefore that the only way for God to remain just and humanity to be anything other than eternally damned is for God to do something to pay for sin. They were shown what Christ did and how they can receive it by trusting that He has paid for their sin on that cross. They were able to repeat back the simple message and how it is received but they ultimately rejected it because they were sure it would be their own goodness that would get them to Heaven.

Over all, it was an encouraging night as usual. With a 100% success rate because God's word went out. Please be praying for those who heard the good news that they wouldn't just comprehend it but that they would trust in Christ alone for their salvation.