Battle Log

We were on the streets of Christchurch for outreach, 4 days this week.  On Tuesday afternoon, Roger and Graeme were in Riccarton.  On Thursday afternoon, Andy & I were in Riccarton.  On Friday afternoon, Roger, Andy & I were in the City.  And on Saturday lunchtime, Corin & I were in Riccarton.

 

Roger gave me some details of their time on Tuesday.  What I remember is that a guy Roger was talking to made the comment, “You know, you guys really make some sense”.

 

Yes, the gospel makes complete sense, but people try to drown it with complexity and absurdity.  Why?  It’s because of our nature, which loves sin and so hates God.  It’s not that it doesn’t make sense; it’s just that we don’t like it (with that nature)!  So, why do we bother?  Because God is merciful, and changes hearts, giving us a new nature.  And the means he uses to do that is weak people like us, through our feeble prayers and our basic, yet logical, reasoning with people about the truth.  By his spirit, the simple gospel message is the power of God for salvation.  Only when God convicts and changes a heart will it truly make sense to anyone.  And so we persist because God is seeking and saving the lost for his glory.

 

On Thursday, I turned up to the outreach spot, and Andy was already there and already in a chat (pictured).  I didn’t wait for him and got straight to work.  It was a very busy afternoon of outreach for both of us.

 

I went around the corner to start my usual loop.  And it took me an hour to complete that first loop (due to all the interesting chats I got into on the way)!  And then it took me 30 minutes to complete my second loop.

 

My first chat was with 3 guys from Japan.  There was a bit of a language barrier, but they were engaged enough for me to share the gospel.  It took me time to build up to the gospel because it was obvious they hadn’t spent much time thinking about what happens after life before.  It was interesting observing their resistance, and yet their interest at the same time.  May this be the first furrow in their hearts, and may other believers have the opportunity to continue that work.

 

Next up, I had a huge group of high school-age kids cross the road in front of me.  I was able to hand out tracts, and one even stopped for a short chat.  Then another wave went past, and this time a young couple stopped to engage.

 

It wasn’t long before the deeper questions were asked: evil and suffering, and then homosexuality.  Honestly, the issue of homosexuality doesn’t come up much at the moment.  Not sure why, the fickle nature of the world?  But it turns out the young man had leanings this way.  And so we were able to work through it, starting with “How do we know what is right and wrong?”, and being faithful to the reality that homosexuality is sinful, yet Christ died for sin.  Those given a new heart, by grace, won’t continue in sin, and a practical discussion about that (life is short, life is not all about sex, singleness is a blessing promoted by the Bible, the true motivation and power for doing good).

Next up, I had a conversation with a man from Saudi Arabia.  Again, there was a language barrier, as well as resistance and openness at the same time.

 

I could go on, but suffice it to say, Thursday was a busy but blessed outreach.

 

It was great having Corin with me on Saturday.  She enjoys using the flipchart, and she has enough experience now to run it on her own.  I left her to it and worked on the other side of the street, so I was close enough to help out if she needed it.  Also, I need to protect her from myself.  I can’t help getting involved in gospel chats when I should be standing back and letting Corin experience and learn on her own!

 

Even though it was a slow outreach, I still managed to have a couple of solid chats of my own on my side of the street.  And later, Corin and I had a great chat with 2 young guys - one in particular seemed deeply challenged by the gospel (in a good way).

 

If we are patient in practice, anyone can get good at communicating the simple truths of the gospel.  May you be encouraged by Corin (see pic) to face those unreasonable fears and share the gospel with those around you!

 

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