Today; I finally approached someone who I have walked past in the park before work each day for at least a month. He walked ahead of me then was seated nearby and finally approached me when I was coming out of the bathroom (and he was on his way in). He wasn't interested in gospel literature; hence the discussion terminated as I went on my way to work. Nonetheless; I could see that it was a Divine Appointment; as were others where people have been more receptive than I would expect based on my past experience.
I; sadly have often looked at sharing the Gospel or handing out tracts as a necessary duty; and have been rather sparse in my ventures in the last year and a half that I have moved back home with my parents in Eastern Pa. When I was in Pittsburgh; there was prayer before organized efforts for receptiveness; removing obstacles in hearts and minds and being fomented by the enemy. I have been with more than one Pastor who has started out with personal evangelism; or door to door in their neighborhood; then reverted to passing out literature for their church. The second method hasn't brought a single person to church from what i've seen even after many hundreds of pamphlets were passed out. A website has always brought a trickle of individuals in both cases; however. My opinion is that a demonstration of the power of Christ; as well as offering prayer for those in need whether or not they are interested in church attendance; and a clear message of the need for repentance need to always supercede clever marketing; which based on the results seems to be a disaster. We should tell people to go to ANY church that preaches truth; but first to those who profess faith but live in active rebellion we must warn; and that means making it clear that they have no right to Communion and that any confidence in a confession without POSESSION of the Holy Spirit means they have no part in the fellowship of the saints.
Today; I finally approached someone who I have walked past in the park before work each day for at least a month. He walked ahead of me then was seated nearby and finally approached me when I was coming out of the bathroom (and he was on his way in). He wasn't interested in gospel literature; hence the discussion terminated as I went on my way to work. Nonetheless; I could see that it was a Divine Appointment; as were others where people have been more receptive than I would expect based on my past experience.
I; sadly have often looked at sharing the Gospel or handing out tracts as a necessary duty; and have been rather sparse in my ventures in the last year and a half that I have moved back home with my parents in Eastern Pa. When I was in Pittsburgh; there was prayer before organized efforts for receptiveness; removing obstacles in hearts and minds and being fomented by the enemy. I have been with more than one Pastor who has started out with personal evangelism; or door to door in their neighborhood; then reverted to passing out literature for their church. The second method hasn't brought a single person to church from what i've seen even after many hundreds of pamphlets were passed out. A website has always brought a trickle of individuals in both cases; however. My opinion is that a demonstration of the power of Christ; as well as offering prayer for those in need whether or not they are interested in church attendance; and a clear message of the need for repentance need to always supercede clever marketing; which based on the results seems to be a disaster. We should tell people to go to ANY church that preaches truth; but first to those who profess faith but live in active rebellion we must warn; and that means making it clear that they have no right to Communion and that any confidence in a confession without POSESSION of the Holy Spirit means they have no part in the fellowship of the saints.
For there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6
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