Battle Log
Saturday 11 May 2019
Posted 17 May 2019, 2:27 PM by Matthew Andersen. Permalink
Saturday night in Brisbane City came with great joy. There were eighteen team members out, Including a few new members! These members, despite having a desire for many years, had their first opportunity to try and articulate the gospel to someone they didn't know. What a joy it was to watch these first steps take place, as they endeavoured to see how it looks and then to share God's glorious gospel with those He had provided.
The first conversation of the evening was a sad one. There were a young African and Asian lady who approached the flip chart with the desire to see what it was all about. One girl professed to be a Christian whilst the other had hardly even heard the name of Christ. The problem, both of them believed it was ones goodness that would make them acceptable before God. Through the law they trekked, seeing the desperate position they're in before God but as the condemnation bought by the law showed itself the professing Christian started to get squirmy. "I've already repented of all my sins and I pray every day. I go to Church and I try and be good," she said in an attempt to defend herself.
This made it hard because the flip chart deals with the saving exclusivity of Jesus and how it can only be received by faith, not by works, but sadly this young lady was making it hard for her friend to even get a chance to comprehend the gospel. She was too proud to realise her own need and her words and actions were causing her friend to miss out on the chance to hear what Christ has done to save sinners. It wasn't too long later but both of them walked away together, with the condemnation that the law brings, without the knowledge of how it can be solved.
Soon another man approached the flip chart. He was a bit hesitant and was taken carefully through the flip chart but it was wonderful to see that he comprehended it simply and easily. The questions fell into place, the examples made sense and in under ten minutes Shuki went from a general knowledge of Christianity to an understanding of the simplicity of justification by faith alone. And was left to ponder the question, "When will you trust in Jesus?"
There were a scattering of conversations over the next hour or so but the final two conversations of the night were beautiful. Pat, was a man who at first even rejected the idea of God but with the simple building's need a builder analogy, flowing into the law Pat saw the predicament he is in. He is living in God's world, his way and will have to face the consequences of his rebellion, if he continues this way. He was asked for the solution but had no real idea so he listened intently and responded through a simple range of examples and analogies explaining; how the debt must be paid, forgiveness requires someone to pay, that salvation is a gift accepted by faith in Christ and it wasn't too long before He came to understand the gospel! He was able to repeat back the good news.
Then a turn was taken, he'd understood justification by faith so it was time to challenge him to count the cost. Although forgiveness is a free gift, upon receiving it, our lives will change and trusting in Jesus will cost us something. Whether it is a job, a girlfriend, a house. There will be scenario's in ones life, following their trust in Jesus that they will be called to give up something they love, due it being a hindrance to their service of God or maybe because to keep it they would be required to sin.
Pat was challenged and he was exceedingly grateful for the conversation and said this very day he will count the cost and trust in Christ. This conversation was followed by a very similar one with Matt.
Over the course of the night, many tracts were handed out, many gospel conversations were had and there were a range of people who came to comprehend what God has done to save sinners!
Please be praying for those spoken to tonight that God would use these conversations to challenge them, not just to acknowledge his existence, but to change their mind about sin and to trust in Christ, the Saviour!
View previous Brisbane (QLD) report (8 May 2019)
Brisbane Team (Night) (QLD)
Meets Fridays (7-10pm) & Saturdays (6-9pm) & Sundays (7:30-9:30pm) in King George Square.
Contact Ryan Hemelaar for more information.