On Tuesday afternoon at Woodridge there was a team of four out but that was enough to cover the area well but as they say, there is always room for more. The afternoon was then filled with many conversations, proclaiming Christ to the lost people of this world.
The first conversation was a good reminder that the gospel is central. There was a Muslim and Aboriginal who engaged and were shown their guilt through God's law. They were both shown God's existence with the building builder analogy but they tried over and over to try and change the topic every time the question was raised, So how can you be made right before God?
These guys tried to attack the reliability of the Bible. They tried to attack the actions of Christians in the past. They tried to attack Jesus' resurrection. They were constantly bought back to the real question at hand, how can a sinner be forgiven but all they had to offer was, "try and be better and hope that's enough". Sadly they were too proud and too unwilling to listen to hear what God has done to save sinners and as a result they walked away condemned without any hope of forgiveness.
Tina was approached a little while later. She had was from New Zealand and had some simple understanding but hadn't understood the gospel. She was taken through the law and the gospel and came to understand who Jesus was, why He had to die and how she can be forgiven. She was encouraged to read the gospel of John to know more about the Christ and to trust in Him.
A sad conversation following this was with a lady who at first said there was no God, then saw that there was one. Then was shown that she was guilty via God's law and tried to argue that she wasn't that bad and then when pointed to Christ as the only hope declared that she didn't need Jesus because she would save herself.
There were also two conversations with people who attend local churches and yet had no idea of the way to Heaven. One man walked past and he was asked, "What will happen to you after you die?" To which he responded that he was going to Heaven. When asked what was going to get him there he said, "My Church". He was challenged on that, "Churches don't get people into Heaven. What are you trusting in to pay for your sin so that you can go to Heaven?" He again responded, "My Church". He was challenged a third time but instead of answering he attacked the team, "I know who you guys are and what you preach is wrong". Sadly he didn't get to stop and chat to come and understand that the gospel is Jesus oriented, not church based.
This was followed by a lady who when asked the same question said, "Don't worry, I'm good, I go to ... Church". This was followed by asking, "So what are you trusting in to get you to Heaven?" to which she responded, "I'm not really sure". In the space of a few minutes, two church goers, both in their mid forties, who had been in the church for a while had no ability to share what they are trusting in to get them to Heaven.
It was a sad reminder that even in the churches we attend there are surely people who have attended for years who do not know how a sinner can be forgiven. Maybe make that your goal, not just to look out for new people when they arrive at your Church but start asking people some simple questions like, "Why do you think God should let you into Heaven?" or "How did you become a Christian?" and find out what they are trusting in to save them and maybe even help them understand the gospel for the first time!
Please also be praying for those who heard the gospel on Tuesday that God would be at work in their hearts that they would not forget the simple message of hope but rather trust in Christ, the savior of sinners!
View previous Woodridge (QLD) report (7 May 2019)
Woodridge Team (QLD)
Meets 2-5pm every Tuesday afternoon at the Woodridge train-bus interchange on Station Rd.
Contact Ryan Hemelaar for more information.