Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 135

My Church here in Hobart is moving buildings (please pray that we will find somewhere soon) and the office has also been moved. This has meant a loss of the Bible table and preaching crate for the mall temporarily as we reorganize things. And so there has had to be a change to the outreach in the Hobart mall.

I have spent the last couple of days preaching and reading through the Bible many times through the afternoon and then afterwards speaking to those who gathered. It has been an invigorating change but challenging too. Please pray that God will allow me to speak without too much wear and tear on my voice.

Today I began by reading from Luke 11: 1-26. At the end of this I reflected on the truth of Jesus’s words when it comes to nations. Truly the evil that Christianity drives out returns manifold when Christianity is removed from a nation.

Many of the good things we currently enjoy in Australia (a desire for equality of races and sexes, the rule of law, fair work laws, the value of life, the rights of the weak and poor etc.) have come from our Christian heritage. (On this issue a book worth reading is “The Book That Made Your World” by Vishal Mangalwadi.)  Secular activists in Australia are determined to dismantle Christianity, or if that is not possible, then to marginalize Christians so far that they are force into a closet. In this they hope to get the fruit of Christianity without the God that gives the fruit or His people who produce it. If the secularists succeed, we are sure to face the return of many dark, destructive and perverse things from the pagan past as we see the loss of Christian influence.

I finished by appealing to people to come in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ. During this there were multiple people who gathered to listen.

After a short break I read from Romans 1-3, at the end of the passage I was interrupted by heckler who claimed that there is no evidence for God. We discussed back and forth for a period and despite being given multiple evidences he scoffed and deigned the existence of God again. He also protested that there is injustice on God’s part because of suffering if God is real. This is a difficult question for the Christian, why is suffering part of our good God’s plans for the world? But even more difficult is the position of the atheist (like the heckler). For if atheism is true then the universe is indifferent and those who suffer will never see justice, and we are left with an intolerable world that our hearts and minds revolt at. In every way I would rather live with the paradox of our good God and the presence of suffering than give in for a second to the sterile injustice of the atheistic understanding of the universe.

After this discussion I was encouraged by a young Christian couple who were enthused by street preaching in Hobart. Also, Ms M. also stopped by for a short chat it was good to see her again after some time away. Her girlfriend was away today but hopefully they both will be back again soon to chat and hear the gospel as they have in the past.

At the end of the day I read from Genesis 1-3 and was planning to preach further from there but again was stopped by a heckler. This man was more agnostic than atheistic but also felt that God and the Bible were not really trustworthy. One of his reasons was that there is no mention in the Bible of Australia and the animals of Australia. There are many things not mentioned in the Bible, as a book mainly focused on God’s dealings with Israel this should not surprise us. As systematic theologians say – whatever the Bible says it speaks with absolute authority, but it does not speak of all things.  I spoke with him for some time but at the end he left saying that God would have to accept him anyway because he was a good man.

This became a springboard to the gospel and I then preached on the need to be made right in Jesus through faith rather than walking the road of self-sufficiency and pride. I shared the great need that we all have to be forgiven and the great weight of our sin and the even greater savior who waits to make us clean if we come to him in faith.

Afterwards there were some Christian young ladies who came to thank me for speaking, one of them said she could not do what I do. I said “me too!”, no-one is able to do the work of outreach alone, this work is God’s work and all credit for it goes to Him.

Praise God for His awesome grace and kindness to us!

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On Monday at Capalaba there was a team of five! Now that might not sound like a lot but that is 250% the size of a normal team! Imagine if all the outreach teams grew that much this week! At first the team were a little worried that with the five there wouldn't be enough conversations to go around but we were wrong! Praise God that over the three hours the five were consistently in conversations. Meaning around fifty people heard the Gospel!

Here are four brief recounts of conversations that were encouraging and will hopefully encourage you to come out sometime!

The first lady of the afternoon was approached, her name was Kia. She had very little idea about the God who made this world. But she came to see that He exists, that He has standards, that we've failed to keep them and therefore there is only once place to turn for hope, the very same God against whom we have rebelled. She heard of God's love displayed at the cross and the offer of forgiveness that comes with it. She was challenged to consider it and took a tract as her bus arrived.

Next was a man named Noah, who had a Christian background but wasn't a Christian. At first he was asked what was getting him to Heaven and gave some almost passable answers but it didn't seem convincing, he was saying things but it didn't sound like he believed them. He was shown the law, the guilt, the penalty and was shown the problem he was in. He didn't seem overly worried or moved so he was pushed a little further. Finally the Gospel was shared and he was left to consider it. He came to intellectually understand that Christ alone can save but it remains to be seen on judgement if God will be gracious to Noah and draw him to Himself.

Another exciting conversation is one that has taken place over the last twelve months or so. There is a lady named Lynn who is never around for a long period of time before catching her bus. She has lots of stories and lots of update on how her daughter and grandchildren are going and many of them are exceedingly sad. But after the updates (which are basically prayer points) the question is posed to Lynn, "So what will happen to us after we die?" Most weeks Lynn talks about the same things, says the same responses and seems to be in zombie mode. But by the grace of God, this week was different!

Lynn responded and engaged with new answers. She asked questions, she saw how her sin will lead her to Hell and that currently she was in big trouble. And as she began asking for the solution, just as the set up was being giving, explaining why someone else can take our place and what they must be like, her bus arrived. God is wonderful to give such an opportunity today yet in His timing it wasn't yet the time for the Gospel. She did take a tract as usual and was encouraged to read it.

The last conversation was with Aidan, he at first said there was no God but with the building's need a builder analogy acknowledged that there is one, then was shown why it matters and how it impacts our lives. He was shown then how he had failed to obey God and that this left him in the waiting line for judgement. He at first didn't acknowledge worry but as the conversation went on he seemed to show more interest into how this can be solved and to finish he heard the Gospel, how one must respond simply by trusting Christ and that this will result in a changed life. He seemed pensive and was given a tract as his bus arrived.

Please be praying that Kia would heed the Gospel and trust in Christ. Please pray that God would wake Noah out of his slumber about the reality of who he is and what he deserves. Please pray that Lynn would consider what was said this week and that she would be looking for a solution to her sin, even to the point of asking about it next time. Please pray for Aidan that he would come to trust in the God that he now knows about! And please bring yourself before God in prayer asking Him to give you the boldness and the courage to speak of Christ wherever you may go and maybe even try and join the team in the near future!

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On Saturday night there was another decently sized team out, despite the afternoon rain. Due to the rain the temperatures were cooler and it was a very pleasant night. The night also was filled with conversations. As those on the team come out week after week you can see the growth that is taking place in their ability to get into conversations. It is exciting to see how each member grows in the boldness over the weeks.

One exciting conversation early on was with a man, named Yanic, who hadn't been in Brisbane long. He was travelling from Europe and had his girlfriend with him. He expressed that he had some level of Christian background and said that he was going to Heaven because he is good. He was shown that because God is good, sin must be punished and therefore, seeing his sin via the law, he saw that He deserved Hell and this reality shook him. He went from being mostly apathetic about eternity to being very serious in the conversation.

He said that he wasn't really relying on Christ to pay for his sin rather was just living how he pleased. To this he was shown the foolish position he had placed himself in, he now knew what God had done to save him and that only those who are trusting in Christ will be pardoned but he was still choosing to reject the offer of salvation at this moment. He said he was going to consider what was being said and thanked the team for the opportunity to hear.

A shorter conversation was had with Sueheifa, a Muslim lady who saw many challenges made against what she proposed and heard what God had done to save sinners. She said she had never heard the good news like that before and up until that point wasn't sure what Christians believed. Please be praying that she would heed the call to trust in Christ alone for her salvation, rather than holding onto the false hope of an "unjust mercy".

Another exciting conversation was with a man named Shan, he knew God exists and that there was a day of judgement coming but was unsure about his eternity. Saw God's law, his guilt and God's saviour offered to him and said that he would have to think about what was said.

Lastly a lengthy conversation took place with two very wealthy young men, who flaunted their riches and yet to their surprise had nothing to offer. They are men who epitomise Jesus' saying, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit His very soul". These men surprisingly stayed, listened and engaged for over an hour. A notable point was that these men were engaged, they weren't directly dismissive but took with weight what was being said. It would be rare for most people they meet to be so serious and truthful with them and also to be so strong on what predicament they were in.

These men left with a clear understanding of the reality of Hell and that it was their current destination and also the only means of hope for lost sinners, the humble saviour who came to save proud sinners. The conversation was finished with one final and strong warning that although they have heard the message of forgiveness today, they may never have another chance to trust in Christ, this could be their only opportunity, as there is no guarantee of tomorrow.

Please be praying for those who heard the message of hope today, that they would respond in trust in Christ and as a result turn from their sin to follow Him! Please be praying that God would be working on hearts for the coming outreaches this week that God may be glorified through the salvation of sinners!

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On Friday night there was a team of twelve out meaning that the Gospel was shared with many people over the course of the night. There was some time spent preaching with the amplification and many one to one conversations also took place.

Hear Terry, a relatively new Christian sharing about a conversation he had and the joys of coming to the street to share the Gospel. You could even heed his encouragment to come out sometime!

Hear Leandre share about a Gospel conversation she had with a Chilean lady who asked many good questions and shared much about her life and even wanted to take contact details so she could continue to speak later.

Please be praying that God would use these conversations and the others that took place to bring many into His kingdom and to bring glory to His name!

May you prayerfully consider coming on out sometime and joining the team in proclaiming to this world of lost sinners what God has done to save people like us!

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On Wednesday God provided a steady stream of rain keeping the conversations under the sheltered areas. What has been extremely exciting is that there are now six different Christians who work in nearby offices that are using their lunch break to share the Gospel. At first there was one man faithfully coming out (during his lunch hours) who ran into the team then committed to coming on Wednesday's specifically. Then a second man joined and now there are six.

This week four city-workers made it out. If you work in Brisbane City, may you be encouraged to join the team, or with these men as they head out at other times during the week.

One funny moment during a conversation was with a man named Christian. He said he was quite sure there was nothing after death because there was no God. When asked why he believed that he didn't give much of a reason just that he thought it was true. Then he was shown that creations need a creator. For example, a bus that drove past was pointed to and he was asked, "How do you know someone built that bus?", quickly he responded, "Because I can see it".

Next he was asked, "How do you know someone built that building?", again responding, "Because I can see it". Then he was asked, "How do you know someone built this world?", this time responding, "Because I can. Actually no, I don't believe there is a God". The simplicity of the explanation showed that it wasn't really an intellectual disagreement with the existence of God but a moral one. This moment was taken to point out to Christian that our real reason for the rejection of God is our love for sin and hatred of what is good, we want to be in charge.

He was shown his guilt through the law, the penalty it deserves and all the while David jumped between two arguments, "There is no God" and "I'm not really that bad". He was shown that neither of those two answers will be of any help on judgement day, just as they wouldn't help you get out of a speeding fine. As his bus arrived the predicament he was in was left before him and he headed off.

An interesting conversation was had with Carla who at first was saying things like, "This life is an illusion" all a product of our brains. This was addressed a number of times and she seemed to understand that couldn't be the case. But the most confusing thing she believed was that forgiveness is actually the acknowledgement that the someone hasn't actually done the wrong thing. She gave a number of examples from her own life.

What was so confusing is that she struggled to understand that forgiveness is only needed if someone has wronged you. What she was describing is denial. This was the link taken to show that what God does in regards to forgiveness is far better than pretending we're not guilty, He actually pays the debt we owe, so that the guilty can walk free on the basis of trust in Christ. She seemed to understand and it was actually exciting to see that she purposely missed two buses so that she could continue to talk.

Lastly Ben was engaged and he had many ideas but surprisingly with a simple apologetic about the Bible was so challenged that he went on and listened to the Gospel and responded positively. He didn't say that he would trust in Christ straight away but seemed visibly challenged upon hearing the Gospel.

Please be praying for those who heard the Gospel today, that God would continue to work in the hearts and minds of these people. Please also consider, if you work in Brisbane City, to come and join the team one Wednesday and help us share God's glorious gospel!

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West Country (UK) Team

On Saturday 30th March, three of our team met up in Plymouth city Centre again which was a gloriously sunny day with masses of people doing their shopping and enjoying the weather.

My Auntie joined us for a while handing out tracts to passers by and encouraging them to read them, while the rest of us handed out tracts and tried to engage people in conversation. I had made a new good person flip chart to use when doing conversations with people and also when preaching, and the new resource seemed to attract peoples attention as they walked past and stopped to see what it was about. A family with a 10 year old boy stopped to do the intelligence test and they were the first people to try out the flip chart with, that seemed to go well. They already said they they went to a Church in Plymouth but that the flip chart made sense of piecing all of the bits of the message together so it could be easier understood.

I had read that morning that a car had been caught driving at 104mph in the city and had failed to stop when Police car was driving behind with lights on. This was a good link about Gods law in Romans 3, and while I preached Ed spoke with a man called Wesley who had several tattoos and some interesting questions such as how we know the Bible is true if just written by man? Ed spoke to him more and said he was a pleasant, open-minded agnostic who had listened to Muslims, JWs etc before and wanted to know why Christianity was the right religion to believe in. Ed gave him some tracts to read pointed him towards some Christianity explored groups that his church as doing in the future,

As I finished preaching, a group of teenagers came to do the intelligence test and see the flip chart.  A couple of them said they were transgender and were called Teg and Elizabeth. After a bit of a conversation about transgender and homosexuality and sin, I said that their sexuality was not the main issue, but that they had sinned in lots of other ways too and so were still guilty before God because of lying/ stealing etc, but that any sin could be forgiven because of who Jesus was and what he had accomplished for us on the cross. After the group left, Teg came back and said thank you for the chat and that 'she' had been doing Philosophy in sixth form and was very interested in the topic and the Christian point of view.

Laurie had a long conversation with a man called Nick who was a young professing atheist, and Ed with an older man called Bill who had been listening.

Again it was a lovely day with many people to talk to, and hopefully next weekend we will be out again with Simon, Della, George and Harry back which will be great.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Saturday saw our second to last special outreach of the summer: The Oxford A&P Show.

It was wonderful to, again, have many of the newbies who were involved with the Malvern A&P Show the previous Saturday.  It is wonderful to see them continuing to get involved with sharing the precious message of Jesus and growing in their confidence, in spite of some difficult conversations!

The site was very busy.  We had four flip charts set up, and an “observation test” sketch board (it has the same questions as the “intelligence test” tract).  Often multiple Gospel conversations were on the go!

Some of the conversations were with people we had talked to previous years, and so there was some good opportunities for follow up and to go over the Gospel again with them.

And some of the team had exciting conversations with open hearted people!

The highlight conversation for me was with two teenage girls.  It was late in the afternoon, and I was tired by this stage, and so my presentation was more mechanical than I like.  But one of them seemed especially concerned about her standing before a Holy God after I had shared the law with them.  I then moved to the Good News, and to my joy, I saw tears form in her eyes.  She seemed to be understanding the grace of Jesus taking the punishment for her sin and rising again defeating death!

I offered her a Gospel booklet, which she took.  And after a little more conversation, I asked if she would like a Bible - which she keenly accepted along with a local church contact card.  My heart was warmed by this conversation.  And I leave her in Gods hands.

There was nothing dynamic or special about my presentation, the Holy Spirit only uses the Gospel message as the power for salvation.  Every Christian can share the simple Gospel message.  I encourage you to get involved!

Sunday saw our regular afternoon outreach to Cashel Mall.

It was fascinating to see Muslims from the UK out sharing their message with people as well.  They had a literature table set up, and plenty of people seemed to be taking interest.

We approached them to talk… And they certainly like to do that!

The guy I talked to liked to say things in Arabic and then interpret them for me.  I could be wrong, but it felt like he was showing off.  I hope I never come across like this when I’m sharing the Gospel of Jesus with people!  It’s only the Gospel message that God uses to save, not my ability to appear intelligent!

I did manage to share the law and Gospel with this guy.  As soon I as I started to take him through the law he said “Oh, that’s Ray”.  He had obviously heard of Ray Comfort - and didn’t think very highly of him!  But I persisted in taking him through the law and Gospel presentation - which he allowed me to do.

The team set up flip charts on the corner of Cashel and Colombo and, unlike last Sunday, we had many Gospel conversations with people.

I thank the Lord for the opportunities He provided to be an ambassador for him, weak as we are.  May He be glorified as we worship Him in our obedience.
 

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

On Thursday we had two outreaches: City & Eastgate.

Before getting to Cathedral Square, I encountered the same young man I had shared with exactly one week earlier, so I had an opportunity to follow up and reiterate the Gospel message with him.

It had been a while since I had last preached in the open air.  And today felt like the right time to get back into it.

Our two main hecklers were down a bit from speakers corner, and I expected them to come down and start sharing their thoughts - but they didn’t.  Fine with me.

I proclaimed the law and the Gospel using the recent shootings as a springboard and a focus on anger being murder of the heart meaning we all need justice and the grace only provided by Jesus on the cross.

One of the hecklers did come over as I was nearing the finish of my message. I completely ignored him, and to my surprise he ran out of steam quickly and left in disgust.

The Eastgate bus stop was as good as ever, with a steady stream of Gospel conversations occurring.

Friday saw Andy get back on the box, after he was attacked 2 weeks prior, before the team moved to Cashel Mall for 1 to 1 Gospel conversations and tract distribution.

The day ended with our evening outreach where Andy had a wonderful opportunity to speak with 3 Muslim men for nearly an hour.

And I had a wonderful conversation with a young man on his way to the bus exchange.  He didn’t have a Christian background, but he had obviously been wrestling with the important questions of life and was very receptive to the Gospel presentation, gladly accepting literature.

A wonderful two days of Gospel ministry.  What a privilege to be a part of the Kingdom of God, and then have the honour to be an ambassador of Jesus! I can't think of a better job to have!  Your prayer for the work in Christchurch is much appreciated.
 

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I lost my first attempted report so here is what I can remember!

     Ezra 1:5, Pray that God would use Natalie's challenge to Anne-Marie  to be an active witness to her as yet unconverted husband Simon: to stir up or awaken her spirit to live for Christ. As he had been walking to King Island for his first time, Natalie was able to witness to him and he had been receptive. His wife caught up with them later which was when Natalie could chat to her alone.

     Another first time trekker to King Island was Frank, a Buddhist. He had been wanting to speak with a Christian for quite a while (WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS ). Grace was able to chat freely with him and now we need to plead for his reconciliation to God, please.

    A young duo, Dylan and Ebony plus young child, have heard and been challenged to consider their urgent need for Christ.

    There were 2 rude interruptions to 'flip chart' chats. This is not that usual at Wello Pt. Ask God to keep His servants gospel focussed and compassionate towards the 'wise worldlings' - 1 Cor. 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach,to save those who believe.

We thank Him for the privilege of serving Him in this small way. To Him alone be all praise and glory forever.

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South-East England (UK) Team

The Essex Team for Operation 513 was in Stratford this afternoon. It was heaving with people. The intensity of sound and the number of people was a bit overwhelming.  As opposed to other Saturdays, amplification was allowed.

It began nicely with Jaden taking a tract from me as soon as I got there.  The only tract that was taken was the £1,000,000 pound question tract.  

Jacob had numerous conversations with the people passing through the Meridian Square. In the background, Adeboye was preaching very lively and in a compelling manner. He acted out the Gospel as well. Maybe a new George Whitefield? Maybe the authorities allowed amplified preaching after the story of Pastor Olu being arrested and de-arrested a few weeks ago. A Christian rap group performed to advertise for an outreach show to address knife-crime in London.

I had extended an conversation with Abdul, who was handing out his literature. He took a tract from me "Jesus and the Quran". Sunni Abdul went through the usual objections to Christianity with me. Jesus never said that he was God, etc. I pointed out that Jesus allowed others to worship him as God, but I didn't get very far. One comment, however,  that seemed to stick was about sin.  Abdul assured me that Muslims are very concerned about sin and always do more good than bad.  I objected that describes every other religion.  Christianity, on the other hand, trusts in Christ's perfect work on the cross for reconciliation with God.  Abdul has Joseph Gudel's Jesus and the Quran in his hand. I hope that he reads it.

I also spoke for a long time with Vitaly, the Ukrainian JW.  Vitaly  wondered why William Wilburforce was on the £1,000,000 pound tract. I explained why. His grandparents survived the Holodomor and I found some sympathy with him by speaking about history with him. I went from history to telling him how Solzhenitsyn became a Christian through the witness of Boris Kornfeld. I mentioned Acts 5 to defend tha the Holy Spirit is a person. I argued from Hebrews 1:3 that Christ is the radiance of God's glory and the express image of his being.

At the end, Jacob and I spoke to James from the rap outreach. They were hosting a live youth drama that evening to address the situation on London's streets.  North-East London is one of the hot spots for trouble.  Jacob called it a great day for outreach.  To God be the glory. 

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