Last week, we started our four-part series about my evening witnessing between two concert venues. It was busy. The situations that came up were interesting, yet not uncommon when you’re in the middle of crowds. If you missed either of those newsletters, you can check them out here:
We left off with ways to get people’s attention when they are streaming past you. Extending tracts and trying to establish eye contact are effective ways to engage them, but sometimes we need something more.
Attention-Getting Statements
If you don’t have a lot of time with folks, because they are moving semi-quickly past you to go to their event, a quick, strong statement can get them thinking.
Handing out tracts works. One-on-one direct statements works. But sometimes, you just need to raise your voice and warn them. Speaking louder to a crowd in love works, too.
So I said to them, “Judgment Day is coming. Make sure you are ready for it.”I could see people’s eyes. The words “Judgment Day” resonated with them.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Some people replied, “You are right.” Others said, “I am an atheist. There is no Judgment Day.”
Always remember, it doesn’t matter what you believe but what is true. There is a Judgment Day coming whether they believe it or not.
I also semi-loudly said, “Judgment Day is coming. Jesus is more important than Eddie Vedder or Kendrick Lamar.” Wow. That got some responses!
Eddie is the lead singer of Pearl Jam. I was stunned by how many people just laughed and mocked. A couple of people laughed hysterically. I reminded them that they wouldn’t be laughing on Judgment Day.
A group passed by me and was laughing about what I said. So, I turned on my heel and walked toward them. I said, “Judgment Day is serious business. It is not a joke. Chester Bennington knows that.” Well, that struck a chord with them! He was the lead singer of Linkin Park, and I knew this crowd would know who he was. He died at 41 a few years ago. They say it was suicide, but it might not have been. Either way, it doesn’t matter. He now knows there is a God.
Crowd Reactions
People will laugh and mock, but remember not to take it personally. They don’t hate you. You are just the messenger. Sadly, they hate Jesus and what He has done for them.
Acts 2:13,14
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
One guy looked at me after I mentioned Chester’s name and said, “That is cold.” He couldn’t believe I said that. But I was trying to make a point, and they understood it loud and clear. I said, “There is a 100 percent chance we are going to die. We have to get ready for that day.”
His buddy spun around and said, “You are right.” He knew. Then he said to me, “And you are going to die, too.” I told him, “I know that! That is why I am prepared for that day and why I am challenging people to get prepared as well.”
Others responded, “I am an atheist.” Don’t worry about that one because it’s easy to get around it. I just tell them, “You won’t be on Judgment Day.” Or “You will have a different opinion the day you die.”
Plant seeds, plant seeds, plant seeds.
Not Quite a Night
The night was winding down, and I was exhausted. I was gathering my book bag and getting ready to head home—at least I thought I was!
A guy walked up to me and said, “I saw what you were doing, and I wanted to ask you a question.”
I am going to be honest here; I didn’t want him to ask me a question! I was tired. It was hot and humid, and I wanted to go home. Thank the precious God above that we don’t always follow our human desires!
Matthew and I had the most fascinating give-and-take. I don’t even know how long we talked, but it was for a long time. He attended Morehouse, which is an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). His parents are from different cultures, and he grew up in more of an Ethiopian Orthodox faith. He had a lot of questions, and you and I have a lot of answers! We really went deep.
Talking about Slavery
He wanted to talk about slavery some. Never fear when that subject comes up. He mentioned something that was interesting. I am trying to remember and phrase it correctly, but he was taught that Christianity was used against the slaves. That the slave owners told the slaves they had to obey them because the Bible said that they had to obey their masters.
I let him know that I disagreed with that. I told him that if you study some of the old slave writings or listen to some of the old Negro spirituals, they will tell you that their faith in Jesus is what got them through all of that! Their faith wasn’t a weapon against them, but it was their salvation. Jesus got them through those troubled times.
As we continued to chat, I said to Matthew, “Did you know that the first slave owner in America was a Black man?” Oh my! If you could have seen his face! He stated, “I call B******* on that.” He used the long curse word that begins with a ‘B.’ So, I let him know that he can google it sometime and find it out.
He told me, “No way.” He wanted to check it out right then and there! He took his phone out and started googling away! There was some silent time as he was reading.
Then he looked up from his phone with big eyes and told me he was sorry. He wanted to apologize because he didn’t know that. He reached over to shake my hand. A humble spirit can go a long way in life.
The slave owner’s name was Anthony Johnson. What I found interesting is that Matthew had gone to an HBCU, and they never taught him this history. Don’t worry. Probably none of this was taught to any of us. It was never taught to me. But it just shows how you have to keep digging and searching to find real answers.
Discovering that fact led into the discussion about how evil has nothing to do with skin color. Evil is an internal characteristic. It comes from the heart, like everything else.
Mark 7:20-23
And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
The Key Issue
All of this discussion led us to right where we needed to go. We all have sin, and we all need to be forgiven.
We ended up talking about the Resurrection. I let him know that is the kicker. He needs to find out if the tomb is empty. If it isn’t, this is all just a meaningless pursuit.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Matthew was really fun to chat with. He asked a lot of questions. He was very inquisitive. I let him know that we teach QEQE at the ministry: “Question Everything, and Question Everybody.” He liked that a lot. I let him know if he did that, he would find out that Jesus is exactly who He said He was.
We might think that conversations like this are the last of the night, but God had more encounters in store for that evening, which we will cover in the last of this four-part series. Making yourself available for the Lord is key. Stay open and at-the-ready for whatever He might bring into your day, or evening, as you seek to serve Him with all you’ve got!
Until the nets are full,
P.S.
