Battle Log

• Battle Log
• Page 130

Christchurch (NZ) Team

After a wonderful day off on Monday, it was back to work with outreaches in Riccarton on Tuesday, and in the City and outside the Hospital on Wednesday.

It was great being back in Riccarton, after being in Papanui last Tuesday instead.  A reasonable amount of tracts were distributed.  And three decent conversations were had - one of which was a highlight conversation of recent memory.

The conversation occurred near the end of the outreach, a guy walked past with the name of a local company I recognised printed on his top.  This was a natural conversation starter and we talked briefly about people we both knew.  The conversation quickly moved to what I was doing on the sidewalk, and into spiritual things.  I ended up briefly sharing my testimony of how I became a Christian, and he became engrossed, as it seemed to parallel where he was at.

He went from saying he had a few minutes to chat, to being willing to sit down and discuss the Gospel at length.  At the end of the conversation, he admitted he wasn’t convinced (yet), but I could tell our conversation was timely.  He gladly took a gospel booklet, a tract, and details of how to get in contact if he wanted to.  I was very encouraged by this conversation.

Wednesday started a little different to normal.  I got to do some email evangelism.  Let me explain.  Earlier in the year, I had a wonderful conversation with a young man in Cathedral Square.  At the end of that conversation, I gave him a tract, told him my name, and said that he could contact me through the web site, via email.

Well, this young man got back to me a few days latter!  He had important questions - which I responded to.  But, sadly, that was it.  He never emailed back.

Well last Friday, I bumped into this guy again.  I asked if he had received my email, and he said he hadn’t but that he still had questions.  It turns out that my emails had been caught in his spam folder (I wonder why!), and we now have a good email connection.

So I started the day with responding to his questions.  And he has responded already!  I’m looking forward to being able to continue that conversation, he is even keen to catch up face to face again.

But the first proper outreach of the day was in Cathedral Square.

There was a girl sitting close to where I set up my flip chart, so I went over and offered her a tract.  She wasn’t keen to chat, so I left her to read it.

Later, I moved down to the corner of Colombo Street and Cashel Mall, and lo and behold, this same young girl walks up and wants to talk.  She could see that she had failed the good person test (what the tract was about) and wanted to discuss - which I was happy to do.  She ended up taking a contact card for my local church!

After lunch, I moved to the Hospital, but it was a very slow, not many tracts were accepted, and I couldn’t get a conversation to start as much as I tried.  I wonder if I was feeling apprehensive in light of the abortion outreaches we have started in this spot on Fridays?

So after an hour, I decided to head back into the city.  Just as I moved off, Chris Harris (a retired NZ cricket player) came down the steps.  I had an opportunity to interact with him briefly, and he accepted a Gospel tract.  I was encouraged by that.

Back in the city for a final hour of outreach, I ended up having two conversations.  One was a very encouraging follow up chat with the homeless guy I had spoken to on Saturday.  The second was a long conversation with a young man I had known from church circles about ten years ago, but it didn’t seem like he was still involved with a local church.  I did my best to encourage him with the Gospel.

I finished the day with some letterbox dropping.  As I was walking down a lane, a man came out of his house and wanted to know what I was up to.  This turned into a wonderful opportunity to sit down with him on his porch to discuss the Gospel!

As I’m writing this report, I’m realising how many wonderful opportunities I had to share Christ, in spite of what felt like two days of slow, hard Gospel work.  As always, I leave the results with Him: all the glory is His.
 

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This time of year is nice for being out on the streets of Warwick just before the colder weather starts to creep in and we begin to see the beanies, woolly coats and scarf’s come out of their hiding places which have been put aside since last winter.

The outreach was under way when I arrived after finishing work where I see my wife handing out some tracts to some people passing by the Bible table. Glenda had a chat with a lady and her pregnant niece. The lady approached the bible table and asked if she could have a free bible for her son, she said he’s into this God stuff and is a very intelligent 12 year old. Glenda put a comic tract into the bible and gladly gave it to her.

The lady noticed a AIG booklet “Gay Marriage” and asked Glenda what she personally thought about that subject, in which she said that she believes what the bible teaches about it, and that it is a sin just like lying and stealing are also a sin, and that we all have sinned, that is why Jesus came to rescue us sinners. The lady’s niece said that she liked the verse in the bible John 3:16. Glenda quoted that verse and shortly after the lady left leaving the niece at the table so Glenda got to share some more with the niece.

She was open to the truth of God that He should be and deserves to be first in our life but only by His grace be given understanding of our need of saving. By faith in His Son Jesus to be saved and given Eternal life, she wanted and received a pocket book bible. Before she left she was encouraged to read through the comic tract and was explained that we need to understand the bad news to appreciate the good news of John 3:16 

During the morning four ladies from the same church, not together but at different times walking past stopped to encourage us and let us know that they and the church were praying for this outreach each week. Isn’t it a joy to know that we are being upheld in prayer to our heavenly Father for the furtherance of His Kingdom. Thank you to all who pray for the ministry. Mostly thank the Lord Jesus that He is always with us doing the great work through us and in us.

A guy approached us and said what is this all about? After hearing what we were doing here he started on about how Christian nations were making weapons for war in America and other places in the world. I let him know that just because it is said that these places are called “Christian nations” doesn’t mean that they are Christians. In our conversation I kept on saying that “ true Christianity” are followers of Christ who are called to love our enemies.

He went on to say about climate change and many species of animals dying out of existence and many other topics and that’s when I said that anyone could do a search on the internet to see that from the year 1900 to 2000, a 100 year period, that the temperature change was an increase of just 0.78 of a percent!!!! He didn’t like that at all for he said he is a scientist and he asked if I had any qualifications to make such assumptions, in which I replied, only a rational, reasoning mind to look at the evidence and after some more discussion I said there is a lot more a stake than the here and now, and when asked if he thought he was a Christian in which he said that he thought he was and he used to go to church.

I talked about sin and that if we die in our sin we will stand before God in judgement and be sent to hell. Jesus came to save sinners. He was told a true Christian has had a heart change by God. It seems this man stopped to have a debate and he didn’t want to talk about the bible or true Christianity. Pray for his heart to be softened by God. Thank you for your prayers and support.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

Again the weekend saw two outreaches in the city.

On Saturday I was in Cathedral Square and I had two highlight conversations.

The first was with a homeless guy who wanted to know what the flip chart was all about.  He was very open to the law and Gospel presentation.  I could see that he really wanted to change, but there were things in his life he didn’t feel he could clean up.  He talked about trying and failing.  I had a wonderful opportunity to explain what repentance and faith were.  Because of what Christ had done on the cross, our sin debt is completely paid.  We need to trust in Christ, and not our works for salvation: faith alone.  I also explained that because it had all been done by Christ, repentance couldn’t mean: try.  It is a change of heart, a change of mind from sin to God (including will and emotions) that, ultimately, only God can give us.  I challenged him not to try harder, but to surrender to Christ: to repent and believe the Gospel.

The second conversation started in an interesting way.  A group of people were walking past, and one of them turned back, curious about the flip chart.  As he asked me questions, and I responded, the whole group of people stopped, and I had a mini open air going!  Sadly, the group quickly lost interest, and they all moved on… except one.

A young lady with a child in a pram wanted to engage, and we had a great conversation.  She seemed to know a lot about Christian things, and so I tested her by asking her why she would be going to heaven.  I was amazed when she responded with “I wouldn’t deserve to be in heaven”.  So I probed further by asking why she could, and she said: “because of what Jesus did for me on the cross”.

She seemed to believe, but sadly, it seems that she wasn’t willing to repent.  As our discussion progressed, we touched on some subjects that triggered her to put her shields up.

But we parted ways on good terms, which is good because later she came back wanting a tract and to continue chatting for a little longer.  She asked me if I gave away million dollar notes (which I did), because someone had given her one five years ago, and she still had it on her fridge today - that was very encouraging to hear!  But a tract on the fridge is no good, if it’s not read and responded to.

Sunday saw rain, but it stayed away while we were out - and it wasn’t cold.  A team of three had Gospel conversations in Cashel Mall and Cathedral Square.

Some of us had frustrating conversations, but some great ones were had as well.

I had three stand out conversations, one of which got started with: “excuse me, may I ask you a question, it’s a deep question”.  It turned out that one of the couple was an atheist and the other a Christian.  The Christian was keen to try the good person test, but the atheist wasn’t.  But as the discussion continued, the atheist started to feel challenged, and some great dialogue was had.  Both heard the law and Gospel, and were challenged to respond with repentance and faith (I had no idea where the Christian really stood).

The team enjoyed fellowship over coffee afterwards.  And I’ll be enjoying a day off tomorrow.  Praise God for rest.

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

On Thursday we had some light rain, but it did not impact ministry, actually there wasn’t really any period of down time for the four hours of outreach in the city and at Eastgate.

In the city, we decided to move from Cathedral Square to Cashel Mall, but on the way we got into a conversation with a young man who had seen our flip chart before and wanted to understand what we were all about.  Due to the rain, Andy offered to buy him a drink, and so we were able to sit down at a table to discuss the Gospel in depth - it was a wonderful opportunity (incidentally, we saw him the next day to be able to continue the conversation, and it’s likely we will see him more often in the future).

As always, the Eastgate outreach was a busy time of ministry, having quick law and Gospel conversations with people, and also opportunities to follow up with people we have talked to before.

Friday dawned as a nice, sunny, hot, late autumns day.  Today saw a marathon of eight hours stretched over three distinct outreaches, including people of all ages, experience levels, and from various local churches.

The first outreach was the Gospel + abortion outreach.  18 people (including 3 families) turned up to hold up signs outside the hospital, and to dialogue with people about the horror of abortion, and the hope found in the Gospel.

All eight of our signs were in action.  And Andy was able to focus on conversations, having a very fruitful time of ministry.

As always, we got a mixture of very polarised responses.

Some great support, including a man who (if I heard him correctly) was shot in the recent mosque shooting!  He gladly took a tract, and then came back wanting to take a photo with us (included in this report).

But there was the inevitable attacks.  We were accused of child abuse (having our children involved) - which is ironic considering we are standing against the abuse and murder of children.  We were told that we should be educating our children - which is exactly what we are doing, it’s called social studies.

We also had two instances where young women would yell at us.  One claimed that we supported rape - which is ridiculous.  We responded firmly, but gently in all cases.

Security were called out again, but soon left.

We have no idea what impact our feeble efforts are having.  But in our weakness, we are doing what we can.  Please join us in prayer that the Lord would use it to see abortion ended in our nation, and for the furtherance of the Gospel for his glory alone.  If you live in Christchurch, please join us on this very important outreach.

Our regular Friday afternoon outreach in the city was very busy.  There were eight people involved (including two from the OAC team, and a newbie).

I had a wonderful opportunity to open air preach, as there were no buskers about.  One of our very vocal hecklers was there, but he wasn’t able to stop the proclamation.  Marty, from OAC, also preached (see picture with the wizard in the background).

The team then moved to Cashel Mall for a busy afternoon of ministry.  It was nice to be able to enjoy a coffee together afterwards.

The marathon ended with a two and a half hour evening outreach, led by Mike.  The food trucks in Cathedral Square draws people for conversations.  And to finish the outreach, we did a circuit around the pubs and bars, providing opportunities for tract distribution and conversations.

As we were walking down Hereford Street, we started talking about ways to start conversations again, and I remembered the last evening outreach where I had used the question: “excuse me, may I ask you a question, it’s a deep question”.  And so I suggested Mike try it this time.

We looked up, and two guys were walking toward us, and so Mike jumped in and said exactly that.  They both stopped and one of them said: "sure, you have 22 seconds" (or something like that).  So Mike asked “Will you go to heaven when you die?”, and then launched into a law presentation (see picture).  The two guys became so engaged, that they forgot time and the conversation ended up going for 45 minutes!  Praise God for that.

And praise God for all He is doing through all of you who head out, weak as you are, and share His precious Gospel.  Be encouraged!  Take the step, get involved: for the glory of God alone. :)
 

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Tuesday afternoon at Woodridge, was filled with many conversations. There were five team members out and a surprisingly hot sun and God was at work in the midst of it all.

The first conversation of the afternoon took place with Cheryl and her elderly mother and it was beautiful to see God's providence on display. Cheryl was interested to listen and was seeking to engage in the gospel conversation but her mother on the other hand was a lapsed JW who still believed their falsehoods. It was a struggle to get through the law and to the gospel as the mother kept trying to interrupt with different JW arguments about things. These were mostly palmed off and the tract to explaining the good news was taken. But it was getting harder and harder, then God in His providence sent the mother a phone call which took her attention for the next few minutes.

This enabled the daughter to hear in simplicity the desperate state humanity is in that each one of us deserve and eternity in Hell for our sin and therefore that the only thing that can solve this is if God Himself does something in order to save sinners. As she was hearing about what God had done her mother got off the phone and started interrupting again but it wasn't even thirty seconds before another phone call came in taking her away again.

In this moments that followed for the first time in her life Cheryl understood what repentance is, that it isn't "cleaning up your life", "stopping sinning" or "asking for forgiveness" but rather a simple change of mind about who God is and what sin is. It was pointed out that this repentance will always result in a changed life of actions but those actions aren't what saves us and nor is repentance. Rather, one is saved on the basis of accepting God's gift of salvation, through trusting that Jesus paid for their sin on the cross. Cheryl was speechless, she almost couldn't believe how simple and beautiful it was.

There wasn't any time for checking questions to give her a deeper understanding of the gospel but it was amazing that God had opened her eyes to the truth despite many years of confusion from the contradictory and works based ideas she'd grown up in.

There were a range of other exciting conversations where people came to comprehend the gospel for the first time but one that was wonderful was with a lady named Moana. She had some Christianity in her background but had basically just lived as though she was in charge. She saw that God exists via the building's need a builder analogy. She saw that she was in trouble via God's law and Holy standard and therefore was taken through a simple explanation of why Christ alone and His sacrifice can save a sinner.

She was then shown that this gift of forgiveness, purchased by Christ is on offer and to those who trust in Him they will receive forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life. In the next few minutes Moana came to comprehend that it was nothing to do with ones good works that saves a sinner but rather simply by trusting in Christ. She even came to understand that it isn't trusting in Jesus, then living a good life that makes someone right before God, rather that it is simply trusting in what Jesus did.

She then was able to understand that the changed life of good works that a Christian lives is a result of the salvation provided by Christ, not a requirement to receive it. At the moment Moana seemed to comprehend it all, her bus arrived. God had enabled her to come to a simple understanding of the essential truth of how someone is made right before God and what role our works play in that.

Please raise Cheryl and Moana up before God that they would not just comprehend the offer of forgiveness but that they would in whole-hearted surrender, trust in Christ for their forgiveness and be forever changed, wanting to know God, to be known by God and to make Him known!

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On Saturday night in Brisbane City the team headed in to share the gospel with those whom God allowed to stop. The night was filled with many conversations but there was one stand out.

Anna, a German lady, was walking past early on and was asked what she thought would happen after we die. She had a range of ideas but mostly about God being a force not a being, the afterlife not being about judgement and therefore each of us could live by our own rules and desires as long as we don't hurt anybody else. She was challenged on this as to God's personhood, God's goodness and God's justice. This opened up an over two hour conversation where Anna came to comprehend the gospel and understood why Jesus alone can offer salvation.

She heard many reasons as to why Christianity can be trusted and why she should place her trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of her sins. Anna tried to argue for her own righteousness by the way that she treats the planet but was shown that no amount of good deeds can ever take away one's history of sin. She then comprehended that all people deserve God's justice for their sin in Hell and therefore that our only hope is if God Himself pays the debt for out sin. She learned how forgiveness will change a persons life and they will no longer want to live in sin but that they will want to honour Christ as Lord with their lives.

The conversation ended as Anna was challenged a number of times to consider what God had said and how one can be forgiven and to count the cost of trusting in Christ. At this Anna was thankful for the conversation and she headed off.

A few other conversations were attempted, with two young guys mocking God saying that they were "so scared" of Him when they saw their guilt by the law. Another guy said he was good and didn't need God and a third said he was too busy to chat but it was less than fifteen minutes later when Anna returned and offered to buy a coffee. Funnily enough, another team member who speaks Dutch started chatting to her and then offered to buy her a coffee instead and then another half an hour conversation took place.

Anna had some more questions and this time the tone was even more serious. She was encouraged that God didn't make mistakes and He may have even bought her all this way to Australia so that she could hear what He has done to save her. She was talking about being thankful for now understanding others opinions but was challenged strongly that this wasn't just anyone's opinion, this what what God has said, done and promised and therefore it isn't just to be treated as a nice idea but the truth by which life should be live.

The conversation finally came to a close and Anna was comprehending the gospel, said she would consider it and was left with the very serious choice, trust in Christ and live or rely on oneself and be punished eternally.

Please be praying that God would be at work in Anna's heart, that she would hear this good news and trust in Christ alone for her salvation and that her life would be changed, that she would return to Germany as a Christian, wanting nothing more than to know God, be known by God and make Him known!

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On Labor Day, a public holiday in Queensland, a team of ten used the day off to head into Brisbane City to share God's glorious gospel with anyone willing to listen.

It was a privilege to be able to use a fourth public holiday, in as many weeks, on the streets.

In this video you can hear Heidi rejoicing in God's grace that even despite her best efforts to share the gospel with Sue didn't come to pass, another team member was able to share the gospel with two men sitting next to her and she was able to listen.

You can also hear Hanno and Zelda share about encouraging conversations they each had as they as a team, took turns looking after their children as the other went to share the gospel.

Lastly be encouraged that like Fynn, who would have been otherwise occupied if it wasn't a public holiday, was instead able to come out and preach Christ and Him crucified.

Why don't you schedule in an outreach on your next day off?

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Christchurch (NZ) Team

On Tuesday I normally go to Riccarton which is west of the City, but I decided to try a new outreach location: Northlands Mall in Papanui, which is north of the City.

I like routine, and so this broke it.  I ended up feeling as nervous as I used to feel when I was first getting involved with street outreach.  It’s good to feel that, as it gives me empathy for all you Christians who are just getting started!  But I went out anyway.  I consoled myself with the fact that I could just hand out tracts, which helps me with my nerves.

But as I walked down the street, towards the mall, and the bus stops, I was surprised at how many people there were.  So I started saying “Hi” to people and working on getting a conversation started.

Admittedly, it was a bit awkward initially, but I was quickly into a Gospel conversation with a young man.  It turns out he was heading to the doctors with heart concerns!  So the conversation was timely.  He was happy for me to walk with him, and I was able to share the law and Gospel - which he seemed to understand and appreciate it.  I challenged him to respond to the Gospel.

The outreach then proceeded from conversation to conversation.  Praise God, my nerves had evaporated.  And I had “broken soil” at a new outreach location.  It seems to be a wonderful location, with more bus stops than at Eastgate (east of the City).  Please join me in praying for this new outreach location.

Wednesday was back to routine, with an outreach in Cathedral Square, and then to the Hospital for a regular (not abortion) outreach.

In Cathedral Square there were two stand out conversations.

The first was a brief chat with a Christian tourist.  Very early on he said: “I try”.  Instantly I had concern, and so I stopped him and explained that, for salvation, we don’t need to try.  It is a completed work done by Jesus, on our behalf, on the cross.  Salvation is a gift.  He then mentioned something about “regret”.  Which is great - we should all regret our sin.  But regret, alone, does not remove our sin: we must place our faith in Jesus.  Yet he still didn’t seem to grasp what I was saying until I explained a third time.  He seemed to appreciate our chat and smiled as he left, after we shook hands.  He gladly accepted a tract.

The second was a complete contrast.  Firstly, the conversation went for an hour!  But the key difference was that the guy I was talking to completely rejected salvation by faith alone, and insisted that works were required for salvation!  He seemed to accept the Bible (including the OT, the Gospels, the general epistles, and Revelation), but he rejected the Pauline epistles!  He insisted that repentance was required for salvation, and that it is a work.  I agreed the repentance is required for salvation, but had the opportunity to explain that repentance is not a work at all, but a change of mind away from sin and to God that leads to obedience (works).  We are saved by grace, through faith and not by works, but for works.  This issue is critical to get right.  If you think you need to do any works to be saved, then you can’t have your faith in Jesus alone to save you!

I ended up getting the guy to say something amazing.  I asked if I needed to be circumcised to be saved, and he hedged.  So I asked if I needed to keep all the food laws of the OT to be saved.  He ended up admitting that we did need to do both!  So I asked him, assuming I knew I was dying in a few day, what I needed to do to be saved.  He seemed stuck and then said: “Well, I would recommend you give $1000 to the first charity you can think of - that should help”.  I was shocked.  This guy was trying to earn his way to heaven by his own effort.  Something Jesus clearly explained that is Impossible to do (see Matthew 5:21-29 and Mark 10:17-31).

It was a very friendly conversation, but at the end, I had to call this guy to repentance (ironically).  He was wrongly trusting in his works to save him, which would lead him to damnation.  I told him he needed to change his mind and only trust in Christ to save him: to accept the gift by faith.

He lives out of town, but I made sure he knew how to get in touch if he wanted to discuss further.  I hope to hear from him.

The Hospital outreach was surprisingly active, with some really good Gospel conversations: including a man who regularly went to the mosque to pray - but had not been there on that fateful day.

Later, while I was talking with someone else, suddenly an angry lady broke into the conversation.  She was angry that I was outside the hospital doing what I was doing.  She stormed off before I could really interact, but she made it clear she had called security.

Sure enough, a security guard came past five minutes later.  He walked up the steps and watched me for a minute (I know because the person I was talking to told me) - but they left me alone.  I’m on the sidewalk, which is public property, and I have every right to be there and talk to people about my religious convictions.

Yet, the intensity of her anger unsettled me.  I need to get used to this, our next abortion outreach will be Friday morning…

As always, your prayer and support is much appreciated.  All this work would not be able to happen without it.  It is truly amazing what God is doing in getting regular outreaches established in Christchurch.  Thank you!
 

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West Country (UK) Team

On Saturday 4th May, there were just two in our team available to go out, was still a really blessed time and God was so good to bring many different people across our path that day.

While I was setting up, a man who had been begging came up to me with a coffee he had been given that he didn't need as had two. He asked me what I was doing and I explained we were a Christian ministry about to speak to people about Jesus and the afterlife and hand out tracts to people.

The man said he was named Phil, and that he was a spiritualist/medium who says he has/can see demons! He took some tracts to read which was good, and I believed what he had said!

Three young people of Primary school age came to look at the intelligence test while I was finishing setting up the gear, and they were eager to try and get them right, and with their Mum and Nan were able to go through the good person flip chart. I was aware I would have to simplify/ explain some of the pictures and what I was there for as the boys were age 8-10, but they listened very well and took some comic book tracts and said they understood the gospel message that wa shared.

Laurie and I managed to pray before we properly started as usually as soon as we put up the intelligence test questions people start to walk by and stop to read. Teenagers from the school I work at walked past again which Laurie managed to witness to and give tracts and answer questions, as well as a member of staff who brought her 23 year old son to listen after a conversation with her at work about what we did. He listened intently, and his Mum was visibly a bit taken aback at all we spoke of but managed to stay and he took some tracts to read and said he had a Bible to read.

Just before I started preaching I managed to get two University students to stop to talk. As I was witnessing to them, another man walked past, stopped and interrupted us asking what I was talking about. He was visibly on drink/drugs but was coherent and listened intently as I shared the gospel ith the two guys, and when they left he stayed to talk. He was called Dean and said he had been to prison over 30 times before for different reasons.

I managed to share the analogy of his fine being paid in relation to prison and the judge, and he was happy to take tracts and a Bible to read. (I shared this encounter at Church the next day and we all prayed for him as I really felt a strong conviction for his soul and difficulty his life was in.)

I later managed to preach linking Thanos in the latest Avengers firm and his special glove with the infinity stones in and peoples choice of what they would do if they had those powers? Some people had said they would bring back all the people in the world that had ever died, or getting rid of bad people, so I asked if the public would therefore still be around? I mentioned a woman who had recently been in the news filmed secretly on CCTV stealing money from woman in her care with Alzheimer's, and what we do in secret and in the dark is seen by God as if its light, meaning we all needed a Saviour!

It led to some people stopping to listen and more tracts and conversations with people, Laurie notably speaking to another man that stopped that looked like he had been in a bad way with the law, and with the beautiful weather and God's grace we had a blessed day with lots of people having the chance to read a tract or listen to the gospel being preached.

 

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It has been a hard couple of weeks in Hobart. As many of you may know Tasmania is very keen on LGBTI issues and there is a lot of zeal for all things LGBTI. Since it is election time and since the advent of the Israel Folau witch hunt people have become quite sensitive. Israel is an object lesson for anyone who considers anti-discrimination law benign and modern “inclusion” policies as a protection for all. In the same way, my experiences here in Hobart are a parable of what is coming on our nation.

In this last two weeks I have been assaulted, spat at, physically intimidated, threatened, screamed at, and given a death threat. If you missed that read it again and reflect on this, the people who did this claim to represent “love is love”, “inclusion”, “diversity”, “tolerance” and “equality”. Yes, these things were all done by people identifying as LGBTI or an LGBTI supporter.

My aim, as all my brothers and sisters in Operation 513, is to share the gospel. That is why we go out to the streets week after week. I do not hate or particularly target any one group, rather I speak to the issues of the day and seek to use them to turn people to Jesus in faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive to unsaved sinners and when it is preached there is a (sometimes violent) rejection that naturally comes to the fallen human heart. We all accept that there are people who will oppose the gospel being preached, Satan hates this work so no surprise. But our Lord told us to follow Him and go preach the gospel, after we have counted the cost.

So, in the midst of all the good things that are happening in Hobart I would ask you please dear reader to pray for safety and grace from God to face these hard things with calm and joy in our hearts.

And there are many good things happening in Hobart! God is good and there have been many wonderful opportunities and blessings. Not least of these I am not injured and the police intervened to limit one of the incidents. Praise God for that!

On Friday this week I was getting set up and noticed a group of young women loitering around the area looking at me frequently. Looking at their climate signs I could see that they were part of the strike for climate change movement, so I began to read from Genesis and speak of the need to care for the world that God had given us and each other. I pointed out that we fail in obeying God’s commands now just like our first parents Adam and Eve. We do not love God as God, nor our neighbours as ourselves, nor care for and keep the world as we should.

These discussions were welcomed by the young women but a couple of them were busting to ask a question: “What does God think of lesbians?”. To answer I took them to three parts of God’s word. Firstly, Genesis teaches that all women area made to reflect the image of God, therefore lesbians too are precious feminine image bearers. Secondly, the Law of God teaches that all sex outside of faithful heterosexual marriage is sinful and deserving of death and hell, lesbians therefore by their sinful actions are under God’s judgement. Lastly, the whole of the new testament teaches that all types of sinful people can be saved from judgement through repentance and faith in Jesus, lesbians then can be saved through faith in Jesus.

So, to summarise; lesbians are precious people made in God’s image, they are marred by sin and under God’s judgement, yet they are able to be saved through repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

This discussion then led to a long discussion with these and a whole series of other teens around many different questions. The questions were many and varied including: How can we know the Bible is trustworthy?  What about Dinosaurs? Are you saying atheists can’t be moral? What about dating of fossils – they’re older than the timeline of Bible? Historical sources can’t be trusted, can they? What about climate change?

Through all these things I tried to give both gospel and answers. Answers to questions are good and they may help people accept the gospel. Ultimately though, it is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation for all who believe.

Later in the day I was preaching on the offensiveness of the gospel of salvation and our need to be disturbed, shaken awake, and shown our spiritual danger. During this a young lady came up who wanted to speak to me. She believed that she was a homosexual transgender man, and due to the things I have said in the past she apparently felt “rage” whenever she saw me. She believed that I should not be allowed to speak as I do and say the things I do because they are so hurtful and discriminatory. She was happy in her identity and did not want me to disturb her comfort in this regard.

I responded that I dearly wanted her and all people to be disturbed and change their identification and who they naturally are. We are all people who naturally do what is morally wrong and have frequent cause for regret due to the things we do (me also!). Our consciences and God’s law tell us that we desperately need change, that there is eternal consequences if we don’t, yet we lack the desire and/or power to do so. God offers to come and change us through Jesus Christ, first to declare us not guilty before Him by grace through faith, then to make us holy through His Holy Spirit, then to take us to heaven to be permanently free of the disease of sin which is our natural birthright.

To round out these good things, I had a great discussion with Mr L and his friend. He has been coming to listen for a period and has even stood up for me a couple of times when others are being quite unfair in debate. He is an agnostic and very open to hearing other perspectives. Because of this he is very keen to see more public discussions occur in the mall and thanked me for the Christian manner that I have behaved in the past. Please God impact these young men for Christ through what they hear. I encouraged Mr L to consider some of the evidence for God that is easily available for those that are willing to look. We shook hands and parted ways smiling.

So, in the midst of difficulties there is always good things that the Lord is doing.

Oh Lord God almighty, please keep our eyes on you in trying times, be our comfort and our joy. Amen!

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