Christmas Evangelism

It was around 24 degrees (F), a light flurry of snow blowing from the northwest behind me. The corner of Center and Anson Street was busy with traffic from the Hy-Vee grocery store to my left, and last-minute shoppers heading in all directions. In other words, it was a great time to get out with a witnessing cross and point people to the Lord Jesus Christ, on December 24, 2012!



I stopped by Wal-Mart to find a large bow to put on the cross, in part to draw attention of cars stopping at the intersection, but also to point out the truth of God's unspeakable gift to us in the Savior. Typical traffic-light evangelism, sans preaching, other than the message on the cross. I was out for about an hour, with quite a bit of positive response...even had a lady walk over to the corner and give me a cup of hot chocolate and a "God bless you." I was thankful.

God has blessed me...He continues to do so every day, and I have His promise of blessing and mercy and grace into eternity future! So, I can stand out on a cold December afternoon with intention and purpose to declare not only His blessing to me, but the hope for sinners like me, that they might turn their thoughts to their eternal soul, to see the gift of forgiveness and life we proclaim, and come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus...while there is time. Oh the amazing love of God!

Charles Wesley's "Amazing Love" (or "And Can It Be....")

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/c/acanitbe.htm

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?

 Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

 

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

 

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

 

 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
 My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

 

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
 I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

 

 

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
 Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

His Unspeakable Gift

So, the calendar has turned quickly to the end of 2012, and we are well into the
holiday season. And while Mary & I don't make a big deal out of December 25th, we do take the opportunity to reach out with the love of God, and offer the gospel of His grace and mercy in the person of Jesus Christ. I'm again giving out the "God of Wonders" DVD to people I meet on the street, or to the salesman at the store, or the girl behind the counter at the Deli.

We hope you will think of creative ways to share your faith, and to hold forth the
light of the world, the Lord Jesus, in this our world which is groping in darkness.

Until He comes....