SOS Ministry Newsletter - December 2008

The Word of Our Testimony

Dear Christian Friends,

For the past few months, we have been looking at various examples of preaching in the book of Acts. I passed over a brief passage, Acts 17:1-4, that speaks of Paul’s preaching in a synagogue in Thessalonica. Here it says that Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures “explaining the prophesies about the sufferings of the Messiah and his resurrection, and proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” Later, in Acts 18:28, we learn that Apollos “powerfully refuted all the Jewish arguments in public debate, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.” These two passages show the importance of using the Old Testament prophesies concerning the Messiah in our preaching.

The next example of New Testament preaching is found in Acts 22. Paul was arrested while engaging in a ceremonial cleansing in the Temple in Jerusalem. He had taken a vow and offered a sacrifice seven days later, in accordance with Jewish law. He was accused of telling people to disobey the Jewish law, disrespecting the Temple, and bringing Gentiles into the Temple.

He began by giving a testimony of how he once persecuted Christians, but God spoke to him on the road to Damascus. They listened to him until he related how the Lord said, “I will send you away to the Gentiles.” Then they got extremely angry. The idea of God passing over the Jews and going to the Gentiles was abhorrent to them. 
Paul had been warned by the prophet Agabus (Acts 21) that he would be imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. Nonetheless, Paul was determined to go there. His arrest gave him the opportunity to witness to this crowd here, to Felix, to Agrippa and to many others.

While giving his testimony, Paul tried to relate to his audience. He spoke in their language, Aramaic. He emphasized his Jewish upbringing, and how in his zeal to keep the Jewish law he persecuted Christians. However, his testimony was not well received. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.”  Often, Jews are more receptive to the testimony of a Gentile. “Through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.” (Romans 11:11). When Jews see Gentile believers living a godly life filled with joy and peace, they often find that desirable. Unfortunately, many Gentile Christians are intimidated by Jews and afraid to witness to them. Jews often get angry when they hear of a Jew who believes in Jesus. They expect Gentiles to believe in Jesus, so this does not anger them. Similarly, ex-gay Christians are very threatening to homosexuals. Often, homosexuals are more receptive to the witness of a Christian who is not tempted by same-sex desires. But while the testimony of the Jewish believer and the ex-homosexual will not be well received, they must nonetheless be given. Jews need to know that some Jews believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Homosexuals need to know that some homosexuals have found deliverance through Jesus Christ.

ON THE STREETS

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the busiest locations in San Francisco, attracting millions of tourists from around the world. Many people from the San Francisco area also come to Fisherman’s Wharf. For 25 years, we were unable to get permits to use amplification in this area. However, during the past two years, we have had great freedom to minister in this area under a new street performers program. This program allows amplification at 12 different locations in this area.

In October, we went to Fisherman’s Wharf twice on Friday night and twice on Saturday afternoon. Each time, we had a three-hour slot reserved for us. On Saturday October 4, we had reserved area #1, at Powell and Jefferson St., from 1-4 PM. This is the most popular location. When we arrived at 11 AM, this location was taken so we set up our sound system at another nearby location. At 1 PM, we moved to the location we had reserved. Soon afterwards, a reggae group set up right next to us with a large sound system. We turned our speakers away from them so people could hear us. It was quite distracting for Tim Moon, who could not hear himself when he sang. However, he is a real veteran of the streets and didn’t let it bother him. The reggae group wasn’t as distracting to our audience, who listened to the music and preaching.

The following Saturday was Fleet Week. During this week, the Navy brings several ships to the Wharf for people to take tours. It also features an air show by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels. We set up half a block away, at a location with fewer distractions. Tim Moon sang and several of us preached. Tens of thousands of people heard the gospel that afternoon. Amanda, a Christian who was born in Iran, drove all the way from Modesto to join our outreach. Sharon came all the way from Reno for the outreach.

We spoke with several Christians that afternoon who were encouraged to see us witnessing there. At the end of the outreach, I spoke with Robert, a Christian from Australia. He had been backslidden and had come to San Francisco to be part of the homosexual community. The day before, he had repented. Sharon and I ministered to  him. I referred him to a support group for Christians struggling with homosexuality. Please pray for Robert.

On October 31, we witnessed at Powell and Market. Hannah and Tim Moon sang a few worship songs, but a police officer told us we couldn’t use our maximouse amplifier. He let us use our bullhorn so we preached to hundreds of Halloween revelers.

On November 7, we planned to witness on Castro Street. However, about ten thousand angry people were marching there to protest the passage of Proposition 8, which defines marriage as between a man and woman. We decided instead to witness at Fisherman’s Wharf. Almost every spot was occupied by street performers, but we found one empty spot right next to another performer. That man drew large crowds, including many families with children, with his off-color humor. Eric Martinez began singing worship songs. After a while, Eric Baxter and Larry DuBois preached.

A Christian family from Canada that had sold all their possessions to live in a camper and minister for a year joined us. Their two children (aged 10 and 8) preached briefly and held signs. Later, a group of 10 Christians, most of whom wore “Jesus is Lord” T-shirts, joined us. Several of them preached. Despite the cold weather, there were many young people on the street that night.

Click on Photos to Enlarge

	Tim Moon sings at Wharf while Canadian Snowbirds fly overhead.
	Canadian Snowbirds fly over Wharf on Fleet Week.
	Tim Moon sings on rainy day in Berkeley.
	Larry DuBois preaches at Wharf.
	Children hold signs at Wharf.

Coming Events

Note: Outreaches are subject to change. Call (510) 531-5325 or 213-2584 (cell phone) to confirm outreaches or for more information.

Friday November 21, December 5 and 12 Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods. 7:30 - 10 PM
Sat. November 22, December 6, 13 Evangelism Outreach.

Location depends on weather. Call Saturday morning for outreach location.

Ministry News and Needs

Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. We have just printed 60,000 new tracts. They will cost us about $1300. Roman Mistiuk has totally redesigned our signs and banners. We hope to print them soon. Larry DuBois is totally redesigning our web site: Make sure to check out the entire site.

We still have two openings in our Oakland ministry house. We are looking for men in their 20’s or 30’s who are spiritually strong, have administrative gifts, and are committed to evangelism. We welcome older people to participate in our outreaches and are open to having them live in our ministry house.  (I am 62 and our youngest house member is 43.) But we also need to train younger believers in evangelism – to reach a new generation and help us continue this work of evangelizing San Francisco and Berkeley.

Please pray that God will bring the right people for our house. Also, please continue to pray that the Berkeley City Council will not take away our freedom to minister in that city. Our CD of the Month is Debate With Atheists by Ray Comfort.
    
Paul preached the gospel boldly, even though he knew people would reject his testimony and keep him in prison. We need to preach the gospel with boldness, but also in love and humility, in this evil world. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I also hope many of you will join us for one of our Christmas outreaches, so we can remind the thousands of shoppers of the real reason for this season.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum