Sir – You will stand “butt naked” before God (open-air preaching video)

Currently I am street preaching through the book of Hebrews at various locations. This morning I preached from Hebrew 1:8-9. I preached this message at another location on this same morning.

After the line was gone, I ran into another Evangelist who was standing on the other side reading the Scriptures. For the purposes of this post we’ll call him John Doe. John has had unpleasant exchanges with other preachers in the past. One time he rebuked me for distributing tracts, as he stated “Where in the Bible does it say to hand out tracts?” I almost uploaded that video, but there would be no beneficial purpose in doing that.

Years past, in this video (not my video) you will see John and two other preachers arguing with each other. Though I agree with John, that the Word of God ought to be used. I also agree with the other preachers that the unsaved cannot comprehend the Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:14), because they are dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph. 1), and that they need to hear both the Law and the Gospel; which is the power of God onto salvation (Rom 1:16; 7:7). Though I fall short, I try to find a healthy balance, by taking up the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:10-20), and by preaching both the Law and Gospel.

But thankfully, today John and I had a cordial re-acquaintance. He attends a Calvary Chapel in the area, and wrongfully believes that Evangelists are called to solely read the Scriptures, without any exposition, explanation, atoning Gospel, or application. His basis for this belief is 1 Timothy 4:13 which says, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (NASB). As a matter of fact, this verse is displayed in large wooden letters upon the wall, behind the pulpit at his church.

But the context of this verse is for the Lord’s blood-bought Church, and the public gathering of the Lord’s people. There’s nothing wrong with using Scripture to a non-saved world, but they must also receive both the Law and the Gospel. Because the Word of God is more powerful than anything I can say (Hebrews 4:12), the Word never fades (Isaiah 40:8), and His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

Having said all that. I am thankful to run into John at this outreach. Truth is, there’s not a shortage of evangelists here in the Inland Empire, and that’s a good problem.

“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:21

For unknown reason ‘this video’ below doesn’t seem to embed correctly. If it does not repair itself then click on this URL here https://youtu.be/yd78x3KFbps