Proclamation of the Gospel at the Community Cafe

 

One to the greatest privileges in the life of a Bible-believing Christian is to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. We have been given so much by the Lord, how can we but shout the praises of the one who saved us and delivered us from the law of sin and death. He set us free that we would worship Him in spirit and in truth. What a day that will be when Jesus we shall see.

On Saturday, September 29, 2018, we had the privilege of meeting several other street preaching ministries on the streets of Saint Petersburg, Florida. On that day we stood outside of the Community Café and proclaimed the good news of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The cafe’ was hosting the Drag Queen Story Hour – Tampa Bay event, where a drag queen showed up and read stories to children.

More information about what that group is up to can be found on the Internet at the following website: https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/#about

What are they about? “Well here it is in their own words: Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.”

This brings to mind what the Scripture says about those who pervert the truth.

Romans 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

One of the saddest things to ever behold in life is parents or guardians bringing children into such darkness and preventing them from coming to the knowledge of the truth. The Lord Jesus Christ even provides a stern warning in Scripture over such conduct.

And how alarming it is that those people are targeting children. They are polluting their minds with wickedness. Those children are being raised in a deplorable manner. Many of them will never know the meaning of family and proper roles and functions of men and women. All they know is what they are being taught. In time, unless the Lord intervenes in their lives, they will be the ones that perpetuate that evil to their own children.

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

We watched as one by one children were led into the store, hand-in-hand with their parents or guardians. Many of the street preachers were utterly appalled, especially as one of the children gave them a homosexual gesture. That demonstrated that even at their young age, they had already been corrupted. The homosexual agenda is very aggressive.

At any rate, open air street preachers were there, one after the other, sharing the Gospel at the top of their lungs. Many shouted, “Repent Sinner!” Banners were held that had messages such as “Repent Sinners,” and “Jesus commands sinners to repent.” One thing that was very obvious throughout the time of ministry is that the street preachers are very devoted to intervening in this sin-sick world that doesn’t have a knowledge of the truth.

One fellow minister went into the cafe’ and purchased food, while waiting for the drag queen to enter the facility. As the drag queen sat and began to teach the children the ways of darkness, the preacher stood up and told the children that in the beginning God made them male and female. Before she could go much further, she was escorted out of the café.

As we look at those who reject the opposition to the rise of wickedness, many of them would suppose that it would be better that we go into the closet. That is a very interesting perspective, especially in light of the fact that the homosexual agenda is all about coming out of the closet. The Lord Jesus had a very special way of referencing the Pharisees – Hypocrites.

And hypocrisy is what is found all throughout the homosexual community. From what we find while on the streets, many street preachers have a deep love for those people ensnared in the homosexual lifestyle. They reject the behavior, but love the person. The Lord Jesus has forgiven us of so much, how could anyone not but love other people.

The outreach lasted a couple of hours and was very effective. The St. Petersburg Police were called on numerous occasions. They were very polite and recognized that we had the right to be there. For a time, they monitored the activity. And what was so nice about that is that they themselves heard the Gospel.

What appeared to be the owners of the cafe’ came out to the walkway and sat down with friends at a table. That was the time when we were preaching. They heard the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ loud and clear. And they are now without any excuse. They have heard what many in the world would love to hear.

During that time, many people walked by, while others drove by, and they all were given the message of the Gospel. Most everyone we saw was vehemently opposed to the Gospel. That is understandable. Those people who walk in darkness embrace darkness.

John 3:18, 19

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Two men in particular approached the group. One was very aggressive and got in the face of the pastor. We had to intervene in order to protect the pastor. In these matters, violence isn’t the answer. We simply stood between the pastor and the railer. There was another man that approached us and was shaking terribly. He thought that many people were giving hate speech and not love.

That is a typical response of those that do not know what true love is all about. Those that want to find true love should look to the cross, where some two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself as an atonement for sin, where He took upon Himself the just wrath of God in the place of His Bride.

What is so amazing is that not only did Jesus die on the cross, but He was buried, and rose again on the third day, demonstrating once and for all time that He is who He says that He is. He is the Son of God who taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Even today, He’s seated at the right hand of the throne of God making intercession for the Saints according to the will of God.

No matter what a person thinks about street preachers, it is abundantly clear that the street preaching community is compelled to do what they do. They want to make a difference in this world for the glory of God. What a privilege it is to serve the Lord.

Matthew 28:19, 20

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

So while this outreach is over, the mission continues to reach the world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the message is simple.

Romans 10:9, 10

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The next stop for some of the street preachers is the Pasco Pride Inaugural Festival in New Port Richey – https://www.pascopridefestival.com

Though this stuff is growing very fast, it isn’t growing without anyone standing up for the truth and attempting to intervene. This week one pastor went to city hall and spoke to the council.

And this is what is the normal life of a Christian who embraces the truth of the Word of God. May more and more Bible-believing Christians stand up, step out, and step into the ministry that the Lord has given them for His glory, honor, and praise.