(This is the seventh in a series of entries drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ)

Soon after Ambassador Grew arrived in Japan, the Chinese Ambassador came to visit him. The problem was that the Chinese ambassador wore a rather formal outfit. Ambassador Grew wrote that he was stumped in relation as to what he should wear when he returned the visit to the Chinese ambassador. As Ambassador Grew was writing about his various choices and why each choice would or wouldn’t be appropriate, he wrote that clothing was “that all-important element of diplomacy.”

I wonder how often we, as ambassadors for Christ think about our clothing in relation to being His ambassador? How often would we consider it to be one of the most important elements of our representation of Christ?

Scripture is full of information relating to how we are to dress. Ambassador Grew’s concern had nothing to do with comfort, style, or convenience — his whole concern was what was appropriate and proper.

Do we think there are ever times when it would be okay for an ambassador to dress improperly in public – say for comfort, fashion, convenience, or to draw attention to one’s body? The obvious answer would be “no.”

But, what if it was just a quick errand? Or perhaps a time of exercise? Or what about doing some type of physical labor?

If an ambassador is not able to appropriately represent his country through proper clothing at a specific event, the bottom line is that the ambassador would choose not to attend or participate in the event. Anytime an ambassador steps into public, the clothes that he wears ARE a representation of his country.

The focus of these posts is simply to draw analogies, so I don’t have time to exhaustively reference every Scripture which gives insight into clothing. However, I will go ahead and list a few Scriptures you may find helpful if you were to study this area.

Importance of dressing modestly and not in a worldly fashion:

1 Timothy 2:9: In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

The danger of being a friend with the world; clothing is a medium through which we could identify with the world:

James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

What about the principle of not defrauding others through our dress? We see that in the ten commandments we are commanded not to covet or lust after others or things, but it says nothing about us dressing in such a way that would lend itself towards another coveting us – or does it?? I find it fascinating that when Jesus was quoting some of the commandments to the rich young ruler, he expanded the application of coveting to include causing another to covet (by defrauding them):

Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

Clothing is a key part of being an ambassador. God’s instruction for us to be His Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) is yet another reminder to us that we are to dress appropriately, properly, modestly, and as His representatives! Romans 14:4-5 shares that each of us is directly accountable to God and that we must be fully persuaded that we are living as He would have us live. Which is why we are to study to show yourself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).

Every time we step out of our homes, may we each evaluate what we are wearing. My prayer is that our clothing would appropriately represent the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Christopher

Thursday, late morning at 11:30, we were driving down the interstate enjoying the Virginia scenery, but not enjoying the traffic. As the family chatted, there suddenly came a tense pause in the conversation. Just ahead we saw a little white Mazda convertible car that was smashed into the guardrail on the right shoulder. Dad rapidly started to slow down. We were concerned to see no emergency vehicles there, and only two cars stopped in the median with their hazard lights on. As we passed the wrecked car, which was still steaming, we saw a person slumped over the steering wheel, and nobody there to help. Dad stopped the bus on the shoulder, we guys grabbed the first aid kit and started running toward the car while Sarah called 911.

On the way by the rear compartment (in Uriah), I grabbed some cones and dropped them behind the bus to alert other drivers that we were also parked on the shoulder. Christopher and Joseph, reaching the car first, quickly ascertained that there wasn’t a fire, and that they couldn’t smell gas. Inside was a lady, in her late forties to early fifties, who was in shock. She was holding a napkin to her head, where her forehead had impacted the steering wheel. Christopher asked her if she was hurt anywhere else, and she said that maybe her shoulder was hurt. He was in the process of getting a bandage out of the first aid kit when the fire truck showed up, and they took over.

The accident scene

The two gentlemen, who had stopped in the median, by now had crossed the two lanes of traffic. We asked them what had happened, and they said that a truck had passed her and pulled in too early, striking her car which started her spinning. It appeared she had impacted the guard rail multiple times, coming to stop facing traffic, with her driver door against the rail. The car was a total loss, but her life was saved because she was wearing her seatbelt and there had been a guard rail to protect from the steep drop off.

As we started walking back to the bus, a state trooper pulled up. We told him that we just stopped to help, that the truck involved didn’t stop, and we didn’t see the accident, but the witnesses were still there. He thanked us, and we returned to the bus.

The Lord spared this woman’s life and gave her another chance. If there hadn’t been the guard rail, and if she hadn’t have had her seat belt on, she probably wouldn’t have survived. Our prayer is that if she doesn’t know Jesus, she would come to know Him through this. She was very blessed that her injuries appeared to be relatively minor.

I wonder if there is anyone who is reading this post that doesn’t know Jesus. We are not guaranteed another day. It could be a car wreck that instantly takes a life. It could be a multitude of possible health problems.

Life is so fragile. I would encourage you to decide where you will spend eternity. Some might say, “Well, I will decide later.” However, there might not be a “later.”  By not deciding now you are making a decision to stay in your sins and spend eternity in Hell. How many chances has Jesus given you, and what have you done with them?

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

John

(This is the sixth in a series of entries drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ and is continued from the previous posts regarding the Diplomatic League situation)

Ambassador Grew had cabled the US State Department to let them know about the situation that had developed between himself and the German Ambassador. Ambassador Grew had graciously taken a stand that he believed to be right, even though it had caused “an issue.”

To the “great surprise” of Ambassador Grew, the State Department responded that all relations of a social and ceremonial character that usually exist between members of the Diplomatic League were fine for Ambassador Grew to participate in, even with the German ambassador.

Ambassador Grew was now faced with an interesting dilemma: he had taken a stand for what he thought was right but had received guidance from his authorities that his stand was not necessary. To contact the German Ambassador and say he was now willing to sign the speech would be humbling.

What did Ambassador Grew do? He immediately contacted the German ambassador and asked to have the speech sent over because he had received direction from the State Department and was now happy to sign it.

I was absolutely amazed at Ambassador Grew’s humility. He was willing to appear to others as if he had done the “wrong thing” in a situation where his goal was genuinely to do the “right thing.” And, yes, perhaps he should have contacted the State Department for direction even sooner than he did!

Ambassador Grew knew and understood that it is more important for an Ambassador to follow the guidance/direction of the country he represents than to be concerned about his own reputation in appearing right or wrong.

What about us as ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ? How concerned are we about our reputation? If we are more concerned about our reputation than following what He has for us, we will be ineffective ambassadors.

John 12:43 talks about religious men who refused to follow Jesus because they were more concerned about their reputation: “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

The Apostle Paul was the one who, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, encouraged us to be “ambassadors” for Christ. Because of Paul’s obedience to Christ, he was called “insane” when giving a defense before very learned men of the world (Acts 26:24), and he wrote to the Corinthian church, “We are fools for Christ’s sake…” (1 Corinthians 4:10).

Paul, as an ambassador for Christ, was willing to obey even when it made him appear foolish to others – are we?

(This is the fifth in a series of entries drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ, and is continued from the previous post regarding the Diplomatic League situation)

Following the situation that arose when Ambassador Grew politely declined to sign the German Ambassador’s Diplomatic League speech (due to the United States not having diplomatic relations with Germany at that time), the German Ambassador asked if they could have a meeting. The German Ambassador wanted to talk things through.

Instead of drawing upon his experience and skill as an Ambassador in order to decide the proper course of action, Ambassador Grew cabled his authorities at the State Department to seek direction.  (to be continued)

An Ambassador’s job is not to be a decision maker, but rather to follow the directions that he receives from his authorities in the country he represents.

Jesus, despite being fully God and man, spent many hours during the course of His time on earth in prayer. For example, before selecting his twelve disciples, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer! Luke 6:12-13, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.”

All through the three years of His ministry the disciples sought Jesus’ counsel, guidance, and direction. Once, Peter sought Jesus’ counsel (Luke 22:49, “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”) but didn’t wait for a response (John 18:10, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.”) and was rebuked by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:52, “Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.’”).

When we, as ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ, are faced with a situation do we rely upon our own wisdom to “make the call”? I know from personal experience that it seems as if the areas where I feel myself to be wise and believe I have much experience are the areas in which I don’t tend to rely upon the guidance and direction of the Lord. And in those areas where I believe myself to be weak and have little experience are the areas in which I am quick to seek His guidance. Might that be some of what Paul was referring to when he said, “for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)?

Are we, as ambassadors for Jesus, proud of our “decision-making abilities,” or do we with humble hearts continually seek His direction?

In Christ,
Christopher

(This is the fourth in a series of entries drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ.)

Ambassador Grew writes about an incident he had with the German Ambassador. Apparently there was some type of a diplomatic league that the various Ambassadors were all generally a part of. Different members of the League would make speeches at their gatherings. Before making a speech, it was the custom to send their speech around to the other Ambassadors for them to review and approve

When the German Ambassador sent his speech around, Ambassador Grew was faced with a dilemma. If he were to approve of the speech, he felt it would also be approving of the German country - something that he couldn’t do (the United States did not have diplomatic relations with Germany at that time). But he also knew that refusing to sign the speech would cause a “situation.”

Ambassador Grew was willing to take a stand for what was right and decided to graciously refuse to sign the speech. He included a note to the German Ambassador explaining that, due to the relations between their countries, he was not able to sign the speech, but that he hoped the German Ambassador would not take the refusal personally.

This, of course, caused a reaction of sorts from the German Ambassador, who was well aware of the situation between their countries but didn’t feel signing the League’s speech would be an approval of the German nation. He requested a meeting with Ambassador Grew… (to be continued)

What good is an Ambassador who is simply looking to be popular? What good is an Ambassador who is not willing to represent his country by standing for what is right?

Are we, as Ambassadors for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, willing to take a stand — even when it will be an unpopular one? And, are we willing to take that stand even when we know it will cause a “situation”?

Jesus warned us as His disciples that following Him would be unpopular:
John 15:18-19. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

The unpopular stands (for right) that Jesus calls us to may even involve our family or extended family. Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), shared in Matthew 10:35-37: “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Are we willing to graciously and with love stand for right, or do we cave in to pressure? Because an Ambassador is expected to represent his nation even when doing so results in animosity from those he is living nearby.

(This is the third in a series of posts drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ.)

Ambassador Grew wrote in his book (which is an extract from his diary) that Mrs. Woodrow Wilson visited with he and his wife Alice on October 24, 1932. The three of them spent a number of hours together. He noted that Mrs. Wilson said something important during their visit: “that a smile goes a long way in Japan.”

Ambassador Grew noted that he had also seen how important it was to smile and the impact that a smile can have. He had specifically noticed the impact his wife had when she went out for exercise and smiled at the many people she came in contact with.

I was struck by the realization that the wife of the Ambassador (who was not even the official representative) was positively representing her country while in a foreign land simply by smiling at people.

Why is a smile important for an ambassador? And what does the smile represent? I believe the smile of an ambassador represents several important things.

First, if you see someone from another country always smiling, it makes you want to learn more about the country they are from. If the country you are living in is full of depressed and angry people (yourself included), and everyone from a neighboring country that you’ve ever met are living lives overflowing with joy and peace, you will likely have a strong desire to visit (or move to) the other nation so you, too, can be joyful.

Jesus has left us with His joy and peace, and our hearts should be full!
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Second, when a person or representative from another country smiles, it projects an acceptance of you. When soldiers from two nations meet on a field of battle, they do not share smiles; you would see looks of grim determination on their faces – they are seeking to harm each other. And yet those same soldiers, if they are seeking to build relationships with the citizens of a foreign country, will smile and wave at the people they come in contact with. In such cases, the smile is a sign of good will.

Jesus specifically encouraged His followers to salute more than just friends and relatives.
Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

The Greek word translated “salute” is aspazomai, and Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary gives much greater meeting to the word: “To salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to; to receive joyfully. Used of those who greet one whom they meet in the way; a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.”

Are we properly representing our heavenly kingdom by “saluting” (which would at least involve a friendly smile) those we come in contact with?

In Christ,
Christopher

(This is the second in a series of posts drawing analogies between experiences that Ambassador Joseph Grew shared about in his book Ten Years in Japan and practical aspects of being an ambassador for Jesus Christ.)

As Ambassador Grew was traveling via steamer toward Japan in 1932, he wrote about two dangers that face ambassadors.

The first is the danger of being prejudiced against the nation where one is being sent. “An ambassador who starts prejudiced against the country to which he is accredited might just as well pack up and go home…” Ambassador Grew pointed out that such an attitude would undermine and damage the relationship that was to be built. This underscores the importance of us, as Christians, having loving and compassionate attitudes as we interact with the lost.

Do we have a love for those we are called to be ambassadors to? I was reminded of Jesus as He interacted with the wealthy and proud young man who would not acknowledge his sin. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him…” (Mark 10:21).

The second danger that Ambassador Grew shared about is the opposite of the first: being influenced by the foreign country! The term that he used in the book was “imbued,” which means “to permeate or influence as if by dyeing.”

I’ve thought often about how easy it is for us as Christians to be influenced by the world, but I was particularly struck to read about an ambassador being on guard against the same danger in the physical world.

While we love the people, we must be on guard against loving the things of the world. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

How could an Ambassador ever remain “in balance” – loving the people in the country to which he was posted while being on guard lest he become too influenced by those around him?

Ambassador Grew shared the solution: “However, I know the minds of the President, the Secretary, and the Department pretty well, and that should help to keep a straight course.”

The only way we will be able to be in the world but not of the world is to know the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

In Christ,
Christopher

One word. Mentioned twice in the New Testament. And yet living that word out will impact every aspect of our life.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For years I have been fascinated with the idea of being an ambassador for Christ. Five years ago, with a goal of wanting to learn more about ambassadors, I went to the library and checked out some books written by or about ambassadors. One book, in particular, contained a number of stories that illustrated practical aspects of being an ambassador for Christ.

I recently purchased a used copy of the book (Ten Years in Japan, by Ambassador Joseph C. Grew) and am re-reading it. As I come across some of the analogies I thought about sharing them on the blog. Perhaps as the Lord challenges me and speaks to my heart others will also be encouraged. At the very least, maybe the stories and analogies could spur worthwhile discussion for families during their meal time or Bible time.

In Christ,
Christopher

This might seem odd to post now. Why a post on last year’s County fair in January? I was about to delete this post that was written last year when I had second thoughts about it. We had discussed it and decided not to post it because we didn’t want the focus to be us. That still is our heart’s desire, but as I reread this now, I feel, it might be a needed encouragement for families to be busy about God’s leading. So please as you read this, it isn’t about us, but about the Lord Jesus Who wants us to be busy telling others about the reality of Heaven and Hell, and Jesus, Who is the ONLY Savior of our souls and way to the Father.

Steve

***********

(Update previously written by Sarah)

Thank you all for your prayers during the fair week. We were so grateful. It was an amazing thing to be able to hand out tracts, make balloons, and share Jesus. One girl I spoke with, when I asked where she was going to spend eternity, looked a bit puzzled, and asked me, “What’s that?” I remember another woman said she was going to face it when she got there. Sadly, it would be too late. May we all be faithful to share Christ!

Usually I’m the one taking pictures in the family, but during fair week, Dad took quite a few pictures. He even went to the grandstands to get a different perspective of our booth. We hope you are blessed by a pictorial view into the fair week.

I have a feeling Christopher was sharing Jesus while he made the balloon!

A perspective on the booth from the grandstands (directly across from us!)…

A family who had just been by our booth–the dad and daughter had balloon hats!

Christopher was going over one of the tracts with these girls.

Christopher had quite a group of guys, and I think most of them wanted “crazy hats!”

I thought this was a cute picture, a cowboy Grandpa with his cowboy grandsons!

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“What would you like: a flower or a crazy hat?” was the sort of question we would frequently ask. It was easy when they just wanted a dog :-).

My daddy sharing Jesus!

Crazy hat and it’s designer.

Someone graciously took our group picture. Left to right: Nathan, Melanie, John, Anna, Joseph, Dad, me, and Christopher

On Saturday we went to the homeless shelter in Kansas City. It is always good, but a sobering time. Nathan led the singing, the Maxwell men brought instruments and sang “At the Cross” and Christopher preached about Jonah and heeding spiritual warnings.

The chapel was packed with 129 men as it was raining hard and men wanted to get out of the rain. If most people who thought they had problems were to visit to mission or a nursing home, they should be cured. Many men were soaking wet from being out in the rain and came to the mission so they would have something to eat.

After chapel we speak to the men and share Jesus with them one-on-one. It is a tough time but a good time. One of the men’s stories I heard was similar to a few I have heard prior. He was happily married, attending church, successful in business, life was going well, and then his wife died of cancer. He like three others I’ve talked too, when tragedy happened, they turned to alcohol and drugs instead of the Lord Jesus. Their lives then went from the deep, dark waters of a tragedy, to the depth of despair and loss of everything as Satan became their “master.” The lives of those men reflect how cruel of a master he is.

What is our relationship with the Savior like? Do we delight to spend time every morning with Him first in reading the Bible and then in blessed fellowship as we pray? Is He the One Who holds all of our expectations? Is Jesus the One Who directs our lives? Is He our everything?

If He is, then when tragedy strikes, it is just that, a tragedy, but not the end of our “life”, so to speak. Life can have some terribly dark moments, but all of them compared to the preciousness of Jesus, become fully bearable in Him. Does our anchor go very, very, deep down to the Rock which can hold us safe when the violent storms of life strike?

In Christ Jesus, Steve

Thank you for your prayers during this past week. We had a wonderful time of sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with many fair-goers during the county fair. We desired to challenge people to evaluate where they would spend eternity. The exciting part about doing balloon animals/creations as well as drinks is that we had an extended period of time to interact. The “crazy hats” required three or more balloons, and due to the heat, the balloons would often pop while we were handling them. It was fun to look a small child in the eye and ask, “Would you like a little cute balloon animal or a big huge crazy hat?” They frequently choose the “big huge crazy hat.” During that time, we would try to bring them to a point of understanding their need of a Savior, and seek to encourage those that were already Christians to evaluate where their walk with the Lord was, or challenge them spiritually however we could.

I could spend alot of time going through how each person contributed and was involved. Melanie was a great blessing and hard worker, she did so much behind the scenes. The Lord has truly blessed me with a diligent, precious wife. John carted drinks in the heat between houses and loaded refrigerators. Everyone went beyond their “comfort” zone to share Christ. Dad and Chris were natural conversationalists with people from all walks, Annie and Sarah handed out drinks, made balloons, and shared Christ. Joseph and John spent time out front offering drinks/balloons to passersby and witnessing as they could. It is amazing how God will gift those within a family for His work.

I haven’t posted evening by evening updates as I wanted this small act of obedience to be done before our Lord (Matthew 6:1-2). He is the audience we are seeking to please. However, we’ve also been grateful for the prayer support and wanted to keep people informed.

Anyone that might be interested in a similar ministry can email us for more information. However, I would caution about first getting a word from the Lord and ensuring His direction. Fairs are places of uninhibited worldliness evidenced by dress (Proverbs 7:10), conduct, and available wares/activities (Pilgrims Progress, http://www.learnthebible.org/c_p_pilgrims_progress_chapter_6.htm). Eyes and hearts must be closely guarded.

We continue to pray that the tracts that are now in so many homes are read and fruit born as a result.

In Christ Jesus,

Nathan

This is Fair week for our County. 7-8 Maxwells are there each evening handing out soft drinks, water and making balloon animals/hats. The Lord has blessed the first two evenings. If you think of it, please remember us in prayer each evening for the remainder of the week. We desire to be bold in sharing the gospel and challenging people to contemplate eternity and where they will spend it.

In Christ Jesus,
Nathan

The Lord appears to be leading Nathan to have a booth at the County Fair again this year. Part of the preparations involves gospel tracts - lots of them. Nathan has asked if I would do some of the tract research and preparations. We would like to have a different tract each night as a primary tract, and feel variety will be even more important this year since we expect a number of visitors to the booth that would have also stopped by last year. 

We have used some of the Living Waters tracts in the past and will use some of them again this year. We have appreciated the Living Waters tracts’ emphasis on the law and repentance, followed by the salvation message In addition, I was wondering if others have tracts that they have found to be effective that you could recommend to us? We are looking for two types. Some that would be for older youth and adults that contain a clear and strong gospel message (we try to avoid the “1-2-3, pray with me” types), along with some that would be appropriate to be given to young children with the balloons we’ll likely be making.

In Christ,
Christopher 

“While I share your faith in the LORD, I wonder whether this act of evangelism is truly the Christian way. I personally interpret the Bible’s message of evangelism to mean living one’s faith every day as an example, hoping that others will follow this example and begin to explore the message of GOD. HE is truly great, and hopefully others will be inspired to follow HIM by their own will, rather than by being preached to or guilted into belief. Every one should learn to love HIM on their own; to be able to find their own way to HIM, because of HIS message of love and forgiveness, not because of a fear of Hell. God Bless,” Blog comment

I thought this comment was too important to simply respond to and that instead it should be a new blog post. If you want to read my post to which this comment refers, here is the link.

Just how clear is the Bible in defining what evangelism really is? How much is left to personal interpretation? Is “lifestyle” evangelism what Jesus commands us to do, or are we to be direct in our appeal for the lost to be saved?

I know of no better way to clarify then to go to Jesus’ own words in Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Jesus used two key words, “go” and “preach.” Go is very clear, and the Greek word for “preach” means to herald or proclaim. Jesus did not say, “Live and let others observe your lifestyle.” He said to go and proclaim the gospel. There would be no need to look at additional verses, but because this is so important, let’s look further.

Jesus often used practical, real-life examples to illustrate spiritual truths. In Matthew 4:19, He said to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” A fisherman’s job is a proactive vocation. If he waited for the fish to jump into his boat because it looked more desirable than the water, the fisherman would starve. Because fish are natural in the water, they will do everything they can to stay in the water. That is why it takes effort on the part of the fisherman to catch fish.

Catching a fish actually involves death for the fish. That is what must happen to real followers of Jesus. That is why He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Real followers of Jesus must die to self, and that is not something that happens easily.

That is why the only way to bring a person to Christ is for him to realize he is headed for hell. That is why the Ten Commandments were given – so man can see that he has broken God’s law and is destined to spend eternity in hell, unless he has a Savior. That is why the Holy Spirit comes to convict men of their sin. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). That is why Jesus told all who are His disciples to “go and preach the gospel.” In hearing, they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin and their need of righteousness because of the coming judgment.

We can learn from those who heard Jesus directly and see how they applied His command to “go and preach the gospel.” Did they go on with their business and hope others would see and want to follow, or were they overt in telling people they were headed for hell? “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” (Acts 3:13). The whole section is great but look at Acts 3:19. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

You might be surprised to learn who promoted “lifestyle evangelism” early on. “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20). Peter and John were commanded by Annas the high priest, Caiaphas and the council not to speak about Jesus. The Greek word for speak means to proclaim. Satan wants believers to be silent and disobey Jesus’ command to “go and preach the gospel.”

The question of “lifestyle evangelism” or Jesus’ command to “go and preach the gospel” can be best answered by Peter and John’s reply to the council. “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19).

I hope this helps make it very clear the sort of evangelism Jesus has commanded us to practice. Everyone reading this has an obligation to their Lord and those they care about. What friend would sit back quietly while someone they cared about was headed for disaster? We must accept that Scripture is very clear when Jesus said we are to “go and preach the gospel”–He meant exactly that.

Life-style evangelism is so much more comfortable, but it is not sanctioned by Scripture. We are commanded to live holy lives, but that is not for evangelism. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

Steve

One of the children took this picture while I was witnessing to a man on a recent trip as we had stopped for diesel.

Teri and I were checking out at Sams when I asked the checker about where she was going to spend eternity. She responded that it would be heaven because of her Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. As we talked it was evident that she was truly saved, and her speech carried with it an excitement and love for the Lord Jesus.

I then asked her a question that I try to ask everyone who professes Jesus as their Savior. I asked her if she read her Bible every day. The conversation then took a turn that surprised Teri and me. She said how she has been in church since she was a child and heard every sermon there was to hear. Without directly saying it, she was saying that she didn’t feel she needed to read the Bible every day.

I encouraged her that just like physical food we need to daily partake of spiritual food. That is why God gave us His Word so that we could daily feed our souls. To our amazement, she became defensive about it even though my words were gentle and non-accusatory. By her response, it was evident she would not receive this form of “encouragement” so I let it drop and wished her a good day since we had finished paying. It is one thing for her to be convinced she would gain nothing from reading her Bible every day, but something entirely different in becoming defensive about it.

We are so blessed living in this country during this time to have the availability of God’s Word. May we never get to a point of thinking we have “arrived” and no longer need a daily time in our prayer closet with the Lord and His Word. It is so easy to be set a-drift following wrong doctrine and all manner of way of life, if we aren’t reading the Bible ourselves.

Each of us is filling our minds daily. The question is, “With what?” If her family is like the vast majority of professing believers, she is finding plenty of time for other things, most of which will not be beneficial for her family’s souls. May we be like the Bereans. “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:10-12).

On Saturday, the boys, Grandad, and I went to the homeless shelter to minister. Another brother from the area joined us because he wanted to be in on our noon chapel service. Since the temperatures were in the mid-teens, we expected a full house, and we weren’t disappointed. There was likely 150 men or so packed into that room.

Nathan led singing; Christopher played the piano and preached. We brought our instruments and sang a hymn (Whosoever Will), bluegrass style for the men. They really love the happy sound of the bluegrass music as we play a well-known hymn for them each time we go.

After the chapel service, the older ones will spread out and speak with the men. Most people have an idea of the type of men who would be at a rescue mission. Last month I spoke with two past drug dealers. They had finally gotten caught and quit “dealin,” but they spoke rather proudly of their past accomplishments. As one would expect they were not established in Jesus. However, I believe you would be very surprised in the other type of people who are living at homeless shelters as represented by those I spoke to this week.

The first was a professional musician, and I’m not talking about someone who played jazz in bars. He played the upright bass for a symphony in two towns. Music was his life, and he was brilliant. I’m confident, not only was his IQ way above mine, but so was his education. Yet, all of that meant nothing because he had an appetite for an illegal substance. He claimed to have placed his faith in Jesus, but it was not in the Jesus of the Bible. Before I was saved I had an intellectual knowledge of Jesus being the Son of God, but I had not seen myself as a sinner, repented of my sin and placed my faith in Jesus and what He did for me on the cross. This man’s “faith” resembled mine before I as saved. Therefore he continued to be a slave to his sin because he didn’t have the desire to forsake his drugs nor the power of God in his life. He called drugs his crutch.

The other man surprised me greatly. He was very gentle and humble and seemed to reflect a heart depending on Jesus, which was also his confession. He was a degreed engineer and about my age. Yet, he had struggled also with drugs and alcohol, but was clean for the last 6 months. This man had the power to be free, the issue was whether he would continue to use it. He acknowledged that he had used drugs because he was lonely, and it was a choice.

I praise God for organizations that give men food and a place to stay off the street. There are a lot of hurting people out there. There are also a lot of hurting people in the church. Some are there just acting the part, with no relationship with Jesus and a slave to private sin. Others are there who are saved and have the power of God, but won’t choose to use it. They squander their lives on the pleasures of this world. Those pleasures may be legal, but they are not edifying and result in wasted lives, when they could have had an impact on our world. Then there are others, few in number, who are willing to be living sacrifices, forgoing the pleasures of our world so as to invest in others. Oh God, please bless them, strengthen them, and enable them to be about the great commission as the Lord Jesus has commanded us. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Steve

Some have asked for more information about the “million dollar bill” tract, as well as the “good person test.”

We bought the million dollar bill tracts from Ray Comfort’s ministry, at LivingWaters.com. The front of the “tract” looks very realistically like a million dollar bill (although there is no such thing as a “real” million dollar bill); on the back, around the edge in small print, is a short gospel message (we usually like to combine the Million Dollar Bill with a more detailed tract when giving them away). While you are visiting LivingWaters.com we would recommend you watch Ray Comfort’s teaching titled “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” as well as “True and False Conversion.” (free online videos)

The principle of the “good person test” has long been used in evangelism, but we came to know of it through Ray Comfort’s Living Waters ministry. The idea is that it is crucial for a sinner to start out realizing that, in God’s eyes, we are not a “good person.” The “good person” test isn’t a script that must be followed, but more of a principle, and yet we’re amazed at how often the test follows the same pattern.

In talking with someone at the Fair there were a number of ways to bring up the Good Person test. Perhaps we were handing them a tract that was titled “Are You a Good Person?” Or, we’d hand them a million dollar bill, and then say that it was a gospel tract and had a variation of the Good Person test on the back. We’d ask if they have ever taken the Good Person test before. The usual response was that they hadn’t.

First question of the test is to ask if they consider themselves to be a good person? Proverbs 20:6 tells us how most will answer: “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness…” We then generally ask if it is OK to ask them a few questions to see if that is true, or we’ll go straight into the commandments. Are they familiar with the ten commandments? Most will say that they are, but that they can’t name them all. That’s OK – as we’ll only be looking at a few of them J

The 9th commandment: have they ever told a lie? Most will admit that they have. Ask what they are called if they tell lies. Most will say “human” or a “sinner” – but the right response starts with the letter “L” and isn’t the word “loser” (the right answer: “liar”). I’ll also admit to having told lies and, hence, being a liar. It only takes one lie for a person to become a liar.

The 8th commandment: have they ever stolen anything? Irregardless of the value: a cookie from their parents, a toy from a friend, something from a brother or sister. Most will admit to having stolen something. Ask what they are called if they’ve stolen in the past. Common response is a “stealer”, but the correct word is “thief”.

The 3rd commandment: have they ever taken God’s name in vain? Again, most everyone will readily admit to this. No one will likely know what this “sin” is labeled, so you can share with them that doing so is called blasphemy, and that God says He will not hold anyone guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.)

Sometimes we’ll cover the 6th or 7th commandments. You can either ask them if they have broken them (do not murder, do not commit adultery), or go straight into the “heart application” of the commandments (anger is equated to murder of the heart, and lust is equated to adultery of the heart). Most will admit to these.

The entire time it’s important to make sure one is sharing in love. Many people will often be laughing and having a good time going through the commandments. Generally, I will admit my guilt (I’ve broken every one of God’s commandments, if not in action I’ve done it in my heart) along with the person. Things generally become a bit more serious as you proceed from here.

You then summarize the person’s condition: “While you might seem like a good person compared to others around you, in God’s eyes, and based on your own admission, He would see you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer, and adulterer at heart.” They will agree with what you say, because you are sharing in love and they have already admitted those things to you.

Next question is, “If you were to die, and God judged you based on the ten commandments, as He says He will, would you be innocent or guilty?” You’ll be amazed at how many people will say “Innocent” – and you can then remind them that they just admitted to breaking every commandment you asked them about. The goal is for them to see themselves as God sees them and to acknowledge they would be “Guilty.”

The final question is, “Would you then go to heaven or hell?” The majority will say “Hell” – and you can ask if it concerns them. A good portion will say “Heaven”, or “I don’t know.” From there, you need to share as the Holy Spirit leads. Perhaps asking why they would go to heaven. If they don’t have a good reason, maybe a Scripture or two demonstrates God judges those who break His commandments (Revelations 21:8 is a wonderful verse to illustrate the danger of hell for everyone who has broken the 9th commandment, “but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.).

Each opportunity to share is different… We’re amazed at how many professing believers will answer that they are headed for hell. The proper response for a believer would be to say that God would judge them as guilty, but they would be headed for heaven. When asked “why?”, they should say “Because I have repented of my sin and am trusting in the blood of Jesus for my salvation.”

That, in a nutshell, is the “good person test.”

In Christ,
Christopher

What an amazing week it turned out to be. We ended the week feeling a bit drained, yet praising the Lord for the strength He provided us throughout the week – and Sunday was truly a wonderful day of worship and rest.

Friday night and Saturday were much busier and seemed to blur together somewhat. We ended up staying quite late Friday night, but the Carnival was open late as well. Saturday morning most of us went to the Mission and were there until mid-afternoon. Sarah went with Nathan and Melanie out to the Fair around lunch time – but things were very quiet until the evening. We joined them around 6:00p.m.

The temperature Friday evening was much more moderate (especially once the sun had set). Saturday was quite warm, but nothing like Wednesday.

We probably gave out about 750 sodas/waters Friday evening, and a similar quantity on Saturday. It became even harder to hand out “new” tracts to people that had been by a number of times during the week – but it was good as we recognized them to have more opportunities to share one-on-one. In fact, I felt that Friday and Saturday were the best nights for one-on-one sharing.

I kept doing balloons each night and did hundreds of additional balloons. Nathan helped with pumping them up and tying some of them to give my fingertips a break (and speed things up!). It can be a challenge to keep rolling along quickly when you have a group of 5~10 children (and their parents) waiting for balloons. But, the parents (and children) that were waiting for balloon provided good opportunities for conversations.

I can recall several instances of being able to share with people about their salvation. One teenage boy started by asking about dinosaurs in the Bible, and after we talked about that we moved onto salvation. He seemed typical of so many we spoke with: he admitted that he didn’t truly know the Lord (despite having prayed a prayer when he was younger and occasionally attending church). We talked about the missing part of salvation in his life: repentance (not only feeling badly about sin and confessing it, but turning from it); and how the Bible never says to “accept Jesus” but to “repent and believe on Jesus.” He hadn’t given control of his life to Jesus. You could see the Spirit working in his heart. I gave him a Gospel of John at the end of our conversation.

Friday night I enjoyed an opportunity to talk with a “goth” couple. They had walked by the booth a number of times throughout the week and refused the offer of free soda’s. Finally, late Friday night, when I offered them a balloon they stopped and said “sure.” Turns out the girl had young twin sisters and was interested in two identical balloons for them - and they accepted sodas and tracts while they were there.

We haven’t figured out the totals for the week, but I would guess about 2,000~2,500 sodas/waters, perhaps 4,000 gospel tracts, and likely had opportunity to share individually with several hundred people.

We believe that one of the biggest keys to the Lord’s blessing throughout the week was the fact that we were not affiliated with any church, and that we were not “bankrolled” by a church’ advertising/evangelism budget. Quite a few people asked us what church we were with, and we’d say we were just a family that had a desire to share the gospel. People were genuinely surprised that we would invest in such a project without having as a goal the building of a church’s membership roll.

As a final example of how the Lord so tremendously blessed during the week, I would love to share an amazing story, but am limited because this isn’t an anonymous blog. Suffice it to say, it was a perfect example of how the Holy Spirit works in hearts. A young person that had been watching us closely throughout the week, at one point came up to one of us and was asking questions about salvation, and sharing how the Lord had been working in their heart! They had been broken by what they heard and observed.

In Christ,
Christopher

And now – here are the promised photos!

Jesse, Mary, and Anna stamped thousands of tracts with the FamiliesForJesus.com web site address:

Here is Dad, Nathan, Melanie, Sarah, John, and myself at our booth
(Joseph took the picture):

Here is our booth from the back. We had a table at the back for stacking tracts and Bibles, and would resupply our aprons from there. We used Home Depot aprons for this year, but if we do a Fair outreach again we’ll cover up the Home Depot logo We put the coolers on little plastic patio furniture stands. You can see the carnival in the background:

Here I am making a balloon bumble bee and talking with a young fellow:

Here is a series of photos showing John giving out a tract. If you look closely (it’s a bit hard to tell since the sun was on the two pieces of paper right then), you’ll notice that in the first photo the John has asked the boy which piece looked larger, and he is pointing to the blue one (on the left). In the second photo, John has swapped the tracts around and now the pink one appears larger. The third photo shows John explaining that they are gospel tracts (the writing is on the back side) and he’s giving them the tracts. Notice the young boy on the far right with the big smile. The pink/blue tracts came from Ray Comfort’s Ministry (LivingWaters.com):

(more information about the “million dollar bill” and the “good person test” coming up next)…

Jesse, Mary, and Anna were a key part to the fair last week. They stamped thousands of tracts with the FamiliesforJesus.com website. Thank you for investing all those hours, Jesse, Mary, and Anna. You guys did an incredible job!

Friday night was another successful night at the fair. As the nights progressed, we recognized quite a few people who came back each night to get something cold to drink. We worked at giving them a new tract and asking them if they had read the one we had given them the night before.

One girl in particular called me her friend. I had taken a minute to go across the “path” to take pictures of our booth when I saw her. We chatted for a few minutes. She professes to be a Christian. I was able to take it further and talk to her and her friend about purity. They seemed quite amazed that I was twenty-four and had never been on a date. Dad said he could see the conviction on their faces. I was very excited to be able to share with them.

I think probably the most heart-wrenching thing for me was Friday night. We were getting ready to leave, and several were still witnessing. John was talking to a preacher’s son (mid-teens). Suddenly, I heard a noise, and I turned around. The guy had thrown down his soda, which exploded, and he angrily walked off. I can still see his figure walking off into the dark night. My heart ached. Here he was—a pastor’s child but not saved. Obviously he was feeling too convicted and left. I couldn’t keep the tears back as I looked at the exploded Pepsi can, the stark reminder of this young man’s turmoil.

Saturday morning, Dad, Christopher, Joseph, and John went to the City Union Mission in inner downtown Kansas City where the guys have a church service once-a-month and hand out homemade cookies (thanks Mom, Anna, Jesse, and Mary for making them Friday night!). I went with Nathan and Melanie to the fair. It was very hot but quiet Saturday afternoon. I saw Jesus’ purpose. A girl in a booth near us, came over to talk to Melanie and I about spiritual things. Since it was so quiet, we were able to spend quite awhile talking to her. It was obvious the girl was feeling very convicted! I pray she will accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Saturday early evening, Dad and the boys joined us. The fair traffic picked up, and we gave out tons of sodas and tracts!

Only when we’re in Heaven will reveal the effects of this last week! It was incredible!

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Only for Jesus,
Sarah   

We had another incredible evening at the local County Fair. We weren’t sure what to expect yesterday (Thursday) evening because there were a number of rain showers that were moving into the area as evening approached. We usually arrive at the Fair between 5:30 and 6:00 – and sure enough, it started to rain at our house about 5:00!

We have been trusting the weather to the Lord, and while we know hot and humid will make people more thirty, rainy and cooler will hopefully give more time to share with each person that stops by.  (and that turned out to be somewhat the case: even though we gave out less sodas and water, we still had a lot of opportunities to share one-on-one or even one with several)

We setup the awning while it continued to sprinkle, and were encouraged to see quite a few people were at the Fair. Thursday evening was “wristband night” at the Carnival: for $15 you could buy a wristband which would let you ride as many rides as you wanted to. Since we were right across from the Carnival, we had a good amount of traffic by, and to, the booth, despite the cooler temperatures and the rain sprinkles.

As I’ve been doing the other evenings I would stand just in front of the booth and make balloon animals and hats for children. It’s been a great tool for attracting attention and bringing more people to the booth.

By about 8:30 the rain had stopped and the setting sun was visible. Throughout the evening I believe we gave out between 200 and 300 sodas or waters. About 500 tracts were probably given out. We’ve had to work a bit harder at having a variety of tracts available in our work apron pockets as some of the people have stopped by each evening of the Fair. Instead of simply handing them a tract with the soda, we’ll ask “Did you get one of these yet?” If they say “yes”, the natural question is “did you read it?” And we’re then able to hand them a different tract and perhaps discuss the previous tract (if they read it).

Because traffic by the booth was a bit slower Thursday evening, we stayed a little later than we have the other evening. One thing we have noticed is the way the crowd changes as the evening gets later: less and less young children with their parents and more teenagers.

As the carnival was shutting down, the rest of the family took down the awning and began transporting the coolers to the loading zone, while I kept making some balloons. Normally, the teenagers weren’t as interested in balloons, but for some reason a group of them showed up as I had been finishing a balloon for a younger child and they all wanted one.

I spent the next forty-five minutes (from about 10:30 to 11:15) making balloons and sharing the gospel with a number of teenagers. It was incredible how open they were. In sharing about heaven and hell and the quick test one can take to know where they will go (the “good person” test) with one group of young people (I think there were about 5 at that time), they all acknowledged breaking God’s Commandments (in particular, we talked about lying, stealing, and taking God’s name in vain) and that they were headed for hell. With one girl, you could see the Spirit was truly convicting her heart – especially based on the questions she was asking. I shared the Gospel with them, as well as a number of very detailed tracts (which they promised to read).

One of the young people (this was a different group of five or six that were also open) shared that she had tried to commit suicide awhile back, that her father was in jail for drugs, and her mother lived in another state. A teenage boy shared how his friend had died about a month earlier. A number of the young people said they would stop back by our booth on Friday night for a soda and to talk some more.

We’ve been thanking the Lord for the opportunities He has given to share – and for putting this outreach idea on Nathan’s heart (just think of all the past years that we weren’t seeking to share at – and of all the Fairs across the nation that have no one on-site to share the Gospel!). Although it is not a particularly pleasant project: the expense, the logistics of cooling and transporting so much soda/water, the hassle of setting up and tearing down each evening, the drive time, the hot and muggy weather, and, on top of that, the way people choose to dress. The younger children in our family have been staying at home these evenings, while Dad, Nathan, Melanie, Sarah, Joseph, John, and myself are at the Fair.

We’re looking forward to this evening (Friday). It will be VERY hot and muggy (humidity is about 60%, and the temperature is expected to be in the upper 90’s), and we’re expecting the largest crowd yet (considering it rained on Thursday, and that Friday night is a popular night anyways). Please remember us in prayer.

In Christ,
Christopher

PS - We are still planning on getting a “full booth” photo that shows our setup. We’ll try for that shot tonight.

The Lord tremendously blessed us once again at the Fair yesterday evening. Close to 600 sodas or waters were given out. The van’s temperature gauge showed 104 degree’s as we arrived at the Fair (and the sun was still shining!). However, the heat is a blessing as it results in people being more thirsty.

Last night was the parade night. We could see a portion of the parade from where we were located. We are still grateful for our location, as almost everyone had to walk past us to get to the parade area, and then had to walk back past us when the parade was over. During the parade, the booth was a bit slow. As soon as it was over, we were absolutely mobbed.

We gave out close to 1,000 tracts, and had opportunities to talk with a number of people one-on-one. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will be working in hearts as people take the tracts home and read them later.

Included are some photos from the booth… We’ll try to get a photo of the entire booth at some point this evening…

In Christ Jesus,

Joseph Maxwell

Dad, taking drink orders.

John, handing a million dollar bill to a man.

Sarah, waiting to help someone.

Nathan, going through the “Good Person” test.