We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them. ~ Al Baker
Al Baker - Update on Second Day of Preaching at the World Games
Eight of us gathered on Friday to preach at the Plaza and Legacy Arena for various athletic competitions. The crowds were pretty slim yesterday though today should be much bigger. That's because Sumo wrestling is to occur today at the Boutwell Auditorium. This event is sold out. I guess lots of people want to see this one. We have men there this morning and afternoon to cover both sessions of the event.
As we preached yesterday I was once again struck by the apathy of most people as we proclaim the excellencies of Christ, the One and only Savior. I saw no hostility or antagonism. Mostly what I saw was indifference. We warn people of impending judgment in hell if they do not repent, but that does not seem to cause them any angst at all. We proclaim the wonder of sins forgiven and the hope of eternal life in heaven and this seems to do nothing for them either. Why is that? Because they are dead in the sins. Dead people have no hunger, no thirst, no conscience.
The common problem, it seems to me, of many street preachers is to become hardened to the apathy of the people on the street, to fall back on the doctrine of election and say, "Well, I guess they are not elect. There is nothing I can do about it." Paul the apostle laid down marvelous truth about election, "God hardens whom He desires and He softens whom He desires. Yet he then says that he has great sorrow and unceasing grief for his kinsman the Jews.
I was once doing door to door evangelism with Paul Golden and Paul presented the gospel to an older woman who seemed to be really be tracking with Paul as he spoke of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. We both thought she would call on the name of the Lord to save her. When Paul asked if she would like to do so, she politely said, "No." As we moved to the next door I saw Paul begin to weep. Paul Golden believes in election but he also has a burden for souls. Pray that we will not become hardened but have the love of Jesus on our hearts, on our faces, in our eyes, and in our voices as we preach the gospel today.
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