Chronicles of a Fisher of men

World Cup Evangelism

2010-06-10T14:03:00.008+02:00

Catch all the Evangelism outreach chronicles at Luke 9:23 Evangelism.

A Fun Picture

2010-06-10T13:50:00.004+02:00

Can the South African national soccer team 'Bafana Bafana' (The Boys) win the World Cup? Here is a photo doing its rounds that depicts one way ...

World Cup Flags in Johannesburg

2010-06-10T13:38:00.008+02:00

Luke 9:23 Evangelism posts

2010-06-10T13:23:00.004+02:00

The World Cup kick-off is less than a day away. Evangelists - both local and from abroad - are ready to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the multitudes who are coming to idol worship at the stadia-shrines around South Africa.

Here are some chronicles posted at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

* Christians Head to World Cup to Evangelize Soccer Fans. There is an interview that appears in Charisma Magazine.

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part I)

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part II)

* Chronicles of some fishers of men (Part III)

Jerusalem Posters Call for 3rd Temple

2010-05-21T13:26:00.007+02:00

Here is a website called The Jerusalem Connection Report. Here is an article by Abe Selig, Jerusalem Post (please excuse the p- word at the end of the article). The Daniel Prophecy?

Here under are also two petitions to consider signing -

Petition 1

Petition 2

Free iPhone App Could Revolutionize World Evangelism

2010-05-20T14:08:00.005+02:00

Contact: Trisha Ramos, Living Waters Publications, 800-437-1893

MEDIA ADVISORY, May 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- In our pluralistic society, few people have to travel to a foreign mission field to find those of other faiths who speak another language. Neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces are filled with people of different religions who need to hear the gospel--but often can't, because they don't speak English. But a new app for iPods, iPhones, and iPads, called the GM28, now makes it possible for Christians to witness to them in their own native tongue, without having to learn the language.

Produced by Living Waters, the ministry of evangelist Ray Comfort, the app can be freely downloaded to an iPhone, iPod or iPad, and presents the gospel using an interactive questionnaire. According to Comfort, the app was birthed out of a frustration of not being able to witness to those who didn't speak English. "It's very simple to use, and it really works," Comfort said. "The first time I tried it, I shared the entire gospel with someone who didn't speak a lick of English, and he completely understood every word!" Currently available in 10 languages, Living Waters' goal is to have the gospel translated into 100 languages.

GM stands for "Gospel Mate" and the 28 is from Acts 2:8 ("And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?"). Whether trying to reach the lost in our own nation, or serving as a missionary overseas, anyone can now present the gospel in another language, and it is free and is as simple as pressing a button.

To download this free app go to www.theGM28.com.

FREE Witnessing Ringtone

2010-05-20T13:38:00.005+02:00

Here is a FREE Witnessing Ringtone. You can read more at this Link.

Ray Comfort Classics ... watch for more coming soon ...

Morning Reading ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010-05-19T07:35:00.001+02:00

“I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” Ecclesiastes 10:7

Upstarts frequently usurp the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so common a fact, that none of us should murmur if it should fall to our own lot. When our Lord was upon earth, although he is the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet he walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants: what wonder is it if his followers, who are princes of the blood, should also be looked down upon as inferior and contemptible persons? The world is upside down, and therefore, the first are last and the last first. See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they lift up their horn on high! Haman is in the court, while Mordecai sits in the gate; David wanders on the mountains, while Saul reigns in state; Elijah is complaining in the cave while Jezebel is boasting in the palace; yet who would wish to take the places of the proud rebels? and who, on the other hand, might not envy the despised saints? When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time.

Let us not fall into the error of letting our passions and carnal appetites ride in triumph, while our nobler powers walk in the dust. Grace must reign as a prince, and make the members of the body instruments of righteousness. The Holy Spirit loves order, and he therefore sets our powers and faculties in due rank and place, giving the highest room to those spiritual faculties which link us with the great King; let us not disturb the divine arrangement, but ask for grace that we may keep under our body and bring it into subjection. We were not new created to allow our passions to rule over us, but that we, as kings, may reign in Christ Jesus over the triple kingdom of spirit, soul, and body, to the glory of God the Father.

Morning Reading ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010-05-12T13:47:00.003+02:00

“And will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of himself to his people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who could testify the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, such as no mere reading or hearing could afford. In the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of his person; yea, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though they were well nigh on the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun. Especial manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer’s heart. One effect will be humility. If a man says, “I have had such-and-such spiritual communications, I am a great man,” he has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for “God hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” He does not need to come near them to know them, and will never give them any visits of love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God’s presence there are pleasures for evermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess a great deal; but we must not believe any one unless we see that his deeds answer to what he says. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” He will not bestow his favours upon the wicked: for while he will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he respect an evil doer. Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to thee, Christian!

Morning Reading ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010-05-11T07:49:00.002+02:00

“I am with you alway.” Matthew 28:20

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides forever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places forever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Evangelism – Letter #3

2010-05-10T13:08:00.013+02:00

Dear Brethren

We write this letter with 31 days to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ kick-off of the opening ceremony and match between the host nation South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Preparations have been made and it is by God’s provident grace that we see His Hand in all that has come together during our administration.

We started out about a year ago just after the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™ and our prayer at that time, and since, has been for brethren to labour with us at the 2010 event (Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2). It has been amazing and all praise and glory to our Living God who has brought brethren together to labour and make commitments to labour in His harvest fields. Brethren who we have only known through the electronic media, like FaceBook and the blogging-sphere, have connected and met with each other: praying, fellowshipping, laboring and eating together as the early Church did after Pentecost (Acts 2:43-47). The verse that speaks volumes is Acts 2:44:

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (my emphasis).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is building His Church and when He builds there will be no confusion as to what is True and there will be no division between believers. God brings His children together which speak the same Truth and their desires, passions and obedience is common – it is the same. Our God is not a god of confusion. Hallelujah.

At the outset in 2009 there appeared to be few labourers, but God has brought the labourers together and still the numbers are growing – labourers like Bill Adams and Jason Karroll (both USA), Nigel Titus (Cape Town, legintitus@gmail.co.za or 083 642 4454), Vincent Piater (Empangeni, who will be travelling up to Gauteng with Gary), Glenn Smith (Durban, glenn@brandmasterpromo.co.za or 073 192 9399), and Ben Janse van Vuuren (Bloemfontein, who will be conducting some training on 15th May 2010 for a group in Bloemfontein in the Free State Province – contact him on benvanvuuren@mtnloaded.co.za or 083 233 9225) together with their teams of evangelists (which names are not all known at this time – we thank you for your passion to reach the lost and obedience to Christ Jesus) have been brought together with a common cause – to take the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the various nations coming to South Africa. Then there is Brother Syd Warren from Centurion, Tshwane/Pretoria who will also be laboring with us in the greater Gauteng / North West area and he will also be conducting ‘The Way of the Master’ boot-camp at the Bethel Chapel, Pretoria (Gauteng Province) on 22nd May 2010 from 9am – 1pm (for more information visit their website or contact Syd on Email or (012) 653 1368) where he fellowships – training laborers in the Biblical proclamation of the Gospel – and we will also be networking with Michael Sischy from the ‘Jews For Jesus’ ministry in Johannesburg. I met Michael in Pietermaritzburg at a Hayfield Baptist Church meeting where I was only visiting in March 2010 and he was conducting a sermon ‘Jesus in the Passover.’ It was there that I found out that Michael Sischy had met Bill Adams (SFOI) at a conference in Moreleter Park, Pretoria during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™ (where I had chauffeured Bill) and that he would be laboring with an evangelistic team also at the World Cup. Praise God for these divinely appointed meetings!

During this time we have also been blessed of our Lord Jesus Christ, where Brother Ray Comfort and the family at Living Waters have graciously partnered with the Luke 9:23 Evangelism and Sports Fan Outreach International ministries by giving us a gift of specially commissioned Million Euro Bill Gospel Tracts with football (soccer) caricatures on them and with the presentation of the Gospel in Portuguese, German, Italian, French and English. It is a blessing when one receives emails from far a field as South Korea, like this one (it has been censored to withhold certain classified information, and shortened):

Good Morning,

I am a (Christian) Canadian English teacher living in South Korea, where I have met many US Military personnel and one particular brother is leaving to visit his hometown of Sierra Leone for the South African World Cup in June. After receiving the Way of the Weekly Update, I noticed that you guys were giving away World Cup gospel tracts. I went to the link but could not find anything pertaining to this situation.

I am not sure if you are sending tracts from the US or they already have them in South Africa, but if you could send some to the soldier's address, he said that he would be more than happy to give out tracts.

Actually, he also said that he took the Way of the Master course sometime back.

Here is his mailing address:
(Name withheld)
(Address withheld)

In Christ,

Brian (Surname withheld)
(City withheld), South Korea

At this time we are still working out the logistics of tract distribution to the various centers around South Africa where established teams of evangelists are ready to hit the streets. Although we would love to send tracts to various nations at this time it would be prudent, discerning and wise to focus our attention, prayers and resources to the mission field at hand. Should the soldier be in South Africa during the World Cup we request that he contact us to labour in our Lord’s harvest.

We would also ask that you remember our dear brother Thomas Nunes who has gone on to glory. Brother Bill Adams has written the following in remembrance of our brother in Christ.

OBITUARY

Brother Thomas Nunes passed on Tuesday morning, April 13th, 2010 at 1:33 AM. He had been sick with pancreatic cancer & essentially bed ridden for six months & as I spent the last week of his life with him he was taking large amounts of pain killer still. He was very thin & was unable to speak. It was sad to see such a former soldier for Christ in this state but we know of the promise of a new glorified body.

Thomas & I had spent quite a bit of time together over the last year including our journey to Johannesburg for the '09 Confederations Cup. He was easy & a joy to be with. He demonstrated a love for God that most of us would like to exhibit; he was tireless on the streets & grateful for his salvation. Perhaps the Confederations Cup was the best time of ministry personally as he returned to the continent from which he was from to preach & as the Lord would have many Zimbabwean refugees – Thomas although of Indian decent was a native of Zimbabwe – were in downtown Joburg, as we preached there.

Yes, Thomas was able to return to his earthly home & declare his faith before he was called to his eternal home. I think all of us on that journey, Gary Crous, Willem Pretorius & me, had a special bond & Thomas will be missed when we reconvene Lord willing June 17, 2010.

Thomas continued to preach from the end of June '09 until October '09 before he fell ill. We had wonderful journeys to the MLB All-Star weekend in St. Louis & Knoxville, TN for college football both trips where six of us had the chance to fellowship with Thomas for an extended time & enjoy his delightful presence.

May we take a moment to remember this faithful brother & then go out in victory to proclaim Christ. That's what he would've done & would've wanted us to do.

----- ooo -----

Here are also Schedules for the missions taking place in –

Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria) / North West Provinces (Rustenburg):
Contact Gary Crous at 072 221 1233

Western Cape Province (Cape Town):
Contact Nigel Titus at 083 642 4454

We ask that you kindly keep the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer making prayerful intercession for your Brethren in the harvest field for protection, discernment, wisdom, understanding and knowledge and we also pray for the Holy Spirit to work miracles by calling the elect to repentance and faith. May all the work we are involved in be of Almighty God and that we set aside our own will and desires. Allow God to use us to Glorify Himself and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in and through His Holy Spirit for the extension of His Kingdom. Let us worship our God in obedience to Him.

In Christ’s Service until He returns

Morning Reading ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010-05-10T07:34:00.002+02:00

“But now is Christ risen from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that “Christ is risen from the dead;” for, “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain: ye are yet in your sins.” The divinity of Christ finds its surest proof in his resurrection, since he was “Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” It would not be unreasonable to doubt his deity if he had not risen. Moreover, Christ’s sovereignty depends upon his resurrection, “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” Again, our justification, that choice blessing of the covenant, is linked with Christ’s triumphant victory over death and the grave; for “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Nay, more, our very regeneration is connected with his resurrection, for we are “Begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for, “If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” If Christ be not risen, then shall we not rise; but if he be risen then they who are asleep in Christ have not perished, but in their flesh shall surely behold their God. Thus, the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer’s blessings, from his regeneration onwards to his eternal glory, and binds them together. How important then will this glorious fact be in his estimation, and how will he rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established, that “now is Christ risen from the dead”!

“The promise is fulfill'd,
Redemption’s work is done,
Justice with mercy’s reconciled,
For God has raised his Son.”

It's getting Dangerous Out There

2010-05-07T13:27:00.006+02:00

We are witnessing the constriction of Christian speech and the criminalizing of Christian ministry. The Bible clearly condemns homosexual behaviors, and the Christian church has been clear about this teaching for twenty centuries. But now, the statement that homosexuality is a sin can land a preacher in jail.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

We have seen this coming for some time now. The public space has been closing, especially when it comes to Christian speech — and especially when that speech is about homosexuality. Read more at AlbertMohler.com

A Christian street preacher was arrested and locked in a cell for telling a passer-by that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God. ~ By Heidi Blake. Read the report that appeared on Sunday May 2, 2010 at this link: 'Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin'.

Morning Reading ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010-05-07T07:43:00.004+02:00

“Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.” Matthew 12:15

What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under the eye of Jesus! Yet we read not that he was disgusted, but patiently waited on every case. What a singular variety of evils must have met at his feet! What sickening ulcers and putrefying sores! Yet he was ready for every new shape of the monster evil, and was victor over it in every form. Let the arrow fly from what quarter it might, he quenched its fiery power. The heat of fever, or the cold of dropsy; the lethargy of palsy, or the rage of madness; the filth of leprosy, or the darkness of ophthalmia—all knew the power of his word, and fled at his command. In every corner of the field he was triumphant over evil, and received the homage of delivered captives. He came, he saw, he conquered everywhere. It is even so this morning. Whatever my own case may be, the beloved Physician can heal me; and whatever may be the state of others whom I may remember at this moment in prayer, I may have hope in Jesus that he will be able to heal them of their sins. My child, my friend, my dearest one, I can have hope for each, for all, when I remember the healing power of my Lord; and on my own account, however severe my struggle with sins and infirmities, I may yet be of good cheer. He who on earth walked the hospitals, still dispenses his grace, and works wonders among the sons of men: let me go to him at once in right earnest.

Let me praise him, this morning, as I remember how he wrought his spiritual cures, which bring him most renown. It was by taking upon himself our sicknesses. “By his stripes we are healed.” The Church on earth is full of souls healed by our beloved Physician; and the inhabitants of heaven itself confess that “He healed them all.” Come, then, my soul, publish abroad the virtue of his grace, and let it be “to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off.”

Go Stand Speak

2010-04-30T13:18:00.006+02:00

I came across the website Go Stand Speak: The Forgotten Power of the Public Proclamation of the Gospel.

"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." Acts 5:20

The DVD is on my wish list. Please click on the small buttons below the main video screen on their website and be bold. Go. Stand. Speak.

'The Way of the Master' Evangelism Boot Camp in Gauteng

2010-04-30T13:04:00.004+02:00

Leading up to the FIFA World Cup™ Evangelism Outreach taking place around South Africa, Brother Syd Warren from Centurion, Pretoria – in connection with the church where he fellowships, Bethel Chapel - will be running an evangelism boot camp at their premises to train up evangelists in a ‘Crash Course’ in ‘The Way of the Master’ Biblical Evangelism. Syd has invited folk from their church and any other evangelists or brethren who would like to learn to step out of their ‘comfort zone’ and take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world to consider attending.

For more information on the evangelism boot camp – and what to expect – please visit Bethel Chapel’s Evangelism web page.

The particulars for the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday 22 May 2010

Time: 9am-1pm (Lunch will be provided)

Place: Bethel Chapel, 621 Beagle Road, Garsfontein, X13, Pretoria (Gauteng Province)

Directions: See the Map

Contact Syd Warren at Email or (012) 6531368 for further information and to confirm.

Team members of ‘The Way of the Master’ Ministry who would like to put together Evangelism Boot Camps in the provinces leading up to our outreach please contact Gary Crous at gary@gdlk.co.za with particulars in order to advertise timeously.

Read more about this outreach at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog.

Living Waters Weekly Update ~ The World Cup Outreach

2010-04-21T13:12:00.005+02:00

Here is a portion of the Weekly Update by Ray Comfort of Living Waters.

The World Cup Outreach

Thanks to Paul Clarkson (one of our talented caricaturists), we now have World Cup Soccer Million Euro Bill tracts in stock. These come in Portuguese, French, German, English and Italian… each bill with that country’s most recognizable soccer star on the front. And thanks to the generosity of donors, we were in a position to send more than 100,000 tracts as a gift to our South African brethren who are reaching out to the millions that will attend the event. (This ministry’s website has further details on the outreach.) Please keep this in prayer.

The Revival Hymn

2010-03-26T15:34:00.000+02:00

Idol Worship

2010-03-25T13:37:00.006+02:00

When you think of worshiping idols, what comes to your mind? Golden calves? Giant statues? Here's a sobering look from The Skit Guys at what we often look like when we bow down to our own idols.

This video shows clearly why we go to sporting events to proclaim Christ -

Please join us this winter at the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ in South Africa

Ergun Caner

2010-03-25T13:03:00.004+02:00

Ergun Caner, the dean of Liberty Baptist Seminary, is a former Muslim and discusses coming to know Jesus.

YHWH vs. Allah

2010-03-19T13:13:00.010+02:00

DISCLAIMER: Certain of the material I received I was unable to copy in a format capable to be placed on this blog. The relevant information and links which are found here are adequate for the relevant message being conveyed.

YHWH vs. AntiChrist
________________________________

YHWH, God of the Bible

Anti-YHWH → Allah the moon god of Arabia, denies the Godship of YHWH and sets itself up as god in the place of YHWH. In the Koran commands the killing and destruction of all the YHWH worshippers (Jews and Christians)(people of kitab) 164 times
________________________________

YAHUSHUA THE MESSIAH Son of YHWH(His first coming)

Anti-YAHUSHUA the saviour → Mohammed the prophet of Allah
________________________________

Bible, the Word of YHWH

Anti-Bible → Koran
________________________________

YAHUSHUA THE MESSIAH, the Judge and King, Son of YHWH (His second coming)

Anti-YAHUSHUA the king → AI MAHDI. ISA the expected final imam of Islam who will kill all the Jews and Christians and force every one to worship Allah and take the sign of Allah
________________________________

 Allah is not the generic word in Arabic for God. The generic word for God in Arabic is ILAH.

 ALLAH is the proper name of the moon god which was known and worshipped in the Arab Peninsula even in the days of Abraham.

 It was one of the 360 gods in the Kaaba in Mecca. In 630 AD Mohammed and his army destroyed all other idols and forced the Arabians to worship only Allah.

 Even today, it is represented in the Kaaba by a black meteorite stone. It is the duty of every Muslim to go to Kaaba, worship and kiss the BLACK STONE at least once in their life time.

 According to the Koran Allah has no son, but YHWH has a Son. His name is YAHUSHUA THE MESSIAH.

You can check at this link Allah the moon god and also see The Name of God in the Bible and the Quran. As Christians we are to search out the meanings of and meanings between names - it will help in discernment.

During the presentation the picture to the left of Pope John Paul II kissing the Koran was shown. So how does the Roman Catholic church and Islam stand on this issue? Here is a quote from the Catholic Catechism: 841) “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.” (Catholic Catechism, pgs. 242, 243)

If Allah is not YHWH of the Bible and Islam is not worshipping the same God who has a Son Jesus Christ, then how can the Roman Catholic church record "those who acknowledge the Creator" when Muslims are not acknowledging the True Creator? Here is another link to be read: Is Allah The Same As YHWH? [Check out also Inside the Catholic Catechism: Index of Doctrines.]

ALLAH and 666

Revelation 13:18 – This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Check this link on 666.

After examining what has gone before the presentation pointed to the end time prophecies. Is Islam playing a part in the feet of iron and clay? King Nebuchadnezzar's Statue and Daniel's Seventy Weeks prophecy was discussed.

Satan has always been against God, Jesus Christ, the Jews, Israel and Christians - and we see much of the same in the Middle East today where Islamic countries are attempting to wipe Israel off the map as a nation. We also see Islam's jihad against Jews and Christians in 164 verses in the Qu'ran.

O Christians, we are commanded by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to love our enemies:

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ..." (Matthew 5:43-45)

The enemy is not Muslims - the enemy is the deceiving spirit behind Islam. Our Lord's commandment:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19,20)

Yehoshua' or 'Isa

2010-03-17T13:13:00.014+02:00

This is the first blogpost of information made available from the seminar that took place in Hillcrest (near Pinetown) on Saturday 13, 2010.

‘Isa, the Muslim Jesus
by Dr Mark Durie

"The word Christian is not a valid word, for there is no religion of Christianity according to Islam". — www.answering-christianity.com

Today we increasingly hear and read that Christianity and Islam ‘share’ Jesus, that he belongs to both religions. So also with Abraham: there is talk of the West’s ‘Abrahamic civilization’ where once people spoke of ‘Judeo-Christian civilization’. This shift of thinking reflects the growing influence of Islam.

These notes offer some information and reflections on the ‘Muslim Jesus’, to help put this trend in its proper context.

References in brackets are to the Qur’an. Numbering systems for the Qur’anic verses are not standardized: be prepared to search through nearby verses for the right one.

Islam the primordial faith

Islam regards itself, not as a subsequent faith to Judaism and Christianity, but as the primordial religion, the faith from which Judaism and Christianity are subsequent developments. In the Qur’an we read that Abraham ‘was not a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a monotheist, a Muslim’ (Âl 'Imran 3:66). So it is Muslims, and not Christians or Jews, who are the true representatives of the faith of Abraham to the world today. (Al-Baqarah 2:135)

The Biblical prophets were all Muslims

Many prophets of the past received the one religion of Islam. (Ash-Shura 42:13) Who were these previous prophets? According to Al-An’am 6:85-87 they include Ibrahim (Abraham), ‘Ishaq (Issac), Yaqub (Jacob), Nuh (Noah), Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron), Zakariyya (Zachariah), Yahya (John the Baptist), ‘Isa (Jesus), Ilyas, Ishmael, Al-Yash’a (Elisha), Yunus (Jonah) and Lut (Lot).

The Muslim ‘Isa (Jesus)

There are two main sources for ‘Isa, the Muslim Jesus. The Qur’an gives a history of his life, whilst the Hadith collections — recollections of Muhammad’s words and deeds — establish his place in the Muslim understanding of the future.

The Qur’an

‘Isa, was a prophet of Islam

Jesus’ true name, according to the Qur’an, was ‘Isa. His message was pure Islam, surrender to Allah. (Âl 'Imran 3:84) Like all the Muslim prophets before him, and like Muhammad after him, ‘Isa was a lawgiver, and Christians should submit to his law. (Âl 'Imran 3:50; Al-Ma’idah 5:48) ‘Isa’s original disciples were also true Muslims, for they said ‘We believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered. We are Muslims.’ (Al-Ma’idah 5:111)

‘The Books’

Like other messengers of Islam before him, ‘Isa received his revelation of Islam in the form of a book. (Al-An’am 6:90) ‘Isa’s book is called the Injil or ‘gospel’. (Al-Ma’idah 5:46) The Torah was Moses’ book, and the Zabur (Psalms) were David’s book. So Jews and Christians are ‘people of the Book’. The one religion revealed in these books was Islam. (Âl 'Imran 3:18)

As with previous prophets, ‘Isa’s revelation verified previous prophets’ revelations. (Âl 'Imran 3:49,84; Al-Ma’idah 5:46; As-Saff 61:6) Muhammad himself verified all previous revelations, including the revelation to ‘Isa (An-Nisa’ 4:47), and so Muslims must believe in the revelation which ‘Isa received. (Al-Baqarah 2:136) However, after ‘Isa the Injil was lost in its original form. Today the Qur’an is the only sure guide to ‘Isa’s teaching.

The biography of ‘Isa

According to the Qur’an, ‘Isa was the Messiah. He was supported by the ‘Holy Spirit’. (Al-Baqarah 2:87; Al-Ma’idah 5:110) He is also referred to as the ‘Word of Allah’. (An-Nisa’ 4:171)

‘Isa’s mother Mariam was the daughter of ‘Imran, (Âl 'Imran 3:34,35) — cf the Amram of Exodus 6:20 — and the sister of Aaron (and Moses). (Maryam 19:28) She was fostered by Zachariah (father of John the Baptist). (Âl 'Imran 3:36) While still a virgin (Al-An’am 6:12; Maryam 19:19-21) Mariam gave birth to ‘Isa alone in a desolate place under a date palm tree. (Maryam 19:22ff) (Not in Bethlehem).

‘Isa spoke whilst still a baby in his cradle. (Âl 'Imran 3:46; Al-Ma’idah 5:110; Maryam 19:30) He performed various other miracles, including breathing life into clay birds, healing the blind and lepers, and raising the dead. (Âl 'Imran 3:49; Al-Ma’idah 5:111) He also foretold the coming of Muhammad. (As-Saff 61:6)

‘Isa did not die on a cross

Christians and Jews have corrupted their scriptures. (Âl 'Imran 3:74-77, 113) Although Christians believe ‘Isa died on a cross, and Jews claim they killed him, in reality he was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied (An-Nisa’ 4:157). ‘Isa did not die, but ascended to Allah. (An-Nisa’ 4:158) On the day of Resurrection ‘Isa himself will be a witness against Jews and Christians for believing in his death. (An-Nisa’ 4:159)

Christians should accept Islam, and all true Christians will

Christians (and Jews) could not be freed from their ignorance until Muhammad came bringing the Qur’an as clear evidence (Al-Bayyinah 98:1). Muhammad was Allah’s gift to Christians to correct misunderstandings. They should accept Muhammad as Allah’s Messenger, and the Qur’an as his final revelation. (Al-Ma’idah 5:15; Al-Hadid 57:28; An-Nisa’ 4:47)

Some Christians and Jews are faithful and believe truly. (Âl 'Imran 3:113,114) Any such true believers will submit to Allah by accepting Muhammad as the prophet of Islam, i.e. they will become Muslims. (Âl 'Imran 3:198)

Although Jews and pagans will have the greatest enmity against Muslims, it is the Christians who will be ‘nearest in love to the believers’, i.e. to Muslims. (Al-Ma’idah 5:82) True Christians will not love Muhammad’s enemies. (Al-Mujadilah 58:22) In other words, anyone who opposes Muhammad is not a true Christian.

Christians who accept Islam or refuse it

Some Jews and Christians are true believers, accepting Islam: most are transgressors. (Âl 'Imran 3:109)

Many monks and rabbis are greedy for wealth and prevent people from coming to Allah. (At-Taubah 9:34,35)

Christians and Jews who disbelieve in Muhammad will go to hell. (Al-Bayyinah 98:6)

Muslims should not take Christians or Jews for friends. (Al-Ma’idah 5:51) They must fight against Christians and Jews who refuse Islam until they surrender, pay the poll-tax and are humiliated. (At-Taubah 9:29) To this may be added hundreds of Qur’anic verses on the subject of jihad in the path of Allah, as well as the ‘Book of Jihad’ found in all Hadith collections.

Christian beliefs

Christians are commanded not to believe that ‘Isa is the son of God: ‘It is far removed from his transcendent majesty that he should have a son’. (An-Nisa’ 4:171; Al-Furqan 25:2) ‘Isa was simply a created human being, and a slave of Allah. (An-Nisa’ 4:172; Âl 'Imran 3:59)

Christians are claimed by the Qur’an to believe in a family of gods — Father God, mother Mary and ‘Isa the son — but ‘Isa rejected this teaching. (Al-Ma’idah 5:116) The doctrine of the Trinity is disbelief and a painful doom awaits those who believe it. (Al-Ma’idah 5:73)

‘Isa (Jesus) in the Hadith

‘Isa the destroyer of Christianity

The prophet ‘Isa will have an important role in the end times, establishing Islam and making war until he destroys all religions save Islam. He shall kill the Evil One (Dajjal), an apocalyptic anti-Christ figure.

In one tradition of Muhammad we read that no further prophets will come to earth until ‘Isa returns as ‘a man of medium height, or reddish complexion, wearing two light garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head although it will not be wet. He will fight for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill pigs, and abolish the poll-tax. Allah will destroy all religions except Islam. He (‘Isa) will destroy the Evil One and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die’. (Sunan Abu Dawud, 37:4310) The Sahih Muslim has a variant of this tradition: ‘The son of Mary ... will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will ... abolish the poll-tax, and the wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept charitable gifts.’ (Sahih Muslim 287)

What do these sayings mean? The cross is a symbol of Christianity. Breaking crosses means abolishing Christianity. Pigs are associated with Christians. Killing them is another way of speaking of the destruction of Christianity. Under Islamic law the poll-tax buys the protection of the lives and property of conquered ‘people of the Book’. (At-Taubah 9:29) The abolition of the poll-tax means jihad is restarted against Christians (and Jews) living under Islam, who should convert to Islam, or else be killed or enslaved. The abundance of wealth refers to booty flowing to the Muslims from this conquest. This is what the Muslim ‘Isa will do when he returns in the last days.

Muslim jurists confirm these interpretations: consider, for example, the ruling of Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (d. 1368).

"... the time and the place for [the poll tax] is before the final descent of Jesus (upon whom be peace). After his final coming, nothing but Islam will be accepted from them, for taking the poll tax is only effective until Jesus' descent (upon him and our Prophet be peace) ..." (The Reliance of the Traveller. Trans. Nuh Ha Mim Keller, p. 603).

Ibn Naqib goes on to state that when Jesus returns, he will rule ‘as a follower’ of Muhammad.

Critical Comments on the Muslim ‘Isa (Jesus)

‘Isa not an historical figure

The Qur’an’s ‘Isa is not an historical figure. His identity and role as a prophet of Islam is based solely on supposed revelations to Muhammad over half a millennium after the Jesus of history lived and died.

Jesus’ name was never ‘Isa

Jesus’ mother tongue was Aramaic. In his own lifetime he was called Yeshua in Aramaic, and Jesu in Greek. This is like calling the same person John when speaking English and Jean when speaking French: Jesu, pronounced "Yesoo", is the Greek form of Aramaic Yeshua. (The final -s in Jesu-s is a Greek grammatical ending.) Yeshua is itself a form of Hebrew Yehoshua’, which means ‘the Lord is salvation’. However Yehoshua’ is normally given in English as Joshua. So Joshua and Jesus are variants of the same name.

It is interesting that Jesus' name Yehoshua’ contains within it the proper Hebrew name for God, the first syllable Yeh- being short for YHWH ‘the LORD’.

Yeshua of Nazareth was never called ‘Isa, the name the Qur’an gives to him. Arab-speaking Christians refer to Jesus as Yasou’ (from Yeshua) not ‘Isa.

Jesus did not receive a ‘book’

According to the Qur’an, the ‘book’ revealed to ‘Isa was the Injil. The word Injil is a corrupted form of the Greek euanggelion ‘good news’ or gospel. What was this euanggelion? This was just how Jesus referred to his message: as good news. The expression euanggelion did not refer to a fixed revealed text, and there is absolutely no evidence that Jesus received a ‘book’ of revelation from God.

The ‘gospels’ of the Bible are biographies

The term euanggelion later came to be used as a title for the four biographies of Jesus written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the ‘gospels’. This was a secondary development of meaning. Apparently this is where Muhammad got his mistaken idea of the Injil being a ‘book’.

Most so-called prophets of Islam received no book

Virtually all of the so-called ‘prophets’ of Islam, whose names are taken from the Hebrew scriptures, received no ‘book’ or law code. For example, the Psalms are not a book revealing Islam, as the Qur’an claims, but a collection of songs of worship, only some of which are David’s. There is not a shred of evidence in the Biblical history of David that he received a book of laws for the Israelites. They already had the Torah of Moses to follow. So David was not a prophet in the Qur’an’s sense of this word. Likewise most of the prophets claimed by Islam were neither lawgivers nor rulers.

Biblical prophecy and Islamic prophecy are not the same thing

The Biblical understanding of prophecy is quite different from Muhammad’s. A Biblical prophecy is not regarded as a passage from a heavenly eternally pre-existent text like the Qur’an, but a message from God for a specific time and place. A biblical prophet is someone to whom God reveals hidden things, and who then acts as God’s verbal agent. When a Samaritan woman called Jesus a prophet (John 4:19) it was because he had spoken about things in her life that he could only have known supernaturally. Christianity teaches that Jesus was a prophet, but he brought no ‘book’: he himself was the living ‘Word of God’, a title used of ‘Isa in the Qur’an.

By no means all prophecies referred to in the Bible became part of the Biblical text. The Bible consists of a wide variety of materials originally written for many different purposes, including letters, songs, love poetry, historical narratives, legal texts, proverbial wisdom as well as prophetic passages. These are regarded as inspired by God, but not dictated from a timeless heavenly book.

As prophetic history, the Qur’an contains many errors and anachronisms

The claim that Jesus was not executed by crucifixion is without any historical support. One of the things that all the early sources agree on is Jesus’ crucifixion.

Mariam the mother of ‘Isa is called a sister of Aaron, and also the daughter of Aaron’s father ‘Imran (Hebr. Amram). Clearly Muhammad has confused Mary (Hebr. Miriam) with Miriam of the Exodus. The two lived more than a thousand years apart!

In the Bible Haman is the minister of Ahasuerus in Media and Persia (The Book of Esther 3:1-2). Yet the Qur’an places him over a thousand years earlier, as a minister of Pharoah in Egypt.

The claim that Christians believe in three Gods — Father, son Jesus and mother Mary — is mistaken. The Qur’an is also mistaken to claim that Jews say Ezra was a son of God. (At-Taubah 9:30) The charge of polytheism against Christianity and Judaism is ill-informed and false. (Deuteronomy 6:4, James 2:19a)

The story of the ‘two horned one’ (Al-Kahf 18:82 cf also Daniel 8:3, 20-21) is derived from the Romance of Alexander. Certainly Alexander the Great was no Muslim.

The problem with the name ‘Isa has already been discussed. Other Biblical names are also misunderstood in the Qur’an, and their meanings lost. For example Elisha, which means ‘God is salvation’, is given in the Qur’an as al-Yash’a, turning El ‘God’ into al- ‘the’. (Islamic tradition did the same to Alexander the Great, calling him al-Iskandar ‘the Iskander’). Abraham ‘Father of many’ (cf Genesis 17:5) might have been better represented as something like Aburahim ‘father of mercy’ instead of Ibrahim, which has no meaning in Arabic at all.

The Qur’an has a Samaritan making the golden calf, which was worshipped by the Israelites in the wilderness (Ta Ha 20:85) during the Exodus. In fact it was Aaron (Exodus 34:1-6). The Samaritans did not exist until several centuries later. They were descendants of the northern Israelites centuries after the Exodus.

Many Qur’anic stories can be traced to Jewish and Christian folktales and other apocryphal literature. For example a story of Abraham destroying idols (As-Saffat 37) is found in a Jewish folktale, the Midrash Rabbah. The Qur’anic story of Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, is based upon a second-century Christian fable. The story of Jesus being born under a palm tree is also based on a late fable, as is the story of Jesus making clay birds come alive. Everything the Qur’an says about the life of Jesus which is not found in the Bible can be traced to fables composed more than a hundred years after Jesus’ death.

Jesus’ titles of Messiah and Word of God, which the Qur’an uses, find no explanation in the Qur’an. Yet in the Bible, from which they are taken, these titles are well integrated in a whole theological system.

The Qur’an mentions the Holy Spirit in connection with Jesus, using phrases which come from the gospels. Ibn Ishaq (Life of Muhammad) reports Muhammad as saying that this ‘Spirit’ was the angel Gabriel (cf also An-Nahl 16:102, Al-Baqarah 2:97). However the Biblical phrase ‘Spirit of God’ (Ruach Elohim) or ‘Holy Spirit’ can only be understood in light of the Hebrew scriptures. It certainly does not refer to an angel.

Jesus’ alleged foretelling of Muhammad’s coming (As-Saff 61:6) appears to be based on a garbled reading of John 14:26, a passage which in fact refers to the Spirit.

The Hebrew scriptures were Jesus’ Bible. He affirmed their authority and reliability and preached from them. From these same scriptures he knew God as Adonai Elohim, the Lord God of Israel. He did not call God Allah, which appears to have been the name or title of a pagan Arabian deity worshipped in Mecca before Muhammad. Muhammad's pagan father, who died before Muhammad was born, already bore the name ‘Abd Allah ‘slave of Allah’, and his uncle was called Obeid Allah.

We read that An-Najm 53:19-23 seeks to refute the pagan Arab belief that Allah had daughters named al-Uzza, al-Ilat and Manat. (See also An-Nahl 16:57 and Al-An’am 6:100).

The Biblical narratives are rich with historical details, many confirmed by archaeology. They cover more than a thousand years, and reveal a long process of technological and cultural development. In contrast the Qur’an’s sacred history is devoid of archaeological support. Its fragmentary and disjointed stories offer no authentic reflection of historical cultures. No place name from ancient Israel is mentioned, not even Jerusalem. Many of the supposed historical events reported in the Qur’an have no independent verification. For example we are told that Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba in Mecca (Al-Baqarah 2:127), but this is totally without support. The Biblical account, more than a thousand years older, does not place Abraham anywhere near Arabia.

The Qur’an is not a credible source for Biblical history

The Qur’an, written in the 7th century AD, cannot be regarded as having any authority whatsoever to inform us about Jesus of Nazareth. It offers no evidence for its claims about biblical history. Its numerous historical errors reflect a garbled understanding of the Bible.

Islam appropriates the history of Judaism and Christianity to itself

When Muhammad linked the name of Allah to the religious histories of Judaism and Christianity, this was a way to claim them for Islam. In the light of later events, the claim that Islam was the original religion, and that all preceding prophets were Muslims, can be regarded as an attempt to appropriate the histories of other religions for Islam. The effect is to rob Christianity and Judaism of their own histories.

Consider that many Biblical sites, such as the tombs of the Hebrew Patriarchs and the Temple Mount, are claimed by Islam as Muslim sites, not Jewish or Christian ones. After all, the Qur’an tells us that Abraham ‘was a Muslim’. Under Islamic rule all Jews and Christians were banned from such sites.

The place of the Jewish scriptures in Christianity is completely different from the place of the Bible in Islam

There is a fundamental difference between Christian attitudes to the Jewish scriptures and Islamic attitudes to the Bible. Christians accept the Hebrew scriptures. They were the scriptures of Jesus and the apostles. They were the scriptures of the early church. The whole of Christian belief and practice rests upon them. Core Christian concepts such as ‘Messiah’ (Greek ‘Christos’), ‘Spirit of God’, ‘Kingdom of God’ and ‘salvation’ are deeply rooted in the Hebrew Biblical traditions.

We note also that Christian seminaries devote considerable effort to studying the Hebrew scriptures. This is an integral part of training for Christian ministry. The Hebrew scriptures are read (in translation) every Sunday in many churches all around the world.

In contrast Islam’s treatment of the Bible is one of complete disregard. Although it purports to ‘verify’ all earlier prophetic revelation, the Qur’an is oblivious to the real contents of the Bible. The claim that Christians and Jews deliberately corrupted their scriptures is made without evidence, and this only serves to cover up the Qur’an’s historical inadequacies. Muslim scholars rarely have an informed understanding of the Bible or of biblical theology and so remain ignorant of these realities.

Some contemporary Muslim voices on Jesus

Yasser Arafat, addressing a press conference at the United Nations in 1983 called Jesus "the first Palestinian fedayeen who carried his sword" (i.e. he was a freedom fighter for Islam).

Sheikh Ibrahim Madhi, employee of the Palestinian Authority, broadcast live in April 2002 on Palestinian Authority television: "The Jews await the false Jewish messiah, while we await, with Allah's help... Jesus, peace be upon him. Jesus's pure hands will murder the false Jewish messiah. Where? In the city of Lod, in Palestine."

Author Shamim A. Siddiqi of Flushing, New York put the classical position of Islam towards Christianity clearly in a recent letter to Daniel Pipes, New York Post columnist:

"Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were all prophets of Islam. Islam is the common heritage of the Judeo-Christian-Muslim community of America, and establishing the Kingdom of God is the joint responsibility of all three Abrahamic faiths. Islam was the din (faith, way of life) of both Jews and Christians, who later lost it through human innovations. Now the Muslims want to remind their Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters of their original din [religion]. These are the facts of history."

This historical negationism — appearing to affirm Christianity and Judaism whilst in fact rejecting and supplanting them — is a lynchpin of Muslim apologetics. What is being affirmed is in fact neither Christianity nor Judaism, but Jesus as a prophet of Islam, Moses as a Muslim etc. This is intended to lead to ‘reversion’ of Christians and Jews to Islam, which is what Siddiqi refers to when he speaks of ‘the joint responsibility’ of Jews and Christians to establish ‘the Kingdom of God’. By this he means that American Christians and Jews should work to establish shari’ah law and the rule of Islam in the United States.

Conclusion

‘Isa (Jesus) of the Qur’an is a product of fable, imagination and ignorance. When Muslims venerate this ‘Isa, they have someone different in mind from the Yeshua or Jesus of the Bible and of history. The ‘Isa of the Qur’an is based on no recognized form of historical evidence, but on fables current in seventh century Arabia.

For most faithful Muslims ‘Isa is the only Jesus they know. But if one accepts this Muslim ‘Jesus’, then one also accepts the Qur’an: one accepts Islam. Belief in this ‘Isa is won at the cost of the libel that Jews and Christians have corrupted their scriptures, a charge that is without historical support. Belief in this ‘Isa implies that much of Christian and Jewish history is in fact Islamic history.

The Jesus of the gospels is the base upon which Christianity developed. By Islamicizing him, and making of him a Muslim prophet who preached the Qur’an, Islam destroys Christianity and takes over all its history. It does the same to Judaism.

In the end times as described by Muhammad, ‘Isa becomes a warrior who will return with his sword and lance. He will destroy the Christian religion and make Islam the only religion in all the world. Finally at the last judgement he will condemn Christians to hell for believing in the crucifixion and the incarnation.

This final act of the Muslim ‘Isa reflects Islam’s apologetic strategy in relation to Christianity, which is to deny the Yeshua of history, and replace him with a facsimile of Muhammad, so that nothing remains but Islam.

"The Muslim supersessionist current claims that the whole biblical history of Israel and Christianity is Islamic history, that all the Prophets, Kings of Israel and Judea, and Jesus were Muslims. That the People of the Book should dare to challenge this statement is intolerable arrogance for an Islamic theologian. Jews and Christians are thus deprived of their Holy Scriptures and of their salvific value."

— Bat Ye’or in Islam and Dhimmitude: where civilizations collide, p.370.

APPENDIX: The historical evidence for Jesus (Yeshua)
of Nazareth and his death by crucifixion

Non-Christian sources for Jesus

• Tacitus (AD 55-120), a renowned historical of ancient Rome, wrote in the latter half of the first century that ‘Christus ... was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time, broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also.’ (Annals 15: 44).

• Suetonius writing around AD 120 tells of disturbances of the Jews at the ‘instigation of Chrestus’, during the time of the emperor Claudius. This could refer to Jesus, and appears to relate to the events of Acts 18:2, which took place in AD 49.

• Thallus, a secular historian writing perhaps around AD 52 refers to the death of Jesus in a discussion of the darkness over the land after his death. The original is lost, but Thallus’ arguments — explaining what happened as a solar eclipse — are referred to by Julius Africanus in the early 3rd century.

• Mara Bar-Serapion, a Syrian writing after the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, mentions the earlier execution of Jesus, whom he calls a ‘King’.

• The Babylonian Talmud refers to the crucifixion (calling it a hanging) of Jesus the Nazarene on the eve of the Passover. In the Talmud Jesus is also called the illegitimate son of Mary.

• The Jewish historian Josephus describes Jesus’ crucifixion under Pilate in his Antiquities, written about AD 93/94. Josephus also refers to James the brother of Jesus and his execution during the time of Ananus (or Annas) the high priest.

Paul’s Epistles

• Paul’s epistles were written in the interval 20-30 years after Jesus’ death. They are valuable historical documents, not least because they contain credal confessions which undoubtedly date to the first few decades of the Christian community.

Paul became a believer in Jesus within a few years of Jesus’ crucifixion. He writes in his first letter to the Corinthians ‘For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve.’ This makes clear that belief in the death of Jesus was there from the beginning of Christianity.

The four gospels

• The four gospels were written down in the period 20-60 years after Jesus’ death, within living memory of the events they describe.

The events which the gospels describe for the most part took place in the full light of public scrutiny. Jesus’ teaching was followed by large crowds. There were very many witnesses to the events of his life. His death was a public execution.

Manuscript evidence for the Bible and its transmission

The manuscript evidence for the Greek scriptures is overwhelming, far greater than for all other ancient texts. Over 20,000 manuscripts attest to them. Whilst there are copying errors, as might be expected from the hand of copyists, these are almost all comparatively minor and the basic integrity of the copying process is richly supported.

Futhermore, when Western Christians studies the Hebrew scriptures during the Renaissance, they found them to agree remarkably closely with their Greek and Latin translations which had been copied again and again over a thousand years. There were copying errors, and some other minor changes, but no significant fabrications of the stupendous scale which would be required to concoct the story of Jesus’ death.

Likewise when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered they included Hebrew Biblical scrolls dating from before the time of Jesus. These too agreed very closely with the oldest Hebrew Masoretic manuscripts of more than a thousand years later. Again, no fabrications, but evidence of remarkably faithful copying.

Conclusion: Jesus of Nazareth is a figure of history

Clearly there are events recorded in connection with Jesus’ life that many non-Christians will not accept, such as the miracles, the virgin birth, and the resurrection. However what is beyond dispute is that Yeshua (‘Jesus’) of Nazareth was a figure of history, who lived, attracted a following in his life time amongst his fellow Jews and was executed by crucifixion by the Roman authorities, after which his followers spread rapidly. Both secular and Christian sources of the period agree on this.

The primary sources for the history of Jesus’ public life are the gospels. These were written down relatively soon after his death — within living memory — and we have every indication that these sources were accepted as reliable in the early Christian community, during a period when first and second hand witnesses to Jesus’ life were still available.

We conclude that any statements about ‘Isa (Jesus) in the Qur’an, made six centuries after Jesus’ death, must be judged against the historical evidence from these first century sources, and not vice versa.

Some useful discussions of these issues are found at:
http://www.debate.org.uk/topics/theo/islam_christ.html
http://www.debate.org.uk/topics/theo/qur-jes.htm
http://www.answering-islam.org/Intro/replacing.html

Dr Maurice Rawlings - NDE - To Hell and Back

2010-03-16T16:19:00.001+02:00

This video hosted by Dr. Maurice Rawlings, a noted cardiologist, investigates life after death and his experiences with patients that actually saw 'the other side!'

What Every Christian Needs To Know About The Crusades (Part 2)

2010-03-16T13:02:00.002+02:00

Continued from Part 1 by Dr. Peter Hammond ...

A Reaction to Jihad

The crusaders were reacting to five centuries of relentless Islamic Jihad. The Middle East was the birthplace of the Christian Church. It was the Christians who had been conquered and oppressed by the Seljuk Turks. Many of the towns in the Middle East welcomed the crusaders as liberators.

Far from the crusaders being the aggressors, it was the Muslim armies which had spread Islam from Saudi Arabia across the whole of Christian North Africa into Spain and even France. Muslim armies sacked and slaughtered their way across some of the greatest Christian cities in the world, including Alexandria, Carthage, Antioch and Constantinople. These Muslim invaders destroyed over 3,200 Christian churches just in the first 100 years of Islam.

Against All Odds

When we think about the Middle Ages, we inevitably view Europe in the light of what it became rather than what it was. The fact is that the superpower of the Medieval world was Islam, not Christendom. The crusades were a battle against all odds with impossibly long lines of supply and cripplingly inadequate logistics. It was a David against Goliath enterprise from the beginning. The chances of success for the first crusade were highly improbable. They had no leader, no chain of command, no supply lines and no detailed strategy. The first crusade consisted simply of thousands of dedicated warriors marching deep into enemy territory, thousands of kilometres from home. Many of them died of starvation, disease and wounds. It was a rough campaign that always was on the brink of disaster. Yet by 1098, the Crusaders had liberated Nicea and Antioch, and in July 1099 they re-conquered Jerusalem.

Professor Madden, the author of A Concise History of the Crusades, has observed: “From the safe distance of many centuries, it is easy enough to scowl in disgust at the crusades. Religion, after all, is nothing to fight wars over. But we should be mindful that our Medieval ancestors would have been equally disgusted by our infinitely more destructive wars fought in the names of political ideologies…Whether we admire the Crusaders or not, it is a fact that the world we know today would not exist without their efforts. The ancient faith of Christianity, with its respect for women and antipathy toward slavery, not only survived but flourished. Without the crusades, it might have followed Zoroastrianism, another of Islam’s rivals, into extinction.” But for the crusades Europe would have probably fallen to Islam and the USA and South Africa would never have come into existence.

Logistics and Economics

As the Christian History Institute has pointed out, the characterising of crusaders as only in it for the plunder and the loot betrays an ignorance of both geography and history. The vast majority of the crusaders were impoverished and financially ruined by the crusades. Crusaders, through great sacrifice and personal expense, left their homes and families to travel 3000km across treacherous and inhospitable terrain – and the shortest crusade lasted 4 years. Considering that only 10% of the crusaders had horses, and 90% were foot soldiers, the sheer fact of logistics is that the crusaders could not possibly have carried back enough loot to have made up for the loss of earnings and high expenses involved with these long crusades. Many crusaders lost their homes and farms to finance their involvement in the crusades.

There’s More to Life than Money

Perhaps self-seeking materialistic agnostics in the 21st Century cannot understand that some people could be motivated by something other than personal financial enrichment, but the fact is that many people make sacrifices for their religious convictions, and in order to help others. In the case of the crusaders, the historical record makes clear that amongst the motivations that led tens of thousands of volunteers to reclaim the Holy Land was a sense of Christian duty to help their fellow Christians in the East whose lands had been invaded and churches desecrated by Muslim armies, and a desire to secure access to the Holy Lands for pilgrims.

There was also a desire to fight for the honour of their Lord Jesus Christ, Whose churches had been destroyed and Whose Deity had been denied by the Mohammedan aggressors. In other words, to the crusaders this was a defensive war to reclaim Christian lands from Muslim invaders.

We may not share their convictions, or agree with their methods, but we ought to evaluate them in the light of the realities of the 11th and 12th centuries, and not anachronistically project our standards and politics back upon them.

Jihad vs. The Gospel

The word “crusade” does not appear in the Bible, nor is it commanded in Christianity. However, Jihad is the sixth pillar of Islam and the second greatest command of Muhammad. It is not only commended, but commanded in the Quran.

The crusades ended many centuries ago, however Islamic Jihad is carried out to this day. Millions of Christians have been slaughtered throughout the centuries by Islamic militants – such as the 1.5 million Armenians murdered in Turkey in 1915. Christians have continued to be slaughtered by Islamic militants in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sudan and Nigeria to the present day.

Therefore, before Christians fall over themselves to apologise for the crusades, which ended over 700 years ago, it would be wise to first learn from reliable sources what the crusades were all about, and study the Islamic teachings and track record of Jihad over the last 14 centuries. Those who do not know their past have no future.

Dr. Peter Hammond has been a pioneer missionary to Muslims in Sudan. He is the author of Slavery, Terrorism and Islam – The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat.

What Every Christian Needs To Know About The Crusades (Part 1)

2010-03-15T13:02:00.017+02:00

The blog posts titled "What Every Christian Needs To Know About the Crusades -- Part 1 and Part 2" appeared at Cameron Buettel's blog The Bottom Line and was written by Dr. Peter Hammond of Frontline Fellowship. To set the theme for the posts that will follow, I felt it was necessary to post Part 1 and Part 2 as aforementioned, before we get into the posts that deals with Bible Prophecy from a seminar I attended in Hillcrest (near Pinetown) this past Saturday March 13, 2010. The four sessions at the seminar dealt with the topics --

1. The Islamic Agenda;
2. Islam;
3. Israel; and
4. The Global Agenda.

So here goes --

The story of the Crusades is one that has seriously fallen foul of political correctness and historical revisionism. This is the first part of an article that Peter Hammond wrote in an attempt to set the record straight concerning what really happened in the Crusades almost 1000 years ago. Is the church of Jesus Christ really to blame for atrocities against muslims? What follows is a worthwhile read when one considers the number of objections Christian evangelists experience based upon a wrong understanding of history. Dr. Hammond will take it from here:

Some claim that the Crusaders were “The starting point of hostility between Islam and the West.” Disrupting “five centuries of peaceful coexistence".

What Preceded the Crusades?

However the Crusades only started after five centuries of Islamic Jihad had conquered and annihilated, or forcibly converted, over two thirds of what had formerly been the Christian world. Shortly after the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem, in 638, Christian pilgrims were harassed, massacred, and crucified.

Muslim governors extorted ransom money from Pilgrims, and ransacked churches. In the 8th Century the Muslim rulers banned all displays of the Cross in Jerusalem. They also increased the penalty tax (Jizya) on Christians and forbade Christians to engage in any religious instruction, even of their own children! In 772, the Calipha al Mansur ordered the hands of all Christians and Jews in Jerusalem to be branded.

In 923, a new wave of destruction of churches was launched by the Muslim rulers. In 937, Muslims went on a rampage in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday plundering the Church of Calvary and the Church of the Resurrection.

In 1004 the Calipha Al-Hakim unleashed a violent wave of church burning and destruction, confiscation of Christian property, and ferocious slaughter of both Christians and Jews. Over the next ten years, 30,000 churches were destroyed and vast numbers of believers were forcibly converted or killed.

In 1009, Al-Hakim ordered that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem be destroyed.

When the Seljuk Turks swept into Jerusalem in 1077 they murdered over three thousand people, including many Christians. It was at this point that the Christian Emperor of Byzantium, Alexius I, appealed for help to the Western churches.

Pope Urban II challenged the knights of Europe at the Council of Clermont in 1095: “The Turks and Arabs have attacked our brethren in the East. They have killed and captured many and have destroyed the churches. On this account I…persuade all people of whatever rank, foot soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians…”

Nowhere in the call for the launch of the Crusades was there talk about either conquest or conversion. They were merely to remove the Islamic invaders from the lands that had previously been Christian, to restore religious freedom to the Holy Lands.

Myths and Misconceptions

The myth that the Crusades were unprovoked, imperialist actions against the peaceful, indigenous Muslim population is simply not accurate.

Similarly, the characterization of the Crusaders as greedy for loot, only out for personal gain, is simply out of touch with reality. Those who participated in the Crusades saw it as an act of sacrifice rather than of profit. The Crusades were in fact prohibitively expensive. Many Crusaders had to sell their property to raise money for the long journey to the Holy Land and knew that their chances of returning alive were slight. Most who did manage to survive and return came back with nothing material to show for their efforts.

Similarly the modern myth that the Crusaders attempted to forcibly convert Muslims to Christianity is a politically motivated fantasy. Search as one might through the writings and records of the Crusaders, one will not find any mention of Crusaders seeking to convert the Saracens or the Turks. The Crusaders saw themselves as Pilgrims seeking to recapture and liberate Christian lands from vicious invaders.

The Myth of Saladin

The depiction of Saladin as merciful and magnanimous is a myth. When Saladin captured the crusaders at Hattim on 4 July 1187, he ordered the mass execution of all the Christians: “They should be beheaded in accordance with Quran 47:4 ‘When you meet the unbelievers on the battlefield, strike their necks’” Saladin’s secretary Imad reported, “With him were a whole band of scholars and Sufis and a certain number of devout men and aesthetics; each begged to be allowed to kill one of them and drew their swords and rolled back their sleeves. Saladin, his face joyful, was sitting on his dais; the unbelievers showed black despair.”

In 1148, the Muslim Commander Nur ed–Din ordered the slaughter of every Christian in Aleppo.

In 1268, when Mamluk Sultan Baybars seized Antioch, he ensured that all the men were slaughtered, the women sold into slavery, the crosses in every church smashed, the Bibles torn and burned, the graves of Christians desecrated. Every monk, priest and deacon was dragged to the altar and had their throats slit. The Church of Saint Paul and the Cathedral of Saint Peter were destroyed.

On 29 May 1453, the greatest city in the world of that time, Constantinople, was conquered by the Jihadists. The Muslims “slew everyone that they met in the streets, men, women and children without discrimination. The blood ran in rivers down the steep streets from the heights of Petra toward the golden horn”. The Muslim soldiers even entered the Hagia Sophia, and slaughtered thousands of Christians worshipping in what was then the largest church in the world at that time.

A Clear and Present Danger

From the first century of Islam Muslim armies were invading Europe. Spain suffered under Islamic occupation for 8 centuries. In the 14th Century, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania and Croatia fell to Muslim invasions.

In 1426 the Egyptian Mukluks conquered Cyprus. In 1395 the Muslims conquered Nicopolis on the Danube River. In 1444 the Muslim armies seized Varna in Hungary. In 1456 the Turks besieged Belgrade, and even tried to conquer Rome, but were thrown back. The Muslims first attempted to seize Vienna in 1529. As late as 11 September 1683 Muslim armies besieged Vienna, but were routed by 30,000 Polish cavalrymen led by Poland’s King Jan Sobieski III.

Were the Crusades a Failure?

The constant depiction of the Crusades as a failure is not justified by the historical record. The Crusades bought Europe time. The Crusades succeeded in seizing the initiative, throwing the Muslim invaders onto the defensive, for the first time after five centuries of attack. The Crusaders bought Europe time – centuries in fact.

At a critical time, the Crusades united a divided Europe, and threw the Muslim invaders back, bringing a peace and security to Europe that had not been known for centuries. As a result of the tremendous sacrifices of the Crusaders, Christian Europe experienced Spiritual Revival and Biblical Reformation which inspired a great resurgence of learning, scientific experimentation, technological advancement, and movements that led to greater prosperity and freedoms than had ever been known in all of history.

For a picture of what Europe might be like today had Islam succeeded in conquering it, one can look at the previously Christian civilisations of Egypt and what is today called Turkey. The Copts in Egypt now make up just 10% of the total Egyptian population, and are severely oppressed. What is today called Turkey was once the vibrant Christian Byzantine Empire, the economic and military superpower of its day. Today the Christian civilization which had flourished there for a thousand years has all but been extinguished. The population of the last Christian city in Asia, Smyrna, was massacred by the Turkish Army in 1922.

(To be continued ...)

The Ten Commandments

2010-02-26T15:12:00.003+02:00

The Ten Commandments - motion (kinetic) typography from Vit Ryznar on Vimeo.

Open Letter to the South African President: Mr. Jacob Zuma

2010-02-26T14:53:00.005+02:00

Dear Mr President,

This letter, I believe, is written to you at a time when this country is crying for proper governance. Before and ever since you have taken the presidential reigns of this lovely country South Africa, the press has had a field day with your presidential and private lifestyles -- the facts are that you have made the headlines for mostly the wrong reasons. And more recently an article appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper titled: 'It is time to talk about our moral code' (February 21, 2010). This will also be addressed in this letter.

Mr President, it appears from the press and from many other well documented articles that fraud, crime and corruption are leprous illnesses that permeates the ruling party and government in general. What is saddening is that the citizens of South Africa go largely unprotected by the corrupt and insufficient governance that makes up the disorder of the day and they are the majority who are victims of the separatist elite's non-performance and ever escalating sins of crime, fraud, greed, lawlessness and other evils that are polluting our society.

Mr President, it is time for the masses to hear the Truth and that will also include you, sir, and every civil servant of this nation.

While your party members want to protect your private life from the scrutiny of the public, what their shortsightedness and lack of understanding fails to comprehend is that when you chose to be a parliamentarian you became public domain. Mr President, you are accountable to those citizens who voted you into office and you are also accountable to those citizens who chose not to give you their democratic vote. You, sir, are therefore to rule impartially for all the peoples of South Africa and not only for the interests of your ANC comrades.

Mr President, recently stories of your 'private sex life' made public headlines, and you have acknowledged the facts that have become known. What is of great concern is the lack of morals that you are showing to a wide audience which includes our young generation -- and also the international community who have also questioned your moral ethics. It is a fact that your rule is immoral and ungodly.

Mr President, you have acted immorally and without regard for the message that you are communicating to our children and as a public figure you should be the one who is to show respect of persons, morality and maturity in leading our nation. Your actions are in violation against Almighty God's commands -- and even if you or any other person does not want to believe in the One True God, you are still accountable to Him by your behaviour.

Mr President, there has been campaigns that have been instigated by government where parliamentarians have encouraged persons to 'be-wise-and-condomise' and then tell the people to abstain from sex to prevent HIV/AIDS -- what is the true message you are sending out? Not only have you not heeded these 'suggestions' you are also making South Africa a nation of fornicators (those who have sex outside the bounds of marriage). Mr President, by your actions you are a fornicator. This can set a dangerous trend where: If the president does it why should those following him not do like wise?

The Word of God (The Holy Bible) is clear when it says:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

From the Scripture references you will note that they are all in the singular -- a man, his father, his mother, his wife, they [man and wife] shall become one flesh. From this you can see one man and one wife makes one marriage and you become one flesh. Mr President, to say your having many wives is your custom goes against what God says and it is a flagrant sin against Him as you are defying the Almighty's rule of marriage. Mr President, The Bible says that man has invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your traditions (Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:8). By your traditions you make the Word of God of no effect.

By taking more than one wife, Mr President, you are committing adultery and thereby you are breaking the Seventh Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. Sir, you are also making your 'wives' adulteresses and by their willingness to enter into polygamous marriages, they, too, are committing adultery. Polygamy and being a polygamist are illegal acts. Mr President, playing your Zulu-custom card does not condone your sin and immoral acts. You might want to hold to your custom and 'even expect others to tolerate and respect it', but it is sin before an infinitely Holy and Righteous God. 1 John 3:4 reads --

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

Jesus also said

--"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. (John 8:34)

Mr President, it is at this very time that you, and every other person reading this letter, should consider how you will stand before Almighty God on the Day of Judgment, for there is a day that is approaching --

"... because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:31, my emphasis)

Each and every person will have to give an accounting of themselves on this Great and Fearful Day. People do not know when they will die -- death comes upon people very suddenly and often by surprise and God's Word warns you --

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)

how will you kneel before God? At this point you should examine your lifestyle against God's Holy Standard, The Ten Commandments, and see where you are headed -- Heaven? Or Hell?

How many lies have you told in your lifetime? If you have told a lie you are a liar in the sight of God. You don't need to tell ten lies then a bell goes off or even ascribe a colour to your lie -- a lie is a lie in God's Wisdom. Have you ever stolen anything? This includes fraud, if you have you are a thief in the sight of God. We have already dealt with the committing of adultery, but listen what Jesus said --

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ..." (Matthew 5:27,28)

We have already dealt with this crime against God and He sees even the intentions of peoples' hearts and their minds. This also includes the debauched acts of homosexual sex and marriages. South Africa became the fifth country in the world, and the first in Africa, to allow legal marriages between same-sex couples. This law which was promulgated by the ANC is a heinous stench before the LORD --

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22).

Have you ever committed murder? God's Word says that if you are angry and hate anyone you have committed murder in the heart. Jesus said --

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. ..." (Matthew 5:21,22)

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)

Mr President, murder also includes abortion which your ANC party, under the ex-president Mr Mandela, promulgated the abortion law on February 1, 1997 and since then over 900,000 South African babies have been brutally murdered officially, legally and with tax payers' money.

Have you ever blasphemed God? Or made reference to Him or His Son Jesus by not showing Him the rightful reverence He deserves? It is evident from an article that appeared in Africa News that you have openly blasphemed God by making reference that God agrees with the ANC's policies, quote:

He said church leaders must persuade believers to vote for the ANC. “When priests pray for poverty to end and for development, then it means God agrees with the ANC because the ANC stands for those things,” Zuma said.

“When you preach in your churches, just explain to the congregation – in a paragraph – about the ANC. People who love God must not play with their votes, they must vote for the ANC,” said Zuma.

He added: "We in the ANC know God. When the ANC was born, it was baptized. We have respect, we are beautiful, and we conduct ourselves in a good way."

Mr President, it is clear that you have mocked almighty God by making fun and jokes about Him and His children. If you, or the ANC, know God you will keep His commandments --

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

God says He will hold everyone guilty for using His Name in vain. [SA: "ANC to rule till Jesus comes"]

Mr President, on the Day of Judgment when the Supreme Judge of the Universe, Almighty God holds Court; and He judges you according to His infinitely Holy Standard and Righteousness and finds that you, and all sinners, have transgressed His Law and you are found to be a liar, a thief, an adulterer and a fornicator, a murderer and a blasphemer, to mention a few charges, will you be innocent or guilty? The Bible says that all who sin against God will be guilty and not enter into the Kingdom of God.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous; nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)

The Word of God is clear and concise for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If God gives you the justice you rightfully deserve, you will be found guilty and God will send you to Hell for eternity -- it is His place that He has set aside for eternal damnation for the lawless to be punished by His Divine Wrath.

Knowing that you will be condemned into Hell for all eternity should be horrifying you at this point. If you are not trembling and fearful then you have not seen your sin as being exceedingly sinful before an infinitely, Holy, Righteous, Good, Sovereign and Just God.

There will be no entering into appeals against His judgment. There will be no Constitutional Court or Court of Appeal. God's JUDGMENT is final and binding for eternity. Receiving a guilty verdict means receiving Hell for eternity. Don't make light of Hell; it's a very real place of torment. Jesus spoke more about Hell than about Heaven. Heading for damnation in the fiery pit of Hell should concern you. It should make you extremely fearful. This is really bad news.

However, there is Good News and this is the only way man can escape Hell's eternal torment. About 2000 years ago God sent His Son Jesus Christ to this world on a mission. What took place was God choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. The Deity of Christ is revealed in The Holy Scriptures, God's Word -- The Bible --

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ... He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5, 11-14)

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

Jesus, the God-man was conceived by the Holy Spirit and He was born to a virgin named Mary --

And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:28-35, the angel sent by God to His maidservant Mary was the angel Gabriel)

He came into the world as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Jesus entered into His earthly ministry and this is an account by the apostle Peter --

Opening his mouth, Peter said:
"I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) -- you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:34-43)

Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:17,18)

Mr President, with reference to your Sunday Times interview, I quote:

"He [Zuma] appeared shocked and surprised by the outrage that followed the scandal, telling the Sunday Times: "There are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Pedis and so on ... How do we live together with an understanding that we understand each other?

"Values may not exactly be the same, but how do we bring harmony to this?"

Mr President, the problem is not about 'understanding each other', because it is not about us and our diverse religions, values and communities. The answer is: It is ALL ABOUT GOD AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!! It doesn't matter what you believe in. What matters is what you believe in is it true? If the God of Creation is not centre in everyone's lives their evil and wicked ways will persist. The God of the Holy Bible has given us the First Commandment that He is to be the Only God and we all are to worship Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and the Second Commandment reads that we are to have no idols (gods) before Him. If man is trying to resolve anything and he has broken the first two commandments then anything else man tries to accomplish will come to naught. Worshiping other gods (including addressing songomas and praying to ancestors) is idolatry and eternal punishment in Hell awaits all idolaters. There is a real spiritual war being waged between the Kingdom of Light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (satan). Satan uses religion to keep people in the darkness blinded to the Truth -- he does not want to go to Hell only with his demons.

Man relies on religion to try appease God for their evil and wicked lives. God says in His Word, speaking through His prophet Isaiah --

For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us whither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind take us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

The prophet Isaiah employed our righteous deeds by using the imagery of menstrual cloths used during a woman's period to picture uncleanness (cf. Leviticus 15:19-24). Man tries to get right with God by his works, but they are a stench before Almighty God. So it is through God's mercy by Him granting us grace (unmerited favour) that we can be saved. For we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone by trusting in Jesus Christ alone that a man can have his sins forgiven and be reconciled back to God.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the air of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, including the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Jesus said --

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

Jesus said He is the Way and so any other way man tries to get saved by is a false way. Jesus said He is the Truth -- therefore any other 'truth' is a lie, because there can only be one Truth. And Jesus said He is the Life -- you cannot receive life through any other.

God's Promise and Warning
Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's palace, and successfully completed all that he had planned on doing in the house of the LORD and in his palace. Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place."For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. "As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.' "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. "As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?' "And they will say, 'Because they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this adversity on them.'" (2 Chronicles 7:11-22, my emphasis)

A Plea to the Unsaved

There are some of you standing in these aisles and sitting in these pews, who I feel in my soul will never have another invitation, and if this be rejected today, I feel a solemn motion in my soul -- I think it is of the Holy Ghost -- that you will never hear another faithful sermon, but you shall go down to Hell impenitent, unsaved, except you trust in Jesus now. I speak not as a man, but I speak as God's ambassador to your souls, and I command you, in God's name, trust Jesus, trust now. At your peril reject the voice that speaks from Heaven, for "he that believeth not shall be damned." How shall you escape if you neglect so great salvation. When it comes right home to you, when it thrusts itself in your way, oh, if you will neglect it how can you escape? With tears I would invite you, and, if I could, would compel you to come in. Why will you not? Oh souls, if you will be damned, if you make up your mind that no mercy shall ever woo you, and no warnings shall ever move you, then, sirs, what chains of vengeance must you feel that slight these bonds of love. You have deserved the deepest Hell, for you slight the joys above. God save you. He will save you, if you trust in Jesus. God help you to trust Him even now for Jesus' sake. Amen. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

And with my Brother in Christ who has gone to our Lord Jesus in glory, I speak not as a man, but I speak as God's ambassador to your souls --

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

"... that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)

Mr President, as an ambassador of God, I call you and the citizens of South Africa to REPENT (turn from and forsake) of your evil and wicked sin and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is your only hope.

An unworthy sinner, saved by grace
Gary Crous
___________________
All Scripture References are from the NASB (Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation)

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Nelson Mandela - Hero or Terrorist?

2010-02-22T13:09:00.009+02:00

Posted by Cameron Buettel on Monday, February 15, 2010 at his blog The Bottom Line.

Dr. Peter Hammond is an heroic missionary based in South Africa. He is a rare blend of being combat trained, having an immense academic intellect, and fearlessness as an evangelist. As a man who has been tortured in the prisons of despotic communist dictators, he is not intimidated in the slightest by political correctness. And there is no greater darling of political correctness in his homeland than Nelson Mandela.

Mandela was the key player in the recently released movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, called "Invictus". Is this movie an accurate portrayal of history or the invention of politically correct revisionism?

Hammond contends that this is a politically correct work of fiction in his scorching movie review (see below). Hammond's review is a stunning and provocative read that is both Gospel centred and loaded with the inside historical story from a South African who has lived there for 50 years - so stunning that I had to post it:

INVICTUS IDOLATRY - A Film Review By Dr. Peter Hammond

This stirring new film on South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory includes serious distortions of history. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as President Nelson Mandela, Invictus makes a major contribution towards the building up of the mythology of Nelson Mandela as a modern day idol.

Their Finest Hour

Invictus focuses on the New South Africa’s finest hour as the Springbok rugby team, led by Francois Pienaar, won the World Cup. It also focuses on President Nelson Mandela’s finest hour as he donned the Springbok rugby team’s green and gold jersey and cap and publicly associated with the Springbok’s triumph.

There is no doubt that this was probably Nelson Mandela’s most astute move to appear in public at the World Cup Finals in the Springbok uniform jersey and cap. One billion people were watching. This was, as Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela in the film declared: “An opportunity!” Indeed any wise politician would seize the limelight and exploit such an opportunity to identify with his national team’s greatest moment of triumph.

In the context of the racially polarized New South Africa, this gesture was meaningful and it was appreciated. It particularly won Nelson Mandela much admiration and support from white South Africans to whom rugby was much more than their national sport. However, it was a political token amidst a much broader context of Marxist violence.

Racial Stereotypes

This beautifully crafted, stirring and inspiring film, Invictus, clearly has a political agenda. It has dangerous distortions of reality and a selective focus which portrays the whites in South Africa as narrow minded, disgruntled, racial bigots. In fact, all the white characters in Invictus are one or two dimensional, with no depth of character. Incredibly this even includes Matt Damon’s portrayal of Francois Pienaar, the South African rugby team captain. One never gets to see quite what makes him tick. His leadership seems completely inadequate to explain this spectacular triumph of the Springboks over the previously unbeatable Australian and New Zealand rugby teams.

A Political Hijack

Incredibly, Invictus boldly gives all the credit for the Springboks’ World Cup victory to President Nelson Mandela. This must be the first time in history that any head of state has been given the credit for a sport team’s achievements on the field. Does Queen Elizabeth II get the credit if England’s rugby team wins? Was US President Bush credited with American Olympic athlete’s achievements in Beijing?

An Astute Politician

It was undoubtedly a very wise and astute political move for Nelson Mandela to oppose his own party’s plans to abolish the Springbok green and gold uniform and symbols. Doubtless Nelson Mandela genuinely wanted the national team to win, not only for the desirable national unity it could inspire, but for the international prestige it could give to his government.

Ignoring the Context

However, the film maker should not have oversimplified the fascinating story by separating it from its real context of crime and violence after a brutal 30 year terrorist war waged by Nelson Mandela’s ANC.

Imaginative Idolatry

Time and again the film focuses on Mandela’s imprisonment on Robben Island, often with dream-like imaginative flashbacks of Nelson Mandela breaking rocks on Robben Island. The film even includes a pilgrimage to Mandela’s cell in the prison on Robben Island, but there is never any mention of why he was imprisoned.

The impression given is that he was imprisoned for opposing apartheid, but many people, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, vigorously opposed apartheid without ever being imprisoned.

The Unanswered Reason Why

The fact is that even Amnesty International refused to take on Nelson Mandela’s case because they asserted that he was no political prisoner but had committed numerous violent crimes and had had a fair trial and a reasonable sentence.

Nelson Mandela was the head of UmKhonto we Sizwe, (MK), the terrorist wing of the ANC and South African Communist Party. He had pleaded guilty to 156 acts of public violence including mobilizing terrorist bombing campaigns, which planted bombs in public places, including the Johannesburg railway station. Many innocent people, including women and children, were killed by Nelson Mandela’s MK terrorists.

South African President P.W. Botha had, on a number of occasions, offered Nelson Mandela freedom from prison, if he would only renounce terrorist violence. This Mandela refused to do.

New Maths

In Invictus Mandela’s 26 years in jail, custody and prison becomes 30 years in the cell in Robben Island, even though prisoners on Robben Island were allowed to walk freely around the Island during the day and were only locked up at night. No mention was made of the very comfortable warden’s house at Victor Verster (five star) prison where Mandela spent his last years of confinement.

Inspiring Words

Invictus regularly portrays Nelson Mandela as a most gracious, kind and forgiving man. Many most commendable words are put in his mouth including “the past is past. We need your services. We can only succeed with your help… reconciliation starts here…. forgiveness liberates the soul….forgiveness is a powerful weapon.”

Did Only One Group Have Anything to Forgive?

Under Clint Eastwood’s directorship, Invictus dogmatically asserts that Nelson Mandela and the black people needed to forgive the whites. Never does the film portray how much the whites had to forgive people like Nelson Mandela and his ANC terrorists who were responsible for the murder of thousands of South Africans. There is no mention in Invictus of the three decades of vicious terrorist warfare, including the burning down of thousands of schools, hacking to death of thousands of innocent people in homes and in the streets, pouring gasoline over a thousand innocent victims setting them alight, in the brutal necklace murders, the car bombs in public streets, limpet mines in shopping centres, petrol bombs and grenades through windows at night and assassinations.

Nor were economic sanctions referred to − which cost millions of jobs; and the sports boycott which had prevented the Springboks from competing internationally for decades.

A Negotiated Settlement

At one point in the film, Morgan Freeman’s Mandela character reminds his secretary: “The whites still control the army, the police and the economy.” That was correct, which gives the lie to the picture portrayed in Invictus of grudging, unwilling, narrow minded white racist bigots.

The fact is that white South Africans, who had the political, military and economic power and who had defeated Mandela’s ANC terrorists consistently, willingly handed over the reigns of power after a negotiated settlement.

The Communist Connection

Invictus never mentions Nelson Mandela’s open support for brutal communist regimes such as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, Red China, Gadhaffi’s Libya, Saddam Hussein, Yasar Arafat and other dictators. During the very time covered by Invictus Mandela received Fidel Castro, the longest reigning dictator in the world, and gave him the highest award that South Africa could give and then had both Houses of Parliament gather to hear an address from the Cuban tyrant.

The Ugly Reality

During the very time covered by the movie many hundreds of white farmers, and their wives and children, were being brutally murdered, actually tortured to death, often by UmKhonto we Sizwe guerillas, many of whom were now part of the South African National Defence Force.

Double Standards

Although Invictus gives all glory for the Springbok Rugby World Cup win to Nelson Mandela, it does not attach any blame to him for the rising crime and plummeting economy. During one short visual in the film Mandela looks at a newspaper headline which speaks of the rising crime and plummeting rand. This reality deserved a little bit more attention. During 46 years of National Party apartheid rule over 18,000 people had been killed by rioters, terrorists, by the police and the army, on all sides, including terrorists, civilian victims, military casualties and police. A total of 18,000 dead during 46 years of conflict. However, in peacetime, under Nelson Mandela, an average of 20,000 to 25,000 people were murdered every year.

Fueling the Crime Wave

Yet to celebrate his birthdays, Mandela would regularly open the prison doors and set many criminals, including armed robbers, murderers and rapists, free. Some of whom were murdering and raping within 24 hours of being released.

Economic Deterioration

In the 1970s, even while facing terrorism, riots and engaged in a border war with the Cubans in Angola, the South African Rand was stronger than the US Dollar. However, after years of US sanctions, the South African Rand had fallen to R2 to the Dollar. Under Nelson Mandela even with no war, no sanctions, no riots, no conscription, and with massive international aid and investment, the Rand plummeted to R8 to the Dollar, and even R10 to the Dollar, then R12 and even to R14 to the Dollar for a time. But according to Invictus, no blame can be attached to Nelson Mandela for the economic deterioration and the sky-rocketing crime rate under his presidency. However, he should be given all the credit for what the Springbok rugby team achieved on the field!

Legalising Abortion and Pornography

Viewers of Invictus also need to be aware that the kind and thoughtful gentleman portrayed in Invictus was the prime mover of the legalisation of abortion, pornography, gambling and homosexuality in South Africa and of the introduction of sex education in public schools. Since Nelson Mandela forced through the legalisation of abortion, not even allowing ANC MPs a conscience vote, and signed it into Law, 1 February 1997, over 900,000 South African babies have been killed through abortion, officially, legally and with tax-payers money.

Censoring Christianity

Another disturbing aspect of Invictus is the editing out of the Christian Faith of key members of the Springbok rugby team. There were many consistent reports of a core of the Springbok rugby team being Bible-believing Christians who regularly met for prayer before the matches.

Yet that is never depicted. The film does give a very anaemic presentation of the Springbok team kneeling in prayer after their victory, but it is such a lame and limp “Thanks Lord for letting us win the game” that it just doesn’t ring true.

As Francois Pienaar declared in his BBC Sport interview in 1995: When the final whistle went “I fell right to my knees. I'm a Christian and wanted to say a quick prayer for being in such a wonderful event, not because of the winning. Then all of a sudden, the whole team was around me, which was a special moment.”

Slanderous Distortion

Despite Francois Pienaar’s testimony, Invictus incredibly portrays him as fornicating before the winning match and swearing during it. And although the Springbok rugby team gave all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for their triumph, Clint Eastwood’s production of Invictus transfers that glory to Nelson Mandela and a humanist poem by English poet William Ernest Henley, which he quotes: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul… I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” It is the title of that poem, Invictus, after which the film is named.

Selective Focus

Francois Pienaar also pointed out in his 1995 interview with BBC Sport that the game favourites for the World Cup Rugby had been Australia, whom the Springboks beat in the opening game. This landmark victory is down played in Invictus.

Oversimplifying a Complex Country

It is unfortunate that Invictus reinforces stereotypes of narrow minded, white racists and whitewashes Nelson Mandela and the Marxists in the ANC. South Africa is far more complex and interesting than this film suggests. To understand South African history we need to understand the African context and the reality of the Cold War, which was the backdrop to the conflict in which Nelson Mandela played such a key role.

A Paid Political Advertisement?

It would be interesting to know from where the funding came for this film. At times it seemed like a paid political advertisement for Nelson Mandela and the ANC. If all that the film depicts of Nelson Mandela encouraging the team is really true, then it is commendable. But surely any sport team’s victory is to the credit of the Manager, the Coach and the team members’ dedication, training, fitness and skill?

For more background information see: The Battle For South Africa; The Battle For the Mind in the News Media; True and False Guilt; The Cold War and The Iron Curtain; The Paganisation of South Africa; and Over a Million Reasons Why I Will Not be Voting ANC, available on www.frontline.org.za

Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P O Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa

E-mail: admin@frontline.org.za
Web: www.frontline.org.za

SFOI ~ Super Bowl XLIV Outreach

2010-02-12T13:19:00.004+02:00

This past weekend was the Super Bowl Outreach and Matt Johnson of Georgia ministered to the evangelists in Miami, Florida. Matt is also a dear Brother in Christ who I met at the Ambassadors’ Alliance Academy #3 in June 2008. To be encouraged please read his blog Following Jesus which challenges, encourages and edifies the saints.

I have posted these sermons which will definitely have you examining the preaching of the Gospel. Be encouraged ...

Listen to them at this Link.

Summer4Souls™ Reports

2010-02-12T13:06:00.004+02:00

Here are two Reports that appear at our Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

1. Praise Report ~ Train Ministry: Retreat - Cape Town - Retreat

2. Canvassing Report ~ Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg

Archived Map of Visitors to this Blog

2010-02-03T13:42:00.004+02:00

We hope to have many more visitors in 2010 as the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes to the ends of the world.

A new map is now in operation. View the archived map here.

The Mission Ball

2010-02-03T13:20:00.005+02:00

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Gary Crous
Torrey Babb is also a graduate of The Ambassadors’ Academy (#3). The ministry our LORD has entrusted him and his wife, Heather, with is The Mission Ball. To read more of this missionary’s heart please check out Keloland Television where there is also a video clip.

Here is a part quote from the Keloland Television interview:

Because the Mission Ball is a non-profit group, the Babbs rely on donations and ball sales at Christian events like Lifelight to fund their trips. And now they’re planning their biggest one yet.

“Our goal is to bring 10,000 Mission Balls to South Africa during the World Cup,” Babb said.

Fans from all over the world – people who love soccer – converging in one place. Seems like the perfect opportunity.

Dave Eggen / Inertia Torrey Babb hopes mission balls featuring Biblical messages will be used on soccer field all over the world.

“It’s a once every four years, where the world does come together,” Babb said. “Every language will probably be represented, and it’s just an amazing chance to spread the gospel. Not just with the people who are attending the World Cup, but working with the local villages. And maybe the people who you won’t see on TV, when the games are being televised. Maybe the villages and the little shacks that are a mile away from the beautiful new stadiums.”

Please pray for God to draw and send forth the correct donors that will sponsor the mission balls for God’s Kingdom.

Here is also an article from Living Stones News titled – ‘Mission Balls’ are tools to reach others for Christ.

If you would like to help, go to torreybabb@frontlineint.org or check it out on the Web at www.frontlineint.org.

You can help reach the world with Christ through Mission Balls.

Praise Report ~ Summer4Souls™ Cape Town

2010-02-03T13:09:00.003+02:00

Here are two Praise Reports written by Nigel Titus that appears at our Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog:

1. Wynberg to Muizenberg Outreach and Back Again ...

2. Muizenberg and Sunrise Circle Beach

Apologies for the delay in posting at this blog.

Woza 2010 has arrived ...

2010-01-06T13:28:00.008+02:00

and LORD willing, we will see you all in South Africa. A Happy New Year to all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ the world over. May Christ lead us in a deeper desire and passion for lost souls and that we will be faithful labourers for our King. Let us remember why King Jesus came to this world and what is required of us -

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) and the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked (1 John 2:6).

Project Ezra ~ The Gospel of John

2009-12-21T13:55:00.009+02:00

On Saturday I attended a farewell for our dear family in Christ Regardt Reynolds, his wife Lynette and their son Leonard who are immigrating to Australia. It was a wonderful time spent fellowshipping and partaking in a real South African braai (what you would call a barbeque). We were unable to get a team together for the Project Ezra reading, and what would have been an ideal day for the reading then changed and the rain came.

Not to be deterred I waited for Sunday and although it was still fresh and cloudy, I went down into Alexandra Park in Pietermaritzburg in the afternoon where there was an event taking place known as 'Fantasia'. The event has a fun fair with big-wheel, swings, and other rides and there is a flea-market style set-up for people making their last effort bargain buys for Christmas. The location is in a rockery area with one main entrance. So this is the place where I took up 'residence' for the greater part of about 4 and a quarter hours.

Earlier I had prayed as the 'dreaded fear' was gripping me and I asked God to take control of the situation as I did not want to do anything in my own strength. I prayed for God to lead me and give me His strength to accomplish what He has already ordained.

God is Awesome!! I felt calm after praying to God for His protection and ventured out of my parked vehicle. It is so humbling to know God is in control of every situation. At this point I placed a pink parking ticket tract under the vehicles' windshield wipers and made my way along engaging some groups of people in one2three and more conversations. The boldness was increasing with every step I took - not because of any of my efforts, but by the grace of our loving Father.

Standing at the entrance allowed me to ask the questions: What is the REAL reason for the season? What does Christmas mean to you? Why was Jesus born and had to come into this world? What is going to happen to you the day you die? How will you stand before God on Judgment Day? There were many people that from their appearances you could see that they were Muslim or Hindu and there were those who just looked with blank expressions on their faces that spoke "What are you talking about?" Some people stopped and spoke to me which allowed me the opportunity to open the Perfect Law and the Gospel of Divine Grace to any hearers passing by, too.

It was a wonderful time spent preaching the Word of God to lost souls as our Lord Jesus gave me utterance. There were the professing Christians who would walk on by and say "I am saved" (but they were apparently indifferent to the plight of the lost) and then there were also Christians who encouraged the preaching of the Word of God. I did the Project Ezra reading from the Gospel of John from chapter 1 through 7 -- intermittently pausing in between chapters and verses to expound upon the Word of God, to open the Law and preach Grace through the Saviour of Who's birth we are celebrating. I also brought to the persons' attention that celebrating Christmas is not about Santa Claus, father Christmas, presents, Christmas trees and/or parties, but the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ -- Almighty God revealing Himself in the person of His Son to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Many Gospel Tracts were handed out and even late in the evening some Muslim teenagers - who were initially upset by what I was saying that other religions are false - came over and engaged me in conversation while they waited for their lift. From not wanting to take a Gospel Tract at first, when they left I held out the tract to the one lad and said: "Come, take it, what have you got to lose? - read it and do with it as you want. But read it."

I thank God for His Goodness in allowing me to do His will -- not that I deserve to be used of the LORD. It is an awesome privilege to be able to speak the Word of God in public to those who are dying in their sin. The Truth the inhabitants of Pietermaritzburg heard last night is -- If you die in your sin because you have rebelled against God by breaking all His commandments and also because you have rejected God's Son the Lord Jesus Christ you will be punished for eternity. Your only hope is repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus Christ for His finished work upon the cross to be your Saviour to save the repentant sinner. Jesus is to be both Lord and Saviour of your life. There is no other way to receive eternal life.

2010 FIFA World Cup Final™ Fixtures

2009-12-18T13:38:00.008+02:00

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final™ Fixtures have been compiled under each of the nine host cities so that the evangelists can start making plans for the days of each match and also those days when matches will not be played. The information provided is City, Date, Group / Match, Kick-off Time and Teams competing.

Please start praying, praying and praying some more for wisdom and God's leading for each match to take place, Lord willing, and how we are to be used of the Lord Jesus to reach the lost with the Law and the Gospel of Divine Grace.

Lord willing, pray and start setting aside the days, making reservations and getting your passports in order with visas. We hope to see you there on the streets and at the stadia ...

JOHANNESBURG, Soccer City
▸ Group Matches
11 June A 16h00 South Africa vs. Mexico
14 June E 13h30 Netherlands vs Denmark
17 June B 20h30 Argentina vs Korea Republic
20 June G 20h30 Brazil vs. Côte d’Ivoire
23 June D 20h30 Ghana vs. Germany
▸ Round of 16
27 June 2 20h30 Winner Group B vs. Runner-Up Group A
▸ Quarter-Final
02 July A 20h30 1 vs. 3
▸ FINAL
11 July 20h30 Winner I vs. Winner II

JOHANNESBURG, Ellis Park
▸ Group Matches
12 June B 13h30 Argentina vs. Nigeria
15 June G 20h30 Brazil vs. Korea DPR
18 June C 16h00 Slovenia vs. USA
21 June H 20h30 Spain vs. Honduras
24 June F 16h00 Slovakia vs. Italy
▸ Round of 16
28 June 7 20h30 Winner Group G vs. Runner-Up Group H
▸ Quarter-Final
03 July D 20h30 6 vs. 8

CAPE TOWN
▸ Group Matches
11 June A 20h30 Uruguay vs. France
14 June F 20h30 Italy vs. Paraguay
18 June C 20h30 England vs. Algeria
21 June G 13h30 Portugal vs. Korea DPR
24 June E 20h30 Cameroon vs. Netherlands
▸ Round of 16
29 June 8 20h30 Winner Group H vs. Runner-Up Group G
▸ Quarter-Final
03 July B 16h00 2 vs. 4
▸ Semi-Final
06 July I 20h30 A vs. C

PORT ELIZABETH
▸ Group Matches
12 June B 16h00 Korea Republic vs. Greece
15 June G 16h00 Côte d’Ivoire vs. Portugal
18 June D 13h30 Germany vs. Serbia
21 June H 16h00 Chile vs. Switzerland
23 June C 16h00 Slovenia vs. England
▸ Round of 16
26 June 1 16h00 Winner Group A vs. Runner-Up Group B
▸ Quarter-Final
02 July C 16h00 5 vs. 7
▸ THIRD/FOURTH PLACE PLAY-OFF
10 July 20h30 Loser I vs. Loser II

RUSTENBURG
▸ Group Matches
12 June C 20h30 England vs. USA
15 June F 13h30 New Zealand vs. Slovakia
19 June D 13h30 Ghana vs. Australia
22 June A 16h00 Mexico vs. Uruguay
24 June E 20h30 Denmark vs. Japan
▸ Round of 16
26 June 3 20h30 Winner Group C vs. Runner-Up Group D

POLOKWANE
▸ Group Matches
13 June C 13h30 Algeria vs. Slovenia
17 June A 13h30 France vs. Mexico
22 June B 20h30 Greece vs. Argentina
24 June F 16h00 Paraguay vs. New Zealand

DURBAN
▸ Group Matches
13 June D 16h00 Germany vs. Australia
16 June H 16h00 Spain vs. Switzerland
19 June E 16h00 Netherlands vs. Japan
22 June B 20h30 Nigeria vs. Korea Republic
25 June G 16h00 Portugal vs. Brazil
▸ Round of 16
28 June 5 16h00 Winner Group E vs. Runner-Up Group F
▸ Semi-Final
07 July II 20h30 B vs. D

TSHWANE/PRETORIA
▸ Group Matches
13 June D 20h30 Serbia vs. Ghana
16 June A 20h30 South Africa vs. Uruguay
19 June E 20h30 Cameroon vs. Denmark
23 June C 16h00 USA vs. Algeria
25 June H 20h30 Chile vs. Spain
▸ Round of 16
29 June 6 16h00 Winner Group F vs. Runner-Up Group E

MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN
▸ Group Matches
14 June E 16h00 Japan vs. Cameroon
17 June B 16h00 Greece vs. Nigeria
20 June F 13h30 Slovakia vs. Paraguay
22 June A 16h00 France vs. South Africa
25 June H 20h30 Switzerland vs. Honduras
▸ Round of 16
27 June 4 16h00 Winner Group D vs. Runner-Up Group C

NELSPRUIT
▸ Group Matches
16 June H 13h30 Honduras vs. Chile
20 June F 16h00 Italy vs. New Zealand
23 June D 20h30 Australia vs. Serbia
25 June G 16h00 Korea DPR vs. Côte d’Ivoire

A more precise Newsletter will follow in due course containing more details. If you have any questions you can also contact -

Nigel Titus (located in Cape Town)
legintitus@gmail.com
Cellular 083 642 4454

Gary Crous (located in Pietermaritzburg / Durban)
gary@gdlk.co.za
Cellular 072 221 1233

Praise Report ~ Summer4Souls™ Outreach in Cape Town

2009-12-18T13:33:00.003+02:00

This Praise Report is written by Brother Nigel Titus for an outreach that took place on Wednesday December 16, 2009.

Yesterday, evangelists and like minded Christians heeded the Macedonian call and descended upon Muizenberg to preach the gospel and engage strangers with one2one witnessing encounters. Amongst the team were three new faces, eager to do their bit to obey the Great Commission. After the day’s events, they gave their verbal commitment to support us in our future evangelism endeavors. Praise God for adding to the team!

You can read the full report by clicking this link.

Summer4Souls™ Outreach in Cape Town

2009-12-14T16:09:00.005+02:00

Our out-reach campaign for the summer gathers momentum this week with 2 planned evangelism events. On Wednesday the 16th December 2009 (public holiday), we will be at the Sunrise Circle flea market @ Muizenberg from about 12pm onwards. We will then move onto the general Muizenberg beach area and eventually end up at Surfer’s Corner. We anticipate ending at about 5pm. One2One witnessing and open air preaching will be on the menu.

The fact that Wednesday is Reconciliation Day creates a perfect springboard to talk to strangers and beach-goers about the necessity of being reconciled to God. It’s also getting closer to Christmas Day, so talking to people about their understanding of the day and what it means to them will also lead to great witnessing encounters.

Let me know if you are available – We will post a Praise Report and photos on our blog site after the event. Details of the 2nd trip will be communicated soon.

Your supplication, as always, is appreciated.

Blessings

Nigel Titus
legintitus@gmail.com
Cellular 083 642 4454

Report from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town

2009-12-14T16:06:00.001+02:00

On Saturday December 5, 2009, Nigel, Charlene and their son Jordan, Daniel Manuels (cameraman), Donovan Nelson and Gary Crous took to the V & A Waterfront to hand out Gospel Tracts, engage in one2one witnessing and read Scripture. This was the day after the FIFA Final Draw outreach in the heart of the “Mother City”.

I found there to be some interesting conversations – many terminated by the persons being witnessed to as their consciences were convicting them. The day had an edge about it; possibly it had alot to do with the actual area we were in that is a haven of self-love, lust of the flesh, idolatry (material possessions and money) and pride. The V & A caters for those who pamper after their flesh and sin. It is an ideal place to reach the lost.

View the photographs at this slideshow.

Report from the FIFA Final Draw in Cape Town

2009-12-11T13:53:00.021+02:00

On the evening of Thursday December 3, 2009 we had a meeting at Brother Nigel and Sister Charlene Titus’ home in Grassy Park where we discussed the schedule and prayed for the outreach in and around the Cape Town city centre to take place the next day.

By the grace of God and after some time of planning this event, the day arrived on Friday December 4 where a team of evangelists would be taking to the streets of Cape Town to meet sinners whose only interest in this particular day would appear to be “to go out and party in Long Street”.

We left Nigel’s home shortly after 12:00 and proceeded into the city. The team would eventually comprise an “early” team and a “later” team for those joining us after work in the late afternoon / early evening. The members present were Nigel Titus, Donovan Nelson, Timothy Brown, Madge Titus (Nigel’s mother), Veronica Neutt, Bradley Scott, Bernadette Wagner, Craig Ernstzen, Barion Smith, Daniel Manuels (cameraman) and Gary Crous.

THIBAULT SQUARE

We arrived at Thibault Square; Nigel had received a call to collect the gospel tracts delivered to the mail room at his work in God’s perfect timing from Living Waters Africa. At the Square there were many people sitting around, walking through, waiting or taking their lunch break, and some were even on their “smoke-break” from work. Meeting these people allowed us opportunities to witness to them about the Day of Judgment that is approaching them as we opened the Perfect Law of God to their consciences and revealed the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ through the perfect atonement of sins through His sacrificial death on the cross, but most importantly His resurrection to life where He has conquered the sting of death, the grave and sinners’ sins for those who will repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During this time there were many one2one witnessing encounters undertaken by us zealous evangelists. Challengers were also encountered and overcome by the power of God. One particular incident was when Veronica was approached by a security officer, who is employed at the Square, who questioned her about handing out tracts and whether she had permission to do so. Veronica approached Gary to discuss the situation, whilst he was witnessing to an elderly gentleman who understood the Word being opened to him. Afterwards, Gary explained to Veronica that the Square was public domain unless there was any signage prohibiting the distribution of written materials (including Gospel Tracts) or a code of conduct that was viewable. The situation did not proceed any further as we were not approached again by security. In all that unfolded in the Square He is the One who is glorified in all the good works that took place. We were merely the vessels that were available to God for Him to speak His Words to dying sinners. No praise is due to us – God is the One to be glorified for orchestrating us. There were some persons who were receptive and open to discussion and there were also those who held fast to their unbelief and were prepared to take a gamble with their eternal wellbeing where their consciences terminated the conversations rather than receive the Truth in and through Christ Jesus.

ST GEORGES STREET MALL

From Thibault Square, the soldiers of the cross rounded up and proceeded up St. Georges Street Mall. After taking a short “time-out” the work of the Lord continued with handing out of tracts, one2one witnessing and ministering to believers and the unsaved. Craig Ernstzen shared that there was a security guard who had heard the gospel proclaimed to him once before and was at the point of making a profession for Christ Jesus. We pray the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) and saved him by reconciling him into God’s family by making him a child of the Almighty.

There were many more opportunities of handing out tracts as we walked the length of the Mall and we also had opportunities of engaging the lost in conversation taking them through the Good Person Test, opening up the Perfect Law and expounding upon the Goodness of God expressing His Mercy and Grace through the cross by the sacrificing of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE GARDENS (Outside Parliament)

This would be where we would do our Project Ezra readings - we had chosen Matthew 5 – 7 and other readings. Today would also be the first time for five of our brothers and sisters in Christ to break the sound barrier. God is gracious in bringing His children to a place of overcoming what we call obstacles. In God’s strength all things are possible. Hallelujah.

(From Top L to R through to Bottom L to R in order of Project Ezra readings – Nigel Titus, Gary Crous, Veronica Neutt (Newbie), Madge Titus (Newbie), Timothy Brown (Newbie), Donovan Nelson (Newbie), Craig Ernstzen, and Barion Smith (Newbie))

While the readings were taking place, passer-bys were handed many tracts and witnessing conversations also took place under the tree lined walkway. It was also at this point that a few of the brethren commenced with open-air preaching as the proclamation of God’s Law and the Gospel of Grace echoed in the Gardens of Cape Town. During the preaching of the Word Nigel handed a Million Dollar tract to a guy named Matthew. On receiving it he looked intently at it and said: “Is this the Way of the Master tract?” A conversation commenced between Nigel and Matthew – who opened his backpack to reveal that he, too, was carrying Living Waters tracts and material. Matthew has recently moved down to Cape Town from Durban to work there and Nigel now has his contact details. It is awesome to know that the ekklesia is being exposed to The Way of the Master Evangelism. Praise God that Biblical Evangelism is being preached!!!

LONG STREET (The Party-Zone)

We proceeded down to Long Street in the heart of Cape Town where the party-zone was cordoned off by the ever present South African Police Services (SAPS). To gain access you had to enter from the side streets – after being bodily searched by SAPS Law Enforcement Officers. It was a sea of humanity and chaotic – we could never even think about having meaningful conversations with the hoards of lost souls from every creed, tribe and tongue who were there for one thing – to party. Long Street was out of the question, but the side street we entered the zone from was ideal. Conversations could be had even with the everpresent soundings of the Vuvuzelas and we were also able to open-air preach to the lines of fans waiting to enter the party-zone.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – Matthew 24:36-39

There is so much more that can be written about our evangelising the lost and hopefully individual stories and testimonies will be penned and sent in to be posted by our Lord’s labourers. Praise belongs to Our One and Only God – The Lord Jesus Christ for without His Good Works we can do absolutely nothing.

The Class of 4 December 2009 – Back Row L to R – Donovan Nelson, Bradley Scott, Craig Ernstzen, Gary Crous, Nigel Titus, Timothy Brown; Front Row L to R - Veronica Neutt, Barion Smith, Bernadette Wagner, and Madge Titus; Cameraman – Daniel Manuels. Late arrivals Emile & Teri Jansen and their daughter.

After a long day, with tired limbs, hoarse throats, but vibrant in heart we fellowshipped as a family around a meal at Nandos where we discussed our experiences, shared “war stories” and testimonies of how Great and Good our God really is - it was a perfect way to end a perfect day.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

To see all the photographs view them at this slideshow.

Photos of FIFA Final Draw Outreach

2009-12-09T13:44:00.004+02:00

Here is a link to the photographs from our outreach in the heart of Cape Town.

Reports to follow.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Draw™ Gospel Tract

2009-12-09T13:33:00.002+02:00

The following appeared on a specially designed gospel tract that was in the form of a handout that was distributed on the streets of Cape Town during the carnival atmosphere leading up to the Final Draw that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on December 4, 2009.

Side One:

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW™

CAPE TOWN

4TH DECEMBER 2009

QUIZ ~ Q & A

(Test your knowledge and please do not cheat by looking at the answers first)

1. What team has won the most FIFA World Cup tournaments?

2. In which year did the USA upset England by beating them 1-0?

3. Which player holds the record for the most goals scored at a single tournament?

4. How many host nations have won the World Cup?

5. Most goals scored by a team in one finals match?

6. Who has scored the fastest goal at any finals?

7. Which Brazilian player celebrates “finals” by wearing his “I Belong to Jesus” T-Shirt?

~ Please read the reverse side for more knowledge ~

Answers*: 1. Brazil Five Times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). 2. 1950. 3. Just Fontaine of France 13 goals in 1958. 4. Six Nations (1930 Uruguay, 1934 Italy, 1966 England, 1974 West Germany, 1978 Argentina, 1998 France). 5. Ten goals by Hungary (Hungary 10 vs. El Salvador 1) in 1982. 6. Turkey’s Hakan Sukur after 11 seconds in the third-place play-off match against South Korea 2002. 7. Kakà.

*Answers were verified on Football internet sites and are taken as being correct as at 3rd December 2009.

Nigel Titus: 083 642 4454 / Gary Crous: 072 221 1233

Side Two:

Now that you have answered the questions on the reverse side of this handout ~ how did you score? 25%? 50%? 100%? We tend to know a lot about our sport and other things, but spend little to no time thinking about the million dollar question that I will put to you now. This question will make every other question you have ever answered appear to be insignificant. Do you know what will happen to you the day you will die and pass into eternity? People tend to think about everything else including attending a World Cup Draw event than thinking about their eternal destiny. Reality is 150 000 people die every 24 hours and you know that you are guaranteed one thing in this life ~ someday you will also die. If you should die this day, do you think you will be good enough to stand before a Holy God and go to Heaven. If I should ask you if you are a good person, most persons will profess to be good. But, by what standard are you basing your goodness on? Your own standard? To truly see whether you are a good person you should use a more perfect standard to judge yourself by looking into the perfect moral Law of Almighty God. This Law is known as the Ten Commandments. How many lies have you told in your life? Half-truths, fibs, white lies … it doesn’t matter what you call the lie, by definition God sees you as a liar. Stolen something? It doesn’t matter the size or value of the object, time does not excuse this crime. God sees you as a thief. Jesus said in old times it was said do not commit adultery, but I tell you whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Ever looked with lust? Had sexual thoughts in your mind? Indulged in fornication (had sex outside the bounds of marriage)? Then God sees you as an adulterer. Ever committed murder? The Bible says hating someone is murder (1 John 3:15). This also includes abortion which is the murder of unborn children. Ever used God or His Son Jesus’ name to show surprise or disgust? Like, “Oh my G-D!!” That is blasphemy and it is a serious offense in the sight of God. If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions then God sees you as a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer and a blasphemer and God finds you guilty and will judge you for every crime you have committed against Him. He sees every thought, intention of the heart, every word uttered and every deed done, even those in secret. If God gives you the justice you rightfully deserve on the Day of Judgment as a lawbreaker then will you go to Heaven or Hell? Any person in their right mind will know that breaking the Law demands a payment and God has assigned a place called Hell as His prison for sinners who have transgressed against Him. That is the bad news. The Good News is that God is so kind and merciful that He expressed His grace and love to sinners by choosing to reveal Himself in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully Man and without sin, Jesus gave us the divine standard by which we are to live and then He went to the cross to be punished by the full wrath of God to pay the price and take the full punishment for the repentant sinner who will hear the Gospel and believe. Not just believe but to put your full trust in Jesus Christ for mercifully dying in the place of you the sinner. You cannot buy your way into Heaven. Your righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) in the sight of a Holy God. You are not good. God is so Good to want to save evil and wicked sinners from eternal damnation. Repent (turn away and forsake your sin) before God’s throne while you still have time. Then read the Bible and live out what it tells you.

www.NeedGod.com

The Days of Noah - A Series

2009-11-30T14:01:00.005+02:00

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." - Matthew 24:36-39

I thank Brother Cameron Beuttel for this series on "The Days of Noah" which you can view at his blog The Bottom Line.

You can also view the series at the following links -

Part 1 - Introduction

Part 2 - Lesson 1: Judgment Is Coming

Part 3 - Lesson 2: God's Great Mercy Has A Limit

Part 4 - Lesson 3: Do Not Underestimate The Wickedness Of Mankind

Part 5 - Lesson 4: We Think Of Noah As A Boat Builder But God Called Him A Preacher Of Righteousness

Part 6 - Lesson 5: God Provides A Way To Save Wicked People

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Evangelism – Newsletter #2

2009-11-27T13:16:00.008+02:00

We, Bill Adams (www.sfoi.org), Michael Rogers (www.livingwatersafrica.co.za) and Gary Crous (www.luke9.23evangelism@wordpress.com) have received responses from four (4) brothers in Christ who have shown a willingness to labour with us at the 2010 event. Keep praying to our Father for more laborers (Matthew 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2).

We have received the following report from Brother Nigel Titus in Cape Town who is graciously coordinating The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Draw™ Evangelism Outreach from December 4th-6th, 2009 –

On December 4, 2009, Cape Town will welcome FIFA executives, representatives of the 32 qualifying teams, the international media, and FIFA guests to the city to witness the Final Draw for the tournament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The Final Draw, which will take place in front of some 3 000 international guests at the Cape Town International Convention Centre will be broadcast live to an estimated audience of 150 million viewers in 200 countries.

The event is expected to have football fans around the world glued to their screens as the match order for the qualifying teams is announced. According to the City of Cape Town’s site, the Final Draw event will be attended by an estimated 8 000 people. Besides the local and TV audiences, a large number of soccer professionals and officials, associated celebrities, and sponsors will be in town for the event – bringing even more attention and visitors to our fantastic “Mother City”.

For Christians and like-minded evangelists, this presents a massive opportunity to spread the gospel and open-air preach to the thousands of fans, party-goers and tourists that will be descending upon the Mother City next week. In addition, we also hope to use this event as a good test run for the 2010 World Cup Evangelism Project which is coming up next year.

According to organizers, the main hot spots for the Final Draw will be the entire Upper Long Street, from Wale Street to Buitensingel which is to be converted into a festival zone for the Final Draw on Friday. The main stage will be situated at the Long Street baths, with several huge television screens further down towards Wale Street. The festivities will start at 12:00 noon with music and cultural performances with a South African and African flavor. Entrance to the festival is free and thousands of Capetonians are expected to congregate at Long Street to share in the world’s excitement of the Final Draw. Please also check out Cape Town Magazine.com Sport & FIFA 2010 for more information.

If you are interested in laboring with us to preach the gospel at this event, please feel free to contact us at the below numbers / email address. A final plan with all the necessary details of how we will operate will only be finalized by next week – we encourage you however to get in touch with us soonest if you wish to be a part of this event. We will also be setting aside next Wednesday and Thursday (2nd and 3rd December 2009) to earnestly seek God’s guidance in prayer and supplication on how we should approach this event. We acknowledge that our endeavors and actions will attract the attention of our spiritual enemy and we need to be sufficiently equipped and prepared before we go out.

For His Glory!

Nigel Titus
083 642 4454
legintitus@gmail.com

In Christ’s Service until He returns,

Gary Stephen Crous
tel. 033 - 394 9091 (Work)
Cell +27 722211233
e-mail gary@gdlk.co.za

www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com/
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/
www.NeedGod.com

[Jesus] saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Richard Dawkins - Not a Happy Camper ... um Evolutionist

2009-11-27T13:04:00.003+02:00

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/11/25/darwin.dawkins.evolution/

Charismatic Chaos by John MacArthur

2009-11-23T13:11:00.010+02:00

I have posted this item as our home church has had some brothers and sisters in Christ experience and attend charismatic / pentecostal churches. By and large our Lord Jesus has brought out out from there and we find ourselves examining our beliefs and faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) concerning the doctrines that we have been sadly taught and indoctrinated with. I cannot speak for all, but there are some of us who are 'angry at ourselves' that we have been mislead and deceived. God is so overwhelmingly gracious in that He is healing us through repentance to Him.

Kindly take time to listen to the Charismatic Chaos teachings by John MacArthur who has biblically exposed the false teachings / doctrines under this very popular movement. If you have been in the charismatic / pentecostal movement - as I was (City Harvest Church in Pietermaritzburg) - or you know genuine believers who are sitting under the charismatic / pentecostal teachings; then in love refer the brethren to these teachings. Be as the Bereans - Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).
___________________________

The charismatic movement, once considered a splinter group on the fringe of Christianity, has gained steam and entered the ‘90s at full speed. Dramatic new accounts of bizarre, supernatural events are attracting men and women hungry for religious experiences while causing others simply to ask, What is really happening here?, or more important, What should I believe?

This 12-message album thoughtfully and carefully shines the light of Scripture on teaching that is gaining a massive and loyal television following, leading to disunity on a world-wide scale, and promising to fuel controversy for years to come. Recorded by John MacArthur, these messages will help you gain an understanding of his bestseller Charismatic Chaos in a short amount of time.

1. Does God Still Give Revelation?

2. Does God Still Give Prophecies?

3. Proper Biblical Interpretation

4. Does God Do Miracles Today?

5. The Third Wave

6. How Do Spiritual Gifts Operate?

7. What Was Happening in the Early Church?

8. Does God Still Heal?

9. Speaking in Tongues

10. What Is True Spirituality?

11a. Does God Promise Health and Wealth? Part 1

11b. Does God Promise Health and Wealth? Part 2

12. Does Experience Determine Truth?

Origin into Schools Report

2009-11-20T13:26:00.015+02:00

The Origin of Species into Schools (including a 50 page Introduction giving the Law and the Gospel of Grace by Ray Comfort) project took place on Wednesday November 18th, 2009 - a day earlier than planned - and was a huge success where 1,200 Christians delivered 170,000 free copies of Darwin's Origin of Species (150th Anniversary Edition) at 100 Top Universities.

Here is The Origin into Schools Project together with the entire 50-page Introduction by Ray Comfort in pdf format.

This is all Glory to God. Check out this Press Kit Link.

Here is also an article that appears at examiner.com

Kirk Cameron poses with UCLA students and Origin of Species book.

Richard Dawkins Calls Prominent Creationist ‘Banana Man'

Join Tony and Bart for a programme dedicated to two hours of testimonies on Ambassadors' Alliance Radio (2009-044).

Report Back on Tent Crusade

2009-11-20T13:23:00.005+02:00

It was a wonderful evening (Saturday November 14th, 2009) - the Tent Crusade had about 20 to 25 people present inside it; and the Word went forth via a sound system that penetrated into the cold, drizzling, night-air. There were lost souls out there on the dark dank streets of Edendale / Dambuza Township - for we heard the persistent revving of vehicles' engines a short distance from the tent.

(This is a paraphrase of the sermon preached - not word for word)

The preaching of the Word started in Genesis 1:1 - In the Beginning God created... the heavens and the earth and everything in them. He created every living thing that we see upon the earth. He created the trees and the foliage, the animals, birds, fish and man - God said let Us create man in Our image. He created man and woman in His image and it was very good. The reason God created man was for fellowship with Him. And God told His children Adam and Eve that they could eat of the fruit of any tree in the Garden of Eden, but they were not to eat of the tree in the middle of the Garden - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For the day that they eat of or touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they will surely die.

It was then that the serpent - the Devil - came and twisted God's words and said to Eve: Did God really say you will surely die if you eat of the tree? To Eve the fruit was pleasant to the eye and she partook of the fruit and offered it to her husband Adam, who also ate of the fruit. It was a lie that deceived Eve into eating and taking of the fruit to give to her husband. And their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked.

Scripture tells us God was walking in the garden in the cool of the day when He called out to Adam. And Adam - who was hiding - came out and said to God that he was afraid of being seen because he was naked and so he hid himself. And so it came about that through man's disobedience man sinned against God and fell from grace. From then on as you read through the Scriptures you see God extending His mercy to man, but man is continuously in rebellion. We then come to the first judgment of God upon mankind - the Flood.

God could only find one man who walked righteously before Him - the man Noah. God gave commandment to Noah to build an Ark to save him and his wife, their three sons and three daughter-in-laws and two of every living beast and fowl of the air that God would bring to him. And the first judgment came upon the earth as every other living thing was drowned in the flood. After the flood God put a rainbow in the heavens as a covenant that He would never cause a flood to destroy every living thing upon the earth again.

Time progressed until God met with a man named Moses upon Mount Sinai to give His people the Ten Commandments. God set in place commandments by which man was to live. And so as you go through the Old Testament Scriptures you read that man has continually broken God's Law and God Himself - through His prophets - have called men to repent of their evil and wickedness and turn back to Him. Man being wicked and sinful continued in rebellion while God has had His prophets prophesying about a Messiah to come to this world to redeem His people.

And we then read about the Messiah - Immanuel (God with us) - who is supernaturally born into this dark world. God chooses to reveal Himself as a Man in the person of Jesus Christ - fully God and fully man and without sin. Jesus then brings us to the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) which speaks about Heaven and Hell. So at this point you should ask yourself some questions: Are you good enough to enter into God's presence when you die? And do you know where you will spend eternity?

19"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
20"And a poor man named Lazarus (A)was laid at his gate, covered with sores,
21and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.
22"Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to (B)Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.
23"In (C)Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
24"And he cried out and said, '(D)Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in (E)this flame.'
25"But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that (F)during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.
26'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'
27"And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house--
28for I have five brothers--in order that he may (G)warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
29"But Abraham said, 'They have (H)Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'
30"But he said, 'No, (I)father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!'
31"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luke 16:19-31)

Cross references:
A. Luke 16:20 : Acts 3:2
B. Luke 16:22 : John 1:18; 13:23
C. Luke 16:23 : Matt 11:23
D. Luke 16:24 : Luke 3:8; 16:30; 19:9
E. Luke 16:24 : Matt 25:41
F. Luke 16:25 : Luke 6:24
G. Luke 16:28 : Acts 2:40; 8:25; 10:42; 18:5; 20:21-ff; 23:11; 28:23; Gal 5:3; Eph 4:17; 1 Thess 2:11; 4:6
H. Luke 16:29 : Luke 4:17; John 5:45-47; Acts 15:21
I. Luke 16:30 : Luke 3:8; 16:24; 19:9

From the Scriptures you can see that Jesus was referring to a real Heaven and a real Hell and He even gave certain specifics about who found themselves in each of the places as well as some history surrounding the individuals.

So let us see what God's Word requires of each person. The Word of God says that it is appointed for man once to die and after this judgment (see Hebrews 9:27). So on the Day of Judgment how will you stand up against God's Holy Law. The Bible says: The law of the LORD is perfect restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7). Let us go through the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20) and see how God sees you -

1. The First Commandment says you shall have no other gods before God. Have you made a god to suit yourself? Have you loved God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? The Bible says none have - so you have broken the First and Greatest Commandment. The God of the Bible who created everything as recorded in the Book of Genesis and who is the Triune God is to be first in everything we think, say or do.

2. The Second Commandment says you shall have no idols before God. Idols can be made in your imagination - making a god to suit yourself in your own image - one you are more comfortable with. Idolatry is also making idols (gods) out of other materials, like wood, stone, metal, etc. fashioned with your hands and when you bow to the idols found in religions like Buddhism and Hinduism you are an idolater - an abomination in the sight of God Almighty who created the heavens and the earth and the seas and everything in them.

3. The Third Commandment says you shall not take the Name of God or His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in vain. Have you used God's name to show disgust or surprise - like OMG? Or have you used His name as a cuss word or a punchline to a dirty joke? This is blasphemy and God will hold everyone guilty who breaks this commandment.

4. The Fourth Commandment says that you are to remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy. This does not mean that we are to keep the Sabbath Day (Saturday) as a day of worship as Judaism and the Seventh Day Adventists prescribe. Jesus Christ is our Sabbath Rest and we rest in Him continuously. We are to set aside time to meet with God - to worship Him, praise Him and commune with Him, reading His Word (The Bible) and praying to Him. Do you meet with God?

5. The Fifth Commandment says you are to Honor your father and mother. Do you honor your parents? Do they have to request things of you more than once, like clean your bedroom? Or do they have to speak to you more than once about the things you watch, or listen to? Or do you backchat your parents? When you dishonor your parents you dishonor God as He has given us parents to train us up in His ways (Proverbs 22:6).

6. The Sixth Commandment says you shall not murder. You might say I have not killed anyone with a gun, a knife or by swinging a bat! The Word of God turns up the heat on this commandment. Have you ever hated someone? Or been really angry with someone? Jesus says you are a murderer (Matthew 5:21,22; 1John 3:15).

7. The Seventh Commandment says you shall not commit adultery. Have you committed adultery? If spouses are married and either the wife or the husband has an affair with someone else they are adulterers. But listen what Jesus said, "... but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This also goes for women looking at men with lust, too. It doesn't stop there. Fornication (sex outside the bounds of marriage) is also adultery. The Government of South Africa has run a campaign to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. There are television and other advertisements that proclaim: "Condomise and be wise" and "Scrutinize and be wise". This is a message straight from the pit of hell as the message is sent out to the youth and adults to know their HIV/AIDS status and they can still have protected sex. The message they should be sending out loud and clear is "ABSTINENCE". God's Word is very clear - have sex outside of marriage and you die in your unrepentant sins, you will go to Hell for eternity.

8. The Eighth Commandment says you shall not steal. Have you stolen anything - taken things that do not belong to you? The value or the size of the object does not matter. Maybe you have bought a 'hip' CD or DVD and then made many copies of it for your friends - or maybe you sold them to make some money for yourself. That is Piracy which is theft as you are stealing from the artist who put the CD or DVD together.

9. The Ninth Commandment says you shall not lie (bear false witness). How many lies have you told in your lifetime? It does not matter whether you term it a white lie, a black, green, purple or any other colour lie, a half truth or a fib. A lie is a lie. Lying is to deceive other people - exactly what Satan did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. When you speak lies you speak the language of your father the devil who was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44). God wants Truth in us.

10. The Tenth Commandments says we are not to covet our neighbour's wife or his possessions. We are not to crave, lust or desire the possessions of another. We should work and buy our own things.

You see by God's perfect Law you can see that there would be none who have kept the Law perfectly. By breaking God's Law we have sinned against God. On the Day of Judgment, if God gives you the justice you as a sinner rightfully deserves, do you think you will be innocent or guilty? The Word of God is very clear - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (1Corinthians 6:9,10). All who break God's Law will be guilty - and therefore if you are guilty, will you go to Heaven? Or Hell? The verdict from Scripture is clear - Hell awaits transgressors of God's Law - His perfect standard. This is clearly bad news for the lawless sinner.

The Good News - The Gospel unto Salvation - is a way out for the sinner, and it is only One way out that God has made. This is The Way. About two thousand years ago, God chose to reveal Himself as a Man in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the prophets prophesied that a Messiah would be born into the world - so Jesus Christ was that Messiah. His birth was supernatural - conceived of the Holy Spirit born to a virgin named Mary - you will never ever see another birth as the one that brought Immanuel (God with us) (Isaiah 7:14)- the Man Jesus Christ into this world. He was fully God and fully man and without sin. As John the Baptist testified, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is He on behalf of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for he existed before me'" (John 1:29,30).

Jesus Christ revealed that He was God in the flesh by the many miracles He performed (John 5:36). He healed the blind, the deaf, the lame with leprosy. He even exercised authority over the wind and the sea by commanding them to be still. Jesus even raised the dead - Lazarus was four days dead in the tomb when He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth" (John 11:43). And Lazarus rose from the dead and came forth. About thirty-three years into Jesus' existence on earth He went to the cross to be crucified as He had come to this world to be the perfect sacrifice who would lay down His life and save sinners.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). When Jesus Christ was crucified He was laying down His life for the sinner who will repent and believe the Gospel. When Jesus hung upon the cross He was paying a fine He did not owe for crimes He did not commit. He was taking your and my punishment upon Himself so that the repentant sinners who place their trust in Him can walk free on the Day of Judgment. When Jesus offered up His life and shed His precious blood, He was laid in a tomb - and on the third day He was raised to life forever defeating the grave, sin and death. Jesus ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father and one day at the choosing of the Father He will return to judge this world in righteousness (Acts 17:30,31). Every person has been commanded to repent and believe the Gospel. If any person rejects Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life they reject God Almighty - the One and only True God. If you say you serve the same God, but reject that you are redeemed of your sins through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then you will perish in hell for eternity because you do not worship the One and only True God who is able to save - Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him" (John 14:6).

Jesus said, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves" (John 14:11).

Repent (turn away and forsake) from your evil and wicked sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation as your Lord and Saviour and read The Bible for Truth.

Hijack victim survives 60m fall ~ 'Miraculous survival'

2009-11-16T13:47:00.002+02:00

Pietermaritzburg - The Pietermaritzburg parents of hijack survivor, Kavisha Seevnarain, 26, who is recuperating after being flung off a 60m high bridge on the N2 at Umkomaas at the weekend, have hailed her survival as a miracle.

”God is the saviour. I thank Him for saving her life and giving me back my child,” her father, Jeewan Seevnarain, deputy principal of Raisethorpe Secondary School said on Sunday.

”I called the hospital this morning (Sunday) and was assured Kavisha is in a very stable condition, but is still in the intensive care unit [at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban], Seevnarain told The Witness as he and family members prepared to travel to Durban to visit his daughter.

He said Kavisha sustained seven fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis as well as injuries to her lower spine and is being kept under observation in ICU.

”She is in full control of her faculties and fortunately was not harmed physically [other than being thrown off the bridge]”, he said.

Frantic search

He and his wife, Anika, rushed to Durban shortly after 22:00 on Friday night to launch a frantic search for their missing daughter after her friend called to tell them Kavisha failed to arrive to visit her as they had arranged.

Early on Saturday morning they received a telephone call from a passerby who had heard Kavisha’s calls for help from where she was lying under the bridge and got her father’s cellphone number from her.

At that stage her parents were anxiously waiting at the Chatsworth police station for news of her whereabouts.

They reached her side in time to see her being airlifted to St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban by Netcare 911.

Her father said she was treated at the scene by emergency services from Umkomaas who were the first to arrive, followed by Netcare paramedics.

Since her admission to hospital she was able to tell her parents that she had been followed by her attackers in a green Opel Astra whilst she was travelling to the Shallcross home of a friend between 21:00 and 22:00.

Window smashed

When she stopped at an intersection a man jumped out of the other car, smashed the driver’s door window of her Mercedes Benz and pulled her from her car. She was bundled into the Opel.

”She was held at gunpoint. Two of the men had firearms.”

”During her ordeal quite a few stops were made to withdraw money from ATM’s from her bank card in various parts of Chesterville and Umlazi.

"My daughter says they (the hijackers) stopped off for drinks at several shebeens. The four [original] assailants became six in all,” said her father.

Eventually the hijackers drove Kavisha along the N2 to the bridge over the Mkomazi river and threw her over the side at about 02:00.

She landed in a shallow part of the river and in spite of her severe injuries she managed to crawl onto a sandbank under the bridge where she lay for the rest of the night.

Her calls for help went unheeded by passing motorists until a man walking in the vicinity heard her cries and went to her aid.

”It is a miracle and we thank God and all the people who have supported us and prayed for us,” said her parents.

Police spokesperson Derek Chetty said Kavisha’s stolen car had been recovered on Saturday in Umlazi, but said no arrests have been made in connection with her hijacking and attempted murder.

Ingrid Oellermann (The Witness)

"Lucky to be alive" ~ Sunday Tribune

2009-11-16T13:42:00.003+02:00

By Vivian Attwood, Buhle Mbonambe and Matthew Savides

Kavisha Seevnarain landed in water no deeper than a dog's bowl after being thrown from a bridge over the Mkomazi River by hijackers and falling 60m, the equivalent of a 20-storey building.

"She told us how, on regaining consciousness and in great pain, she hauled herself by her elbows on to the river bank.

"It was raining and pitch dark," said her father, Jeewan Seevnarain, recounting how the 26-year-old honours teaching student survived a hijack and attempted murder on Friday night.

"Kavisha called out for help and, four hours later, a factory worker walking to work across the bridge heard her and phoned the police," he said.

Her brother, Kavesh, a doctor, was at a loss to describe his sister's survival. "It is miraculous. Landing in shallow water and surviving is one thing, but even then she would have drowned if she had lost consciousness. And if the tide had not been out, she would have been swept away."

Described as "exceptionally strong willed and really positive", Kavisha is being treated in a Durban hospital for broken ribs and a shattered pelvis.

According to SAPS spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane, the Edgewood student was on her way from her Pinetown flat to a friend in Shallcross when she stopped at a red robot.

Four men in a car described as either a green Jetta or an Opel Kadett stopped alongside her.

"There were four suspects. Two jumped into her car and drove off. The other two forced her into their car and drove around for a few hours. Eventually they headed towards Umkomaas along the N2. They stopped on the Mkomazi River Bridge and threw her over the side," he said.

The alarm was raised when Seevnarain did not arrive at her friend's home, said her father, Jeewan. "Worried, her friend phoned her at around 10pm and was alarmed at her curt response: 'I'm at my flat and going to bed,' she said. The friend tried again, and got the same reply, but this time heard men's voices in the background.

"She knew Kavisha would not be driving around with strangers, so she called us at our home in Pietermaritzburg."

It was 10.45pm. Jeewan Seevnarain knew there was no time to waste if he hoped to see his daughter alive again. He called the Pinetown police, but was referred to the Chatsworth police, who were already aware that there had been a hijack. "They redoubled their efforts when they realised that Kavisha was the probable hijack victim," said Seevnarain.

"They took our pain and grief personally and went beyond the call of duty to assist us.

"As the hours passed, I felt detached from reality.

"I was tormented by the knowledge that my child was at the mercy of criminals who could do her great harm. I felt utterly powerless."

Seevnarain and his wife Anika's agony was ratcheted up a level when police found Kavisha's abandoned car in Umlazi at 6.30am yesterday.

By the time their daughter was found, an hour later, they were down to the dregs of their emotional resources, said Seevnarain.

"We thank God for the mercy he has shown us by returning our child safely," he said from the intensive care ward at St Augustine's Hospital, where the family had gathered around a heavily sedated Kavisha.

"This country has been overrun by criminals who have a complete disregard for life and the living. Still, I must commend the Chatsworth police for their phenomenal efforts.

"They co-ordinated the search superbly, offered us constant feedback and consoled us when our emotions were running high.

"They went above and beyond the call of duty. Many stayed on long after their shift duty had ended, because they wanted to ensure a successful outcome."

When Kavisha regained consciousness in hospital she described her ordeal to her father.

"She told me that from the time of her abduction, her hijackers drove around to various spots," Seevnarain said.

"On two occasions they stopped to make withdrawals from autotellers using her bank card. At around 2am, they stopped on the Umkomaas Bridge, pulled her out of the car and tossed her over the side."

A Sunday Tribune reporter who went to the spot where she was found said the Mkomazi River there is brown and murky.

If you drop a coin from the 60m-high bridge, it takes four seconds to hit the water.

Netcare 911 spokesman Jeff Wicks said: "In addition to her injuries, Kalisha was suffering hypothermia after her prolonged exposure.

"Fire fighters at the scene pulled her on to an embankment. They stabilised her before a helicopter with an advanced trauma team on board arrived to complete her treatment and take her to hospital."

Kavesh said his sister was "exceptionally strong willed and has a positive outlook on life. She's independent, sociable, gregarious and has many friends".

He added that Kavisha would receive post-trauma counselling when she recovered enough.

Four men were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident and interrogated by members of the Organised Crime Unit.

But Zwane said there did not appear to be enough evidence at this stage to charge them with the hijack.

Preaching at a Tent Crusade

2009-11-13T13:45:00.008+02:00

Praise be to God!! A while ago whilst out preaching in our normal fishin' stream in Church Street, a professing believer passed by - an African man named Shadrack - who works in the Courts as a court translator. On that particular day he asked if he could translate for me as I was finishing the preaching session.

We spoke about the preaching of the Gospel and at that time he took down my cellular number and an informal invitation was mentioned to me to attend a prayer meeting at the courts. Nothing came of it.

Until now, I believe the time has now arrived by God's Sovereign Grace in that I was contacted in part last week by Shadrack to come and preach at a tent crusade being held in the Edendale / Dambuza Township - an extemely dark, spiritually dead area on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg - a rural area that has a high level of crime. The invitation has been extented and accepted as I surrender myself to God that His will be done no matter where we are to preach.

Tomorrow, Saturday November 14th, 2009 from 18H30 to 20H00 in Edendale / Dambuza Township (we don't know the exact site of the tent crusade) - Phillip and I will be going to 'Nineveh'. (Read the Book of Jonah)

Please keep us covered in prayer for God to be Glorified by the preaching of Repentance and the Gospel of salvation.

Pray for Brother Thomas Nunes

2009-11-11T13:27:00.007+02:00

Thomas Nunes, a dear brother in Christ who resides in Atlanta, Georgia, came out to South Africa during the 2009 Confederations Cup™ with Bill Adams of SFOI. He faithfully ministered with open-air preaching, reading of God's Word in public and one-to-one witnessing. He proclaimed the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to soccer fans, both local and international, as well as many Zimbabwean refugees who find themself jobless, homeless and in most cases spiritually dead in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.

He has been diagnosed with Stage III Cancer and has had an operation already. Please keep this wonderful brother in prayer and to all those saved and unsaved who are experiencing the same struggles at this time. May God be exhalted and be Glorified showing Himself powerful in every situation. You will read in Thomas' journal that even in his pain - a pain I can only imagine and yet can never truly comprehend - he has been faithful in being a steadfast witness for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please take some time out to encourage him and his wife Connie and their family and visit CaringBridge.org to read his journal and also to leave a spiritual message of encouragement and prayer in his Guestbook.

These photos here are of Thomas here on South African soil.

Alive

Sing a hymn of praises
to our Majestic God on High;
Who willingly lay down His life
and paid our fine and died.
When He was laid in a grave
to conquer all our sin;
He was raised in victory
to give eternal life through Him.

King Jesus showed Himself alive
and ascended into Heaven;
Where He now sits at the Right Hand of God
interceding for His children.
What a Wonderful Saviour we have
who gave His everything;
So when we die we do not fear
for we will go and live with Him.
~ Gary Crous ~

The Way, The Truth and The Life

2009-11-04T13:03:00.010+02:00

In a local newspaper, the Sunday Times of November 1, 2009, an article was written titled 'Stop missionary work in schools' which can be viewed at the link. In response to this article the following was sent to the editor for publication.
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Editor

In answering your article ‘Stop missionary work in schools’ (Sunday Times November 1, 2009) I respond as a born again Christian. To put this article in perspective it is important to have the Truth told and to have this complete response published in its entirety as is, capitalising the names and words as reflected.
___________________________________________________________________
THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

What is important is not what you believe in, but whether what you believe in is true. There are many religions in this world, but there is only one true way. To quantify this statement I will use a simple math test: What is the sum of 2+2? Most reasonable persons will agree the answer to be 4. Can the sum of 2+2 ever be 5? Or 7? Or maybe 57? The answer is no. The only answer to this sum is 4 and therefore there is only one correct and true answer.

The question posed in your article ‘Stop missionary work in schools’ (Sunday Times November 1, 2009) read: Should there be religious studies in public schools? First up I do not believe there should be religious studied in schools. Secondly, I don’t believe in religion. Religion is man’s attempt at trying to get close and right with God. And thirdly, I believe in the ultimate Truth being known. As there is only one true answer to the sum 2+2, so there is also only one true way of getting right before God. So, I wouldn’t go for religious studies – I would go for Biblical Studies. Before discounting this article, read further to see why I would encourage Christianity in schools. After all, does everyone not want to know the truth?

What matters in life is not what we believe in, but what really matters is whether what we believe in is really true. Let me ask you the most important question you will ever encounter in your life – What will happen to you the day you die? The day you die becomes the most important day of your life on earth. The reason is it is the day you move from this world into eternity. God’s inerrant, infallible, incorruptible Word, the Bible, states that it is appointed for man once to die and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The ultimate statistic is 10 out of 10 people die and one day you, too, will stand before an infinitely Holy and Sovereign God and be judged by the only Lawgiver and Judge of the Universe. On that day will you be deemed good enough to enter into His presence in heaven? Or will your justice be eternity in hell? At this point some of you might say you don’t believe in there being a God, a heaven or a hell – remember, it doesn’t matter what you believe in, what matters is what is true.

To illustrate this point: If you said you don’t believe in trucks and in your quest to prove trucks don’t exist you jumped onto the highway in front of an oncoming truck, when is the moment that you will change from believing trucks do not exist to believing they do exist? The moment you make contact with the truck reality comes to pass and you will start believing. The same principle will apply when you die and stand before Almighty God – reality will come to pass and it will be too late to make amends.

Now that you know that reality will come to pass, in what state will you stand before God. The way you can see yourself as God sees you is by examining yourself against His perfect standard which He has commanded mankind to live by. This perfect standard is God’s perfect Law that restores the soul and makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7) – it is The Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20). Let us see how you will do on that great and terrible Day. How many lies have you told in your lifetime? Have you ever stolen anything? The size and the value of the object is irrelevant. Have you committed adultery? Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Have you looked with lust? Do you fornicate (having sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage)? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, God sees you as a lying, thieving, adulterer and a fornicator – and you have only been examined by three of the Ten Commandments. By breaking any of His commandments will you be innocent or guilty? God’s Word will give you the justice of guilty. It reads: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (1Corinthians 6:9,10). So by God’s standard sinning lawbreakers will be damned in hell for eternity – does this concern you?

At this point think how evil and wicked mankind is and how God will see you in your sin. The Bible says that man has a deceitfully wicked heart who can know. Just turn to any other page in this newspaper and see the crime, violence, debauchery, corruption, fraud, mismanagement, hatred, wars, murders, blasphemy, thieving, rape, religious killings, abortions of innocent children, lying, adultery, idolatry (of the mind, possessions and false gods), pornography, and the list goes on and on. Turn on your television sets to newscasts and you will see the same decadence of society unfolding before your eyes. Go to the film theatres and game arcades and see the violence our children are being exposed to and then parents wonder why there are child rapes, murder, drug abuse, drunkenness, suicides and the like. These are all the results of people who do not want to live by God’s Commandments. This is truly the bad news – hell awaits the ungodly, lawless sinner.

The Good News – the Gospel – is that God has made one way, and one way only for sinners to be forgiven their sin. About 2000 years ago God – the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the seas and everything in them – revealed Himself and became a Man in the person of Jesus Christ. The Son of God was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary. The Messiah’s birth was supernatural – a birth never to be repeated ever. He was fully God and fully Man and without sin. Jesus, as John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). God in the flesh, Jesus, revealed Himself by performing miracles by healing the deaf, blind and lame, those who had illnesses like leprosy, He even exercised His authority over creation by calming the wind and waves and He also raised people from the dead. Jesus came to this world to do the will of His Father God. He went to the cross and was crucified taking upon Himself the sins of the world and received the full wrath of God that should rightly fall upon you and me. Jesus paid a fine He did not owe for crimes (sins) He did not commit. He died a sacrificial death in the place of sinners. He gave His life as is recorded in Scripture: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16-18).

Jesus is a Good God who took the punishment that you and I rightfully deserve. He lay down His life and took it up again when He was resurrected to life – overcoming sin, death and the grave. Jesus is the resurrection and the life; Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; Jesus is the doorway; Jesus is the bread of life; Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end, the same yesterday, today and forever. For God has commanded men everywhere to repent (turn away from your sins and forsake them) and believe the Gospel of Grace (unmerited favour from God). It is by grace alone, by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone that a person is saved by God. You have to be reconciled back to God, not by any works of man so that he cannot boast. It is a supernatural work of God that you have to be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

So to answer that question again to have religious studies in classrooms. A definite NO!! True Biblical Studies – A resounding YES!! Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with the One True God Jesus Christ. Religion is used by Satan to blind the eyes and understanding of the world. Why do you think Christians are persecuted the world over for our faith? The Truth cannot be silenced! As believers we are commissioned by God to preach the Good News in love to all nations.

Repent South Africa and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone. It is your only hope of glory.

Gary Crous
Pietermaritzburg
www.chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com
www.luke923evangelism.wordpress.com
www.NeedGod.com
[Jesus] saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Frank Jenner: The Man from George Street

2009-10-30T13:42:00.004+02:00

Here is an inspiring testimony of Frank Jenner. After reading it, you can decide for yourself if handing out Gospel Tracts is really a waste of time. God knows who will be saved by your efforts handing out Gospel Tracts. We should get the Gospel - The Good News of Jesus Christ - into the hands of sinners.

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. - Colossians 1:28,29 (NASB)

If Sinners be Damned ...

2009-10-30T13:33:00.002+02:00

If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for. ~ Charles Spurgeon

The Glories of Christ

2009-10-28T13:15:00.009+02:00

"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God ..." (2 Corinthians 3:5)

One of the great tenets of Scripture is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness (2Pe 1:3,4)! He is sufficient for creation (Col 1:16,17), salvation (Heb 10:10-12), sanctification (Eph 5:26,27) and glorification (Ro 8:30). So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection (1Pe 1:18-20).

So complete is He that there is no other God besides Him (Is 45:5); He is the only begotten Son (Jn 1:14,18); all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col 2:3); the fullness of Deity dwells bodily in Him (Col 2:9); He is heir of all things (Heb 1:2); He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him (Col 1:16); He upholds all things by the word of His power (Col 1:17; Heb 1:3); He is the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15); He is the exact representation of God (Heb 1:3).

He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals; the Wall of Fire that defends; the Friend that comforts; the Pearl that enriches; the Ark that supports; and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures; He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Heb 1:3;8:1); He is better than the angels (Heb 1:4-14); better than Moses; better than Aaron; better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan (Lk 4:1-12); and stronger than death (1Co 15:55).

He has no beginning and no end (Rev 1:17,18); He is the spotless Lamb of God; He is our Peace (Eph 2:14); He is our Hope (1Ti 1:1); He is our Life (Col 3:4); He is the living and true Way (Jn 14:6); He is the Strength of Israel (1Sa 15:29); He is the Root and Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star (Rev 22:16); He is Faithful and True (Rev 19:11); He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:1,2); He is the Author of our Salvation (Heb 2:10); He is the Champion; He is the Chosen One (Is 42:1); He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Heb 3:1); He is the Righteous Servant (Is 53:11).

He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer - the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth (Is 54:5); He is the Man of Sorrows (Is 53:3); He is the Light; He is the Son of Man (Mt 20:28); He is the Vine; He is the Bread of Life; He is the Door; He is Lord (Php 2:10-13); He is Prophet, Priest and King (Heb 1:1-3); He is our Sabbath rest (Heb 4:9); He is our Righteousness (Jer 23:6); He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6); He is the Chief Shepherd (1Pe 5:4); He is Lord God of hosts; He is Lord of the nations; He is the Lion of Judah; the Living Word; the Rock of Salvation; the Eternal Spirit; He is the Ancient of Days; Creator and Comforter; Messiah; and He is the great I AM (Jn 8:58)!

© 1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Personal Salvation

2009-10-22T13:12:00.004+02:00

Dear brethren, you ought to know, you can know, you can know now, whether you are saved, or not. At any rate, if I did not know myself to be saved, I would give no sleep to my eyes, nor slumber to my eyelids, till I had found the Savior. If a shadow of a doubt about my being washed in the blood of Christ were on my soul, I would get to my knees, and not rise from them until I did really know that Christ had saved me. If you are in doubt, and yet are content about your condition, I fear that you know nothing at all about the matter, for the true child of God, if he is in doubt about his salvation, is uneasy till that doubt is gone. He cannot rest till he knows that he is saved; and, after all, that is not a very difficult thing to know, for we are told, over and over again, in this blessed Book, that he that believes in Christ is not condemned, but has everlasting life. If you have believed in Him, you are not condemned, you have His own word for it. He who trusts to Jesus only, builds on a sure foundation; so, if you are trusting in Him, you may have the full assurance that you have passed from death unto life, and shall never come into condemnation. Do not, brother, go limping along all your life when you might run in the way of God's commandments. A good old minister, of my acquaintance, when people used to say to him that they hoped, and hoped, and never got any further than that, was in the habit of replying, "You are always hoping, and hopping; I hope you will learn to run one of these days - to run without weariness in the ways of God." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Indifference

2009-10-21T13:58:00.006+02:00

Let us save by all means under Heaven; let us prevent men going down to Hell. We are not half as earnest as we ought to be. Do you not remember the young man, who, when he was dying, said to his brother, "My brother, how could you have been so indifferent to my soul as you have been?" He answered, "I have not been indifferent to your soul, for I have frequently spoken to you about it." "Oh, yes!" he said, "you spoke; but somehow, I think, if you remembered that I was going down to Hell, you would have been more earnest with me; you would have wept over me, and, as my brother, you would not have allowed me to be lost." Let no one say this of you. ~ C. H. Spurgeon

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Evangelism Newsletter #1

2009-10-08T15:50:00.012+02:00

Dear Friend

RE.: 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA™ EVANGELISING MISSION

We, Bill Adams (www.sfoi.org), Michael Rogers (www.livingwatersafrica.co.za) and Gary Crous (www.luke9.23evangelism@wordpress.com) take this opportunity of requesting your availability, Lord willing, to join us in reaching the tens of thousands of soccer fans and visitors coming to South Africa to be a part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Add to this the 47.9 million (www.southafrica.info/about/people/population.htm) local people then we have the world’s largest sporting event in our own backyard where we can work with our Lord Jesus to reach His people.

You can check out the progress of the World Cup at FIFA.com and view the official website (www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html). There are nine (9) cities that will be hosting the First Round matches in nine stadia, which are –

 Cape Town - Green Point Stadium

 Durban - Moses Mabhida Stadium

 Johannesburg - Ellis Park Stadium

 Bloemfontein - Free State Stadium

 Port Elizabeth - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

 Nelspruit - Mbombela Stadium

 Polokwane - Peter Mokaba Stadium

 Rustenburg - Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Stadium

 Pretoria - Loftus Versfeld Stadium

You can expect from the magnitude of the sporting event and the logistics involved stretching from the west coast to the east coast and from the southern coast through the central and northern regions of South Africa that we do appeal to ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) to join us in fighting the good fight for souls (1 Timothy 6:12) all for the Glory of God.

The vision is to get as many obedient and faithful evangelists who love the Lord and will willingly lay down their lives, set aside their time and resources in reaching the millions for Christ so that many will hear the proclamation of God’s Law and His Gospel of Grace, compelling sinners to repentance and putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 17:30,31).

We are looking to labour with our brothers and our sisters in Christ who will preach the true biblical gospel – not a soft, candy-coated, prosperity gospel – but the True Gospel which saves unto salvation where we will allow the Holy Spirit to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment” (John 16:8).

We are convinced that as you are on Michael’s mailing list you have possibly heard or have been taught ‘The Way of the Master’ (Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort), a ministry of Living Waters (www.livingwaters.com). Please do take some time to listen to the two Foundational Messages “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” and “True and False Conversion” on their website. If you have already, please do these as a refreshing exercise, as we all are to examine ourselves (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). We are trying to make certain that whoever stands up to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified will be reading off the same Bible pages and not flying under the radar with another gospel (see Galatians 1:6-10).

We are also hoping to put together a type of “Ambassadors’ Academy / Way of the Master” style Evangelism Boot Camp. However, what might be more appropriate would be to get those ambassadors in the nine cities who are prepared to make a sacrifice to come together and be involved in a training camp within each city. This will create an awareness of the evangelism outreach for the 2010 event. We therefore appeal to you and request those who want to be a team leader of an evangelism team in your city and those who want to host an Evangelism Boot Camp to forward the following information to gary@gdlk.co.za :

 Your full names and contact details.

 Your church and pastor’s details – a reference.

 Have you taken / taught ‘The Way of the Master’ Evangelism Basic Training Course?

 A short testimony of your faith in Christ Jesus and any ministry / mission work.

 Have you listened to the Foundational Messages “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” and “True and False Conversion”?

 Do you preach sin, righteousness and judgment by using God’s Law (The Ten Commandments) and the Gospel of Grace through the Cross, Resurrection, Ascension and Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

To host a team to conduct the boot camp will however require financial support so if you have any ideas please let us know by emailing suggestions / actions / support to the above e-mail address in order that the necessary arrangements can be undertaken.

The ultimate aim is to have a team of evangelists – open-air preaching and one-to-one witnessing –available in each of the nine cities, to be shepherded by a team leader (for accountability purposes) around the stadia and at the fan parks. This will be a corporate mission with prayer gatherings, transport, preferably Living Water’s gospel Tracts and/or One Million Tracts (www.onemilliontracts.com), accommodation and meals being organized by the team leader and the members (ecclesia) of each team. We would also appreciate photos and videos to be taken at the various venues so they can be posted, hopefully, on a daily basis on the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog in order that our brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world can be informed of the mission and also be prayer warriors for the evangelists and the souls witnessed to.

As the sporting event progresses we hope to all come together, those who are able to, in the Second Round at the venues allocated and so on to the Quarter-Finals, the Semi-Finals until we will all be united in one huge gathering at the Third/Fourth Place Play-off and the Final. This is the vision and the prayer for our BIG GOD to give Himself all the Glory!!

We hope to hear from you, if you have suggestions or plans we have overlooked, please drop us a line. To get a feel of the Lord’s work at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™ please check out the following links –

o Photo Gallery - www.luke923evangelism.shutterfly.com/26

o Live Report by Bill Adams - http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/live-report-from-confederations-cup/

o Thomas Nunes Report - http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/thomas-nunes-confederations-cup-report/

o Bill Adams Friday June 19th - http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/bill-adams-confederations-cup-report-friday-june-19th/

o Bill Adams Saturday June 20th - http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/bill-adams-confederations-cup-report/

o Brothers on Mission - http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/brothers-on-mission/

In Christ’s Service until He returns,

Gary Stephen Crous
Tel. 033 - 394 9091 (Work)
Cell +27 722211233
e-mail gary@gdlk.co.za

http://chroniclesofafisherofmen.blogspot.com/
http://luke923evangelism.wordpress.com/
www.NeedGod.com

[Jesus] saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Be Instant in Season, Out of Season

2009-09-28T14:04:00.019+02:00

Let this be an encouragement to all my brothers and sisters in Christ and let all the Glory be for God.

Last weekend September 20, 2009 Johan and I went to Zakhe Agricultural College to attend the school's church service. It was also the last service for the Third Term as the short vacation would commence shortly. To our surprise we were asked to come up on stage by Mr Manyoni, who was to preach that day, who surpringly told the congregation that as we were visiting he would hand over the service to us to conduct the preaching of the Word and bring a message that God has asked us to share! Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season: (2 Timothy 4:9), the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy. Why should it be any different for us? Wow, how will God glorify Himself? Johan did an introduction before handing the preaching over to me. Gulp!! No - i was merely the vessel for God to use. It is not i that preached. God's Word does not need my input - God's Word speaks for itself.

The Scripture preached was Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus. It was preaching from the text, explaining exactly what our Lord Jesus was saying about a real place called heaven and a real place called hell and those real people being Abraham and Lazarus in heaven and the rich man who found himself in torment in hell. Standing before the school of about a hundred in attendance and using the text of a real heaven and a real hell, the Word of God spring boarded into asking the questions - What will happen to your soul once you die? And where are you headed? God is good in providing the words you are to speak. There is only one Gospel and the Holy Spirit will faithfully preach the Good News. From there God's Law was held up as a mirror into which the congregants could look and be examined - the Ten Commandments was working its work. The Law was expounded upon from One through Ten and then the Grace and Mercy of God was preached that sin can only be forgiven through the love expressed upon the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ to life by sinners repenting of their sin and trusting in Jesus Christ - letting Him be both Lord and Saviour. Blessed be the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. May God be always glorified as our sovereign, majestic and Holy Father and God of gods, Lord of lords, a great God (Deuteronomy 10:17).

On Saturday September 28, 2009 as a family we decided to treat the Shange family to an outing at Midmar Dam - 25kms from Pietermaritzburg. For Phillip's family it was for some of them a first time they had been to the dam. While there Phillip saw some fishermen at the water's edge and said we should go over.

Iqbal and Dominique - fishers from Pietermaritzburg

Arriving there we found Iqbal (Muslim, ex-Christian) and Dominique (professing Christian). We started in the natural speaking about fishing and then became fishers of men by bringing up the Spiritual things of God. We took them through the Good Person Test and it was while we were going into the Gospel of Grace that the Muslim man asked me to show him that Jesus is God. I preached the supernatural birth of Jesus Christ - God revealing Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary (Luke 1:34,35) - a birth never to be repeated again. His name Immanuel - God with us (Matthew 1:23) and when I asked Iqbal if this made sense he said it did. The reason of Jesus going to the cross made more sense to him and his friend. Dominique even told some of their friends that were trying to call him away to "possibly get up to no good" that they must go ahead without him. This allowed us to answer some of his questions he posed to us - types of music that a person listens to? drinking? smoking? making copies of Cd's? etc. From the questions being asked we knew his conscience was at work accusing him (Romans 2:15). It was a wonderful time witnessing at the edge of a dam as fishers of men.

The fishermen down yonder at the water's edge (above) and some yachts (below)

The next day, Sunday September 27, 2009, I fetched Phillip and his family from their home in Imbali BB Township and was hoping to attend a service in the township known as France where Phillip had been asked to preach. On arriving at his home he told me that I was to preach. At first I told him I was coming to hear him preach. Long story short, as it was, I preached again. Thank you Lord.

The entrance to the building in the France Township where we gathered as the Body of Christ (above) and some of our brothers and sisters (below)

This is something I had not expected; yes - preaching on the streets, but to assembled congregations!! Thank you Father. Thank you God. The Scripture texts were Matthew 7:13-23 and Luke 16:19-31 which were perfect leading into the proclamation of the Law and the Gospel of Grace. Before we entered into the hall, there was a service in progress where a church known as the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ were finishing up. This particular schism is exactly that. Here in Africa there are so many schisms created where everyone wants to be "a General and no-one wants to be a soldier". Their doctrine is also not Biblically grounded and they allow alot of the world to permeate their behaviours - smoking, drinking, fornication, etc. and yet they call themselves "apostles of God". This is utter blasphemy!! I can only think that God allowed me to confront their pastors as they came out of the hall - within ear shot of their congregants - as I asked them to stay behind and listen to the sermon. Their "pastor" said that his congregation had already heard the Word of God and that they have received enough water and were well fed. I suggested he stay to hear the sermon and listen to the true Gospel as you can never get enough water for "out of his belly will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). It was at this point that he told me that if I had to pray to God He would tell me that He had already spoken through this pastor. It was at this point that he told me that he is God. I rebuked this impostor and told him that he is not God and that he needs to hear the true Gospel. Little did I know at the time but one of this imposter's congregants had overheard the "discussion" and he decided to come in while we were singing praise songs and hymns to God. He sat silently at the back to hear what was to be preached.

From start to finish it was sweet fellowship in the presence of Almighty God. The preaching was perfect allowing God's Word to speak - not perfect because of my efforts. I have nothing to boast in the Word that went forth. Phillip translated the Scriptures as I preached once again - I am not surprised - the Word transcended any words I could ever speak as the Law and the Gospel of Grace spoke the Truth to their consciences. At the end of the sermon I asked the congregation if there were any questions when our silent guest, Mr Dlamini broke out in praise praising God for the Word spoken. He had heard the falsehoods preached before at the previous "apostles" of God service and now was praising the Word preached at this service. We sing praises to God Most High.

Be instant in season, out of season.

On the UKZN (Pietermaritzburg) Campus

2009-09-28T13:22:00.004+02:00

A while ago whilst we were out on Church Street evangelising during our lunch break, Mark McDonogh was approached by a young African man named Mpho and his girlfriend. They enquired why we were on the streets and Mark explained to them that we were evangelising and he also witnessed to them. Regardt Reynolds, Neville le Roux and myself were out with Mark that day, and later Mark told us that the two persons he spoke to were Seventh-Day Adventists from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg) Campus. They had asked him to bring a team of evangelists to the campus to show them how to evangelise the way we do and to be a part of the outreach they would be undertaking.

We agreed, and made them aware that we would gladly attend to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace. This not only gave us an opportunity to witness to many students - and yes we also have the atheists / agnostics who believe in evolution here in South Africa, too - but it was an answer to prayer as we had been hoping to get on campus someday. We also told the ministry leader Mpho, who was hosting us, that we would not be there under their denomination. We were there to preach Jesus Christ and uplift His Holy Name.

That day arrived on Tuesday September 8, 2009 and we had some wonderful God-given conversations with many students. Although we never had a full-time cameraman available, you will get the feel of a day well spent preaching the Gospel on campus for the first time by us newbies.

Johan with students under a tree - I had taken the guys to the left through the Law and the Gospel earlier.

Mark and Johan preaching the Word.

Regardt witnessing to a student while his wife Lynette and their son Leonard are seated nearby on the grass.

Preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace using their sound equipment.

Some students only too happy to receive and show off "The Little Book of Big Questions" Gospel Tract.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Student Movement members praying some of the prayer requests placed in "prayer boxes".

Please check out the following link from the website CARM why Seventh-Day Adventism is a cult religion / denomination. Their doctrine is not biblical in all respects according to the inerrant infalliable Word of God.

Please pray for the Adventists that they will come to repentance and faith in the only true and living God - Jesus Christ as both Lord and Saviour.

Ten Shekels and a Shirt

2009-09-18T16:13:00.001+02:00

The Bible Verse - Judges 17

Free Will Decision ~ It is a Myth 2 of 2

2009-09-18T16:00:00.005+02:00

Were you born and conceived in sin? Were you spiritually dead? What happened to bring about the change? Was it a voluntary decision of your free will that you should bring yourself to spiritual life from spiritual death?

The Bible Verse - John 6:29

Don't Go For Free Will ~ It is a Myth 1 of 2

2009-09-18T15:50:00.008+02:00

Think about the Old Testament Saints Adam, Able, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Sampson and many more. Their free will did not save them and providentially provide for them. Neither does our supposed free will do that for us today. Without the intervention of God in our lives we would be lost.

The Bible Verse - Deuteronomy 32

Free Will -- A Slave

2009-09-18T15:34:00.010+02:00

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. ~ John 5:40

Man Has No Free Will

2009-09-18T13:56:00.010+02:00

There has been much theological debating going on down through the ages, of which some of the most hotly debated subjects concern man's free will and God's sovereign election and predestination of His saints. The doctrinal wars of the Calvinists vs. the Armenians have raged on and we find that the Armenians hold to the doctrine that man has a free will in his salvation. (At this point let me say I follow the doctrine of The Bible - I am neither a Calvinist nor an Armenian.) This and other denominational issues have resulted in further schisms being created along the way – which has lead to a divided people holding fast to one or another interpretation of what man has perceived to be his correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures and how the readings should be understood, preached, taught and applied.

It is the meddling of man in his feeble attempt of trying to interpret God's Word and sadly persuading men to be duped into following their doctrinal views that has caused catastrophic division in and amongst professing believers. Heresy and the heretic has crept into the church building and they are even out on the streets where religious cults are peddling their lies dressed up as Truth in the precious Name of Jesus Christ or cultic religions lacking repentance of sins and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the like fall in this category). There can only be one right way, One Truth. Any other doctrine and gospel being preached that does not appear in the Holy Word of God - in The Bible - is a lie that the devil is using to deceive the masses. His tactics and deceptions have not changed ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God's Commandment not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:1-7), when they listened to the lie of the devil.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the churches of Galatia, warns the brethren that there is no other Gospel!

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another: but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. ~ Galatians 1:6-10

Scripture has many references to keeping the doctrine of God's Word and for this reason let us look at what the Word of God says. As I read Scripture it is evident that God is sovereign, we, in our fallen state, are reprobates and man was created by God to worship Him, to bring Him all the glory and to praise and worship His goodness and His justness. What is interpreted as "man's free will" is nothing more than man wanting to still hold onto self. Man's will is rebellion against God. The only reason why man thinks he has the will to either accept God or reject Him is because man reads into Scripture what man is to do in isolation of Scripture and not reading it with other Scripture. The reason why man calls upon the name of the Lord and confesses and repents of his sins and believes in his heart is as a result of the goodness of God, His sovereign grace and mercy being extended to sinful man. When God calls and draws man to Himself, man doesn't reject God out of a free will. It is because he knows nothing else but rebellion against God which looks as if man is rejecting Him. The natural response to God touching an evil wicked man and showering His grace and mercy on the sinner will result in the wretched sinner falling upon his knees and calling upon the name of the Lord in repentance - not because man had free will to decide, but because this is the natural reaction for a man when God reveals His holy, righteous, perfect mercy to a filthy law-breaking criminal - an unregenerate evil sinner.

In humility, let us hear what God's Word says (emphasis is mine) -

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ~ John 10:27-30

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ~ John 15:16

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. ~ Mark 13:20

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 1:7

... that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. ~ Romans 15:31,32

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. ~ Matthew 26:42 (If Jesus came to earth to do the will of his Father, what gives man the right to think he has a free will to choose to accept or reject God. Man is reprobate in his fallen state that he is unable to make any valid decisions of his own accord).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ~ John 1:12,13

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. ~ Acts 21:14

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:15-17

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ~ 1 Peter 2:15,16

... that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: ~ 1 Peter 4:2,3

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ~ 1 Peter 4:17-19

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ~ 1 John 5:14

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 7:21

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God, Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. ~ John 6:44,45

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:14

Scripture reveals that none seeks after God. If none seeks after Him then how can man have a free will to accept or reject God? God has given us the Ministry of Reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:11-21) to be "Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). The Truth is God is the Reconciler not man.

... there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ~ Romans 3:11

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one who seeketh and judgeth. ~ John 8:50

... for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. ~ Mark 13:22

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. ~ Romans 1:28

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5-7

The word reprobate(s) according to the Strongs Concordance means - useless, worthless, deceitful, mean, common, pitiable, inefficient, miserable, cast away, rejected one. To be honest these descriptions do not give credence to a person who could decide right from wrong by free will. The last Word is - God was, is still and always will be Holy, Righteous, Faithfull, Good, Sovereign and Just and "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

The Agony of Hell

2009-09-10T13:17:00.008+02:00

Are you loving enough to share the Gospel? Are you lovingly confrontational in the preaching of the Kingdom of God as Jesus was during His earthly ministry? And are you letting Jesus do so still Today? Are the unbelievers going to deny the existance of God? And are 'luke warm' professing believers going to hold fast to a soft gospel? Today, while it is still Today, Repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is your only hope. We are, as the Apostle Paul said, "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; 29 whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily" (Colossians 1:27b-29).

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18)

If you are unable to listen through this player, please listen at this link.

This sermon was first listened to by me at CBC Evangelism.

Biblical Gospel and Evangelism ~ Paul Washer

2009-09-03T13:33:00.002+02:00

Be blessed by sound preachin' and teachin'.

Biblical Eldership ~ Charles Leiter

2009-08-28T15:50:00.004+02:00

Elders are overseers. Charles Leiter expounds on the Word of God.

Ray Comfort, Live! Coming Soon ...

2009-08-20T13:20:00.003+02:00

Beginning Monday, September 14, "Ambassadors Alliance Radio" will become "Ray Comfort, Live!" Ray Comfort will host the show. Tony Miano will have the privilege of producing the show and joining Ray in studio.

The show will air Monday through Friday, 2-3 PM (PST). Join Ray as he shares his 30+ years of biblical evangelism and open-air preaching experience. The show will include daily, live witnessing encounters, interesting guests, news about the persecuted church, and the passion, wisdom, and humor of Ray Comfort.

Visit the show page from time to time, for important news about the show.

Absent from the Blog, But Preaching Much More!!

2009-08-17T13:20:00.008+02:00

While it might seem that I have been neglecting posting some blog material - possibly suspected of being A.W.O.L. (Away Without Leave for those who haven't done military or other duties), the lack of putting reading material up here has three reasonable explanations:

1. I have been more disciplined with my time at work;

2. I have been more active preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace in my lunch-times and on weekends; and

3. To a lesser extent my computer at home has problems and I think it needs an upgrading.

God has been good to us all who have been participating in Project Ezra and while we are possibly not all reading the same Scripture verses at the suggested times the Word of God is still being read in the public arena and proclaimed as God directs. The Word of God is powerful and never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

I have noticed that there has been an increase in the amount of people who actually stop to listen and even approach us to find out where we fellowship with other believers. The frequently asked question at this time is: What church do you attend? This question, as those who have followed this blog will recall, is normally answered with a "We do not attend a church building, but we are the Church." Normally blank looks or even more inquisitive questions arise like: "Um - but what denomination do you belong to?" "None. I belong to Jesus Christ and Him only." There seems to be alot of misunderstanding as to what it means to be the Church (ekklesia). There are those people who hear the preaching of the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do want to learn more or attend the Church we attend, and more and more we are finding ourselves giving out our cell numbers, our addresses after we have had an opportunity of witnessing to them 1-on-1 and telling them to meet us on 'such-and-such' a day where we are right then and there preaching. The invitation is extended. When God does His work in their hearts they will arrive. For now we need to be obedient to God and continue preaching as if this is the last day to preach. For one day in the future, that Day will come to pass.

This past Friday 14th August, I posted the following on my Facebook page:

Today Mark McDonogh and I open-aired preached while Johan witnessed 1-on-1 in Church Street and then God gave me a boldness a while later when I fetched my son Chad from school. I was a Jonah who fled but today GOD gave me boldness to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the school boy parents while they waited outside Maritzburg College for their sons. I stood atop a grass bank and lifted the Name of Jesus Christ to them. All Glory to GOD.

On Saturday Johan and I went out into Church Street again to preach at our local pond. But on the day we were joined by Dylan, our brother-in-Christ - a grade 12 pupil at Maritzburg College who had seen me when I had preached the day before outside the school. It was a longer day than usual and it is All Glory To GOD. The Project Ezra reading that I read as a springboard was Ecclesiastes 3:1-22. We preached to longer lines outside banking houses, crowds passing by, gatherings of people sitting around and one-on-ones. The beauty of this day was that we had a few - possibly about ten or so - tracts and the Word went forth. We are realising that we can preach the Word with or without tracts, although we would like to leave them with material to read, at this time we are relying solely on the Word of God.

There were those who heard the Word and there were also those who were ocassionally offended by the Word. But let us rejoice in the positives and even in the negatives.

Are We Doing Church The Right Way?

2009-07-30T13:07:00.006+02:00

Since time past when I left the institutional church, as we know it - the traditional church, by the grace of God I am now in fellowship with other believers who are also pursuing the organic Church that we read of in the New Testament. I am learning what it must have been like in the first century Church that we read in the Book of Acts and Paul's epistles. God is gracious in that the Holy Spirit has us continually repenting of our sins. Many of us - if not all at some time - have been raised to see church through the eyes of man's traditions and have failed to experience the life of Christ in His Body.

There are two books that have started to help us as we come together under the Headship of Jesus Christ. God is doing a work and we are coming to the realisation that what we perceive to be church practice is in fact missing the ekklesia practiced in Scripture. There must be more that Father wants to give us than what we are receiving in the church buildings. We know God works in every situation, but are we allowing Him to work as He intended or are we following after a whole new set of rules ordained by man? If so, we are then creating a false god in how we do church - we are following after man and his traditions rather than the True God of the Bible. (As Paul said, “The manifold wisdom of God – which is Christ – is known through the ekklesia.”)

We need to start asking the correct questions. Why do we see the vast majority of Christians sitting comfortable in the pews on Sunday and are idle in their love and pursuit of the lost? Or possibly showing no growth and lack of Spiritual fruit? Can the reasons be because we are not doing Church by the Bible?

Here are some links to challenge us believers -

* Reimagining Church Blog by Frank Viola

* Pagan Christianity? and Reimagining Church

* Audio Interview with George Barna and Frank Viola

* A Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

Mandela Day - 67 minutes

2009-07-23T13:03:00.013+02:00

On Saturday July 18th, 2009 the ex-President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela celebrated his 91st birthday. From what was read in the local and international press and from watching the news of his birthday celebrations in certain places around the world, it can be seen that there were those secular persons that revere Mandela - as an icon and idol of social justice.

For me and other street evangelists, this particular day would be no different from any other Project Ezra day. It would be another day of proclaiming the Word of God to a dying world. Here in South Africa in our Lord's harvest field, Mandela Day would allow me to speak of the justice of God and the mercy of God in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg. There were no cameras and no back-up, but I am thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness - He allowed me to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace twice.

My first reading was the Book of 1 John whereafter I held up the cover page of The Witness newspaper and made reference to the headline that read, quote -

"In recognition of the 67 years Nelson Mandela has devoted to social justice, Mandela Day is a call to people to spend 67 minutes doing good on Madiba's birthday tomorrow."

but Scripture tells another story... we are not called to give 67 minutes to our neighbours, but we are "to love thy neighbour as thyself". I then put the verse in context and read Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV) -

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Although the publishers of the list below might have had noble intent of getting people to do good to one's fellow man, they missed the Spiritual message of worshipping God everyday and loving their neighbour as themselves then we wouldn't have to fabricate ways that we should act for 67 minutes.

67 Ways to help your neighbour

1. Adopt one of SA’s 1,5 million orphans.
2. Ask some neighbours over to dinner.
3. Baby-sit to give some parents a break.
4. Bake a cake for a person who needs it.
5. Be an Angel in the mayor’s “Angel Appeal”.
6. Be a Big Brother or Sister to a needy child.
7. Be a neighbour and help someone.
8. Be polite and greet the people you meet.
9. Celebrate silence and cut down noise.
10. Clean Symmonds Stream in Howick.
11. Clean out your cupboards for charity.
12. Cook a meal for a person who needs it.
13. Cover for a colleague who needs a break.
14. Crochet or knit a comfort doll for a kid.
15. Cuddle a cat at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
16. Cut snares in the forest or open veld.
17. Do the shopping for someone housebound.
18. Donate food to the Community Chest.
19. Don’t do crime - it hurts your community.
20. Drive safely and obey the road rules.
21. Feed the birds in the garden with a bird table.
22. Foster a child for PMB Child Welfare.
23. Get to know your neighbours if you don’t.
24. Give a lift to someone with no transport.
25. Give blood and save a life, maybe three.
26. Give R67 to PMB Community Chest.
27. Help the wild animals: clean up green areas.
28. ‘Help Rob do his Job’ - clean up the city.
29. Help Cindi plant a garden in France.
30. Hold a tea party to your neighbours.
31. Honour an elderly person like Mandela.
32. Hug someone that needs a warm touch.
33. Ideas for kids: tidy your room, do chores.
34. Join the local Community Policing Forum.
35. Keep the PMB Children’s Home open.
36. Knit squares for SPCA blankets.
37. Know your status: get a free HIV test.
38. Start learning one of the 11 official languages.
39. Make peace by settling a dispute.
40. Organise a work party to fix a community place.
41. Paint a wall at Lifeline’s house in the city.
42. Pay your school fees. The school needs them.
43. Pick up litter to clean up the rivers.
44. Plant a tree to beautify your community.
45. Prepare refreshments for those who serve.
46. Pretend it’s the last 67 minutes of your life.
47. Raise funds for charities that need them.
48. Recycle your rubbish to help the planet.
49. Remember apartheid, share the memories.
50. Remember those in prison - help NICRO.
51. Save the planet from plastic, it’s a no-no.
52. Say ‘thank you’ to community workers.
53. Share cuttings and plants from your garden.
54. Smile at people you encounter tomorrow.
55. Stand in line at a govt office for someone.
56. ‘Stop crime, say hello’ - join the move.
57. Talk about Nelson Mandela’s example.
58. Teach someone a skill or hobby you have.
59. Tell your ‘struggle’ stories to the children.
60. Tip someone, esp. if you don’t often.
61. Use your voice on audio-books for the blind.
62. Visit the Mandela Monument near Howick.
63. Visit someone who needs a visitor.
64. Volunteer to help a community group.
65. Walk a dog at the Woodhouse Road SPCA.
66. Wash a car, soccer club’s kit or church linen.
67. Write a will and leave money to charity.
Compiled by The Witness newspaper, Friday, July 17, 2009

I also referred to item #46 and then went through the Ten Commandments, which is the perfect Law that converts the soul (Psalm 19:7).

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) is the only moral standard we need to adhere to - God's Law:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make yourself any graven image (idols).
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain (blasphemy).
4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.
5. Honour your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (lie).
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's house nor his wife and his possessions.

During the preaching of the Law and the Gospel of Grace that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) I told the hearers that if people love men - like Mr Mandela - more than God, then they are idolaters and they need to repent of their evil and wicked sins against a Holy and Just God.

The Bible says that it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27) and like each one of us, Mr Mandela will also stand before God Almighty on the Day of Judgment and give an account of his life. The only way we can receive eternal life is by repenting (turning from and forsaking evil and wicked sin) and throwing ourselves upon the mercy of Jesus Christ. He will return and judge this world in righteousness (Acts 17:30,31).

The second reading was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and again a plea was made to the inhabitants of South Africa...

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

There is one Lawgiver and Judge - Almighty God. We do pray for Mr Mandela, and every other person still breathing, that they will truly repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Them that are born again are given a new heart, spirit and mind and will think Christ-like. Remember: "Over 700,000 babies have been killed by abortion in South Africa – officially, legally, often with tax payers’ money – since Nelson Mandela legalised abortion on demand, 1 February 1997. As head of the ANC Mandela didn’t even allow his parliamentarians a conscience vote, they were forced to vote for abortion" (The Battle for South Africa - Frontline Fellowship). According to God's standards - that is MURDER.

The new "One Billion Rand" Gospel Tract was put to good use on Mandela Day. It reads as follows:

These days, we celebrate many freedoms... but are you really free? The Bible says that we are slaves... slaves to sin. What is sin? Sin is violating God's law... the Ten Commandments. Need proof you are a slave to sin? Ever told a lie? The ninth commandment says, "You shall not lie." Ever stolen anything? Have you ever used God's name in vain? That's called Blasphemy. Have you looked with lust (sexual desire) after another person? Jesus said, "Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." How many times have you been guilty of any of these serious violations? You, like the rest of us are a slave to sin. God's word tells us that all liars, blasphemers, the sexually immoral, thieves, etc. will end up in the lake of fire... for eternity.

The Bible makes it clear that we have to be holy to go to heaven. The problem is "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We also read: "There is none righteous, no, not one... There is none who does good, no, not one." God will justly judge you when you die and none who are unholy will enter heaven. We have to be holy to go to heaven.

But there is hope! God lowered Himself and became a man, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect (sinless) life. Then, He died on the cross for you paying the penalty for sin. After three days he rose from the dead defeating death. Only His blood can make us holy! In order to have this holiness, you must repent (turn from your sin) and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Humble yourself, and start living for God. Realize you are created to give God all the glory! True freedom is only found in Jesus Christ. Read your Bible daily and obey what you read. www.TheGoodPersonTest.net

First John Preaching

2009-07-10T16:17:00.001+02:00

As part of the Project Ezra challenge to open-air street preachers / evangelists, on the 4th July 2009 the Scriptures to be read was the Book of First John and to preach the Law and the Gospel of Grace.

From the photos at the following link, please look at the faces of the people who passed by and those that lingered and others who stopped to listen. The photos are in number order and from first photo (#001) to last (#055) the reading and preaching took about 45 minutes. You will see my son Chad handing out my last few tracts and his brother Jason, who was asked to capture as many peoples' reactions, was busy taking the photos. Notice how long - from frame to frame - some people stayed to hear the Awesome Word of God.

Glory to our King Jesus.

Brothers on Mission

2009-07-10T16:14:00.001+02:00

There is nothing sweeter than the fellowship of brothers walking with our Lord Jesus Christ in His harvest field. During the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, four brothers from two continents prayerfully backed by their brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world proclaimed the Law and the Gospel of Grace to the hoards of local and visiting soccer fans.

The Word was proclaimed and preached to a dying, dark world. The Light entered into a spiritually dead and hungering vineyard, and we believe and trust in the Name of Jesus that God’s Word went forth and accomplished what He had sent it to fulfill His purposes.

From the time I fetched Bill Adams and Thomas Nunes from Oliver Tambo International Airport there was a togetherness that was evident. We would all be learning as we got to know one another better and also glean from each other what God had already prepared us to learn. My lesson to be learned up front would be patience. To drive and negotiate the Johannesburg traffic with the additional complications of roads being closed around the stadia we would visit and the “endless” roadworks was a definite test. The first trial was when I picked up our brethren and upon trying to negotiate the roadworks at the airport to get to the currency exchanger we were “swung” out onto the highway leading away from the airport. Patience and a few kilometres of the “scenic route” and we were back on track… mmm … patience.

Let us also not forget our most wonderful hosts who truly have servant hearts for our Lord Jesus, in the families of Michael, Natalie and their two young sons Caleb and Calvin and Grenville, Ruth (Michael’s sister) and their two young sons Joel and Nathan. Their hospitality to us leaves me – and I am sure the brothers, too – speechless, but rejoicing in Jesus. It was truly how the body of Christ should function. The fellowship, prayer and morning devotions were sweet to the soul. Michael Rogers heads up Living Waters Africa, so most mornings we would stock up with Gospel tracts in his study from where he runs the ministry. He was also kind and gave us many discounts and we also thank Grenville and Ruth for purchasing us some tracts, too. We love you all.

Bill and Thomas are true Ambassadors of Christ who are truly on fire for the preaching of God’s Word and engaging in conversation, with the lost and also amongst ourselves. What I was challenged by most of all with Bill is his many, many questions. Here is a man with a servant heart and a probing mind that had me tested to the limits. He is a brother that wants to learn as much as he can from his brothers and sisters around him, and I really enjoyed his probes. It had me examining myself and searching for the correct answers. In our Q & A sessions he also ministered into my life. Thank you brother and I look forward to labouring with you for our Lord Jesus.

Thomas, my room-brother, is a gentle and prayerful soul. He is a brother that has a heart for the lost who not only went the extra mile with his time spent with the lost souls, but made the added effort of taking down many, many, many names that would later find their way into his prayer journal. This brother is a kind man whose love flows towards mankind and children. I saw this trait in Bill, too, the way they spoke to the young sons of our hosts. For Thomas, being an ex-Zimbabwean, he found himself witnessing to many Zim-refugees at the plaza in downtown Johannesburg. I believe this was an appointed time by God for Thomas to be used of the Lord to minister into their broken, poor, sinful lives and those who were encouraged as Christians, too.

Later in the week our brother from Badplaas – Willem Pretorius arrived and joined up with us. Here is a brother who we are sure God challenged and brought him to a place where he exceeded unchartered territory. Here is a young man who has a passion to learn and please God and who broke the sound barrier by reading Scripture and preaching the Law and the Gospel of Grace for the very first time in a public forum. An Ambassador of Christ who stepped out of his comfort zone – and who nearly did not join up with us – and allowed the strength of Christ to overcome his challenges. Thank you Willem for your obedience in joining us in our Lord’s harvest field.

What was also a precious few days was that Thomas travelled from the USA and he got to see his brother Dilip (Botswana) and his dad Mr Nunes (Zimbabwe) who travelled to Johannesburg to visit. A reunion after five years. A wonderful work of God’s Hand bringing family together.

All Glory to God for the time we spent lifting up the precious Name of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. As you can see from the posts hereunder from the FIFA Confederations Cup there are many witnessing stories that have been related to and there will be more to follow.

Under the Photos tab above there is a link to our photo gallery that reflects all the photos from our time on mission. We hope to have a video that captures the full extent of the mission up here in the near future.

Reports from the Confederations Cup 2009

2009-07-01T13:44:00.004+02:00

What an awesome time God allowed Bill Adams (Atlanta, USA), Thomas Nunes (Atlanta, USA), Willem Pretorius (Badplaas, RSA) and myself (Pietermaritzburg, RSA) to fellowship, preach and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to the multitudes in South Africa. Both visitors and locals, refugees and the homeless, the saved and the unsaved heard the Word of God read, preached and prayed. We believe the Word went forth and accomplished what God willed and purposed for His Glory and the exalting of His Son Jesus, the Christ.

Here are three reports at the Luke 9:23 Evangelism blog, of which there will be more to follow:

* Live Report from Confederations Cup

* Thomas Nunes Confederations Cup Report

* Bill Adams - Confederations Cup Report Friday - June 19th

Opening Ceremony to the Confed Cup 2009

2009-06-15T16:19:00.002+02:00

Time is drawing closer for us to meet our American brethren, Lord willing, tomorrow evening. Ke Nako - The time has arrived.

Here is the opening ceremony and the recording of the opening match: South Africa 0 vs. Iraq 0

Fire in Pietermaritzburg CBD

2009-06-12T15:14:00.005+02:00

* NEWSFLASH* A fire broke out in the 'Old Court' at about 12H30 (local South African time) today (12th instant)in Church Street near the City Hall. This building was under repair - being renovated. The cause of the fire is unknown and any foul-play / arson needs to be ascertained.

The photograph was taken from the Natalia Building.

My wife alerted me to this fire and I asked if her friend Mandy could take a photograph and send it to me. This is the product.

This building is also in the area where we normally hand out gospel tracts and open-air preach. At this time we do not know if there are any casualties or injured persons. Please pray for God's Grace in this situation. We also pray that our Lord Jesus will use this event to be Glorified through the proclamation of His Law and His Gospel of Grace.

I also pray that persons who were faced with a near death experience will consider why they have been given 'another chance' to repent before God and to believe the Gospel. It is because God is Merciful and Good and Kind.