Re: [Bulk] [TruthTalk] Street Preaching

[Ruben Israel]

I personally have reason to respect Ruben Israel.   My comments are not personal.   But  ---   "different strokes for  different folks"  is my response to Ruben's defense.   What is in evidence, I suppose, is that preaching (including "street preaching") is an acceptable vehicle for spreading the message of hope.  Except for the Noah example,  what we have is a series of examples of how the message was presented to the children of God  -----------     the Jews.  We are repeatedly reminded that among these people of God,  few would respond.    Perhaps Heb 6:4-6 explains why. No doubt, preaching the message of God's love apart from His disappointment (His wrath)  gives one something less than the full picture.   I incorporate the message of love in my ministry becau se of the information I find in the letters of the apostles and prophets.    The commands that bear repeating in I John are "love God" and "love the brethren."   We are reminded that " no one has seen God at any time --  but if we love one another, God abides in us"  I J 4:12.   In fact, "if God loved us, we should love others"  ( I J 4:11)...............     Thank you JD for your response.  It has been my experience in over 25 years of public preaching in the US and England that most if not all people understand that God loves them.  This message has been emphasized more than any other, and I just simply try to even out the teeter-totter, so when they die verily they have heard the full gospel.  Regarding John 3:16, that message was told to one man at night and we cannot cross reference it again in the gospels nor the Book of Acts (if it is to be so common).   I have bee putting �John 3:16� signs at games since 1984 or 1985, not because it is so loving nor am I so loving.  But on that great Day those millions and millions of people that witnessed those signs must explain to God why they did not know a simple Bible verse, yet knew the players name by number.  His position played, what college he came from, salary and stats, who really was their god/God?   Here is a question regarding love that should be placed on the table to examine.  What is love?  We love cake, we love movies, we love music, we love for our favorite team to win, but is that love?  LOVE IS ACTION.   God did not say in Heaven I love the human race, He gave His only begotten Son.  Jesus did not walk around earth telling the Father I love you or praising Him, He obeyed even unto death.  Jesus even told us, if we love Him to keep His commandments.  ACTION.  When I preach a hard message does this mean this is unloving?  For example since the Mormons are on the �hot seat� let us use them.  We show up at their conference and preach a very salty message that no one has seem to do.  This has been told to me by hundreds of Mormons and ex-Mormons, the media and local police to name a few.  Does God love these people, YES, He is trying.  Remember the Bible teaches �As many as I love, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN� (Rev.3:19).  Here is a good example of what love is.  We find it in 1John 3:18 �My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH�.   It is our deed to go to Salt Lake City to given them truth regarding the Bible and the book of Mormon, rather than most Christians that simply just believe them to be a cult but never tell them to their face.  To me that is nothing but gossip, if you really believe that something is wrong or evil, get out there at preach it to the ears that need to be heard and so what if no one wants to hear you.  They (Mormons) have indeed outgrown the Bible and our personal conversations out there are priceless.  These personal conversations happen due to the public preaching and get this.  Many older Mormons think we are sent to their church as judgment, as locust, because they know their church is beyond lukewarm.  These Mormons here try to put on one big smiley face and want everyone to think they are on big happy Osmond family, but don�t buy it.  From the watchtower: Ruben Israel  loving 1Jn.3:18 style