I arrived at Mill Ave while Tom was up "on the box" open-air preaching.  He was talking to some girls that sadly couldn't any less about what Tom was saying… or at least it didn't appear to me that they cared.  They were four lesbian girls that simply cared about getting a glow stick neckless from Tom.

We give away glow stick necklaces to people to encourage them to take the "good person test."  This is the primary tool that we use to get to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The good person test walks a person through several of the 10 Commandments showing them that they are not good compared to God's standards.  We offer people a glow-stick necklace if they can prove that they are a good person (of course we know that they aren't good enough).

After taking a person through the test, we advised them that like God, we will show them grace by giving them the necklace even though they don't deserve it.  Just like God gives us Grace in that we get salvation, even though we don't deserve it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Brian and his son on Mill Ave.  He stated that he was a Christian but that when it came to sharing his faith, the Gospel, with others he took a less direct approach.  That is, he lived his life in a way that people would see Jesus in him.  He said he was "timid" when it came to sharing his faith.

Two thoughts on that… 1) Of course we should live our lives in a way that others would see "Jesus in us," but Jesus said to go into all the world and "PREACH" the gospel to every living creature… it seems only reasonable that we could preach the gospel to humans that are around us.

2) The fact the he was timid to share the Gospel also makes sense.  I would be timid to share the Gospel if I didn't know how.  But I do, and moreover I've made it a goal to teach other Christians to do the same. There are a couple of Evangelism Seminars coming up soon. One I am helping with, and the other I am putting on.  If you're interested, keep an eye on this blog or my Facebook posts. This seminar is free… and it will change the way you think about evangelism for good.

by God's Grace
~ brandt dary

Last night was "First Friday," an Art Event in downtown Phoenix that usually draws a pretty big crowd.  I prefer this event much more than "Mill Ave." We showed up and because of the weather... the RAIN, we left about ten minutes later.

God is sovereign and the rain didn't surprise Him.  We headed to Taco Bell and we still had good fellowship afterwards. Plus Haleh and I had a few errands we needed to run in Downtown Phoenix... so it wasn't a lost cause.

Tonight is Saturday which means I'm heading to Mill Ave. (Mill & 6th St.).  I pray that the weather will be better than last night (if it's God's will).  I also pray that the Lord would see it fit to use us to faithfully preach the biblical gospel message to those that He draws to hear it.

Sometimes people ask about the "results" of our work on Mill Ave.  It surprises them when I tell them that we lead 100% of people to Jesus, and we have a 100% decision rate.  What I mean by that is that everyone we talk to, the goal is to lead them to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  So WE lead everyone to Jesus, and 100% of those people make A decision when they get to Him… they either decide to repent and believe, or to reject the gospel truth.

Mark Cahill explains it this way: When we share the Gospel with another person we have a 100% success rate.  If we are biblically preaching the Gospel to someone than there's a WIN, WIN, WIN possible outcome.  1) We WIN because they repent and trust in Jesus Christ. 2) We WIN because we've planted a seed that God may grow later and they may come to salvation, or 3) We WIN when they reject the gospel because we are still being faithful to our Lord's command to do so.

I want share with you how heavily I was recently persecuted for sharing the Gospel.  On Saturday (day) I went with my niece to the Mesa Marketplace so she could walk around and get free candy and so I could distribute the gospel in the form of a Gospel Tract.  Then on Saturday (night) I went to Mill Ave. in Tempe as normal. Both places I received a great deal of hard core persecution.

The Mesa Marketplace is an outdoor swap meet or 'flea market' that has a few hundred vendors.  Normally, I wouldn't go there to hand out gospel tracts because I would imagine they might kick me out… but Halloween was a special day.  I know that as a Christian it is very scary to share the gospel (as we're commanded by God to do…) but I stepped out in faith and did it anyways.  Since it was Halloween, I told people that I was the US Government and that this (the million dollar gospel tract) was their bailout.  I was shocked by the heavy opposition I received and the hateful words people hurled at me. Here is a list of what some people told me:

• That'll make my day!
  
• I need this.
  
• I'm rich!
  
• Thanks!
  
• Thanks a lot!
  
• Thank you. I love this.
  
• I really, really needed this.
  
• Thanks for the million.
  
• I can retire now!
  
• Oh God! How funny is that? (Blasphemy, with a smile on their face)
  
• This is awesome.
  
• Thank you.
  
• Nice!
  

Do you see how heavily I was persecuted?!! NOT AT ALL!  Not a singe person rejected the bill.  Now you might say, "that's because you didn't tell them that it had a gospel message…" -- that's probably true.  But I didn't have to… almost every person flipped the bill over to see what was on the back side.  They will find out.

Saturday night on mill I actually received some physical persecution… a man hit me in the finger.  And actually, this was because of something I probably shouldn't have said.  I don't think it was sinful what I said… but it wasn't the smartest thing to say.  Here's the story… And keep in mind, I'm well aware that I didn't handle this situation correctly.

It was Halloween, as previously mentioned, so people were wearing costumes.  Several people were dressed up like Mormon missionaries.  This black man came up and said to me "Tell those Mormon missionaries to stop raping little boys…"  (Which, is good advise.)  It reminded me of what Paul said in Romans 2:21b - 22 "While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?…" -- So I asked this man "You say it's wrong to rape little boys.  Do you rape little boys?"  (TIME OUT: Remember, I'm well aware that I didn't handle this situation correctly).  This man was angry by what I said (and understandably so).  He angrily asked me to clarify so I repeated myself… he then called me some name, like an idiot or something, and swung his fist at my face.  I'm not sure if he missed on purpose, but thankfully he just hit my finger and knocked my tracts to the ground.

I then proceeded to ask him why he was such an angry black man… He called me prejudice. I informed him that I'm not pre-judging him at all… he was angry, black, and a man. This didn't help the situation, but it did get a lot of peoples attention.  I MESSED UP.  I wasn't thinking clearly…  I am sharing this to show you that the only real persecution I received was not due to the Gospel, but because I said something stupid… I don't think I sinned, but I know that I certainly could have handled it in a better way. So just don't make the same mistake I made when you are sharing the Gospel.

Charles Spurgeon says "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."  I state this because even though I'm a dope that messes up sometimes, I still have a desire for others to be saved and also to be obedient to God when He commands us to share the Gospel.  Maybe you're not ready to get up on a soap box and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the open-air, but you can still evocatively share the gospel by using Gospel tracts.  There's no excuse for you not sharing the Gospel. CORRECTION: There's likely no good excuse for you not sharing the Gospel.

By God's Grace
~ brandt dary

Here are some recommended websites for Biblical Gospel tracts:
Living Waters Publications
One Million Tracts
Custom Tract Source

Last Sunday night I was in the mood for something sweet. I decided to go to the store to get some brownies. On my way in I saw a man who looked like a bum, he wasn't even wearing a shirt. He had a tattoo of a naked woman on his chest and he was wearing a gold cross. He approached me and asked if I could "Spare some change". I told him that I didn't carry change, but that I would give him five dollars if he would promise me that he wouldn't by drugs or beer with it. He promised, so I gave him the money, and off I went. I told him that I gave him the money because God told me it's good to give to those that beg, and again, he said thank you. I asked him what his name was and told him mine. He said his name was Leroy. I saw a group of guys approaching Leroy, so I said good-bye, went into the store.

I found my brownies, and proceeded to the checkout line. While standing in the check out line, I could hear the man talking, rather yelling, with the group of guys outside. I could hear that these men were calling this man a homeless fool and swearing at him. I heard Leroy shout, "Don't spit on me!" I placed my brownies on the checkout and began to walk outside to see what was going on. As I was about 20 feet from the door, I heard Leroy scream at the top of his lungs, then again.

I began to run out the door but suddenly Leroy was running inside the store, we met just inside the entrance. Leroy had blood all over his face and hands. I could see that he had been stabbed twice, once in the stomach, and in the chest. I yelled at the store clerk to call the police.

Leroy was spilling out blood all over the place. I caught him as he fell to the ground, and now had his blood all over my hands. I didn't know what to do, this guy was going to be dead in 3 minutes! The cops wouldn't make it in time.

He looked up at me and mumbled, "Brandt... You mentioned... God... You said you knew him... please, tell me - I'm about to die - how can I get into heaven." Wow, what an opportunity, I love to tell people about God, so I said this to him.

Leroy, if you want to go to heaven, you've got to come check out my church - it's awesome, the pastor is hilarious, and the band is great. They give away free coffee and worship service isn't too long. Plus, after church we all go out and see a movie.


Leroy looked a bit puzzled, he said "Brandt... I'm dying! I don't think I'll be able to come to your church..."

Ahh, that makes sense... I didn't think about that. "Fear not," I thought to myself, I know how to share the love of God, I've heard my pastor many times, I can do this!" So I said to Leroy "Leroy, do you ever feel like you've got a God shaped whole in your heart? Do you ever feel like things aren't going that well for you... like you'd like more money, or success, or better relationships in your life? Do you feel like your job isn't fulfilling you, or that you are lonely and need a buddy?" He didn't respond, so I just continued, I knew how to tell someone about the love of Jesus, because I heard it at church... "Leroy" I said, "Jesus loves you, and he has a wonderful plan for your life! Don't you know that God is your friend and he wants you to go to heaven! All you have to do is accept Jesus into your heart. Just say this prayer "God I want to accept Jesus into my heart"

Leroy had lost a lot of blood, it was all over the floor and running down his chest, he was about to leave time, and go off into eternity. I saw that he couldn't speak, so I just said to him "Leroy, I'll just ask you a question, and with your last ounce of strength, nod your head if you agree" Do you want to accept Jesus into your heart?" He nodded his head up and down once, and then it feel to the ground, and he died.

End of Story

Did I give Leroy the biblical gospel? Is that all it takes to go to heaven is just to say a little prayer that is about accepting Jesus into your life? Did I do the right thing in the above story? the answer to all of those questions is NO. What would you do if someone only had three minutes to live? What about 5 minutes? What about a day, or a week, or a month? What about the fact that we all don't know how long we'll live, we could die at any moment. Did you know that, on average, 160,000 people die every day? Do you care? Here's a better question, do you care enough to DO anything?

I pray that you'll take the time that God has given you to study Biblical Evangelism and then do as God said and "Go in to all the world and share the gospel with every living creature." In case you're wondering, you're already in a part of the world -- so the important part for you isn't the going part… but the sharing the Gospel part. The following resources will help you in the area of learning Biblical Evangelism.

Great Evangelism Resources:
God's Wonderful Plan - Video
God's Wonderful Plan - Book (Free)
Hell's Best Kept Secret


By God's Grace,
~ brandt dary

P.S. If you're not sure after reading this blog that you are a Christian, please examine yourself to see if you are in the faith: Take the test.

I respect Britney.  Last Saturday night I was open-air preaching on Mill avenue in Tempe, AZ.  Britney was troubled as she walked by and heard me talking to another individual about their personal sin against God.  I asked them if they had ever told a lie and then asked them what they call people who do that.  I respect her because she was willing to approach me and inform me that she believed I was doing [evangelism] the wrong way. She said that it's not right to tell people about their sin. (Which is sort of ironic, because she was telling me about something I was doing wrong…)

On one hand I respect her. In the same way that we do, she was lovingly telling me something that I was doing wrong because she thought that the consequences would be serious if I continued doing it.  I offered to send her some literature of a link to a video that would help explain why open air preaching and the use of God's Law in evangelism is biblical.  That's what I do respect her for, speaking up when she thinks it's beneficial. But I lost respect for her because it's been a week and she has yet to contact me for those resources.

Doesn't she understand that she did what we do?  We speaking in love telling people what they are doing wrong (lying, stealing, fornication, blasphemy, etc.) and we do this because we know that they are in grave danger if they continue to live like this.  We, unlike Britney offer them even more.  Instead of just telling them that they are wrong, we warn them that the punishment is death and eternity in hell - but that there is one way that their sins can be forgiven.  We tell them about "God's Wonderful Plan:" that He sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die on the cross to pay the price for their sin.  That He rose from the dead defatting death.  We let them know that God commands them to repent and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of their sin.

The father of lies has certainly blinded people in this world from the truth.  Even professing Christians will tell you that telling other people what's wrong and right is wrong… they are blinded by the irony of what they're doing.  Telling someone that they are in the wrong,  in love, is not bad.  If you think I'm wrong, just let me know.

By God's Grace
~ brandt dary

Each month on the first Friday of the month there is an event in Downtown Phoenix Arizona fittingly called "First Friday."  I believe it's an art festival, but as far as I'm concerned it's a time when hundreds of people walk the streets and wait to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I'm thankful to have been made aware of this event by a friend Marcus M.  (www.RepentTrust.com)


It's true what Ray Comfort says regarding going out to share the Gospel: "I'm dragging my feet when I go out, and clicking my heels when I'm done."  Thankfully last night I was actually excited to GO, and I was so encouraged when it was all over.  I ended up going from about 8pm to 11:30pm.  In that time I was used by God to share the biblical gospel with close to 100 people.  I did some open air preaching and also had great one-2-one conversations.

If you are thinking, "You are so bold, I could never do that" -- trust me, that's not true.  All you have to do is learn how to share the BIBLICAL gospel, hand out Gospel Tracts, and learn how to respond to the 10 questions that people usually ask.  Ninety percent of the questions are all the same, and the 10% that's different usually don't matter and aren't worth responding to.

Here's an example of a silly question that was asked to me last night.  A homosexual tried to disprove the accuracy of the Bible by telling me that the Bible contradicted itself.  He stated that the Bible said that God killed all the fish in the flood, but fish can swim. So his logic was that God couldn't have killed all the fish because fish could swim.  (Do you see what I mean, the 10% of silly questions you get aren't even really worth commenting on...) But anyways, because I wasn't 100% sure of the wording of the Bible regarding the flood, I just shared with him that whatever the Bible said happened, happened.  He wasn't really satisfied with that answer, but that wasn't really the point.  Even if I told him that God, the creator of the heavens and earth could figure out a way to kill fish if He so desired, that wouldn't have convinced him that he was a sinner in need of Salvation.

The point is this: I wouldn't know how to be "so bold" as to go out and talk to people if I didn't realize that sharing the Gospel is the power. What I mean to say is that I, like Paul, preach Christ and Him crucified.  I preach why Jesus Christ was crucified.  The pay the penalty for the sins that we have all committed.  I make sure to teach lost people that sin is transgression of the law (See 1 John 3:4). Sin is lying, stealing, adultery, idolatry, coveting, murder, dishonoring your parents, etc.  When people understand what sin is, then it clearly helps the good news of "Jesus Christ suffering and dying on the cross for sinners" become good news indeed.

In the coming weeks (TBD), there will be an evangelism training class that you can attend if you want to know how to share the biblical gospel, like Jesus did. The class is put on by another friend of mine Tom Fusco (www.tillthenetsrfull.org) The basics of the class, and teaching, is this: Law to the proud (the 10 Commandments) and grace to the humble (The Gospel).

I'll end with one of my recent favorite scriptures.  This scripture is for those of you who wonder why I'm quoting the old testament 10 Commandments in regards to evangelism. 

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (NKJV)
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

By God's Grace,
~ brandt dary