Open Air
introduction to
friends. Our goal is to help as many people as possible (in the short time we have) to see their true state before a Holy God and their need of Jesus Christ.
raised voice of one heckler may draw 30 or 40 people who wouldn't otherwise stop to listen... and those people will all hear the Gospel.
If you've never been to an "open air" session, the things you're going to see could shock you. Between foul-mouthed hecklers, angry shouting unbelievers, The First Part The Second Part "intellectual" skeptics, and demonTo accomplish the "as many people as To accomplish the "see their true state possessed individuals... suffice it to say possible" part it's important that we draw before a Holy God and their need of that it's much different than a Sunday a large crowd so as many people as Jesus Christ" part it's vital that we present morning at church. But when we speak to possible will hear the Gospel. One of the the uncompromising Biblical Gospel. We crowds in the "open air," we follow ways we draw a crowd is by asking trivia do not tell unrepentant sinners that God directly in the footsteps "loves them and has a of The Master -- Jesus. wonderful plan for their The great benefit of We also follow John the lives"... instead we speak open-air preaching is that Baptist, Paul, Peter, the directly and forcefully we get so many disciples, John Wesley, about subjects such sin, newcomers to hear the Whitefield, Spurgeon, righteousness, judgment, Gospel who otherwise and others. and eternal Hell. We use would never hear it. The the Ten Commandments A good "open air" Gospel command is, "Go as a mirror to help the session can reach more ye into all the world, and unbeliever see their true unsaved people with the state before God -- God is preach the gospel to Gospel than the average not their "big buddy in every creature" (Mark church does in a year. It the sky" as they believe, 16:15), but it is so can touch and plant they are actually under little obeyed that one seeds in the hearts of His wrath because they would imagine that it people who would have sinned (broken His ran thus, "Go into your never darken the door of Holy Law -- the Ten own place of worship a church. If you want to Commandments-1 John and preach the Gospel be a fisher of men, you 3:4). We want them to to the few creatures have to go where the understand, "he who does fish are. They don't come who will come inside." not believe is condemned to you -- you have to go The verse, "Go out into already, because he has to them. That's why the highways and not believed in the name Jesus said, "Go..." (Mark of the only begotten Son hedges, and compel them to come in" (Luke 15:16). Thank God the of God" (John 3:18). We 14:23), although it constitutes part of a parable, disciples didn't stay in want to alarm them about is worthy of being taken very literally. the Upper Room and the state of their soul, and pray that sinners come help them develop a fear - Charles H. Spurgeon to them -- instead they of the Lord that will be the went "open air." questions and giving away our own beginning of wisdom. And after we've money. If we can get people to stop and done that... then we tell them about the Our Goal listen to the everlasting Gospel just by incredible sacrifice of Jesus Christ on their "Open air" is different than the way we giving some of our money away, then let's behalf. Once they understand their need interact with unbelievers on a one-to-one do it! How much money is the soul of one for a Savior... then we explain that if they basis. When we interact one-on-one, we person worth? It's worth all we have, and will repent and place their faith in Jesus, want to be winsome and friendly. But more. Another way we draw a crowd is by that God will wipe away every sin they've "open air" is not "friendship evangelism" -being a little controversial and "edgy." We ever committed and grant them the gift in "open air" it is not our goal to get the pray for hecklers with loud voices, and we of everlasting life. unbelievers to like us and become our encourage them to raise their voices. The