If you are like me sometimes you literally dream about lengthy gospel discussions with unbelievers. Sometimes these dreams come true but oftentimes they don’t. A lot of of people simply don’t want to engage on the topic.
I experienced something entirely different a few days ago however. We as a church have recently moved into a 100-plus year old building in an urban and very active area. We conveniently located right next to a high-school and a result there is a lot of natural traffic. We have been trying to build some relational bridges with students and other folks who enjoy loitering around our building. Some of it is simply practical: we want to discourage graffiti. But most of it is missional: we want to talk about the gospel with them.
As I walked up to a car full of truant kids I began to engage them about life. We talked through basic stuff and I entertained some frankly ridiculous discussions. Soon however, we got to my questions about life and worldview. Before I knew it we were in a full-fledge Q & A Session in our parking lot. The kids got out of the car and there we stood for the better part of an hour talking about the Bible and worldview.
Aside from the joyous thrill that the discussion was it was the content that stuck with me. Their questions centered on important theological topics such as Bibliology (inspiration, inerrancy, clarity and preservation of the Bible), idolatry, Lordship, homosexuality, why you should get married, morality, God’s immanence, and the substitutionary atonement of Christ for us. These are just a few of the items. They were questions whose answers were these doctrines or topics.
Then they asked me my story. They wanted to know why a guy like me would be a pastor. This was great to talk of the rich and powerful grace of Christ. They were curious, even intrigued.
At one point one of them said, “What he is saying makes total sense. I’ve never heard of it though.”
This statement simultaneously convicted, affirmed and motivated me.
Why haven’t they heard? There is a great need for gospel fidelity and clarity.
Why are we here in South Omaha? To live as missionaries, declaring and demonstrating the truth of the gospel.
What do we need to do? Live faithfully and work to plant more churches.
This might not seem like a big deal to you but for me, it’s a dream come true!