My son, Jordan and I went to the MLB All Star game last summer in Arizona. We parked and walked toward the game entrance. When we got close to the ballpark we saw a couple of guys on the street corner holding signs.
One read, “Repent!”
Another one said, “God hates sin.” They had a couple of friends handing out pamphlets to people as they passed by. A trail of pamphlets ended up on the ground.
I got that queasy feeling in my stomach. Embarrassed; you know, like when one of your relatives behaves publically in a humiliating way.
“…ughhh, people know, I’m related to them.”
As we passed by, I glanced at the eyes of the sign holder looking for signs of compassion.
Nope.
A little yelling out followed, “repent of your sins and turn to God.” The message had truth to it. We all need to repent, turn from our ways and follow God’s ways. God does hate sin. And this guy is probably a brother in Christ to me. “…ughhh.”
Have you ever gotten the flu and had to grab a near by trashcan to throw up in it? I had that feeling. I was scanning for a near by container.
After we walked 10 or 15 feet, I looked over my shoulder. I saw no one asking him questions, nor anybody asking for prayer; no one was on their knees saying, “please pray for me, I need God.”
Whatever happened to that good old “John 3:16” signs?
Dear Picket Sign & Bullhorn Guy,
‘Please stop yelling at everyone. They aren’t listening.
You are turning people off to God’s grace.’
Signed,
Everybody
I may be wrong but I wonder if he has tried feeding the poor or was this his best shot. Loving the hurting could be a stronger message. Consider buying groceries for a local single mom. Be one of those men whom she’s never met before – a man who cares.
I don’t know any Christians personally who thinks the ‘hateful sign ministry’ is effective – at all.
Why do these people do this? Do their leaders actually tell them that this is a superior form of presenting gospel? Can you imagine Peter, James and John holding up a sign in the days of the early church? Were these guys ‘judgmental and critical people’ who became Christians one day and now are ‘judgmental and critical Christians?’ No transformation – they just changed teams.
Imagine going to church one Sunday, bringing your friend, who finally wants to hear about God’s love. The pastor comes out with one of those signs.
Your thinking “What? Oh no. Pastor, no.”
“God hates your sin.”
“Repent or burn!”
“God’s judgment is coming.”
Many unbelievers think Christians have no love. Many think that Christianity is about making others wrong.
They think our main message is:
“I’m right and you are wrong.”
“I’m better than you.” or “God loves me more than He loves you.”
Pastors, thousands of Christians and non-believers alike are hesitant to go to our churches this weekend because they are afraid they will get an ‘audio version’ of one of those Sign Guys. We have to ask ourselves the question:
“Do I sometimes, unintentionally, present Christ in our services, the way the ‘Sign Guys’ address the crowds on the corner.”
We have to remember:
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT
There is nothing wrong with a message of ‘hope’. The gospel of Jesus Christ’s is a message of hope for the hopeless, His love for the lost and broken – that Amazing Grace.
