A GUIDE TO OPEN AIR PREACHING
INTRODUCTION
Greetings to my fellow evangelists / street preachers. I have thought to put forth a HANDBOOK of the DO'S and DON'TS OF PREACHING IN PUBLIC as well as some theological insights. While I am not a full time street preacher evangelist, I have preached for a number of years. I started out in Chicago IL. in the Uptown area of Broadway and Wilson. There our church would go out Saturday mornings with a large 8ft. wooden cross. The Uptown area had one of the highest crime rates ( if not the highest ) in the city. We used a very powerful PA system and blasted the gospel into the high rise towers along Lake Shore Drive. I have tried this in other locations in Chicago, but police would be called. In Uptown I think they didn't care to much and left us alone. I would also go down into the subways to preach. During rush hour there are hundreds of people. This was my first " breaking in " to street preaching ". it was quite an experience. I preached out there with the church for about a year in 1995. At this time I also had a prison ministry at the Cook County jail for about 6 years. Then the Lord gave me a bride and we moved to West Palm Beach, Fl. to manage a Christian program for women coming out of prison. We also went to Glades correctional for about 6 years. Then we decided to move to San Antonio Tx. for personal reasons.
As we settled in to this new place the Lord spoke to me to go out and preach on the streets. At first I struggled with this. I told the Lord that I did not want to preach on the streets. I would pass out Bible tracts and witness to people, but not openly preach.This was because of the things that can happen on the streets. Some people have an acute reaction to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord kept after me to preach. One day while walking around downtown where crowds of people wait for busses, a tall young man with piercing blue eyes was preaching up a storm on the street corner. As I listened I was both convicted and inspired. When he got on a bus, I continued preaching the gospel. From that time on I have continued to preach, esp. at the Alamo. The Alamo Plaza is a unique place where people come from around the world to see the historical site of where the great battle took place between Mexico and Texas. The Lord has given me opportunity to witness to many Nations, peoples and tongues. Praise His Holy Name.
CHAPTER 1 The PREACHING THE CROSS
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the dividing line between heaven and hell. Souls of men, women and children are at stake. We that are given the call have a great responsibility to God and mankind. If you can go on living without the need to warn people of the eternal consequences of their actions, then you are not called to preach.
Jer.20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. ( hold back )
While all who name the name of Christ are to be witnesses, only some are called to preach.
Eph.4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ...
Preaching on the streets is even more demanding. Most pastors, evangelists feel safe in their churches. Out in the public where different people roam around, not everyone cares to hear the gospel. On the streets there are homeless, people with addictions, atheists, sexual deviants, evolutionists, psychiatrists, satanists, witches, liberals, various religious and political beliefs. People are now more demon possessed as we draw closer to the coming of the Lord.
If you are called to this ministry the Lord will provide the strength and wisdom to do His will.
1 Cor.1;18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
What exactly is the PREACHING OF THE CROSS?
It is the method God uses to bring sinners to salvation. The cross was an excruciating, painful death that may last for days. It was used as capital punishment in Rome. This was the instrument of death the LORD GOD chose to display His Son unto the world. To the ones that think they are smart, above this kind of foolishness, The Lord destroys their wisdom and brings their understanding to nothing. This extreme foolishness scoffers mock is the only way to save mankind. You also must become a fool to preach this in public.
1 Cor.1;26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
We who preach the cross must ourselves be crucified. How will you preach, what effect will you have if you have not experienced the excruciating pain of the cross? The Lord Jesus as a man could not carry His own wooden cross due the severe beating He received at the hands of the Roman soldiers. Another was called to carry His cross. But once he was crucified and lifted up there was a cross He bore that none of us as men could bear. As He hung between heaven and earth He cried out to His Father. Matt.27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The Heavenly Father turned His eyes away from His Son. For at that moment the Lord Jesus Christ judicially, legally took upon Himself all the guilt, shame, crimes of a world of lost sinners.
Job 16:11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
It was during this time the Father laid on Jesus the sins of us who believe.
2Co 5:21 For he ( the Father ) hath made him ( Christ ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;...
So my fellow street preachers, we must enter that place of suffering for lost souls.
Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Can you imagine having such a great love for people that if it were possible you would go to an eternal inferno so they could be set free. Paul wished it , but Jesus did it. His righteousness defeated the enemy on our behalf who trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. Let us take this to heart as we go to preach his gospel.
2COR.5:19-21
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
CHAPTER 2 HOW TO PREACH
I can still remember my first day to preach in the Cook County jail. A man called me over to a cell. There was pressed up upon the bars the faces of them that were thirsty to hear the Word of God. The man said to the inmates " Don't mind my white brother, he's come to preach the gospel " So I preached the word. After I finished we walked back to the lobby. The man that introduced me said, " WHEN YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST YOU MUST DO IT WITH URGENCY ". This has never left me. All of us have heard preachers that are full of knowledge, highly educated, but something is missing : THE FIRE OF GOD. Let the Holy Spirit produce a fire in you that will burn down the church! It is a flaming fire of CONVICTION, RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS. This is the Sword of God.
Heb.4:12,13
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
We must learn how to use this sword which is the Word of God. Note that it has 2 edges, it cuts on both sides. Yet we must use it with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. Some need to be rebuked by the word.
Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Others must be gently handled; not to destroy them even more.
2Cor.2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. ( compare with 1Cor.5:1... )
There is a time to weep with people, to pray for them, even cast out devils. Be led by the Holy Spirit of God. In the preaching of the cross there must be conviction of sin. There is no salvation without repentance. Jn.16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove ( bring conviction ) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
When preaching the gospel do not be vague about sins. Name the particular sins; lying, stealing, fornication, abortion, murder, witchcraft, homosexuality, pedophilia, idolatry, blasphemy, adultery, covetousness ( greed ) and so forth. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction when naming the sin as opposed to just preaching about sin.
CHAPTER 3
PROPHETIC PREACHING
This is the term that comes to mind : prophetic preaching when discerning the times we live in. Reading through the Old Testament prophets you will notice the prophets calling Israel back to God. Their sins are not much different than ours today. While we call individuals to repentance, we must also call nations to repent. This would include local as well as federal government. Martin Luther the Reformer in the 1500's said something I believe to be at the heart of public preaching. He claimed that unless the preacher expose the devil's work against God's saints in that particular time of history, the gospel ( preaching of the cross ) was not being preached as it should. In Luther's time it was salvation by faith alone in Christ alone and sola scriptura, by scripture alone. There was also the criminal scam of indulgences. www.britannica.com/topic/indulgence by which the faithful were milked.
I believe and preach that we must cry out in the public square the murder of the innocent unborn. The crimes of pedophiles, even when it is by our government officials. There is a worldwide epidemic of Satanic ritual sacrifice of children. We must never be silenced as preachers of the gospel on such atrocities. Homo sexuality, transgenderism, beastiality, pornography, has taken hold of generations. Terrorism, Islam, communism / social progressives must be exposed by the truth of the gospel.
https://youtu.be/Z1CwN-rty7U ( must watch )
Many unbelievers, conservatives , Libertarians, are leading the charge. Drudge report, Infowars, Breitbart, Real.video, Mike Adams and many others are exposing the evil in the world. How much more are we who have been bought by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ are to be crying out from the rooftops. Evil can only work in darkness. Therefore we shine the light of the gospel into the darkness to draw out souls of men doomed to perdition without Christ. The secular world cannot do it. Only us who have the LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE DOWN THESE DEVILS. https://youtu.be/STDbrUQKr_0 (watch to end)
PROPHESY; "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, I call out my army in all the Nations of the world. They are the ones who follow Me wherever I go, they go. These are My faithful ones who love not this world or their lives more than the Lord their God. I call out the Last Day Harvest Laborers for the time of the GREAT HARVEST IS COME." Call on the Lord, that he may find you faithful to participate in the greatest event in world history; The return of the Lord Jesus Christ. His servant, Peter
CHAPTER 4
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN STREET PREACHING
I would like to share some of my experiences in open air preaching. When I first started going out with a church in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago ( Wilson and Broadway ) there were some memorable moments. There was I think a witch that would come by to dissuade us from the hope of the gospel. She would speak in tongues just as in the churches to try and confuse us. We continued preaching and witnessing the gospel.
One Saturday morning as I was preaching while two brothers passed out tracks, a wild man came upon us. He had long hair, black leather jacket with chains hanging all over. As one of the men handed him a tract, he looked at it, then proceeded to choke the man. The other brother went over to try to loosen the grip he had on his throat. He was really forcibly choking him. Then the street commander let go of one and started choking the other man. I started rebuking the street commander in the name of the Lord. He turned , came at me. I dropped the mike and backed up out of his reach. He promptly resumed choking one of the others again. There was a police car kitty corner from us so I ran over to them and pointed to the mayhem. The street commander tried to escape in a taxi, but Chicago's finest blocked the cab. When they pulled him out he accused us of attacking him as he walked by. The police didn't buy it and asked us if we wanted to press charges. I wanted to, but the others said let him go. So he went off in the taxi.
Now that's not the end of the story. For a while now we have tried to give a Bible tract to this older black man who worked out of a newspaper stand. He would always refuse. It was very dark in this little wood stand. One day I took a real good look inside and it was wall to wall pornography! This man was watching the whole incident unfold from his stand. When he saw we let the guy go, he came out of his stand with a big smile and said " you are righteous men, give me one of those tracts". You never know who is watching.
Another time I was with a brother and his wife on Sheridan and Wilson in Uptown. He had this super loud PA system. My bride to be was with some of the church members witnessing in the high rises along Lake Shore Drive. As I was preaching, I saw this short little pudgy man across the street jumping up and down cursing and swearing. When the light changed he came charging at me full speed. He stopped just short of running into me. He was jumping around, cursing, swinging punches but never touched me. I just kept preaching. After a minute or so I commanded the devils to come out of him in the name of The Lord Jesus. Immediately he spun around, ran wildly down the street still cursing and swearing. I watched as he disappeared in the distance. To this day I don't know how such a man could run so fast except for demonic possession.
That's not the end. As the saints came back later that day who were witnessing in the towers along Lake Shore Dr., my fiancé told me that they could hear the preaching way up in the high rises and that people were hanging out of their windows to listen. Apparently the devil did not want us preaching and sent one of his students to scare us off. Keep preaching.
I tried in other locations around Chicago. The subways downtown was a good place to preach. Hundreds of people waiting for a train. Once in a while the transit police would run us out. There is a tunnel connecting different train lines. As I was walking through one a young black man was begging for money. It was winter, but he had his skull cap pulled way down his face. I think he had his coat over his head like hiding. I have seen this before. The demons mess with their minds to do strange things. I stopped and talked with him about the Lord. Another black man came up to us and started praying for the man. Demons started manifesting and the man started coughing and looked like he was going to throw up. While we were praying another black man smelling from booze wanted to know what's going on. He tried to stop us from praying and wanted to start a fight. Again a student of the devil was sent to stop us from setting this man free.
One day a friend and I preached in the doorway of a closed down store at six corners; Milwaukee, Irving Park, Cicero. Someone called the police. The policeman came out and asked us if we were preaching the gospel. We affirmed that we were and he said keep preaching and left. I was on a corner across the street passing out tracts as my friend preached. Suddenly a man came up and gave me a good jolt in the ribs. He was washing storefront windows in the area and informed me that we were ruining business. I gave him a tract and we kept preaching. We used the super PA system.
The enemy is always trying to stop the preaching of the cross. Sometimes things can get violent. So far the Lord has had mercy on me. You can look at youtube and other places where preachers really got hurt. It comes with the territory.
Then after I got married we moved to San Antonio where I began preaching at the Alamo. One weekend there was a pastor with two more men holding banners for people to repent. I asked if I could preach and he said yes. It was packed at the Plaza, hundreds of people. A man started cursing at us, arguing, trying to shut us down. He called the police and they came on bicycles. The officer listened to the complaints that we were cursing and swearing. The exact opposite of reality is often how the devil works. We spoke with the officers and told them that we are simply preaching the gospel. The officers said that was our right so we kept preaching, the man kept cursing.
Another time as I was preaching at the Alamo calling out particular sins ( for the greatest affect ) a women came rushing at me yelling " I'm a lesbian and I had an abortion " slapping me in the ribs. I told her that the Lord loves her and that her sins can be forgiven. Then the officer who guards the Alamo ( federal property ) handcuffed the lady and took her inside the Alamo. A few minutes later the officer asked me if I wanted to press charges. I told him to let her stew a little and let her go. Many times people will try to interrupt by asking questions or just plain disrespectful. The main thing is to keep preaching.
My wife goes out with me sometimes to witness. As I was preaching a tall young man who was an Eagle Scout wouldn't leave me alone. He was drunk and obnoxious. I sent him to my wife and she pacified him while I kept preaching. One day as I was preaching at the Alamo an older heavy set man sits down right by me. As I preached naming off sins he would say " that's a lie". This continued for a while. Then I spoke to him for a while. It turned out he was a Psychiatrist! Aha, now we know the problem.
Sometimes I went out at evening when it was getting dark. More devils come out at night. As I preached two men on bicycles rode in between me and the public. At the Alamo you can not hand out a tract or preach on federal property, they will arrest you. One weighed about 300lbs. and tall. He had a speaker on his bike and proceeded to blast music to drown me out. I preach without amplification at the Alamo. I stopped preaching and waited to see if the officer was going to send them away. It was clear they were breaking the law, disturbing the peace. Unfortunately, some officers don't want to do anything. I got close to the big man and started preaching right in front of him. He pushed me with his bike and ran over my foot cursing and swearing. I don't remember if I kept preaching, my foot was sore for a couple of days.
I was preaching at a busy bus stop in San Antonio. A man kept heckling continually cursing and swearing. When I finished a young lady came up to me for prayer. She was a Christian living with a man. Then she introduced me to her boyfriend. It was the heckler. He was telling me that this salvation stuff was all in my head, not real. I told him that the devil has really deceived him good. I prayed for the Lady and warned her not to play with sin, but to truly repent.
Many things have happened in different settings. I hope some of these confrontations will help you in your ministry. https://youtu.be/STDbrUQKr_0 ( watch to end )
CHAPTER 5 A FEW TIPS
Here are a few tips that will help you out especially if your just starting out. As you gain more experience you will come to your own conclusions. This is between you and the Lord.
1) Be prayed up. This is the real deal. Pray for wisdom, for souls to be saved, for believers to repent. Pray for strength, God's ways to conduct yourself. Pray that the Lord gives you the power to return hatred with love. A soft word turns away wrath. Pray not to fear the enemy. Recognize the enemy. Our battle is not with people, but evil in high places of authority. Eph.6:12 Pray for protection for all with you.
2) Live a holy sanctified life. If you go out on the streets while you practice sin, beware: God is not mocked. The devil will chop you up and spit you back out. Eph.4:20-32
3) Don't argue with people. Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11. Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2 Tim.2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Finally brethren think and prepare yourselves for adversity. Learn to hear the voice of the Lord. This is of great advantage when you need to make split second decisions. Do you go to jail when threatened by the police? Should you fight to protect yourself or take a beating? Should you press charges when assaulted? Many things can happen. As you go out more you will learn more. Remember, you are there representing our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes you may get into heated arguments. Be careful not to say something you will regret. One time as I was preaching some young people started questioning me about homosex. Finally I told one of them " I can't tell if your a man or women ". That didn't go over to well. As they left the Holy Spirit convicted me to go apologize. They received it and we continued speaking. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When preaching, giving examples or using props, do not be sexually graphic or vulgar. I have seen some street preachers use large rubber sexual organs to show how God intended sex between a male and female. This was at a Gay park. Another time I saw preachers in front of a Mosque confronting Muslims and tearing pages out of a Koran! They did this to prove that there is a difference between Allah and the LORD. Another time at a Catholic church street preachers stood outside with a Virgin Mary Statue chipping it to pieces with a large plumber's wrench during Sunday morning Mass! At some Catholic gathering a street preacher was dangling on a stick ( like a fishing rod and line ) fake bloody tampons to illustrate that your righteousness is as filthy rags! I understand what they are trying to do. They are using shock and awe to try to wake up these poor souls to their hopeless condition. Let's just pray that they don't drive them further away from the gospel. It is a dangerous thing to alienate the people you want to save. It wont go well on judgment day.
Some street preachers will go after people to argue and fight with them about their sin. I have seen endless hysterical screaming by people as they yell at the preacher. All the while the street preacher is calling these women whores, prostitutes. What is accomplished in these situations?
Once in Chicago on Grace and Halsted streets right outside of a church my wife and I attended was a Gay Parade. We were loaded with gospel tracts and were passing tracts everywhere. It was really crowded. All of a sudden a man began to scream " Jesus hates queers ". This he continued loudly repeating until I looked him in the eye and told him, "Jesus does not hate homosexuals". A crowd gathered around me and my wife. A young man with a Bible started sharing how It was a sin for a straight man to lay with another man, but OK if your gay?! I couldn't let him get away with that. So we debated for a while till I could see that he would not be persuaded to recognize his sin. To go on from there is fruitless. If the Holy Spirit is not convicting him it is pointless. We as preachers cannot save anyone. We simply do our best to to bring them to the foot of the cross. Be careful in large crowds of sinners, revelers, drunkards, homosexuals, etc. If you are led of the Lord to go to such events, go with other mature saints who have done this before.
I have read a book from an evangelist in India. How these young men traveled from town to town preaching in the most dangerous areas. They would sleep outside in ditches by the towns they preached in that day because there was a good chance of being severely beaten or murdered. In one village the evangelist recounts how he was approached by a man speaking very calmly, " you and your friends leave now or we will set you on fire"! They left to the outskirts of the village and shook the dust off their feet as a Judgment against them in the Day of the Lord.
I will leave you with this. There all all types of styles men preach. We have different gifts, but it is the same Spirit who distributes among the Body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12 Watch some street preachers on the net, you will learn some valuable lessons. The famous evangelist Billy Sunday would do the strangest gymnastics using a chair while he preached. D.L. Moody would go into crowds in Chicago. He would put a Bible on the ground and cover it with his hat. Then he would loudly proclaim, " there was something very powerful under this hat". As crowds gathered he would lift up the hat, pick up the Bible and preach, " the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword ". He would also take his cane, put his forehead on it and spin around. Moody was round like a barrel, it was quite a sight. Crowds would gather, then he preached. Men rode on horseback in the American colonies preaching the gospel. I would also recommend: The way of the Master series by Ray Comfort.
As America and the rest of the world slides into darkness and we are forbidden to preach the gospel, There will always those called by the Lord to risk everything, even their own lives.
HEBREWS Chapter 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
NOW IT'S OUR TURN SAINTS
www.eternalvaluesministries.com www.real.video/5829401004001 www.youtube.com/chaplainpeter1 His servant, Peter