Three Things Matter

Why don’t they listen?

Posted by jacob bock on January 30, 2012 in Evangelism

One of the most discouraging aspects of open-air ministry is when you preach with all your heart and no one seems to be listening.

The crowd Jeremiah preached to was just like ours…

“Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘ Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ (6:16-17)

Zechariah said of his crowd…

“But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words, which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. (7:11)

Jesus said of his crowd…

“How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Lk 13:34)

So why don’t they listen?

Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
They don’t want anyone to rule over them.
They want their will. They don’t want anyone to tell them what to do.

So now that I have answered that question, I leave you with another.

What hope is there for our apathetic crowd and what can we do about it?

jacob bock

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The best way to draw a crowd

Posted by jacob bock on January 26, 2012 in Evangelism, Prayer

The best way to draw a crowd during open-air evangelism is by the presence of the Holy Spirit. That is why we put so much emphasis on prayer in our ministry. It is not “methods” that win people, but the Holy Spirit.

I was a street entertainer for years and I know how to draw a crowd of several hundred people. Of course, when you switch from entertainment to the Gospel, most people leave. On the other hand, if the Holy Spirit draws them in, it will be the work of God and not the work of the flesh.

Preaching with objects or methods such as drama, storytelling and music are creative ways to share the Gospel message. Yet these are only tools in the hands of an anointed man or woman of God. God only needs the Spirit to draw, convince and win a soul.

The Holy Spirit is all we need.

jacob bock

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Four things to be right with God

Posted by jacob bock on January 23, 2012 in Prayer

Revival broke out in Wales in 1904-1905. About 100,000 people were saved. God used a 26 year old man by the name of Evan Roberts as his instrument in spreading the revival fire. The following was his message preached on the 31st of October, 1904 to the 17 young people on how to be right with God.

If there is some sin or sins in the past not confessed, we cannot have the Spirit. Therefore, we must search, and ask the Spirit to search us.
If there is something doubtful in our life, it must be removed – that is, something of which we are unsure as to its being wrong or right. This thing must be removed.
Total surrender to the Spirit We must do and say all that He asks us.
Public confession of Christ.

That was the beginning of one of the greatest revivals in history.

I am convinced that when you obey these four things, you will experience the greatest personal revival ever!

jacob bock

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When nothing works!

Posted by jacob bock on January 19, 2012 in Evangelism, Prayer

One of the biggest frustrations in ministry is trying to find something that works. We want to find some tool or toy that will give us the desired result. If we find something that works, we get proud, take the credit and write a book. If we don’t find anything that works, we get apathetic, burn out or quit the ministry entirely. I would suggest looking at it differently.

Methods don’t work. GOD works.

Our prayer room is open eight hours a day and we are on the street doing evangelism for the same amount of time. We have a huge emphasis on prayer because we have learned that it is not a method that will save Spain, it is God. One can bury themselves in the prayer room and call out to God for anointing, power, wisdom and fresh words from heaven! God gives us all we need for effective ministry when we are in the secret place.

So, fill yourself up with God, then go to the street and watch God work! As a result, He will get all the glory and you will save yourself a lot of frustration.

jacob bock

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And when it’s cold and rainy?

Posted by jacob bock on January 18, 2012 in Evangelism

We have the solemn responsibility to carry,

to live, and proclaim this message.

Rain and cold will not deter us

Failing support will not stop us

Discouragement will not slow us

Our flesh will not rule us

We will not be silent. We cannot fail.

For God is counting on us.

We are God’s open-air preachers.

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Read your Bible!

Posted by jacob bock on January 16, 2012 in Prayer

Challenge #1 Read your Bible!*

If we are to keep revival burning in our hearts, then we must continue to throw wood on the fire.

When it comes to reading the Bible, it is not about a reading plan; it is about our friendship with God. It is not about checking off a list of chapters read, it is about reading the Word until God speaks to you.

I have read the Bible in a year and also have read it in a month. The important thing is to find a way that works for you and just enjoy your time with God.

YouVersion sent me a mail this week. ”2012 has already started, but it’s not too late to choose a Reading Plan. (Actually, it’s never too late.) It’s only been three days. No matter which plan you choose, you can easily catch up. But you have more options, you know: Choose shorter plans from 5 days, 7 days, 14 days, 90 days—and more. Or just start a one-year plan and complete it in January 2013. All that matters is that you make it a priority to spend some time each day in God’s Word.”

Keep the fire burning!

Click here to see reading plans.

jacob bock

*The CHALLENGES consist in 15 ways to live in personal revival. Every Monday a new challenge will be given.

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Schedule it!

Posted by jacob bock on January 12, 2012 in Evangelism, Prayer

There is a danger in reading biographies of great men and women of God. It will leave you thinking that they prayed and preached all day long, every day and never struggled with it. Chances are they had to schedule it into their lives like I do. Without a schedule, I wouldn’t do what is most important. My Spirit is definitely willing, my flesh on the other hand….

As a ministry we have put prayer and evangelism on the calendar because it is a priority. Then we adjust our lives accordingly.

Because it is on my schedule, I show up. I may not feel like it everyday but that doesn’t matter. If it is on the calendar, I have committed to be there. Then once I am engaged in the work of the ministry, the Spirit takes over and I end up enjoying it.

So if you want to pray and evangelize more: Schedule it into your week.

jacob bock

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Knowing God

Posted by jacob bock on January 9, 2012 in Prayer

On Mondays, I will share ways to grow in your intimacy with God. Knowing God must be priority.

Salvation consists in knowing God. (Jn 17:3)

If one misses heaven, it is because they didn’t know God. Here are three examples from the Bible.

Believers. The five virgins believed in God and were waiting for him, yet they didn’t get in. The bridegroom says “I do not know you”. (Matt. 25)
Seekers. Not everyone that seeks heaven will enter in. ”I don’t know where you come from”, Jesus said. (Luke 13)
Professors. Not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” will enter. I “never knew you”, Jesus will say. (Matt. 7)

It is about knowing Him, knowing his heart, knowing his word. You wake up thinking about God and your life is focused on how to please Him in all that you do.

Be intentional about KNOWING Jesus.

Next Monday I will share the first of fifteen ways to grow in your pursuit of knowing God.

jacob bock

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