ANDREW AT THE CROSSROADS
PREFACE
This booklet is written in memory of my son who is now in heaven after dying at birth. His name is Andrew and had he remained here on earth, may very well have grown up to be a soul winner. This booklet is written from someone who has had experience doing street evangelism for 15 years. During that time myself and a few others went to the downtown city streets and handed out Gospel literature to those on the broad road. We saw many reactions to the Gospel. Some ignored us, others mocked, while there were some that showed interest. One thing is for sure, people will choose where they spend eternity. Salvation has already been provided and lost men and women must make the choice to accept or reject the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. This booklet will give you a glimpse of life at the crossroads as Andrew persuades the lost to turn to Jesus before they perish.
It is also hoped that the reader will be encouraged to share the Saviour with people in his life. We all have a circle of family, friends, and acquaintances who are lost and need the Lord Jesus Christ. The world cannot be won to Jesus but God is still calling a few here and a few there to salvation. Hopefully we all will do our part and hand out a tract, or give a testimony, or a witness as God gives opportunity. Souls are perishing and going to hell and are in great need of the salvation freely provided by what Jesus did on the cross.
INTRODUCTION
Hi, My name is Andrew. Let me introduce myself. I am a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wasn't always a Christian though. I was born in a religious home and my family attended church regularly when I was young. I never knew the Lord Jesus in a personal way as my church never preached the Gospel. However I faithfully attended with my father and was raised with a respect for God even though I was not saved. The day came in my life when I called out to God and committed my life to Him. God heard my cry and led me to find out about Jesus and the gift of salvation He offers. I humbly repented and accepted the Lord Jesus into my heart as my Saviour. Since I meant it with all my heart, Jesus became very real to me.
One of the main changes in my life was a burden for lost and dying souls. I became very aware of the fact of heaven and the fact of a Christless eternity in hell for the lost. The lake of fire is a terrible place to go and I just don't want people to go to that terrible place. Many times have I prayed to God to use me just to present the Gospel in such a way that some may be saved. I have always realized that salvation is not in myself, Andrew, but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ. So I am available to God to be filled with His Holy Spirit and used in His service. I pray that my life will result in others finding the same salvation in Jesus that I also have received.
Since I want to do my best in serving the Lord Jesus Christ I will allow you into my life to experience with me some of my service to the King. I'm involved in a ministry down at the crossroads. What is the crossroads you say? Well the crossroads is a tiny corner on the broad road to destruction. The broad road leads to hell and many choose to follow that road. Here is what the Bible says:
Matt 7:
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
People on the broad road walk through life with their eyes closed. As they walk they become very busy in the things of this world. Time quickly passes and the years go by unnoticed. These people keep walking until they suddenly reach the end of the road. Sometimes the end of the road is a surprise and other times the end can be seen approaching. Once the end of the road is reached the person falls over a cliff. Until a person falls over the cliff they have no idea what is below at the bottom. Once the person falls over the cliff it is too late! Their fate is sealed. At the bottom of the cliff is a great lake of fire that extends as far as the eyes can see. As a person falls from the cliff he can begin to smell the horrible sulfur smoke that rises up from the lake. The person's ears can also hear terrible screeches and screams in the distant. It all becomes very real as he plunges deep into the lake of fire. Here is a glimpse of that terrible place from the Bible:
Rev 14:
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 20:
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
As a person walks down the broad road they pass a narrow gate which leads to a pathway. The gate can be easily seen by all on the broad road. The way beyond the gate is narrow and few desire to go through the gate and follow the narrow path. Besides, the path does not look too comfortable and the broad road certainly is easier. Beyond the narrow gate, in the distance, is a cross. On that cross the Saviour (Jesus) bled and died for the sins of the world.
Heb 10:
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
The narrow path leads to a land called heaven. No one has seen heaven but they are told that it exists and have a description of this land in the book from God called the Bible. The people who enter the gate have this hope of the land of heaven in their hearts so they depart from the crowds following the broad road. The narrow path is not an easy one to follow as there are all kinds of troubles and obstacles in the path. Only those who do not love the sin in their lives are attracted to the narrow gate. The broad road certainly is a easier way to travel and offers far more worldly pleasures and sinful places of business and entertainment.
Acts 14:
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The majority on the broad road just glance at the narrow gate and keep going. They really do not care about leaving the broad road. Those on this road are all aware that they are on a long journey. Everyone has different reactions as they pass the narrow gate. Some laugh, joke, and mock the gate and those on the path. Others are angry at the gate and throw stones beyond the gate hoping to hit someone on the narrow path. While others just don't care. They just walk by the narrow gate as if it didn't exist.
Mark 8:
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
On the broad road there are lots of attractions to amuse those on their journey. There are places to go to gain all kinds of riches and the wealth of the world. For example lottery tickets are sold from little booths along the path and these tickets impart hope to the travelers. Other shops sell buy and sell stocks and show the financial data on a large screen in front of their store. That is a very busy place as many gather in front of the store for hours on end just to look at the financial numbers flash across the screen. If the numbers go up then the people are very happy. If the numbers take a dive many get sad and depressed. Some have actually got so upset with a major downturn that they have actually run ahead and jumped off the cliff! These numbers can have great power over those on the broad road. Also the broad road has places where people can spend time indulging in all kind of physical pleasures. These places are always popular and they are filled with lots of amusements. Leaving the broad road is very hard for some as they love all the attractions and places of merriment and wealth acquisition. .
It is at the crossroads where I work for my Lord. The crossroads is where the broad road passes the narrow gate. I stand outside the gate and encourage, implore, and reason with people to enter the gate. Most are not interested but a few here and there enter the gate and change their path away from the broad road. I never know who will enter the narrow gate so my invitation is to all. To invite people I usually hand out little pieces of paper inviting them to the narrow road. Some people read the paper invitations (called Gospel tracts) and decide to enter the gate. Others just throw the paper down with disinterest. The odd person hates the gate and they rip up their invitation right in front of me. Afterwards they continue on down the broad road laughing and mocking all the way. Many times, people will stop to talk. At this point I have the opportunity to share with them my belief in the Saviour. I explain how they can turn to the narrow gate and come off the path to hell. Some people decide to enter the gate while others walk away thinking about it. I've even seen people return after several days just to tell me they want to enter the narrow gate. So that is my ministry and my purpose in life. I know that after this life I have a great blessing awaiting for me in that land at the end of the narrow road called heaven.
1 Cor 2:
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
So I will write and describe my work for my Saviour which He has called me to perform. The work is pleasant but occasionally there are very tense moments. I have been hit, spat upon, and threatened as I encourage people to enter the narrow gate. Other times I receive great blessing and joy as I see people leave the broad road to hell and enter the narrow path to heaven through the Lord Jesus Christ. So I continue working faithfully doing the work that my Saviour has called me to.