The gospel was plainly set forth in Slough High Street on August 31st by Pastors John Sherwood and Peter Simpson and Mr Graham Parkhouse. Octogenarian sister, Mrs Hammond, offered stalwart help in handing out tracts and talking to passers-by.
One man walking past was completely dismissive of the gospel message, but did not offer any cogent reason why it should be rejected. If only more non-believers would be willing to engage in conversation and take a few moments to consider the claims of the Creator and Redeemer of the world upon their lives.
Pastor Simpson preached on John 5:40, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40), explaining how most of the people to whom the Lord Jesus Christ ministered ended up refusing to believe in Him for their salvation. They heard His teaching and saw His miracles, but still refused to come to Him. All men need spiritual life, because until they come to Christ, they are spiritually dead.
The glad tidings of the gospel are that all who are spiritually dead may be raised up to new life, if they respond to God’s call. As Paul told the Ephesians, concerning their pre-conversion status, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
A tract was handed out on the same theme, which includes the words : “No one possesses sufficient goodness to ever come near to God through his or her own merits. Nor can any good works ever cancel out our sins. This is why we all need a Saviour to rescue us. We cannot save ourselves. On the third day after His crucifixion the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, which was the sign that the Father had accepted His Son’s sacrifice on behalf of sinners. In the resurrection God is showing the world that those who are guilty and spiritually dead because of sin can be raised up to new life.
Pastor Simpson also emphasised Joshua 24:15, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Men are under an obligation to respond to God’s call and to choose life or death. May many who heard in Slough respond to the Holy Spirit’s drawing of them, and come to Christ, that they might be raised from spiritual death and receive the life of the new birth which leads on to everlasting life.
