The gospel of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners was proclaimed in Slough High Street on a very cold day on January 25, the preachers being Pastors John Sherwood and Peter Simpson.
One man, when asked what his religion was, described himself as ‘a friend of mankind’. However, he rejected the Christian revelation, and, when speaking to Pastor Simpson, intimated that the British people (whom he called the preacher’s community) in the name of Christianity were responsible for great evil in the world.
Pastor Simpson replied that he was in the High Street as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he challenged the man to consider whether he was a good person or not, because the Bible says that no one is by nature good. The person speaking to the minister also referred to the existence of ancient civilisations, and of ancient cities thousands of years ago which are now under the ocean. Sadly, this gentleman showed no interest in having the Christian Gospel explained to him.
One of the helpers, Mrs Pilkington, spoke to an alcoholic man, who said that he had to turn to drink because of all the pain and stress that he was suffering in life. The witnessing sister was able to point him to the Saviour, pray with him, and recommended him to a church in Slough.
A man who spoke to Pastor Sherwood said that he was beyond redemption, having committed all kinds of awful sins in his life. The minister replied that no one was beyond receiving God’s mercy because He “is not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Even the chief of sinners, the apostle Paul, the persecutor of Christians, received mercy through the Saviour. Pastor Sherwwood endeavoured to explain the truth that the kingdom of God is made up of forgiven and undeserving wretches, not forgiven Mr Respectables who have never done much wrong anyway. May the Lord open this man’s heart to see that the Lord Jesus will turn none away who come to Him with a truly humble and repentant heart.
Pastor Simpson spoke on Romans 14 verse 12 : “So then, everyone of us shall give account of himself to God”. He emphasised how modern Britain is in deep rebellion against God. This is particularly manifested in the practice of abortion, the destruction of human life in the womb, life which God ordained and brought into existence.
To illustrate the truth that God has ordained all human life from before the time of conception, and indeed from before time began in eternity, Pastor Simpson quoted Jeremiah chapter 1 and verse 5, where the Lord said to the Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee”.
God has predetermined every single human life throughout all history, and this means that every individual is answerable to Him. This resposnsibility before our Creator, declared the preacher, brings us back to Romans 14 and to the fact that “we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ” … and that every individual must “give an account to God” for what he has done with his life (verses 10 and 12).
May many who heard the gospel in Slough upon this day realise the urgency of preparing for that day when they shall have to render an account to the judge of all the Earth, the Lord Jesus Christ.
PENN FREE METHODIST CHURCH
