Pastor Peter Simpson was preaching the message of salvation through faith in Christ alone in High Wycombe High Street on January 11th, helped by two faithful ladies from the church.
At one point during the witness a group of local students approached Pastor Simpson and said that they were studying film production and were engaged in a project on faith and asking why so many people in modern Britain are lacking in faith. They asked if they could film a short segment of the preaching to submit as part of their project, and also if they could ask him a couple of questions on film. Pastor Simpson of course readily agreed. My the Lord be pleased to use this providential encounter to His own glory.
A young man walked by uttering words of complete contempt for the preaching. He was not intending to stop, but Pastor Simpson called him back saying, Come and challenge us properly, if you have an objection – what exactly is your argument? He replied that there is no God, and even denied that a man called Jesus Christ had historically existed. He also uttered obscenities as he made these points. Pastor Simpson asked him if he thought that Julius Caesar really existed, because most people do, and there is just as much documentary evidence to verify the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, as there is regarding the activities of the Roman Emperor. The angry man sadly did not really engage with this point. He argued that suffering precluded the existence of God. He was told in response that sin was at the root of all suffering and death in the world. Pastor Simpson also tried to explain to him that his resort to foul language to make his point was indicative of a sinful heart which needs renewing by Jesus Christ.
One of the texts on which Pastor Simpson preached was Ecclesiastes 12:13 : “Fear God, and keep his commandments : for this is the whole duty of man”. What is the purpose of human existence? It is to honour and serve the God who made us. All people are God’s creatures and owe their life on this earth to the Trinitarian God who ordained. All therefore are answerable to their Maker. The preacher also referred to Proverbs 9:10 : “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”. What makes a man truly wise? Is it, for example, following the news and listening to the media? Most definitely not. A man cannot even begin to become wise, unless he starts by fearing His Maker.
May those who heard the gospel in High Wycombe upon this day start fearing the God who gives them their daily breath, and may come to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy and forgiveness without any further delay.