"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house
or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the
land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Imagine that! We have a sort of popular Christian conception that Sodom and Gomorrha
were number one on the Lord's "Hit Parade", but he gives us a different view. We are here
speaking of city wide acceptance or rejection of the word of God.
If you were just passing through your city, preaching the gospel at the flea markets and
shopping malls, the courthouse steps and the boardwalks and riverwalks, would you be accepted
or rejected in your city?
I know! You live there. You own a home. You are not going to shake the dust off your feet
when you are rejected...you are simply going to go home and return to your church service
and pretend that all is well in your city. But, what is the real condition of your city? Will it's
fate be better or worse than that of Sodom in the judgement?
In Hollywood, Florida, for example, I preached in the open air for six months, every Friday
night. I preached the pure and simple gospel of Christ. Less than 5 people accepted the
Lord in that open air appeal at the beach, on Hollywood's boardwalk. Thousands of people
heard the gospel being preached, but only a handfull could be bothered with it. Yes, on
certain nights, hundreds were frozen in place...stopped in their tracks by the Lord as I
preached. They were in the valley of decision. They will never be able to tell Jesus that
they never heard the truth presented. They were frozen...transfixed...on one night I remember
quite clearly. Yet, only a couple responded.
Have I wept for Hollywood Florida? Not nearly enough. How about Margate, where I live?
Two years ago, I cooked bar b que chicken and the trimmings for my whole apartment
complex. I held the event at our community pool and deck. There are 132 apartments in
the complex. I fed them first, about 125 of them. Then, I presented the gospel. Most of
them were polite, stayed, and heard the appeal. One man accepted Christ and was baptized.
Have I wept over the condition of Margate? I'm ashamed to say it. Not nearly enough.
No, I wasn't passing through. I live here. I've tried to preach the gospel here, but the soil
is very hard and the converts are few. If Jesus comes today, I cannot confidently boast
that any South Florida city will fare better than Sodom. And yet, do I cry out enough for
these cities...that God would soften the hearts of the people...give them ears to hear the
gospel...give them a desire for it? Not nearly enough.
How about you and your city? God is sending missionaries to America! Did you know that?
They are coming from Nigeria, and Cameroon, and South America. They are coming here
without a purse...preaching and walking by faith. And yes, they are going from city to city.
Some are even shaking some dust off. Are we praying for them? Not nearly enough.
How will it be for your city? In the time that remains, what should we do about it?
Stephen L. Bening
a servant and prophet of our Lord Jesus Christ