Lord willing, we plan to hold several outdoor services in the heart of our city each year. Why? Because…

 

1. God will be praised in the whole earth one day. “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa 11:9) If we do not worship God in the way that pleases Him, He can make even the rocks to cry out His praise. We take our worship service into our city because sufficient worship among these people does not yet exist.

2. God's love flows outwardly. “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35) When believers in local churches worship and fellowship together in the open-air, it is a testimony to the world of God’s self-giving love.

3. It is in the presence of our enemies (sin, Satan, worldliness and wolves) that our Good Shepherd sets a table for us. (Psalm 23) 

4. Our Lord Jesus teaches His disciples to "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:23) There is plenty of room at our Lord's banquet feast.

5. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

6. Our Lord Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to you who believe. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)

7. "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)

8. There are those still trapped behind the bars, under the curse of sin and death, who will believe in Jesus when they hear the gospel. (Eph 2, Col 2).

9. God has more in this city who are His. (Acts 18:10)

10. We were sent, planted, and raised up as a church for this very purpose: 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:13-14)

11. We are waging spiritual warfare against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) 

12. As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

13. The church is the light of the world and must shine before others. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:14-15)

14. The church must proclaim Christ to everyone and warn everyone of Christ’s coming kingdom and judgment. “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)

15. We are not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.  (Romans 1:16)

16. Paul charged Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. (2 Timothy 4:5) Open-air services are a strategic means by which the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, the lost are called, believers grow as bold disciples, and His heavenly kingdom expands on earth.

17. The church is to preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to some, but to those who are called by God, Christ’s work on their behalf is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

18. We want our Lord to return quickly. Our Lord Jesus said: You will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:10-14)

19. The church has always done this – preached, worshiped, and celebrated belonging to the family of God together openly, in public. This was true of the church in Acts, of missionary labors around the world, at the time of the Reformation, of the Puritans, of the First Great Awakening, of Charles Spurgeon, and of the great cloud of witnesses who are united to Christ from all generations. “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls."  (Jer 6:16) 

20. “No defenses needed for preaching out of doors. ‘That we might win some’ must be our motto.” – Charles Spurgeon