Can You Preach in a Bar?

Daily Devotional – Friday, November 17, 2023
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

Today I watched a video of a preacher leading prayers in a bar. Some revelers were down on their knees in reverence for God. Another video of drunkards belting out hymns while imbibing alcohol is doing the rounds. Can you preach in a bar?

What would Jesus do?

Incidentally, there is a hot debate among some evangelicals in my country because some gospel musicians are being hired to entertain revelers. Interestingly, both the preachers and the musicians frequenting bars are considered service providers and are remunerated accordingly.

Are Christians allowed to patronize bars to minister to drunkards? What moral and physical risks do we expose ourselves to if we pursue this unorthodox evangelism strategy? What are our chances of winning souls using this strategy? Would Jesus have preached in bars if he were on earth today?

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Honestly, I have no answers. The only fact I know is “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15) He left the courts of heaven with all the holiness and the adoration of angels and ventured into our hostile earth, which was under the control of Satan, just because He wanted to save a sinner like me.

Unlike the preachers and gospel musicians who make a living preaching in bars, Jesus saved me at no cost. In fact, through His sacrificial death, He paid the price of sin in full. Out of His unfathomable, unconditional love, He pursued sinners wherever they were. Indeed, the work of winning back sinners did not stop when Jesus ascended to heaven because the Holy Spirit is at work.

Can You Preach in a Bar?

Can you preach in a bar? People in need of Jesus are everywhere. Even the saved ones need Jesus because the devil, like a roaring lion, seeks to devour them. The jury is still out there on whether Christians should minister in bars, but there is no doubt that Christ will spare no efforts to save the lost, you included.

Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, because no place is out of bounds for You in Your pursuit of sinners like me.