OUR EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY
October 17, 2011, Missouri State University
Normally, I like to avoid campuses which require paper work. However, sometimes it is advantageous to do things officially. I have a professor friend, Michael B., who always does the necessary paper work for me on this campus. Today, as usual, he greeted me in the parking lot with the "Expressive Activity Request" form filled out and signed by an administrator. He also presented me with an envelope containing a 100 dollar bill and quarters for the parking meter. If I had one faculty friend like him on every campus, I would have it made.
I started preaching on the stage in front of Strong Hall. Quickly, I gathered a crowd of 35. The students were sober and stood off a distance with few comments or questions, so I mostly preached. There were a number of professing believers in the crowd so I emphasized the doctrine of holiness. Also, I urged them to fight for the faith, which is what makes Christianity interesting and exciting. I acknowledged that church life can be boring when there is a lack of personal commitment to missions and evangelism.
After fifty minutes I turned the meeting over to Bro. Shortly after he started, a sodomite with a long pony tail and violin started playing. It was not a serious distraction since he kept his distance from Bro. It even added to the mood when he played "Amazing Grace." The students remained sober as Bro preached. He spent 30 minutes on the story of his conversion, which he does not often relate when preaching.
When I took my turn, the violinist got on the stage with me, which now made his music a distraction. I directed Bro to show our paper work to a policeman, who was on his bike off at a distance. The policeman called the violinist over to him and he informed the violinist that we had the platform reserved and that he could not be on stage. So he took his stand on the grass in front of the stage. I could tell that the students were getting a little frustrated with him. However, they did not say so since they did not want to appear to be actually interested in our message. Soon a male with an accordion joined the violinist in front of the platform. The accordion is louder so he was more of a distraction. A heckler in a body suit which covered everything including his face started mimicking me in front of the stage. Nevertheless, the students remained relatively serious. I did not see anything of the members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, who are usually mainstays at my meetings at MSU.
 | | Bro. Jed preaching from the stage at Missouri State University. He is in dark suit on the left and the violinist is on his right. |
The music makers left at 3:30 for a while, so I called on Sister Pat for the first time today. After she preached for a time, the students gathered close to the stage and started interacting with questions and comments. The crowd was between 100 and 150 for much of the afternoon.
While Bro was speaking, a young Christian man, Rob, quizzed me on the doctrine of Christian perfection. He was not argumentative but was sincerely interested in what the Bible taught on this doctrine. I even went back to the car to get him a copy of Walking in the Spirit. He informed me of his interest of entering into the ministry.
| | Christian student quizzes Bro. Jed on the doctrine of holiness. |
A girl with a sweet spirit, who claimed to have read the Bible twice but was not a believer, asked, "From where do you get your passion and commitment?"
"I am absolutely convinced of the Truth of my message," I answered.
Bro had a good line today: A student asked Bro, "How many fingers am I holding up behind my back?"
Bro answered, "That is easy you are holding up one," And Bro lifted up his middle finger.
"You got me on that one," the student admitted.
This past Saturday night Cindy, Priscilla and I were invited to a country hay ride and bon fire for home school families. One of the mothers, Mary, testified that when she was a freshman at MSU in1984 a tall, gangly, blond haired man [Jim Gilles?] was preaching from a mound. Her friends were mocking him and one of them hit him in the face with a thrown apple. Mary admonished her friends, "You ought not to do that, he is just trying to tell you about God."
Mary thought to herself, "I am in with the wrong crowd."
A Christian invited her to church that same day and shortly thereafter she got saved.
I said to Mary, "What you saw that day was the difference between darkness and light." It made all the difference in her life.
We preached until 5 PM; Michael B. invited us over to his house for dinner. Michael does open air preaching using Webber's signs and t-shirts at events around Springfield. He invited another preacher, Brad, and his family to the dinner. I told how Sister Pat, Max Lynch and I got started in this line of work. Bro also related his early days as a preacher.
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IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?
October 18, 2011, Missouri State University
The temperature dropped radically today down into the fifties, cloudy and with a strong wind. Nevertheless, I quickly gathered a crowd of 25-30, mostly made up of a class which came out of Strong Hall to listen for about 30 minutes. The teacher asked me questions concerning the ultimate destiny of those following other religions. As Bro, Sister Pat and I took our turns the crowd ranged from 25-35 for most of the afternoon. Like yesterday, the students were sober and attentive. There was one main heckler who represented a group called the Live Action Society, which was promoting the "Zombie Apocalypse." Evidently, the Spaghetti Monsters have been displaced by the Zombies. There was a time when college and universities had literary clubs, which would gather to study and discuss the great classics of literature. It seems those days are long gone; the students are living in a fantasy world. And evolution is the greatest fantasy that has ever been concocted and believed by supposedly educated people.
| | Bro. Cope gives his testimony of conversion to Christ. |
After 3 PM the crowd doubled in size and became much more interactive and questioning, again much like yesterday.
Rob, the Christian, who quizzed me yesterday concerning what he calls sinless perfection, questioned me again today. He was more argumentative today. I suspected that he has talked with some sin excusing minister since yesterday. He also challenged me on my approach. However, I still have hope for him, in that he did make a point to talk to me personally. Evidently, he has not had time yet to read the books which I gave him. We read 1 John 3: 1-10 together. So often over the years I have seen believers very interested in the doctrine of holiness but they are discouraged by their Christian leaders and fellow believers for fear of being ostracized from the pack .
Once again as usual several Christians challenged me on my cause.
Tomorrow I am teaching Cindy's Bible study for home schoolers on the story of David and Goliath. This narrative has inspired since childhood. Daily, the giant Philistine defied the armies of Israel demanding, "Give me a man that we may fight together." But all Israel was "dismayed, and greatly afraid" of Goliath and refused to fight him. When the young shepherd boy, David, heard Goliath's defiance, he asked, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
When David volunteered to fight the champion of the Philistine army, his older brothers tried to stop him accusing him of pride and insolence. David answered them, "Is there not a cause?"
Christians on campus seem to have no appreciation or understanding of the cause or the Christian mission. Constantly, I am barraged with brothers who accuse me of having the wrong motives and approach to the Christian cause. They are afraid to take a stand against sin. And they do not want others opposing sin. No wonder, when they excuse sin in their own lives.
The church needs to ask, "Who are these agnostics, atheists, skeptics, doubters, unbelievers, false religionists, that they should defy the Church of the living God?" God needs a man on each campus to fight the giants of humanism, secularism, multi-culturalism, socialism, evolution and all the other false philosophies which govern the uncircumcised Philistines who have gained control of institutions of higher and lower education in America. We need to liberate the church from false teachers who excuse sin and refuse to equip the church with all she needs to fight the good fight of faith.
Can anyone imagine David going against Goliath and saying, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?" Yet, most Christians seem to think that is the church's mission and message.
| | Bro continues to preach despite the intended distractions from the violinist, accordian player and the man in black. |
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"YOU ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL"
October 19, 2011, Truman State University
The weather did not look good for a day of preaching in Kirksville, MO. As we drove to the campus it was drizzling rain. The temperature was only in the high forties and cloudy with 40 mile per hour winds predicted. However, I was encouraged upon arrival when I saw that there were four tables of student organizations set up in the free speech area. I thought if the students can be out here promoting their activities on a cold day, certainly we preachers ought to be here and proclaim the gospel despite the adverse circumstances of the weather. As I waited for the class break, one of the girls from the tables offered me some welcomed hot chocolate and a cookie.
I preached the noon break but did not get anyone to stop and listen. The students at the tables were preoccupied with their promotions. Bro took over after the break and opened his message crying out, "Lies, lies, lies and more lies." He forcefully drilled against the deceptions of the devil. He exposed the lies that men are unable to obey God that sin is not deadly and that believers will not be judged for their sins. After 15 minutes a few students stopped to argue with Bro. Gradually the crowd built up to about fifty, which remained constant throughout the afternoon.
When Bro turned the meeting over to me, a student got in my face and was harassing me with questions irrelevant to my message. He followed me closely throughout most of my first speech. I ignored him and refused to answer his questions. After I turned the meeting back to Bro, he approached me on the sidelines, "Don't you remember me? You told me last year that I am a thinker."
I answered, "Well you have degenerated considerably since then."
When a man does not receive reasonable answers to his questions, it can have devastating effects on his mind. It is very dangerous to reject revealed light. After a while he changed his attitude, especially when another student admonished him for his rudeness. The bad-mannered man's parents are missionaries for the Disciples of Christ. He did have a little Biblical knowledge.
Bro taught effectively on how Jesus came to bring division (Matthew 10), that is to move people. He used the Church of Laodicea to illustrate his point that if through preaching, he can make a person hot, that is good; it is also good if he can make someone cold. God can work with the hot or cold, but he cannot work with the lukewarm or indifferent individual.
We left campus at 4:30 so that I could get back to Columbia to teach Cindy's Bible study on the fight between David and Goliath.
As we were gathering our stuff, two Christian men shook my hand and thanked me profusely for coming to campus and doing what I do. One of them gave me a compliment which I do not remember a student saying to me before, "You are a great role model."
David shouted to Goliath, "All this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's and he will give you unto our hand."
The model I want to present to the students is that we are to be warriors for God engaged in the LORD's work. David defeated the giant because he was a man of faith and full of the Holy Ghost. The weapons of his warfare were not carnal but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds. The universities are Satan's main stronghold; he has used these institutions to capture and enslave generations of students. They have been captives for so long that they have the Stockholm syndrome. They have come to sympathize and identify with the evil one who has captivated and enslaved them to lies and the lusts of the flesh.
"David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine." I want the Christian students to learn to take the offensive and run to meet the enemies of God and confront them with the sling of Truth. I speculated that the five stones David picked up represented the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. His reliance was upon the Truth of God. And Truth will always expose the lies that have mesmerized the unbelievers and the false sin excusing doctrines that have largely neutralized the Church and Christian organizations with fear against fighting the Philistines who control the universities.
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Iris Joins the Cause
October 20, 2011, University of Missouri
"This was a historical day," said Sister Cindy as we were leaving campus. She was referring to three year old granddaughter, Iris, quoting Psalm 1 and John 3:16 and Eph. 6:1-2 for the students. It is not the first time she has done this but she did it more boldly and loudly then ever and with less coaching from grandmother. Cindy introduced Iris by saying, "Parents should diligently teach the words of God to their children. They should be in their children's face with the Bible; not to do so is child abuse."
| | Iris quotes Psalm 1 loudly to the students at the University of Missouri. |
One student was very offended because he admitted that his parents did not teach him the Bible and his family only went to church sporadically.
Cindy thinks that Iris has it in her to be a preacher. She is an unusually verbal child, much like her grandmother. Iris also seemed to really enjoy being on campus; she was listening and taking in the whole scene. She was oblivious to the few boos that followed her recitation (most of the response was positive). Iris was wearing a vintage dress worn by her mother and two of her aunts. So she looked the part.
| | Iris also quoted Ephesians 6:1&2 and her favorite verse, John 3:16. |
While this was going on, I was giving an interview to the Columbia Missourian which lasted for over an hour. The reporters indicated that they wanted to do a piece up close and personal concerning Brother Jed, focusing on the man behind the ministry. They had good questions which kept me talking and thinking.
One thing they asked me is how I determine what to preach. I answered that sometimes I will put a news item in a Biblical perspective. For instance, USA Today ran a story on how since 1988 usage of anti-depressant drugs has soared nearly 400% making the medication the most frequently used in the age group from 18-44. I related this research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention this afternoon. The article suggested several reasons for this dramatic increase. I explained one big factor which the article did not address: people are losing hope as they depart from the historical doctrines of the Christian faith, which promise eternal life to the faithful. If there is no afterlife, then men are without a reasonable and realistic hope. Hope is necessary for good mental health. Without hope, people fall into depression and despair. Medication is not the answer; faith in Jesus Christ is the answer, which results in peace of mind despite all the trials and disappointments of life.
While Bro was preaching, an Asian student, who has listened to me much and has wanted to talk with me for a long time, approached me concerning my methods. Soon a Christian girl joined our conversation; she objected to my approach. It wasn't long before I had 6-7 around me. The Asian said he liked the pleasant manner of the girl better than my manner of confrontation.
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"Open rebuke is better than secret love." |
I said to him, "Then go with her to church on Sunday or virtually any other church in town and I am sure you will meet a lot of smiling and pleasant people who will speak to you of God's love. But few will demonstrate God's love by warning you that your sins condemn you. Nor will they warn you about Hell-fire. They might, probably not, but they might speak to you of heaven. I quoted the Proverb, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." The girl was not familiar with this verse. I gave the wrong chapter reference when she attempted to look it up. However, the Asian found it on his I-phone in chapter 27; he read it in both the NIV and KJV. Hopefully, it will be impressed on his mind and the girl's also. However, I have more hope for him than for her understanding the whole counsel of God.
At the end of the day one overly sincere male dripping with compassion for Iris informed me that I should not be bringing the child out to campus and using her as a "prop." I reminded him of the Biblical account of the disciples trying to prevent people from bringing the children to Jesus. He rebuked them and said, "Suffer the little children and forbid them not for such is the Kingdom of God."
I explained, "We want our children to have first hand knowledge that real Christianity is about standing for Truth and Righteousness in the midst of opposition, not simply going to church and hearing sermons with people who are likeminded. There is a cost to discipleship."
I pray that all my children and grandchildren will understand and pay the price of following Jesus, which will result in suffering even as he suffered. I pray that they will be soldiers of the cross, not simply church attendees. There are plenty who will attend to buildings and programs but few are interested in front line Christianity in evangelism and missions. "Is there not a cause?"
| | Three-year-old Iris enjoyed the preaching. |
"I pray that my children and grandchildren will be soldiers of the cross."
| | Time out for a wagon ride. |
| | Faster! Grandfather! |
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THE JEALOUS GOD
October 21, 2011, University of Missouri
Yesterday, Sister Cindy spoke from Deuteronomy Chapter 6, concerning parents diligently teaching their children God's word. I asked, a crowd of about 35, "How many have parents who taught you the Bible and prayed with you as you were growing up?"
Only one answered in the affirmative!
I continued Cindy's theme but extended it from parents to children as I continued to read from Deuteronomy 6, "Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God. And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers"
And the people responded, "And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive."
The people upon hearing God's requirements did not claim inability.
I warned the students, "Men are to teach and obey God's word. Nowhere in this key chapter of the Bible does it suggest that his laws cannot be kept. However, it does indicate that we are to be diligent in our obedience. Yet, most evangelicals will teach you that God never intended his commandment to be kept. No wonder no one is diligent. Why should anyone attempt the impossible? Moses teaches that obedience is a condition for well being. No wonder church people are vexed and weak minded and turn to anti-depressants. They are often still bound by sin and guilt. Canaan represents heaven for the Christian. If we are going to possess heaven, we must not simply be hearers of the word but doers. Evangelicals no longer teach the fear God. They will tell you God is not to be feared. Oh my, men will be in for a sad awakening on judgment day."
I continued expounding on Deuteronomy 6, "(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth."
"But jealously is a mere human emotion," someone objected.
I answered, "No, God is righteously jealous for men's love; rebellious men commit spiritual adultery by going after other gods and idols. A loving God should be jealous for the love of those he created. Just as a man who loves his wife should be jealous if she plays the whore. Your parents should be jealous for your love. Most of you are more concerned about pleasing your so-called friends than you are in pleasing and serving your parents. Unfortunately, you may attend church for the rest of your life and it is unlikely that you will hear a sermon concerning God's jealously. Thus men have no fear of spiritual adultery."
I was speaking from a strong anointing with the anger of the LORD rising up within me. I wish that I could say that the students demonstrated fear or concern for offending their Creator as I was speaking. Alas, they were generally frivolous throughout my expository sermon on Deuteronomy 6.
I concluded by prophesying that from one Sunday to another in Heaven as I go and worship before the Lord, I will look into Hell and wave at them while they are tormented in the flames.-Isaiah 66:23-24.
A student objected that I would gloat.
But they know not the Scriptures which say in Proverbs 1:22-29: "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:"
Students mock and laugh at the preachers daily; they deride the church of the living God; they go a whoring after other gods. But in the new Heavens and the new Earth when true believers are with the Lord, we will get the last laugh. Today we mourn over the sins of the world. But tomorrow we will rejoice in God's righteous judgment.
Bro. Jed
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Thanksgiving at the Smocks
Hello Saints:
I am about a month behind on getting Bro. Jed's journals to you. If you are in a hurry or interested in a particular campus, he posts his daily journal on facebook. We really appreciate all of you our faithful readers, prayer warriors and supporters. I pray that your family is safe and rejoicing in Christ and that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. We did!
Below is a picture of all our family except for Charlotte, who had to work in the ER in Tampa, Florida on Thanksgiving and could not join us. Twenty attended our feast and celebration including a Vietnamese family of unbelievers. We dressed like pilgrims and Bro. Jed read from William Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation accompanied by a slide show. He quizzed the children afterwards and correct answers were awarded with $1 bills. It was fun! Sis. Cindy
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Top, Left to Right: Tyler Hughey, David and Evangeline McKay, The Patriarch Bottom: Justina Hughey, Priscilla, The Happy Cook, Martha and Iris Gail. |
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Prayer Needs
- Revival!
- Wisdom and annointing of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel.
- Move of the Holy Spirit convicting the students of sin, righteousness and judgment!
- Health and physical strength.
- Favor with the authorities.
- Favor with the Christians on campus.
- Open doors.
- Monthly Supporters
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Contact Us:
brojed@aol.com
573-999-0347
Home Office:
CMUSA
2402 Longview Dr.
Columbia MO 65203
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Donate:
You may give through PayPal by clicking on the button below. (You do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal, just a debit card.) If you prefer, you may mail a check to our home office.
Thank you for your generosity.
CMUSA is a
nonprofit organization and your gifts are tax deductible.
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Schedule Fall 2011
Attention!
This schedule is subject to change! Bro. Jed encourages all who will to join him on campus but, please call or email before arriving on campus.
August 21, Victory World Outreach, Colorado Springs, CO
August 22-23 & 26 University of Colorado
August 24 & 25, Colorado State University
August 28, Victory World Outreach, Greeley A.M., VWO, Cheyenne P.M.
August 29-University of Wyoming
August 30-September 2, University of Nebraska
September 6, University of Missouri
September 7-8, University of Illinois
September 8-9, Evangelistic Education Ministries, Farmstead, IN
September 11, Faith Tech Lancing
September 12, Michigan State
September 13-15, University of Michigan
September 16, Grand Valley State, Grand Rapids, MI
September 16, Bob Allen Fellowship, Grand Rapids
September 18, Cornerstone Church, Spring Green, WI
September 19, University of Wisconsin, Madison
September 20, UW-Platteville
September 21-23, UW-Oshkosh
September 25, AM, Richland Center, WI, Church, PM, Living Faith, Rockford
September 26 & 27, University of Iowa
September 28, University of Northern Iowa
September 29 & 30, University of Iowa
October 1 & 2, Chapelwood Church, Rockford, IL
October 3-7 University of Missouri
October 7, Smock open house for Mizzou students
October 10, University of Kansas
October 11 & 12, Washburn University
October 13, Kansas State University
October 14, University of Kansas
October 17 & 18, Missouri State University
October 19, Truman State
October 20 & 21, University of Missouri
October 24, Western Illinois University
October 25 & 26, Illinois State
October 27-28, University of Illinois
October 31, Indiana State
November 1 &2, Purdue
November 3, IUPUI
November 4, Indiana University
November 7, Indiana State
November 8, Indiana University
November 9, IUPUI
November 10-11, IU
November 14-18, Arkansas State, University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas, Little Rock
November 21-21, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
November 28 Top
University of Florida
November 29, 30, & December 1 University of Central Florida
December 5-9 Florida State University
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