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Tony Miano: Improve Results of Evangelistic Services By Getting Arrested
If other pastors ask a serious question about how to replicate actions that will increase results from an evangelistic service [as if their actions, itinerary or method will make a difference, as if it is in their power to make it so], is the answer to give them – even “in jest” – that getting arrested helps? – JT
At around the 1 minute, 22 second mark:
“Josh’s phone has been ringing of the hook for the last 48 to 72 hours, from other area churches, and telling pastor Josh how what has happened to me has emboldened them and encouraged them, uh, to make a firmer, more public stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just this morning Pastor Josh received either a email or a phone call from a pastor down in England asking about last nights evangelistic service, and the response that we had, which was amazing as well, asking pastor Josh “How can we replicate this?” And, in jest, Josh and I were saying, “Well all you have to do pastor is get arrested for 28 hours, or invite a speaker who is going to get arrested and put in a cell for a day, that tends to help.”
If other pastors ask a serious question about how to replicate actions that will increase results from an evangelistic service [as if their actions, itenerary or method will make a difference, as if it is in their power to make it so], is the answer to give them – even “in jest” – that getting arrested helps?
Poor, unbiblical, foolish advice, to say the least.
Christian, you know that our Lord made no reputation for Himself, He became nothing, for us (Philippians 2:7). He did not even seek His own glory, much less seek to get arrested. Nor did our Lord ever suggest, in jest, that getting arrested would further His kingdom.
There is not enough room in the universe for the glory of you, or I, and Christ Jesus. Surely, no further commentary is needed.
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges.51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. – John 8:49-55
5 Pt. Salt 
Christians have been arrested for talking about their faith for the past two thousand years, in just about every country of the world. In many countries, the persecution Christians are suffering nowadays are a great deal worse that merely being arrested on trumped-up charges. All the same, Police Scotland have disgraced themselves. I hope that the officers who arrested Tony are reprimanded, once it transpires that Tony had not committed any arrestable criminal offence.
If Jesus “did not seek to get arrested”, what was he doing in the garden of Gethsemane all night the day he was crucified? Duh!
Praying.