Starbucks Believers. On the way to a Vacation Bible School planning meeting, I stopped off at Starbucks to treat my two oldest boys, Christopher and Caleb, to a Coffee Frap and White Chocolate Mocha (their favorites), rewards for their service in the VBS program. After we placed our order and were waiting for our drinks, I strolled over to a group of three ladies (looked like a mom and two college age daughters) who were waiting for their drinks. When witnessing to strangers (or anyone for that matter), it's so critical to have a warm, friendly, smiling, cheerful, and enthusiastic disposition! It's amazing how quickly and readily people warm to your warmth.
Me: Hey, have y'all received one of these million dollar bills yet?
Mom: Oh yeah, is that one of those tracts that Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron use on the Way of the Master?
Daughters: Yeah, we've seen these. They're really cool!
Me: So I take it that you know the answer to the million dollar question that's on the back of these tracts, will you go to heaven when you die?
Them: Oh yeah, we're believers!
Me: That's fantastic! I hope you'll take these tracts and give them to someone who may not know their eternal destiny! Great to meet y'all!
When I come across believers, I often try to encourage them to take their faith to the next level by starting to follow Jesus in personal evangelism as a daily way of life. I did not, however, ask these ladies how often they actually share the gospel with strangers, but usually try to exhort believers to be about the Lord's Mission.
I then saw another young man walk up to wait for his order.
Me: Hey, man, how are you doing?
Jeremy: I'm good. How are you?
Me: I'm doing well. Have you received one of these million dollar bills yet?
Jeremy: No, I haven't. What is it?
Me: It's a gospel tract. It has the million dollar question on the back. What's your name?
Jeremy: Jeremy.
Me: Jeremy, if you died today, do you know where you'd spend eternity?
Jeremy: Yes. Heaven.
Me. That's wonderful! Do you mind if I ask how you know for sure?
(I always ask this follow up question, because most people - at least most people in Tulsa, the Buckle of the Bible Belt - say they're going to heaven. Many times, I will get answer that reveals the person lacks a proper understanding of what Jesus said about how to inherit eternal life. Sometimes people will say, "I go to church." Sometimes they say, "I'm a pretty good person." Often they will say, "Jesus," but not really know how Jesus saves them from their sin. It's vital to probe in a gentle, diplomatic way if you truly care about the person's eternal fate, because it's surprising how often you discover the person is really in trouble if they were to die at that time.)
Jeremy: I've accepted Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior.
(Depending on the circumstances and the setting, if it's conducive, I'll often inquire further when someone says "they've accepted Jesus into their heart." I'll ask something like, "how does one accept Jesus into their heart?" What I'm digging for is whether they understand the importance of Jesus' command that we must repent (not only ask forgiveness for our sinful ways but also turn from sin to the Lord in order to follow Him with our lives) (Mark 1:15; Matt. 5, 7; Luke 13, 24). Many profess to be believers, having "accepted Jesus into their hearts," but have never renounced or foresaken a wayward lifestyle and are still barreling down the broad way toward destruction (Matt. 7). I'm not talking about works-based salvation, but I am talking about a genuine repentance and turning from the world to the Lord who saves.)
Me: That's great, Jeremy! Where do you go to church?
Jeremy: Well, I'm still looking actually. I just moved here and haven't found a church home yet.
Me: You should check out Tulsa Bible Church. It's a great place to get plugged in and to be encouraged to grow in your walk with the Lord!
Jeremy: Thanks.
Me: You're welcome! Great to meet you, Jeremy!
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