I was praying this morning and had a lot of things going through my mind. One being that I was thankful that as a Pastor it’s my privilege to tell people about Jesus Christ. God has blessed me with this task.

I fulfill my calling to Treasure Island Baptist Church by speaking weekly behind the pulpit, and teaching at our Wednesday night Bible study, as well as our Thursday morning community outreach breakfast. I also wondered how many Christians who’s job it is to minister to people actually minister, or tell people about Jesus on a regular basis.

Before you say “well you get paid” to do it, I believe the reason I am in this awesome position is because God used my heart to evangelize to a lost world as a vehicle to equip and move me toward the Pastorate. Which brings up 2 points.

The first being are we all called to witness, or tell people about Christ? The answer is clearly yes. Romans 10:14-15 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?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” I have the privilege of preaching, teaching and equipping Christians to carry a message to the world.

Penn Jilette of the famed magician and comedian was shared the gospel by a stranger who gave him a bible. Penn an outspoken atheist didn’t accost the man, but instead made his feelings public. He stated: “He was kind, and nice, and sane, and looked me in the eyes, and talked to me, and then gave me this Bible.”

“I’ve always said,” Jillette explained, “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe there is a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward. “How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”

Jillette then offered this example to illustrate his point: “If I believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe it, that truck was bearing down on you, there’s a certain point that I tackle you, and this is more important than that.” “This guy was a really good guy. He was polite, honest, and sane, and he cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible.” (Article Churchpop January 16, 2016)

Even though he continues to be an outspoken atheist, he realizes the very important truth that all Christians must understand.

The second point is this. America is the best country in the world I believe. Even the poorest of us are among the richest in the world. Its hard to share the gospel with a society that has it all. Studies show that when you don’t have to worry about basic needs, like food, clean water, and a roof over your head our minds begin to create things to worry about or even struggle over. That’s why our struggles here become emotional not set in real life struggles. And yet in poor countries where prosecution or even death occur if you profess Christ, people are coming to Jesus in great numbers. The point is God has blessed us and provided to us in miraculous ways, because we are a nation (although we have many faults) that is founded on Judeo-Christian values. But those blessing have created a people who see no need for Jesus and have been set on focusing on the perception of their emotions because of the lack of real life survival issues. Like food and water.

But to take a lesson from the atheist Penn Jilette there is a real life issue we have to face even here in America. We will all die one day! And how we deal with Jesus Christ here will dictate what we face in the life hereafter. Its of great importance to everyone whether you are rich or poor. Take a moment from this busy world, stop obsessing over how we should all feel in regards to our present life and think about “what if Jesus was who He said He was.” Jesus left no other option. Either He is a liar, lunatic, or Lord. And I love every single human being on this earth enough to tell them what I believe is coming for us all. Eternal life or eternal separation from God. Put your cares aside, step into a local Bible believing church this week and see if God might shed some light on this all important issue.