Telemarketing Fun


April 7, 2008 @ 9:26 PM EST | Category: Just Bloggin'

Last month was different. It was different because I got to share the Gospel with someone who most people tell, "No Thanks." or "Sorry, I am not interested." No, it wasn't a Jehovah's Witness at my front door. It was a telemarketer. What was so different about this experience was the fact that I had never shared the Gospel with a telemarketer before. Actually, it was my wife's idea.

My wife and I recently moved into our new place and with that came the telemarketing and junk mail. It seems like every time you get a new home phone number, telemarketers just pound the thing to death.

Well, the Atlanta Journal was calling me wanting me to subscribe and they had been calling here and there, leaving messages. My wife and I were home one afternoon cooking dinner and the phone rang. Stephanie checks the caller ID and says with excitement, "Oooh, Oooh, It's a telemarketer. Scott witness to them." We actually get joy from sharing the Gospel. Odd this day in age, I know. So I pick up the phone...

"Hello"

"Hello, can I speak with Mr. or Mrs. Autry"

"This is Mr. Autry"

"Hello, Mr. Autry this is Penelope with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. How are you?"

"I'm doing just fine. How about you?"

"Fine..." and then she goes into her sales pitch about the paper.

At the end of her pitch I politely tell her 'No Thanks' and ask her can I have a couple of minutes of her time because I have something I would like to share with her.

She hesitates, probably because they never get anyone asking for their time, but after a short pause says, "Sure."

So I start out with, "Well, I wanted to talk to you and ask your opinion about what you think happens after someone dies. Is there life after death? Do you think there is a Heaven and Hell?"

"Oh, yes she replies. I am a Christian."

At this point I just ignore the response because frankly I could knock on every door in my neighborhood and 98% of the people I ask would affirm that they are a Christian. I won't address that in this blog. Just know that normally when someone says that, just ignore it and keep on track with what you planned.

So I ask, "Would you consider yourself to be a good person?" I asked her this because Proverbs 20:6 says, "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness..." and Proverbs 16:2 says, "All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits."

So this questions acts as a spiritual litmus test as to what someone truly believes about their own humanness; their own goodness. So she answers like everyone else.

So I then ask, "Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions to see if that is true?"

She says, "Sure" probably because she is still thinking that she is not necessarily a 'bad' person.

"OK, so we are going to look at the 10 Commandments to see how you do. Ready?"

"Ready" she states.

"Have you ever told a lie? That's the 9th Commandment."

"Yes."

"What does that make you?"

"A liar."

"Have you ever stolen something? That's the 8th Commandment."

"Yes"

"What does that make you?"

"A thief."

"Here's the one that gets most guys. The 7th Commandment says, 'You shall not commit adultery.' but Jesus said of that Commandment in Matthew 5:28, '...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.' Have you ever looked at someone with lust before?"

"Yes. I have."

"OK, so what does that make you?"

"An adulterer."

"Pretty tough examination Penelope. Here are the results. By your own admission, what you have admitted to me, you are a lying, thief, and an adulterer at heart. You have to face God on Judgment Day. Do you think he would find you innocent or guilty of breaking the 10 Commandments?"

She replied, "Wow, that was a tough test. I have never heard it put that way. I would be guilty."

I asked, "Do you think you would go to Heaven or Hell?"

"I would be headed for Hell" she replied.

"Does that concern you?" I asked.

"Yes it does."

I then asked her did she know what God did for her so she wouldn't have to go to Hell. She replied, "Jesus."

"That's right" I replied. "It's like this. We broke God's Law and Jesus paid our fine. Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, then suffered and died on the Cross for our sins.The Bible says if you repent of those sins, and any others you can think of, and put your faith in Jesus Christ to save us that God will grant us what we don't deserve...everlasting life."

She was thrilled that I took the time to explain clearly to her what sin was, specifically, and the clear message of the Cross. She thanked me at the end of the conversation and I thanked her for the time and told her that I would be praying for her. God was glorified in it because His Son was exalted as Savior.

Here's the deal folks. Jesus says, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

I surmise, and I am not that intelligent believe me, that if you aren't then you won't.

Think about it.

Here is a document to help you give a clear Biblical Gospel presentation. Print it out and next time a telemarketer call, ask God to give you strength and have a conversation about eternity.

**If you've read this and you are questioning your salvation please contact us and we would really appreciate the time to talk to you.***