Humanity Isn’t Fixing This

God-isn't-fixing-this“God isn’t Fixing This” was perhaps one the most shocking headline of yesterday’s news cycle.  Instead of twitter platitudes, the powers-that-be at the Daily News want real action. They want a real response to the San Bernardino shooting. They want to end these tragedies once and for all by pulling every gun off the shelf.

And to some degree the Daily News is right to focus on humanity. God didn’t create this mess. We did. For decades, America has championed Darwinism, postmodern ethics, and the beauty of egotism. The result of this narcissistic cocktail has been despair, poverty, and corruption. When life is deemed to be meaningless, people start live that way. We shouldn’t be shocked.

But, no one enjoys despair. Quite naturally, people long for significance in the midst of an insignificant universe. And since Camus taught that postmodern significance is awarded by the historical record, people often pursue meaning through tragedy. It’s easy, quick, and terribly effective.  And though the shooters’ names slowly disappear from public consciousness, the families hurt by the shooters will never forget them. In short, the mass murders get something most never see: notoriety. They get meaning, recognition, that transcends their lifespan.

While the problem is a human problem, the solution is not. Humanity cannot save itself. The people of this earth can’t even go a year without a war. Since the days of Plato, we’ve been trying to educate ourselves into peace and happiness. We have yet to get there. If we do pass legislation, if do we take away the guns, we will not have fixed our problem. People will just use knives or turn to even more deadly explosives. We need real meaning; we need intrinsic value; we need true hope. No political personality can give us these things.

They can only be found in God. In the creation account, we learn that the world is not pointless and that men and women have value. Yet, that purpose comes with righteous demands. God prescribes morality. He shows us holiness and perfection. He shows us how to be happy.  If we embrace Jesus as our Lord and savior, we can have significance.

But we don’t;  we reject God; and, we suppress the truth (Rom. 1:18). And so God abandons us. He leaves us to suffer apart from Him.

And now, we endure mass murders, high prison rates, and racial tension, because we think we are smarter than the creator of the universe. God isn’t fixing our problems because we don’t want him to. We don’t want to submit to his rules that call us to put the needs of others before our own. We don’t want to praise God instead of man. We don’t want to stop sinning. We don’t want to change. We don’t want to conform to his word. We are desperate for him to conform to our words.

If we want God to fix our problem, we must embrace him. And I don’t mean that we need to restart school prayer or outlaw gay marriage. Though those things aren’t bad, we must embrace him on a personal level. We must repent of our sins. Yes, you and I must repent of our sexual immorality, of our prideful comments, and of our self-worship. You and I must “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” You and I must, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled” (Psalm 2:11). Yes, worshiping Jesus will challenge the very way we think, the very essence of who we are. But obedience to God brings true life, joy, and happiness. The creator of the world knows how people find true significance. And invites us to come have significance by believing the Jesus redeems the world through his death on the cross.  It’s it really a sacrifice to exchange misery for joy. And when we do embrace Christ, He will begin to fix our problems. He will begin to make us loving. As the Psalmist writes: “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12).

Are we ready for God to start fixing our problems?

Connect Camp: Moving Past VBS!

Connect Camp SlideWe had a great VBS this year. We hosted over 250 kids and raised $413.80 for our IMB missionaries. And everything from the snacks to crafts went well. I had several parents tell me their kids had an amazing week! I am very thankful for all those who selflessly served to make VBS 2015 a resounding success! For more infor about VBS 2015 Click Here!

But our work is not done. Almost 25% of the kids who came to VBS this year were unchurched. That’s right, at least a quarter (though I suspect the the percentage is far higher) of the kids who came to VBS were unsaved. And, they came to us. Seeking to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity to reach Eastman, FBCE launched Connect Camp on July 2.

Taking place the on the first four Thursday of July, Connect Camp exists to help the members of FBCE develop the relationships that began during VBS. From 8AM-12 Noon, we will be connecting with kids through art projects, bouncing basketballs, and learning sign language. And, we hope that loving the kids of Eastman will open doors for gospel proclamation. Our ultimate goal for Connect Camp is to see kids and their families connect with Jesus and his church.

Please join with us through prayer and/or by serving with us on Thursday mornings.

Click here for more info about Connect Camp.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. – Luke 10:2

5 Reasons Why VBS Is A Big Deal

 

i-love-vbs

Ah…Vacation Bible School, there is nothing like it. Screaming kids, water games, snacks with gummy worms hidden in them. What kid wouldn’t be up for a week of summer fun? (I was always ready for some gummies and water balloons!) Hopefully, we adults are also getting bit with the VBS excitement bug! Sure we have to manage all those sugar filled, crazy kids. But hosting a great VBS is worth the cost! Here are my top five reason VBS is a big deal!

1.  VBS Connects Us To Our Community! 

Yes, some kids spend their entire summer hoping from one VBS to the next. When they drop into our VBS, we should be thankful! Each time we connect with a new family, we develop a better picture of what our community is really like. VBS will help us to better understand how to ministry to our neighborhoods.

2. VBS Demonstrates The Love Of Christ!

Bible believing Christianity is increasingly unpopular in our culture. If we affirm biblical marriage and label sin as sin, we wkids free 1ill be unpopular and perhaps even labeled as bigots. 

One of the best means for fighting against the angry Christian stereotype is to love our neighbors. VBS gives us the chance us to do just that! As we serve our neighbors’ and co-workers’ kids, we can dispel many of the myths that surround our church. Remember the words of Paul: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).

VBS provides our church a premium stage for wowing the world with the love of Christ! Remember the words of our savior, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Let’s highlight God’s love this summer by loving kids via VBS!

3. VBS Fulfills The Great Commission!

Evangelism is not just something missionaries do. Nor is it something we do “out there.” Jesus said all of us are to be making disciples (Math 28:18-20)! We need to be sharing the gospel in Asia. But, we also must talk about the good news of Jesus in our towns, homes, and ballparks! VBS gives us an amazing venue for reaching and discipling the kids in our community! By participating in VBS, we get to experience the joy of obeying Jesus’ mission call!

4. VBS Connects Us To The Unchurched! 

Many kids only come to church during VBS. By breaking out the wacky games, we can reach the usually unreachable. VBS expands the reach of the gospel into our community introducing Christ to kids who have never sat in a pew before. 

5. VBS Can Lead To Redemption!

This is the big one. We have VBS every year because God saves. We welcome kids to church this summer because God uses VBS leaders to open the eyes of the blind. And I’m not talking about just the back kids. I’ve heard many reports of “good” church kids getting saved during VBS. Anytime the gospel is present, the Holy Spirit can move in powerful ways! He often works through VBS. Let’s hope and pray that God uses our VBS to bring many to salvation!

And now it’s your turn! Why is VBS a big deal to you and your church family?

Click Here To Register For VBS @ Amissville Baptist Church!