A couple of weeks ago I attended the SBC in Orlando, FL. One of the more prominent issues discussed was whether or not to adopt the ‘great commission resurgence task force report.’ This group was given the task of examining the way we as Southern Baptists go about fulfilling the Great Commission. How we go about Great Commission work as a convention, within the local fellowship, and as individual believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of things the task force recognized was the need for Southern Baptists to be more intentional in their efforts to fulfilling the call to great commission work. No one would deny that Southern Baptist’s have a heart for the lost in our world. The reason we developed the Cooperative Program was to provide the necessary revenue for sending missionaries with the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are mission minded people.

Our focus on missions is not limited to just other parts of the world. Southern Baptists also recognize the need for ‘penetrating the lostness’ here at home on the local scene. One of the ways that we are involved in great commission work here locally is through VBS. Over the years—VBS has been a tool that local churches have used to lead thousands to faith in Christ. And, furthermore, who knows how many people—children and adults alike…have had the seed of the gospel planted in their life through VBS.

Our VBS starts tonight and our purpose is simple. We intentionally go out and invite people to come here for 5 nights of a Biblically sound, interactive and exciting program. A program that is also designed to engage all the participates with the gospel. Our workers as well as the children.

This year our VBS program will be rather unique. We’ve taken some VBS programs that have previously been done here and we developed one of our own. We call it “Flashback.” The good news is this—although the program has changed a little…the message hasn’t. It’s still the one true gospel of Jesus Christ…Amen.

Our VBS program consists of 5 Bible points:

1. God is real.

Our Bible verse for tonight comes from Jeremiah 10:10, “The Lord is the only true God.” That’s a message that needs to be told and heard today.

The Bible story we’ll be using is found in Joshua 2. We’ll be learning about Rahab and her journey to faith in the One true God. She tells the two spies that are hiding in her house that “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Jos 2:11). Rahab had heard how the Lord had led His people out of Egypt. And how the Lord had defeated the kings of the east when they came against them—and she was convinced…that He is the only true God.

David writes in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare His glory” and Paul reminds us that, “His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen…being understood from what He has made” (Rom 1:20). Church—God is real…and we intend to engage everyone who comes here tonight with that truth.

2. God helps us.

The Bible verse comes from Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord…the maker of heaven and earth.” There will not be a single person who comes during our VBS that doesn’t need the Lord’s help in some way or another.

Our Bible story is about David and Goliath found 1 Samuel 17. Goliath represented both a physical and a spiritual threat to the people of Israel. Had Goliath defeated David—the Israelites would have become slaves to the Philistines and would have not been allowed to freely worship the only true God. Even though David was just a boy—he loved the Lord and believed that God would help him defeat Goliath who was over 9 feet tall.

We want everyone who comes to know they will face many battles in life. And—some of those battles will seem to be gigantic. But—those who love the Lord can rely on the fact that God helps us. The angel Gabriel said, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37) and Paul tells us that as a believer, “we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength” (Phil 4:13). God is real and the help we all need comes from Him.   

3. Tell about God.

The second part of Psalm 9:1 says, “I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done.” One aspect of the report given at the SBC in Orlando was it appears that we are not telling others about God as much as we should be. The truth is—we all have a marvelous story to tell if we know Christ as savior and Lord…Amen.

Our Bible story on Tuesday night is found in Daniel 3. God had allowed the Babylonians to take His people captive because of their continual disobedience and willingness to worship false gods. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were among the prisoners. As prisoners—they were expected to bow down and worship the golden image of king Nebuchadnezzar. When they refused—he had them thrown into a fiery furnace.

Before they were thrown into the furnace—they were given one last chance to bow down to the image…but they stood firm in their belief of the only true God. Listen to what they said to the king in response to his command to bow down to him. “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Dan 3:17-18).

We know that kids and adults alike are being pressured today to bow down to a lot of things. All types of things that don’t honor the only true God. Our message will simply be—follow the example of these 3 Hebrews and say just say no. Say no to whatever it is that tries to separate you from serving the Lord. Whether it just seems too cool to pass up or whether you find yourself being compelled by threat of physical violence…say no. Instead—tell yourself and others about who God really is and what He has done in your life.

4. Jesus is our Savior.

Jesus said in John 14:19, “Since I live…you also will live.” He and He alone has the power to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.

Our Bible story will come from John’s gospel—chapters 19-20. Jesus is placed on the cross at Calvary—He dies, and then He is placed in a tomb. The disciples were devastated. But—this is not the end of the story…Amen. John says then came the morning of the first day of the week (John 20:1). On that day—what everyone knew to be tragic was turned into triumph. The grave was empty. Jesus had overcome death and the grave just as He had said that He would. Then He appears to the disciples and they believe that truly He is God. This is why Thomas says in 20:28, “My Lord and my God.”

His victory over death and the grave offers hope to everyone who believes that He is the Lord. His victory becomes our victory. That’s what He meant when He said believers will be with Him in His Father’s house (John 14:1-3). Because He lives…we also will live with Him forever. That’s the message we intend to tell everyone who comes…Amen.

5. Jesus gives us the power to help others.

As Christians we are expected to help others. The Bible tells us to do good to all people…especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Gal 6:10). Our Bible point is from Romans 12:13, “When God’s people are in need…be ready to help them.”

Jesus provides a great example of this in John 9 when he helps a blind man to see. In the story—some believed the man was blind because he had sinned. But Jesus said the reason he was blind was so that the power of God could be seen in his life.

The power that gave this man sight is the same power that leads a person to believe in Jesus Christ. Once a person is a believer—this same power works in their life to help others and is the source of power to engage them with the message of the gospel.

Starting tonight—we have a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of God that lives in us through Flashback VBS. How so? As Christians—we’re all witnesses for Jesus. We’re all called to serve in great commission work. That work is simply sharing the gospel in various ways.

All you have to do is make yourself available…and God will empower with the ability to do what He wants done this week in VBS. Think about this for a moment: Do you believe that God is real? Do you know of a time that God has helped you? Can you tell someone about it? Do you believe that Jesus is your Savior? If Jesus lives in your life…so does the power to do whatever He wants you to do. Let’s be about great commission work!