Bring Three To Vbs

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Outreach. Why has God blessed Thomas Road Baptist Church for 46 years?

2. Inward focus. What is our greatest threat? "One of the most devastating things that happens in Church Growth is the shift from reaching out, to reaching in."

3. Intentional. Will evangelism come naturally? What must we do?

4. Saturation evangelism. Jerry Falwell led us to "reach every available person at every available time with every available means" (Acts 5:28).

5. A new generation. What is one challenge? "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel . . . then they forsook the Lord, the God of their father who had brought them out of Egypt" (Judges 2:10-12).

B. VBS REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION

1. Community friendly. It’s something everyone can enjoy.

2. Willing to send kids. Parents have good feelings about VBS.

3. Saved young. Most make decisions for Christ before age 18.

4. Relationship evangelism. VBS works through families.

5. Proven track record. Many churches have a history of strong VBS.

C. EXPOSING MYTHS ABOUT REACHING OUT

1. "I don’t know any lost people.

a. We are the seekers. "The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

b. We are commissioned. "I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16).

c. We will rejoice. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psa. 126:5,6).

2. "Lost people will drag my family down."

a. Jesus intentionally went to them. Jesus was criticized for going to a party at Matthew’s house. "Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who say they are already good enough" (Mark 2:17 LB).

b. Jesus left the flock to go after the lost. Parable of the 99, safe in the fold.

c. Evangelism will strengthen you. You get stronger when you reach out in soul-winning.

d. Don’t just huddle. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

3. "Evangelism is not my spiritual gift."

a. The command. "Ye shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem" (Acts 1:8). All people are commanded to witness; so all people have the gift of evangelism. God would not ask you to do something without giving you the ability to use it.

b. Grow your gift. "Desire earnestly the best gifts" (I Cor. 12:31).

c. You need fire. "Stir up the gift of God which is in you" (I Tim. 1:6).

4. "Lost people don’t want to hear my message."

a. Who is Jesus? What issue of Time magazine sold most in 1999?

b. Misinformed excuses.

A recent George Gallup poll indicated that:

Only 4% of Americans have no interest in spiritual things.

77% believe some of the Bible.

71% believe in life after death.

84% believe Jesus really existed.

86% believe God still works miracles.

86% believe there will be judgment for sins.

c. Anti-church not anti-gospel. Where are most lost people?

(1) They are searching for meaningful relationships in life. (So many are suffering from divorce, bad home lives, broken relationships, etc.). The most meaningful relationship is having a relationship with Jesus.

(2) They want immediate gratification. (We live in an age of microwaves, fast food and fax machines). All we have to do is ask for salvation, and God gives it to us immediately).

(3) They want something for nothing. (Not willing to work as hard as their parents). Eternal life is a free gift.

(4) They are searching for guilt-free living. (People try drugs, alcohol, and other cover-ups to escape guilt and find temporary peace). God promises to wash away our sins and make us "white as snow."

(5) They are seeking prosperity. (Want to live better than their parents, but not willing to pay dues to get it). God promises eternal riches in Heaven and success on earth.

5. "I will turn off my friends if I push the gospel."

a. Jesus attracts. "If I be lifted up . . . I will draw all men unto Me" (John 12:32).

b. Wrong assumptions. If you use this excuse, you are thinking results lie in your hands. It is not your responsibility to save souls; it is your responsibility to share.

D. THE "BRING 3" CAMPAIGN

1. Find prospects. Someone who would and should come to Vacation Bible School.

2. Build relationships. Invite FRANS to VBS (i.e., friends, relatives, associates and neighbors).