WHAT DO PEOPLE FIND WHEN THEY COME TO VBC
October 28, 2012 Jay Robison PS 16:1-11 HEB 10:19-25
If the department of transportation is to be believed and
They ought to know, each week over 150K pass by VBC
Knowing that must ask ourselves few Qs who are they?
What are needs? How are we touching them? Imagine some
He’s 35 tires screeching, late for work again, fought with wife
She’s 28 single w\3 kids may be evicted no job dad no pay
He’s 19 never been so far from home lonely getting lost at LR
At 72 this is 1st fall without beloved wife of 50 yrs grieving
She’s 16 pregnant boyfriend said loved her but only that night
At 45 they told him you’ve got cancer, she’s 52 went to VBS as kid but never grew up in the faith can all that stuff help
What about the cynics, those who have been abused ex-cons
Broken people, shattered families, what about up and out
Passages today tell of what we find at Viewmont
1. Find God
Know God is everywhere but when we come here holy place
Common human Q is there a God if so what is god like?
We hear about all that is wrong with the world does God care
Pray that when we come to VBC have experience with God
To know not forsaken, if at service or coming for other reason
Know that we seeking to live God ways something different
Worship focused not on politics, our ideas, or needs on God
Like way Psalmist said I’ve run for dear life to you,
Be my Lord! Without you nothing makes sense Ps 16:2 Msg
Hebrews 10:22 says let us draw near to God
Bible lists all kinds of people running from God
Adam Moses those at the cross assurance we can run to God
When come to VBC do we invite them to holy place with God
If you go to London could be directed to Buckingham Palace
But does not mean audience with the queen
Jesus does not just direct us to God but opens way to God
At Viewmont we want to be a bridge to God for people
Because of Jesus the veil which represented divider us\God
In Temple to show not in holiest of holies
Has been removed so in Jesus we have a new life giving way
Ps 16:7 I will praise the Lord who counsels me
Even at night my heart instructs me TNIV
2. Find significance to life
What is the greatest threat to human life today?
Is it racism? Materialism? Terrorism? Poverty?
All of these are significant, but greatest threat is sin
Medical advances have forced the question of what we can do vs what we should do
Human sin effects all of us, and our relationships
Heb 10 tells us that Jesus has provided once for all sacrifice
For our sins, so we take sin seriously, our sins,
Vs 22 now we can approach God with thanksgiving
Because of forgiveness found in Jesus
Psalmist said as far as the east is from the west
So far have our sins been separated from us.
Are we the kind of church that loves sinners?
Or do we judge them? Jesus loved sinners as matter of fact
Accused of being friend to sinners associating too closely
We are called beyond our sins to relationship with God
That is why we have been created to know and love God
John Paton was translating Bible into New Hebrides language
Frustrated with no word for faith; one day many came in
Flopped down on a big chair asked word for that
Flopping down in chair ultimate dependence
Psalms 16:5 My choice is you God first and only
And now I find I’m your choice. Message
Hebrews says it let us hold tightly without wavering
To the hope we affirm for God can be trusted
To keep his promise. Heb 10:23 NLT
In other words our faith is not just series of affirmations
But a way to life to be embraced
At VBC should find a challenge to live God centered life
Will find those who have gone a little farther in faith
Than we have who help us take next steps with God
3. Find Encouraging Community
It is becoming increasingly hard to find community
We are so divided over political, racial, educational, income
Differences that threaten the fabric of our society
But God has created us as social beings
Majority of us will marry at one time or another
We live in cities, work as teams
When people come to VBC to they find community here
Are we permeated with a cooperative spirit
Do we have a sense in which we lean on one another
Great example for the world which is so divided
Will people find a warm welcome here?
Professor sent students to 27 churches from 13 denominations
Found how they dressed effected how they were welcomed
24 of 27 times shabby dress meant less welcomed
May our looks be deceived over and over again
Years ago at PK men’s gathering I was counselor
40 guys in room, 38 clean cut 2 stood out
One wore raggedy blue jeans pony tail had to drive old truck
Another covered in tattoos 3 ear rings poorly dressed
We were told what to do to help those needing counsel
Everybody nodded their heads any comments?
Pony tail guy said Guys its gonna be great!
Earring ya know want to share from Oswald Chambers
May your prejudices and mine be blown away by God’s grace
Like Heb 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another
To acts of love and good works. NLT
We all need encouragement, will people find that here?
We all need people who believe in us
Our God believes in us so we must reflect that
There is a spirit that permeates gathering of people
Our actions echo onto others not perfect people
If we are committed to excellence on a task model for others
As a family of faith we are built on encouragement
Getting strength from others and giving strength to others
Question is then how do we touch those who pass by VBC
If they are touched by us do they find God here
A significance for life and an encouraging community?
A church outside Minneapolis did professional market survey
Research firm had series of pictures asked random people
From photo is this someone who goes to church & where go
Woman said of photo she has to be Baptist looks so perfect
Study asked how far would you go to find caring group
Avg 67 mi people willing to drive to find people who care
Robert Burke an exec with United Church of Christ
Tells of a friend who visited 18 local churches
Walked front to back of each church 2Xs to see how friendly
Used scale, 10 pts for smile from other, 10pts for greeting
100 pts for exchange of names 200 pts for invite to return
1000 pts for intro to another member, 2000 pts intro to min.
No church scored over 200 most were under 100
What would our score be?
Look at doors for people to get into church, which did you use
Not physical doors but doors of involvement
Many here because of friend or family here
Others may have come through youth ministry or music
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalms 16:11
What do people find at Viewmont?
What are you helping them to see?
God who loves all, call to real life, community
