VBS 2006 5/5

#1 · August 30, 2006, 10:51 am

Quote from Forum Archives on August 30, 2006, 10:51 am
Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>
VBS 2006 5/5

REACHING OUT

August 13, 2006

TEXT: Acts 9:10-19

For those able to attend the Vacation Bible School program last Sunday evening, you heard about the class for teenagers called Teen Scene. It was held after the standard VBS so that teens could both help and attend a class. When discussing the concept, Terry came up with the idea of having a reality show type of challenge each night. It worked out very well.

On Tuesday night of VBS, the Teen Scene theme was Fear Factor. After taking challenges to eat some odd, and sometimes unidentifiable food, the youth met in the sanctuary where Jeff presented them with one more fear to overcome. It is not unusual for Christians to have a fear of sharing their testimony and being a positive witness for Christ. So Jeff invited and challenged them to share their faith.

It turns out that on that night, there was not too much fear. Some very significant testimonies and concerns were shared with those present. One of the issues shared was what I call a fear of not doing enough for God and of not being good enough. Now those are important concerns, and I think that it is good for anyone to be concerned about them. After all, it can signify that the Spirit is convicting us, and that we are at least listening to that conviction. So I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that anyone merely shrug off such concerns.

At the same time, I am very well aware that sometimes feeling overwhelmed by tasks we believe we should be doing causes us to freeze in our tracks. Theres so much that needs to be done, and we fail to get it done, that we just try to deal with it by not doing any at all. Then we feel more overwhelmed and feel further failure and proceed to do less. Its a vicious cycle.

When I heard some of this expressed by the youth that night, I thought of the VBS lesson that was coming about Sauls journey to Damascus, his dramatic conversion, and the sending of Ananias to Saul. I thought of this because it seems to me to be a clear lesson that serves as an antidote to the inaction caused by feelings of overwhelming fear and dread.

The dramatic testimony of Sauls conversion is rather well known. Saul, traveling to Damascus to capture and return to Jerusalem some followers of the Way (that is, Christians), Saul is blinded by a bright light and hears a voice telling him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. Taking up the Biblical story in Acts 9:10, we read what happens next

Ananias is a believer. Like us, he wants to serve the Lord. Like us, though, he hesitates when the moment comes along. Now, his reason is a bit different than ours usually is. As he points out to the Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.

Now that would seem like a valid concern. Christians in Damascus were no doubt going to avoid Saul like the plague, so to speak. They were going to be hiding from him. To be drug back to Jerusalem was not a pleasant thing. I have no doubt that Ananias had no intention of crossing Sauls path.

God had another plan, and He laid it out for Ananias: Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. God makes it rather simple for Ananias.

That is the point that I think we can take from this lesson and apply to ourselves. If those feelings of being overwhelmed pop up, and we begin to be immobilized from them, remember that God makes it simple. Although many of us would like to have greater wisdom and Biblical knowledge and witnessing skills, reality teaches that reaching out in Christian friendship does not have to be complicated. God usually makes it simple.

About the time I was finishing high school and moving on to college, 1972-1974, the influence of eastern religion and mysticism was beginning to be felt in America. Remember the Hara Krishnas at the airports? Hindu, Buddhist, and other forms of religion were being practiced by some popular entertainers and were being introduced to their fans. The early martial arts movies were becoming popular, and they also had elements of a mystical spiritual force in them. As a teenager, it was fascinating to fantasize about connecting with some mystical force through a meditation routine that in turn allows a person to turn into some kung fu fighting machine able to defeat the vilest opponents. It just seemed like something to aspire to.

When I got to college, it was apparent that these eastern religion style influences were popular there. Signs abounded inviting students to try out Transcendental Meditation (T.M.). In fact, my required speech class sort of tended in that direction. There I was, all fearful about being confronted with public speaking, and it turns out that the instructors crafted the course into getting in touch with our feelings and our inner selves. Real typical 70s stuff. It wasnt T.M., but it did head students in the direction of introspection. With all of these influences, then, I decided that I would like to give this T.M. stuff a try.

At the same time, I had found new friends through my favorite hobby of gaming. Not the casino stuff; that hadnt been all legalized yet. I liked to play board games that recreated the strategies of wars and battles. I was a war gamer and had found others who also enjoyed the hobby. One of my fellow hobbyists was also a student, and I began to talk with him a little about my decision to attend one of these T.M. meetings. To my surprise, he warned me not to go. He said that I would get involved in something that I didnt want to get involved in. Well, that was a bit mysterious, too, and I didnt understand completely what he was getting at. Instead of going to a T.M. meeting, he invited me to a young adult Christian fellowship being held at one of the homes of a member of the church he attended. I dont recall even knowing that he went to church. Anyway, I told him I would go with him.

And I did. We had pizza. Thirty years ago, and youth groups and young adult fellowships served pizza. Imagine that. Things havent changed all that much. I dont remember what the devotional lesson was about. I never went to church with this friend. In fact, I dont even recall him bringing it up again. He might have; I just dont remember him doing so. But I do remember this clearly: I never went to a T.M. meeting. I never got involved in it. In fact, I dont recall even wanting to after going to that fellowship with my friend. How did that happen? I dont know; it was just a God-thing.

God made it simple for both my friend and me. My friend could have gone into all kinds of doctrinal stuff; he didnt. He could have ridden me about going to church; he didnt. He could have done a lot of religion things; he didnt. Of course, none of those actions would have been wrong. They might have been quite good. There are some who might have thought that he should have done more. And maybe if he thought that way, he might have become immobilized and never simply asked me to attend that fellowship with him. And if he had not invited me, I would have likely attended that T.M. meeting. It was years later that I found out how dangerous a cult it is. In southeast Iowa, at little, innocuous Fairfield, Iowa, is a Maharishi International University, where T.M. and other aspects of this cult are taught. Its just a weird place, and I cannot imagine anyone being better off by staying away from it. A lot of people still get caught up in it; I am thankful that I am not one of them.

God made it simple for Ananias to have a big influence in Sauls life. He said to Saul, Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, Saul was baptized. And thats all that the Bible records that Ananias did. This man does not show up anywhere else in Scripture. I have no doubt that he had many other vital ministries in the course of his life, but this is all that he is recorded in the Scriptures for doing. He was obedient to God. He reached out to Saul. He provided to Saul a ministry that he needed at that moment. And that was enough. It was the right thing.

As I hoped to get across to the teenagers at the Teen Scene, and as I hope I make clear to everyone this morning, taking even the most basic, uncomplicated, and simplest steps to obediently reach out to others with ministry that meets their need of the moment can deliver powerful, long-lasting, fruitful results. Certainly, accept Gods challenges to grow in faithfulness and to be armed to do more ministry for Gods Kingdom, but do not be overwhelmed by what you think you cannot do and yet should do. Do not become immobilized. Be in prayer with God - thats how Ananias received Gods command to go to Saul - do what the Holy Spirit empowers you to do, and trust that God will make a Kingdom blessing out of the ministry you give. If you ask me, its just that simple.

Rev. Charles A. Layne
First Baptist Church
Bunker Hill, Indiana
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: abesermons-unsubscribe@welovegod.org   

Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>

VBS 2006 5/5

REACHING OUT

August 13, 2006

TEXT: Acts 9:10-19

For those able to attend the Vacation Bible School program last Sunday evening, you heard about the class for teenagers called Teen Scene. It was held after the standard VBS so that teens could both help and attend a class. When discussing the concept, Terry came up with the idea of having a reality show type of challenge each night. It worked out very well.

On Tuesday night of VBS, the Teen Scene theme was Fear Factor. After taking challenges to eat some odd, and sometimes unidentifiable food, the youth met in the sanctuary where Jeff presented them with one more fear to overcome. It is not unusual for Christians to have a fear of sharing their testimony and being a positive witness for Christ. So Jeff invited and challenged them to share their faith.

It turns out that on that night, there was not too much fear. Some very significant testimonies and concerns were shared with those present. One of the issues shared was what I call a fear of not doing enough for God and of not being good enough. Now those are important concerns, and I think that it is good for anyone to be concerned about them. After all, it can signify that the Spirit is convicting us, and that we are at least listening to that conviction. So I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that anyone merely shrug off such concerns.

At the same time, I am very well aware that sometimes feeling overwhelmed by tasks we believe we should be doing causes us to freeze in our tracks. Theres so much that needs to be done, and we fail to get it done, that we just try to deal with it by not doing any at all. Then we feel more overwhelmed and feel further failure and proceed to do less. Its a vicious cycle.

When I heard some of this expressed by the youth that night, I thought of the VBS lesson that was coming about Sauls journey to Damascus, his dramatic conversion, and the sending of Ananias to Saul. I thought of this because it seems to me to be a clear lesson that serves as an antidote to the inaction caused by feelings of overwhelming fear and dread.

The dramatic testimony of Sauls conversion is rather well known. Saul, traveling to Damascus to capture and return to Jerusalem some followers of the Way (that is, Christians), Saul is blinded by a bright light and hears a voice telling him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. Taking up the Biblical story in Acts 9:10, we read what happens next

Ananias is a believer. Like us, he wants to serve the Lord. Like us, though, he hesitates when the moment comes along. Now, his reason is a bit different than ours usually is. As he points out to the Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.

Now that would seem like a valid concern. Christians in Damascus were no doubt going to avoid Saul like the plague, so to speak. They were going to be hiding from him. To be drug back to Jerusalem was not a pleasant thing. I have no doubt that Ananias had no intention of crossing Sauls path.

God had another plan, and He laid it out for Ananias: Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. God makes it rather simple for Ananias.

That is the point that I think we can take from this lesson and apply to ourselves. If those feelings of being overwhelmed pop up, and we begin to be immobilized from them, remember that God makes it simple. Although many of us would like to have greater wisdom and Biblical knowledge and witnessing skills, reality teaches that reaching out in Christian friendship does not have to be complicated. God usually makes it simple.

About the time I was finishing high school and moving on to college, 1972-1974, the influence of eastern religion and mysticism was beginning to be felt in America. Remember the Hara Krishnas at the airports? Hindu, Buddhist, and other forms of religion were being practiced by some popular entertainers and were being introduced to their fans. The early martial arts movies were becoming popular, and they also had elements of a mystical spiritual force in them. As a teenager, it was fascinating to fantasize about connecting with some mystical force through a meditation routine that in turn allows a person to turn into some kung fu fighting machine able to defeat the vilest opponents. It just seemed like something to aspire to.

When I got to college, it was apparent that these eastern religion style influences were popular there. Signs abounded inviting students to try out Transcendental Meditation (T.M.). In fact, my required speech class sort of tended in that direction. There I was, all fearful about being confronted with public speaking, and it turns out that the instructors crafted the course into getting in touch with our feelings and our inner selves. Real typical 70s stuff. It wasnt T.M., but it did head students in the direction of introspection. With all of these influences, then, I decided that I would like to give this T.M. stuff a try.

At the same time, I had found new friends through my favorite hobby of gaming. Not the casino stuff; that hadnt been all legalized yet. I liked to play board games that recreated the strategies of wars and battles. I was a war gamer and had found others who also enjoyed the hobby. One of my fellow hobbyists was also a student, and I began to talk with him a little about my decision to attend one of these T.M. meetings. To my surprise, he warned me not to go. He said that I would get involved in something that I didnt want to get involved in. Well, that was a bit mysterious, too, and I didnt understand completely what he was getting at. Instead of going to a T.M. meeting, he invited me to a young adult Christian fellowship being held at one of the homes of a member of the church he attended. I dont recall even knowing that he went to church. Anyway, I told him I would go with him.

And I did. We had pizza. Thirty years ago, and youth groups and young adult fellowships served pizza. Imagine that. Things havent changed all that much. I dont remember what the devotional lesson was about. I never went to church with this friend. In fact, I dont even recall him bringing it up again. He might have; I just dont remember him doing so. But I do remember this clearly: I never went to a T.M. meeting. I never got involved in it. In fact, I dont recall even wanting to after going to that fellowship with my friend. How did that happen? I dont know; it was just a God-thing.

God made it simple for both my friend and me. My friend could have gone into all kinds of doctrinal stuff; he didnt. He could have ridden me about going to church; he didnt. He could have done a lot of religion things; he didnt. Of course, none of those actions would have been wrong. They might have been quite good. There are some who might have thought that he should have done more. And maybe if he thought that way, he might have become immobilized and never simply asked me to attend that fellowship with him. And if he had not invited me, I would have likely attended that T.M. meeting. It was years later that I found out how dangerous a cult it is. In southeast Iowa, at little, innocuous Fairfield, Iowa, is a Maharishi International University, where T.M. and other aspects of this cult are taught. Its just a weird place, and I cannot imagine anyone being better off by staying away from it. A lot of people still get caught up in it; I am thankful that I am not one of them.

God made it simple for Ananias to have a big influence in Sauls life. He said to Saul, Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, Saul was baptized. And thats all that the Bible records that Ananias did. This man does not show up anywhere else in Scripture. I have no doubt that he had many other vital ministries in the course of his life, but this is all that he is recorded in the Scriptures for doing. He was obedient to God. He reached out to Saul. He provided to Saul a ministry that he needed at that moment. And that was enough. It was the right thing.

As I hoped to get across to the teenagers at the Teen Scene, and as I hope I make clear to everyone this morning, taking even the most basic, uncomplicated, and simplest steps to obediently reach out to others with ministry that meets their need of the moment can deliver powerful, long-lasting, fruitful results. Certainly, accept Gods challenges to grow in faithfulness and to be armed to do more ministry for Gods Kingdom, but do not be overwhelmed by what you think you cannot do and yet should do. Do not become immobilized. Be in prayer with God - thats how Ananias received Gods command to go to Saul - do what the Holy Spirit empowers you to do, and trust that God will make a Kingdom blessing out of the ministry you give. If you ask me, its just that simple.

Rev. Charles A. Layne
First Baptist Church
Bunker Hill, Indiana

-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: abesermons-unsubscribe@welovegod.org