VBS Gone Wild (Part 3)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 3)

Anytime potential problems exist with the activities of the Church Biblical authority must be the chief concern.  Question after question must be asked.  Souls rest on the truth and doubt or presumption cannot excuse them when they choose profane instead of holy.  Previously questionable activities examined and discussed in this series are: VBS Decoration, dress up, craft time, and drama.  These are based on the VBS description, ““They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean and the teachers dressed like crabs. We made crafts, watched a play, heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale, sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one – I won a prize in kickball, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward.”

VBS - It started as a time to instruct the Truth about God. It wasn't a circus.

VBS – It started as a time to instruct the Truth about God. It wasn’t a circus.

“Heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale” No, not exactly the message taught, but the likely retelling of it by a child.  The Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team maintains a loyal informed fan base.  The fans look forward to each season with one mantra in mind. “What do we play for?  RINGS!”  In other words, they understand Championships represent the goal of playing games.  Similarly, “Why do congregations hold VBS?  To achieve crowns.  1 Thessalonians 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  How does man build a faith so that he might make it to heaven?  He hears of God (Romans 10:17).  For all ages, a properly run VBS focuses on imparting a sound understanding of the gospel so souls can reach heaven.

Healthy children continually demonstrate the ability to absorb data.  They can do so at an astounding rate.  My son at an early age could just about verbally repeat entire movies after watching them once or twice.  He could hum practically every level of every video game he played.  Though he has a good mind, he cannot be described as the brightest bulb in the room.  My son is an average boy.  Yet, when it comes to Biblical instruction at a VBS, he and other children often find themselves treated like morons incapable of learning anything of any depth.  If lessons were water the depth wouldn’t cover the students ankles.  No one seems to expect children to be capable of great learning.  I Corinthians 3:1-2 shows the apostle Paul stating, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.  I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;” Most children growing up in the church are turning out exactly this way.  A lack of edification exists.  Jude tells Christians to “contend” for the faith once delivered.  Contend means to struggle.  Individuals cannot struggle for the faith if they don’t even join the fight.

The teaching received in and out of VBS can frequently be condensed into a thimble.  Untaught children turn into untaught spiritually feeble adults.  Twenty minutes of watered down Biblical instruction seems to be the common amount for most VBS programs.  Why even conduct a VBS for only twenty minutes of instruction?  Vacation Bible SCHOOL!  Extend your VBS beyond a few days or a week.  Increase the teaching time.  Drill, memorize, read, instruct in the doctrine of Christ.  When children find little or nothing expected of them they will return the exact amount – little or nothing.  Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  VBS represents such a small time in the life of an individual, yet, teachers can make a great impact if they choose.  The child may never be in church any other time in their life than VBS.  Do we want to spend that time truly teaching or just killing time (and a soul)?  Congregations start treating VBS as a valuable opportunity.  Develop your own in depth material.  Challenge the children.  Studies show when children leave the Church following high school (and most do), they do so stating they never felt challenged.  Most of these children cannot articulate their faith or defend it.  VBS represents the perfect time to enable our children for spiritual success.  Is your VBS truly teaching or does the congregation revere God enough to really care?

“[We] sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one” Years ago, a teenage girl came to me with a concern.  She did not understand why we praised God without instruments.  She pointed out that the congregation she attended taught children songs with clapping from the very beginning.  Father Abraham, the B.I.B.L.E., and others all used parts with clapping.  Then she stated, at some point, the clapping stopped and became a negative thing.  I sympathized with her and explained to her why the Church only sings and that it was a mistake for any age class to encourage clapping.  However, she eventually left the Church over this issue.  The early false practices enabled in children’s classes impacted her greatly.  A number of VBS programs use songs which engage clapping.  It is as if the congregations never read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.  When Christians approach God in song, they sing by command and nothing else.  Worship does not only occur on Sunday morning.  God does not go on holiday during VBS, camp, Sunday through Saturday, or at any other time.  There are no exceptions.  The fruit of the lips (Hebrews 13:15) stands as the only acceptable praise in song God desires.  Nowhere does he encourage, stomping, thumping, tapping, drumming, playing, clapping, slapping, snapping, popping, or strumming (save the heart strings).  When man transgresses God’s directive he shows a lack of reverence toward God.  He finds himself not edifying, but attempting to tear down the foundation of Christ.  Ultimately, such these actions turn into stumbling blocks for future worship.

“I won a prize in kickball” Kids enjoy playing.  Playing can be fun and healthy.  If a VBS runs all day long and the children take breaks, they may decide to play games.  However, a relationship between the Lord’s money and prizes for games does not exist.  Organizing play activities also does not represent a function of the Church.  If parents or children, on their time, wish to do so, wonderful!  Such activity does stand as a family responsibility.  Christians provide funds for items such as widows indeed (I Timothy 5:6), needy saints (I Corinthians 16:1), and evangelism (I Corinthians 9:4-12), but nowhere in scripture can the funding of folly be found.  No authority exists for such an undertaking.  Still, many VBS gatherings will advertise the giving away of prizes and the playing of games.  God never endorses social amusements and worldly bribes to draw mankind to him.  A game playing atmosphere represents a lack of reverence to God.  Have they not homes to play games in?  Jesus never advertised “Come hear the gospel, play games, leave with a new bicycle!”  Understanding this, we now turn to the final VBS aspect to be examined.

“We ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward” The draw of the feast.  How many VBS flyers promote “the feast”?  Does this relate to the gospel in any possible way?  No.  This week I saw a number of Churches advertising free meals to the public in hope of drawing them in.  What does this say about their faith in the gospel?  Acts 7 records Stephen sharing the gospel to the Jews.  They rush him and stone him.  The persecution against Christians which follows causes them to scatter throughout the world (Acts 8:1-4).  Fortunately, everywhere those Christians went they handed out free food and the Church grew.  No!  They did not go out handing out food.  They preached the Word!  In the face of persecution, they didn’t try to appease or use gimmicks.  Christians relied upon the Gospel!  To put trust in social gimmicks instead of God can only be identified as completely irreverent.  Does this kind of action edify the church?  No.  Does using “the feast” result in an expedience to learning the gospel?  In no manner whatsoever does it do this.  Is the social gospel as demonstrated by “the feast” good stewardship?  Again, No!

A number of problems existing with VBS have been mentioned in this series of articles.  It’s not as if each of these problems does not fail in multiple ways according to Biblical Authority.  Yet, many folks “poo poo” such warnings and move full steam ahead.  When and if continued objections arise a different attitude often pops up. “If we can’t do it our way then we just won’t have a VBS!”  Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Instead of acting the way Apollos did when he received correction (Acts 18:24-28), folks decide to act the way of Cain (Genesis 4).  Woah!  That is a strong accusation.  Yes, when men decide to add their own devices to the teaching of God’s Word, they put others in danger of spiritual death.  Great opportunity exists to educate when holding a VBS.  Yet men design their plan by counting the number of warm bodies in a building attracted by their contrivances, rather than making a concerted effort to instruct souls and let God provide the growth (I Corinthians 3:6).  Teaching the gospel is a very simple action.   When congregations add more than what is written they do so at their own peril.  Why do they do it?  Don’t be guilty of VBS gone wild.  Stick to God’s pattern and everything will work as it should.

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

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VBS Gone Wild (Part 2)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 2)

VBS - It should be about proclaiming the gospel and referencing God, but is it?

VBS – It should be about proclaiming the gospel and referencing God, but is it?

VBS gone wild!  Hopefully, just the sound of it makes you cringe.  Our God is not a God of Chaos (I Corinthians 14:33).  As mentioned in the first article, the Vacation Bible School atmosphere should encompass learning God’s Word.  The time spent holding a VBS ought to represent good stewardship of time and effort unencumbered by worldly distraction.  If Christ held a VBS, without a doubt, it would be reverent and conducted in a manner according to the authority of the Father.  Knowing what a VBS ought to be, this article will focus on where VBS activities become sidetracked from their proper objective.

The comments and recommendations in this series of articles stand to be rejected in part or in full by a number who read it.  This author does not want to offend or enrage anyone.  However, we must do Bible things in Bible ways and when our activities find themselves questioned even by the world, reflection and discernment about our actions must occur.  Whether rejected or embraced, please examine each component individually and consider what scripture says in regard to it (Acts 17:11).  Keep in mind not only the immediate impact the actions of a VBS create, but the chain reaction of events that may occur as questionable practices enter the congregation.  When legitimate concerns arise on the part of Christians should those concerns be tossed away or be regarded as a beacon from those who watch for our souls (Ezekiel 33)?  Would your conscience be free of guilt by advancing when others cry for you to yield (Acts 24:16, Romans 13:5)?  Will your actions wound the conscience of others or cause them to stumble (I Corinthians 8:10-12, Matthew 18:6)?  Remember in all activities, by the member and body, the appearance of evil should be avoided (I Thessalonians 5:22).

Recall the potential description of a VBS: “They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean and the teachers dressed like crabs. We made crafts, watched a play, heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale, sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one – I won a prize in kickball, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward.”  Let us break apart this statement piece and examine issues that revolve around it.

“They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean…”  That concerns arise presently and arose in the past regarding whether or not to decorate a Church building for VBS represents fact.  Does the decoration of a building represent a mandate from God?  No.  Before non-essential elements begin to enter the worship arena, exercise caution. An opinion may not be wrong, but exercising it may not be wise.  If decorating a building for VBS creates division within the body of Christ does that represent edification?  No.  If going ahead with decoration despite objection causes a brother’s conscience to be weakened does a congregation stand justified in their actions?  No.  Why decorate a place for Biblical Study (objective of VBS)?  If decoration occurs for the stated purpose of enjoyment, amusement, or entertainment, where in scripture does a congregation find such authorized?  No such scriptural objective exists.  Enjoyment, amusement, or even entertainment can exist incidentally to the learning process, but does not by any means represent the duty of Christians.  Does decoration achieve the command to revere God?  Past preparation for VBS at various congregations involved decorating the building like a beach, jungle, pirate lair, heaven, train depot, space, amusement park, and an endless variety of other ideas.  Does this convey the seriousness of coming to know God and the danger to souls that exists in the world?  Really consider this.  No earthly trade in value exists for the human soul (Psalm 49:5-9, Matthew 16:26).  Christianity isn’t a game.  What kind of atmosphere do we want to present?  Is it one with plastic seashells and a pretend turtle taped to the wall?  Does the amount of time and financial/physical resources spent on decoration demonstrate good stewardship or time that could have been used more effectively (Luke 10:38-42)?  Some folks claim the decorations represent an expedience for teaching.  Recall, an expedient should bring about an advantage to the student.  Do space decorations or beach decorations create more or less confusion when trying to study scripture?  The gain cannot make up for the loss.

“The teachers dressed like crabs”.  Many a VBS sees a wide variety of costumes.  Members dress as crabs, pirates, horses, trees, Roman soldiers, governors, Caesar, Jesus, Mary, planets, monkeys, mummies, and so on.  Where in the first century Church did the apostles dress up in the appearance of Moses or Daniel or a lion’s den to teach men about salvation?  If this an expedient to learning, why in the great era of Grecian drama (which will be addressed later on in this series) did this not occur?  Recall the words of Paul: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 – “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  Paul did not need to dress up to share Christ.  He did not need to have lofty speech or the wisdom of man.  Many solid Christians depart congregations over dress up.  Costumes bring division in many congregations.  Many members sit silently, consciences wounded while such activity goes on around them.  Other congregations refuse to encourage lost souls to attend the congregations with drama based on the obvious lack of reliance on the Word of God.  If costumes serve as an expedient to knowing what something from the past looked like, would not a picture of the real thing more swiftly and accurately convey the truth?  Is scripture itself not sufficient to guide a man to salvation (2 Peter 1:3)?  Is dressing like a donkey or crab or Jesus to teach the Word reverent to God?  Is the amount of time and resources spent to develop costumes good stewardship?

“We made crafts”.  1 Corinthians 15:3 –“ For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;  then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once… [handing out little crosses fashioned from popsicle sticks]”.  No, the bracketed words do not represent scripture.  However, according to the wisdom of man, Christ would have helped the children remember Him by giving out crafts.  Crafts fill time.  Crafts busy little hands.  Crafts do not teach the Word of God in an expedient manner.  How many children run from VBS class with their crafts having no idea what they did or why they did it.  Oh, but they got to eat glue and use a stapler… that was fun!  The young Jewish children were studying the written Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) at the age of five.  “Make work” demonstrates lack of knowledge and inability to provide proper Biblical instruction.  Yes, teachers, there does exist sympathy here.  Because parents fail in their duties to raise children who will listen and learn without pandering, a great challenge stands before you.  Do not flinch!  Send them back to mom and dad until they can behave.  Put the crafts away and get out the Bible.  VBS should never be daycare.  That is the job of the parent, not the Church.

“[We] watched a play.”  Drama seems to be the flavor of the week for many VBS undertakings.  Used here the word “drama” refers not only to actors playing a part but the utilization of puppets to act out parts as well.  The utilization of drama poses a great number of hurdles for the Christian.  Books have been written over its failings.  In the least, drama cheapens God the gospel as if it were something common, at its worst drama delivers souls to gates of eternal hell. It lacks reverence toward God.  I once approached drama with ignorance. As part of a congregation’s VBS I played the part of Jesus, our God and Savior, twice.  To this very day I am sorry for what I did and the example I gave.  How dare anyone assume to play God!  My acting treated God, holy and above all (I Samuel 2:2), as something common.  And how did the acting affect the youth?  For years later, the children called me Jesus.  It pains my stomach now to even think about it.

Drama does not equal the precision of reading scripture.  Indeed, the countless hours spent preparing drama only demonstrates poor stewardship of time in comparison to the time required to read and explain a passage of scripture.  Peter established that scripture can be difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16).  Why would anyone throw the difficulty of interpreting a dramatic performance into the mix?  What can an actor convey quicker and more clearly than the spoken Word of God?  No backdrops need creating, no costumes need making, and no lines require memorizing… the most expedient form of learning happens to be preaching.  Imagine that! (I Corinthians 1:21-25)  If drama does not result in expediency, it exists without authority.  As stated previously, if God desired His word to be performed, why did the apostles not do so in the era of Grecian theatre?  No command, authority, or implications for necessary inference exist to support drama.

Drama falls hard on its face when it comes to edification.  Rather than one man delivering a clear message from the Bible, men, women, boys, and girls “take the stage” and perform.  Scripture does not teach this! (I Corinthians 14:26-31)  Actor’s minds dart over appearance, remembering their lines, the thoughts of parents and friends, the actions and emotions coming next, and trying to perform better than everyone else.   To be edified, their minds should be upon the word of God.  Acting outside of their God given roles, women stand before the congregation where a man should stand sharing the message of God.  God gave men that authority, not women (I Timothy 2:11-15). A preacher constantly battles controlling his pride and remembering he stands only as a messenger before God’s people.  Yet, congregations put women and children on a stage and expect everything to be acceptable and with authority?  What about the people who did not get roles?  How did being left out edify them?  What behind the scenes bickering developed because someone got the “special” role while another got to be the backside of a donkey?  Edification remains far from drama.  Pride, chaos, division, backbiting, gossip, and a lack of authority flourish.  In the end, the emphasis of drama focuses on the actor’s behavior and costume rather than God.

When drama sets itself before its audience, its frequent objective equals amusement, social attraction, and emotion.  Can you imagine anyone finding something amusing at the crucifixion of Christ?  Drama enabled my eyes to see it and I am ashamed.  Is there anything funny about the resurrection of Lazarus?  Ever see that performed in the mode of Kung Fu theatre?  One of the greatest miracles of all time demonstrating Christ’s power over death simplified down to a twenty second laugh track.  Why drama?  If honest hearts answer, drama comes to congregations in hopes of drawing a crowd.  Only by Jesus does man come to the father (John 14:6).  Jesus through the gospel draws men.  Congregations condemn themselves trying to draw people to God by means of social interaction.  The denominations and the world at large will ultimately out duel any drama, performance, musical, or carnival atmosphere a congregation dreams up.  What makes the church unique is the power of the gospel to save (Romans 1:16).  Emotions cannot substitute for truth.  Emotions lead men to their destruction (Proverbs 14:12).  Drama attempts to play upon the emotions of an audience, swaying them one way or another.  However, God does not authorize drama and it does not lead to life (Matthew 7:13).

Do not let yourself think drama does not wound the consciences of others in the congregation.  Do not let yourself think drama does not act as a stumbling block for the actors.  Do not believe for a minute that other congregations do not notice the slippery slope those engaging in drama walk.  They notice and separate themselves as far as they can from it.  Drama represents a serious issue and departure from the faith.

Dress up, craft time, and drama inhabit many VBS enterprises every summer.  Say goodbye to them and return to God’s authorized manner of knowing Him: teach, preach, study.  Rely only on the Word of God.  Truth sanctifies you (John 17:17).  Truth sets man free (John 8:32).  The inspired Word of God is suitable for doctrine, conviction, correction, and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The truth enables man to be adequately equipped for the purpose God made him.  When man chooses cheap substitutes, his actions only result in failure and a displeased God.

VBS Gone Wild (Part 3) closes out this series and focuses on four more failings of the VBS.

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VBS Gone Wild (Part 1)

VBS Gone Wild (Part 1)

VBS - Vacation Bible School. A circus doesn't save.

VBS – Vacation Bible School. A circus doesn’t save.

VBS – “Vacation Bible School” starts in many American communities as soon as vacation from secular schooling begins.  Its duration typically varies from a single day to a week for an hour or two, but historically averaged a month to all summer long for many hours a day.  Its core objective revolves around building knowledge of God through the Bible predominantly to children and in different locations adults.  Numerous religious bodies have adopted this activity since its inception in the late 1800’s.  Different opinions exist regarding the year the first VBS began, its name, and its originator; however, such information stands irrelevant to VBS today.  Safely stated, VBS dates back over a century.  Moreover, studying scripture from God dates all the way back to the giving of the Law of Moses to the Children of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:1-7).  Accordingly, God’s desire for man to know His Word did not change with the coming of the new covenant in Christ (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:20).  Developing an understanding of scripture directly relates to the function of the individual as a member of the Body of Christ.  Walking in the good works of God stands as the purpose of man (Ephesians 2:10) and involves teaching others (2 Timothy 2:24).  Preaching the gospel of Christ for the salvation of souls as assigned by God represents the duty of the Church (Matthew 28:19-20, I Corinthians 1:18, Romans 10:13-15).  Thus, VBS stands as a great opportunity to instruct young minds in the life that God appointed for them.

Today, in most communities, man can see the story of VBS gone wild.  Quite alarmingly, very few VBS occasions achieve the goal of properly instilling scripture into young minds.  Some of this dilemma simply harkens to the time spent with the youth.  VBS used to be treated as a school.  Students spent hours a day for weeks or months coming to know God.  Now, a child may likely hear only 20 minutes to 2 hours of watered down Bible “stories” over the full duration of the average VBS.  No sin exists for those loving Christians who for whatever Godly reason cannot offer more time in holding a VBS.  However, a great difference exists in not finding the time and not taking the time.  If finding the time existed as the only obstacle to delivering proper authorized Biblical education during a VBS, a vast sigh of relief would go up throughout the kingdom of God.  A large number of VBS could find more time by focusing upon the original goal of teaching scripture and removing unscriptural practices found in their VBS.  Finding time relates to good stewardship (Luke 12:42-48).  Taking the time relates to an issue of the heart (Matthew 22:37).

As a boy, the congregation I attended held a VBS each year.  Like most individuals who attended VBS as a youth, I look back fondly on the memories.  The VBS lasted only a week and we met at the Church building.  During the week, I went to VBS for two hours.  The first 50 minutes saw me separated into an age specific class.  Then with all the children I enjoyed a 20 minute break outside in the gravel parking lot talking or eating a snack brought with me from home.  Finally, I returned to class for another 50 minutes of study and quizzes or competitions against my classmates on what we had studied.  The VBS held true to its name: Vacation Bible School.  Our entire group of young people looked forward to VBS.  No question would exist in regard to authority for what happened at the Church building.  Ask someone today to describe their VBS and hear the following:  “They decorated the entire Church building to look like the ocean and the teachers dressed like crabs. We made crafts, watched a play, heard a Bible story about a guy who got eaten by a whale, sang songs – I clapped and stomped my feet with my favorite one – I won a prize in kickball, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers afterward”.  Excuse me?  It seems a whole lot goes on that bears a second look in many VBS gatherings.

Christians imitate Christ.  The Bible directs Christians to operate according to the authority of Christ in both word and deed (Colossians 3:17).  This includes VBS.  Most certainly, many churches need to focus on restoration.  They stray far from the authority which originates with God.  They wear the name Christian, but fail to uphold the principles of Christianity.  What happened to BCV (book, chapter, and verse) for the VBS?  If God desired Christians to treat studying the scriptures like a carnival atmosphere could He not convey that thought?  Rather, within the pages of scripture, we find Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”   Furthermore, we find Hebrews 12:28-29, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”  Man should revere God in his service, not offer Him frivolous pabulum disguised as Biblical teaching.  The behavior of many congregations does not imitate Christ.

The activity of teaching and preaching the gospel demands the full authorization of God.  Biblical authority comes from the commands, examples, and necessary inferences found within the Bible.  To properly examine the practices of a VBS, the concept of Biblical Authority as it relates to expedients and edification must be understood.  In 1 Corinthians 10:23, Paul declares: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”  The context and meaning of the comments “all things are lawful” relates to the command by God that man could eat all meats.  However, Paul identifies that “rights” must be put aside when they do not expedite or edify.  The same concept must be applied when contemplating the actions of the Church.  An expedient is a help or action which will bring about an advantage.  If an action brings about harm or disadvantage, by definition it cannot be an expedient.  As an example, consider the many congregations which do not take the time to create their own VBS material, but rely upon the purchase of a pre-made / themed VBS package.  Possibly, there may be no harm in relying upon the efforts of others who created sound material.  However, consider the impact of area denominations utilizing the same package.  To the community member, it appears as if the religious bodies teach the same thing and there exists no difference.  What appeared as an expedient really exists as an impediment to Biblical instruction and cannot with Biblical authority be engaged.  Good stewardship from the beginning solves this potential dilemma.  The apostle Paul also spoke of edification.  Edification or edify means to build up or strengthen.  If an action fails to build up or strengthen the student, no Biblical authority exists for it.  Consider a VBS which focuses on a study of Islam, yet never addresses its evils or contradiction with scripture.  Such teaching would not edify or have the authorization of God.

Proper teaching from VBS efforts results in strengthened souls.  Yet, not all VBS opportunities end with fully positive outcomes.  It’s VBS gone wild!  Examine your VBS practices.  Provide Biblical instruction with reverence for God.  Pattern every VBS after the manner of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles.  Make every word and deed grounded in the foundation of Biblical authority.  Make certain the VBS expedites learning about God and edifies the students.

2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

“VBS Gone Wild” (Part 2) will examine specific “problem” practices of congregations in regard to VBS.

 

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A Better Altar than God’s

Finding Something “Better” Than God Planned

For more than two hundred years, every person who entered the temple saw everything the way Solomon had established it. Entering through the east gate, one first saw the magnificent bronze altar designed by David and built and dedicated by Solomon. That was exactly the way it should be. One should not approach God’s holy presence without a reminder of man’s need for redemption from sin.

Is the altar of man better than God's?

Is the altar of man better than God’s?

However, in the reign of Ahaz it all changed. As men entered through the east gate, the altar was not there. It had been removed toward the north side of the temple area (2 Kings 16:14). There was another altar, even greater in appearance, that now stood where the one dedicated by Solomon once stood. Men had forgotten that when Solomon finished his prayer of dedication of the temple, God sent fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices placed on the altar (2 Chron. 7:1). Yet, somehow that very altar had been replaced by a new one!

How had all this come about? King Ahaz (the father of righteous King Hezekiah) was in dire circumstances because the Syrians had come and besieged Jerusalem. Instead of turning to God for help, he asked the Assyrians to come help him and send treasures of gold and silver from the temple as gifts to the king of Assyria. The Syrians were defeated, and Jerusalem was saved. To show his gratitude for the help given to him, King Ahaz traveled to Assyria and while there saw the beautiful altar used in pagan worship. He made drawings of that altar and an exact copy of it was soon brought into the holy temple in Jerusalem. God’s plan for the bronze altar was rejected, and now a pagan altar stood in its place.

Evidently, King Ahaz saw the new altar and the pagan gods worshiped at that altar as being more desirable than the true God and the altar He had dedicated. Ahaz did not use the altar to worship pagan gods, he just preferred that altar above what God had designed.

Isn’t this precisely what has happened to the holy church designed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus? It is not that difficult to read the New Testament and see what He planned. That church had no clergy/laity concept with a religious hierarchy ruling over His people. There were no reverends, vicars, or elevated priests. Morality was not defined and changed by church conferences or conventions where mortals decided the acceptability of the LGTB lifestyles of our day. It was so different then—baptism was always by immersion; the Lord’s Supper was observed every Sunday; worship was designed to appeal to God rather than to entertain men.

Ahaz thought human wisdom was superior to God’s wisdom, and America is making the same mistake today!

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Laboring for Food? John 6:22-27

My Thoughts On John 6:22-27

After miraculously feeding five thousand men and walking on water, Jesus went to Capernaum.  When the crowds Jesus had fed discovered he was gone, they followed him and, upon finding him, asked when he had arrived (vs. 22-25).  Jesus knew that they wanted only another free meal, and so admonished them, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life…” (vs. 26-27).

What food gets the bulk of your effort?

What food gets the bulk of your effort?

Our Lord knows that we need to devote some attention to work for material necessities like food (Gen. 3:19), so he is not telling us that we shouldn’t work for physical food.  Rather, he is telling us to not give our primary attention to the material things of this life.  Our primary focus should be on obtaining that which will give us eternal life (Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:25-33).

It’s no secret that God tests our faith and loyalty to him (Gen. 22:1-12; Heb. 11:17).  It’s easy for us to sing None of Self and All of Thee…but do our actions back up our words when tested by God?  On Super Bowl Sunday at churches that offer evening worship services, will we choose to not assemble to worship our God and learn from him because we’d rather watch the Super Bowl…or will our focus be primarily on what will help us obtain eternal life?  Today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter, will we take a decent amount of time before or after work to study God’s Word and pray to him…or will recreational activities or more work be more important?

God tests our loyalty every day.  Are we passing his tests?  Are we truly laboring for the food that endures to eternal life?

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