A Challenge to Adults in Our Generation

 

Our heart must beat for God...

 

We live in a fast-paced world — too busy, it seems, with our own affairs to get involved with others. Victory Chapel is made up of a tapestry of people from varying perspectives, jobs, backgrounds, and circumstances in life. We know that you are busy with work, kids, home life, leisure activities, and more. But, our generation is crying out for a cause. Something to live for beyond existing. We are tired of the cliché called 'life in America' — when the only thing we seem to be involved in is self-indulgence.

 

The problem with modern-day Christianity is that we want the benefits and blessings of the Christian life and eternal life, but we don't want to get involved in the principles and concepts of Jesus Christ. In other words, everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. Churches have become filled with tired programs that cater to the individual's comfort zone and neglect the needed work of the heart—the area in which God wants to have total dominion. But, we are afraid of the surgeon's knife, lest we feel the sting of conviction, the pull of responsibility, and the rising call to respond to the cause. Involvement. It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to rise up and get involved — adults from a generation that forsook its moral traditions for the freedoms of reckless abandoned — that never really proved to be free after all. Mundane lifeless religion is the product of "No Involvement" Christianity — where nobody feels the hot blood of zeal and strives to respond to the cause of Christ. Sadly, comfort has become more important than serving God.

 

The Product of "No Involvement" Christianity:

1.  Lack of effective evangelism.

2.  No Holy Ghost life and zeal in the church.

3.  The 'electronic' church becomes a substitute.

 

TV-church Christians with their electronic pastors: Just watch from a distance, or watch on a video screen — live band for worship but no live preacher for ministering the Word of God! Which is the greater need?... no personal interaction, nobody will know how you really live, no commitment, no involvement. Do you think electronic churches are nice? Try getting a hold of that electronic Pastor for electronic counseling in the middle of your electronic divorce!

 

Jesus says in John 6:26-27... "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

 

Jesus is rebuking the average adults of his day — those who seemed to be only following Him for what they can get. He goes on to say:

 

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."

John 6:53-56   

 

This is a call to involvement, beyond just 'believing'. I challenge you to a level of involvement in Jesus Christ... beyond believing! I promise you that every single time you enter the doors of our sanctuary, you will hear the challenging, encouraging, life-blood-giving, uncut Word of God. The whole truth and nothing but the truth. I promise.

 

We are a new ministry in this area, however, we are a part of a long-standing, dynamic movement of more than 2900 churches in over 130 nations of the world. We have a challenging ministry for adults; three complete dynamic services every week; Home Group Bible Studies; Foundation of Faith Courses; Ministry for the whole family. However, there is something somewhere that we are doing here at Victory Chapel that is incomplete — and simply needs you. Your involvement will make it SOAR!

 

No matter your age or phase of life, The Victory Chapel family wants to be a part of it. In the midst of every level of involvement — as you excel and SOAR in your calling as a precious vessel of Jesus Christ — you will experience a friendly atmosphere and a place you can call home. See you in church!

 

In His Service,

 

Pastor Jeff O'Brien