Church Is NOT a Spectator Sport!
July 17, 2022
Church Is NOT a Spectator Sport!
7.17.2022
Introduction
These are exciting days at Victory Church. Our BEST days are ahead of us!
We will be completing our new children’s building soon, and after that we will be opening Victory Academy.
Today is the beginning of a fresh start for us as a church.
We have been in the building phase since 2018, so we have not been able to meet together on campus for a picnic due to the campus being in disarray from construction.
Today we are unveiling our new branding which will represent both Victory Church and Victory Academy!
This will be our new logo, which has not changed since 2009 when we were at the Garner, Aversboro Road location.
I want to open up for questions in a few minutes, something I have NEVER done on a Sunday morning.
Here are a few things I believe it is important for us to emphasize:
Psalms 127:1 (NKJV)
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
God positioned us at this location in 2013, knowing what He would later lead us to do in building and starting Victory Academy.
We started as Auburn Christian Church in 1994 when I became pastor. We changed our name in 1995, moved to Garner Village shopping Center in 1996, then to Aversboro Road in 2002. We were there for 11 years.
We have been here for 9 years in September, so this is yet again a new venture for VC.
My call from God is in the spiritual office of a Pastor and a Teacher.
So, I have a huge value in your spiritual growth and your finding your place in the family of God.
Our Vision
It is very simple:
Helping people become who God created them to be.
When we get to heaven and stand before Jesus, we are going to answer for our obedience in doing what God called us to do individually.
If I was called as a pastor and never even pursued that call, but simply attended a church and helped some every once in a while, then I will answer for my lack of fulfilling what Jesus called me to do!
So, we want to help you to 1) grow spiritually and 2) find your place and be faithful.
Four things I want to see fulfilled in your life as a part of our church family:
1. Grow in the Word.
Attend our services and develop a personal time with God in the Word.
2. Develop a group of friends you can relate to and mutually help one another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17 (NCV)
As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Men, join me on Tuesdays.
3. Discover what God wants you to be doing.
Growth track. Spiritual gifts test. Personality test.
Psalms 37:4 (NKJV)
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
4. Find a way to serve others.
Faithfulness is the key to spiritual growth.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV)
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
We grow when we get involved in helping others.
Job 42:10 (KJV)
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Be faithful in small things and you will eventually see your place.
Luke 16:10-11 (NLT)
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
Luke 16:12 (NLT)
And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Join our group of volunteers we call our Dream Team.
Don’t just observe. You will not grow. Get involved.
5. Love your family.
Colossians 3:18-23 (NLT)
Instructions for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Husbands and wives, work on your marriage.
Parents, guide your children. They know only what they are taught and what they observe.
Families, spend time together! And get together with other families.
Our strength will be in our relationships with friends.
Don’t be a loner!