Big Idea

VBS may be over, but the God behind VBS is not.
When the decorations come down and life returns to normal, we must decide what we will do with God.

Life After VBS

• The songs fade.
• The decorations come down.
• Real life returns:
  • Work
  • Bills
  • Family struggles
  • Anxiety
  • Health concerns
  • Relationship challenges

Key Question:

Now that the week is done, what will you do with this God?

1. The God Who Created You

Truth:

You are not an accident. You are God's masterpiece.

Scripture

Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT)
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb..."

Key Points

• God authored your life.
• You are:
  • Not self-invented.
  • Not self-defined.
  • Not self-owned.

Scripture

Psalm 24:1 (NLT)
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it..."

Application

The real question is not:

"Is God real?"

The real question is:

"Will I keep living as if I am god, or will I surrender to the One who made me?"

3. The God Who Is Your Only Real Refuge

False Refuges People Run To

• Entertainment
• Substances
• Busyness
• Work
• Control

Scripture

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

Main Point

Anything other than God will eventually fail as a refuge.

When Life Falls Apart

• The affair is exposed.
• The business collapses.
• The diagnosis comes.
• The child walks away.

Jesus' Invitation

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Key Takeaway

Jesus doesn't say:

"Try harder."

He says:

"Come to me."

4. The God Who Loved You at Your Worst

The Reality of Sin

Scripture

Romans 3:23 (NLT)
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."

The Consequence

Scripture

Romans 6:23a (NLT)
"For the wages of sin is death..."

• Spiritual death
• Separation from God

The Good News

Scripture

Romans 6:23b (NLT)
"...but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Scripture

Romans 5:8 (NLT)
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Gospel Truth

Jesus came:

• While we were running
• While we were rebelling
• While we were hiding

Key Statement

Christianity is not:

"Try to be a better person."

Christianity is:

"You are spiritually dead, and only Jesus can bring you to life."

5. The God Who Calls for a Response

Scripture

Acts 4:12 (NLT)
"There is salvation in no one else!"

Salvation Is Found In:

• Jesus alone
• Not good works
• Not religion
• Not morality

Scripture

Romans 10:9 (NLT)
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

What Saving Faith Looks Like

Jesus Is Lord

• He is King.
• He is in charge.
• He is not merely a consultant.

Believe In Your Heart

• More than agreement
• Complete trust
• Surrender

Personal Question

Have you chosen to choose Jesus?

Not:

• Do you attend church?
• Did you grow up Christian?
• Are you trying hard?

But:

Have you surrendered your life to Christ?

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person..."

Two Roads in Front of You

Scripture

Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

The Broad Road

• Self-rule
• Self-defined truth
• Living your own way

Destination: Destruction

The Narrow Road

• Repentance
• Surrender
• Trusting Jesus

Destination: Life

Key Truth

There are two roads.

There is no third option.

Cross the Line of Faith

Invitation

Not:

• Try church
• Become more religious
• Clean yourself up

Instead:

Repent and believe.

Turn from:

• Sin
• Self-rule

Turn toward:

• Jesus as Savior
• Jesus as Lord

Promise

Scripture

Romans 10:13 (NLT)
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

What Now? A New Life, Not Just a New Moment

Three Immediate Next Steps

1. Tell Someone

Faith is meant to be public.

"I trusted Christ."

2. Get Rooted

You need:

• A church family
• Community
• Accountability
• Teaching
• Worship

Don't disappear. Plant your life.

3. Start Listening and Obeying

Begin reading:

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

Scripture

Matthew 7:24 (NLT)
"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise..."

Key Application

Don't just underline God's Word.
Obey it.

Closing Takeaway

The same God who walked with our kids through VBS wants to walk with you into a whole new life—today, tomorrow, and forever.

Main Theme

When the decorations come down, Jesus remains. The question is: What will you do with Him?