CAMP REWIND 2023

INTRO: Well I think after all these testimonies it is clear why we continue to do camp and why our church prioritizes it so much! We had over 20 parents serving away at camp last week, we had over 40 young adults who also sacrificed their time and comfort to sleep in the same dorms and cabins as teenagers!

And because of your giving, 56 students who would have MISSED OUT on camp due to financial reasons, recieved a scholarship and got to attend!

We’ve been doing camps at FBC for as long as I’ve been alive and though it has moved from Point Loma, San Antonio, Palomar Mountain, Vail Lake, Shasta, back to Point Loma and to Masters.

And though it has changed from tent camping, to houseboating, to dorm living

God continues to use camp to work in the lives of students

and around camp I often get the question - why does it seem like so many students get saved at camp? Is it because of the loud bands? Is there something in the food? Is it because of this emotional experience?

The answer is, God works at camp because His Word is proclaimed at camp. Col 1:28 “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

Lives are changed at camp NOT because we convince students that christianity will make you happier, or because you should really be a good person BUT because everyone in attendance at camp is WARNED and TAUGHT about Jesus Christ!

So for those who are here wondering why is my kid different after camp? For those here wondering “why does this church CARE so much about youth ministry”? For those asking “Should I send my kid again?”. For the student who ignored the messages and wondering “what did I miss?”.

The answer to your questions is 2 words Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches us that God is perfectly HOLY 1 John 1:5 “that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” and therefore requires PERFECT OBEDIENCE TO His Law James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”

Therefore all of us here tonight, apart from the grace of God, have broken His law and will pay the eternal penalty which is torment in Hell - and this is fair and right

But we don’t just proclaim that God must PUNISH - we proclaim that God did punish His own son on our behalf - Jesus the son of God came to earth as BOTH God and man, He lived the perfect life that was required of you and I and demonstrated God’s love towards us by dying on the cross to take the wrath of God that you deserve.

He was taken down from the cross, buried and 3 days later rose victoriously from the dead proving that sin and death have been defeated and that He is more than worthy of our trust and worship.

So I’d ask all here to NOT BRUSH THIS OFF. DON’T CHECK OUT! Whether you’ve never heard this message or heard it a million times we all need it equally!

Too many students here say that “I’ll turn to God when I’m older”

Some adults here think “I have missed my opportunity with God”

Students might think “I want to enjoy my sin a little more”

Some parents think “My sin has enslaved me and I can’t stop if I tried”

Whether you have 60 years of life left or 20 years - the very fact that God has brought you here tonight to hear this message MEANS that there is HOPE FOR YOUR ETERNITY and that hope has been offered to you TODAY - not tomorrow. Do not ignore God any longer, TURN FROM YOUR SIN no matter the cost! and cling to Jesus Christ for salvation.

Gal 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The door is not shut - Acts 17:30 ““Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,”

So with this message in your ears - the call is not to live better, it’s not to give more, it’s not to vote differently - this message demands that you turn from your sin & place your faith in Jesus Christ alone. And when you do - God will give you a new heart that loves Him and desires to obey Him. He will cleanse you of all your sin and eliminate your guilt.

So why is your student different? Maybe it’s because they responded to this message

Why do we care about youth ministry? Because there is no more important message for youth to hear

Should you send your kid again? Where else will they be away from distraction, around believers and hear the best preachers w/ the best message?

What did some students miss or ignore? There only hope and there greatest joy… salvation from Sin and a relationship with God

If you have any questions or need to talk to someone you can come find me, Pat, Terrell or many people seated around you who’d love to come alongside and help you.

Praise God for working at camp, praise God for offering salvation to us all through His son.

Lets Pray