ENTRUSTED TO MENTOR

ENTRUSTED TO MENTOR

Thursday, August 18, 2016

2Corinthians 5:1-21; 2Timothy 2:1-2

  How has your Christian position as God’s ambassador been going? This week? Yesterday? Today? 

  Mine continues active and developing.

  I say to you, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have read or heard me teach matters from God’s Word that has been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

  There was time past that I could not bring myself to ask the above questions or exhort as I have in the 3^rd paragraph. Why so, because I was conflicted in fear of pridefulness. I am not a Christian of Paul’s stature!

  Then one day in once again reading and thinking about Romans 12:1-3 I realized how applicable it is to my false sense of meekness:

·         Almighty God designated me one of His ambassadors.

·         As His ambassador I have been and continue to be entrusted.

·         My fear was misplaced.

·         My fear displaced my “measure of faith”.

  Paul said “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (NLT) 

  My awakening, actually a come-uppance on my false humility, was in finally applying to the matter what I’d been taught by one of my mentors, “Sometimes we must look at the other side of what God’s Word says.” Isn’t Paul also teaching that we are not to think of our position as lower than it is? Indeed so!

  So, with ambassadorial confidence I can say listen to me, tell others what I have taught you, and in doing so mentor them to entrust yet others who will entrust others who will entrust others who will …

  Now, in e-discussing this topic with David Repair he shared some applicable verses.

Seeking/listening to advice and counsel, from Proverbs (GW):

·         A nation will fall when there is no direction, but with many advisers there is victory. (11:14)

·         Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal. … A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise. (12:1, 15)

·         Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom. … Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer. (13:10, 20)

·         Without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed. … The ear that listens to a life-giving warning will be at home among wise people. Whoever ignores discipline despises himself, but the person who listens to warning gains understanding. The fear of the LORD is discipline leading to wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (15:22, 31-33)

·         Plans are confirmed by getting advice, and with guidance one wages war. (20:18)

·         After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory. (24:6)

·         Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest. (27:9)

Regarding humility (GW):

·         When he mocks the mockers, he is gracious to humble people.  Wise people will inherit honor, but fools will bear disgrace. (3:34-35)

·         A person's pride will humiliate him, but a humble spirit gains honor. (29:23)

·         The eyes of arrogant people will be humbled. High and mighty people will be brought down. On that day the LORD alone will be honored. The LORD of Armies will have his day against all who are arrogant and conceited and all who are proud of themselves (they will be humbled), … I have made all these things. "That is why all these things have come into being," declares the LORD. I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry for their sins and who tremble at my word. (Isa.2:11-12; 66:2)

·         Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored. (Mt.23:12)

·         Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who humble themselves will be honored." (Lk.14:110

·         But God shows us even more kindness. Scripture says, "God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people." (Jam.4:6)

·         Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders. Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble. Be humbled by God's power so that when the right time comes he will honor you. (1Pet.5:5-6)

  I close this morning’s thoughts with my life verses chosen rightly over 50 years ago, and still very much currently needed: The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Don't be stubborn like a horse or mule. They need a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you." (GW Ps.32:8-9)

EBB4

MEAT EATING MENTORS

MEAT EATING MENTORS

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

1Peter 2:1-5 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Hebrews 5:9-14 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

  It was years before I discovered that having mentors is not the norm in Christianity, even among evangelicals. And it wasn’t until later that I realized how fortunate I am in not only having multiple mentors but also that they were meat eaters and therefore exceptionally learned and wise; Berean men that sought and listened to our Lord and His mature undershepherds. (Act.17:11)

  Those first, then later staffers, made it very plain that I was to eventually move on from milk to meat and potatoes in order that I too would be a mentor exhorting others in the way of our Lord with my senses discerning good and evil. I soon found out that doing and maintaining this responsibility requires work, more work, and continuing work. There is no mentors’ high plateau of attainment to retire upon. Being in the service of the King of kings is an unending occupation that He does not terminate. That is up to us.

  Let us not be as Willard, a man that from cradle roll until demise faithfully attended church and Sunday school and especially never missed a potluck lunch or supper. I came to know him the last few years of his life. Willard did not lack in intelligence. He could quote history, facts and figures galore from his employment, hobbies, and other areas of interest. He could rattle off States and capitols, presidents, sports data and more, but when it came to God’s Word he would often say “I didn’t know that was in the Bible.” Though Willard lived 70 years, he tragically never became of “full age” but remained a juvenile “unskillful in the word of righteousness”.

  Let us be as those of Berea, not at all like the Willards that populate Thessalonicas. Let us live as noble men and women eagerly working at studying and examining the Word received. And in so doing mature to the status of mentoring others in the Way of our Lord.

  Amen?

EBB4

THE ROMANS ROAD

THE ROMANS ROAD

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

  In the 6 weeks that coworker Bud Bond patiently witnessed to me and answered my questions, he kept coming back to the Romans Road and having me read the verses aloud and say what I thought they meant. On my last evening of my being “condemned already” (Jn.3:18) he gave me a copy Dr. Orr’s notes on 10 reasons to believe the Bible is the Word of God and challenged me to read it. I did so on my lunchtime and breaks. About 12:30am while driving home alone I said to the effect “Lord, I don’t understand all this. But I do want what You have for me.” And that was it. No fancy prepared prayer. No church. But the next morning I crossed the pasture between my best friend’s home and ours and using the Bible Bud had tabbed I shared the Romans Road and told him what I’d done.

  For this morning DT I planned on writing explanation of the Romans Road but instead decided to share essay on the topic from Gotquestions.org.

  I encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to a-b-c-d-e or 1-2-3-4-5 tab the Romans Road verses in a Bible you use in order to be fumble-free in witnessing. I also urge you to do as Bud Bond did. Get the other person to read them to you and ask what they think each verse means. (Always ask “Would mind reading?” as the person may be illiterate or have sight problem.)

  Be God’s ambassador of reconciliation. (2Cor.5:17-21) Witness of His gift of redemption. (Rom.6:23; Eph.2:8-9)

EBB4

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Question: "What is the Romans Road to salvation?"

Answer: The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans. It is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and what are the results of salvation.
  The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin looks like in our lives.

  The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
  The third verse on the Romans Road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus' death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus' resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.
  The fourth stop on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
  The final aspect of the Romans Road to salvation is the results of salvation. Romans 5:1 has this wonderful message, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 teaches us, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins. Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
  Would you like to follow the Romans Road to salvation? If so, here is a simple prayer you can pray to God. Saying this prayer is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. The words themselves will not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ can provide salvation! "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. With your help, I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"
  Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have learned through the Romans Road to salvation? If so, please click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.  Gotquestions.org

TELLING THE STORIES

TELLING THE STORIES: More of That Which My Early Mentors Taught Me

Monday, August 15, 2016

Hebrew [CEV] 9:27-28 We die only once, and then we are judged. So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. But when he comes again, it will not be to take away sin. He will come to save everyone who is waiting for him.

  Jesus instructed the healed demoniac to go to those he knew and tell them of how great the things He had done for him, and had compassion on him. Though an ancient narrative, by the record of Mark 5:1-20 Jesus speaks to us in this day. We, the redeemed, are to tell others of His redemption.

  Every person that is trusting Jesus as Savior has a story to tell. And His story makes for our story and our story makes for telling His story. Telling the inclusive story is wise.

  First, we know that His story is definitely worthy and needs telling. (Rom.10:14; Act.4:12)

  Secondly, get it straight that your story is worth telling whether sinner great or minor. The only real impediment is our attitude and sense of values. Does our attitude include caring about lost souls “condemned already” (Jn.3:18)? And how much do we value our relationship with God (Heb.11:6)?

  Ah, but how to? As my mentors taught me, the answer is no differently than was in training for any other task.

Things to mind in preparation:

1.       Write it out as an outline. Possibly jotted notes at first.

2.       Then refine through prayerful thought and editing. Seek assistance if needed.

3.       Eliminate trite platitudes and clichés.

4.       Emphasize the positive. Don’t center on sinful details.

5.       Avoid generalities. No travelogues! Be specific.

6.       Speak pictorially if and when possible.

7.       Always focus on and emphasize point 4 below.

Suggested outline to follow:

1.       Who I am (secular). Name, background, job, present status.

2.       What I was before I trusted Christ.

3.       How I came to trust Christ.

4.       What Jesus Christ means in my life.

A.      Fellowship                                                  H.  deliverance from self

B.      Love                                                              I.    __________

C.      Forgiveness

D.      Friend

E.       Adoption

F.       New thinking (repentance)

G.     Peace, freedom from fear

  Now develop your testimony into a short, 3 to 5 minutes, and longer version so as to facilitate delivery under varying circumstance. Then, as iron sharpens iron, practice with a fellow traveler. (Pr.27:17)

  Suggestion: Once honed, begin your telling by postal and e-mailing copies to your “ten cities” (Mk.5:20), family, friends, and acquaintances. Keep copies available for later use.

  Doing all the above will continually further equip us to graciously tell His story that changed our story.

EBB4

TELLING OF GOD'S LOVE AND GRACE

TELLING OF GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Mark 5:1-20 [Jesus said unto the healed demoniac] "Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you."  So the man left. He began to tell how much Jesus had done for him in the Ten Cities. Everyone was amazed.

  It is a given that after we trust Christ we are His witnesses (Act.1:8), salt and light (Mt.5:13-16), ambassadors of reconciliation (2Cor.5:10-21). This is who we are but not always who we are actively. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is in one or more ways our suppression of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. (1Cor.3:16; 6:19; 1Thes.5:19-20)

  John Hoffman often told of an uneducated old peasant woman he met. After trusting Christ she walked the mountain paths to remote villages carrying Bible in hand and gospel on lips witnessing of Christ the Redeemer. Many listeners trusted Jesus and dozens of local congregation were founded.

  How did she do this with little biblical training? She loved her Lord and cared deeply for lost souls “already condemned” (Jn.3:18) and had a strong desire to tell of God’s love and grace.

  I walked no mountain trails, but I did immediately the morning after trusting Christ as Savior traverse a dewy pasture to tell my closest friends. Presenting the same “Romans road” that I’d been led upon just hours before by coworker Bud Bond. I met with firm rejection. Saddened but not discouraged in the least I sought guidance in ambassadorship. My mentors began with “It’s not all about you. It’s about Jesus. You are not being rejected, He is.” One mentor laughed as he told of some hearers trusting Christ but never accepting him, his point being that God does not need ambassadors with persuasive personalities. Together they emphasized that inviting people to church without my personal witness is a form of suppressing God’s Holy Spirit within me

  Peter said that we are always to be prepared to tell the reason of our hope. (1Pt.3:15) Ah, but how to do so may be our problem? Tomorrow I’ll share more of what my mentors taught me about being an active witness for Christ.

EBB4

BUT WHADDA AM I GONNA SAY?

BUT WHADDA AM I GONNA SAY?

Friday, August 12, 2016

Acts [GW] 4:11-13 [Peter said to those within his hearing] He [Jesus] is the stone that the builders rejected, the stone that has become the cornerstone. No one else can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus and not by any other person." After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus.

2Timothy 4:1-2 I solemnly call on you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead. I do this because Christ Jesus will come to rule the world. Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.

  No argument with whether those of God’s John 1:12 family are to tell others the good news (The gospel); the privilege and responsibility to lovingly reach out to those “condemned already” (Jn.3:11-21) by and in His love and grace is a present and eternal need.

  However, as a fellow believer said to me, “But whadda am I gonna say?” And then he went on to lament a long list of reasons why he didn’t verbally work at fulfilling our Lord’s marching order recorded in Mark 16:15 and the job description spelled out in 2Corinthians 5:14-21.

  OK, so what do you feel comfortable talking about, family, job, hobby, sports, politics, church?

  Why do we feel comfortable talking about these topics but not about God’s gift of eternal life with present peace and assurance accompanied by gaining understanding of our eternal purpose while this side of death? There are answers to this question. This morning a few in particular come to mind:

·         Knowing more about, giving more effort and thought to temporal interests and matters other than lost souls and the only good news that can save them now and forever. (2Tim.2:9-16)

·         Because in our heart we cannot honestly say “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,“ (Rom.1:16)

·         Because in my heart I don’t see that the things I willingly talk about are my story(s), the things of highest importance to me. (Col.4:5-6)

·         The two great motivators in life are fear or love. If neither one compels to manifest 2Corinthians 5:14-21 in life, we are left with the question of wherein is our conscience grounded, or is it buried? Or possibly never “enlightened” to begin with? (Eph.1:17-20)

    If not already doing so, let us be motivated by Christ’ love to tell others of their need for redemption by and through Him alone -- for there is no other with the capacity to presently and forever redeem. Let us be like Peter, boldly telling God’s Good News as our story. Then as we study and learn more, to add the ability to give God’s authentic answers to life’s many other questions.

EBB4

DEFINING LOSS TO LOSS

DEFINING LOSS TO LOSS

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Psalm 119

Romans chapter 12; 1Corinthians chapters 12 & 13

Revelation [ESV] 1:1a; 2:1-7 The revelation of Jesus Christ, … "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands."'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

  I’m still pondering Revelation 2:4-5 in its immediate and the greater context of Scripture.

  OK, we know without doubt that the passage is a disclosure from Jesus Christ to get the attention of the church at Ephesus circa A.D. 96 and, the Word of God being timeless, for serious thought and examination for all eyes and ears taking notice until this very moment.

  We also know without uncertainty that the church at Ephesus did not repent and consequently Jesus removed their “lampstand from its place” resulting in the once dynamically influential congregation diminishing to nonexistence. Additionally we see that though the church had good works that the Lord commended them for, those healthy elements could not salvage the church. Clearly the reason being is they “abandoned the love they had at first”.

  I am reminded that though yes the local church is a body, but the body has individual members – the church responsible as a body but not as apart from individual responsibility for maintenance of affections: I cannot simply blame the body. As a member of the body with the Holy Spirit ministry gift of exhortation I must speak of abandonment. (This being a major reason I am still in the local congregation rather than walking away.)

  Would that “first love” be Jesus Christ? Indeed so!

  And how did He say our love for Him is manifested? "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. … As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (ESV Jn.14:15; 15:9-12)

  There are many commandments His, but my thoughts initially turn to several problematic contributors to lampstand removal.

·         Misguided affairs: Lack of individual and congregational seeking, finding, implementing God’s direction from His Word.

·         Internal affairs: Infighting, unforgiveness among congregants present or departed.

·         External affairs: As in the lack of being a Mark 16:15 Great Commission Christian, individually and as the body of Christ. When is the last time I or our local church has authentically spoken the gospel to a soul(s) “already condemned” in need of Jesus Christ as the one and only Redeemer?

Philia,

EBB4