The Tinman Mentality:burned Out, Burned Up. Series

THE TIN MAN MENTALITY, BURNOUT AND BURNED UP.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I do this in two parts!

Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of

great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

I. WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST TWO WORDS?

A. THE OTHER NIGHT ON A GAME SHOW THEY ASKED THIS QUESTION: WHAT WAS THE FIRST TWO WORDS THE TIN MAN SAID WHEN DOROTHY WALKED UP TO HIM??

B. I thought: I DON’T KNOW?

Then I thought about the Tin Man’s problem: RUST!

C. THE ANSWER: OIL CAN.

D. WITHOUT A HEART WE RUST!

WE GET INACTIVE AND TRAPPED.

II. SEEMS EVERY ONE HAD A PROBLEM IN THE WIZARD OF OZ:

A. Dorothy was trying to find her way home.

B. The Lion wanted courage.

C. The scarecrow wanted a brain.

D. THE TIN MAN WANTED A HEART!

E. In addition to having problems --- each solution to the problem had obstacles to finding the solution. Yet every problem was solvable.

III. PART OF A PROCESS: THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD --- KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR JOURNEY --- FIND YOUR WAY HOME!

A. I often say we are looking for a destination and God’s lessons are found in the journey. Many can hate the journey seeking for the end of the process, and miss great learning opportunities they daily miss.

B. I find some lessons in interesting places.

As a child I always loved the WIZARD OF OZ.

DOROTHY HAS SOME GREAT LESSONS HIDDEN ALL AROUND HER.

C. It appeared the answer was within Dorothy all the time, but her journey was PART OF THE PROCESS.

IV. WE ARE SEARCHING FOR A PLACE SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW, WHEN THE WIZARD COULD NOT PRODUCE THE ANSWER, HE COULD ONLY POINT THEM IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ANSWER.

A. I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT, WHICH INDIVIDUAL’S PROBLEM WAS THE WORSE? THE PROBLEMS THE INDIVIDUALS FACED, THE JOURNEY AND THE PROCESS TO FINDING EACH INDIVIDUAL ANSWER WAS AIDED BY TEAM WORK.

The other individual’s problem became a goal for all.

B. The lion needed courage, but I think you can live without courage. The Scarecrow wanted a brain, many people seem to live a successful life without using their brain.

C. I guess as a Christian and a pastor I see so many sad individuals trying to live a life without a heart.

D. I see Dads so inconsistent with their lessons --- fail to realize today they are building the men of tomorrow.

Many Moms fail to realize their hands might be God’s hands to that little child.

E. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION YOU CAN NOT BE WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE WITHOUT A GOOD COMPASSIONATE HEART OF UNDERSTANDING. WHERE IS YOUR PASSION?

Some people will chase the rainbow all their journey and never find God’s answer.

V. WHAT IS OUR REAL PROBLEM?

DOES YOUR REAL PROBLEM HIDE BEHIND SOME SMOKE SCREEN?

A. The Tin Man’s problem appeared to be RUST?

Moisture would effect the Tin Man and he would lock up?

Yet, the Tin Man wanted a heart, he needed a heart.

B. HAVE YOU EVER RUSTED TO NON-ACTIVITY?

What steals Christians hearts?

Hurt, bitterness, unforgiven grudges?

C. DOES THIS YELLOW BRICK ROAD LEAD TO OZ?

I was watching TV one night.

The country music star, GARTH BROOKS WAS BEING INTERVIEWED.

The interviewer said: WELL, GARTH YOU HAVE MADE IT. YOUR NAME AND VOICE ARE KNOWN ALL OVER THE NATION. YOU ARE RICH AND HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE MADE IT IN THE NASHVILLE SCENE?

D. Garth thought a second, and answered:

OZ IS ONLY OZ TO THOSE THAT DON’T LIVE IN OZ!

E. Wow, what a powerful lesson. There are not spiritual magic tricks to bypass God’s Process of growing and stretching your faith.

F. WE SIT BACK AND WANT TO DO NOTHING, BUT GOD’S PROCESSES WANT TO LEAD US TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER!

VI. HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART? IS IT HEALTHY?

BROKEN FOR A BROTHER? BURNED OUT?

2 Thes. 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

A. Years ago, I woke up during the night burdened for another pastor in our little town. This pastor was a power house for God.

B. He came to a small Freewill Baptist church in our community and God blessed his efforts greatly. The church grew. People came to know Jesus