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
as their personal Savior, and I counted him very successful. His labor for the cross had grown much more visible fruit than my efforts.
C. I called this fellow pastor and asked to take him to lunch the next day. He was angry and he was tired. He spoke very negative of his deacons, Sunday School teachers, and volunteer staff. He complained he was pulling the whole church wagon by himself.
He knew God had more planned for the church and in his opinion nobody saw the vision and no one was investing effort into the work.
D. I said to my dear precious brother: SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE BURNED OUT!
E. I WILL NEVER FORGET HIS REPLY:
I AM NOT BURNED OUT, I AM BURNED UP!
F. He was so angry. He was so tired. He had a big vision and he lost sight of the goal. He was much like Martha as she complained about Mary’s lack in
helping do the work.
G. This pastor had a meeting with the church leadership and scalded the people. He gave them an ULTIMATUM.
H. In a short time, the man resigned the church and went back to driving a big truck over the road.
He moved away from our community to another state.
I did not see him for years.
I. I was in a large city and stopped to eat, and in came my dear friend. We talked --- we cried.
J. He asked me if I remembered the day I took him out to lunch. I asked him, DID YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE IN LEAVING THE MINISTRY? DID I MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE IN STAYING IN MINISTRY?
He said, NO! It was not nearly as bad as he saw at the moment. He said, I should have stayed at my post of duty.
K. The church never thrived again during my tenure there. The man’s family fell apart, and the man lived with many regrets. He went on to say: IT IS HARD TO FIND THE ROAD HOME.
L. We prayed together and left that day.
I have never seen my little brother again. I often ponder, and hope my brother found the ROAD HOME.
M. His heart was hurt, he was disappointed with people, and lost sight of the cross.
VII. STEEP ASCENTING ROADS CAN PUSH YOUR HEART?
TRUE NEIGHBORS HAVE A HEART OF PASSION AND COMPASSION.
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?
A. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a steep climb. The 18 mile journey has many lessons.
B. The 18 miles were more than just increasing the heart rate --- This 18 mile journey was known because of the mean, cruel robbers that infested this pathway.
C.This road was known in Jesus’ time as "THE BLOODY WAY!"
Have you spent time walking on the BLOODY WAY?
Many others have been robbed or died climbing this mountain.
D. THE DESTINATION JERICHO --- WAS A PRIESTLY CITY, A CITY OF HOPE?
The priest knew their priestly duties and they practiced daily their rituals.
Where did their hope go?
E. IT IS A SAD DAY WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE SO BOUND TO RITUALS THEY LOSE SIGHT OF THE INDIVIDUAL NEED.
F. THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE COULD NOT POLLUTE THEIR DUTY WITH PASSION, COMPASSION, AND MERCY.
G. NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE ISSUE...
THE REAL ISSUE IS PREJUDICE --- Priest did not like Samaritans.
Priest had an elevated self worth and the religious people saw the Samaritans as scum.
H. THANK GOD THERE WAS A MAN OF HOPE AND HEART COMPASSION. A real neighbor comes along?
2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
I. HAVE WE LOST OUR HEARTS?
Do we know the questions of doctrine and all the ceremonies, without the passion and compassion of Jesus?
VIII. ARE YOU GOOD AT RENDING YOUR GARMENTS? HEART RENDING?
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.
A. There are great dangers of learning all the outward religious ceremonies and functions that we miss the simple beauty of God. Has the enemy ever tried to give you a cold cast iron heart?
B. Does your worship and praise appeal to the flesh and bypass God?
C. There are many great treasures of God beyond forms and outward deeds that touch the eyes and ears of flesh pleasing people.
D. Can we worship with the SHAM OF THE FLESH AND NEVER REACH THE LEVEL OF A COMMITED HEART IN PASSION AND COMPASSION?
E. WHAT IS HEART RENDING?
Heart rending is yielding to the Holy Spirit in a personal way.
Heart rending is soul moving.
THE HEART MOVE OF GOD --- is more than praying words and believing in ---
F. Heart rending is preparing for the DEEPER THINGS OF GOD. YOUR SPIRITUAL HEART CAN GET AS HARD AS A ROCK.
G. WE MUST CONFESS, REPENT, AND TURN FROM ANYTHING THAT
HARDENS YOUR HEART.
The heart must stay tender and pliable. God’s will, not mine.
IX. WE FACE SAD DAYS OF INCOMPLETE VICTORIES BECAUSE WE
HEAR THE PREACHER AND ACT WITH HALF- HEARTED ZEAL AND OBEDIENCE.
A. See the two characters in this real life story.
1. THE NEW YOUNG KING’S NAME IS JOASH.
2. Elisha, the older preacher is sick and on his death bed.
B. JOASH COMES TO THE PREACHER’S HOUSE TO SEE IF THE OLD PREACHER WILL BLESS HIM.
C. THE OLD PREACHER GIVES SOME QUALIFYING EVENTS AS CONDITIONS TO RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS... WE WILL CALL THIS A TESTING OF THE HEART!
D. DO THESE THINGS:
1. Take a bow and arrows.
2. Put your hand on them.
3. Open the window.
4. Shoot the arrow out the window --ARROW OF DELIVERANCE...
5. Take the arrows...
6. HIT THE ARROWS ON THE GROUND....
E. THE OLD PREACHER GETS SPIRITUALLY ANGRY AT THE KING ...
2 Kings 13:19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst
consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
F. IS YOUR HEART IN LISTENING TO WHAT THE PREACHER SAYS AND DOING IT?
X. DO YOU HAVE A HEART IN PREPARATION? DO YOU DREAM?
WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?
A. IS IT ENOUGH TO KEEP THE OUTSIDE CLEAN?
B. The five foolish virgins were experts on the externals, yet God was looking for more
from them.
Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
C. We must do God’s work with passion, compassion, mercy and tenderness.
We need more than NO HEARTED or HALF-HEARTED SERVICE.
XI. GOD FIXES HIS EYES AND HEART UPON THE BROKEN HEARTED. COME DARK CLOUDS AND BE SCATTERED FOR SHOWERS OF MERCY DROPS AROUND US.
A. Bind up the wounds, heal the broken hearts...
God loves you in dry seasons... and seasons of trouble ...
Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen
that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
B. There is a handful of meal and a little cruse of oil to sustain you in the seasons of drought. God has made provisions for you!
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 51: 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
C. THERE IS A GREAT PHYSICAN AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE.
Psalm 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
XII. WE SERVE A GOD THAT CAN BRING NEW HEARTS TO THOSE CHASING DONKEYS. GOD CAN CURE DOUBT, AND ALL HEART DISEASES THAT THE ENEMY WILL TRY TO KILL --- HERE MY FRIEND --- HERE --- GOD HAS A NEW HEART FOR YOU!
A. Saul was on a donkey chase.
The donkeys were important to the family.
B. Somehow Saul found himself at the Preachers house.
Saul had no offering, and God provided a good offering.
1 Samuel 10:6 And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him;
and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What
is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
C. WHILE CHASING DONKEYS, A SMALL MENIAL DAILY CHORE, SAUL FOUND GOD’S HEART. His journey was ordered of God.
XIII. NEW HEARTS ARE CONTAGIOUS!
A. Contageous:
Communicable by contact.
Exciting similar emotions or conduct in others.
That which can be passed from one to another.
1 Samuel 10:26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
B. IS YOUR PASSION AND ZEAL PASSED ON TO OTHERS?
XIV. ARE YOU SATISFIED HERE?
A. I was studying KISSES in the Bible.
Wow, the KISS in the Bible is a great lesson of study.
During my several week study I decided I would ask God, my Father for a Divine KISS!
B. I prayed several days, GOD I WANT YOU TO KISS ME AND MY MINISTRY?
I thought this is a fair request.
C. Day after day I would go to bed without a KISS from my Father. I decided God was not going to KISS me.
D. One day I finished playing music at the rest home, I put my guitar in the case, rolled up the cords, prepared to go home.
E. There was a sweet lady there named Versie.
Versie could not talk or walk but she absolutely loved the old gospel music.
Tears would run down her face as her heart praised God.
F. Versie grabbed my hand and would not let go.
Versie pulled my hand to her face and she kissed my hand.
I thanked her and tried to pull my hand away.
G. Versie would not let go. She kissed my hand again.
I tried to pull it away, and she kissed my hand again.
I tried to pull my hand away from Versie. She would not let go.
H. I felt a still small voice speak to my heart, THERE IT IS!
THERE IT IS --- THAT IS MY KISS OF LOVE ON YOUR LIFE.
I hugged Versie and I thanked her.
I. Versie went to be with the Lord a few months later.
I shall never forget while chasing a rainbow, I received a KISS FROM MY FATHER THROUGH ONE OF HIS LITTLE SERVANTS.
J. God wants you to recognize His Holy KISS ON YOUR HAND OF MINISTRY, AND NOT BURN OUT. DON’T BURN UP, PRESS ON.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is
weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
My friend, God needs you!
God has faith in you! God is trusting you today with His work.
Will you walk with me and let us find that this journey is leading us to a GREATER LOVE AND PASSION FOR THE CROSS.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Join my team? Tell another on my work. If each one passed this lesson to one,
we could double my reach.
