Mentoring Others into Ministry – Allowing God to Work Through Us to Help Others
Titus 2:1-10
Strengthening our Faith – 2009 Black Creek (3/29/09)
God has richly blessed us with many new converts over the recent months and years. God has richly blessed us with new opportunities for ministry – what are we doing with them? God has promised us that “He’ll be faithful – if we are faithful to Him.” Are we being faithful to Him? Are we helping younger believers progress in the faith? Are we teaching our children and youth the ways of the Lord? Are we living in a way that would help lead someone to Christ?
Today, we discuss allowing God to work through us to help others – Mentoring if you will.
MENTORING AS A CHURCH PRACTICE "...In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—-while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators. The "converts" are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators. How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer. The only way a local church can "be fruitful and multiply" (instead of growing by "additions") is with a systematic discipleship program. This is the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been ’called to go.’" Source: Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c 1989). The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 28:16). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
TEXT
I. Older Believers Helping Younger Believers
Unfortunately, the epitaph of many a man is well expressed in the words "Died, age 26; buried, age 64." If you stop learning and growing today, you stop ministering tomorrow. [Dr Howard G. Hendricks - A Mandate For Mentoring - SEVEN PROMISES OF A PROMISE KEEPER].
1 Timothy 6:17 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
Matthew 28:19 – Go ye therefore and TEACH all nations!
a. Doctrine (knowing what you believe/teaching what you believe)
"Discipleship is like the generation gap between parents and children: We often tell kids to grow up. They can’t grow up. They need mentoring. They can’t grow up because they’ve never been there before. We as parents, have been there. The goal is not for them to grow up but for us to become like them and show them how. That’s what Jesus did. He became like them to show them how." --Dan Riemenschneider, Heathy Church Initiative Director, The Missionary Church, Inc.
b. Living (living out what you believe)
James 1:22 – We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only
Many folks say it – but few folks do it
c. Helping (helping out in the good and bad times of life)
d. Encouraging (a pat on the back doesn’t hurt)
Writing in a recent issue of Focus on the Family magazine author Stu Weber illustrates the need for a Christian "buddy" to help us survive the tough times. In 1967 a grizzled old noncom at Fort Benning, Ga. taught [the soul-buttressing impact of "mutual mentoring"] ... to a formation of ramrod-straight troops: "Never go into battle alone!" The war in Vietnam was building to its peak, and one stop for young army officers was the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning. The venerable, steely-eyed veteran told us the next nine weeks would test out mettle as it had never been tested. The sergeant said many wouldn’t make the grade--it was just too tough. (Turned out he was right. Of 287 in the formation that day, only 110 finished the nine weeks.) I can still hear that raspy voice cutting through the morning humidity like a serrated blade. "We are here to save your lives," he preached. "We’re going to see to it that you overcome all your natural fears--especially of height and water. We’re going to show you just how much incredible stress the human mind and body can endure. And when we’re finished with you, you will be the U.S. Army’s best. You will not only survive in combat, you will accomplish your mission!" Then, before he dismissed the formation, the hardened Ranger sergeant announced our first assignment. We’d steeled ourselves for something really tough -- running 10 miles in full battle gear or rappelling down a sheer cliff. So the noncoms first order caught us off guard. He told us to find a buddy. Some of us would have preferred the cliff. "This is step one," he growled. "You need to find yourself a Ranger buddy. You will stick together. You will never leave each other. You will encourage each other, and, as necessary, you will carry each other. It was the Army’s way of saying, "Difficult assignments require a friend. Together is better. You need someone to help you accomplish the tough course ahead." Stu Weber, "Some One to Lean On" Focus on the Family Magazine (June 1996).
e. God’s blessing on your life
II. Older Believers and Younger Believers Evangelizing Others to Christ
One day a lady criticized D. L. Moody for his methods of evangelism in attempting to win people to the Lord. Moody’s reply was "I agree with you. I don’t like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?" The lady replied, "I don’t do it." Moody retorted, "Then I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it." -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 178.
A recent study shows that over 90% of Born-again Christians have never shared their faith with anyone. Proves Moody’s Evangelism statement to the tee. We wonder why things are the way that they are?
a. You have a Testimony (Share it)
A POSSIBLE METHOD OF EVANGELISM A Christian man owned a barber shop. One night, at a revival meeting, the barber felt greatly burdened to do more with his testimony for Christ. The next evening, the barber began attending a "soul winners class" at his church. He attended faithfully every night for two weeks. He rehearsed all the material, took extensive notes, and memorized the assigned Bible verses. At the end of the two weeks he received a plaque acknowledging his completion of the course. The next morning, in the barber shop, he hung the plaque and bowed his head. "Dear Lord," he prayed, "help me to witness to the first man to come through that door this morning." At that moment in walked the biggest, meanest, foulest man the barber had ever seen. It seems this man had recently lost a bet with some "biker" buddies and now he had to get his head shaved. Needless to say, the barber did not feel very comfortable quoting the "Roman Road" to a man with a tattoo on his neck. The rest of the day did not go any better for the barber. At 5:00 p.m., the barber was sobbing with shame. He had not witnessed to a single person. He bowed his head again. This time he prayed, "Lord, if you will allow one more opportunity, I promise I will do my part." At that, the door opened and in walked a pleasant looking gentleman. The man smiled at the barber, apologized for coming in so late and took a seat in the chair. As the barber draped the man in his protective sheet, he began to try to remember what he was supposed to say. He began to get very confused. As the barber put shaving cream on the man’s face, he tried to remember the answers he had learned to the possible objections. As the barber began to strop his razor, he realized that he simply could not remember a thing he had learned. This made the barber very nervous and soon sweat began to break out on his forehead. Finally, in desperation, he shook the razor at the man and screamed, "ARE YOU PREPARED TO DIE??!!!"
b. You serve a Savior (Jesus)
1 Thess 2:13-17 – God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel. To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hears, and stablish you in every good work and deed.
c. You should have a desire to share (Do it)
Paul Harvey said, "Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium."
Paul Little in his book "How to Give Away Your Faith" defines witnessing: "Witnessing is that deep-seated conviction that the greatest favor I can do for others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ."
Elton Trueblood, the Quaker scholar, once compared evangelism to fire. Evangelism occurs, he said, when Christians are so ignited by their contact with Christ that they in turn set other fires. It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as fire that does not burn is a contradiction.
d. God’s Blessing on the Lives of Others
III. Observing Older and Younger Believers working for Christ will motivate others to become Christians
Dieter Zander, the pastor of the first GenX church in America speak at a conference about reaching people in the age of relativism. He cited a Barna study that asked people to use single words to describe Jesus. They responded, "wise, accepting, compassionate, gracious, humble." Then he asked them to use single words to describe Christians, they said, "critical, exclusive, self righteous, narrow and repressive." "There is a difference between knowing the good news and being the good news," Zander said. "We are the evidence! How we live our lives are the evidence. Everything counts--all the time." "With previous generations, a strong preacher could give a good message, even if the church was hypocritical and critical and people would still get saved," Zander continued, "but not any more. I’m seeing a change in what seekers are looking for. Not something they can relate to. They are looking for a transcendent God. They don’t want to be entertained they want to be transformed."
a. “Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk”
2 Timothy 3:14-17
“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
1 Peter 3:8
Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
Hebrews 10:22-25 (read text)
b. God’s Blessing on the Life of His Church
CONCLUSION
You see, the God in which we are here today to worship and serve – expects us to serve Him! We are to work for Him and help lead others to know Him as their Savior and Lord.
Perhaps today, Christian, you’ve seen some cracks in your foundation – seen some things that you’ve fallen on as a mentor, as a leader, as a parent. Never fear – Christ is a foundation repair specialist. He can fill your deepest need.
Perhaps today, you’ve realized I’m not where I need to be in my relationship with God. You see, there are many who play the “Church game” really well. It is easy to put on a show for others while hiding in shame from Christ. It’s time for a renewal – rededication – and relighting of your fire.
Perhaps today, you know that you’ve never trusted Jesus to be your Savior. You’ve heard about His love, His compassion, His desire for your life. You now know that it is time to give it all to Him.
Thus – here is the invitation
a. Re-focus (Commit to being a mentor to a younger believer)
b. Re-fuel (Rededicate to the calling of Christ on your life – to be a servant)
NOT SERVING THE CHURCH – but SERVING GOD (a much higher calling)
c. Re-Vive (Be Saved)
