Overwhelmed and Overcome

Listening With Your Heart 2

Jer. 17:9; Luk. 8:14-15 and Rom. 10:17

SUBJECT: Evangelism and Personal Work

THEME: It is vital we maintain a correct attitude toward God and His work. We must keep our hearts respectful, clean, compliant, and obedient towards the duties, tasks, and responsibilities of evangelism.

INTRODUCTION:

God frequently refers to “heart surgery” as influential imagery pointing to spiritual rejuvenation, where He cleans our sin and replaces our stubborn, unenthusiastic, and sinful ‘hearts’ with spiritually compliant ‘hearts.’ As a result, we become far more spiritually minded than carnal minded.

When it comes to sacrificial service to the Lord…giving of ourselves, strength, gifts, skills, opportunities, and resources to God’s ministry…there is again excessive reluctance among God’s children. Maybe it is fear or a lack of self-confidence, but there is an incredible necessity for hardworking and steady Christian servants.

MESSAGE:

As God’s Servant, Use His Word to Examine Your Heart

We are susceptible to contracting various unhealthy heart conditions, but God’s word can be trusted to help us sort out our real condition.

A.  THE WEIGHTED DOWN HEART (Worried)

Luke 21:34, And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

B.  THE CHOCKING HEART (Overwhelmed)

Luke 8:14, And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

This part of the Parable of the Sower, portrays people who hear God's word but allow worldly distractions, worries, and riches choke their spiritual growth so they fail to mature. They permit themselves to become overwhelmed with concerns….

1.     “Cares and riches and pleasures of this life” are daily worries typically stemming from our survival, the pursuit of money, professional goals, and the love of temporary fun or the pursuit of more comfort.

2.    “Are choked” denoting our spiritual vitality is squeezed out, much like an unimportant plant starved of light and water by giant weeds. Our spiritual growth and faith are effectively suffocated and seriously hindered or even stopped by reservations, limited resources, and requirements related to this earthly experience.

3.    “Bring no fruit to perfection” is failing to produce a mature, faithful, and productive spiritual life for God glory. Just like weeds starve real plants of necessities, everyday stress and greed crowd out our focus on God, stopping us from baring fruit to adulthood.

These may be those who are interested in Jesus’ message but who cannot accept it because of their devotion to material things^[1]…. Those who fill themselves with the recreational fun, getting richer, and pursuing the problems of our focus will never mature as a Christian becoming more unfruitful. Others, such as the rich ruler (Luke 18:18–30), were interested in Jesus but would not accept Him because of the strong pull of materialism.^[2]

4.    Choking, in one respect, can also refer to biting off more than you can chew!  Or trying to take on more than you can legitimately handle. It is basically a condition when nothing else can get in and nothing else is coming out. Beloved, when we feed ourselves with the wrong spiritual food it could lead to a chocking heart—overwhelmed—an unproductive and stagnant life. You can’t get anything into them, and you can’t get anything out of them. When we take on too much in Christian service we can again end up in the same situation. Do what God has committed to you personally, regard what He gifted you to do, and grow in that and He may eventually give you more.  But don’t bite off more than you can chew! Sometimes we do this out of great love but beware it could be our pride that’s driving these activities!

These distractions will stop growth in the Lord and compliance with His will. We may hear the message of God (Bible reading, preaching, a lesson) but if we focus too much on money, work, stress, and fun, our faith stops growing. The division of our priorities edges out God’s plans putting worldly things first leaving no room in our hearts to obey God or help others. We had our devotions…we attended the Bible study…we were present for the lesson, but our minds were on something else. It is far better to be present (fully aware, attentive, careful regarding the present moment) and not worrying about the future (see Matt. 6:34; Psa. 118:24; Lam. 3:22–23; Jam. 4:14).

5.   God’s Treatment for the Overwhelmed Heart (Luke 8:15)!

·        Luke 8:15, But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

·        The fourth group consists of those who listen, retain the Word, and … produce a crop (v. 15), that is, they bear spiritual fruit, evidence of their spiritual life. Their hearts were changed for they were noble and good.^[3]

·        Believers with an honest and good heart can hear (paying attention) God's Word, retain it, and patiently produce good works. They have a receptive mind that approaches the message with sincerity and a genuine desire to understand and apply it!

·        “An honest and good heart”—Prepare your inner self to genuinely value God’s word above worldly distractions.

·        “Keeping the word”—Hold fast to what you have heard from God’s book instead of letting daily anxieties crowd it out.

·        “Patience”—Allow spiritual fruit to grow over time through steadfast endurance rather than seeking instant worldly satisfaction. We deliberately choose to pay close attention to “thus saith the Lord” and the needs of others instead of allowing ourselves to rush into action on autopilot.

6.   Practice Refocusing your Actions to Clear away the Pesky “Thorns.”

·        Identify distractions: Recognize which specific daily cares, material pursuits, or pleasures are draining your time and focus.

·        Prioritize time: Intentionally set aside quiet time for Scripture and prayer to keep your heart fertile and receptive.

·        Simplify focus: Actively minimize unnecessary commitments that choke your spiritual vitality.

·        Behave mindfully: Pay thoughtful attention to the Lord sensing His will and mindfully considering the needs of others, rendering appropriate care, noting their feelings, and being present in the moment.

Again Luke 8:15, says we must receive the word in an “honest and good heart,” keeping it, and bringing forth fruit with patience. They not only received the word but allowed it to mold their lives. They were teachable and obedient, developing true Christian character and producing fruit for God.^[4]

 

---

^[1] John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 225.

^[2] John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 225.

^[3] John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 225.

^[4] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1397.

Protecting God-Centered Beliefs

 

“Protecting God-Centered Beliefs”

Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 1:18-20

THEME: Faithfully fulfill the ministry committed to your charge.

RELEVANCE: discouraging and difficult tasks should not be permitted to force us to abandon the ministry committed to us.  We must be steadfast and faithful to our charge to keep the faith by teaching sound doctrine, proclaiming the Gospel, and defending the Faith.

INTRODUCTION:

In 1 Tim 1 Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church. Accordingly, he gave Timothy a third responsibility to fulfill besides teaching sound doctrine and proclaiming the Gospel…defending the Christian Faith.

MESSAGE:

Defend the Faith (1 Tim. 1:18-20).

·       From the high point of praise to God, Paul turned his attention back to Timothy. This young preacher faced a difficult challenge in the church at Ephesus, but Paul knew he could handle the situation. What Timothy needed in the meantime was encouragement and wise instructions.

·       Like a coach preparing his eager young fighter for the match of his life, Paul put an imaginary arm around Timothy's shoulders and passed on a few last-minute instructions.

A.  ON THE BASIS OF DIVINE APPOINTMENT. (1Tim. 1:18)

1. A Reminder that He Was Under Orders.  “This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy”

                    a. A Charge for the Soldier.

·       Again, Paul used military language to enforce his statement, for the word "charge" (1 Tim 1:18) means "an urgent command handed down from a superior officer" (1 Tim 1:3).

·       These instructions (see 1Tim.1:3,5) refer to the job Timothy was sent to do in Ephesus -- that is, quieting the false teachers.

·       Paul was expressing again his confidence in entrusting Timothy with an important ministry. Further instruction for Timothy's work in the church is given in the remainder of this letter.

·       How Important Is Trust When Encouraging Others?

1.    “A key to empowering others is high belief in people. …The truth is that empowerment is powerful—not only for the person being developed, but also for the mentor. Enlarging others makes you larger. Dan has made me better than I am, not just because he helped me achieve much more than I could have done on my own, but also because the whole process made me a better leader. That is the impact of the Law of Empowerment.” ---Maxwell, J. C.

2.    What Motivates People? 

o   Significant contributions. People want to join in a group or pursue a cause that will have lasting impact. They need to see that what they are doing is not merely wasted effort but is making a significant contribution. People must see value in what they are doing. Motivation comes not by activity alone, but by the desire to reach the results.

o   Goal participation. People support what they create. Being part of the goal-setting process is motivating and it allows people to feel needed. They like to feel they are making a difference. When people have given input, they have a stake in the issue. They own it and support it. Seeing goals become reality and helping to shape the future is fulfilling. Goal participation builds team spirit, enhances morale, and helps everyone feel important.

o   Positive Dissatisfaction. Someone said that dissatisfaction is the one-word definition for motivation. Dissatisfied people are highly motivated people, for they see the need for immediate change. They know something is wrong and often know what needs to be done. Dissatisfaction can inspire change or it can lead to a critical spirit. It can lead to apathy or stir one to action. The key is harnessing this energy toward effective change.

o   Recognition. People want to be noticed. They want credit for personal achievements and appreciation for their contributions. Often giving recognition is another way of saying thanks. Personal accomplishment is motivating, but it is much more so when someone notices the accomplishment and gives worth to it. Recognition is one way to give meaning to a person’s existence. 

o   Clear expectations. People are motivated when they know exactly what they are to do and have the confidence that they can do it successfully. No one wants to jump into a task that is vague or a job whose description is uncertain. Motivation rises in a job when the goals, expectations, and responsibilities are clearly understood. When delegating responsibility, be sure to give the necessary authority to carry out the task. People perform better when they have some control over their work and their time.

                    b. Some Care for the Son. (1 Tim 1:18) “my son Timothy”

1.    Paul kept in mind the relationship he shared with Timothy and assured young Timothy that the elder's instructions were based on his love for him.

2.    Fred Smith says, “Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated.” That will only happen when you climb to the second level of influence.

o   “In my book, Be a People Person, I continually emphasize that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

o   Leadership begins with the heart, not the head. It flourishes with a meaningful relationship, not more regulations.”  –J. Maxwell

3.    Leaders on the “position” level often lead by intimidation.

·       They are like the chickens that Norwegian psychologist T. Schjelderup-Ebbe studied in developing the “pecking order” principle that today is used to describe all types of social gatherings.

o   Schjelderup-Ebbe found that in any flock one hen usually dominates all the others. She can peck any other without being pecked in return. Second comes a hen that pecks all but the top hen, and the rest are arranged in a descending hierarchy, ending in one hapless hen that is pecked by all and can peck no one. Cocks do not normally peck hens, but they have their own pecking order. So a breeding flock usually has two hierarchies, one for each sex.

4.    In contrast this is a person on the “permission” level will lead by interrelationships. The agenda is not the pecking order but people development.

·       On this level, time, energy, and focus are placed on the individual’s needs and desires. A wonderful illustration of this truth is found in the story of Henry Ford in Amitai Etzioni’s book, Modern Organizations: “He made a perfect car, the Model T, that ended the need for any other car. He was totally product-oriented. He wanted to fill the world with Model T cars. But when people started coming to him and saying, ‘Mr. Ford, we’d like a different color car,’ he remarked, ‘You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.’ And that’s when the decline started.”

5.    “People who are unable to build solid, lasting relationships will soon discover that they are unable to sustain long, effective leadership. … Needless to say, you can love people without leading them, but you cannot lead people without loving them.”  --- J. Maxwell

2. A Reminder of His Supernatural Calling.  “According to the prophecies which went before on thee”

A. Paul Also Reminded Timothy That God Had Chosen Him For this Ministry.

·       Apparently, some of the prophets in the local assemblies had been led by the Spirit to select Timothy for service (see Acts 13:1-3 for an example of this procedure). .

·       The word for “which went before” means “previously made and leading the way to,” implying that a series of prophecies had been given about Timothy in connection with his receiving his spiritual gift (see 1Tim. 4:14). These prophecies specifically and supernaturally called Timothy into God’s service.

                    B.  Other Believers Also Recognized Timothy as God’s Choice for this Ministry!

·       Paul made it clear, however, that his choice of Timothy was not made solely on the basis of their friendship or his hunches about Timothy's abilities.

·       Other believers had noted qualities in Timothy that Paul was happy to affirm and to put to work for the gospel.

·       Some have suggested two possibilities for these previous prophecies about Timothy:

o   (1) These were Old Testament promises prophesied by the prophets, promises that Timothy claimed.

o   (2) These were prophetic utterances at Timothy's ordination (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 4:14).

o   It seems likely that the "prophecies" refer to Timothy's ordination. Paul highly valued the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:1). Through prophecy, important messages of warning and encouragement came to the churches. Timothy had been set apart for ministry when elders laid their hands on him (see 1Tim. 4:14). This was not an ordination service as we think of it today. This was probably a "commissioning" for missionary activity rather than an ordination into a church office.

o   Apparently at Timothy's "commissioning," several believers had prophesied about his gifts and strengths. These words from the Lord must have encouraged Timothy throughout his ministry. We can only guess who gave the prophecies and what they said; in any case, Paul reminded Timothy of these statements to encourage him.

C. The Reminder of Divine Appointment Assures the Servant through the Difficulties.

·       It was not easy to serve God in pagan Ephesus, but Timothy was a man under orders, and he had to obey.

·       The soldier's task is to "please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim 2:4), and not to please himself.

·       Furthermore, Timothy was there by divine appointment: God had chosen him and sent him. It was this fact that could give him assurance in difficult days.

·       If you are God's servant called by the Spirit, obeying His will, then you can "stay with it" and finish the work.

3. A Reminder of His Duty as a Warrior.  “that thou by them mightest war a good warfare”

A. These Assurances Enabled Timothy To War The Good Warfare.

·       By following this charge and these prophecies Timothy would be enabled to fight the good fight. Timothy was to hang on to these two immediate sources of reinforcement as he carried out his tasks: Paul's instructions and the prophecies from other believers.

B. This Warfare is Against the Spiritual Enemies of Christ! (1Tim. 1:18)

·       war a good warfare. Paul urged Timothy to fight the battle against the enemies of Christ and the gospel. Cf. 2 Cor. 10:3–5; 2 Tim. 2:3,4; 4:7.

·       Paul employed a military metaphor to describe Timothy's work in Ephesus; it would indeed be a fight, but victory would achieve the good of the believers and the church -- it was the worthwhile fight of the faith.

·       We are reminded of Paul's words to Timothy as Paul neared death, "I have fought a good fight" (2 Tim 4:7).

·       Paul often used military language to refer to our spiritual struggle (see Eph 6:11-16; 1 Thess 5:8; 2 Tim 2:3).

C. Some Have Forgotten or Forsaken the Fight for the Faith!

·       Now another philosophy has arisen. It was voiced recently by an independent, fundamental Baptist mission leader. The statement was made, "I am a fundamentalist but I am tired of fighting." Which really is to say, "I want to be a passive Fundamentalist. My question is, Has the devil gotten tired of fighting the Church and hindering the work of God? Has Satan and the Church signed a peace treaty? Has the conflict between righteousness and evil been settled? Can we retreat from the field of battle and lay aside our armor?

·       I am told in Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." A close look at the parts of armor described makes one realize that God is not dressing us for a "pajama party." God has conscripted us to stand for His cause and has not given me any mustering out date this side of death or the Rapture.

·       Are the New Testament words that warn of conflict and spiritual warfare obsolete and not applicable for our day? Has Satan ceased his hostility toward the Church?

·       Listen to Paul, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18). "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called" (1 Tim. 6:12). "Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:3). "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4).

·       Who is the man who wrote this fighting language? The same man who said, "Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31). This same man said, "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:2,3). This man Paul was a courageous soldier and at the same time a compassionate soul winner.

·       Are Paul's words just for his day? I think not. I read in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Yes, the battle still goes on.

·       What prompted Isaac Watts to pen those beloved words,

·       "Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend of grace, to help me on to God? Surely, I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord. I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word."

·       A "Passive Fundamentalist" is a contradiction to the Word of God.--- (Allen Dickerson, "Passive Fundamentalism," Maranatha Baptist Watchman)

 

 

Given to Learning

 

“Given to Learning” 

Proverb 2:1-22; 4:1-13, 23; Duet. 5:1

SUBJECT: Learning

THEME: each person we meet has the potential to teach us something. To make and maintain budding relationships and to enrich existing ones, choose to be a lifelong learner. Refuse to be a know it all; learn from others and make positive changes.

RELEVANCE: How can we fulfill this desire for relationships? The answer is simple; stop thinking about our self and begin focusing on the people with whom we desire to build a relationship with. It’s when we stop worrying so much about ourselves and start looking at others and what they need or desire that enables us to build a bridge to them. As a result, we become the kind of person others appreciate and want to be around. This is a key to connecting.

INTRODUCTION:

The book of Proverbs also tells us that wisdom is packed full of weighty advantages and benefits.  For instance, it gives life (Prov. 4:4), protection (v. 6), and honor (vv. 8-9) to name a few. We can see that godly wisdom is valid because of its enduring quality, and it is valuable because of the honor and blessings it brings to the diligent seeker (Prov. 4:1-9).

Therefore, wisdom is to be pursued (“get”; Prov. 4:5, 7) and valued (love her; Prov. 4:6; 8:17, 21) because she protects (Prov. 2:7-8, 11; 3:21-23) and guards the welfare of the saint.

As wisdom is valued and loved (Prov. 4:6), she gives honor (3:16), and an attractive life, pictured as a beautiful ornamental wreath of grace (1:9) and a crown of glory (4:8, 9; 16:31). The opposite is also true: a foolish, unwise life is dishonorable, unattractive, and shameful. Solomon experienced both wisdom and folly and therefore he could speak with conviction about both kinds of results.

Lesson:

Why Is Learning Important to Our Relationship with God?

a.    Constant Learning Is One of The Keys to Spiritual Growth. Deut. 5:1

Rabbi Samuel M. Silver taught that “the greatest of all miracles is that we need not be tomorrow what we are today, but we can improve if we make use of the potential implanted in us by God.”

b.    Learning Is Sometimes the Result of Suffering. 

1.    Proverbs 19:25, Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

2.    There is a great difference between the person who learns from criticism and the person who refuses to accept correction.

a.     How we respond to criticism determines whether we grow in wisdom.

b.    The next time someone criticizes you, listen carefully to all that is said. You might learn something; don’t be resistant to the changes wisdom leads you to make.

3.    Change can be a good thing!

a.     Change is a part of life; each of us changes every day. Often, we don’t mind the changes, but as soon as we are faced with major changes or changes over which we have no control, then we become resentful.

b.    Trusting the Lord Jesus is a major change. He changes our priorities, our thinking, our aspirations, and our understanding of life itself (Matt. 5-7).

                                                                                      i.     Jesus alters us from the inside out by changing our hearts and our attitudes, which in turn changes the way we function in the world.

                                                                                    ii.     At times, some of the changes Jesus brings about in our lives may be disconcerting. But we can be certain of this: He always changes our lives for the better.

4.    Too often we are guilty of charting the wrong course for our lives.

a.     The merchant’s small boat crashed through another massive wave, drenching the man and everything in the tiny vessel. The night was dark and stormy—the kind of night that sailors describe when they are telling their stories, only this was the real thing.

The sea raged against the rugged man’s efforts to keep the boat from capsizing. The rain, wrapped in a cold, whistling wind, pelted his face as he attempted to guide the little vessel up the Canadian North Atlantic coast. The merchant could not see where he was going, so he had no choice but to rely on his compass to guide him.

As the merchant battled through the murky waters, he began to worry that something was seriously wrong. “I should have been there by now,” he said. Suddenly, to his horror and surprise, he realized the answer to his problem. He was not moving north as his compass had indicated; he was headed due east, straight into the open sea! Desperately, he wrestled against the furious wind and waves and was finally able to turn the small craft back to shore.

The next day, the merchant carefully examined his boat for damages and discovered the reason for his compass’s inaccurate readings. He had recently taken the boat in for repairs, part of which required a new compass. Apparently, when the man who was installing the new compass was setting the screws that held it in place, he ran out of pure brass screws. Assuming that a slight compromise would be insignificant, he found a screw made of a ferrous alloy and finished the job with that.

Consequently, the magnetic tip of the compass was attracted to the alloyed metal and would not produce true readings. The merchant discovered—almost tragically too late—that while he thought he had been charting his course by the magnetic North Pole, the craft had actually been charting its own course. It was an accident waiting to happen.

5.    A similar situation exists in our lives before we trust Jesus. Most of us chart our own course, thinking that we are moving in the right direction and not realizing that our “inner compasses” are defective. Unless you have allowed Christ to teach and guide you, your inner compass will continue giving you inaccurate, undependable readings.

One of the first steps you must take to follow Christ is to repent of your sins. You must allow Jesus to change not only your course, but also to change the center of your life.

c.     Learning Requires and Develops Humility and Trust.

1.    Lament. 3:27-29, It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. [28] He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. [29] He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

2.    “With a prayer to God to remember his bitter plight, yet with lingering depression over his misery (vv. 19, 20), the prophet gets his eyes off himself and onto the Lord. Hope is revived when he remembers that the Lord’s mercies and compassions ... are new every morning, and that His faithfulness is great^{ 2} (vv. 21–24). He cites lessons learned in the school of affliction: it is good to wait quietly for the Lord’s deliverance and to submit to His yoke early in life (vv. 25–27); to accept divine chastening and human blows and insults without talking back (vv. 28–30); God’s rejection is neither final nor causeless; His compassion and mercies will always follow (vv. 31–33); the Lord does not approve of oppression, injustice, or the denial of rights (vv. 34–36); He is sovereign, His Word prevails, all things serve His will; to complain when He punishes sin is senseless (vv. 37–39).” MacDonald, W. Believer's Bible Commentary

3.    To “bear the yoke in his youth” means to willingly and humbly submit to discipline and training.  We are to humbly come before God to learn what he wants to teach us.

a.     This involves several important factors: (1) silent reflection on what God wants, (2) repentant humility, (3) self-control in the face of adversity, and (4) confident patience, depending on the divine Teacher to bring about loving lessons in our life.

b.    God has several long-term and short-term lessons for us right now. Are you doing your homework?

4.    We must trust God enough to change us as He leads us out of our comfort zones and into his growth and learning processes. It takes humility to choose this free of all resentment toward the Lord. But, too often anger, fear, and resentment are our response instead of humility and submission.

a.     Author Gail Sheehy asserted, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. It may mean a giving up of familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, relationships that have lost their meaning. As Dostoevsky put it, “taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” The real fear should be the opposite course”.

b.    Does Change Threaten You?

                                                                                      i.     A stubborn allegiance to old habits and traditions can sometimes seriously hinder maturing faith. Every believer should pay attention to that, because new life in Christ inevitably leads to innovation and timely change. Fear of change is understandable, but too much fear may be a sign of sinful resistance or of clinging to the past only because it feels safe and familiar.

                                                                                    ii.     Jesus understood our human tendency toward predictability and the natural resistance to new things. He also knew that not all changes are good, and He never advocated change for the sake of change.

                                                                                  iii.     But He warned against making tradition, particularly religious tradition, the standard by which all things should be tested (Luke 5:36–39). His parable of the wineskins pleads for at least the openness to considering something new. It affirms timely change in matters of growth and new life.

                                                                                  iv.     Are you resistant to the dynamics of change in your life, work, family, or church? If so, could you be resisting the very work of God or the ongoing dynamic of life itself? Pay attention to Jesus’ image of the wineskins!

5.    Jesus Christ was an innovator and God’s very own ‘Change Agent’ (Luke 5:27-39). Following him demands a willingness to brake with tradition and the old familiar to explore a fresh course plotted by the Spirit of God.

a.    “The tables of Law have been replaced by the tables of the human heart, where God's Spirit is writing the Word and making us like Jesus Christ (2 Cor 3:1-3,18).

Jesus Christ still offer's "all things new" (Rev 21:5). As the Physician, He offers sinners new life and spiritual health. As the Bridegroom He brings new love and joy. He gives us the robe of righteousness and the wine of the Spirit (Eph 5:18; also see Acts 2:13). Life is a feast not a famine or a funeral, and Jesus Christ is the only one who can make that kind of a difference in our lives.” (from The Bible Exposition Commentary)

b.    How do you feel about tradition? Someone has said that the seven last words of a church are: "We've never done it that way before." How do you react to change? Do you welcome it, fear it, embrace it, run away from it? The church is an institution with a tremendous heritage and tradition, much of it going all the way back to Jesus and the apostles, and some of it going back beyond that to the Old Testament forebears. These traditions should be respected but not worshiped. Jesus said as much in Luke 5:36-38, when he said that new wine must be put into new wineskins. Give yourself a quick mental examination: How often do you say things like "That will never work" or "Our last pastor never did it that way"? If those words sound familiar, you may need to ask God to help you stop idolizing tradition and start allowing him to work in your life and the life of your church in new and fresh ways.

c.     Do you retreat to the familiar? Have you ever watched a young child encounter some new aspect of life -- a first-time experience with ocean waves, or nuzzling a puppy, or a new taste sensation like a sour fruit? It can be comical to watch, but for the child, it can also seem overwhelming. Often, he or she will run quickly back to the safety and security of Mommy's or Daddy's arms. There is something in people that is both attracted to, and at the same time afraid of, the new and the novel. Jesus understood that, as evidenced by his words in Luke 5:39. He knew that people tend to gravitate toward the familiar and the comfortable. But those who only allow those kinds of experiences into their world rob themselves of the rich variety of experiences that God intends for them to have. Consider the child who lets fear of the unknown keep him from enjoying the ocean or puppies or sour fruits . . . and then, with God's help, commit to being open to whatever he sends your way, even if it is new, novel, and unknown.

d.      “Legalism is bound to produce pride of heart.” -- Watchman Nee

d.    God's Training Plan Requires Christians To Prepare The Next Generation.

1.    2 Tim. 4:1-2, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2.    As Paul reached the end of his life, he could look back and know he had been faithful to God’s call. Now it was time to pass the torch to the next generation, to prepare leaders to take his place so that the world would continue to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

a.     Timothy was Paul’s living legacy, a product of Paul’s faithful teaching, discipleship, and example. Because of Paul's work with many believers, including Timothy, the world is full of believers today who are also carrying on the work.

b.    What legacy will you leave behind? Whom are you training to carry on your work? It is our responsibility to do all we can to keep the gospel message alive for the next generation.