April 14, 2010

Building Godly Character

Being mentored is not always easy. By nature, we do not enjoy being instructed or rebuked. It is easier for us to act as if we have all the answers, however, this is a dangerous thing. Humility should be a part of our lives as Christians. When we are humble we are willing to take instruction and even rebuke if we need it. As Christians we can learn from our Pastor’s and each other. Though I am educated as a Pastor, I probably have more Biblical and theological knowledge than the average Christian. I still understand the value of learning from others. Mentoring is God’s way of training the next generation. Jesus mentored His disciples. Moses mentored Joshua. Being mentored is tough, but we must allow ourselves to go through this process. I. Joshua allowed himself to be taught and disciplined. • Num. 11: 27-28 “Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!” 29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!” 30 Then Moses returned to the camp with the elders of Israel” II. Joshua obeyed his mentor. • Ex 17:10-13 “So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” III. Joshua successfully succeeded his mentor. • Deut. 31:1-4 “When Moses had finished giving these instructions[a] to all the people of Israel, 2 he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’ 3 But the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the LORD promised.” I encourage all of the youth here and adults to allow yourselves to be mentored. None of us will ever attain such knowledge that we cannot learn from others. Adults become a mentor. The act of being a mentor also teaches the mentor. Paul gives a mentors charge in Titus 2:1-8 • 1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY