Encouraging Equipping And Enlightening

Introduction

I have grown up in the Christian faith observing people’s lives being transformed by the Spirit of God. These people were always changed through a relationship or relationships they had with a mentor or mentors. Disciples are made through relationships.

The church must be more than just a social club. It must not be a place where we come to pay more money than the next fellow in order to get our way. It must be a place where we come to be encouraged and to encourage others in the ways and practices of Jesus the Christ, Yeshua Ha Mashiach. I have been taught from childhood that the church is the place where disciples are made. The church is to be a spiritual incubator where the disciple's kingdom desires are kept warm and growing.

The church must keep in mind that we are to encourage one another in Christian love and devotion.

A story is widely circulated on the internet about a memorable track event at the Seattle, WA, Special Olympics some years ago.

As the story is told, nine special needs youth all gathered at the starting line, anxiously awaiting the flag to begin their 100 yard dash. A few yards in, one young man stumbled to the ground. Face down and defeated, he lay on the track sobbing. It is reported that the other eight, hearing his sobs, all stopped in their tracks (pun intended!) and returned to help him up. Upon raising him from the ground and wiping his tears, it’s further reported that all nine then linked arms and jogged to the finish line together.

It’s a beautiful story, isn’t it? Only thing is, it’s not true. At least not “all together” true. Spectators at the 1976 Seattle Special Olympics recall that the race started as described, and one young man did indeed fall to the ground. At that point though, they recall, a “couple” of the other kids stopped, helped him to his feet, and joined him, crossing the finish line together. It’s a subtle difference, but a significant one. We like to liken our experience in the Christian life to events such as these. But the similarities are true only to a point. Many Christian authors, bloggers, and commentators have referenced this event, likening it to the responsibility of the fellowship of believers to “be there” for each other, to see the hardships each one of us faces, and to help each other to finish line, in tact and mutually victorious. APPLICATION Just as it is unrealistic to believe that every one of those special needs athletes were utterly selfless— much less even aware that the young man behind them had fallen— it is likewise unrealistic to expect that everyone in our church is ready to be utterly selfless, putting the needs and encouragement of others above their own. Neither is it realistic to think that everyone in our church is even aware of our downfall or need). When we stumble and fall, the entire church may not see our dilemma or hear our cries for help. But if we’ve been faithful in fellowship, transparent in our relationships, and accountable in our actions, there will be those to whom we’ve drawn close who will see our trouble or hear our cries for help. We are indeed called to bear one another’s burdens. At the very least, as a church, we should function as this race really played out—with those of us who see or hear of another’s struggles stopping to lift our brother or sister up and help carry them over the finish line. In this way, we share in each other’s victorious, and indeed more fully share in the victory of Christ Himself. “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

ENCOURAGE THEM

God the son clothed himself in humanity, came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Messiah,, the anointed one of Israel to encourage men and women. To walk alongside us and show us the way into the kingdom of God.

Jesus focused on a few. The text says, "He appointed twelve that they might be with him" (Mark 3:14).

Jesus spent most of his time with this disciples because that was the only way to transfer his manner, his message, and his mission into their lives. If we are to follow Jesus's model, we are to understand that "disciples are made through intentional, purposeful, relationships where we walk alongside one another, encouraging, equipping. ENLIGHTENING, and challenging each other to maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well. Disciples Must create relationships with and encourage other disciples. What is this type of Holy encouragement? This holy encouragement lifts somebody's heart towards God. Encourage somebody by showing them that God is using them. Encourage someone by telling them that everything they're going through is under God's control. Encourage them by letting them know that God sees their hardship and God cares. Encourage them by letting them know that God is with them right now, always, and forever. This is how we establish relationship with others that will draw them close to Christ.

EQUIP THEM

The Bible is not only a message book, but it is also a method. Jesus not only gives us the content of the good news of the kingdom of God (the message). But He also shows us how (the method) to embed and multiply the message in and through the lives of would-be disciples. Let them know that God is at work even at your job. Are you displaying Jesus on your job? DO you Worship God while you work? I'm not talking about singing praise songs and shouting Jesus out loud. I'm talking about going about your daily work as if you are working unto the Lord. And guess what? ^You are! Right now I'm equipping you but I’m also showing you how to equip others. To equip others takes deep relational investment. This is so the disciple may internalize the message of Christ, and so the life of Christ may be reproduced in ones’ very being. Preaching is important to get one in the Kingdom, but it takes time spent in being mentored to create a disciple.

Every person you know, given the right set of circumstances, will disappoint you.  Many of them probably have already! Who hasn’t been the victim of broken promises, or lying, or betrayal, or even abuse?

Don’t take it too personally.   People are fallen, self-centered creatures.  Even by human standards, we are all dysfunctional, unable to love the way God intended.  So, in order to maximize the benefits of your various relationships, you must learn to keep your dependency on others in proper perspective.

Remember the training wheels that helped you to learn how to ride your bike when you were a kid?  You must come to see people as training wheels, preparing you for something bigger.

In these relationships you learned the importance of telling the truth and of keeping promises; you learned how to find comfort and receive assurance; you learned how to serve and to be served.  You also learned to look to people for affirmation and inspiration.  This dependency was necessary for your social development and maturity. Our human mentoring relationship is like riding our bike with training wheels.

But at some point, as you became more skilled, the training wheels began to scrape and bump the road, slowing you down. They also prevented you from leaning into the turns and enjoying the full experience of the ride.  Training wheels are great for learning how to ride, but eventually, they will begin to hold you back.

Your dependency on people works the same way.  At some point, you will discover that dependency on people has made the journey more difficult.  Rather than just propping you up, you begin to see that the people in your life do just as much to hold you back.

No one enters the Tour de France with training wheels.  Neither can you break free so long as you are riding through life depending on people when you should be leaning entirely on God.  For it is only when the wheels are finally removed, and the drag and restrictions are gone, that you will finally be able to ride freely.

The hope and trust we have been taught to place in people finds its rightful place in God.  Unlike people, God loves us perfectly.  The comfort He offers us isn’t temporary or fickle, but eternal and sure.  He will never lie to us, never betray us and never abuse us.  He is our joy and our reason for living.

So, never forget, people are training wheels, God is the ride!

"This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord ...  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him" (Jeremiah 17:5,7).

THis is what it means to be baptized in the Name Nature and Character of the Holy One of Israel Jesus!

ENLIGHTEN THEM

Power

Glory

Love