"Connected to Grow Together" - Message 4
40 Days of Community, week 5
For the past two years we have been working to become a "purpose-driven" church. We have learned that we are to love God through worship, love one another through fellowship, reach out into the community through ministry and into the world through mission. However, we have also learned that none of that will happen unless we begin the process of becoming more and more like Christ through discipleship.
In Col.4:12 Paul said that one of the goals of the Christian faith was
"...that you may become mature Christians and that you may fulfill God's will for you."That's what God wants us to do. He wants us to grow up. He said in Eph.4:14-15,
"We are not meant to remain as children... but to grow up in every way into Christ."
Once you become part of God’s family through the church, God wants you to grow up. That has been God’s goal for you all along. Romans 8:29 says
"For from the very beginning, God decided that those who came to him should become like his son."
One of the greatest things that could ever happen to a Christian would be for someone to say, "I see Christ in you," or "I see the love of God in you." That happens through discipleship.
During 40 Days of Community I hope that we are beginning to understand that we accomplish all the purposes of God in our lives better together. That is certainly true when it comes to discipleship. We need things like Bible study, worship, and prayer in our lives, but if we are going to become like Christ we also need each other. In fact, I don’t think we can grow effectively without other people’s help.
As I thought about this week’s theme: "We grow better together," in preparation for the sermon, I began by asking myself, "How do we help one another grow?" That led to a few other questions that I want to ask and attempt to answer this morning.
I began with the question, "What do I need to help me grow more like Christ?" As I thought about it, I realized that the first thing I needed was a desire to grow. Without a desire within me to be more Christ-like, not much is likely to happen! The New Testament writers often expressed this same desire.
"Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Jesus Christ" (Eph.4:15).
"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity..." (Heb.6:1). "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
(2 Pet.3:18). When it becomes our desire to grow more like Christ, we will.
As I thought more about what I need to help me grow more like Christ, I realized that desire alone is not enough. I also need fellow students to walk with me. When I was in college I did a couple of independent studies. Those were some of the toughest classes for me to finish. I found out quickly that I needed other people to help motivate me. I missed the group study sessions. I missed the interactions of other people. I found out that the saying is true: misery loves company. When I was struggling to learn a new concept, I so wanted to know I wasn’t the only one struggling. In much the same way, I now know if I am ever to mature, I need to be in the company of other people who also desire to learn and to grow more like Christ. I need fellow students to help me grow.
That is fine, but if I really want to grow, I also need teachers to train me. As I think back over my life, I have been blessed over the years by a number of people who took the time to teach me about Christ. I think about the seminary professors I had who dedicated their lives to teaching. I remember some of my Sunday School teachers who patiently took the time to teach me the 10 commandments and the names of the apostles and John 3:16. I am so glad that I didn’t have to learn all those things by myself. I know that in order to mature and grow, I have always needed good teachers in my life.
As I thought about that a little more, I realized that the best teachers were also the best role models. That’s why I can’t imagine living my life apart from the church. It is here that I have always found the most inspiring role models for my life. Friends, I may be your pastor but I am still learning and still growing, and many of you have become role models to me. There are areas of life that I haven’t traveled yet. As I see you living out your faith, applying what you know, you become a role model for me. Your witness, your faith, your trust in God humbles me and strengthens my resolve and helps me grow.
Finally, I realized that I always need a few mentors who will support me and encourage me on my journey. A mentor is simply someone, usually a little older and more experienced than you, who takes an interest in you, who is willing to come along side of you and help you, who doesn’t act so much like a teacher as a guide. A mentor is someone who sees the potential in you and pushes you to achieve it. A mentor calls you to reach higher and to go further than you ever would have on your own. I have needed - and I have had - some wonderful mentors in my life. My parents were mentors to me. A couple of pastors (Norris Steele and Jim McCay) and one youth director (Rusty Johnson) were mentors to me. One seminary professor in particular (Bob Lyons) took me in and pushed me and helped me grow. If you have had a good mentor in your life, you know how fortunate you are.
This morning we have Bill Craig as a wonderful example of what I’m talking about. Our entire community has recognized him as a life-long learner and a teacher for many students. Throughout his life he has been an example to others, not only for his love for music but also for his devotion to our community. However, I know that for a few Bill became a mentor, investing his life in theirs, pushing them to do their best, challenging them to grow, and always loving them. Bill, you are a good example of how one person can be a fellow student, a teacher, a role model and a mentor to others. You are a good example of what all of us should be doing in our church.
What do I need to help me grow more like Christ? I need a desire to grow and fellow students to walk with me through life. I need teachers dedicated to train me, some good role models to guide me, and a few mentors along the way. Does that make sense to you? Can you relate to this? We really do need each other to grow!
If those are the things you and I need in order to grow more like Christ, then the next question to ask is, "What can we do together to help others grow more like Christ?"
First, we need to cultivate a desire to help others. Too many Christians take a hands-off approach toward other church members. What if we truly realized that it isn’t all about us, that we are all fellow pilgrims on the same journey together, and that we have been put here to help one another? That would transform our church! Going back to another picture we have been using, the more we see each other as family, the more we will desire the best for one another and want to help each other grow like Christ.
Second, if we are going to help each other grow like Christ, we need to become lifelong learners ourselves. Let’s be a church that promotes learning. Let’s work together to create an atmosphere of high expectations in our church. If we really want to help others grow and mature, let’s make sure that we never stop growing in our own lives. Third, we can make a decision to be a teacher to someone else. For some of you, that will mean stepping up and helping with Sunday School or Wednesday Night Life. Maybe you will feel led to lead a Bible study. Perhaps you will take just a little more seriously your job as a parent to teach your children the basics of our faith.
Of course, we can choose to be good role models for others. All of us teach by example, whether you like it or not. Many of you will teach profound lessons without even knowing it as you simply live your lives of faith every day. You may not know that you are doing anything special, but someone who looks up to you will see how you responded with faith in a crisis, or met someone’s anger with love, and they will learn by your example and maybe even be inspired by it.
Finally, if we are going to help one another grow more and more like Christ, there may be times when we can offer support and encouragement as a mentor. Just as we need mentors in our lives, so there may be times when we get to be one. You may be able to mentor a child or youth, or maybe a younger adult struggling to find his or her way in the world. Be willing to step up with support and encouragement.
It should come as no surprise that Jesus himself embodied everything that I am talking about. In John 13 we find the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples in a show of humility and servanthood. In vs.12 he said,
"Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Lord," and "Teacher," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Jesus our teacher. Jesus our role model. Jesus our mentor.
As we look to Jesus Christ as our greatest role model, let’s remember that as his church we are at our best when we are helping one another as family. Let’s do all that we can to help one another grow into Christlike maturity. We are truly better together!
