Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church

Introduction:

1. The Randy Moss story

Two weeks ago walked off the field before the game was over.

Like being on a committee and walking out early just bec/

Last week gave an obscene jester to the Green Bay audience.

Ripped up by sportscasters over and again.

Lack of leadership; putting himself ahead of the team.

2. Her husband had everything: wealth, privilege, position, and a royal title. But she won over the world.

In the late summer of 1997 people were jolted by the death of two women: Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. Very different. One tall, young, glamorous princess from England who circulated in highest society. The other a Nobel Peace Prize recipient was a small, elderly Catholic Albanian nun who served the poorest of the poor in India.

But their impact was remarkably similar. In 1996 the London Daily Mail published a poll of the world’s most caring people. Princess Diana and Mother Teresa were voted first and second. How did Diana come to be considered in the same way as Mother Teresa?

Married in 1981, viewed by 1 billion people.

Shy kindergarten teacher, a commoner. In time she adjusted to her role. Started traveling, representing the royal family.

Made it her goal to serve others and to raise funds for charitable causes.

Built important relationships with politicians, organizers of causes, entertainers and heads of state.

At first just a spokesperson and catalyst for fund-raising.

As time passed her influence increased

Started rallying people to causes such as AIDS research, leprosy, ban on land minds. Even met with Clinton about the issue and weeks later the American administration changed its position to then support the Oslo conference call to ban the devices. Patrick Fuller of the British Red Cross said, “The attention she drew to the issue influced Clinton. She put the issue on the world agenda, there’s no doubt about that.”

When she died, 2.5 billion people watched her funeral.

3. This message is about spiritual parenting and leadership

What price must we pay to spiritually impact others?

Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions! Barna

I. The Price of Leadership

4:11-13 The Plain Truth About the Lifestyle of An Apostle

The “Way of the Cross” Displayed in the Apostles

A. The Price the Apostles Paid to Be Spiritual Parents

1. The Apostles were needy
And no wonder the apostles where thought to be fools.

In the cause of Christ they go hungry and thirsty

They do not were the latest in fashion design or even cloths

In the best of shape.

John 4:32-34 ” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” NIV

2. The Apostles were willing to be mistreated for the cause of C

They are mistreated (cuffed – arrested)

They often do not know where they will sleep the night

God chose Paul and the apostles because He knew they were willing to pay any price to go the distance.

Luke 9:57-60 ” As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the (spiritually) dead bury their own (physically) dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”” NIV

3. The Apostles identified with those who work hard

Acts 20:34-35 ” You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” NIV

4. The Apostles where objects of ridicule

As objects of ridicule they counteracted normal reactions

When cursed / reviled (abused verbally)

– we bless (speak well of with kind words, good wishes and

prayers) implore good upon. We return abuse with kind

words.

Being persecuted (physical abuse)

- we patiently submit to it without complaint

Being defamed (having evil deeds and motives ascribed to us)

- we entreat (exhort with kindness instead of answering back with

anger.

5. They were viewed as scum

“We are made the filth of the earth”

The sweepings of the floor, scum, filth = the lowest of humanity

We have become the world’s scapegoats, the scum of the earth to this day.

Criminals condemned to death to cleanse the city of human

filth. Can you imagine how this felt?

Vance Havner

“God uses broken things. Broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.”

Principle: that which has life must be broken so that the life within can come out. Everything we rely on and trust in stripped away so that Christ is exalted in our lives.

The Christian life is not a life of repression or suppression.

It is the life of Christ released within me living through us so that we can live effectively for Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ” But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. ” NASB95

(See also 2 Cor 6:4-10; 11:23-33)

B. This is the price Christ paid. It is the “Christ way”

1 Peter 2:23 ” and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ” NASB95

Matthew 5:43-45 ” “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” NIV

Luke 6:28 ” bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” NIV

Galatians 2:20 ” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” NIV

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” NIV

This is God’s call for every Christian.

And it is only in heading the call, enlisting in the company of the committed that we can truly influence others for Christ.

C. Why Were They Willing to Pay This Price?

1. They wanted to really “know” Christ

Philippians 3:7-11 ” But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” NIV

2. They wanted to lift up Christ

Philippians 1:20 ” I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” NIV

Taking the telescope off ourselves.

Placing it on Christ. He is glorious. But he must be lifted up for the world to be drawn to Him.

3. They wanted to proclaim Christ

1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-24 ” Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” NIV

The issue is not my reputation but the welfare of the gospel. Whatever serves the gospel best is what should be done.

It is so easy for us to forget our mission!

“To know Christ and make Him known”

“Come (to know Christ), grow (in your obedience to Him), go (serve Him).”

“Our Mission is to introduce people to Jesus Christ and help them become His fully devoted followers.”

Our vision is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth for the glory of God and the joy of all peoples.

II. Motivated by A Father’s Heart, 4:14-17

A. Why he saying all this

1. Not to shame them – this isn’t about blame and shame!

2. But to give them a fatherly warning.

B. A father who give them life, 4:15

The basis of Paul’s appeal is his relationship!

I’m your spiritual father! Many guardians. Only one father.

C. An example worth imitating, 4:16

I believe that transforming children / others into spiritual champions is not as mysterious as we might think.

This role comes to those willing to learn and live the lifestyle of Christ.

Warren Webster: “If I had my life to live over again I would live it to change the lives of men. Because you have not changed a thing until you’ve changed the lives of men.”

“Don’t leave a better world for your children. Leave better children for the world.”

Matthew 4:19 ” “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”” NIV

Mark 3:14 ” He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach”

1 Peter 2:21-24 ” To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” NIV

Association – Not merely academic training. Learning a lifestyle.

1 Corinthians 4:15-16 “in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” NIV

1 Corinthians 11:1 ” Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” NIV

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 “You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” NIV

Howard Hendricks used to say, “Children will develop their mother’s heart but they will adopt the father’s lifestyle.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” ESV

Most Christians stay in a stage of spiritual immaturity for many years because there is no one to take an interest in their growth in Christ.

Every young believer out to be able to sayd, “Thank you God that there is one person who is concerned with my growth in Christ.”

D. Timothy’s Unique Role, 4:17

1 Corinthians 4:17 ” For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” NIV

2 Timothy 2:2 ” And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” NIV

How to Influence Others:

1. Go out of your way.

2. Demonstrate your love for them by showing interest in them.

3. Develop the ability to put them at ease so they can share what’s really on their minds.

4. Be available to them.

5. Listen to them. Value what they say.

6. Pray for them.

7. Accept them as they are not as you want them to be.

8. Be real and transparent.

9. Sharpen your vision of what they can become and share what you “see”.

10. Take personal responsibility for their spiritual development.

Philippians 2:20-22 ” I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” NIV

Influence: the over the long haul process of putting Christ’s interests ahead of our desire for personal comfort.

Numbers 27:15-20 Moses and Joshua

1 Kings 19, Elijah and Elisha

1 Chronicles 10, David and his mighty men.

Principle: Those worth believing and following are those who live the “Christ way”.

Story: Process – 21 Laws of Leadership

III. An Apostolic Warning, 4:18-21

My brother Dan and I recently reminisced about times we’d sailed with Dad on Lake Michigan. We remembered violent storms with 50-mile-an-hour winds. The other sailors would dash for the harbor, but Dad, smiling from ear to ear, would say, “Let’s head out farther!” We talked about tough decisions we saw him make. We winced, remembering his firm hand of discipline that blocked our rebellious streaks.

Yet for 25 years he spent nearly every Sunday afternoon standing in front of 100 mentally retarded women at the state mental hospital. Few of them could even sing, but he patiently led them in a song service, knowing it made them feel loved. Afterward our 6′ 3″, 220-pound dad stood by the door while each of those disheveled, broken women planted kisses on his cheek.

Citation: Bill Hybels, “Dad’s Mark,” Men of Integrity (July/August 2004)

We Were Soldiers chronicles the true story of the first American battle in Vietnam during the 1960s. Although the battle for civil rights waged on back in the United States, black and white fought together on the battlefield.

In this scene, Colonel Moore (Mel Gibson) and Sergeant Plumley (Sam Elliott) are training a group of young lieutenants and their men for the battle ahead. After an intense hike in full army gear in the hot and humid mid-summer weather, the soldiers stop for a rest. They are tired, sweaty, and sore.

Second Lieutenant Jack Geogehegan (Chris Klein) notices the grimace on Private First Class Willie Godboldt’s face caused by his badly blistered feet.

The young Lieutenant says, “Godboldt, take your boots off. Everyone, take your boots off, your socks too.”

Then the Lieutenant squats down next to Godboldt, an African American private, and holds up his bloody, blistered feet for closer inspection.

“I want you to draw fresh socks from supply,” the Lieutenant orders, “and keep your feet dusted with powder.”

He pats the private on the knee, then says to the rest of the company, “Everyone check each other’s feet like Godboldt and me.”

Standing at a distance, Colonel Moore witnesses the scene. He turns to his Sergeant and says, “Now, that man’s a leader.”

“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Plumley replies.

Lieutenant Geogehegan models servant-leadership, later giving his life in an attempt to rescue a wounded soldier.

The film The Alamo is a historical reenactment of the 1836 siege of the San Antonio fort, in which a small band of brave Texans were killed by General Santa Anna’s Mexican army. Among those who died in the battle were famous frontiersmen Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett.

Before the Alamo, Crockett’s exaggerated exploits were made famous through plays about his life. Folk lore portrayed Davy Crockett as a bigger-than-life champion who “wore a coonskin cap, jumped the Mississippi River, caught a cannonball, and rode a lightning bolt.” For the doomed defenders who are surrounded and trapped inside the Alamo, the heroic Crockett is a source of courage.

On a dark evening inside the Alamo, Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) and Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) stand near a fire. Crockett looks out at the wide-open Texas land. Bowie wraps himself in a blanket and asks, “Makes a man ponder the possibilities doesn’t it?” But then Bowie turns to Crockett’s reputation for coonskin caps and frontier heroism: “What happened to your cap? Crawl away?”

“No,” Crockett replies, “I only wear it when it’s extra cold. The truth is, I only started wearing that thing because of that feller in that play they did about me. People expect things.”

“Ain’t it so,” Bowie says. “Can I ask you something?”

“All right.”

“Now which was tougher, jumping the Mississippi or riding that lightning bolt?”

Suddenly, a cannon fires in the distance, and Bowie asks, “Can you catch a cannonball?”

Crockett says, “If it was just me, simple old David from Tennessee, I might drop over that wall some night and take my chances. But that Davy Crockett feller—they’re all watchin’ him.”