Get  FAT not fatter

Faithfulness, Availability, and Teachable are the focus of our talk today.

In the book, Christ in Men…Today, we see these character qualities in detail. This will be just a 30,000 ft. view.

Can we agree

that character counts? Society at large doesn’t seem to think so anymore. Signs of slippage are everywhere especially in the political arena—both sides. But we march to a different drummer. Our commanding officer hasn’t, nor will He ever, change our orders. Christ is our character model. Scripture  gives us a thorough picture of God’s faithfulness. A favorite verse is Lamentations 3:22-24, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I have hope in Him.’”

Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” What does that mean? Only true friends, those who love us enough to tell us the truth even when it hurts, are worthy to be called “friend.” Some will tell lies to flatter or con us into some action that will benefit them and not necessarily us. Jesus told His church in Smyrna, “…be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10). Faithfulness benefits us now by being a true friend and also when Christ comes with His reward. (Rev. 22:12).

It’s been said

that the only ability God looks for is “avail-ability.” God told Jeremiah, “Roam the streets of Jerusalem… If you can find a man… if there is one who does justice…then I will pardon her [Israel]” (Jer. 5:1). “Then I [Isaiah] heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.!’” (Isa. 6:8). Ask most pastors, “Who does most of the ministry at your church?” He’ll likely answer the same 20% over and over. Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2).

Why does God have such a hard time finding volunteers? Is it because the pastor gets paid and we think, “it’s not my job?” Or could it be we don’t have Christ’s heart for the lost? Might it be we don’t feel “qualified” to share the gospel? May I remind us that it’s “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6). Spoiler alert: The power is not in us being winsome or clever of speech. The power is in the Word of God. Unleash it. Let it out to do its work. And then stand back and watch the Spirit have His way.

What are some qualities

of one who is teachable? He learns from others, from experience, from nature. He studies to know the truth found in Scripture. He is open to change. He is discerning. He is humble. One common denominator I’ve noticed in people who are not teachable is a lack of humility. All learning starts when we admit we don’t know everything and can learn from everybody we meet.

Humility says, “Everything I have (talents, skills, looks, intelligence, etc.) was given to me (1 Cor. 4:7), I didn’t create myself, nor add to the package.” Humility also considers all men to be my equal and doesn’t look down on anybody. Why should we keep learning? Paul tells Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul goes on, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Apparently, God expects us to know and teach the truth of His word. If we stick to Scripture without throwing in our two cents, we needn’t be ashamed because we are accurate in our teaching. Beware of the preacher who only preaches topically. Is he an ear-tickler?

So how do we do this?

We feast on the meat of the Word of God. We snack on the promises of God. We exercise the worship and praise of God. Did not King David leap and dance before the Lord? (2 Sam. 6:16). As with any exercise program, we must be committed to see it through. Our growth doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a lifelong pursuit. The Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2)