The message in this sermon was about mentorship and what we need to do to live our lives abundantly and bring up those who wish to walk with Jesus as well. Its primary reference in scripture is the book of Acts.
Before Service
The church we’re visiting this morning is The Rock Church in San Diego, CA. This church is widely known in San Diego. It was started back in 2000 and now has multiple locations. The one we are attending today is their head quarters. I’m very fortunate to have been recommended to this church by a friend here, and also fortunate that today The Katinas, a Christian vocalist group, is leading the worship service.
I arrive for the 10am service at about 8:45am and enter through the main doors. Upon entering everyone is so courteous. Everyone knows and feels the significance of the reason we are there. I walk through the lobby and make my way to the information desk where a young makes eye contact with me—welcoming me and asking if there is anything I need he may help me with. There are a few televisions scattered throughout the lobby area as the 8am service is still running. Right when I entered the church I could feel the energy within it. It was like there was an essence that not only knew the love of Jesus but that it was super charged with warm flowing hyper beams of Light.
I meandered through their gift shop and selected a few (several) items I wanted to purchase after service. This was a big deal because I’m a total minimalist, and for me to want to purchase something–especially while on vacation–was a big huge deal. Their items for purchase spoke to me on such a deep level. Continuing on, I soon found there was a cafe area where they served breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on the time you were at the service—and everything was reasonably priced. I was a kid in a candy shop and it was like everyone near me knew it. They even had local art for sale—all related to visions of His scripture. I took a picture of one that truly inspired me and sent it to a close friend of mine. It is shown to the left.
I went through the line, ordered a gourmet coffee and half of a breakfast burrito, then sought someone I could sit with to rejoice with over breakfast. I sat by a man who was working on his iPad at a table by himself. Through him I met another pastor of the church and that pastor’s wife. I then ventured out the door and met the stage manager for The Katina’s, and let him know I would love to have the opportunity to meet them after the show. Perry graciously text me during the service and let me know where I needed to be to meet the guys and snap a photo for this post. A lot to accomplish with no prior warning I would be at service that day and I’m very appreciative for everything Perry did to help me.
The Sermon
I enter the large harvest hall, the energy in the room is spinning. After a few amazing songs of worship by The Katina’s, Pastor Miles comes out and starts today’s message. The theme for the message today was about teachers. Who can we be a teacher for and who can teach us? How can we use the gift’s we’ve already received from God to learn and grow, and who can we help others along their path as well?
Acts 5:17-29
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
We see this happening today. Large corporations out there are training people to do their work for them—to not give them all the information so that they will continue to work while the ones on top reverse the empowerment of their employees so they never lose their power. Back in Biblical times it was the same story. The ones who had all the power, the ones that knew this “secret” didn’t want others to know about it. So when people would teach the word of God they would send them to prison. They didn’t want others knowing about the ability they all had to live an abundant life—they were greedy–so they taught the teachers not to teach.
We see it happening today. People refusing their teaching because of monetary figures. We don’t offer certain services because of the fear people are going to use it against us—or use the information they gained from us for their own personal benefit. Is it really about benefit? If one teaches another—why wouldn’t the student then become a teacher if the information is good? Large empires aren’t the answer. Small societies or brands of leadership and empowerment are. We need not to incorporate–but build a society of teachers. Everyone is a teacher, and we ought enable everyone we teach to turn around and teach their newfound knowledge to others. Everyone is a genius and a teacher. If we all learned from one another about how our world works we could gain that stronger, broader understanding for how we can work together to fix each others problems, overcome poverty, war, and achieve world peace.
Luke 9:48
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
This scripture reiterates the fact we were all created equal. To withhold teaching or direction is not the answer. The answer is to seek more guidance when in the time of need, and offer it when called upon. A practice I’ve implemented is to test the waters to ensure you are the right person to be providing said guidance, and if there is someone better suited to provide for them then do just that. There is one last thing I need to say about what the Bible says about mentorship before closing out this lesson–and its perhaps the most important.
Proverbs 11:14
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
I want to iterate two points from this verse. First, its important to have and ask several sources. Second, it is extremely important to consider your sources. Do not be lead astray by your source. If you needed a haircut–would you take advice from a car dealer? No, you’d consult a stylist. So with any venture you seek guidance make sure the one whom you’re entrusting to lead you is well accomplished in their field. Don’t believe everything you hear. Question everything and stay course.
Go out and find who your teachers are. Find who it is you can teach. Find your Barnabus.
Listen to the entire message by clicking here
- So grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you guys. Be sure to follow them @TheKatinas and check out their newest album “Love Chapter” on iTunes!
Your Turn
How has God sent people into your life to provide you the mentorship when you needed it the most? How has this scripture helped you?
How has God sent people into my life to provide me with mentorship when I needed it the most?
God has sent a ton of people into my life to provide me with mentorship! I am going through a very difficult time right now in my life and through the prayer of a lot of family and concerned close friends— I have been flooded with a ton of support when I really need it the most. I am now enjoying my freedom which was once lost because of a dark and abusive relationship, which I never thought would happen to me. I have gone to a variety of counselors and they were very good for a number of reasons. They have helped me realize what kind of danger I was in and how I might take the steps, if I wanted to, get out of the crisis. I thank God for a mother and father who love me so much and never gave up on me through a really difficult time. All my close family and friends are mentors that God has provided me with. I can also thank a close friend, Heath. He has helped mentor and lift me up at this very difficult time in my life. He has helped me see how talented, smart, and cool I can really be if I set my eyes on God and the talents and gifts that He has blessed me with to be an inspiration to others around me in my world. We can have a bigger impact then we could ever imagine on others everyday! Being grateful for every moment of our life, having a vision for our life, and focusing on our good qualities, can help us be an impact on others in a positive way and lift others up who are on a path of not really going anywhere in life.
Wow, Alicia, I love your enthusiasm! Having had the opprotunity to grow with you has been an amazing experience. To think its only been a month. I agree with what you’ve said on all points. I’ve never been so happy about a comment in my whole life–thank you for all your kind words and definately making my day. Oh, and btw–happy birthday :-)