A Spiritual Mentor and Surrender to God’s Will

And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, “What shall I do, Lord?” Acts 22:9-10

INTRO: Is Paul’s story the classic model of surrender?

He was at war with God – in Paul’s case, his religious fanaticism was the cause of their conflict
– for Paul to surrender, he had to be knocked down – broken
• for his eyes to be opened, he had to be blinded
– when he tells his story later, adds a line

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you  to kick against the goads (Acts 26:11)

• the goad was a long pole used to prod oxen when they resisted the harness
• “What shall I do, Lord?” — at this point Paul stopped fighting Jesus
– but this isn’t God’s only strategy – it’s only one way some people are brought to surrender

A spiritual mentor helps us learn to surrender to God’s will

In fact, a mentor can greatly assist us this area of development
– we have to find our way through it individually
• surrender comes more easily for some
• there are people who panic at the idea of surrendering control — or the illusion of control Continue reading →

A spiritual mentor will help us discern the will of God

And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Mark 8:15

INTRO: We live too far from the times of Jesus to be shocked by this warning

Imagine I said, “Watch out! Beware the leaven of the Evangelicals”
– most people assumed the Pharisees were doing religion the way it was supposed to be done
• they were the trusted authorities on the Torah and religious issues for the common folk
– but Jesus is telling the disciples, “Their influence will not take you to the same place that I’m leading you”
• leaven in his teaching: only takes a little, permeates, and has significant effects (Mt. 13:33)

Mark doesn’t tell us what Jesus meant by “leaven”
– Matthew says it was their “teaching,” Luke says “hypocrisy”
• perhaps Mark intended for us to take the challenge and discern what Jesus meant
• a “test” to see if our eyes see and our ears hear
– the point is, there were problems that Jesus wanted his disciples to avoid

We have begun to examine the role of a spiritual mentor
– one of their most important services is to discern and to help us discern God’s will

When I decided to address spiritual mentors, I put discernment on the list

But at the time, it was only a topic – an important one and much discussed, but not something I was passionate about
– then, Tuesday night I got a phone call that turned me around Continue reading →

Spiritual Mentoring And Our Prayer Life

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:6-8

INTRO: If John Howell is not here when we meet on Sunday, it’s because his church that morning is on a mountainside (or valley), usually in the Sierras, Sequoias, or a local mountain or desert

He frequently posts breath-taking photos of pristine lakes and sharp-edged mountains outlined against a blue sky background
– it is as if through his photographs you can feel his sense of awe and worship
– but his arduous hikes require proper gear, education, training and experience
• some of his challenging climbs he uses to prepare himself for more difficult ascents

There is a biblical precedent for using mountain climbing as a metaphor for spiritual growth
– both Moses and Elijah had God-encounters when they ascended Mount Sinai
• Jesus delivered his most famous sermon on a mountain, prayed on a mountain, was transfigured on a mountain, and gave his life on Mount Calvary
– God has called us to venture on a spiritual journey with him
• I’ve come to see that the point of this journey is not to reach a destination in this life
• it’s about what we learn and become along the way
– the journey is where our faith is tested and formed, hope is established, and our love is deepened Continue reading →

Spiritual Mentors

I ill instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Don’t be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near you. Psalm 32:8-9

INTRO: If you got to choose a spiritual mentor, that is to say, someone who would help you grow in God,

Would you prefer:
– Moses (the law-giver)? Elijah (the miracle-worker)? or Paul (the theologian and mystic)?
– why?

Christianity began as a relationship between a mentor and his mentees
– of course, Jesus was more than a mentor to disciples, he was their Savior and Lord
• but how fortunate for them, to have their Savior and Lord for their mentor
– what kind of spiritual help did he give them?
• the list is long, but he especially provided insight and guidance in response to their requests and questions
○ “Lord, teach us to pray,” “Why could we not cast it out,” “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must first come,” etc.

Keeping in step with the flow of western history, through the centuries Christian theologians put increasing emphasis on the rational side of the faith
• mentors were replaced by educators, pastors became professors,
○ and in some circles, there was more information than transformation
○ the life of the mind eclipsed the life of the spirit
– but to go forward with just the mind, eventually dries up the soul
• that is why lots of Evangelical Christians are looking for spiritual mentors rather than awesome Bible teachers
• they want personal assistance in finding a richer, truer life with Christ Continue reading →