Spiritual Parenting
(Are you a Child; a Daughter or Son; or a Spiritual Mother or Father?)
May 24, 2020

Good morning and Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Welcome to the Sunday morning message for May 24, 2020, at Cross Creek Community Church in lovely Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach Florida.

I hope you’ve already worshiped to the setlist music we’ve provided. It’s always so good to center ourselves in the Lord through His Holy Spirit before we ever bring His message from His Word to you. If you didn’t worship before, please do so afterwards.

This weekend is more than just the kickoff to the summer, believe it or not!
It’s also a weekend set aside to remember those who gave their lives for our country.
President Trump said he would also dedicate this weekend to those who lost their lives to the covid-19 virus. We join him in praying for comfort for those families and friends this weekend. In fact, let’s pray. [Pray those words, and protection for those viewing…]

I hope you’ll take time to watch the brief video “Freedom isn’t Free” on our FB page. Also, I highly recommend the Memorial Day Concert tonight at 8p. It’s always a very beautiful and moving tribute to the men and women of our armed services who’ve given their lives for us. And I hope you’ll think about Jesus Christ, most of all, through this whole weekend. I can’t think of anyone who’s ever given of their life more intentionally to save others, than Him. If you don’t know Him already, this Memorial Day, I hope you’ll begin…

Many of us think of beloved parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts who have gone on before us who served our country in the Armed Forces, this special weekend.
For many of us, they were our parents.
We thank them for, remember, and honor, their sacrifice.

Memorial Day falls between Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, every year!
We honor our moms. We honor our dads. And we remember, in between.
So it seems only fitting that today we think about our spiritual parents, too.

Who was it in your life that mentored you spiritually?
Who coached you in how to know Christ and be filled with His Holy Spirit.
Who taught you how to pray? How to tithe?
Who showed you how to read the Bible? (Or as a child, read it to you?)
Who trained you, supported you, corrected you, was there for you, and believed in you?
Please let them know how much you appreciate how they invested in your life. Drop them a note. Give them a call.
And let’s decide that we, in turn, want to invest in the lives of others, too.

In our Dove Elders book, there’s a great story at the beginning of the chapter entitled “Investing in Spiritual Sons and Daughters.”
It tells the story of a man named Don Finto, and a young man he spiritually fathered.
His name was Michael W. Smith.
Michael W. Smith, of course, is the contemporary Christian singer many of us have listened to and worshiped with for many years. In our family, he’s especially loved because he’s from my mom’s same hometown of Kenova, W.Va.!

For over twenty years, Finto laughed, cried, worshiped, prayed and traveled with Smith in a father-son type of relationship. Smith said “I could write a book about Finto. He’s my daddy in the Lord. I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it hadn’t been for Don.”
Do you have a daddy, or mommy, in the Lord? Someone who believed in you when no one else did? Someone who could see more in you than you could see in yourself?
Good spiritual parents take responsibility for their spiritual children.
They have compassion for them.

If you’re still a child, spiritually, ask the Lord to place someone in your life who can pay close attention to you and nudge you towards spiritual maturity. Pray for someone who is spiritually mature who will sow into your life, eventually bringing you to the point where you can become a spiritual parent yourself.

And if you are spiritually mature, and fit the criteria we’ll mention soon, please ask the Lord who He would have you be a spiritual papa or mama to.

This is a time of year when graduates are honored too. We give a shout out to them today as well. Especially this year where graduations are like no other! Congrats Grads!
When we spiritually parent someone and they eventually “graduate,” there’s no greater joy than to see someone you’ve sown spiritual seed into blossom and grow and produce great fruit for the Kingdom of God. There is no greater joy than to be used by the Lord to further His kingdom. The rewards of that work and commitment will last forever.

The elders of our church are committed to doing this with the next generation of leaders. But everyone is expected to grow up spiritually, just as babies become children and then eventually, adults. God’s will is for everyone to become a spiritual parent. But you must grow up, first.

Let’s let this Memorial Day 2020 be a time we look back on one day and say, that was when the Kingdom got a Big Boost as people looked at themselves through the lens of a pandemic and said, let’s make a big difference eternally! Let’s do this! Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday too. As one Dove leader recently said, “Let’s stir faith and expectancy for breakthrough and miracles!” Where do you need breakthrough? Where do you need a miracle? Let’s begin to seek God for that right now!

Did you know it takes an average of two months to develop a habit that sticks?
We’ve been “sheltering in place” for the most part, for two months now.
What habit have you developed that you want to keep practicing?

Some of us have picked up the habit of rest. Some of us, Zoom meetings. Others of us, exercising outdoors. Probably most of us, frequent handwashing!
(And all the medical personnel say… YEA! Finally!)

What have you done to grow closer to God, to grow spiritually? What spiritual habits might you have begun practicing two months ago that you’ll keep? Practicing new spiritual disciplines? Reading the Bible? Prayer?

Let’s take a little test. People love to take self-exams on Facebook all the time.
(We might want to cut back on that as it opens us up to computer viruses…)
The self tests tell people all kinds of wonderful things we want to hear about ourselves.

So let’s take a little test this morning. Do you think you’re a Child, Daughter/Son, or Adult when it comes to where you are spiritually?

If you’re a child you want “fed.” You don’t read the Bible for yourself, or pray, or practice many if any spiritual disciplines. You want to be read to. Sometimes. And prayed for. But rarely pray for others. And certainly not out loud. And spiritual disciplines? What are those? You are still learning what it means to follow Jesus.

If you’re a son/daughter, you may have begun to read the Bible for yourself. You might even have memorized a Scripture or two. You may even know the books of the Bible in order. You probably pray. And maybe even for others.

But if you’re a grown-up, spiritually, the Word of God lives in you! You’ve learned to apply the Bible to your own lives. When you are tempted or challenged, you know what God’s Word says and you know what to do (or not to do) to overcome! You love to tithe at least 10% of your net income because your heart is so thankful to the Lord for all He has provided for you. You enjoy giving offerings too. You love to serve others. You’ve learned to use the strength of spiritual discipline, of prayer, and the study of the Word.

On April 1, we happily became officially engaged to Dove International. This humble, Spirit-filled, Bible believing family of God loves to see people grow to become spiritual parents.
From one of the books, it says “God’s will is for everyone to become a spiritual parent.” (“Elders,” p. 166-67.) On Mother’s Day, when I finally got on Facebook later that morning, I invited everyone to pray about who they can spiritually parent.

But I want to amend that invitation.
Not everyone is ready to be a spiritual parent.
First we need to identify where we are in our spiritual growth. Then, determine to get to the next level. And, eventually, that of a spiritual parent. Ask God to help, He will!
{Pray…]

Here are FIVE characteristics of someone who is qualified to be a spiritual mother or father. See which ones apply to you. Then ask the Lord to grow you in any which don’t:

1) Spiritual fathers and mothers are mature believers who have grown and become fruitful in their Christian walk;
2) They have a profound and thorough knowledge of Jesus through knowing His Word.
3) They are deeply acquainted with God and have a strong passion for Jesus.
4) They understand what it takes to be a spiritual parent and
5) Are willing to pay the price to become one. (From “The Biblical Role of Elders for Today’s Church.”)

Just as a natural parent pours his or her life into their chlild, so a spiritual parent does too. Paying the price sounds like a Memorial Day thought. How willing are we to pay the price of investing into someone else’s life?
First, let’s invest in our own, if we haven’t already! Let’s grow up in Christ and demonstrate the fruit of God’s spirit in our lives.
Let’s get so much of the Bible into us that it oozes out. Let’s really get to know God and not be lukewarm about our faith or our savior. Let’s make it a priority!
And then let’s help others along their faith journey too!

Our vision statement for Cross Creek Community Church is to be a body of Christ with “fully devoted followers of Christ impacting communities for God.”

We cannot impact communities for God if we are not fully devoted followers.
Beloved online Facebook viewers, we warmly invite you to become a part of this church home if you don’t already have one. Just send a message to our webpage: crosscreekcommunitychurch.org, and we’d LOVE to follow up with you.

If you are a part of this body but feel as if you might be a child spiritually, and want to grow, and need a spiritual parent, please let us know that too. We will be in prayer and look very forward to what the Lord is going to continue to do!

Looking back through the twelve years we’ve existed as a body of Christ, it’s been amazing to see how the Lord has given us the vision and guided us along the way.

We’ve always known we were to primarily serve southwest Port Orange and northwest New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
In 2009 we began meeting on Sundays at Creekside Middle School as part of our vision to connect people to God through meeting needs.
In 2012 we began our Day School for this same reason.
And in 2017 God gave the vision of becoming part of Dove International, which happened this year on April 1.
I can’t wait to see what He has for us next.
Meanwhile, we yearn to see the people connected with this church grow spiritually.
Be fully devoted followers of Christ. Impacting everyone around them with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Knowing Christ gives us hope no matter what else is going on around us!

In our Wednesday Zoom groups, we just finished the (4 ch) book of Colossians. It was one of Paul’s letters written from prison. In it he wants to make sure the church will be strong and healthy. He also wants them to grow spiritually. And impact others for Christ.
Let’s look at the last chapter, chapter 4, verses 2-6, to begin with. [Read]

Paul tells them, and us, to not just throw an occasional canned prayer to God, but to “devote” ourselves to prayer. The original language says to be “steadfast.” Prayer becomes as natural as breathing for us as we are continually in conversation with God. Listening. Talking. Even in between other things going on around us all the time.
As Brother Lawrence taught over 400 yrs ago, we can “Practice the Presence of God,” 24 hrs/day!

This is being steadfast. Devoted.
Paul doesn’t end his statement there. He adds to it, “being watchful and thankful.”
The thought is not complete without the last part. “Devote yourselves to prayer… being watchful and thankful…” As we continue to talk with and listen to God, (prayer), we need also to be alert, spiritually. And always thankful.

God’s ways are so good for us. He isn’t some massive, accolade-devouring monster who must have shovelfuls of gratitude thrown into his mouth to stoke his furnace of benevolence. Oh no.
He is a wise, loving and compassionate father who knows that when His children walk in gratitude, there is no room for complaining. Or negativity. Or so many of the other things that dry up our souls and make us bitter.

When we are thankful we are compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient.
(What we are to “clothe ourselves in” from Colossian 3:12.)

In Colossians 4:3, many people are surprised that Paul asks the people of this church to pray for him and his companions.
Because of pride, many of us don’t ask for prayer as often as we could!

And what Paul asks for prayer for is also astounding. It’s not for himself. Or his comfort. Or even his freedom. It’s for God to open a door for their message so that they may proclaim the mystery of Christ. And, he adds, may it be clear.

Would you pray that we, too, will have more open doors more often to share the good news of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. And yes please pray that I may be clear.

In our Wed. Zoom group this past week, we talked, individually, about why we believe in Jesus. It was humbling to hear of the love that others have for Christ. And the trust.
And the hope in Him.
So, as Peter tells us in I Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I love that Peter also adds to this: “But do this with gentleness and respect…”

No matter what our beliefs, people of God need to have conversation, FB posts, emails and texts that are not harsh or disrespectful of others.

In fact, Paul says pretty much the same thing in Colossians 4:5 & 6,
“Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

“Seasoned with salt” means that what we say should be “tasty” and should encourage further conversation.

It goes nowhere if it is harsh, rude or boring. Let’s not be harsh, rude, or boring.
God and His Kingdom are certainly none of that!

The last page of the last chapter of the book of Colossians includes a list of several friends and church leaders who were with Paul.

Let’s look at our final Scripture: Colossians 4:12
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.
He is always wrestling in prayer for you that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

Ephaphras, who we’ve mentioned before, was the pastor of the church at Colossae. He’s the one who brought news of the church to Paul, who then wrote this letter to go back to them, through him. When Paul said he was “one of them,” he was saying he was a Colossian too.”

I love how Paul tells this church their pastor, or lead elder, is “wrestling in prayer” for them. That’s what good elders do. It is a joy for us to know that the Apostolic Leadership Council of Dove USA is praying for us several times a week now, too! Wrestling in prayer isn’t easy, but always yields results!

What was Epaphras, the Colossian pastor, wrestling in prayer for them? We’re given the answer: That they would stand firm and be mature and fully assured.
Stand firm. Be mature. Fully sure of our Savior.

Happy Memorial Day weekend. May you honor those who have given their lives for our country, and those who have poured their life into you.
May you also want to stand firm in all the will of God (notice that phrase said “all,”) for your life and go on to full maturity and full assurance in Him, too! He’s crazy about you! No one loves you like He does! So let’s “get crackin’” with spiritual growth… shall we?
[Pray]
Announcement about beginning I Timothy this week…Check out the Bible Project whiteboard 9 min video…