Instructor - Me?

May 07, 2012 Monday Message: “How can I understand unless someone instructs me?” Acts 8:31a

Have you ever been enlightened by a great sermon, and thought, “I’ve read that scripture a hundred times before, but I never got THAT message out of it. I learned so much today!"

Growing up as a brother or sister in the Holy Family isn’t a do-it-yourself project. You need Christian friends, your church family and the Holy Spirit – “instructors.” 

The Spirit intervenes in many ways. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit opens your mind to the things of God. Scripture that used to be confusing will all-of-a-sudden make sense. You’re eager to learn, and you find yourself looking forward to sermons that used to bore you to death. 

The Spirit also works through prophets, pastors and teachers, giving them special insight into God’s Word, and spiritual gifts of leadership, teaching and communication. The Bible says that seekers can’t understand unless instructed; these are some of the instructors.

The other key instructor is YOU - the “instructed” become the “instructors.” Your story or testimony might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Jesus commissioned each of us to “make disciples of all nations.” That’s right, this commission isn’t just for pastors; it’s for ALL believers! So we all need to be intentional about evangelism, and equip ourselves with Biblical answers for the inevitable questions.

If we’re unwilling to instruct, the seekers may never understand. They’re depending on you and me. That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin 

May 2012 is the beginning of a new spiritual walk for me as Worship Pastor at Jesus in the City Fellowship, Minneapolis, answering a call to lift up Jesus-the-Christ to the inner-city. We work closely with Metro Hope Ministries/New Hope Center, Cityview Church and other urban Christians. I’ll be among those leading worship, and participate in pulpit supply for the church and for New Hope Center. We ask for your prayers. http://www.jesusinthecityfellowship.org/