Wed.1.28.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...(Model part 8)

2:04 p.m., March 23, 2003 Associated Press

KUWAIT CITY – A U.S. soldier most likely acted out of resentment Sunday when he threw grenades into tents at a 101st Airborne Division command center, killing a fellow serviceman, an Army spokesman said. Fifteen other soldiers, including the division commander, were wounded – at least three of them seriously …The soldier in custody was identified Sunday as Sgt. Asan Akbar of the 326th Engineer Battalion. Fort Campbell spokesman George Heath said…Akbar had been "having what some might call an attitude problem."

I’d say he had a huge attitude problem! It’s tragic that his bad attitude problem wasn’t recognized and dealt with earlier, before things so escalated. Even in the army of God, if bad attitudes and behaviors are not confronted, great damage can occur. Despite your best efforts at being a good model as a mentor, some might become argumentative and divisive. Sadly, this is not a new problem. Paul prepared Titus to deal with such. Read and discover what we should do in Titus 3:9-11.

Of course not everyone who disagrees is a divisive person. Some men may just need to be taught to be more gracious when disagreeing. “Let’s agree to disagree agreeably.” Sometimes a (younger) man may have issues with authority. Perhaps his dad was abusive, and now he has a chip on his shoulder toward any authority figures. Paul began chapter 3 stating- “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient…”(3:1). Granted, that may be harder for a man who had an abusive father, but he now has a heavenly Father to help him and us as well.

Throughout church history, there have been divisive disagreements over the proper interpretation of the Bible. But Paul said to avoid quarreling about such things because these are unprofitable. In contrast, one verse earlier, Paul said that devoting ourselves to doing good is excellent and profitable (3:8). As with the Marines, we are looking for a few good men- men who will devote themselves to doing good, not causing division and destruction.

Sometimes, a divisive man may seem very spiritual. He is convincing and talks as if he has a hotline to heaven.  I’ve dealt with such people. It’s near impossible to reason with them, even from the authority of God’s word, since they are confident that God has revealed to them the true meaning of the Bible. Another military motto we adhere to is, “No man left behind!” We will help any man that is wounded and wants to be restored to God and to the mission (see Gal.6:1-2). But that motto doesn’t apply if the man is fighting against you-being divisive. To paraphrase Paul’s directive in dealing with such a divisive man- it’s three strikes and you’re out (3:10).  We don’t need anyone lobbing hand grenades in our midst.

This letter to Titus gave him God’s strategy for conquering the island of Crete for Christ. It centered on giving the people godly examples and exhortations to follow. Paul ends his letter with concluding comments. Read 3:12-15. Paul would send a couple of his outstanding, spiritual military officers to fill in for Titus, who was then to join Paul at his winter base of operations. Other vital men on mission were to be helped in any way necessary to further the cause. Then a final reminder is given- “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” 3:14. They were to no longer be like their lazy neighbors (1:12). Paul had strong words of warning for those who were lazy in 2 Thess.3:6-15. “Keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” (2 Th.3:6). So when seeking out a protégé, make sure he has a good work ethic, that he’s happy to help and serve others, not sponge off them.

1.-What is one thing that stood out to you from anything we’ve covered today?

2.-Write out on your MP3 card, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good…” Titus 3:14. Then do the Did it. Men, you are also doing good by going off to work faithfully. Titus would have been delighted to have such great models for his people. I am too! “Grace be with you all” Titus 3:15

3.-R?

4.-A?

Words Worth Repeating
Roger Vinlasaca wrote- Thank you Lord that because you sent Jesus to die on the cross and raised Him from the dead on the third day, we have been redeemed from all sin. And we have been set apart to be zealous for good works. May we continue to be strong in our calling.

Dave Heidekruger wrote- Heavenly Father, we praise you for transforming our hearts that were once sunk in ungodliness and worldly pleasures. By your grace that brings salvation, continue to purify our hearts and refresh our desires to live for You as we anticipate your glorious appearing.

Announcements
Congratulations! You've not only finished a study through the book of Titus on being a godly model or example, but you've also finished another month of learning so much. To fight against the giant eraser machine from scrubbing away all we've covered, we'll take the next two days to review what we've learned. Get ready to Ace this review test. 

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	E	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Mon.1.26.15		As of Tues.1.27
	Alpha Force			8:00 PM
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Daniel & Roger
2	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)	GDP done	A		Vince & Antonio
3	Vince Diaz	Y		GDP done	A
4	Roger Vinlasaca U.1	Y		GDP done	A
	Fire Team 2
1	Israel Fuentes U.1	Y		GDP done	A
2	Sam Vargas U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Robert
3	Robert Roman	Y		GDP done	A
4	Antonio Palomar	Y			A
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 3
1	Alvin James U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)		A
2	Dave Heidekruger U.1	Y		GDP done	A
3	Mike Pagan U.1	Y		GDP done	A		George
4	George Rabiela	Y			A
	Fire Team 4
1	Eddie Morales U.1	Y		GDP done	A		Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
2	Gary Remson U.1	Y			A
3	Ismael Andrade U.1	Y
4	Kentrayle Adams	Y	R (Our Respect)		A