Wed.2.18.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...Noble in Battle part 3

“Early on January 25, 2012, two dozen Navy SEALs parachuted from a C-130 Hercules 12 miles north of the Somali town of Adow, where pirates had held a pair of hostages in hopes of ransoming them. The SEALs then traveled by foot from their drop zone, attacked the compound, and engaged the pirates, killing all nine of them. After raiding the pirates' compound and freeing the hostages, the U.S. forces returned to their base…” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_of_Jessica_Buchanan_and_Poul_Hagen_Thisted

We too have a mission to set the captives free. In our series on “Being a Godly MENTOR,” we are now focusing on the letter N- being Noble in battle. To do so, we know there are three key fronts we need to W.A.R. for. We need to:

W-Walk in a Worthy manner. So pray and fight the good fight to live a MANLY life.

A-Activate the sidelined saints. So pray that they would long to be Power HOUSE men. Also keep sharing what you’re learning and invite them to join.

R-Release the locked up lost. This is what we will focus on today.

Releasing those held captive was at the very heart of the mission of our Rescuer-Redeemer. Jesus made this clear from the start of his ministry. Read Luke 4:16-21.

Did you notice what the passage Jesus selected from Isaiah 61 predicted about his mission? It prophesied that Jesus would come to proclaim freedom for captives. We know his death on the cross was all about rescuing us from the captivity of our sins. He “gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age” Gal.1:4. For “the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin” Gal.3:22. Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness” Titus 2:14. The very word “redeem” means “to pay the price to set free.” Thank you Lord that you are our Redeemer! That's such a great and repeated title of our great God and Savior- “Redeemer.” And even the name “Savior” (Deliverer) reminds us of Jesus’ mission to deliver us from the bondage of sin and Satan.

Just as the Father sent Jesus to proclaim this good news message of rescue and redemption, so we too have been sent to proclaim the same. The risen Jesus declared, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21. As you know, we are sent “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins” Acts 26:18. What a glorious, MANLY rescue mission we have been given!

But our rescue mission is far more difficult than what those Navy Seals faced. Why? We know that “the whole world lies under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19. So the compound the captives are held in is guarded by far worse foes than what the Navy Seals faced. What’s also far worse is that the captives we are sent to rescue don’t want to be rescued. Ugh! They can even be hostile to our rescue efforts. “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Rom.8:7. Can you imagine what would happen if the Navy Seals kept facing captives who didn’t want to go with them? They would stop going on such daring ops. So our mission is even more challenging than theirs!

So how on earth can God give us such a “Mission Impossible?” It would take the power of the God of heaven to change the minds and hearts of those rebels to want to be freed and follow God. And it would take his power and authority to conquer the gates of hell holding such rebels. You’re exactly right! Thankfully, our mission is backed by Christ’s authority and the power of the Holy Spirit to convict and convert rebel captives. Our mission is simply to share the good news, to sow gospel seeds, and leave the results to God. Only he can make things grow (1 Cor.3:6). When Paul proclaimed the gospel, some sneered, others wanted to learn more, and still others became followers (Acts 17:32-34). So we never know who will eventually respond. It doesn’t matter. Our focus must be on sowing. That is success.

It’s the gospel message that can powerfully rescue even hardened captives held by Satan. That’s why Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” Rom.1:16. Thank God for the people that reached out to us with that powerful, transforming good news. Let’s do the same.

I’ve been looking forward to introducing the last letter on our GREAT scoreboard T= Telling others about Transformation. Just as you’ve posted your results for G, R, E, A, so now you’ll have the opportunity to be credited for sowing Transforming gospel seeds in others. I know evangelism can be intimidating for many, so I want to make it easy and rewarding for you to fulfill this crucial aspect of our mission. Here’s how. Instead of being asked to share a lengthy gospel presentation with another person, simply pass on a link to a creatively done YouTube outreach video. Here's the rule of thumb: If you don't think it's well done, don't pass it on. Here's the other rule of thumb: If it's well done, but you don't think a person would be receptive to it, send it anyway. Let them tell you. They may surprise you. (Weren't people surprised when you started showing interest in the things of God?) Even if they say they hated it, the seed has been planted. God has chosen not to grow things without seeds being planted. So let's sow!

The following video is what is called a pre-evangelism video. It's clever and makes a subtle point. The idea is start with something that an unsaved person will enjoy and hopefully be more open the next time you offer another mini-movie. So you can tell them, "This is a cool mini-movie. Money back if you don't like it." So good ahead and first watch and enjoy it now yourself- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKaRQMZ7TqQ

Now seek to share that video link over the next few days with unsaved friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. How might you word this? “Hey, if you like those short, creative YouTube videos, then you're gonna love this one.” Other things you could add- “I won’t spoil it by telling you all about it. But it’s very good.” "Hey, tell me how you like this cool mini-movie.”(Or come up with your own lead-in statements and share the ones that work well for you.) You can of course share that link via email or text. (At our next meeting, I'll give you biz cards with a master link address to a storehouse of them.). Yes, you can post it on Facebook, but let’s especially focus on individuals. That’s so much more personal. (Each week, you’ll get a new creative video to share, so focus on sharing this video this week.) Tomorrow you’ll see the letter T and you can share about whom you passed on the YouTube video to. You'll also get credit for sowing the gospel seed with others via sharing your testimony, tract, transformation story of another person, telling the gospel message, etc. Do Tell!

(Once again, we've made some slight modifications to make the numbering quicker for you. And all you have to do is put a letter up if you did such. So if you didn't have anything to R about, or you forgot to A= Attack in prayer, just skip typing the letters R and A.)

1.-What did you think of the mini-movie or anything else we covered today?

2.-Read 1 Cor.3:6-9 and then copy down on your MP3 card- “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” 1 Cor.3:6

G. How many individuals or groups did you get to share and enrich from your MP3 card?

R?

E?

A?

Announcements
Glad to see so many of you reaching out to likely proteges. I'm working on another recruiting tool for you. 

Sharing God's word and reaching out with Encouragement made the big difference for Alpha. Daily sharing and encouraging is a noble goal.

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Mon.2.16.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.2	Y 5	1	3	1		Daniel & Roger
2	Roger Vinlasaca U.2	Y 1		1	1
	Fire Team 2
	Mike Pagan U.2	Y		1	1		George
	George Rabiela	Y 1		2	1
	Fire Team 3
	Sam Vargas U.2	Y 4		3	1		Robert
	Gary Remson U.2	Y 1		2	1
	Fire Team 4
	Robert Roman U.1	Y 1		2	1
	Vince Diaz U.1	Y 1		2	1
		8 + 14=22	1	16	8	Total = 47
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 1
	Alvin James U.2	Y	2	1	1
	Kentrayle Adams U.1	Y	1		1
	Fire Team 2
	Dave Heidekruger U.2	Y 1		4	1
	Israel Fuentes U.2	Y 1			1
	Fire Team 3
	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y	1	1	1		Vince & Antonio
	Antonio Palomar	Y 1	1		1
	Fire Team 4
	Eddie Morales U.2	Y 1	1	1	1		Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
	Ismael Andrade U.2	Y1	1	1
		8+5=13	7	8	7	Total = 35