Brothers and sisters, we’ve dropped the ball. It’s not too late to pick it up again, but we’ve let our Lord down. How? We don’t disciple new believers. That was actually a direct command from Jesus.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

We need to preach the Gospel, we need to live the Gospel, and we need to teach the Gospel. Godly men need to mentor younger men to observe all of the teachings of Christ, and Godly women need to mentor younger women to serve God wholeheartedly.

Today it seems that it’s important to get people into the pews, but it’s less important to teach the Christian way of life. It takes commitment to mentor someone in the ways of Christ, and there’s much that gets in the way of that, such as the latest baseball scores, an evening in your easy chair watching TV, or any number of other gods that are put ahead of God Almighty. When a person comes to the realization that they need to give their life to Jesus, they need to understand what that means.

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

That means we set aside our selfish desires and do whatever it takes to serve Jesus. That includes mentoring new believers.

When you first came to Christ, did someone teach you how to live to please God? Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years but have never learned to deny your selfish desires in order to put Jesus first. The first step in being a mentor is to know what Jesus taught. That means you set aside time to study God’s word and then apply it to your own life. Remember, God’s word hasn’t changed over the years, so don’t twist Scripture to fit what you want to believe or how you want to live. Then, make disciples of others by teaching the pure word of God. You don’t need the approval of a denomination or a seminary education to study and understand Scripture. You only need the Holy Spirit to guide you and the commitment to live your faith.

Jesus gave Peter instructions to disciple people. “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these: he saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs” (John 21:15).

Lambs are the new believers who need nourishment to grow into strong members of the flock. Peter was to feed the lambs and also the sheep, new believers, as well as the ones who’ve believed for years. He was to teach them what he had learned as he followed Jesus. Don’t think that new believers can’t handle any deep truths. Paul was in Thessalonica for “3 sabbath days” (Acts 17:2), but in those 3 weeks he made converts, established a congregation, and taught them deep truths, such as the pre-tribulation Rapture. What if Paul had shared the Gospel then sat back and relaxed? He taught them and made sure they understood the teachings of Christ. Paul fed the lambs, who matured quickly because he taught them the word of God.

That was Paul’s normal way of missionary work. He would enter a city, and his first stop was at the synagogue where he preached the Gospel. This usually didn’t go over very well with the leaders, but some of the people were drawn to the truth. That’s when he began teaching. After a solid foundation of Christ was laid, the congregation was built upon that solid Rock. Men were taught to be leaders, and then Paul would move on to another city. Even though he went away from these congregations, he left trusted men in charge that he had thoroughly taught Christian truth. Paul never forgot them. He wrote letters encouraging them to stay faithful to the Gospel and maintain Christian standards.

Paul had men with him whom he could trust with God’s word. Barnabas was a wonderful man of God who first encouraged Paul to use his vast knowledge of God’s word and the deep conviction of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. Timothy was a young man who traveled with Paul and stayed in Ephesus to pastor the congregation there. He was first taught the Gospel by his mother and grandmother. These ladies were commended for their faith, but men need to be discipled by men in order for them to be strong men of faith…strong Christians. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, making sure he didn’t compromise in the leadership of his congregation. Titus traveled with Paul and was left in Crete to pastor the congregation there. Paul’s letter to him gives guidance to pastors in leading a congregation.

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience…Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded” (Titus 2: 1-2 & 6).

Men are to honor Christ in all things, not partying nor treating their faith as something you do on Sunday morning. They are to be serious about living a life that pleases Christ. Women are to behave themselves, too.

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).

Women aren’t to take the place of men in leadership. So often today, nobody wants to offend women, so they assume leadership of congregations. Men’s leadership was established in the Garden of Eden and confirmed by Christ that even though women were among His followers, He chose men as His disciples. This wasn’t a cultural thing but a truth that is seen throughout Scripture. Women have an important place within Christianity, but always under the authority of a strong, God-fearing man. Men and women are to be disciples and taught God’s truth. Then, they are to obey and teach others.

Too often, when a person has heard the Gospel and responded to it, they are left on their own to figure out what Christ wants from them. Then, it’s easy to slip back into old ways of life. Friends who once were a poor influence are back influencing that new believer. Rather than being a witness for Christ to secular family and friends, the lamb stumbles back into old ways. Foul language has crept back into everyday talk, and rather than honoring God with life and words, he or she slips down to the ways of the world.

Most people have heard of the Ten Commandments, and one of those is “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

Mostly we think this means don’t swear. It does mean that as seen in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).

It also means don’t have empty faith. Young men and women need to be taught (discipled) in the ways of Christ so that they don’t just pretend to take the name of Christ upon themselves. The place where I worship has a few minutes during Sunday service where a very strong man of God sits down with the children in the congregation and, with very few words, gives them a strong teaching of how they can serve Christ. Within the last year, two of those young people have given their lives to Christ, and now they are being taught to serve Him.

A big problem in any Christian’s life is that the ways of the world and the wiles of Satan are very tempting. Satan whispers, “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” That’s right, but by separating from fellow believers, your thoughts easily turn to secular things. We’re told in Scripture to not forsake fellowshipping with fellow believers (Hebrews 10:25). That doesn’t necessarily mean attending Sunday services, but separating from secular friends and family and surrounding yourself with fellow believers who draw each other closer to God.

Satan whispers again, “That movie really isn’t so bad; the cussing and violence are part of the plot.” The saying, “Garbage in, garbage out,” applies to television, movies, and music (Colossians 3:1-2).

Satan says again, “You have to send your children to public school in order to properly educate them.” Really? If they were getting a sound education in reading, writing, and arithmetic, that would be good. Today they spend a lot of time studying how to have sexual intercourse, why it’s acceptable for Tommy to think he’s Theresa, and evolution has replaced God’s truth. These things and much more disciple children in the ways of Satan. Do you really think an hour in Sunday school will erase the lies they learn in public school? What about college students who are being brainwashed by liberal colleges to reject Christ? Tuition is very high to be taught that lie.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Parents, you’d better disciple your child in the ways of the Lord before they enter school because they will be discipled in the ways of Satan once they enter kindergarten. Read Romans chapter 1 and take it to heart.

If you have just met Jesus, you need to be discipled by a strong Christian who doesn’t compromise God’s truth. Seek out a teacher of God’s truth. Learn the ways of the Lord and follow Him. Are you an older Christian? There’s a young man or woman who needs your wisdom and the teaching that comes from the Lord. Seek out that person and make disciples.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Brothers and sisters, we need to stay strong. The things we see happening today are very trying on the nerves and emotions. The propaganda we’re fed by the news media can make us feel as if all hope is gone. There’s a feeling in the air as if something big is about to happen. All of this puts us on an emotional rollercoaster that affects everything we do. The signs of the times are flashing in big neon lights, and we know the Rapture can happen at any moment. This gives us a feeling of expectation and joy, but it also gives a sense of disappointment that it hasn’t happened yet. It’s good to yearn for the Rapture.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Add to this the concern we have for friends and family who haven’t come to know Jesus yet, and if you have a true heart for God, you’re also concerned for strangers who haven’t heard the Gospel. We do live in trying times. This isn’t the time to be discouraged or to give up. Christ will soon call us Home, and that’s encouraging. Arm yourself with the power of God by studying Scripture and applying it to your life. This will give you strength to face each day.

Christianity is under strong attack. The powers of evil are using weak-minded people to mock God and bring Biblical truth into question. Remember, the persecution and mockery aren’t against you. It’s against Jesus. As we face persecution and are tempted to give up, study the life of Saul and see what can happen when an evildoer meets Jesus. Saul was a very zealous man… a Pharisee among Pharisees. His goal was to arrest or kill everyone who turned from the Jewish life to Christianity. On his way to Damascus with orders to arrest all who had faith in Christ, Saul met Jesus. Jesus had a question for him.

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4b).

Saul thought he was serving God, but in truth, he was persecuting God by persecuting Christians. Although he was used by Satan, Jesus had great plans for this man who was filled with anger and hate. Saul was blinded by the light he saw, and his companions led him to Damascus and got him lodging. He was blind and took no food or water for three days. The Christians in Damascus knew of Saul’s reputation and had much to fear from him. Then one of them, Ananias, had a vision from the Lord telling him to go to Straight Street and ask for Saul of Tarsus. Ananias wasn’t sure he understood correctly.

“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name” (Acts 9:13-14).

Ananias had been persecuted but hadn’t given up. He was strong in his faith, but when the Lord directed him to go and find the man who had done so much evil, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do that. He was much like us. Instead of witnessing to anyone who mocks us or causes us harm, we want them punished by God. Armed with the strength of the Lord, Ananias found Saul, laid hands on him, and Saul’s eyes were opened.

What if Ananias had given up in despair because of the persecution? What if he had refused to visit Saul?

God would have used someone else, but it was the privilege of Ananias to be the one to set Saul’s feet on the path of spreading the Gospel. We know Saul better as the Apostle Paul. Every Christian needs to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We also need to be equipped to give answers and mentor new Christians without fear. All of Scripture will strengthen our faith, and studying Biblical prophecy gives answers about the events of today.

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:13-16).

The word “conversation” isn’t just your manner of speech but the way you conduct your life. Live your life for Christ, never give in to fear, and never keep silent when God asks you to speak boldly. If we give up, souls will be lost.

After his conversion, Paul did exactly what he should. He began to serve Christ. Paul conformed his life to Christ instead of trying to make Christ conform to his. He began contending for the faith by preaching the Gospel in spite of all personal hardships, as did all of the Apostles. They all faced imprisonment, and torture, and brutal death. In spite of that, they never gave up. Because of their faith and desire to serve Jesus, God’s truth has been passed down through time to us.

Let me ask you this question, what are you going to do with the treasure of eternal life you possess? Are you going to hide your faith, or are you going to share it?

As Paul shared the Gospel, he established congregations of believers and left capable men to lead those congregations. One such man was Timothy, a young man with deep faith. Paul wrote two letters to encourage Timothy to stand strong and lead the Ephesian believers in the ways of God.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Paul didn’t mean for Timothy to start fistfights for the faith but to contend with all struggles for the Christian faith. So must we. We have many examples in the New Testament of the persecution Peter, John, Paul and the others faced as they shared their faith. Shortly before his death, Paul wrote a final letter to Timothy. In it, Paul was able to look back on his life as a Christian and know that he had contended for the faith and that he had lived for Christ. There was a crown awaiting him.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

How about you? Can you look back over your life and say you’ve contended for the faith? It’s not too late to start the good fight. All you have to do is surrender your life to Christ and stand firm upon Scripture…and never give up.

Those of us who have been watching prophecy unfold know that the Rapture will happen very soon. From pestilence to threats of wars to false teachers, we’re watching signs of the times unfolding just as Scripture says it will. Politicians are following the Satanic lead to a one-world government, one-world currency, and one-world religion. We can see how short time is, and many Christians who look forward to the Rapture are getting discouraged that it hasn’t happened yet. News headlines can strike fear into the hearts of non-believers as well as believers.

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

That isn’t talking about evolution but speaks of the patience of God. If you’ve accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for your salvation, then whether you die or the Rapture takes you Home, your salvation is secure. On the other hand, there are millions of people in the world who haven’t accepted Jesus Christ for salvation. God loves them and doesn’t want them to spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Think back to the day you finally realized that you were a sinner in need of salvation. What if Jesus had called Christians Home one minute before you placed your faith in Him. Your eternal destiny would be eternal damnation. God doesn’t condemn people, but we all make our own choice to either accept or reject Him. Time is short, and we need to share the Gospel with friends, family, and even strangers. Eternity is at stake. Instead of being discouraged because you think God is slow in bringing this all to an end, rejoice that He is giving us time to witness to the lost and share the Gospel.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).

Live your life to honor Christ, but use words to share the Gospel. Don’t give up. We will be called home very soon, and we need to be about the Father’s business and serve Him daily.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:8-10).

The people of the world are watching. Believers and non-believers alike can see the world is becoming darker. The end of all things is indeed coming quickly, and Christians need to be a beacon of hope to those around us. Live your life without hypocrisy so people will know you serve Christ.

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

It’s not easy to be mocked and persecuted, but if it comes because Christ shines in your life, rejoice. Glorify God in all you do, and don’t allow the attitude of scoffers to discourage you.

Brothers and sisters, remember we all serve Christ. He gave His life so we can live with Him for eternity. Keep your mind on eternal matters, and don’t allow the problems of today to hinder your walk with the Lord. Study Scripture to gain knowledge and understanding of God’s love. Share that love with others. Encourage fellow Christians, but always be ready to give answers to the lost souls around who will perish without faith in Christ. Keep Christ first in your heart, and don’t give up.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.