Dave’s Monday Blast – May 11, 2015

Continuing on with a recap of our annual Men’s Retreat and the teaching from Captain Tom Joyce:

As the Apostle Paul sits on Death Row he furiously writes to his young ministry partner Timothy. He describes the essence of true discipleship as INTENTIONALLY living a life that demonstrates our love for God (2 Timothy 4:6 – 8). We are called to preach the Word in season and out. But we must be longsuffering and patient in this process because Satan will oppose our mission at every turn (2 Corinthians 4:4).

His reference in (2 Timothy 4:6) to “being poured out like a drink offering” referenced a passage from Numbers 28 which the Jews considered “The Law of the Worshipper”. Jews would bring their offering to the priest who presented it to God as a “burnt offering”. New wine was poured over the hot coals upon which the offering was “cooked” sending up a sweet aroma to God. It was considered sweet because it demonstrated obedience to Him. Essentially, Paul was saying we want our lives to be poured out as this sweet smelling offering of obedience to God. This is how Paul described his leadership legacy…He SMELLED really good. He discipled well. It does beg the question: How do you smell?

Paul was preparing to “raise His anchor”. He was leaving the harbor because his tour of duty was finished, but he could not do that unless he had prepared Timothy for the HAND-OFF. It was now Timothy’s turn to run his leg of the race. Men…the HAND OFF IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS! Who are you discipling? Who are you preparing for the next leg of the race?

Next week we will consider Paul’s mantra of leadership!