NEW YEAR"S MESSAGE FROM JEFF HOSTETTER

 

 - "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the GLORY of God." (Rom.5:1-2)

-  "But grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  To Him be the GLORY, both now and to the day of eternity. AMEN"  (II Pet.3:18)

 

Either we're growing or dying, in the spiritual realm.  In the flesh, we quickly reach our maturity, then dry up and die like a dried out blade of grass. Truly outwardly we're perishing.  But not so in the Spirit.  In this realm, we are always either growing up higher and better, or dying.  I was recently reading a book about a submarine captain, and was overwhelmed when reading about the stringent training program that he had to go through, getting an Master's in an engineering degree - in nuclear power - related commanding submarines.  As he wrote, the US Navy is rather picky about who gets to drive a nuclear submarine loaded with torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles, and some with ballistic missiles powerful enough to wipe out a city fifteen hundred miles away.    When Waddle was interviewed by the head of the Navy, Admiral Rickover, in order to gain entrance into the final training phase for him to get command of a submarine, he was asked:  

   "Your grades have been up and down like roller coaster.  What are you going to do about it?"

    "I'm going to study more, sir."

    "How much more?"

    "Ten hours a week, sir."

   "Not enough!"

    "Twenty hours, sir."

    "Not enough," Reickover snapped.  "You will study an additional thirty hours a week and write me a report every Friday to show me what you have done."

    "Yes, sir."

    That's what I said.  In my mind, I was thinking, How in the world am I going to be able to do that on top of what I'm already doing?"  But of course, I didn't dare broach ther question to the admiral. 

 

Waddle went on to be accepted in the elite Naval Reactor's Program, after finishing his four year degree at the Navy Academy.  He had always struggled academically, and was especially bad in English.  But, after the interview with Rickover ,which happened in his last year of being their, he wrote:

   "During my four years at the Academy, the highest grade point I attained was a 3.5 in the spring of my senior year, thanks to Rickover's study demands. RIckover taught me a lesson:  With a little extra effort, I could excel." (The Right Thing, Cmdr. Scott Waddle (Ret.), pp.32-35-39)

 

Reading this book, I thought about the church, and how lazy we can be in pursuing holiness, without which no-one will see the Lord.  How many are truly striving to enter the narrow gate, to press on to perfection, to resist to the shedding of their very blood

in their struggle against sin?  Have we entered into the true demands of discipleship in the twentieth century, with our modern conveniences and desires for an easier life which is constantly cheered on by the advertisers and sellers of every luxury man could imagine - and some that he couldn't without help!  Where is the blood, sweat and tears!  The true cost of discipleship paid in lost sleep, possessions, freedom and even our very lives?  Where are our imprisoned leaders, our martyrs to the cause?  College degrees have replaced whip marks, and head knowledge, sacrificial love.  We are, in some ways, a mere sham, a shadow or children's play church imitating the real thing.

 

We must gear up for growth in Christ.  Note from the verses in II Peter and Romans, that faith introduces a Christian into grace, which gives him a solid footing to stand - not stumble and fall - so that he can grow.  (Read Rom.5:3-5)  Growth occurs when we are truly living by grace and really know Jesus. Such effective true knowledge of the Messiah even eliminates all sin when held onto by the believer! (I Jn.3:6-9)

 

Jesus is a great coach, and invites all to join His winning Dream Team.  All comers are accepted, whatever their past record or present shortcomings.  Dwarfs, over-aged, under-fed, one-armed and one-legged - it makes no difference to Him.  As a matter of fact, He likes a good challenge. (Micah 4:6-7; Zeph.3:19-20)  All are accepted, given a number, and put on the team at immersion. ((Gal.3:26-29;Col.3:11)  This a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."

 

But in order to come and get what Jesus offers, we must humble ourselves, totally.  We are not able to live properly on our own power.  We cannot outrun or overpower sin or self or this world on our own.  We cannot defeat the Dragon on our own.  We cannot rewrite the rulebook or lower God's perfect and right standard for us.  We must be holy as He is holy.  We must live according to His law.  There is no other way to live.  Jesus alone can offer us the help needed to take His victory trail to heaven.  He said "I am THE WAY." It is His way or the highway...to hell.  We can do nothing to save ourselves or others apart from Jesus. He is the vine, and we are merely branches - appendages on His body.  The body without the spirit is dead.  Like cars without gas, trains with diesel, clouds without rain or autumn trees without fruit. (Jude) That describes us... without Christ.  Only His powerful example and especially, only with His all-powerful invisible presence within us through the Holy Spirit can we really live. It is by this Spirit indwelling us that we have life in our sin-deadened, doomed bodies. (Rom.8:10-11)

 

Now this all means that we are blind beggars, living on the grace, mercy and loving-kindness extended from the King's table.  Like blind Bartimaeus, we are asking for a favor.  But let me make it clear that Christ does also heal us and make us whole like He did that insistent beggar by the road.  We must expect Christ to keep His word and forgive us our sins and give us His Holy Spirit. No half-hearted repentance or double-mindedness will do.  No substitutes for immersion, such as sprinkling or the sinner's prayer (where is an example of that in the Bible??) We come to King Jesus on his terms and are prepared for follow-up on His instructions.  We should dedicate ourselves to a lifetime of growing in His grace and knowledge, without letup.  Every chance for training by trials and tribulations coupled with our faith in His providential care should lead us to stronger faith and Christ like character.

 

In a way, when we are immersed into Christ, born again from above, we become probational members of His team until ... we are no longer babes or immature newbies.  In the Navy, this is symbolized when a man gets his "dolphins." 

 

    " When Rich and finally received our dolphins, the prestigious warfare pin worn over the chest pocket and so highly valued by every submariner, we were back in Bremerton, Washington, in the late 1986.  The dolphins are awarded when a submariner learns the boat's systems - including in-depth knowledge of all the sub's systems and detailed knowledge of all emergency systems- and passes the necessary tests proving that he knows what he's doing about the sub.  More importantly, the dolphins are the sign that a sailor has "arrived" in the submarine community.  Prior to earning his dolphins, he is simply another "no-qul"; once he has earned his dolphins, he's family.  The Navy does a good job of honoring the achievements of its sailors with various promotion ceremonies, change of command ceremonies, and recognition ceremonies.  None of these is more highly regarded than the bestowing of the dolphins."

 

We must ask ourselves, are we doing the "homework", the follow-up needed to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.  Our probational membership must give way to being those as many who are perfect. (Phil.3:17). Those who are spiritual men, not babes. (I Cor.3:3,4)  Those who have passed through "the testing of the faith" (James 1:1-5) rather than "least in the kingdom". (Matt.11:11)  We should train and strive for advancement in the kingdom of God, possessing a holy ambition to shine brighter and brighter. this will not come without careful training under King Jesus.  Remember that He commanded His apostles to "teach their disciples to observe all things". (Mat.28:19)  

 

What would be equivalent to earning our dolphins?

 

Should we know the Ten Commandments, the names of the books of the Bible and the 12 apostles?  Is our knowledge of the contents of the Book matter in being among those who earn their spiritual dolphins?  Yes, but this head knowledge, which could create a big head, must be coupled with much sacrificial service to others. Here is a partial list of some training goals that should be reached in earning our spiritual dolphins:

 

- Perhaps overcoming the sin that so easily entangles. (Heb.12:1-2) 

- Also, being able to teach others. (Heb.5:11-13) 

- Successfully winning souls, making disciples.(Jn. 15:7)

- Evaluating things spiritually and ascribing the proper value to things. (I Cor.1:18;2:6,12-15) 

- Passing successfully through trials without losing faith, but actually growing stronger. (Rom.4:18; James 1:3-4, 12.   

- Raising up believing children. (I Tim. 3; Tit.1) Qualifications for an elder.

- Having, in increasing, measure, the qualities of Christ in full measure. (Gal.5:22; I Pet.1:8-10)

- Having a perfected love, that takes away all fear of judgment by Christ. ( I Jn.4:17)

- Demonstrating and having great zeal for Christ.

- Wisdom from above. (James 3:13,17)

- Contributing to spiritual unity.  A peacemaker, not a divisive person.(James 3:18)

- Willing to be poor for others sake. (Acts 20:35; II Cor.8:9;

- Willingness to wash others feet, to work hard, and give up all for the church and the lost. (Acts 20:33-35;11:27; I Thess.2:9)

- Having the attitude of Jesus as a suffering servant of all.(Phil.2:5)

- Understanding of what it means to be the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God adn glory in Christ Jesus and put no

  confidence in the flesh. (Phil.3:30  True spiritual worship is paramount.

-  Able to motivate and move others to serve God, become like Jesus and get to heaven.  Leadership by example. (I Cor.11:1)

-  Words of edification and enlightenment come from his mouth, especially during crisis and difficult times. (Acts 27:21-25) 

-  Ability to endure all things for the sake of the gospel, with a great attitude. (Gal.6:17;Phil.4:9-13)

- Overall, a consistent, constant spiritual focus or mindset must be the key.  Mindset on things above. (Col.3:12; Rom.8:5; Phil 4:8-9)  One must be very familiar with the principles of the new creation. (Gal.6:14-16)

- Gentle and forgiving spirit. (I Thess.2:7-8)

-  Takes in orphans and widows in their distress. Generous and hospitable.

- Pure motives actions towards the saints and others. (I Thess.2:10)

 

This list could go on!  We must understand that when we put all these lists and items together, we get a good composite picture of what a man in Christ should become, especially in order to lead.  Are you doing what is necessary to earn your real bachelor's, masters, and Phd in Christian character development?  Intitiated into Christ by immersion, all by His grace through your faith, are you graduating beyond the nursery school or primary school stages? Only then can you be of great use to Christ and His church, and also insure your own salvation. "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insture salvation both fo yourself and for those who hear you." (I Tim.4:16)

 

Press on for perfection,( Heb.6:1) perfecting holiness in the fear of God,( II Cor.7:1) the holiness without which, no one, including yourself, will ever see God in all of His glory.(Heb.12:14)  Pursue it, the sanctification that is needed to enter heaven's gates with confidence at the end or our short lives.  Earn your spiritual dolphins.  Win one soul this year, and then disciple him thoroughly.  Use those booklets.  Improve your English and Bible reading ability.  If you are fluent in Twi, then take the gospel to those who know no English. If you are not very educated, go to those who are in the same boat, and forcefully and in words that they can understand, teach them the truth.  If you're do happen to be blessed with higher education, go to those of like kind, and also be willing to condesend towards those "below" you on the educational ladder. Get into it.  Put your backs into being a forceful man or woman of maturity in Christ.  Put in the 30 hours per week in prayer, study, memory work, and Bible reading to improve your performance.  People's eternal lives are in our hands.  This is more responsibility than running a nuclear sub for Uncle Sam!

 

I pray and hope that this message will stimulate all of us to greater heights of glory for King Jesus in the year of our Lord, 2007.  May it all be done by His power and might in the inner man as you are led and filled daily by His Holy Spirit.  If you do not have this Spirit, then make every effort to learn how and why you need this gift from God to not only cope, but to overwhemingly conquer. (Rom.8:37)  Remember, only those who conquer, or overcome, will wear the crown of life.  The alternative is too horrible to contemplate.  Just consider the darkness, the alienation, loneliness, pain, regret, panice, and total destruction of hell for those too lazy and foolish to listen to the One who warns, through His word, in a still small voice, today while it is still called today.  Be very, very sure that you are on the victory trail with Christ, and  are among those who will inherit eternal life. 

 

 Love and peace in Christ to you all, and very happy (in Him) New Year!