Strength To Strengthen

In the last sermon I taught about strength. 
This is part 2. Strength to Strengthen.

Today is snowed in Massachusetts. Thank you to those that were able to help make things run smooth. For those that couldn't come, here is the sermon. Be strengthened.  

“Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” - Deuteronomy 3:28 
#1. Pass It On. 
Moses was an amazing man. But there came a time where he had to pass on the responsibility to Joshua. 
One of the greatest parts of life is passing something on to someone else. Parents all know the feeling when your kid can do something because you took the time to teach them. All of us can find someone to help mentor. Are you mentoring anyone? If so great! Decide to do an excellent job. If not then maybe you could start. If you need a mentor don't be ashamed to reach out and ask someone. We all need mentors. I have a few. 

#2. Bring the Good News.
We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. - Acts 14:14
People were worshiping the Apostle Paul. Happened then, happens today. Don't let anyone worship you. We do our best as mentors but peoples faith should be in God, not us. Learn the Good News. The stories of the love and strength that comes from Jesus and share that with them on a regular basis. You may be a mentor to someone for a season but their relationship with God is eternal. So nurture that. 

3. Remind Those You Strengthen That Jesus Has The Answers. 
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. - Colossians 1:15-16    
There are a lot of self help books and you could read 50 of them and gain a lot of wisdom. But their are thousands of books about the wisdom Jesus has. So start by turning to the four gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the beginning of the New Testament and learn from the master Himself. 
There are many things that I don't have the right answer for. But Jesus does. Why do you think people build big beautiful buildings all over called churches? One reason is to help people to connect with the One who has the answers. 
By reminding people in your life that you are trying to strengthen that it is Jesus that has the answers you are helping them again to put their faith in Him, not you. 

So What to get those in your life for Christmas? Maybe someone needs you your time. You, you can be a gift to someone who needs a friend or a mentor.