Living with Purpose: Lessons from a Mentor's Legacy

 

Summary

Taking a moment to reflect on the profound impact of a mentor's life can be both humbling and enlightening. This week, I felt compelled to share the story of my mentor from India, a man whose life and teachings have deeply influenced my own journey and, by extension, the lives of many in our community. His recent passing has prompted me to consider the depth of his legacy and the lessons he imparted.

My mentor was a man of simplicity and profound faith, leading millions in India without the trappings of wealth or material possessions. His life was a testament to living with purpose and dedication to God's calling, even amidst personal and communal struggles. He taught me the value of living simply, giving generously, and holding fast to faith despite adversity. His life was marked by a deep commitment to God and his people, often weeping over the struggles of the church and the persecution faced by believers in India.

Reflecting on his life, I was struck by how easily we can become numb to the significant events around us, moving from one distraction to another without truly feeling or processing our emotions. This numbness is akin to the idols described in Psalm 115, which have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear. In our modern context, our devices and constant consumption of information can lead us to a similar state of emotional detachment.

God calls us to have hearts of flesh, to feel deeply and be moved by the things that move Him. In Ezekiel 9, God marks those who sigh and groan over the abominations in the city, sparing them from His wrath. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask if we are truly broken by the things that break God's heart.

My mentor's life also challenged me to reconsider my understanding of church history and the importance of communion. He emphasized the significance of the early church's practices and the need to connect with the rich history of faith that precedes us. This perspective has reshaped my approach to ministry and the way we gather as a community.

In sharing these reflections, I hope to honor my mentor's legacy and encourage us all to live with intentionality, to feel deeply, and to pursue a genuine relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

- The life of my mentor exemplifies the power of living simply and with purpose, reminding us that true wealth is found in faith and service to others. His dedication to God and his people, despite personal and communal struggles, is a testament to the strength of a life lived in alignment with divine calling. [19:13]

- In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become numb to significant events, moving from one distraction to another without truly processing our emotions. This numbness can lead us away from the heart of God, who desires us to feel deeply and be moved by the things that move Him. [06:22]

- Psalm 115 warns against becoming like the idols we create, which have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear. In our context, our devices and constant consumption of information can lead us to a similar state of emotional detachment, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of life God intends. [09:07]

- Ezekiel 9 challenges us to examine our hearts and ask if we are truly broken by the things that break God's heart. God marks those who sigh and groan over the abominations in the city, sparing them from His wrath, highlighting the importance of aligning our emotions with His. [16:09]

- My mentor's emphasis on the early church's practices and the importance of communion has reshaped my approach to ministry. By connecting with the rich history of faith that precedes us, we can gain a deeper understanding of our faith and the significance of gathering as a community. [29:37]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:56] - A Life-Changing Call
- [02:52] - The Passing of a Mentor
- [04:28] - A Legacy of Faithfulness
- [06:22] - The Numbness of Modern Life
- [08:11] - Hearts of Stone
- [09:07] - Becoming Like Our Idols
- [11:12] - The Impact of Distraction
- [12:59] - God's Emotions and Our Hearts
- [14:10] - Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours
- [16:09] - Marked by God
- [18:12] - Precious in God's Sight
- [19:13] - Lessons from a Simple Life
- [21:42] - The Cost of Casual Faith
- [29:37] - Rediscovering Church History

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 115:3-8 - Discusses the nature of idols and how those who make them become like them.
2. Ezekiel 9:4-6 - Describes God marking those who sigh and groan over the abominations in the city.
3. Exodus 19:18-20 - Describes Moses going up to meet God on Mount Sinai.

#### Observation Questions
1. What characteristics of idols are described in Psalm 115, and how do they compare to the distractions in our modern lives? [09:07]
2. In Ezekiel 9, what is the significance of God marking those who sigh and groan over the abominations in the city? [16:09]
3. How does the description of Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19 illustrate the difference between knowing about God and experiencing His presence? [25:32]
4. What were some of the key lessons the pastor learned from his mentor's life, and how did they impact his approach to ministry? [18:52]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the idols described in Psalm 115 relate to the distractions and emotional detachment mentioned in the sermon? [09:07]
2. What does Ezekiel 9 suggest about the importance of aligning our emotions with God's heart, and how might this apply to our lives today? [16:09]
3. How does the pastor's reflection on his mentor's life challenge our understanding of what it means to live simply and with purpose? [19:13]
4. In what ways does the pastor's mentor's emphasis on the early church's practices and the importance of communion reshape our understanding of community and faith? [29:37]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have become emotionally detached or numb due to constant distractions? How can you address this? [06:22]
2. Consider the things that break God's heart. Are there specific issues or injustices that you feel called to respond to? How can you take action? [16:09]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of living simply and giving generously into your daily life, following the example of the pastor's mentor? [19:13]
4. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of church history and the significance of communion in your faith journey? [29:37]
5. Identify a specific way you can be more intentional in your relationship with God, moving beyond a superficial connection to a deeper encounter with His presence. [26:59]
6. How can you ensure that your heart remains sensitive to the things that move God, rather than becoming hardened or indifferent? [08:11]
7. Think of a time when you were deeply moved by an event or situation. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in future situations? [07:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Simply with Purpose
The life of the mentor from India serves as a powerful example of living simply and with purpose. Despite lacking material wealth, he led millions with a profound faith and dedication to God's calling. His life was a testament to the strength found in aligning one's life with divine purpose, even amidst personal and communal struggles. This simplicity and dedication remind us that true wealth is found in faith and service to others, not in material possessions. His legacy challenges us to evaluate our own lives and consider how we can live more purposefully, focusing on what truly matters. [19:13]

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it." (Proverbs 15:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can simplify to focus more on your faith and service to others?


Day 2: The Numbness of Modern Life
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become numb to significant events, moving from one distraction to another without truly processing our emotions. This numbness can lead us away from the heart of God, who desires us to feel deeply and be moved by the things that move Him. The mentor's life reminds us of the importance of being present and emotionally engaged, rather than allowing the constant consumption of information to detach us from reality. We are called to have hearts of flesh, to feel deeply, and to be moved by the things that move God. [06:22]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction you can set aside today to be more present and emotionally engaged with those around you?


Day 3: Avoiding Emotional Detachment
Psalm 115 warns against becoming like the idols we create, which have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear. In our context, our devices and constant consumption of information can lead us to a similar state of emotional detachment, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of life God intends. The mentor's life challenges us to break free from this detachment and engage with the world around us in a meaningful way. By doing so, we can align our hearts with God's and experience the richness of life He desires for us. [09:07]

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see." (Psalm 115:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally limit your screen time today to foster deeper connections with God and others?


Day 4: Aligning Our Hearts with God's
Ezekiel 9 challenges us to examine our hearts and ask if we are truly broken by the things that break God's heart. God marks those who sigh and groan over the abominations in the city, sparing them from His wrath. This passage highlights the importance of aligning our emotions with God's, allowing ourselves to be moved by the injustices and suffering in the world. The mentor's life serves as a reminder to cultivate a heart that is sensitive to God's emotions and to act in ways that reflect His love and compassion. [16:09]

"And the Lord said to him, 'Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.'" (Ezekiel 9:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one injustice or issue in the world that breaks your heart, and how can you take action today to address it?


Day 5: Rediscovering Church History
The mentor's emphasis on the early church's practices and the importance of communion has reshaped the approach to ministry. By connecting with the rich history of faith that precedes us, we can gain a deeper understanding of our faith and the significance of gathering as a community. This perspective encourages us to explore the roots of our beliefs and to appreciate the traditions that have shaped the church throughout history. By doing so, we can strengthen our faith and foster a sense of unity within our community. [29:37]

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a practice from early church history into your spiritual life this week to deepen your faith and connection with your community?

Quotes


I remember when we went to India and he I started meeting Believers in different regions in India and I was shocked by their commitment level and I remember asking one of the Bishops one of the leaders there I go hey is there an area out here I mean that's a lot of people over a billion people is there like are there certain segments in India where the Casual Christians go you know like like the you know I believe in Jesus but I'm not really going to follow him are there you know are there pox cuz everyone I'm meeting seems super intense like super in tune with God re sacrifice everything seems like they have nothing and I asked him I go isn't there like a casual Christianity in India and he looked at me puzzled and he goes why he goes why would anyone do this casually he goes in India the moment you get baptized you lose everything your family disowns you you lose your job you have nothing except Jesus and the church why would you do that casually why would just kind of flippantly say oh I'll get baptized and lose every single person that I love I'm ready to lose my parents their love that they've loved me for so many years I'm ready to did he goes and and then he explained he goes when I gave my life to the Lord when my told when I told my dad I was getting baptized I forget if he said he was eight or if he was 10 he took everything that I owned all my clothes my books he goes I still remember the day it was raining everything it was just mud outside he threw everything I owned in the mud and he said get out of my house you're no longer my son so picture this 10-year-old walking around in India with nothing and just looking for any place to find something to eat and he talked about how God would supernaturally provide for him as that little kid and he goes why would I do that casually there's no such thing as that out here and that's why he would get so sad for the church in America I remember time and one time him just he was literally on the phone crying sobbing cuz another Pastor fell into immorality and and he's just like I don't understand you people out there he goes I meet some of these famous Christian leaders and I walk away going oh Jesus I wish he knew you I wish he really knew you remember there's one passage that when he taught on it it had a huge impact on my life he was sharing out of Exodus chapter 19 that scene where Moses goes up to meet with God and uh in Exodus 19:18 it says now Mount Si was wrapped in Smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln and the whole Mountain trembled greatly and as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder Moses spoke and God answered him in Thunder the Lord came down on Mount Si to the top of the mountain and the Lord Called Moses to the top of the mountain and Moses went up here's just describing that scene and and he's going gosh Moses went to the Mountaintop and God came down on the Mountaintop and fire and smoke trumpets everything everyone is terrified but Moses goes up into the presence of God and and remember him saying he actually was in his presence there was a sense in which he was touching him he goes it seems like in America people would be satisfied at the base of the mountain waiting for Moses to come down and asking if they can take a selfie with Moses like that that's that's what your culture that's what your country feels like you're more about can I get a selfie with Moses and he goes don't you realize you can go up the mountain you can actually encounter him and yet you're satisfied just knowing or saying you know someone who's close to God I that's one of the things that he taught me is don't get satisfied with with anything less than the actual presence of God and touching him not through anyone else but you and him to go up the mountain I remember one time when I was in Dallas and I was going to an event to speak and he says can I drive you I'm like sure of course so he drives me there and it was one of those big events where uh I don't know was it was pretty crazy like they had animals like donkeys camels everything like all sorts of attractions that were going to March through the sanctuary you know there was a band a known band that was playing and I was speaking and he just looked at me goes wow you Americans are so funny he goes if there's not a great speaker there's not a great crowd is there or a great band he goes in India when we hear that communion is going to take place we get excited we're like What time when is the church going to gather together and take of the bread and drink of the cup when do we get to commune with Jesus he goes It's So Different Here your people people only get excited if there's a good band or a good speaker or a good program he goes we love communion and I just remember hearing that I go wow that's so weird and thinking wow that actually draws people to partake of the body and blood of Christ it was so convicting cuz I thought if I am God and I'm looking down on the earth and I'm seeing two groups of people those who can't wait to to take of the bread and take of the cup and that's why they come versus others that are like who else is going to be there what else is going to be taking place I just thought oh God I don't want to be a part of that I want you to be my desire and finally KP was the one that really got me humbling myself about my own understanding of scripture and he asked me he goes hey how well do you know your church history I go it's not great um he goes I'm willing to bet that the only church history you ever studied was the last 500 years of church history since the Reformation he goes but what did people do do before there was this book what did people do for the first 300 years of the church you ever study that you ever think about that you ever see did you know how much they valued communion the bread and the cup do you know that they they didn't have a 40-minute expositional sermon you know they got together together with the body of Christ to remember the body and blood of Christ he goes I really challenge you study because the church didn't start with you don't have this mindset of oh the church the church has been so off and then I went to Seminary and then I figured out how to build the perfect church he goes there are 2,000 years of church history we need to attach ourselves to that and recognize that there were Godly men and women who have gone before us who died for the truth of the gospel and they cherished taking the bread and the cup he go study and it was through all that that suddenly I realized wow there can be such an arrogance nowadays in the church where all these different leaders go I got to figure it out everyone else is wrong and we forget there were a lot of Godly men and women that have been following Jesus from day one and we need to look and study and go what did they believe how do they live what were their relationships like and so that's what we're trying to that's why so much of what we do has been changed these last few few years so I share all these things and you go oh that's where he got all that you know because this is the stuff that's been on my heart but isn't it crazy how someone who lived on the earth for 74 years that you didn't know a thing about actually had an impact on your life because he impacted me and those thoughts have impacted the church and here we are today and I'm just so grateful you know I almost feel like this is like a memorial service for a guy you didn't even know and I just but I just didn't want him to pass away and for me to just move on with life and jump to the next thing without recognizing wow he taught me some very very important lessons and so much of it is around this table [00:43:36]

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Transcript
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