Sunday, August 16, 2020

Hope Is The Anchor Of Our Soul

 

HOPE IS THE ANCHOR OF OUR SOUL

Introduction: None of us foresaw what 2020 was going to bring upon us. In early February and March, our country woke up to a rude awakening by the storm of COVID-19 hitting our shores. The waves of COVID-19 infections, along with the death toll, gradually began to rise. I remember watching the news on March 27, shocked by the death toll reaching 1,100.

            I prayed and said, “God, please have mercy on us, stop this evil.” We sincerely hoped and prayed and even somewhat believed the words of our president, who said, “This COVID- will disappear from our shores by Easter April 13. We are now in August, and the US is leading as the number one country when it comes to COVID deaths at 170,632

            One report suggests that one person dies in the US every 80 seconds.[1] Do these deaths bother us, or have we become numb to the numbers? With such staggeringly rising deaths and not knowing when we will see an end to this Pandemic, one begins to lose hope.  I sense and hear people are genuinely anxious and afraid for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

            Amid such panic and uncertainty, where should we turn to find strength and solace? Who can bring hope to our seemingly hopeless situation? On whom can we pin our hope for our future? Who could be the anchor of our souls during these storms of adversity?

            In the last two weeks, we have been challenging ourselves to become spiritually mature and continue to run the race by looking to Jesus. God has been calling the backsliders, the prodigal sons and daughters to come back and embrace His Son, Jesus Christ.

            From our study together, I hope we will find some answers to the nagging questions of life. After urging believers to grow up and the perils of falling away from their faith, the author points them to God’s unfailing promises. I title this; “Hope is the Anchor for Our Souls.”

            During these days of Pandemic, if there is one thing people around the world are struggling to hold on to is, “Hope.” Here is a powerful quote from Nelson Mandela, who never lost hope during the most horrendous eighteen years of his life on Robben Island. “Difficulties break some men but make others. No ax is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”

            Hope gives us the power to endure all odds in life. Why is hope such a precious commodity that you must never lose? Listen to the wise saying of King Solomon, Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” And once your heart is sick, the rest of your life is sure to be affected. What makes us lose hope? 

I. DEPRESSION DEPRIVES OUR HOPE

            Depression is one of the significant factors that drive people to the edge of hopelessness.  One report shows, “A third of Americans report anxiety or depression symptoms during the Pandemic Young adults are experiencing the highest rates of mental health strain during the Pandemic, according to new CDC data.”[2] Whether we like it or not, in the days to come, mental health becomes a massive crisis in our nation and our communities.

            . Are we ready as a church to face such a challenge? What does it take to get us there? The scriptures have several examples of those who were depressed; one of them was King David. Listen to his struggle with depression. Psalm 42:5, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again, my Savior, and.’

II FEAR PARALYZES OUR HOPE

            Fear is a real factor that paralyzes our hope. Fear of any kind may it be fear of rejection, failure, death, the unknown and uncertain future can render us powerless and helpless.

            Fear is not necessarily a bad thing; it is a survival mechanism. But being fearful all the time or having specific phobias may be destructive. Knowing how anxious and afraid human beings can get. God has given us many scriptures to encourage us not to be fearful.

            When you are scared of your future read, Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” When you are afraid of the bad news, read Psalm 112:7, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”

            When you are afraid of death, especially during these days of Pandemic, read Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” The third thing that makes us lose our hope.

III BROKEN PROMISES HINDERS OUR HOPE

            How many times were we disappointed by broken promises of people? People with all good intentions make specific promises, but often they may not be able to keep those promises. Especially influential people make promises and break them; we are hindered in our hope, and we don’t know who to believe anymore. To show the distinction between the broken promises of people and God who never breaks His promises, the author used the story of Abraham.

            Vs. 13-14 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” You find more details in Genesis 17-22:17.

            In Gen 17, God promises Abraham that he will give them countless descendants. In chapter 18 promises a son. In 21, we read about the birth of Isaac, and in 22, God tests Abraham to offer his only son Isaac. Abraham obeys the Lord and takes his son to offer him as a sacrifice to the Lord. After seeing Abraham’s obedience, God promises him this time with an oath.

            Gen 22:17, “Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.”

            Whether this promise will come true or not depends on God’s unchangeable nature. Vs. 17-18, “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So, God has given both his promise and his oath. When we think of the swearing ceremony, we see the president of the USA lifting one hand towards God and placing another hand on the Bible, making an oath to protect the constitution and take care of the nation. Why we make him or her swear?

            Ordinarily speaking, the swearing of an oath belongs to our fallen human society, where often a man’s word is not trustworthy. God’s word in itself is reliable, when God swears by himself, since there was no one else was higher than him then, and even now it makes doubly dependable. In other words, God’s promise will come to pass no matter what, that is our hope.

            God’s promises and his oath are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. All of God’s promises are yeah and amen, and all of God’s promises will come to pass, some of them perhaps in our time and certainly the rest in His time. Let me give you an example.

            At age seventy-five, Abraham received the promise of God. He had to wait for 25 years patiently against all the odds to see the promise of God fulfilled. A partial fulfillment came when Abraham and Sarah were blessed with Isaac. But they both died without having seeing the rest of the promise of God multiplying their descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven.

            With that confidence, knowing that one day his promises will be fulfilled, we come to Him and find refuge. Without a doubt, we can build our lives upon Jesus. We can lay all our desires, aspirations, and expectations on the rock of our salvation. He is the anchor of our soul.

IV. HOPE IS THE ANCHOR OF OUR SOUL 

            We talked a lot about hope, how do we define it? Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a sure thing to happen. It is an aspiration, desire, dream for better and beautiful things.  Hope can be present but mostly has to do with the future. We all need hope to live our lives.

            What keeps our lifeboat to withstand the wildest storms of life? The author shows us a principle in verse 19, “This Hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” The author uses here the analogy of an anchor.

            An anchor is used to connect a ship to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. Similarly, our hope the Christian’s anchor goes up into the real, heavenly sanctuary where he is connected to God himself so that we won’t be drifted away by every storm of life. In other words, when we are anchored in Christ, we are unshakable.

            Hope in itself or on anything or in any person can provide that anchoring for our souls; it is our hope in Christ alone. Therefore, when you feel discouraged, disillusioned, depressed, and afraid, let the firm anchor of hope go down into Christ, the solid rock. Upon Him, we can stand and stay sheltered and protected. In closing, what makes our hope strong and enduring?

            Frequently trials and troubles strengthen our hope. So, should we pray for God to send us more troubles on our way so that our hope is strengthened? Romans 5:3-5, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

            And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” My prayer for all of us at Hope Church and friends of Hope Church is that “the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:13. As we leave, let us remain Hopeful, Amen!

 

           



[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/one-death-every-80-seconds-grim-new-toll-covid-19-n1235890

[2] https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2020/5/29/21274495/pandemic-cdc-mental-health

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Can Christians Lose Their Faith?

 

CAN CHRISTIANS LOSE THEIR FAITH?

Introduction Joshua Harris, the author of the popular evangelical best-seller, “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” He is known as a relationship guru. Days after announcing his divorce with his wife, denounced his Christian faith. He noted, “I have undergone a massive shift concerning my faith in Jesus. The popular phrase for this is ‘deconstruction,’ the biblical phrase is ‘falling away.’ By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.”[1]       

            Marty Sampson, a worship music writer, singer, and active member of Hill song, has publicly denounced his faith on social media. Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy. Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet—they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people. But it’s not for me.”[2]

            What a tragedy, two prominent Christian young ministers for whom a lot has been going on, now no longer call themselves as Christians.  These are certainly some of the signs of the end times. Mathew 24:10, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.” In our Post-Christian world, it remains a challenge to maintain our faith.

            We have been on a journey to finding “greater things” from the book of Hebrews. This past week, we addressed the question, “Are you A Spiritual Babe or An Adult? We challenged ourselves to grow up and become spiritually mature. Today we look at another very troubling question, “Can Christians lose their faith”? Hebrews 6:4-12. I find these verses four through six, particularly challenging. Over the years, these verses fueled fires between Arminians (named after their founder, Jacobus Arminius) and Calvinists after John Calvin in the 1500’s AD.

            Arminians take them as proof that it is possible for someone who has once been a believer to fall away from faith irretrievably. Calvinists interpret them in such a way as to make that a practical impossibility. But they often forget the author’s purpose was not to deal with the Calvinist-Arminian controversy of “eternal security of the believer, “but to move his audience from the practices of animal sacrifices to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus the Great High Priest.[3]


I. BACKSLIDING IS A GRAVE CONCERN (Vs. 4-6)

            I have never been to treatment for any addiction.  But I am aware of the struggles of the addicts who are trying to quit their debilitating habits. Therapists would agree that for most people dealing with addiction, recovery is a long, winding path, with ups and downs, successes and disappointments and often instances of relapse, in which someone returns to using their substances of choice and to their problematic behaviors[4]

            When born again, Christians are resorting to their old sinful behaviors before they got saved; we call them they are backsliding. The word backslides implies a movement away from Christ rather than toward Him. What are the signs of a backsliding Christian?

            Remember, a backsliding Christian was once a fiery follower of Christ, but gradually, his love for the Lord begins to grow cold, as he reverts to his old sinful habits. He lacks the interest to read the Bible and pray, stops attending church, and in the end, some could even walk away from God, his marriage, family, and ministry. We see this backsliding happening everywhere.

            On the other hand, some might be attending church regularly yet may be backsliding in their faith.  A couple of months ago, I was saddened to hear that one of my former ministry friends in India is backslidden. He became an alcoholic, left his wife, family, and the ministry.

            I tried connecting with him, but I couldn’t reach him. I pray that he would get back to his faith, which he once held firmly. Let’s watch out! Backsliding could happen to anyone of us.   Vs. 4-5, “For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come and who then turn away from God.” By the way, the author speaks of people, and their character indicates that he was not addressing Pseudo-believers but true believers. He highlights four attributes of a true believer.


II. FOUR ATTRIBUTES OF A TRUE BELIEVER

            Firstly, “They were once enlightened.” The author here was referring to those who were once enlightened by God Himself. John 1:9, “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” In the process of salvation, God always takes the initiative. Salvation is a gift from God and not anything to be earned by us, but to accept it gratefully.

            Secondly, “they have experienced the good things of heaven.” Many Jews of that time experienced the good things of heaven, such as healings and deliverance from demons and eating the food that Jesus multiplied miraculously. Yet, many refused to accept Christ as their Messiah.        Similarly, many experience the goodness of God; it doesn’t mean that they all are saved.  Thirdly, “they have shared in the Holy Spirit,” It refers to the ministry of the believers by the power of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit. Heb 2:4, “God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”           

            Fourthly, “they have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come.” It is referring to the call of God to all his believers in Ps 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Power of the age is referring to the many Jewish people’s expectation of a coming age of righteousness, justice, and peace.

            Many Jews have expected that the Messiah will come and inaugurate that era of God’s reign. The good news is that Jesus, our Messiah, has already come. Therefore, His followers now experience a foretaste of what will be consummated at his second coming. The author raises a philosophical argument stating, what happens to a believer if he falls away from his faith?


III CAN CHRISTIANS LOSE THEIR FAITH?

            Vs. 6, “and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.” These particular verses have stirred two theologians of the past to take different theological positions. Let me try to explain my understanding of this text.

            In NASB, “then have fallen away.” NIV, “If they fall away.” Whichever way you look at it, by the way, this text was grammatically constructed, one could draw to the conclusion that this was only a hypothetical argument, and the “falling away from faith may not happen.” However, it serves as a warning to immature believers to progress to spiritual maturity.

            Let’s look at this argument in detail. Suppose a person who has been enlightened by God, has tasted the gift of salvation, and the Holy Spirit came to dwell in him, he understood God’s word and demonstrated God’s power, what happens if he or she falls away or loses their faith?

            The author has an answer, “It is impossible to renew them again to repentance.” The Greek word means “to have a qualitatively new, or different repentance.” Why is it impossible to have qualitatively different or new repentance? For that to happen, Jesus Christ would have to come and die on the cross again. If that is so, then his earlier crucifixion is nullified.

            The hope of all those who believed in Jesus is in vain. Therefore, for these and many other reasons, it is impossible for those who fall away to renew them again to repentance. In Philosophical argument, it is called “reduction to an absurdity.”

            In other words, from a false assumption, we derive absurd conclusions. Just by merely looking at the text, it is incorrect for us to suppose that Christians could lose their faith because that would invalidate the great sacrifice of Christ on which our repentance of sins and salvation is based. Coming back to our question, can Christians lose their faith, this is what I conclude.

            This particular passage cannot adequately answer that question with a definitive yes or no. It is only addressing a hypothetical situation. After studying this passage and other scriptures, I am confident that what Christ has done on the cross to attain our salvation is final, complete, and once and for all. There is nothing we can do to be saved and sanctified. He did it all for us.

            The scriptures suggest that those who have been entrusted to Jesus, He can protect and keep them till the end. John 10:27-29, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” This should give all the believers a sure hope.

            My concern, however, is whether or not we will lose our faith, but about what can render us faithless, fruitless, and disqualify us from getting the prize in the end. This passage is a clear indicator of what could happen to immature believers. It also encourages us to keep on loving others as long as life lasts and not to become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

            We have examples of those who began a good race but could not complete it. Let’s learn from their mistakes. We also have examples of those who maintained their faith until the end. Let’s imitate their faith. Let me close with these words of Paul; “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Phil 3:13-14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

 



[2]https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/entertainment/2019/august/im-genuinely-losing-my-faith-hillsong-worship-leader-rejects-christian-beliefs

[3] David H Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary

[4] https://www.addiction.com/in-recovery/relapse/

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Are You A Spiritual Babe Or An Adult?

ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL BABE OR AN ADULT?

Introduction: Have you wondered why some grown-up adults act like children? It is often a narcissist who acts like a child. One study says, "Narcissist's behaviors can be mystifying and disturbing if you expect them to act like adults consistently. Though narcissists can behave like adults much of the time, when they feel embarrassed, ignored, or inferior, they may revert to a childlike state, acting like children during the "terrible twos."

            Unfortunately, in our society, we see a lot of adult men and women who never seem to get past the stage of a two-year-old when it comes to getting their way. We call them immature, and we charge them to grow up. We see a similar pattern play out among those who are born again and call themselves Christians. We have been studying through the book of Hebrews.

            This past Sunday, we looked at Jesus being the Great High Priest. In conclusion, the author compared Jesus to Melchizedek. His audience couldn't follow this profound truth. Today we will see what leads them to their immaturity and how the author gently points them to their goal of "Spiritual maturity." How about you today, Are You A Spiritual Babe or An Adult?

            We will pick up where we stopped last week. Hebrews 5:10, "And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." It must have raised questions in the minds of the listeners regarding this strange character called Melchizedek. The author resorted to explaining.

In verse eleven, "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen."

            The way the author answered their questions expose the state of mind of his audience. In a sense, it also reveals the state of mind of individual Christians in the 21st century. It looks like the author had much more to say about Melchizedek, so he dedicated two entire chapters seven and eight to talk about who he was, and how Jesus, was more significant. In our passage, we will learn about some of the factors that contributed to their immaturity.

            By reading, verse eleven, we understand that the author had much more evidence to say about the high priestly role of Jesus, but was offering only a portion of the vast evidence that could be provided at that time. Why? Because the believers were spiritually dull and didn't seem to listen. Spiritual stagnation and indifference to sound teachings seem to be a problem of our time too. What makes a believer's spiritual growth stunted?

 I THE THREE BLOCKERS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

            The first blocker is a lack of desire to read God's word. When God accepts a person into His family, he or she is like a newborn spiritual baby. Well, we all know what is necessary for a physical newborn baby to grow and become strong; it is the mother's milk. Similarly, a new believer must crave the pure milk of God's word daily, an essential source of spiritual growth.

            I Peter 2:2, "Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment." When babies drink milk from their mother, they draw nourishment, feel secure, and learn to trust their mother.

            In the same way, when a new believer spends time in reading God's word daily, he draws strength, he feels secure, and learn to trust God who birthed him into His family. I cannot overemphasize the necessity of reading God's word daily, especially for new believers. There is nothing else that can replace the pure milk of God's word, not even listening to the best sermons.

            The second blocker is a lack of listening and practicing God's word regularly. It is one thing to read the Bible, but if we don't pay attention to what it says and apply it in our daily lives, it will do no good to us. Jesus, in one of his early teachings, said, "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock." Matthew 7:24.

            As a young believer, I not only read the Bible eagerly and daily; I tried to practice it as well, which made me grow and become strong in my faith and the understanding of God.

            The best way to retain what we are learning is by practicing it. If you don't practice it, we will lose it. The same applies to the learning of spiritual truths. If you don't act accordingly and keep practicing them, you are in danger of losing them. Practice makes men and women perfect.

            The third blocker is unrepented sin. I want to compare the Christian life to a spiritual garden that God has planted in our hearts. In recent years we have learned a thing are two about weeds and how they hinder the growth of a garden. Similarly, in our spiritual garden, the weeds are the unrepented sins. They will suck up all the energy, blocking your spiritual growth.

            Consider these scriptures. Song S2:15, "Catch all the foxes, those little foxes,

before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming." Any sin, either big or small, has the potential to destroy our spiritual garden. I Peter 2:11, "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul."

            I am convinced that you may ask for all the prayers from your pastor and other believing friends for you to overcome your sins. As long as you don't take personal responsibility for your sin and repent and ask God for forgiveness, you will remain spiritually immature. Which are the little foxes of sin that you need to catch and kill? Coming back to our passage

            The Hebrews' spiritual lethargy and slow response to gospel teaching prevented additional teaching at this time. This is a reminder for all of us that the failure to appropriate the truth of the Gospel produces in us spiritual dullness, whereby it hinders our spiritual growth and further prohibits us from acquiring additional truth.

            Let me summarize the three blockers of our spiritual growth: The lack of desire for God's word, lack of obedience to His word, and unrepented sin. After pointing out their spiritual dullness and unwillingness to listen, the author explains the reason for it and exposes their current state of mind as believers, which was infantile and immature.

 II ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL BABE? (12-14)

            Vs. 12, "You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food." This can be the condition of some of us today.

            The believers that the author was addressing were not recent converts; they may have been under his teaching for a long time. He expected them to be teachers by that time; instead, they remained as spiritual babies still needing milk and not yet ready for the solid meat.

            What a sobering assessment of the believers of that time. Let me bring this to our context. Many of us have been seasoned Christians for years and attending Hope Church for a long time. We may have come under the solid Biblical teachings of many teachers. If the author were to assess our spirituality, I wonder what he would say about our maturity?

            The author's expectations of the believers of his time are in line with God's expectations of His followers of all time. God expects them to be teaching others about the truths of the Gospel.  Listen to the last command that Jesus gave to His disciples before He ascended to haven. Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Jesus wanted this well-established tradition of teaching to be continued.

            What is the difference between a teacher and teaching? A teacher is explicitly gifted by God to equip the believers. (I Cor 12:27). Whereas teaching is a normal part of all believers (Col 3:16). This typical way of life has been commanded by God and been in practice for generations.

            Duet 6:6-7, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

            In other words, let the teaching of my commandments be a regular part of your life. Jewish homes religiously followed this command of God and passed on the truths of God to their children and their grandchildren. That is still the expectation of God for us in the 21st century.

            That was surprisingly missing among the believers in the book of Hebrews. Many of them came from a Jewish background and had also been following Christ for a long time. Yet they were immature spiritual babies and expecting to be spoon-fed again and again.

 III SPIRITUAL MATURITY OUR LIFE LONG GOAL. (6:1-3)

            Hebrews 6:1-3, "So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding." The author urges them to move past six fundamental teachings. 1. Repentance. 2. Faith in God. 3. Instructions about Baptism. 4. Laying on of hands. 5. The resurrection of the dead. 6.Eternal judgment.

            What does this mean to us today? Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned Christian, your goal is to increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ so that we will be mature.  How do we know we are spiritually matured? Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons have learned the joy of serving others. Which attire are you wearing? Are you a spiritual babe or an adult?

            Mature believers will be able to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Every wind of new teaching will not waver us. The lies of people will not influence us. We will speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:13). At Hope Church, we want all believers to become spiritually mature and be able to teach others. Parents must teach God's word to their children. Older believers need to come alongside and show younger believers the ways of God so that we all will grow together to spiritual maturity and become more Christlike. The teaching culture must continue. Amen!