Passing the Torch Pastor Doug Christgau Valley Community Baptist Church February 12-13, 2011 Joshua 1:1, 5-9; II Kings 2:1, 6-14

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1 Passing the Torch Pastor Doug Christgau Valley Community Baptist Church February 12-13, 2011 Joshua 1:1, 5-9; II Kings 2:1, 6-14 Introduction: A friend of mine was privileged to attend a meeting last spring with Billy Graham. Those of you under age 25 might not know much about Graham. He is 92 years old and is long past his days of preaching in evangelistic meetings around the world. When I was a young church leader, just after the waters of The Flood receded, Billy Graham was the premier spokesperson for evangelical Christianity in this country. From his landmark 1957 crusade in NYC which I attended until his retirement from public life almost ten years ago, Graham clearly but tactfully articulated the Gospel everywhere he went whether he was a guest on network TV or meeting with U.S. presidents. There are several younger leaders in our country today that speak for evangelical Christianity including Billy s son, Franklin. As fine a man as Franklin and others like him are, none capture the universal admiration and respect that Billy did. The fact is the U.S. is a very different country in 2011 than it was when Graham was at his peak. It s much more difficult to be a respected evangelical in today s culture. Furthermore, while the U.S. and Europe were the centers of the Christian faith during the twentieth century, today that is no longer true. The center of Christianity is now south of the border. In fact, it s almost south of the equator. While the southern part of our country is often called America s Bible belt, the Bible belt of the world is now in the southern hemisphere. Let s think for a minute about Valley s upcoming World Outreach Week. I d like all of you to help me illustrate the main idea behind our theme, The Hidden Half. If you are over 25 years of age, please stand up. You are the group in whom leadership of the church primarily resides at this moment. Please be seated. Thank you. Now, if you are under 25 years of age, please stand up. You represent The Hidden Half in this congregation because you are less than 25 years of age. Of course, the U.S. and our worship service don t reflect the demographics of the world, where 50% of the world s population is under 25 years of age. This morning and during World Outreach Week next month we will focus on the students and emerging leaders of the world s Hidden Half. Please be seated. Thank you. Part of responding to The Hidden Half is recognizing that the leadership torch needs to be passed to a new generation. However, according to a recent study in U.S.A. Today, more adults sense a generation gap with young people today than any time in the last 50 years. That includes the 60s when young baby boomers used to ride around with bumper stickers on their cars saying Don t trust anyone over 30. Passing leadership across a generation gap that is the largest of modern times presents a real challenge. Let s review two of the most important leadership changes of the Old Testament to see how this can be done in a good and godly way. Our first story is the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua. I. Joshua is asked to focus on God s Word Joshua 1:1, 5-9 Moses did not actually give the final charge as Joshua took the leadership of Israel. Because of his taking credit for giving water to the Israelites instead of giving the credit to God, Moses died prior to 1

2 entering the Promised Land. In fact, Moses entire generation was denied access to the Promised Land because of their doubt and complaining even as God met every need in the wilderness. God needed a fresh group of people to brave the rigors of entering the Promised Land. So the Israelite entrance was postponed 40 years, giving time for Moses and all Israelites over 21 years of age to die before the Promised Land conquest with the exception of Caleb and Joshua. They were the only spies who returned from Canaan confident that in God s strength the Israelites would be conquerors. As a result God himself speaks to Joshua on the brink of his assuming leadership of Israel. Moses made statements similar to God s when he commissioned Joshua in Deuteronomy 31, but God s words are even more pointed and inspiring. Understand that Joshua was not even close to the 25-year age limit we have in mind for The Hidden Half. He was about 80 years old, but still about to assume a very important leadership role just as is true of under 25 s today. Verses like Joshua 1:8-9 are worth memorizing. I ll never forget being on a family camping trip as a young teen. It was Sunday morning and there was no church nearby. I asked my dad what we were going to do since we typically attended church on Sundays. My dad asked me to recite verses I had memorized in the Boy s Brigade program. I quoted Joshua 1:8-9. These verses gave us a focus for worship right there in the middle of the woods. Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. For the first time in history, God s people now had God s Word in writing. God spoke directly to Moses as he led Israel. Over the duration of his tenure, Moses had written the first five books of the Old Testament. God knew that if the people of Israel were to conquer the land, they had to live by his law. Remember, Joshua was not leading a band of experienced warriors. The Jews spent hundreds of years in Egypt making and laying bricks. Then they spent decades in the wilderness where God met their every need for water, food, and shelter. In order for the Israelites to become military conquerors God did many miracles bringing down the walls of Jericho, making the sun standstill, and so on. But God doesn t tell Joshua to believe in miracles. He asks him to study his Word. Thus, the most important instruction older leaders can give to younger leaders is 1. Study God s Word consistently. I know this sounds all too familiar, perhaps even trite. But if this message is not taken seriously, what might happen to passionate young Christian leaders? History tells us. About 100 years ago a hopeful sign that the world would be won for Christ was the Student Volunteer Movement. In 1886, one hundred university students met with Dwight L. Moody in Mt. Hermon, Massachusetts. This is not far from what we know today as Interstate Highway 91 near Deerfield. All 100 of these students signed a pledge to become long-term foreign missionaries. By 1910 these one hundred grew into a thriving movement of 100,000 students deeply committed to the Great Commission. This was as promising a group of young Christian leaders as the world has ever seen! Over a thirty-year period they sent 20,000 men and women into career mission service, 70% of the total number of missionaries sent from the United States during that time. Today, however, you d have to attend the Perspectives missions course to even know the Student Volunteer Movement existed. What happened? Leaders of the Movement stopped believing God s Word. They questioned if portions 2

3 of it were true. By the 1920 s they had concluded that the Bible really didn t call for the Gospel to go throughout the world. This passionate group of young adults that numbered 100,000 in 1910 virtually ceased to exist by Christian leaders on the rise and Christian leaders nearing the end of their ministry must have one great characteristic in common believing and studying the Word of God. Chuck Swindoll: Bible study begins when you pick up a pencil. Whether you put five minutes or thirty-five minutes into God s Word each day, don t just read it, don t just breeze through a devotional booklet, but study the Bible. The word meditation used in Joshua 1:8 refers to being absorbed in the meaning of God s word for your life. Write down thoughts that the Holy Spirit gives you as you study. You will be much more likely to act on it if you do. Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 2. How recently has God s word been a light for your path? Don t for a minute think that because I stand up here and tell you to study God s word that it s something I easily do. Satan is just as interested in discouraging me from studying God s word, as he is you. Here s a check point that I use to see if I really am studying and applying God s word to my life. I help to teach the church membership class here at Valley. If you ve never taken this class, ask someone who has and they ll recommend it highly. When I teach Valley s Affirmation of Faith in the class I always start with point one: the Bible is God s word and his source of direction for our lives. I teach this lesson several times a year. Each time that I do, I ask myself has the Bible been a source of God s direction for me since the last time I taught? If it has, I use that specific example to illustrate to the class how God s word lights our path. If I don t have a recent experience to share, it reminds me that I need to study God s word more. If you ve rarely experience God s word as a light for your path, please pick up one of the little booklets we have in the back called 7 Minutes with God. We offer this at every membership class when we talk about the importance of the Bible at Valley. One class member said this little booklet got him started reading the Bible for the first time. Another told me that he was studying God s Word but he had stopped. The 7 Minutes booklet got him started again. Many of you don t need this booklet because you already study God s Word. That s great! But if you need some help, pick this up after the service and let me know if it s a help to you. 3. Act on God s Word and let God do the miracles Studying God s Word was great counsel for Joshua, but it can t be ignored that the Jews conquered the Promised Land with the help of some of the most famous miracles in all of Scripture. If you re a leader of any kind I m sure you ve asked God for miracles. Moms and dads ask for miracles about their kids. Entrepreneurs ask for miracles in their business. Church leaders also ask for miracles too, believe me. So where do miracles fit in God s plan? They are part of the good that comes to those that take God s Word seriously. To illustrate this we don t have to look any further than Joshua chapter 3, just two chapters after the exhortation about God s Word. 3

4 In chapter 3, God created a dry path so the Israelites could pass through the Jordan River. Then, in chapter six, God brought down the walls of Jericho. It s exciting to read about these miracles, but when did they come about? Only when the Israelites obeyed instructions from God. The Jordan did not part until the priests entered it carrying the Ark of the Covenant. None of the other Israelites were within a half a mile of it at the time, per God s instructions. At Jericho, what did walking around the walls and sounding trumpets have to do with conquering a mighty city? Nothing from a military point of view. These were the instructions that God gave the Jews to conquer the city. That s what they did, and that s when the walls fell. If you re praying for a miracle, pay special attention to the part the Lord wants you to play in obedience, even if it doesn t seem directly related to the miracle you are seeking. Sometimes he ll lead us to do things that make sense, other times perhaps not. Miracles can occur without us doing anything but praying. All of this shows us that miracles are God s doing. Our job is to listen to him and obey. Finally, God tells Joshua to be 4. Be strong and courageous. To focus on God s Word we can t allow ourselves to be fearful or discouraged. We are commanded to fear not 66 times in Scripture. Fear has no place in our life if God is in it. It s easy to be fearful about leadership transitions. Moses had done great and mighty works as Israel s leader despite his failures. You may be fearful about passing leadership on to another generation. But the time to transfer leadership comes in every family, in every business, and in the church of Jesus Christ. We do well to remember God s words Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Elijah is another heroic leader of Israel who needed to pass on his leadership. This is our second Old Testament story today. II. Elijah passes Israel s spiritual leadership on to Elisha. II Kings 2:1, Elijah and Elisha were very different people Leadership transitions are not necessarily between people who are alike. Part of identifying potential successors is getting past the superficial and identifying qualities that are essential to leadership. Elijah and Elisha were different: Characteristic Elijah Elisha Socio-Economic From Gilead poor From Israel - affluent Personality Moody highs/lows Even tempered Physical appearance Hairy Bald 4

5 Ministry duration 13 years 25 years Ministry notoriety 29 mentions in N.T. 2 mentions in N.T. Elijah from rustic Gilead beyond the Jordan - Elisha owned 12 oxen. Elijah overcame the prophets of Baal then asked God to let him die. Elijah took on Ahab and Jezebel in dynamic confrontation. Elisha tended to serve people needing compassion, like raising the son of the Shunamite woman from the dead. Biblical references to their physical appears in II Kings Have you ever experienced leadership transition? Your successors aren t always going to be people like you. My most successful leadership transition occurred when I left my first ministry with Boys Brigade. My successor was a man named Mitch. Mitch and I got to know each other by working on the staff of a Brigade camp. It was only when Mitch got into big trouble that I clearly saw his potential. About a year after I met Mitch I was leading an overnight conference for teen leaders at a large church in Southern California and Mitch assisted me. Our first safety standard was that no one was to leave the church facility, especially at night. Of course, I expected my leader assistants to honor this standard, but it was Mitch who led other staff members out of the church after hours to buy Slurpees at a nearby As upset as I was with Mitch when this happened, it got me thinking how strong a leader Mitch must have been to persuade my subordinates to go outside the building despite my expressed instructions to stay in. Characteristic Doug Mitch Response to authority Obeyed the rules Broke the rules Personality Driven New Yorker Laid back So. CA Political worldview Conservative Ultra liberal Ministry duration 17 years 8 years Our desire to see the Gospel spread overcame political differences, even Mitch s interest in the radical group called Students for a Democratic Society. In fact, we became very good friends as together we embraced a Christian leadership philosophy focused on serving others. When I left Brigade to enter local church ministry, I knew my legacy would continue through the leadership of this fine man. Unfortunately our leadership durations were quite different. I spent 17 years in my work with Brigade. Mitch served for only 8 years before he dropped dead of a heart attack at age 40. He had become a vice-president of the Brigade organization during his brief tenure. Until I get to heaven I will never understand why God took Mitch, but I m still pleased that God chose him to carry my legacy. Despite great differences 5

6 2. Elijah invites Elisha to take his leadership role. Elijah should be commended as a man willing to pass leadership on to a younger person. While it may appear that Elijah waited until the last possible moment, Elisha s leadership performance suggests that he was well prepared. One of the excellent mission agencies supported through our world outreach budget is Project MedSend. It pays the educational loans of health care professionals who want to serve in long-term missions. Dave Topazian, the mission s founder, told his board after 15 years of service that had been President long enough. It was time to find someone else to lead the organization. Project MedSend was in very good shape as a ministry when Dave made this decision. Dave, like Elijah, knew it was time for him to go and someone else to lead. If you have been a leader for some time, identifying and developing people to replace you is critical. It shows you care as much about the future of your organization as you do about the organization right now. This passage lists the places Elijah visits on his last day: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and finally the Jordan River. What s important about this final tour? 1. Each location had some special meaning in God s relationship with Israel. The Jordan River, for example, was parted for the people of Israel under Joshua s leadership as mentioned earlier. Elijah s leadership transition includes parting the Jordan two more times. 2. Several times during this farewell journey Elijah encourages Elisha to stay in one place rather than traveling with him. Elisha chooses to stay with Elijah. What s going on? Elijah is putting Elisha to a final leadership test. Elisha passes with flying colors as he sticks with Elijah on every step of the journey. Elisha knows this is Elijah s last day on earth and he doesn t want to miss a single moment. 3. Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion. Can you imagine spending the last day with Elijah and seeing the Jordan River open right in front of you? Then Elijah asks Elisha, having just parted the waters, What can I do for you? Given Elijah s record as a prophet, this is better than Tom Brady asking a high school football star, Would you like me to make you a quarterback? Elisha doesn t hesitate. He knows what he wants. He asks for a double portion of Elijah s spirit. Understand, Elisha was not asking for more than he had coming to him. This request might make Elisha look like he had a sense of entitlement, but that s not the case. Elisha was reflecting the expected inheritance for the first-born son in a family a double portion. Bring it on! is a good paraphrase of Elisha s request. Elisha wanted to see God use him as powerfully as his mentor, Elijah. Elisha wanted everything that Elijah had, not for bragging rights but so that God s glory would grow both in the nation of Israel and in the lost world around it. What about you younger folks at Valley? How big a piece of the action do you want in advancing the ministry of this church? Valley has a long way to go. Please don t think we have somehow arrived 6

7 because we are larger than some churches in our area. Pastor Jay and the elders would be the first people to tell you that our job as a church is far from over. When people tell me how big Valley is, my first thought is to compare Valley s attendance on a good weekend, about 2000 people, with the population of the Farmington Valley, about 70,000 people. That means we re drawing less than 3% of the population. Granted, there are other Bible preaching churches in this area and I m glad for every one. But if all those church buildings were filled 2 or 3 times a weekend, we still wouldn t be drawing 5% of our population. The point is, thousands who live within ten miles of our church have not had a personal opportunity to accept Christ, so we ve got work to do. 4. If God asked, would you request a double portion? Who is going to lead this church in the next twenty-five years? The truth is that Pastor Jay, Pastor Steve and I are well past the point of being young leaders. So is Bob Jacks, a layman who has long influenced the evangelistic vision of this church. Who is going to step up when it s time for men like these to step down? Who will preach the Word with the passion of Jay Abramson? Who has a vision for the family like Steve Aaron? Will we just advertise these positions and find some wunderkind on churchstaffing.com? That s possible. But it is also true that some of the best leadership in churches comes right from the congregation. At Wheaton Bible Church where I used to serve, three staff members have been hired right out of the congregation in recent years. Is that what God wants at Valley? I don t know, but the point is that our younger men and women need to have the passion for ministry that Elisha revealed when he asked for that double portion. How did God respond to Elisha s request? He confirms it. God empowers Elisha to do the same amazing miracle that Elijah does. Elijah parts the waters of the Jordan River during their final conversation. Elisha parts the waters after Elijah is taken up. This was God s way of saying to Elisha, Do you really want a double portion? Game on! III. Support Hidden Half leaders seeking a double portion. Let me tell you about a place where Christian leaders want a double portion the church of the global south. The prime location of Christian leaders is now South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Yes, these leaders are different. But that s not a deal-breaker. Remember the differences between Elijah and Elisha? One difference is that the wallet of most Christian leaders has gone from rather thick when they lived in the north to very thin now that they live in the south. That means northern money your money - is still very much needed to fund global evangelization. Secondly, the skin color of most Christian leaders has gone from white to tan or black. Racial discrimination has always been a hindrance to winning the world for Christ as well as being a sin. It can have no place as we support leaders of color. 7

8 What does that mean for Valley Church? It means that our role is changing but still vital in global outreach. World Outreach Week will help us understand the changes. Next month you ll meet a young man named Andrey who is training leaders in a dangerous area of southern Russia with dozens of unreached Muslim people groups. Do you know how Andrey found Christ? One page of the Bible fell to the ground when a friend in Andrey s army unit had it ripped up by authorities. The page was John chapter 18. Andre picked up the page after the officers left, read the chapter and accepted Christ as his savior right on the spot. Amazing stories like these will remind us how God is at work around the world. The torch may be passing, but God still has much for us to do. Prayer: Lord thank you for the way in which you continue to work in the world. The leadership preparation of Elisha was fantastic, but so is the leadership preparation being done by Andrey. God, in whatever role you have for us, may we ask for a double portion of your Spirit. 8