Secret of Success After Graduation

One address I gave at several College and Seminary graduations is worth while sharing with you. It is based on I and II Timothy.

SECRET OF SUCCESS ATER GRADUATION, Part One

Introduction

For the past 38 years I have been involved I the training of men and women for Christian ministry, both here in Kenya and in the USA. So I have done a lot of reflecting on the secret of success in ministry. All those who graduated have been trained in the same way by the same teachers in the same educational programme. Many succeed in ministry after graduation but some do not. Why is this? What is the secret of success after graduation?

This morning I want to speak to you on the Secret of Success after graduation based on three commands of Paul given to Timothy in the Pastoral Epistles.

How can you succeed in the ministry when you face challenges?

1. Train yourself to be godly.

2. Endure hardship

3. Be an example


I. TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY I Tim. 4:7,8

1. “Godly” - what does it mean to be “godly”?
     I used to think that to be godly referred primarily to character. But character is not at the heart of the issue.

     The Greek verb means "to be reverent, respectful, devout"

     When this is directed to God, it means worship

     Godliness begins with an attitude of devotion to God. This devotion includes the fear of God, the love of God, and trust in God.

     Godliness is “a genuine reverence for God that governs one’s attitude towards every aspect of life.” Out of this attitude of devotion to God arises godly character. Arising out of this worship and reverence for God is godly character.

2. “Train yourself to be godly”

     a. In English we get our word, gymnasium, from this Greek word. The word, “to train,” was used in reference to training in sports. It is interesting that the root of this Greek word means naked. It ancient Greek the young men would train in with gymnastic exercises while they were naked. The Greeks loved sports and of course our Olympics began with the ancient Greeks.

     b. Training in sports requires real discipline.

    Illustration: One of our Scott graduates was a great athlete who was encouraged by a world champion who was his neighbour, to go out for professional athletics. When he trained to run he trained every day of the year. He practised for THREE hours and FORTY minutes EVERY day of the WHOLE YEAR. He ran for one hour in the morning, 40 minutes at 10:00 A.M. and 2 hours every night. It was painful. It required discipline.

3. How to train for godliness

    a. Some try to be godly through self discipline and self denial, like the monks.

    b. The secret of godliness is Jesus Christ. 3:16 This verse speaks of Jesus. Jesus is the revelation of godliness, the mystery or secret that has now been revealed. Jesus embodied all that it means to be godly. He was the God-Man who prayed, trusted in his Father, submitted to his Father’s will. His lips and his life reflected the glory of God.

      The secret of being godly is to know Jesus. Godliness is not derived through hard work and discipline. Godliness is derived through abiding in Jesus and Jesus in you.

      John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.”

     c. The secret of godliness is a strong private life of prayer and Bible study.

        II Cor. 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all behold as in a mirror the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

    Illustration: Over the past year I have visited and interviewed over 95 graduates of Scott Theological College. As I interviewed them, it became very clear that the secret of their success was their strong private life, devoting themselves to prayer and Bible Study.

     d. This requires discipline and priority, especially when you are busy..

      I Cor. 9:24f “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

4. “Train yourself to be godly” - present imperative tense, meaning, keep on training, continue on training yourself. Timothy was training but he could not rest on past achievements. Neither can we. You have been training yourself in NIST. Continue on doing so. A real danger of growing lazy - stopping some of the disciplines you learned here at NIST.

5. Physical training has limited value 4:8 - honours, awards, money, fame, physical health.

    But spiritual training has value for this life and the life to come 4:8

    This life - benefits of godliness are great in this life

     Life to come - pleasing God and rewards in heaven.

TO BE CONTINUED