DISCIPLESHIP POINT 3: DON'T GO RIDIN' ON THAT LONG BLACK TRAIN!

 

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19.

Hello Friends:

     Welcome to the Soulwinnersr.us website. Last week was my second Discipleship series post entitled “Discipleship Point 2: Do You Have the Heart?” It was about the fact that discipleship is a very important, needed task, but it takes a great heart for people and doesn’t come easily or naturally to us in the church as a point of emphasis. It is something that takes our great willingness and a calling from God for the task. 

     Last week was about the “who” of being called to do the discipling. This week we are going to address the “why” of discipleship. This post is going to be short and focused. The title of my post this week is “Discipleship Point 3: Don’t Go Ridin’ on That Long Black Train!” It’s based on the popular Josh Turner song.

“Long Black Train”  by Josh Turner

There's a long black train comin' down the line

Feedin' off the souls that are lost and cryin'

Rails of sin, only evil remains

Watch out, brother, for that long black train

[Verse 2]

Look to the heavens, you can look to the skies

You can find redemption starin’ back into your eyes

There is protection and there’s peace the same

Burnin’ your ticket for that long black train

[Chorus]

'Cause there's victory in the Lord, I say

Victory in the Lord

Cling to the Father and His Holy name

And don't go ridin' on that long black train

[Verse 3]

There’s an engineer on that long black train

Makin’ you wonder if the ride is worth the pain

He’s just a-waitin’ on your heart to say

“Let me ride on that long black train”

[Chorus]

But you know there's victory in the Lord, I say

Victory in the Lord

Cling to the Father and His Holy name

And don't go ridin' on that long black train

[Bridge]

Well, I can hear the whistle from a mile away

It sounds so good but I must stay away

That train is a beauty, makin' everybody stare

But its only destination is the middle of nowhere

[Chorus]

But you know there's victory in the Lord, I say

Victory in the Lord

Cling to the Father and His Holy name

And don't go ridin' on that long black train

[Outro]

I said cling to the Father and His Holy name

And don't go ridin' on that long black train

Yeah, watch out brother for that long black train

That devil's a-drivin' that long black train

      So, in a nutshell, what’s the best way for people to avoid “Ridin’ the Long Black Train” to hell?

1. They hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
2. They are touched by the gospel message.
3. They allow the gospel message and God’s Holy Spirit to change their lives.
4. You and I help lead them, with repeated encouragement and standing beside them, away from hell, and toward Jesus and heaven.

     So, discipleship itself of people isn’t the end goal. We don’t disciple others just because we are called by God to do it, although being called is a prerequisite of discipling others.

     The goal of discipleship is to help people avoid “The Long Black Train” to hell . . . and lead them toward the light of the Son of God, Jesus, and ultimately to a wonderful eternal life with Him in heaven!

Until I see you next time, keep sharing the wonderful love of Jesus,

Arlen

DISCIPLESHIP POINT 2: DO YOU HAVE THE HEART?

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19.

Hello Friends:

     Welcome to the Soulwinnersr.us website. Last week was my first Discipleship series post entitled “Discipleship Point 1: World-Class Christians, Trained by World-Class Shepherds?” I realize the impact the lack of meaningful discipleship in my own life has had, so I want this series to address the dire need for Holy Spirit-led discipleship. Meaningful discipleship takes time, effort, patience, sometimes pain, and most of all it takes heart. I’ve entitled my post this week, “Discipleship Point 2: Do You Have the Heart?” Only if we are called by God to disciple or mentor new and growing believers will He give us the heart to do so.
     Pulling from the athletic theme again, what is it that enables a coach to go from being just a good coach to becoming a great coach? Also, what enables a business leader to go from being a good leader to a great leader? What enables a church leader or pastor to go from being a good church leader or pastor to a great church leader or pastor? And lastly, what enables a mentor who disciples new and growing Christians to go from being a good mentor to a great mentor?
     I am venturing to say that the primary ingredient to go from good to great in any task is to have a great heart for the task. And to have a great heart for the task takes a special kind of motivation. People have many different motivations to succeed in the work they do. Some want to become rich, some famous, some rich and famous. Some want to become what today’s world calls “great influencers.”
     But how do we get the heart needed to disciple or mentor new and growing believers? Let’s look at a few of the many verses in the Bible about what I label “Called-By-God Motivation” to get the heart needed to become a great mentor:

1. Matthew 2:15 says Jesus was “called” by God “out of Egypt” to become the Savior of the world.
2. Luke 1:35 says that Jesus was “called” by God to be “the Son of God”.
3. Matthew 4:21 says James and John were “called” by Jesus to transition from the lives of fishermen to follow Him to become His first disciples.
4. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 that those who love God “are called according to his purpose”.
5. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:9, “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling.”
6. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:9, that God “called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
7. Lastly, Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11 the following: God “gave (or called) some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”

     I think there are many pitfalls to what I will label “Self-Assumed Motivation” to become a great leader or mentor. Look around. News, politics, and social media are full of self-promoters and self-proclaimed bastions of truth. Don’t get me wrong. Many people with self-assumed motivation are very creative, funny, and charismatic. Many are very sincere in their beliefs. And I don’t fault them for trying to make a livelihood by becoming great at what they do. But what are some common pitfalls of self-assumed motivation?

1. They may say what they think their listeners want to hear or present their material in such a way to get good ratings, gain more followers, and perhaps go viral.
2. They may sometimes tell outright lies to sway the opinions of people.
3. They often state they have the newest and latest breaking news. They realize many people will only look at news stories one time.
4. Many, I’m guessing over 50%, use foul language to get their points across.
5. People like Hitler and Mafia bosses used and use self-assumed motivation to become rich and powerful leaders. Their motivation to become rich and powerful stops at nothing, even killing those who stand in their way. (Note: I’m in no way comparing all people who try to get to the top with Hitler or Mafia bosses.)

     So, I strongly feel that if we look at the great men in history, especially great Christian leaders, they all had what I label called-by-God motivation, rather than self-assumed motivation. This is what gave them the heart to lead and mentor new and growing Christians. 

     I desperately want to be called by God to reach and mentor new and growing Christians, and I desperately want God to give me the heart needed to do so.

Until I see you next time, keep sharing the wonderful love of Jesus,
Arlen