Preparing to Make Disciples

My Journey of Faith Part 6

For 3 years, these 2 were strung tighter than a steel cable holding up a suspension bridge.

For three years, our purpose was to give ourselves to Christ so we might serve Him by making disciples who would love and serve Him in the same way. Christian fellowship is about family. Parents bring forth children who grow into parents themselves.

Preparing to Make Disciples is not without a stressful decision

Speaking to people about the love of God and the blessings that flow from Him if you will only believe is easy. Speaking to people about the desperate state of their souls that, without His salvation, will leave them in eternal hell is something completely different.

As the day approached, I became increasingly nervous, and my thoughts became scattered and less focused. One day before we left for school, I'm not sure why, my wife and I got into a conversation about how I'd been spending my time. Truth be told, it's always best to divide your time more evenly, as much as possible, between jobs, of which I had two at the time: family and church. I can hear my wife say, "Saturday, you get up, eat breakfast, study your Bible until you break for lunch, and then go back and study your Bible for another four hours." You might say I was consumed with knowing what God had to say.

At some point, the pressure of presenting the Gospel can become greater than we can bear, humanly speaking. That's the way it was, and no matter how much study you put into it, deep in your soul, you know you can't save anybody. All you can do is trust God to use you as a channel through which His grace can flow. It was my turn to preach at one of the migrant worker camps. I went with a brother who was also from Brooklyn and two years my senior in school. At one time, he was part of a very rough gang. He shared part of his testimony about sharpening his belt so that he could use it when there was a fight to hurt others.

Preparing to Make Disciples Must be Accompanied with God's Presence

I knew what I wanted to say, but once I started speaking, it was as if I wasn't in control anymore. Many years later, I was on the bus one time, and I don't even remember what I was saying, but the person across from me said in a very firm voice, "I'm gay." I immediately prayed, Oh Lord, I have put my foot in my mouth; please help me now. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind that had never occurred to me before, and I said, You do realize that if everyone on the planet were gay, this would be the last generation. He thought for a second and said, I never thought of that. I then turned the conversation on a dime and began speaking about the condition of all men before a holy God, that we are all headed for hell, and how the grace of God can reach anyone. When he had to leave, he got up, shook my hand, and said, this is one of best conversations I've ever had. I hope I see you again. I haven't, but I hope to see him in heaven one day.

Back to the migrant workers, when I finished preaching, I asked them to make a decision, and they all bowed their knees and prayed with me. I do not say they were all saved, but God was present, and their hearts were moved. It was in the seventies, and God was at work in a more tangible way than I see Him these days. The brother who accompanied me that day, a compelling speaker, commented on my preaching, and I could tell he was moved and seemed a bit surprised at what he heard.

Preparing to Make Disciples Must Point People to the Cross

When it came to my turn to share at the Sunday morning men's prayer meeting, which was held every Sunday before church, I was equally nervous. I was so anxious that I got up, showered, and realized after fully dressing that it was still only 3 AM. I spoke about forgiveness from Matthew 18. Towards the end, I shared an experience at work; when swinging a hammer, a piece of metal broke off an iron hinge and struck me in the arm. The bloodshot about five feet and then almost miraculously stopped. I learned later it lodged in what I assumed was an artery. I rushed to the hospital, which was not uncommon for me in those days, and after taking an x-ray, they took me in for surgery.

I felt everything they did on the table as they probed for the metal piece the size of a 22-caliber bullet. All I could think about was a line from Psalm 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." At one point, I heard one doctor say to the other, make it a little bigger, talking about the incision. Electric shocks were going up my arm, through my shoulder, and to my head. At one point, my thoughts almost strayed as I was getting to a mind to be unhappy with the doctors. As I shared that with the men at the prayer meeting, it took me to the cross, where Jesus was suffering the horrendous indignities and atrocity of a crucifixion. However, His demeanor and character caused Him to cry out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." The doctors were trying to help me; they, indeed, were not trying to afflict me with pain. Not so with the Son of God. But not so the soldiers that crucified our Lord; that was the whole intent and purpose for their being there. I concluded with that picture fixed in our minds that unforgiveness is not an option for the believer; for us, forgiveness is to be deprived of no person. The price to Christ for our forgiveness was just far too great for the Son of God.

At the prayer meeting, we would all kneel, two by two, and pray not far from each other. Not only did you concentrate on the prayers of the person next to you, but you could hear a low mumble of everyone else praying in the background. Prayer filled the room, and you knew God was listening. Your heart could be filled with the knowledge of God. I have longed for similar experiences since that time.

Preparing to Make Disciples Must be Accompanied with Hospitality

One of many lessons my loving wife taught me is this: Beginning with our time together in Brooklyn, she always opened our house to those in need. Whether sinners lost in immorality and drugs, or whatever the case, the door was always open to someone in need. Prayer meetings late into the morning, giving food when we had none to spare, and always reaching out with a helping hand have made my ministry of sharing the Gospel and making disciples so much more vital when backed up by selfless giving.

Brother and sister having fun at the piano

Preparing to Make Disciples Must begin in our own Home

No one can prepare to make disciples if they are not praying fervently for their own children and making every effort to reach them first. We all fall short, but we, like the Apostle Paul, must seek to have a clear conscience, even though Christ is the righteous judge who alone can do so with absolute and complete righteousness. We can save no one; therefore, we humble ourselves and ask to be the channel through whom God can work.