All Aboard!!!!

1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Have you ever taken a trip by train? In America, the first half of the 20th century saw exclusive train travel. Hundreds of thousands of miles criss crossed this nation. America was alive and billowing with huge steam engines and long trains carrying freight, passengers, war munitions, and everything else you can think of to strengthen the infrastructure of America. The days of the steam trains hark back to the golden era of America, an era that has sadly faded away as the steam that rose from the engine's smoke stack. Whenever I think of trains and particularly old time passenger trains, I think of the conductor in the Polar Express. Remember that Christmas movie popular a few years back? Actor Tom Hanks played the role of the Conductor. The Conductor's job was to make sure the train left each point and made it to the next on or before time. The Conductor in the movie was always pulling out his pocket watch to see how on schedule the train was on. Images like this are always fond to me as my family was largely employed by the railroad in the early 20th century. The New York Central railroad was particularly noted for its special train named, "The 20th Century Limited." This train was the crown jewel of the line and was the latest in luxury and style in the 20's to 40's. The train was immaculately kept and only the best of china was used and the best food was served. But the thing that made the Century was its transit time. The Century ran from the La Salle Street station in Chicago to Grand Central in New York in just under 14 hours, quite a feat for back then. It was the job of the conductors to keep their watches tuned and their passengers accounted for so that the flight would be accomplished successfully. Like the Conductor of a train, it is the duty of every Christian to ensure that we as a church body of believers we encourage one another and hold accountable one another for the trip of life. We are not to be the supreme judge of every man's person but we are on many levels to hold each other up to a standard of godliness. In doing so we do well to maintain spiritual growth and harmony for the church. Should each Christian be concerned for his or her fellow believer, we would see greater growth inwardly and outwardly. The Apostle Paul references many times in his epistles the theme of "being in the same mind," or "being of one spirit." The reason he does this is that he knew that the church cannot run correctly or even "on time" if they are all at odds with one another, or, worse yet are contrariwise over doctrine and practices. The Conductor of the train keeps his train running by ensuring everyone has his or her ticket, the engine is well maintained, the staff is prepared and the passengers are accounted for. Likewise the Christian's duty is the same as we shall see in the discussion below. To have everyone in the church "All Aboard," requires each of us in our own responsibilities to: Edify

This is simply doing what we naturally in Christ ought to do, to build up one another. The unsaved world does this, so this should be a no-brainer. If you're in doubt over whether a person needs to be encouraged, always err on the side of the affirmative. Day by day life is getting harder, and it assuredly helps one another to compliment them on the ministry they are doing or something you know specifically would bless them. People keep things in silently from all else, but your encouragement penetrates where nothing else can get through. No one builds up a house by neglect or by a wrecking ball, likewise, build up and help. Help can be so much more than words, in fact, actions are so much more important. Get involved in a person's needs, sometimes asking first is best, but if its not a delicate situation, go ahead and share and provide, you don't know how much it will mean to them and give them renewed strength and hope in Christ.

Admonish

This word may have a controversial connotation in its definition, but its part of edification. Going back to a structural illustration, if we see a building being built improperly and we know how to suggest improvement, we ought to do so. The difference is that we admonish in love and not in being hyper critical. We desire the best for each other. Our main goal is to see others walk with Christ as best they can, but we need to realize that we are not the all knowing authority on the matter. However, we would be less than loving and mostly of an evil spirit if we know an action or attitude is going to harm a fellow believer and we watch it all play out without saying a word. Suppose Christ did this to us. Suppose He let us flounder without correction. He doesn't do that and we should care more for each other not to do that either. The best way though in admonishment is by prayer and much prayer to ensure your heart is pure and is not motivated by any selfish means. The proper admonishment will be so appreciated by those you help because it shows the person you care.

Exemplify

The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy and in his epistles often remarks on the examples we ought to be for future generations to follow. What does our lives exemplify. All men and women follow someone's example. The world knows little good example. The best examples the world does offer and what others seem to think are good, found in the light of Scripture, are for the most part deplorable. But by our lives in Christ we show a better way. We do not lift ourselves up by encouraging men to come up to our standards, but up to Christ standards. When example is followed by this rule we are properly engaged in exemplifying. The needs for this is critical especially in today's churches. We have 2 to 3 generations growing up in spiritual ignorance. Such people are unlearned in Scripture and in practice of godliness. How shall they learn if we don't preach to them by our example? This is why Paul often said to be followers of himself, not to brag on himself, but think of it as a teacher who desires the student to know the life changing truth, and the only way to impart that is for them to do as he or she does. Patterns of morality and good standards are included in the Christian example, but the greatest example is to be like Christ, to love as He loved, to glorify God as He did, to give as He gave and all of this for His glory and not for ourselves. How will the future generation survive the onslaught of ungodliness if they have no example to follow and implement in their own lives?

Sustain

If you ever listen to an organ or piano there are "sustains" built in to carry the note or notes longer than a brief moment. This feature enables the listener to get the full impact of the sound or reason for that note. Many times in music, a sustained note is like an exclamation point on a sentence. The given reason may vary for the sustain, but its effects are the same, its given for remembrance. In our Christian lives, keeping folks "all aboard" requires we sustain many things. The typical church has largely either done away with sustained practices, or has held on too tightly those things which are more tradition than godly. What we need to do is to sustain the things of God such as holding strictly to the Word. You may think this is a given, but you would be surprised how many church leaders feel that because the standards of God's Word won't change with cultural norms, than we must change our interpretation of the Word. I think nothing displeases God more than to have His Word bent and twisted to fit humanistic ideas. If you are in a leadership role, don't apologize or compromise but sustain the correct teachings of the Word as has been done in the past. Though I tell few people this, I have always found it sadly amusing to listen to people justify change in the church. People believe that yesterday's methods will not work with today's crowds. The Gospel introduction and teaching does not change! Did you know that when Christ sets on His Earthly Throne that He has no intentions of pleasing the popular culture!! There will be no concessions or appeals in that day. But in this day people's reasoning must be that we need to change our tactics or lose the game as it were. Note this, that any time a person liberalizes ways or teachings, or waters down good Gospel methods, they may draw more crowds, but the impact of the Gospel is always weakened. We trade good Bible conferences for contemporary music concerts. We teach kids silly and contemporary songs in lieu of memorizing Scripture. We start telling stories and sports illustrations to help folks understand good moral principles, ebbing away the fact we need to hear from the Holy Scriptures on how to lead a godly and Christ centered life!!! The point is that we must SUSTAIN those things which keep men and women growing in Christ; to do any less is doing them the greatest disservice. Succor The final word in our "all aboard" theme is this word "Succor." This is a word found only in the older English texts of Scripture. The word is a middle English word that carries the meaning of providing relief to those in need. In the Scriptures, Dorcas was a fine example, making coats for widows. Another example is Phoebe, a hard working lady in the New Testament church. Martha, was yet another example. All of these point to Christ who is the Master Reliever of the Brethren. In following this example, if we want everyone aboard as we roll through life, we need to meet physical needs. We provide relief when our words find action. Sending a meal to a disabled person, visiting the sick, fixing a house need, transporting a person to a doctor or to some other place are all examples of succoring. We do this not for our sake but for the other person that we may bring honor to Christ. If you can help a person in need by giving them money, you do it as unto the Lord. Should you be able to provide them with some material possession or need, then do so as you would the Lord. Christ's disciples once asked Him when they had ever seen the Lord in hunger or in want. Jesus replied in Matthew 25:40 that kindness showed to the lowliest of brethren is the same as showing it to Christ Himself. You'll never know how encouraging you have been and perhaps have kept someone from losing hope altogether by practicing the "art of succor." There is also the Spiritual side to this. By all means seek people out to pray for and with, tell them of Jesus as you have opportunity, but don't neglect the physical needs as well. If your church were a train going from one point to the next at great speeds, would you be one who is responsible to see to needs and help keep folks, "all aboard?" Remember I started by reminiscing about the Conductor and his constant attention to his watch? Like the Conductor, we should know that the time is growing shorter and shorter. Heavenly and most Gracious Father we desire that you will help us all be more conscious of the needs of our brethren around us. Help us to help others keep on board and from falling away into the pathways of sin and regret. Keep our testimonies clean that we may represent you well. We depend on You alone, help us we pray. In Your Name, Amen. Image Source Polar Express image belongs to Warner Bros Media.