The Commission

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This past week, we experienced a tragedy that should never have happen. And if you think it is better for me to not speak on this, then you may not fully understand the role of a preacher. I am not going to just tell you how I feel about this situation. But I am going to speak to you, the church, regarding what we are called to do in this world today.
One thing that is true, whether we like it or not, is that we can not legislate evil. We live in an evil world and it will not get better. However, as long as the church is on this plane of existence, there is something we are called to do in the fight against evil. Getting into word fights on social media will not and can not defeat evil. Often times, when we engage in debated with others online, division becomes the only result.
So what is the result? How do we fight against all the wrongs on this world? We can’t alone. We fight forces that are beyond this world therefore our worldly forces will do no good. However, we have been given a commission to wait upon the Holy Spirit. We have been given a commission to speak truth and love. How do we do this? We get out into our community and do what God has given us a voice and a passion to speak and act. We can not change the entire world on our own, but together, we can impact our community.
How many of you have lived here all your life? How many of you think that you know just about every street and business in this town? I bet there are some who know just about everyone, or knows about everyone in this town.
When things are that familiar, it is actually harder for some of us to notice new things or new people. We all flocked to Fazoli’s when it opened. We all notice when business closes or changes owners. We notice when a new person attends our church. But the little things may slide right past us. How many people are homeless yet living in our city at this moment? How many people are living with mental illnesses that are just a debilitating as physical illnesses.
If we put our heads together, we may come up with some good answers!
Pray and Read Mark 16:14-20
Mark 16:14–20 NRSV
Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.
Each of the Gospels give an account of the Ascension of Jesus. Each gospel tells us that sometime after the Resurrection, Jesus gave His final command to His Apostles before going up to Heaven. Matthew’s is the most popular. In his version, Matthew says that some doubted what they were seeing. Mark’s version says that when Jesus came to them this last time, they were reclining at a table. This sounds like they weren’t doing much of anything. The similarities in these two passages shows us that the apostles were lacking in faith. The Gospel of Mark even says that their hearts were hardened. It is sad what happens many times when we just sit and think about all that is wrong in the world. Putting ourselves in the shoes of the Apostles, they had to feel somewhat lost. Some were angry, maybe confused, or even blaming one another for what had happened. There may have even been a few who felt it was time for one of them to step up to be plate and be the main leader and make it happen, whatever it was. Even though, by now, they knew that Jesus was still alive and with them. Jesus, after accomplishing all that he had to do on earth, tells them that He has been given all authority on Heaven and on Earth. He won! Jesus is Lord and King over all here, in Heaven and on Heaven to come!
We all know the great Commission. Go and make disciples of all nations? But let us understand what that means. The Commission itself has four distinct truths for us to understand. This is how we make disciples.
1) Proclaim the Gospel to all the world. Leave no place alone. What is the Gospel? n Greek, it is translated to Good News. The whole story of Jesus, all he said and did, especially his death and Resurrection is good news for Humankind. Let us not forget the fact that for those that believe the gospel, they will receive eternal life. Those that do not believe, will face the condemnation for their sins. Do you want Jesus, or not? That is the choice and we all have that choice. Therefore, we should know that not everyone is going to believe as we believe. We cannot force others to believe the gospel and in the same way we can not hide from sharing the gospel out of fear.
2)) Baptizing all in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit. We baptize all with Water, but soon to come was the Holy Spirit who would baptize with Fire. All who believe are to receive these gifts. This is where this text in Mark getting a little scary for us contemporary believers. So what are the gifts given to those who are baptized by the Holy Spirit? In the name of Jesus, the Triune God as it states here, we are capable of casting out demons, healing those that are sick, trampling the evil that attempts to block the good works done in the name of God and no evil force will be able to bring us harm. Reading the book of Acts, we see many times where those who follow the Way are able to perform miracles in the name of Jesus. We also read stories of how many were able to endure great persecution and sometimes even escape persecution as they followed the Holy Spirit.
3) Teach others about God, Jesus and the commandments. Teach all what we have in this book, because it has what Jesus commanded the apostles and what God commanded the Israelites. This goes back to the idea that we first learned about. We are to Proclaim good news to the poor and release to the captives. However, to get this message across, we have to learn it ourselves. We have to be disciples of Jesus before we can go and make disciples of Jesus. We need to know as much as we can and keep learning and growing in our relationship with Jesus as we help others to do the same. This is the difference between when we gather for worship and when we gather for bible study or small group. Both of these are important in the life of a follower of Christ.
4) Jesus promised to be with us until the very end of the age. This gives us comfort. This also gives us responsibility in knowing that He knows what we are doing at all times. Jesus will walk with us as we Go and Make Disciples. Before He ascends, Jesus says that He will send His Spirit to them soon. Next Sunday we will hear about the day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit who is our Counselor and Guide.
So what does this Commission mean for us today? What do us spreading the good news have to do with such tragedy as the mass killing of innocents that we have seen our world today? It is so easy for us to point fingers at leaders and say, “if only they would do this or say that.” I feel this as a pastor. It is easy for people in this church to tell me what I need to be doing quicker than examining themselves and asking what they could be doing. What can we do? What can you do? What can I do? If you were to ask God to tell you something to do to help in a situation that breaks your heart, what does He tell you to do? Who can you get to help you do what you say God is telling you to do? What can you do to help this church, and this community. What can we as a church do to help our community?
What would it be like to walk around the streets of McMinnville with the sole purpose of spreading the Gospel? What miracles would we see, what hardships might we face? What would it be like to follow in the footprints of the Apostles? We are starting now in writing our own book of Acts, not to replace the one we have of course. This book will be of us, by us, for a time such as this. This book will chronicle our actions of healing the brokenhearted, casting out evil and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout our community and world.
In the Name of God the Father, Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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