 | ||||
You have my permission to go and reach people for Christ!
This morning's message is less of a message and more of an experiment.
Maybe that's what it was for the disciples also, an experiment.
These last 3 years have been a time of learning and growing.
There were times where Jesus would send them out.
Two by two, in Noah like fashion, they would go.
Luke 10 tells us of Jesus sending the "72" out to witness and preach the message.
They encounter many things. Demons. Sickness. Anger. Denial.
People will accept them. People will turn them away.
Now, as Jesus prepares to return to the Father, he has "the eleven" with him.
Maybe that's what it was for the disciples also, an experiment.
These last 3 years have been a time of learning and growing.
There were times where Jesus would send them out.
Two by two, in Noah like fashion, they would go.
Luke 10 tells us of Jesus sending the "72" out to witness and preach the message.
They encounter many things. Demons. Sickness. Anger. Denial.
People will accept them. People will turn them away.
Now, as Jesus prepares to return to the Father, he has "the eleven" with him.
And our scripture reads...
Matthew 28:16-20
New International Version (NIV)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”It says, "They saw him....they worshiped him; but some doubted."
We might remember for our Lenten series that Matthew wrote his gospel primarily to Jews.
So, it seems important for him to note that "some doubted".
Not every one is going to believe. Even those who witness it with their own eyes.
Before Jesus leaves he wants to reassure them and commission them.
As the underlying theme of these messages goes we should all be familiar with Jesus' reassurance.
He comforts and consoles. This is what he does.
What we might not be as familiar with is the commissioning part.
Commission is a nasty word for some. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
Working in an industry such as retail sales requires one to be willing to work under such circumstances.
To work under commission means that you don't necessarily get an hourly wage.
You get a piece or a part of the sale that was just made.
And, in order to be successful, you have to sell. A lot.
*****
However, commissioning is not so much about sales as it is about governmental control.
Looking up the word in Webster's reveals a long list of definitions that mostly have to do with the transference of power from one person to another.
Definition of COMMISSION
1a : a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties
b : a certificate conferring military rank and authority; also : the rank and authority so conferred
3 a : authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another
b : a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
4 a : a group of persons directed to perform some duty
b : a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers
c : a city council having legislative and executive functions
5: an act of committing something <commission of a crime>
6: a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service; especially : a percentage of the money received from a total paid to the agent responsible for the business
7: an act of entrusting or giving authority
— in commission or into commission
1: under the authority of commissioners
2 of a ship : ready for active service
3: in use or in condition for use
— on commission
: with commission serving as partial or full pay for work done
— out of commission
1: out of active service or use
2: out of working order
*******
It's a noun. But, to me it sounds like a verb.
It sounds like something is happening. AH HA! Didn't scroll down the page far enough.
Definition of COMMISSION
1: to furnish with a commission: as
a : to confer a formal commission on commission
2: to order to be made <commissioned a portrait>
3: to put (a ship) in commission
The second part of the definition is used as a transitive verb.
And, you all know what that means. There is something being transferred from one party to the next.
Jesus' work has been to "seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19.10)
Now, he turns that work over to his disciples. It's their time to go forth as Jesus goes back.
*******
He gives them simple commands. Two verses say it all.
Make disciples.
Baptize them.
Teach to obey.
We probably need a little more description than that, but for all intent and purposes, that's it.
Go. - Just go. Anywhere and everywhere. Go. Into all the world.
Make disciples. - Do you know what a disciple is?
Maybe we need to look that up for a second.
The second part of the definition is used as a transitive verb.
And, you all know what that means. There is something being transferred from one party to the next.
Jesus' work has been to "seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19.10)
Now, he turns that work over to his disciples. It's their time to go forth as Jesus goes back.
*******
He gives them simple commands. Two verses say it all.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.Go.
Make disciples.
Baptize them.
Teach to obey.
We probably need a little more description than that, but for all intent and purposes, that's it.
Go. - Just go. Anywhere and everywhere. Go. Into all the world.
Make disciples. - Do you know what a disciple is?
Maybe we need to look that up for a second.
Definition of DISCIPLE
1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as
a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts
b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual
2 capitalized :
a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in
1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice,
usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity
*********
Baptize them. - part of the baptism here from our scripture seems to be inferring some learning about the Trinity - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.
The Father - who created this world. The Giver of all Life. Jehovah. The Lion of Judah. The Leader of Israel. I Am That I Am.
The Son - God's only begotten Son. Jesus Christ. The Messiah. Fully God, fully man. The one who died on a cross to save us from sin and redeem us. Forgiveness comes by one name alone.
The Holy Spirit - The gift Jesus said would come after he was gone to the Father. The Comforter. The one who leads and guides us into all truth. The one who gives us gifts to use.
**********
Teach them to obey. - "Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"
What did he teach them? Whoa. That's a mouthful. That requires some time. A whole other message maybe? He taught them to follow his example. Maybe Peter did a better job of trying to sum it all up.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
**************
Jesus said he was going to make them "fishers of men".
*********
Baptize them. - part of the baptism here from our scripture seems to be inferring some learning about the Trinity - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.
The Father - who created this world. The Giver of all Life. Jehovah. The Lion of Judah. The Leader of Israel. I Am That I Am.
The Son - God's only begotten Son. Jesus Christ. The Messiah. Fully God, fully man. The one who died on a cross to save us from sin and redeem us. Forgiveness comes by one name alone.
The Holy Spirit - The gift Jesus said would come after he was gone to the Father. The Comforter. The one who leads and guides us into all truth. The one who gives us gifts to use.
**********
Teach them to obey. - "Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you"
What did he teach them? Whoa. That's a mouthful. That requires some time. A whole other message maybe? He taught them to follow his example. Maybe Peter did a better job of trying to sum it all up.
1 Peter 2:11-25
New International Version (NIV)
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
**************
Jesus said he was going to make them "fishers of men".
He wanted to learn how to reach people with the same message he was working with.
To go and share the message of forgiveness, of mercy, of love.
And, we don't do it alone.
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".
Commissioning doesn't imply that we are on our own.
We have someone to report back to.
We share how the progress is going, how we are fulfilling the work.
We have someone who understands how hard to work is and the rejection.
We have someone to share the joy of our successes. And, to support us as we go.
You are commissioned today.
Go, and share the comfort. Share the message you have heard.
For God loves you so much, he sent his one and only Son.
To go and share the message of forgiveness, of mercy, of love.
And, we don't do it alone.
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".
Commissioning doesn't imply that we are on our own.
We have someone to report back to.
We share how the progress is going, how we are fulfilling the work.
We have someone who understands how hard to work is and the rejection.
We have someone to share the joy of our successes. And, to support us as we go.
You are commissioned today.
Go, and share the comfort. Share the message you have heard.
For God loves you so much, he sent his one and only Son.
