Anything You Set Your Spirit To
Matthew 28:16-20
Webster’s dictionary says that the definition of “power” is “the capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral.”
We recognize power when we recognize authority. If I say that we should bomb Mexico and annex them to the United States, most would dismiss me as a silly person and most of the world would not notice. If the President of the United States were to say we should bomb Mexico and annex them to the United States that would have a different effect. Some might still call it silly but you can bet the world would notice. The President has the authority to make something like that happen.
Great Commission: Having the authority to use our power to make the world a better place.
Go therefore – authority results in action. Where did people get the idea that being a Christian meant simply reciting the right creeds or agreeing with the right doctrine? Jesus calls us to put our faith into action – into life – to use the power of our love to change lives, heal hearts and offer grace.
Make disciples of all nations – the power of God gives us the ability to change not just our own lives but the world. Sometimes people use this part of the verse to say everyone should believe like I do. What I see in this verse is that the good news of God’s love and grace is for everyone – all nations – not just people who think, believe and live like I do. Disciples are learners.
Baptize and teach – baptism gives us a sense of belonging. Every time we have a baptism here at All God’s Children we remember that it is about God’s covenant with us, not ours with God. Baptism is an affirmation of God’s grace into our lives that was extended even before we knew we needed it.
Teaching is the way that faith is passed from one generation to the next. We tell our stories to inspire those who come behind us to be faithful.
It is the task of each new generation to find creative ways to interpret the story. Creativity and innovation are traits familiar to AGC. We must continue to find new ways to tell and live the story. I want to invite two new ministry team leaders up here as witness to this creativity and innovation. [PP4] June Remus is the leader of our New Beginnings Transgender Support Group. Darren Olson is the leader of our emerging Recovery Ministry.
These are two of the new ministry teams just getting started. In addition John Pigate is forming an Eco-Team to help us as a church recycle materials we use here and help make our world healthier for all of us.
On a national level, you may have heard that the California Supreme Court upheld a marriage equality suit this week. One of the plaintiffs in that suit is the founder of MCC, Rev. Elder Troy Perry. Troy and his partner, Phillip, filed suit against the state of California six years ago to recognize their Canadian marriage and gain equality for all California citizens. The Supreme Court has now agreed with them. One thing you need to know about this particular court is that every justice on that court was appointed by a Republican administration – so another stereotype bites the dust.
The Great Commission is not just about proselytizing people or forcing people to believe something. We live the Great Commission every day when we are authentic in our lives, when we speak the truth in love, and when we stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
This last week we received an email in the church office from Matthew Richardson over in North Minneapolis.
Hello
This billboard is about two blocks from my house. When I first saw it, I said, “the hypocritical Baptists are at it again! They’re probably trying to communicate something to white people about race discrimination!” So I took a picture of it to publish in my organization’s newsletter: Minnesota Atheists.
I happen to be gay.And I live in a neighborhood where I wouldn’t dare put out an OutFront MN sign on my lawn or anything else suggesting my sexual orientation – because I’d be slaughtered as quickly here as I would in Somalia – by homophobic black heterosexual males.
The money spent for this billboard was worth every penny and it couldn’t have been placed at a better intersection – right where the hateful Black Muslims sell their newspapers on weekends.This sign is the first step – but I’m trying to think of wording for a second step, something to make the connection between the rank hypocrisy of black heterosexuals who rail against gays if we try to put race discrimination next to sex[ual] orientation discrimination.
Thank you for this project. I’m sure this took quite a bit of planning. Everyone involved did very well.
Two things remarkable about this. The first is that this billboard is still there since the billboard portion of the WJD campaign ran for one month almost a year ago. All of the other billboards were changed to new advertisers immediately. Secondly, the affirmation of the message that was able to bridge the gap and prove helpful to someone like Matthew who doesn’t come from a Christian perspective and lives with the real fear of racial hatred every day. Christians and atheists are supposed to be enemies, we are told. Not if you get to the heart of the Great Commission. Making the world a better place means not just GLBTQ folks have a better world, but all of us have a better world – Black Muslims, atheists, Republican Supreme Court justices, as well as you and me.
Go therefore, make disciples, baptize and teach. You have the power. You have the authority. Anything you set your Spirit to, you can accomplish.
Sources:
www.homileticsonline.com Crystal Commission, May 2008.