3-1-2018

Good Morning All,

         Matthew 28:19; “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

    This story relates to men but it probably has its equivalent with women.  There are many men who have a suit coat or two.  For many of us they are our “church coats.”  If we dig into the inside pocket, we’ll find when we wore it last, a bulletin from a funeral or a wedding or the last church service we went to.  We put the coat on, go to church for whatever the event then we come home and hang it up in the closet until next time we need it.  We wear our coat, show it to those who go to church, then go home and then hide it out of sight, perhaps out of mind, only to take it out when we feel we need it.  Unfortunately, we often view our faith the same way.    

    Many of you recognize this verse as the middle verse of the “Great Commission.”  It is used by many as the command to spread the Gospel.  We cite this verse for when we feel the need to “go witness” or “go do a good deed.”  We put on our faith and parade it around for a while and then we put it back in the closet until we want it next time.  Even if we think this verse supports that thought; it really doesn’t.

    This verse should really be read as a process.  So it should be read it as follows: “as you go on your way make disciples of all nations.” What this verse is really telling us is that we should never put our faith in the closet; we should always wear it for people to see.  At its heart, the Gospel transforms us and our thinking, and the world around us, as we follow a Christ who is alive in the everyday. As human beings we face all sorts of issues and challenges at all stages of our life, and have to make decisions about how best we respond to particular issues. We want our faith to speak into these situations to give us fresh energy and perspectives, and that is where this conversation process should begin.     

    Our challenge is to experience our faith as relevant to our everyday life.  Our faith is to be as visible to the grocery store clerk or our co-worker as it is to the usher at church or the person in the pew behind us.  For example, who is my neighbor, from a biblical view, and how should I respond to him?  Why does there seem to be so much anger and hatred in the world, my country, my community, my church or even in my family and how does God want me to deal with it every day?

    One of the greatest challenges we face is seeing our faith as being just as important on Monday or Thursday as on Sunday.  As you live your life as you go on your way do so wearing your faith, touching the lives of the people around you serving the needs of your neighbor as God has use for you.  With our salvation secure because of God’s grace, we are now free to serve him in all gladness.  We can set out to incorporate our faith in all that we do.  Live your life so that there is no question that others see your faith exhibited and on full display.

Gracious Father, guide us to live a life where everywhere we go we are witnessing to our faith in your grace.  Give us the courage and wisdom to bring your love to those with whom we have contact with.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret