June 7, 2009

 Matthew 28:16-20 

The Great Commission/Trinity Sunday

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Matthew

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some of them still doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age."   

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Thoughts...

Good morning!  I learned from Dave Roop, a Presbyterian Pastor, that we can either wake up and say "Good morning, Lord!", or we can say, "Good Lord, it's morning."  I forget who he referenced for this quote.  How did you wake up today?  How will you wake up tomorrow?  Okay....so let's get into todays scripture.

It has been said, that there are moments when we are not sure of the time line of events of scriptures.  I think this one is well placed...at the end of Matthew.  We know that the 12th disciple was not chosen until after Jesus went to heaven as referenced in Acts.  And that Acts was written concurrently after the great commission and him rising.  So I think we are pretty clear on a time line, although Matthew was not written as a chronological account per the notes in the Life Application Bible. 

Today is celebrated as Trinity Sunday in the mainline churches.  It was chosen to celebrate the reference of being baptized in one name...not names...plural.  Jesus said 'in the name' of, not names of....which gives us the concept that the character of God is a three in one God rather than 3 seperate persons.  This has been questioned and discoursed over history....the theory of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit being one person versus three distinct different persons being of one mindset.  To me, it is clear that Jesus speaks to his Father...God...so I do not believe they are the same person, but so closely attuned in heart, mind and spirit as to be one with the other, and they come from each other.  Holy Spirit is one to be upheld for understanding further.  Is it God's spirit, as he went forth in the Old Testament, or Jesus' spirit who was emblazoned into the souls at Pentecost?  Or is he his own person who embodies in spirit alone, or a conceptual mindset?  Or another?  There is so much to learn as we grow together.  It seems the world stopped at Jesus, and, although Jesus said to now receive the Holy Spirit...it was his time...we still burden Jesus a lot.  He did tell us that after he died, we would have another to turn to...that other is Holy Spirit.  I feel like he is saying sometimes, "Let's move on folks, we have business to do."

What is clear in todays reference is that we have been given a gift and a command.  The gift is the authority passed on to us from Jesus with the command  to 'go and make disciples of every nation baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit'.  Within this is the understanding that upon baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is different than water baptism, we are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14), and the authority passed on to us from Jesus to baptise with water and with Spirit.  We should also be embodying the fruits of the spirit, which are different than the gifts by the way.  See Galatians 5:22, 23.  Another gift given us in this reference is to teach, as he tells us to 'teach these new disciples to obey  all the commands I have given you'.  Please note that he is expecting us to obey the commands he has given us.  This is what is referred to as 'The Great Commission'.   He commissions us, as warriors if you will, to go forth into battle...hence the song, "Onward Christian Soldiers".  Or battle is against Satan and his assigns.  A very real presence....another topic...another day.  

So, having learned that we are under the authority of  The Trinity, and that we have been commanded/commissioned to go forth, will you take up the cross...the cause set forth before you to do as he has called?  Will you answer his call saying 'Here I am Lord'?.  Will you honor Jesus' birth, life and resurrection, God's gift to us of him, and the gift of the Holy Spirit?  Will you thank him by doing as he has asked and help others learn of what an awesome God we have?      

It does not matter what concept you believe for the Trinity...it only matters that you believe and how you respond.  Say yes today.               

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I am here.  I am assured that if I just call your name you will come.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit come now into my heart and my soul.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me whole.  Please place Holy Spirit into me.  I wish to receive all the love and fruits and gifts you have to give me.  Remove all traces of Satan in my life.  Fill me to overflowing all those areas left void by Satan leaving with your Holy Spirit, so that Satan can never enter those areas again.  Give me a sign that I am yours and you are mine.   Baptize me with the fullness of your Holy Spirit.  Reign over me.  Walk with me...isn't that what you say?  Lead the way.  Uplift me to new heights of love and glory with you.  Enrapture me with your love for me.  Help me to be equal in loving you.  Help me to lay down my life for you.  And do things for you as thanksgiving.  Thank you for calling on me to serve you and yours.  Now show me the way.  There is a new dawn coming...it is here in my life now...today.  Let the sun set on your glory.  I praise you Almighty God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and say thank you.  Now, give me utterance for your glory, that I may go forth praising you  and telling others about you.  Let my life be a testimony of your love for me and may it be an expression of our new life together.  St. Exupery said, "Love is not looking at each other, but gazing outward in the same direction."  Let us so be one, that our vision comes from one source...you.  Let me give you myself, as you have given yourself to me.  Enbolden me and emblazon me.  Let me share with others all that you have shared with me....for your glory, Lord.  Your glory.   I love you.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  Thank you.  Alleluia for the Trinity and Amen!  Amen.  

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  If God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check and I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 Melinda Norstad, Minister

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.

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