Comm*ssioning

Hard to believe, but the official end of Orientation was Wednesday afternoon. We had our Com*ssioning service and reception that afternoon. The service was very nice. The team that had been leading cultural worsh.p lead us in several "sending" and "going" songs. Two of my favorites were "Carry Your Name" by Christy Nockels and "J Saves" by Travis Cottrell. If you haven't heard these songs, you should check them out because they are great! The main message was about being the aroma or fragrance of ÁC. When you're pressed (but not crushed) what aroma do you emit? Do you reek of ÁC? As we go, it is our request to the Father that we smell! Not only of curry and sweat (which I am sure will be a prevalent scent for me) but of ÁC.

Comm*ssioning basically just means being sent out to do a mission. ÁC gave us the all familiar Great Comm*ssion in Matthew 28:19-20 in which ÁC says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me; therefore, GO and MAKE disciples of all nations, BAPTISING them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the HS, TEACHING them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I am with you always even to the end of the age." Many of you know and can quote this verse.

At Orientation we learned methods and theory about all the capitalized verbs of this command. However, the beginning and the end of this passage are also important. The beginning speaks to the Person who is speaking the command. Who is ÁC? Your answer to that question determines how you take the rest of the command. Is He who he says He is? Did He do what He, as well as hundreds of witnesses, says He did? If He is who He says He is and if He did what He said He did, then the command part of this verse is a no-brainer. If we believe everything about Him to be Truth, then it would be silly, selfish, and (pardon the term) stupid to not go, make, baptize, and teach.

The end of the verses is very significant also. There is no possible way we could go, make, baptize, and teach without Him. My mom said something last year that really rings true—it is a co-m*ssion. The HS and Believer do it together. It cannot be done apart from each other! The Acts 1:8 version of the Great Comm*ssion says "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The HS gives us the power to do the task and He is with us every step of the way! Often I try to do the Great Com*ssion on my own, but I can't. My best efforts accomplish nothing without Him, but His power through my often meager efforts accomplishes much.

So, I ask, what about you? ÁC said to make disciples of all nations. That most definitely includes the US, which would include your neighbor, co-worker, friend, and/or enemy. It is a command for you as well. I encourage you to obey. Do you believe ÁC is who He says He is? If the answer is yes, then in addition to being obedient to the Father, you have a moral obligation to go, make, baptize, and teach so that they can know how have true life. Like the old Nike saying, "Just Do It!" It is at times scary and awkward, but the HS is with you and gives you power…not a spirit of fear. You've already been comm*ssioned by the ultimate Person of Authority, so go, make, baptize, and teach!