The Commission

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: John 15:5

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading:   Daniel 11-12 Jude 1

 The Coming of The Commission

The coming Messiah-now the Messiah who has come-the Messiah who will come again-this is why we celebrate what we call the birth of Christ Jesus or, of course, our Christmas season. The coming of Christ has myriad implications and different meanings to so many.

Today we look at this verse:

Matthew 28:18–19 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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". 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus says to his followers then and  for all following history

1. " God the Father has given to me all authority-authority over all powers and principalities in Heaven and earth-all authority is mine."

This implies that we carry His authority. In John 14:12 Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."

When we are submitted to Christ as selfless servants, we work in His complete authority and righteousness.

2. "Make disciples in every place on earth. Teach them everything I have taught you." Notice that baptism comes after this. Baptism is done in obedience to a command of Christ. It is an outward sign of our death to the old life and new birth in Christ. But learning how to walk as Jesus walked was first in the mind of Christ. Christ knows the hearts of human beings and knows that many would be baptized and think they had completed the course and He knew and knows how very tragic that is. Part of the great commission is teaching and learning and living out our lives of trusting in Him.

3. This gift of this spoken directive to all believers has ,"...in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"-the one-ness of God. He, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is with us always-to the end of the age. We have the mind of Christ(1 Corinthians 2:16)with which we draw near to God(James 4:8) in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14

"Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."

There it is-'Immanu-El'(Emanuel)"God is with us"...dwelling in us-this great treasure from our God-Hallelujah!

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Your name is my One God. Father God of Your everlasting kingdom.I need so much Your bread to understand and obey. Forgive me my lazy attitude to learning more. Lead me away from my own selfish will.

Mighty and glorious Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen