Memorize & Ponder for Sunday June 29, 2014
Reflections on the Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)
And Jesus came and said to them,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything
that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always,
to the end of the age.”
Throughout 2014, the Christian community at Brentwood Presbyterian Church is getting to know Jesus, the Christ, in a refreshing and transformative way. We invite you to listen for what the Spirit is saying in the text, then question how those insights might change the ways you see things and act in the world. Share your thoughts during the week on the meaning the Spirit creates for you in this text by posting a comment here.
A Provocative Pondering
At this year’s General Assembly, the annual meeting of an equal number of teaching and ruling elders from across Canada to consider the mission of our national church, this passage played a crucial role in establishing the strategic direction for our denomination.
The decision was to review all of our operations to ascertain how effectively they are renewing, equipping, and inspiring local congregations and missions to “fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) and the Great Commandment (Mark 12:29–31) to the glory of the triune God.”
We will be reflecting on how that is happening at Brentwood and what we can do to enhance it.
We’ve already looked at the Great Commandment and next Sunday we’ll start a two week look at the Great Commission. The commandment deals with God’s desire that we love God, others, and ourselves. The commission deals with Jesus’ directions on what that means for the church – initiating and teaching people into following him. Both loving and following are about being filled with and sharing the loving energy of God.
What can we do to enhance how that happens at Brentwood?
Join us in our study groups and worship services to ponder together what the Spirit is teaching us through this text.