Pastor Dave recalled for us this week the potential or power that the congregation assumes with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of our Kingdom ministry. Together the church baptizes and communes, and teaches and preaches, and serves and preserves for the sake of all the nations. This is not a matter of one or two pastors or a couple of staff leaders but all the members responding to the charge given us.
That power is made evident in the last words of Matthew's Gospel from the 28th chapter, our text for this Sunday:Jesus gave his charge, "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all that I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Yes, the Great Commission was given to the original disciples, but it has been forwarded on to the present day church. We are called and charged to go out and baptize, to shower God's love and saturate the people with the knowledge that God meets us in the water.
There are so many water stories in Scripture and many more that we have experienced ourselves. In the sermon this Sunday we'll recall one special one from Exodus, not the one you would expect, and dip into a few more.
Come and meet God in the water and remember your baptism this Sunday!

Blessings to you,

Pastor Tom