To Be Continued…
Blake Heffner September 10th, 2006
“To Be Continued…” September 10, 2006
Rally Day – A Communion Meditation
Text: Matthew 28:18-20
INTRO : How many times have you watched a television show and, after a very dramatic scene, the screen goes dark and the three words appear: to be continued? Most often, you feel a let down. You want the story to be finished, you don’t want to wait until next week – or, next season. This morning, we’re going to play with that idea a bit and see how so much of what we are doing in worship, and this morning in particular, is to be continued!
Before we get to the storyline, I want to offer you a mini-lesson in Greek. Thank goodness we don’t need to know Greek to read the Bible. But, a little knowledge can open up some of its meaning. The present tense in Greek can be translated in two ways: as a point in time or as continuing action. For example, the same verb can mean “I sit down,” or “I am sitting down.”
So what, you ask? Well, consider that famous passage in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is teaching about prayer. Jesus says: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This text could also be translated: “Keep on asking, and you will receive, keep on seeking and you will find, keep on knocking and the door will be opened.” I believe that this is the more accurate way to read it – as an on-going process. Are you with me? Let’s try to put the Great Commission, which Linda read, in that form.
It could be rendered: “Keep on going to all people everywhere, and keep on making them my disciples. Keep on baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And, keep on teaching them to obey everything thing I have commanded you.” My contention, friends, is not only that we can translate the commission this way, we should under-stand it as an on-going mandate. Well, let’s put this into practical terms:
1. Baptism is to be continued…
Paul teaches in Romans that baptism is not a singular event, it’s a lifelong process through which we are constantly dying and rising with Christ. This means that for little Charlotte, her life in Christ has begun today, but it is to be continued…(as the liturgy puts it) as she lives and grows in Christ. She will become a mature child of God only if we show her God’s love and teach her God’s Word. There is an essential connection between baptism and instruction is right there in the Great Commission.
2. Christian Education is to be continued…
This morning is Rally Day, and we’re celebrating that Christian Education is to be continued here at St. John’s. How consoling it is for teachers to realize that we don’t have to get in all across in one week – we have from September through May! Thank God, we don’t have to learn all there is in God’s Word by age 15 either, we have a lifetime. Sunday School is not just for kids. We have two great classes for adults. If you don’t find one to your liking, let us know and we’ll look for one - because spiritual growth is to be continued.
3. Singing God’s Praise is to be continued…
I hope you share my enthusiasm that the Senior Choir is back in business today, and the younger choirs will be very soon! Worship is just not the same without choral music – & today we are glad it is being continued…
4. The Lord’s Supper is to be continued…
Of all that we do repeatedly in worship, perhaps the clearest example is the Lord’s Supper. When Jesus initiated this feast, he said, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, do it in remembrance of me.” He was indicating this sacred meal needs to be continued… We need to keep on taking this bread and eating it, keep on taking this cup and drinking from it. This is the reason many churches celebrate the sacrament every week. We don’t; so we need to take advantage of every opportunity to commune.
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5. Christ’s presence is to be continued…
The beautiful thing about the great commission is that is comes with a great promise: I will be with you always. In other words, through the Holy Spirit Jesus’ presence is to be continued! Christian life is not just a moment, or a day, but a life in and with Him – a continuous journey of faith and love.
6. Suspense…
Finally, you know why television programmers enjoy writing “to be continued?” It creates suspense. You leave the show wanting more, wondering how it will end. The Christian life should be that way, too. We should leave here with the expectation that God has more for us… more to tell us, more to give us, more work for us to do. My prayer today (and I hope yours) is that the Holy Spirit will keep on whetting our appetites to experience God’s presence in worship, keep on creating a hunger for God’s Word and understanding, keep on kindling in us a desire for joyful fellowship and adventures in service. This feast is to be continued! Hallelujah!!!
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