From the Pastor’s Heart

Disciples
By: Pastor David

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives his disciples, and thus his Church, the mandate to go into the world making disciples and teaching all he commanded. For years and years, Christians viewed this “Great Commission” as Christ’s invitation to ministry but it is nothing of the sort. The Great Commission is a mandate from God to God’s people. Jesus said “Go.” But, in order to make disciples, one must first become a disciple, and this is not an overnight process.

Our NALC Bishop has placed this mandate from Jesus at the feet of our pastors and congregations. We are to be a disciple making Church. With this understanding, I have initiated a discipling program here at St. Jacob’s. The program is based on small group ministry and includes one on one accountability and faith sharing. In NALC terms, it is Life to Life.

If you have not been asked to be part of a small group, please to not take it personally. The initial process goes much like Jesus calling his first disciples; it is through an invitation to follow our Lord and grow into a new identity. Over time, our small groups will expand, and more church members will become a part of this ministry. The goal is to create a discipling culture where individuals are equipped to come alongside others and disciple them in the faith.

For now, I ask that those who are invited will remain committed to the journey. I also ask for the prayers of our congregation as we begin this Life to Life process. Truly, as we begin to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, following our Lord Jesus, and supporting one another in prayer our collected efforts will bear fruit for God’s kingdom.

Acts 19:2-6 [Paul writes] “…Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered, “No we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”….v.6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them…”
This month, I wrote my newsletter article during our annual NALC Lutheran Week and Convocation. Our theme was centered upon our life with the Holy Spirit. In this context, I remembered a devotion I once read that was offered by fellow NALC pastor Gemechis Buba. It was written with reflection upon the above verses in scripture. Pastor Buba suggested we answer the question proposed by the apostle Paul: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The people of the church in Ephesus were quite honest in their answer to Paul. They informed him that they not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Reading this passage again with this in mind, I have to wonder how we as a congregation might address our receiving God’s Holy Spirit.

As Lutheran Christians, I don’t think we talk enough about the Holy Spirit, much less talk about being blessed with spiritual gifts. Yet as baptized people of God we truly are blessed with this same Spirit of God that Jesus’ disciples, Paul and the saints at Ephesus received. We Lutherans tend to be more reserved when it comes to acting in what we perceive to be a “spiritual way.” But Pastor Buba is right when he says “the truth of the matter is Christian life becomes powerless, meaningless and dull” without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit fills the hearts and minds of Christian people with the joy and hope of God’s amazing grace. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a tremendous blessing, a life-giving blessing…a life SAVING blessing.

Think about it for a moment. As Lutherans we have been taught that it is the Holy Spirit that brings us to belief in Christ Jesus. As sinful creatures we cannot, by our own power, come to believe, let alone have faith in the resurrected Lord. By its very nature, our sin seeks to drive us away from having a relationship with God. Yet, as we are baptized and the pastor lays hands on us (as Paul laid hands on the saints at Ephesus), God pours out his Holy Spirit upon us, cleanses us from the stains of our fallen humanity and clothes us in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This, my friends, should bring us to loud shouts of thanksgiving. It is at this particular moment in time when we are brought to new life in Christ. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to live differently; He calls us to live as children of God. Such a Spirit filled life is both joyous and exciting.
My question to you this month is, how does the Holy Spirit lead you to express your faith and the joy of salvation? What spiritual gifts are you blessed with and how do you use them for the sake of the gospel, especially as you consider Jesus’ mandate to go into the word making disciples?

Friends, as baptized children of our loving God, we are invited into a deep and rich relationship with the One who created all there is. If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that each of us could enjoy a little more spiritual awareness. Believe me, when you realize the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, your life will certainly not be powerless, meaningless and dull. The joy of faith brought through the power of the Holy Spirit will fill your
heart and spill into the lives of others.

Let us be honest with ourselves and admit we need to experience the love, hope and peace the Holy Spirit brings to us. Let us all welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and not be afraid to show others just how joyful we are to be God’s children. I promise you that as you live in the power and love of the Holy Spirit, God will satisfy the hunger and thirst of your souls and pour out blessings upon you. Express this joy as often as you can so that others can see how God changes the lives of people. Now go ahead and welcome this precious Holy Spirit of God into your life, in Jesus’ name!

Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila