May 27, 2026 • 25 mins
Believers are called to pass the “baton of faith” to others, just as Moses mentored Joshua, trusting that God equips ordinary people to share His truth. We may make mistakes along the way, but God calls us to keep courageously sharing the Gospel with love and faithfulness. #StJohnsBuffalo #CovertoCoverBible #Deuteronomy #GreatCommission #PassTheBaton
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(00:02):
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:15,178.89795829 --> 00:00:20,558.898035478 Oh Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praises in the name of Jesus. 5 00:00:21,448.897901963 --> 00:00:22,58.898035478 Amen. 6 00:00:23,248.897615861 --> 00:00:26,538.897577714 Whoa, man, so embarrassing. 7 00:00:27,548.897806596 --> 00:00:35,348.897043656 You hate to see someone drop the baton like that, don't you? A baton is something that's used in the world of track and field. 8 00:00:36,48.897806596 --> 00:00:46,98.897043656 On the track, there is something called relay races where four people try to get this here baton around that track as fast as their God-given abilities will allow. 9 00:00:46,848.897043656 --> 00:00:56,168.896738481 In your typical relay race, there are three exchanges or handoffs of the baton, and it should be so easy, right? As simple as that. 10 00:00:57,318.898264359 --> 00:00:59,978.898111772 But a whole lot can go wrong during these handoffs. 11 00:01:00,768.899027299 --> 00:01:03,848.897043656 Sometimes people hand off the baton too early. 12 00:01:04,218.899790238 --> 00:01:08,718.899790238 There is a 30-meter exchange zone on the track where the baton handoff must occur. 13 00:01:09,218.899790238 --> 00:01:12,908.898416947 It doesn't matter how fast your team gets around that track. 14 00:01:13,228.898111772 --> 00:01:17,188.897196244 If they hand off before that zone, they will be disqualified. 15 00:01:18,278.897348832 --> 00:01:20,978.894297074 Sometimes people hand off the baton too late. 16 00:01:21,38.899485063 --> 00:01:24,28.897348832 They wait until after that exchange zone to hand it off. 17 00:01:24,898.900095414 --> 00:01:29,648.900095414 Anyone here love the Olympics like me? I am always glued to the Summer Olympics. 18 00:01:30,288.899485063 --> 00:01:37,218.899790238 2024, the United States men's team had four of the fastest eight 100-meter runners in the world. 19 00:01:38,238.896433305 --> 00:01:44,158.89460225 Guess what medal they got in the men's four by 100-meter relay? It wasn't gold, it wasn't silver, it wasn't bronze. 20 00:01:44,158.89460225 --> 00:01:49,198.89551778 They were disqualified because they handed off the baton too late on their first exchange. 21 00:01:50,258.90070577 --> 00:01:52,678.89887471 Sometimes people hand off the baton too hard. 22 00:01:53,348.89704366 --> 00:02:00,998.89856954 It's just a chunk of metal right here, right? If I am sprinting and I run and I try to hand it off so hard, it's gonna hit on someone's hands and ouch. 23 00:02:01,858.89917989 --> 00:02:05,468.89979024 It's gonna be tough to hang on to, and that leads to a drop. 24 00:02:06,478.89429707 --> 00:02:12,928.89887471 In the 2008 Olympics, the US men and women's team had four of the seven fastest 100-meter runners in the world. 25 00:02:13,598.89704366 --> 00:02:21,698.89551778 Guess what medal they got at the Olympics? Once again, they were disqualified because they handed off the baton too hard and it led to a drop. 26 00:02:21,738.8964333 --> 00:02:28,8.89307637 Actually, if you see right up there right now, that's a picture of the men's team dropping the baton in 2008. 27 00:02:28,888.89795918 --> 00:02:38,182.90430684 And the truth is, we don't wanna be like that guy, do we? We don't want our mistakes to lead to someone else getting disqualified. 28 00:02:39,648.89795851 --> 00:02:51,148.89769215 Which is why I think we should be paying very, very close attention to what is going on right now in our two-year Bible read-through, where the Book of Deuteronomy exchanges into the Book of Joshua. 29 00:02:51,408.89792104 --> 00:02:59,78.89704366 We have an absolutely flawless passing of the baton, the baton of faith between Moses and Joshua. 30 00:03:00,158.89887471 --> 00:03:11,28.8978066 And my friends, we are called to be like Moses and have Joshuas of our own because if you believe in Jesus and have been baptized, I promise you, you have the baton of faith in your hands right now. 31 00:03:11,298.89826436 --> 00:03:15,98.89750142 It is actually there, and you are not to keep that to yourself. 32 00:03:15,308.89658589 --> 00:03:18,108.89963765 You are a part of a great big relay race. 33 00:03:18,248.8990273 --> 00:03:21,358.89963765 Let's see how this exchange occurred from Deuteronomy 31. 34 00:03:22,328.89704366 --> 00:03:31,708.89811177 It says, "Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 'I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. 35 00:03:32,168.89719624 --> 00:03:35,328.89704366 The Lord has said to me, "You shall not cross the Jordan."'" 36 00:03:36,348.89750142 --> 00:03:43,478.89856954 A 120-year-old Moses is set to retire, not because of some physical deterioration. 37 00:03:43,478.89856954 --> 00:03:43,778.90162129 No. 38 00:03:44,78.89704366 --> 00:03:47,918.90101094 At 120, actually, the Book of Deuteronomy ends with him climbing a mountain. 39 00:03:48,588.89917989 --> 00:03:50,508.89734883 He's in pretty good shape if he can do that. 40 00:03:51,478.89856954 --> 00:03:59,448.89765401 No, he's set to retire and, frankly, be called home to the Lord because of his sin that occurred in Numbers 20, that story with the water and the rock. 41 00:04:00,268.89734883 --> 00:04:17,238.89856954 Moses has to find a replacement, someone who will stand where he stood, someone who will lead Israel the way that he did, who will share his faith with the Israelites, who will mentor God's people Israel, and God says that special someone is to be Joshua. 42 00:04:17,378.89795918 --> 00:04:19,308.89826436 He mentions that several times over. 43 00:04:20,278.89948506 --> 00:04:29,316.90149922 And in God's good, great, and perfect timing, Moses has been sharing his faith with, he's been pouring into Joshua, he's been mentoring him for years. 44 00:04:30,464.89887471 --> 00:04:31,944.89889378 And like I said, St. 45 00:04:31,944.89889378 --> 00:04:35,314.89877934 John's family, we are called to have Joshuas of our own. 46 00:04:35,834.89876027 --> 00:04:47,324.89948506 We are called to have people we share our faith with and then not just leave them, we pour into them, we mentor them, we teach them and show them again and again what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 47 00:04:48,384.898951 --> 00:04:51,364.89849324 And if you don't believe me, well, at least believe Jesus. 48 00:04:51,704.89864583 --> 00:05:04,964.89887471 In the last two verses of Matthew, he says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 49 00:05:06,104.89826436 --> 00:05:14,684.90009541 Does Jesus just speak those words to the 11 disciples that were gathered to him on that day? No, the Great Commission, as this is called, is not just for them. 50 00:05:15,744.89765401 --> 00:05:25,734.89933247 Well, is it just for pastors and Sunday school teachers? Is it their job to teach people about the faith and share what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus? No, it's more than that. 51 00:05:26,284.89856954 --> 00:05:30,294.90070577 Jesus speaks these words to his disciples and those who would become his disciples. 52 00:05:30,294.90070577 --> 00:05:31,164.89963765 That's you. 53 00:05:31,334.8978066 --> 00:05:31,864.90040059 That's me. 54 00:05:31,864.90040059 --> 00:05:34,294.90070577 We have all been given this commission. 55 00:05:35,384.89704366 --> 00:05:40,274.8964333 As I said, we are all to be as Moses was to Joshua to some people in our lives. 56 00:05:41,794.90070577 --> 00:05:49,174.89795918 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that's nice, but who am I to do something like that? I mean, are you kidding me? I don't know enough. 57 00:05:49,174.89795918 --> 00:05:52,944.90223164 I'm not smart enough to teach somebody all those biblical facts. 58 00:05:52,944.90223164 --> 00:05:55,994.89765401 And frankly, I'm a nobody compared to Moses. 59 00:05:56,374.90253682 --> 00:05:58,164.89582295 Of course, people listen to him, Pastor. 60 00:05:58,164.89582295 --> 00:06:01,594.89612813 I mean, look at all the amazing things God did through Moses. 61 00:06:02,874.90253682 --> 00:06:06,244.89765401 But nobody's gonna listen to a nobody like me." 62 00:06:07,944.89887382 --> 00:06:15,604.89868398 You know, it's funny that you say all that actually, because you know who you sound an awful lot like right now? You sound an awful lot like Moses. 63 00:06:15,984.89879842 --> 00:06:28,664.89910359 When God comes to Moses in that burning bush in Exodus 3 and 4 and tells Moses that he has this commission to share his faith with and teach the people of Israel, Moses says, "Who, me? I'm a nobody. 64 00:06:29,204.89811177 --> 00:06:31,704.89811177 I don't have the skills to do something like that, God. 65 00:06:31,964.89834065 --> 00:06:32,994.8990273 I don't talk well. 66 00:06:32,994.8990273 --> 00:06:34,584.89917989 I'm not a good public speaker." 67 00:06:34,824.898951 --> 00:06:38,414.89910359 And then he actually says, "God, you should probably send someone else." 68 00:06:39,784.89803548 --> 00:06:44,264.89948506 By the way, he's not the only biblical person to react that way to God's commission. 69 00:06:45,4.89734883 --> 00:06:45,714.900248 There's quite a few. 70 00:06:46,224.89856954 --> 00:06:54,964.900248 King Solomon, when God shows up to Solomon in a dream and tells Solomon he's got basically the same commission as Moses, Solomon says, "But I'm only a little child. 71 00:06:55,874.90009541 --> 00:06:58,34.89994283 I don't know how to carry out my duties." 72 00:06:58,544.89826436 --> 00:07:23,604.89582295 Basically, how am I supposed to do a big task like that and share my faith with and mentor people when I still feel like a little kid myself? Anyone still feel like a little kid themselves at times? Isaiah, God's prophet, when God shows up to him and tells Isaiah that he has this same commission to share his faith with and lead the people of Israel and mentor them in that faith, he hits the deck. 73 00:07:24,34.89612813 --> 00:07:34,424.89551778 He's on all fours and he says, "Woe to me! I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." 74 00:07:35,344.90131612 --> 00:07:38,864.89795918 God, I am not worthy of this task that you're giving to me. 75 00:07:40,414.90101094 --> 00:07:47,144.89673848 The truth is, if you feel like a nobody and unworthy of sharing the faith with and mentoring people, you're not alone. 76 00:07:47,874.90009541 --> 00:07:49,154.89887471 You're in really good company. 77 00:07:50,194.89979024 --> 00:07:55,44.89826436 But just because you feel that way doesn't mean that the Great Commission doesn't apply to you. 78 00:07:55,104.89582295 --> 00:07:57,574.89704366 It applies to all followers of Jesus. 79 00:07:58,624.90009541 --> 00:08:02,384.90223164 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that's nice, but it's not just that I feel like a nobody. 80 00:08:02,814.90253682 --> 00:08:03,694.89979024 It's my past. 81 00:08:04,174.89551778 --> 00:08:11,994.8952126 Why would someone listen to someone like me considering the things that I've done? Pastor Ryan, I'm not just a nobody, I'm a no-good nobody." 82 00:08:13,214.8964333 --> 00:08:19,64.90253682 Interesting that you say that, 'cause you know who you sound like right now? You sound like the Apostle Peter. 83 00:08:19,694.89216084 --> 00:08:33,4.90497823 We're celebrating Pentecost today, right? On that first Pentecost, God works through the Apostle Peter to preach a sermon that's so powerful that 3,000 people receive Jesus upon its conclusion. 84 00:08:33,764.89948506 --> 00:08:44,14.89948506 Not a bad sermon at all, right? Now, I'm trying to remember, 50 days before that sermon, what was Peter doing? I can't quite... 85 00:08:44,814.90253682 --> 00:08:53,294.89826436 Oh, yeah, he was turning his back on Jesus and denying that he even knew Jesus in Jesus' biggest moment of need the very night that he was betrayed. 86 00:08:54,564.90253682 --> 00:08:55,784.90375752 Fast-forward 50 days. 87 00:08:56,74.89704366 --> 00:09:00,604.89582295 God is working through him to carry out the Great Commission in incredible ways. 88 00:09:00,864.90558858 --> 00:09:03,876.89899678 This fisherman, this no-good nobody. 89 00:09:05,536.89887471 --> 00:09:15,876.8990273 The truth is, as we look at Isaiah, as we look at Moses, as we look at Solomon, as we look at Peter, as we look at everybody that God uses for the Great Commission, we're all no-good nobodies. 90 00:09:16,746.89891286 --> 00:09:22,296.89910359 When it comes to the Great Commission, and this is my very important point of the day, God doesn't call the qualified. 91 00:09:22,586.89811177 --> 00:09:22,996.89795918 No one is. 92 00:09:24,76.89979024 --> 00:09:26,196.89872212 He qualifies and equips the called. 93 00:09:26,946.89872212 --> 00:09:32,856.89856954 He gives us the skills that we need in many and various ways to live out that Great Commission. 94 00:09:33,546.89910359 --> 00:09:41,596.900248 To Moses, He gives the assistance of Aaron, who holds up the prophet's hands, doesn't he? Aaron acts as Moses' mouthpiece. 95 00:09:42,486.89963765 --> 00:09:46,996.89795918 To Solomon, He gives a boatload of wisdom, doesn't He, to carry out that commission. 96 00:09:47,886.89734883 --> 00:10:00,976.89750142 To Isaiah, there's this fun little scene that I'm looking forward to you reading in your two-year Bible read-through, where God uses this burning coal to purify and absorb all of that sin out of Isaiah and make Isaiah ready to say, "Here am I. 97 00:10:00,976.89750142 --> 00:10:01,706.89704366 Send me. 98 00:10:01,936.90040059 --> 00:10:02,586.89811177 Send me." 99 00:10:03,656.8978066 --> 00:10:13,226.90131612 What did He give to Peter? He gives Peter His Holy Spirit, the Helper, who gives Peter the right words to say that lead to three thousand people receiving Jesus. 100 00:10:14,666.89612813 --> 00:10:19,866.90070577 And by the way, we get that same Holy Spirit because of Jesus. 101 00:10:21,26.89673848 --> 00:10:28,326.89979024 We don't deserve Him at all, but Jesus lives a perfect, sinless life, and then He dies on the cross, the perfect sacrifice for you and for me. 102 00:10:28,686.90040059 --> 00:10:36,416.89612813 He removes the separation that was between you and God, and now God can and does dwell in you with His Holy Spirit. 103 00:10:36,936.90040059 --> 00:10:44,16.90223164 The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you, and He is helping you pass the baton of faith. 104 00:10:45,16.90223164 --> 00:10:46,606.89856954 Let that bolster your faith. 105 00:10:48,396.89948506 --> 00:10:58,766.90223164 And hear the same words in Deuteronomy 31:6, our highlighted verse of the day, that Joshua hears when that baton is passed to him, and he is called to live out this commission. 106 00:10:59,236.89582295 --> 00:11:01,906.90162129 At the moment, he receives the Spirit of the Lord. 107 00:11:02,366.90070577 --> 00:11:05,286.89887471 These words apply to us, too, as we live out the Great Commission. 108 00:11:06,76.89979024 --> 00:11:07,526.89673848 "Be strong and courageous. 109 00:11:07,876.8952126 --> 00:11:10,316.89765401 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. 110 00:11:10,646.89948506 --> 00:11:15,826.89216084 For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 111 00:11:16,76.89216084 --> 00:11:23,416.90375752 Those words are oh so true as you share your faith with others, as you teach others what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 112 00:11:25,606.89890332 --> 00:11:27,736.89877934 You say, "Well, Pastor Ryan, I get it. 113 00:11:28,206.89880795 --> 00:11:29,796.89872212 That's some good preaching going on up there. 114 00:11:29,886.89887471 --> 00:11:35,936.89906545 But just because God is always with me doesn't mean that it always works when I share my faith. 115 00:11:36,476.8990273 --> 00:11:37,486.89925618 I've shared the faith. 116 00:11:37,486.89925618 --> 00:11:40,856.89818807 I've tried to teach people, but sometimes people don't listen to me at all. 117 00:11:41,26.89826436 --> 00:11:42,966.89879842 They reject everything that I'm saying. 118 00:11:43,636.89887471 --> 00:11:53,422.89888186 What's up with that? If the Holy Spirit, if He is with me, what's going on? Why am I failing when I share my faith with others?" I hear you. 119 00:11:54,482.89888425 --> 00:12:06,42.89906545 And if you feel like you have failed as you have lived out this great commission and in earnestness have tried to share your faith with others, listen and take solace in the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3. 120 00:12:07,2.89910359 --> 00:12:12,2.89910359 He says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." 121 00:12:13,382.89826436 --> 00:12:28,22.89765401 In other words, just like a farmer can do all of the right things with a seed, make sure it gets the right amount of water, the perfect amount of sunshine, and at the end of the day, it still might not grow because the farmer can't make that seed grow on his own efforts. 122 00:12:28,452.89795918 --> 00:12:31,412.89704366 We can't make the faith grow on our own efforts. 123 00:12:32,442.89963765 --> 00:12:33,242.89887471 You can't grow faith. 124 00:12:33,902.89872212 --> 00:12:35,142.90040059 Only God does that. 125 00:12:35,142.90040059 --> 00:12:41,792.89811177 Your job is to just plant the seed, to share the faith with others, and then to water it and teach them about that faith. 126 00:12:42,742.89887471 --> 00:12:43,942.89963765 You can't make it grow. 127 00:12:43,942.89963765 --> 00:12:44,872.89994283 Only God does that. 128 00:12:45,542.89811177 --> 00:12:49,722.89841695 Don't feel like a failure if you shared the gospel and it was rejected. 129 00:12:50,582.8990273 --> 00:13:10,588.89845509 The true failure would be to never share it at all Now, with all of that in mind, just like there are some things a farmer can do to create the right environment for a seed to grow, there are some things that we can do that help people receive that baton of faith more readily, and these should look pretty familiar. 130 00:13:11,618.89914174 --> 00:13:17,908.89910359 The first thing we can do to help people receive that baton of faith more readily is not hand off the baton too early. 131 00:13:18,528.89803548 --> 00:13:29,38.89826436 And the main way I've seen people do this in my life is by completely outsourcing the second part of the Great Commission, by outsourcing the job of teaching away from themselves. 132 00:13:29,568.89704366 --> 00:13:33,628.89841695 Sometimes people outsource the work of teaching entirely to God. 133 00:13:34,798.90040059 --> 00:13:37,338.89750142 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that doesn't sound that bad to me. 134 00:13:37,338.89750142 --> 00:13:44,298.90040059 Aren't we to fully rely on God and let God be God?" Well, that's true, but take a second here and listen to what I mean. 135 00:13:45,458.900248 --> 00:13:49,158.89719624 Sometimes we've seen it where parents will bring their children to be baptized. 136 00:13:50,78.89917989 --> 00:13:54,178.89765401 They'll drive in, they'll have the big baptism party afterwards maybe. 137 00:13:54,378.89841695 --> 00:13:57,848.89963765 The kid gets baptized, and they say, "Well, I've done it. 138 00:13:58,398.89887471 --> 00:14:00,718.89856954 My work here, it's done. 139 00:14:00,908.90101094 --> 00:14:02,328.89917989 I got the kid baptized. 140 00:14:02,328.89917989 --> 00:14:17,860.89883656 He received or she received everything that Jesus won for them on the cross, and now I'm gonna let God be God," and guess the next time when we see them is? The next time they have a kid that gets baptized It's admirable to let God be God. 141 00:14:18,240.8988318 --> 00:14:28,300.89841695 But when we fail to teach the children in our lives anything about Jesus, thinking that all they need is that baptism, we're not living out the second portion of that Great Commission at all. 142 00:14:28,550.89841695 --> 00:14:33,800.89841695 We're certainly not telling them the Gospel and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded them. 143 00:14:35,90.89933247 --> 00:14:42,790.89818807 When it comes to Moses and Joshua, Moses didn't just have Joshua get dropped off at the tabernacle and say, "All right, God be God. 144 00:14:42,790.89818807 --> 00:14:43,800.89841695 My work here is done." 145 00:14:44,310.89864583 --> 00:14:49,720.90040059 He didn't just lay his hands on Joshua and have Joshua receive the Spirit of the Lord and say, "My work is done." 146 00:14:50,350.89765401 --> 00:14:58,200.89994283 No, he taught Joshua again and again and again, day after day, what it looks like to be a follower of God. 147 00:14:59,820.89887471 --> 00:15:05,120.89811177 Sometimes we outsource the work of teaching not just to God, but entirely to other people. 148 00:15:05,930.89948506 --> 00:15:07,350.89765401 I've seen parents do this with their children. 149 00:15:07,780.89795918 --> 00:15:09,880.900248 I've seen grandparents do this with their grandchildren. 150 00:15:10,260.89750142 --> 00:15:17,170.89734883 I've seen people do this with that friend, neighbor, family member, coworker that they invited to church, and God bless them, they actually came. 151 00:15:17,170.89734883 --> 00:15:20,240.89704366 They're sitting here in the pews and they say, "Wow, look at that. 152 00:15:20,830.90101094 --> 00:15:21,760.90131612 I've done my part. 153 00:15:22,300.90223164 --> 00:15:24,980.90253682 Now, Pastor Ryan, Pastor Clark, it's your turn. 154 00:15:25,990.89704366 --> 00:15:28,230.90253682 Teach them all those things they need to know. 155 00:15:28,230.90253682 --> 00:15:29,140.89856954 You do your work. 156 00:15:29,140.89856954 --> 00:15:33,230.90253682 I got them here in the pews, and now I'm gonna let you do your thing up there. 157 00:15:33,600.89765401 --> 00:15:34,628.89753194 My work here is done." 158 00:15:36,416.89887471 --> 00:15:38,846.89894147 Look, I'm always trying to do my thing up here. 159 00:15:39,736.89880795 --> 00:15:41,906.89864583 It doesn't always go well, I'll be honest with you. 160 00:15:43,506.8990273 --> 00:15:53,246.89879842 And the truth is, the best person, possibly the most effective teacher, is the one who has the closest relationship with the person that they invited. 161 00:15:54,396.89841695 --> 00:15:58,526.89948506 Even if they come every week, I'm gonna get to see them for one hour. 162 00:15:59,886.89818807 --> 00:16:06,306.89826436 You probably get to see them a whole lot more than that, don't you? You get to speak into their lives a whole lot more than that. 163 00:16:07,246.89879842 --> 00:16:11,396.89841695 Don't stop teaching just because they've come to church once or twice. 164 00:16:11,806.89826436 --> 00:16:15,566.90040059 Continuously live out what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus in front of them. 165 00:16:15,846.89917989 --> 00:16:20,376.89795918 Take every chance you can to show and tell them what it means to be a follower of Jesus. 166 00:16:21,666.89887471 --> 00:16:30,986.89856954 Sometimes we outsource the work of teaching to God, to others entirely, and maybe the most sinister one of all, sometimes we outsource the work of teaching to the new believer. 167 00:16:32,26.89948506 --> 00:16:35,796.89994283 I've had parents say this exact quote to me. 168 00:16:36,756.8990273 --> 00:16:40,766.8973488 They say, "I believe in Jesus, but I'm not gonna force my religion on my kids. 169 00:16:41,56.8982644 --> 00:16:44,76.9025368 I want them to choose for themselves." 170 00:16:45,706.8997902 --> 00:16:53,606.9013161 It is so admirable to want your kids to have a faith of their own, to want your grandkids to have a faith of their own. 171 00:16:54,136.9000954 --> 00:16:55,226.8964333 You should want that. 172 00:16:56,686.8955178 --> 00:17:00,866.895823 I've had people say this, and they'll say, "Well, and I don't wanna indoctrinate my kids. 173 00:17:00,866.895823 --> 00:17:02,246.9007058 I don't wanna be too pushy." 174 00:17:03,36.9016213 --> 00:17:07,6.8952126 Guess what? It's our job to indoctrinate the kids in our lives. 175 00:17:07,6.8952126 --> 00:17:08,696.897654 The Bible is very clear about that. 176 00:17:09,446.897654 --> 00:17:15,826.9025368 Moses in Deuteronomy 6 says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts, and press them on your children. 177 00:17:16,176.9010109 --> 00:17:21,666.8988747 Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 178 00:17:21,966.9019265 --> 00:17:28,6.8952126 Every chance you can, share the good news with them, and show and tell them what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 179 00:17:28,466.9019265 --> 00:17:32,336.8970437 Don't take the two or three steps back and say, "I don't wanna be too pushy now." 180 00:17:33,6.8952126 --> 00:17:54,676.8933815 When we are outwardly passive about our faith, the children, and frankly the people in our lives, will take our silence as a sign that faith simply is not that important to us, and we don't want that at all, now do we? And once again, when it comes to Moses and Joshua, Moses talked about the faith with Joshua every opportunity that he could find. 181 00:17:55,476.8964333 --> 00:18:02,126.9055886 He didn't just hand Joshua the Torah and say, "Everything you need to know is in there, all right? You do what you need to do now. 182 00:18:02,126.9055886 --> 00:18:02,796.9037575 This is yours." 183 00:18:03,586.8970437 --> 00:18:10,148.8935036 No, he continuously talked to him about the faith and what it looked like to follow God again, and again, and again. 184 00:18:11,432.8988738 --> 00:18:13,862.8989033 We certainly don't want to hand off the baton too early. 185 00:18:14,872.8988938 --> 00:18:22,42.8984932 On the flip side, and I think this is the one that maybe happens the most often out of these three, we don't want to hand off the baton too late. 186 00:18:22,612.8991417 --> 00:18:26,42.8984932 Sometimes we wait to share our faith longer than we should. 187 00:18:26,642.8988747 --> 00:18:29,542.8984932 I've seen people do this with the children in their lives. 188 00:18:30,692.8981118 --> 00:18:35,532.8982644 They say, "Well, they're, they're just too little to understand all the big concepts in the faith. 189 00:18:35,822.8991799 --> 00:18:40,592.8996377 I'll teach them when they're older, when they can understand, and when they can listen a little better. 190 00:18:40,592.8996377 --> 00:18:42,632.8986458 They can't sit still for a single second. 191 00:18:42,632.8986458 --> 00:18:45,182.8997902 I can't really talk to them about any of this stuff. 192 00:18:45,182.8997902 --> 00:18:48,332.8975014 I've tried, and, well, it doesn't go well." 193 00:18:50,362.9000954 --> 00:18:52,62.8970437 I sympathize with you, I promise. 194 00:18:52,62.8970437 --> 00:18:53,272.8999428 I empathize with you. 195 00:18:53,532.8982644 --> 00:18:54,462.8985695 I really do. 196 00:18:54,682.8997902 --> 00:18:57,602.8979592 The family devotion time can be, it's strugglesome sometimes. 197 00:18:58,892.8988747 --> 00:19:01,232.8990273 And yes, you might look at your kids and say, "They're so little. 198 00:19:01,232.8990273 --> 00:19:05,232.8990273 They can't understand some of these abstract concepts that we talk about." 199 00:19:06,312.8970437 --> 00:19:07,372.8984169 But don't underestimate them. 200 00:19:08,352.8979592 --> 00:19:20,452.8964333 There are certainly things that they can understand, and frankly, we're called to have childlike faith, which means I think we should be a little bit more like them sometimes, shouldn't we? There are absolutely things they can understand. 201 00:19:21,702.8964333 --> 00:19:31,212.8985695 When Catherine and I are out walking on a hike in nature with the kids, a lot of times what we like to do is point to things and say, "Wow, what an amazing thing God has made. 202 00:19:31,212.8985695 --> 00:19:39,592.895823 Isn't His creation wonderful? What's something that you like in His creation, Nathan or Cooper?" They can understand that. 203 00:19:40,462.8985695 --> 00:19:43,432.8997902 They can understand what it looks like to model forgiveness. 204 00:19:43,432.8997902 --> 00:19:48,62.8970437 They live that out when you do that for them, when you use those words, "I forgive you." 205 00:19:48,752.8994851 --> 00:19:57,760.8987698 Or maybe more important, "Will you forgive me for what I've done?" The time to start teaching the kids in our life, it's right now. 206 00:19:58,110.8989129 --> 00:20:00,100.898684 Sometimes we wait to share our faith with the children. 207 00:20:00,330.898703 --> 00:20:04,710.8992943 Sometimes we wait to share the faith until that perfect time. 208 00:20:05,470.8985695 --> 00:20:07,130.8984169 We wait for the stars to align. 209 00:20:07,130.8984169 --> 00:20:15,770.8997139 There's that person in our life who we know isn't walking with the Lord, and we say, "Well, I'll tell them when they're ready," right? "I'll tell them when the stars align. 210 00:20:15,770.8997139 --> 00:20:20,10.8994851 I'll tell them when they hit rock bottom, then they'll be more willing to listen to me." 211 00:20:21,690.8997902 --> 00:20:25,600.8996377 The truth is, the perfect time, it might never come along. 212 00:20:25,660.8991036 --> 00:20:27,960.900248 At least you might never see it knowingly. 213 00:20:29,550.9004006 --> 00:20:40,300.9004006 Life is pretty fragile, isn't it? I'm not a NASCAR fan, but I was watching SportsCenter this week and I saw that NASCAR driver who died at the age of forty-one. 214 00:20:40,770.8978066 --> 00:20:42,590.8975014 He won the race last week. 215 00:20:43,680.897654 --> 00:20:48,170.8993325 He was in the prime of his life, wasn't he? And just like that, he's gone. 216 00:20:49,480.9007058 --> 00:20:56,610.8979592 We don't know when our time is up, do we? We don't know when that person who we've waited to share our faith with, we don't know when their time is up. 217 00:20:57,700.8981118 --> 00:20:58,510.8994851 Life is fragile. 218 00:20:58,510.8994851 --> 00:21:01,930.897654 The time to share your faith is right here, right now. 219 00:21:02,110.8979592 --> 00:21:04,850.895823 Don't wait too long to hand off that baton. 220 00:21:05,670.8955178 --> 00:21:18,10.8994851 We don't wanna hand it off too early, we don't wanna hand it off too late, and we don't wanna hand off that baton too hard because that leads to a drop, doesn't it? We don't wanna do what I might call shoving the dove. 221 00:21:18,810.9025368 --> 00:21:23,810.9025368 A couple of major ways I've seen people do this is by beating people over the head with the law. 222 00:21:24,770.9016213 --> 00:21:34,600.895823 They don't hesitate for a second to tell people that they need Jesus, right? Because they're such a great sinner, and they focus on that sin again and again and again. 223 00:21:36,370.9000954 --> 00:21:44,920.8955178 Don't forget the second part of that message, right? They may be a great sinner, but they have an even greater Savior in Jesus Christ. 224 00:21:46,440.8997902 --> 00:21:51,990.8952126 We also shove the dove when we keep on preaching to people who have clearly rejected the message in the moment. 225 00:21:53,100.895823 --> 00:21:57,200.9019265 Sometimes you'll be sharing your faith with someone, telling them about Jesus, and they'll say, "Stop. 226 00:21:57,780.8961281 --> 00:21:59,650.8988747 I don't wanna hear about this right now." 227 00:22:00,50.9004006 --> 00:22:01,820.8970437 And you get aggressively rebuffed. 228 00:22:02,530.9037575 --> 00:22:08,740.8952126 You know what you should do when you get aggressively rebuffed when you're sharing the faith? You should stop talking about it. 229 00:22:08,830.8915505 --> 00:22:12,730.9007058 A lot of times we're gonna do more harm than good in that situation. 230 00:22:13,420.9031472 --> 00:22:17,290.8982644 Does that mean you give up on the person? No, no, no. 231 00:22:17,570.8970437 --> 00:22:18,760.8994851 Keep on praying for them. 232 00:22:19,10.8994851 --> 00:22:22,630.8946023 Look for other opportunities to share your faith with them on another day. 233 00:22:22,810.9025368 --> 00:22:26,80.8915505 Be like Jesus who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one. 234 00:22:26,660.8933815 --> 00:22:43,68.8992943 But in that moment, it'd probably be best to start talking about something else, at least for the time being When it comes to these baton exchange errors, as we close out this message, my guess here is that every single person here has made at least one of them. 235 00:22:43,768.8991036 --> 00:22:48,858.8992562 I know I have, right? Sometimes we outsource that work of teaching away from us. 236 00:22:48,858.8992562 --> 00:22:49,808.8990654 "That's not my job. 237 00:22:49,838.8987984 --> 00:22:51,188.8991799 I'm not qualified for that." 238 00:22:51,928.898951 --> 00:22:56,758.8988747 Sometimes we hand off the baton too late, don't we? We wait for that perfect time to come along. 239 00:22:57,388.8980355 --> 00:23:13,38.897654 Sometimes we hand off that baton too hard, and it leads to a drop, which can be pretty embarrassing, right? If you have made any of these errors when you've been living out that Great Commission, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3. 240 00:23:14,308.8981118 --> 00:23:23,338.9007058 He says, "Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 241 00:23:24,458.8996377 --> 00:23:37,628.8978066 My friends, we are called to forget almost everything that is behind us, aren't we? Jesus doesn't want you to hold on to the shame and guilt of those sins of your past, of your baton exchange failures. 242 00:23:38,108.8973488 --> 00:23:42,738.9022316 He doesn't want you to hold onto them because He forgave each and every one of them on the cross. 243 00:23:43,98.8952126 --> 00:23:43,978.9000954 They're all forgiven. 244 00:23:44,258.8988747 --> 00:23:47,218.8979592 He wants to take that shame and guilt away from you. 245 00:23:47,808.9019265 --> 00:23:52,568.8964333 The only thing He wants you to focus on in the past is that cross and what He did on it just for you. 246 00:23:54,348.8952126 --> 00:23:58,718.8979592 He also wants us not to forget that we are to strain towards what is ahead. 247 00:23:59,758.8988747 --> 00:24:06,818.8964333 As long as you are still breathing, you still have that baton of faith in your hand, and you are still a part of this relay race. 248 00:24:07,718.8979592 --> 00:24:08,348.8952126 And so St. 249 00:24:08,348.8952126 --> 00:24:13,68.8964333 John's family, my prayer for you this week is this: may you live out that Great Commission. 250 00:24:13,898.8982644 --> 00:24:18,148.8982644 In response to Jesus' great love for you, may you share the faith with others. 251 00:24:18,398.8982644 --> 00:24:25,128.9016213 In response and with a thankful heart that Jesus sent someone to pass that baton to you, may you live out that Great Commission. 252 00:24:26,468.8979592 --> 00:24:33,198.9013161 And in response to a perishing world around you, may you do this with the love of Christ within you, thanks to the Holy Spirit working through you. 253 00:24:33,728.9000954 --> 00:24:34,918.9025368 May you do this in Jesus' name. 254 00:24:36,58.9019265 --> 00:24:41,59.232208 Amen You've been listening to a sermon from St. 255 00:24:41,59.232208 --> 00:24:43,139.232208 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 256 00:24:43,459.232208 --> 00:24:45,259.232208 If you would like more information about St. 257 00:24:45,259.232208 --> 00:24:50,919.232208 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 258 00:24:51,9.232208 --> 00:24:51,249.232208 stjohnsbuffalo. 259 00:24:52,489.231208 --> 00:24:52,819.231208 org. 260 00:24:53,199.231208 --> 00:24:54,489.232208 Thank you and God bless you.
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:15,178.89795829 --> 00:00:20,558.898035478 Oh Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praises in the name of Jesus. 5 00:00:21,448.897901963 --> 00:00:22,58.898035478 Amen. 6 00:00:23,248.897615861 --> 00:00:26,538.897577714 Whoa, man, so embarrassing. 7 00:00:27,548.897806596 --> 00:00:35,348.897043656 You hate to see someone drop the baton like that, don't you? A baton is something that's used in the world of track and field. 8 00:00:36,48.897806596 --> 00:00:46,98.897043656 On the track, there is something called relay races where four people try to get this here baton around that track as fast as their God-given abilities will allow. 9 00:00:46,848.897043656 --> 00:00:56,168.896738481 In your typical relay race, there are three exchanges or handoffs of the baton, and it should be so easy, right? As simple as that. 10 00:00:57,318.898264359 --> 00:00:59,978.898111772 But a whole lot can go wrong during these handoffs. 11 00:01:00,768.899027299 --> 00:01:03,848.897043656 Sometimes people hand off the baton too early. 12 00:01:04,218.899790238 --> 00:01:08,718.899790238 There is a 30-meter exchange zone on the track where the baton handoff must occur. 13 00:01:09,218.899790238 --> 00:01:12,908.898416947 It doesn't matter how fast your team gets around that track. 14 00:01:13,228.898111772 --> 00:01:17,188.897196244 If they hand off before that zone, they will be disqualified. 15 00:01:18,278.897348832 --> 00:01:20,978.894297074 Sometimes people hand off the baton too late. 16 00:01:21,38.899485063 --> 00:01:24,28.897348832 They wait until after that exchange zone to hand it off. 17 00:01:24,898.900095414 --> 00:01:29,648.900095414 Anyone here love the Olympics like me? I am always glued to the Summer Olympics. 18 00:01:30,288.899485063 --> 00:01:37,218.899790238 2024, the United States men's team had four of the fastest eight 100-meter runners in the world. 19 00:01:38,238.896433305 --> 00:01:44,158.89460225 Guess what medal they got in the men's four by 100-meter relay? It wasn't gold, it wasn't silver, it wasn't bronze. 20 00:01:44,158.89460225 --> 00:01:49,198.89551778 They were disqualified because they handed off the baton too late on their first exchange. 21 00:01:50,258.90070577 --> 00:01:52,678.89887471 Sometimes people hand off the baton too hard. 22 00:01:53,348.89704366 --> 00:02:00,998.89856954 It's just a chunk of metal right here, right? If I am sprinting and I run and I try to hand it off so hard, it's gonna hit on someone's hands and ouch. 23 00:02:01,858.89917989 --> 00:02:05,468.89979024 It's gonna be tough to hang on to, and that leads to a drop. 24 00:02:06,478.89429707 --> 00:02:12,928.89887471 In the 2008 Olympics, the US men and women's team had four of the seven fastest 100-meter runners in the world. 25 00:02:13,598.89704366 --> 00:02:21,698.89551778 Guess what medal they got at the Olympics? Once again, they were disqualified because they handed off the baton too hard and it led to a drop. 26 00:02:21,738.8964333 --> 00:02:28,8.89307637 Actually, if you see right up there right now, that's a picture of the men's team dropping the baton in 2008. 27 00:02:28,888.89795918 --> 00:02:38,182.90430684 And the truth is, we don't wanna be like that guy, do we? We don't want our mistakes to lead to someone else getting disqualified. 28 00:02:39,648.89795851 --> 00:02:51,148.89769215 Which is why I think we should be paying very, very close attention to what is going on right now in our two-year Bible read-through, where the Book of Deuteronomy exchanges into the Book of Joshua. 29 00:02:51,408.89792104 --> 00:02:59,78.89704366 We have an absolutely flawless passing of the baton, the baton of faith between Moses and Joshua. 30 00:03:00,158.89887471 --> 00:03:11,28.8978066 And my friends, we are called to be like Moses and have Joshuas of our own because if you believe in Jesus and have been baptized, I promise you, you have the baton of faith in your hands right now. 31 00:03:11,298.89826436 --> 00:03:15,98.89750142 It is actually there, and you are not to keep that to yourself. 32 00:03:15,308.89658589 --> 00:03:18,108.89963765 You are a part of a great big relay race. 33 00:03:18,248.8990273 --> 00:03:21,358.89963765 Let's see how this exchange occurred from Deuteronomy 31. 34 00:03:22,328.89704366 --> 00:03:31,708.89811177 It says, "Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 'I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. 35 00:03:32,168.89719624 --> 00:03:35,328.89704366 The Lord has said to me, "You shall not cross the Jordan."'" 36 00:03:36,348.89750142 --> 00:03:43,478.89856954 A 120-year-old Moses is set to retire, not because of some physical deterioration. 37 00:03:43,478.89856954 --> 00:03:43,778.90162129 No. 38 00:03:44,78.89704366 --> 00:03:47,918.90101094 At 120, actually, the Book of Deuteronomy ends with him climbing a mountain. 39 00:03:48,588.89917989 --> 00:03:50,508.89734883 He's in pretty good shape if he can do that. 40 00:03:51,478.89856954 --> 00:03:59,448.89765401 No, he's set to retire and, frankly, be called home to the Lord because of his sin that occurred in Numbers 20, that story with the water and the rock. 41 00:04:00,268.89734883 --> 00:04:17,238.89856954 Moses has to find a replacement, someone who will stand where he stood, someone who will lead Israel the way that he did, who will share his faith with the Israelites, who will mentor God's people Israel, and God says that special someone is to be Joshua. 42 00:04:17,378.89795918 --> 00:04:19,308.89826436 He mentions that several times over. 43 00:04:20,278.89948506 --> 00:04:29,316.90149922 And in God's good, great, and perfect timing, Moses has been sharing his faith with, he's been pouring into Joshua, he's been mentoring him for years. 44 00:04:30,464.89887471 --> 00:04:31,944.89889378 And like I said, St. 45 00:04:31,944.89889378 --> 00:04:35,314.89877934 John's family, we are called to have Joshuas of our own. 46 00:04:35,834.89876027 --> 00:04:47,324.89948506 We are called to have people we share our faith with and then not just leave them, we pour into them, we mentor them, we teach them and show them again and again what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 47 00:04:48,384.898951 --> 00:04:51,364.89849324 And if you don't believe me, well, at least believe Jesus. 48 00:04:51,704.89864583 --> 00:05:04,964.89887471 In the last two verses of Matthew, he says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 49 00:05:06,104.89826436 --> 00:05:14,684.90009541 Does Jesus just speak those words to the 11 disciples that were gathered to him on that day? No, the Great Commission, as this is called, is not just for them. 50 00:05:15,744.89765401 --> 00:05:25,734.89933247 Well, is it just for pastors and Sunday school teachers? Is it their job to teach people about the faith and share what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus? No, it's more than that. 51 00:05:26,284.89856954 --> 00:05:30,294.90070577 Jesus speaks these words to his disciples and those who would become his disciples. 52 00:05:30,294.90070577 --> 00:05:31,164.89963765 That's you. 53 00:05:31,334.8978066 --> 00:05:31,864.90040059 That's me. 54 00:05:31,864.90040059 --> 00:05:34,294.90070577 We have all been given this commission. 55 00:05:35,384.89704366 --> 00:05:40,274.8964333 As I said, we are all to be as Moses was to Joshua to some people in our lives. 56 00:05:41,794.90070577 --> 00:05:49,174.89795918 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that's nice, but who am I to do something like that? I mean, are you kidding me? I don't know enough. 57 00:05:49,174.89795918 --> 00:05:52,944.90223164 I'm not smart enough to teach somebody all those biblical facts. 58 00:05:52,944.90223164 --> 00:05:55,994.89765401 And frankly, I'm a nobody compared to Moses. 59 00:05:56,374.90253682 --> 00:05:58,164.89582295 Of course, people listen to him, Pastor. 60 00:05:58,164.89582295 --> 00:06:01,594.89612813 I mean, look at all the amazing things God did through Moses. 61 00:06:02,874.90253682 --> 00:06:06,244.89765401 But nobody's gonna listen to a nobody like me." 62 00:06:07,944.89887382 --> 00:06:15,604.89868398 You know, it's funny that you say all that actually, because you know who you sound an awful lot like right now? You sound an awful lot like Moses. 63 00:06:15,984.89879842 --> 00:06:28,664.89910359 When God comes to Moses in that burning bush in Exodus 3 and 4 and tells Moses that he has this commission to share his faith with and teach the people of Israel, Moses says, "Who, me? I'm a nobody. 64 00:06:29,204.89811177 --> 00:06:31,704.89811177 I don't have the skills to do something like that, God. 65 00:06:31,964.89834065 --> 00:06:32,994.8990273 I don't talk well. 66 00:06:32,994.8990273 --> 00:06:34,584.89917989 I'm not a good public speaker." 67 00:06:34,824.898951 --> 00:06:38,414.89910359 And then he actually says, "God, you should probably send someone else." 68 00:06:39,784.89803548 --> 00:06:44,264.89948506 By the way, he's not the only biblical person to react that way to God's commission. 69 00:06:45,4.89734883 --> 00:06:45,714.900248 There's quite a few. 70 00:06:46,224.89856954 --> 00:06:54,964.900248 King Solomon, when God shows up to Solomon in a dream and tells Solomon he's got basically the same commission as Moses, Solomon says, "But I'm only a little child. 71 00:06:55,874.90009541 --> 00:06:58,34.89994283 I don't know how to carry out my duties." 72 00:06:58,544.89826436 --> 00:07:23,604.89582295 Basically, how am I supposed to do a big task like that and share my faith with and mentor people when I still feel like a little kid myself? Anyone still feel like a little kid themselves at times? Isaiah, God's prophet, when God shows up to him and tells Isaiah that he has this same commission to share his faith with and lead the people of Israel and mentor them in that faith, he hits the deck. 73 00:07:24,34.89612813 --> 00:07:34,424.89551778 He's on all fours and he says, "Woe to me! I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." 74 00:07:35,344.90131612 --> 00:07:38,864.89795918 God, I am not worthy of this task that you're giving to me. 75 00:07:40,414.90101094 --> 00:07:47,144.89673848 The truth is, if you feel like a nobody and unworthy of sharing the faith with and mentoring people, you're not alone. 76 00:07:47,874.90009541 --> 00:07:49,154.89887471 You're in really good company. 77 00:07:50,194.89979024 --> 00:07:55,44.89826436 But just because you feel that way doesn't mean that the Great Commission doesn't apply to you. 78 00:07:55,104.89582295 --> 00:07:57,574.89704366 It applies to all followers of Jesus. 79 00:07:58,624.90009541 --> 00:08:02,384.90223164 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that's nice, but it's not just that I feel like a nobody. 80 00:08:02,814.90253682 --> 00:08:03,694.89979024 It's my past. 81 00:08:04,174.89551778 --> 00:08:11,994.8952126 Why would someone listen to someone like me considering the things that I've done? Pastor Ryan, I'm not just a nobody, I'm a no-good nobody." 82 00:08:13,214.8964333 --> 00:08:19,64.90253682 Interesting that you say that, 'cause you know who you sound like right now? You sound like the Apostle Peter. 83 00:08:19,694.89216084 --> 00:08:33,4.90497823 We're celebrating Pentecost today, right? On that first Pentecost, God works through the Apostle Peter to preach a sermon that's so powerful that 3,000 people receive Jesus upon its conclusion. 84 00:08:33,764.89948506 --> 00:08:44,14.89948506 Not a bad sermon at all, right? Now, I'm trying to remember, 50 days before that sermon, what was Peter doing? I can't quite... 85 00:08:44,814.90253682 --> 00:08:53,294.89826436 Oh, yeah, he was turning his back on Jesus and denying that he even knew Jesus in Jesus' biggest moment of need the very night that he was betrayed. 86 00:08:54,564.90253682 --> 00:08:55,784.90375752 Fast-forward 50 days. 87 00:08:56,74.89704366 --> 00:09:00,604.89582295 God is working through him to carry out the Great Commission in incredible ways. 88 00:09:00,864.90558858 --> 00:09:03,876.89899678 This fisherman, this no-good nobody. 89 00:09:05,536.89887471 --> 00:09:15,876.8990273 The truth is, as we look at Isaiah, as we look at Moses, as we look at Solomon, as we look at Peter, as we look at everybody that God uses for the Great Commission, we're all no-good nobodies. 90 00:09:16,746.89891286 --> 00:09:22,296.89910359 When it comes to the Great Commission, and this is my very important point of the day, God doesn't call the qualified. 91 00:09:22,586.89811177 --> 00:09:22,996.89795918 No one is. 92 00:09:24,76.89979024 --> 00:09:26,196.89872212 He qualifies and equips the called. 93 00:09:26,946.89872212 --> 00:09:32,856.89856954 He gives us the skills that we need in many and various ways to live out that Great Commission. 94 00:09:33,546.89910359 --> 00:09:41,596.900248 To Moses, He gives the assistance of Aaron, who holds up the prophet's hands, doesn't he? Aaron acts as Moses' mouthpiece. 95 00:09:42,486.89963765 --> 00:09:46,996.89795918 To Solomon, He gives a boatload of wisdom, doesn't He, to carry out that commission. 96 00:09:47,886.89734883 --> 00:10:00,976.89750142 To Isaiah, there's this fun little scene that I'm looking forward to you reading in your two-year Bible read-through, where God uses this burning coal to purify and absorb all of that sin out of Isaiah and make Isaiah ready to say, "Here am I. 97 00:10:00,976.89750142 --> 00:10:01,706.89704366 Send me. 98 00:10:01,936.90040059 --> 00:10:02,586.89811177 Send me." 99 00:10:03,656.8978066 --> 00:10:13,226.90131612 What did He give to Peter? He gives Peter His Holy Spirit, the Helper, who gives Peter the right words to say that lead to three thousand people receiving Jesus. 100 00:10:14,666.89612813 --> 00:10:19,866.90070577 And by the way, we get that same Holy Spirit because of Jesus. 101 00:10:21,26.89673848 --> 00:10:28,326.89979024 We don't deserve Him at all, but Jesus lives a perfect, sinless life, and then He dies on the cross, the perfect sacrifice for you and for me. 102 00:10:28,686.90040059 --> 00:10:36,416.89612813 He removes the separation that was between you and God, and now God can and does dwell in you with His Holy Spirit. 103 00:10:36,936.90040059 --> 00:10:44,16.90223164 The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you, and He is helping you pass the baton of faith. 104 00:10:45,16.90223164 --> 00:10:46,606.89856954 Let that bolster your faith. 105 00:10:48,396.89948506 --> 00:10:58,766.90223164 And hear the same words in Deuteronomy 31:6, our highlighted verse of the day, that Joshua hears when that baton is passed to him, and he is called to live out this commission. 106 00:10:59,236.89582295 --> 00:11:01,906.90162129 At the moment, he receives the Spirit of the Lord. 107 00:11:02,366.90070577 --> 00:11:05,286.89887471 These words apply to us, too, as we live out the Great Commission. 108 00:11:06,76.89979024 --> 00:11:07,526.89673848 "Be strong and courageous. 109 00:11:07,876.8952126 --> 00:11:10,316.89765401 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. 110 00:11:10,646.89948506 --> 00:11:15,826.89216084 For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 111 00:11:16,76.89216084 --> 00:11:23,416.90375752 Those words are oh so true as you share your faith with others, as you teach others what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 112 00:11:25,606.89890332 --> 00:11:27,736.89877934 You say, "Well, Pastor Ryan, I get it. 113 00:11:28,206.89880795 --> 00:11:29,796.89872212 That's some good preaching going on up there. 114 00:11:29,886.89887471 --> 00:11:35,936.89906545 But just because God is always with me doesn't mean that it always works when I share my faith. 115 00:11:36,476.8990273 --> 00:11:37,486.89925618 I've shared the faith. 116 00:11:37,486.89925618 --> 00:11:40,856.89818807 I've tried to teach people, but sometimes people don't listen to me at all. 117 00:11:41,26.89826436 --> 00:11:42,966.89879842 They reject everything that I'm saying. 118 00:11:43,636.89887471 --> 00:11:53,422.89888186 What's up with that? If the Holy Spirit, if He is with me, what's going on? Why am I failing when I share my faith with others?" I hear you. 119 00:11:54,482.89888425 --> 00:12:06,42.89906545 And if you feel like you have failed as you have lived out this great commission and in earnestness have tried to share your faith with others, listen and take solace in the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3. 120 00:12:07,2.89910359 --> 00:12:12,2.89910359 He says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." 121 00:12:13,382.89826436 --> 00:12:28,22.89765401 In other words, just like a farmer can do all of the right things with a seed, make sure it gets the right amount of water, the perfect amount of sunshine, and at the end of the day, it still might not grow because the farmer can't make that seed grow on his own efforts. 122 00:12:28,452.89795918 --> 00:12:31,412.89704366 We can't make the faith grow on our own efforts. 123 00:12:32,442.89963765 --> 00:12:33,242.89887471 You can't grow faith. 124 00:12:33,902.89872212 --> 00:12:35,142.90040059 Only God does that. 125 00:12:35,142.90040059 --> 00:12:41,792.89811177 Your job is to just plant the seed, to share the faith with others, and then to water it and teach them about that faith. 126 00:12:42,742.89887471 --> 00:12:43,942.89963765 You can't make it grow. 127 00:12:43,942.89963765 --> 00:12:44,872.89994283 Only God does that. 128 00:12:45,542.89811177 --> 00:12:49,722.89841695 Don't feel like a failure if you shared the gospel and it was rejected. 129 00:12:50,582.8990273 --> 00:13:10,588.89845509 The true failure would be to never share it at all Now, with all of that in mind, just like there are some things a farmer can do to create the right environment for a seed to grow, there are some things that we can do that help people receive that baton of faith more readily, and these should look pretty familiar. 130 00:13:11,618.89914174 --> 00:13:17,908.89910359 The first thing we can do to help people receive that baton of faith more readily is not hand off the baton too early. 131 00:13:18,528.89803548 --> 00:13:29,38.89826436 And the main way I've seen people do this in my life is by completely outsourcing the second part of the Great Commission, by outsourcing the job of teaching away from themselves. 132 00:13:29,568.89704366 --> 00:13:33,628.89841695 Sometimes people outsource the work of teaching entirely to God. 133 00:13:34,798.90040059 --> 00:13:37,338.89750142 You say, "Pastor Ryan, that doesn't sound that bad to me. 134 00:13:37,338.89750142 --> 00:13:44,298.90040059 Aren't we to fully rely on God and let God be God?" Well, that's true, but take a second here and listen to what I mean. 135 00:13:45,458.900248 --> 00:13:49,158.89719624 Sometimes we've seen it where parents will bring their children to be baptized. 136 00:13:50,78.89917989 --> 00:13:54,178.89765401 They'll drive in, they'll have the big baptism party afterwards maybe. 137 00:13:54,378.89841695 --> 00:13:57,848.89963765 The kid gets baptized, and they say, "Well, I've done it. 138 00:13:58,398.89887471 --> 00:14:00,718.89856954 My work here, it's done. 139 00:14:00,908.90101094 --> 00:14:02,328.89917989 I got the kid baptized. 140 00:14:02,328.89917989 --> 00:14:17,860.89883656 He received or she received everything that Jesus won for them on the cross, and now I'm gonna let God be God," and guess the next time when we see them is? The next time they have a kid that gets baptized It's admirable to let God be God. 141 00:14:18,240.8988318 --> 00:14:28,300.89841695 But when we fail to teach the children in our lives anything about Jesus, thinking that all they need is that baptism, we're not living out the second portion of that Great Commission at all. 142 00:14:28,550.89841695 --> 00:14:33,800.89841695 We're certainly not telling them the Gospel and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded them. 143 00:14:35,90.89933247 --> 00:14:42,790.89818807 When it comes to Moses and Joshua, Moses didn't just have Joshua get dropped off at the tabernacle and say, "All right, God be God. 144 00:14:42,790.89818807 --> 00:14:43,800.89841695 My work here is done." 145 00:14:44,310.89864583 --> 00:14:49,720.90040059 He didn't just lay his hands on Joshua and have Joshua receive the Spirit of the Lord and say, "My work is done." 146 00:14:50,350.89765401 --> 00:14:58,200.89994283 No, he taught Joshua again and again and again, day after day, what it looks like to be a follower of God. 147 00:14:59,820.89887471 --> 00:15:05,120.89811177 Sometimes we outsource the work of teaching not just to God, but entirely to other people. 148 00:15:05,930.89948506 --> 00:15:07,350.89765401 I've seen parents do this with their children. 149 00:15:07,780.89795918 --> 00:15:09,880.900248 I've seen grandparents do this with their grandchildren. 150 00:15:10,260.89750142 --> 00:15:17,170.89734883 I've seen people do this with that friend, neighbor, family member, coworker that they invited to church, and God bless them, they actually came. 151 00:15:17,170.89734883 --> 00:15:20,240.89704366 They're sitting here in the pews and they say, "Wow, look at that. 152 00:15:20,830.90101094 --> 00:15:21,760.90131612 I've done my part. 153 00:15:22,300.90223164 --> 00:15:24,980.90253682 Now, Pastor Ryan, Pastor Clark, it's your turn. 154 00:15:25,990.89704366 --> 00:15:28,230.90253682 Teach them all those things they need to know. 155 00:15:28,230.90253682 --> 00:15:29,140.89856954 You do your work. 156 00:15:29,140.89856954 --> 00:15:33,230.90253682 I got them here in the pews, and now I'm gonna let you do your thing up there. 157 00:15:33,600.89765401 --> 00:15:34,628.89753194 My work here is done." 158 00:15:36,416.89887471 --> 00:15:38,846.89894147 Look, I'm always trying to do my thing up here. 159 00:15:39,736.89880795 --> 00:15:41,906.89864583 It doesn't always go well, I'll be honest with you. 160 00:15:43,506.8990273 --> 00:15:53,246.89879842 And the truth is, the best person, possibly the most effective teacher, is the one who has the closest relationship with the person that they invited. 161 00:15:54,396.89841695 --> 00:15:58,526.89948506 Even if they come every week, I'm gonna get to see them for one hour. 162 00:15:59,886.89818807 --> 00:16:06,306.89826436 You probably get to see them a whole lot more than that, don't you? You get to speak into their lives a whole lot more than that. 163 00:16:07,246.89879842 --> 00:16:11,396.89841695 Don't stop teaching just because they've come to church once or twice. 164 00:16:11,806.89826436 --> 00:16:15,566.90040059 Continuously live out what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus in front of them. 165 00:16:15,846.89917989 --> 00:16:20,376.89795918 Take every chance you can to show and tell them what it means to be a follower of Jesus. 166 00:16:21,666.89887471 --> 00:16:30,986.89856954 Sometimes we outsource the work of teaching to God, to others entirely, and maybe the most sinister one of all, sometimes we outsource the work of teaching to the new believer. 167 00:16:32,26.89948506 --> 00:16:35,796.89994283 I've had parents say this exact quote to me. 168 00:16:36,756.8990273 --> 00:16:40,766.8973488 They say, "I believe in Jesus, but I'm not gonna force my religion on my kids. 169 00:16:41,56.8982644 --> 00:16:44,76.9025368 I want them to choose for themselves." 170 00:16:45,706.8997902 --> 00:16:53,606.9013161 It is so admirable to want your kids to have a faith of their own, to want your grandkids to have a faith of their own. 171 00:16:54,136.9000954 --> 00:16:55,226.8964333 You should want that. 172 00:16:56,686.8955178 --> 00:17:00,866.895823 I've had people say this, and they'll say, "Well, and I don't wanna indoctrinate my kids. 173 00:17:00,866.895823 --> 00:17:02,246.9007058 I don't wanna be too pushy." 174 00:17:03,36.9016213 --> 00:17:07,6.8952126 Guess what? It's our job to indoctrinate the kids in our lives. 175 00:17:07,6.8952126 --> 00:17:08,696.897654 The Bible is very clear about that. 176 00:17:09,446.897654 --> 00:17:15,826.9025368 Moses in Deuteronomy 6 says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts, and press them on your children. 177 00:17:16,176.9010109 --> 00:17:21,666.8988747 Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 178 00:17:21,966.9019265 --> 00:17:28,6.8952126 Every chance you can, share the good news with them, and show and tell them what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. 179 00:17:28,466.9019265 --> 00:17:32,336.8970437 Don't take the two or three steps back and say, "I don't wanna be too pushy now." 180 00:17:33,6.8952126 --> 00:17:54,676.8933815 When we are outwardly passive about our faith, the children, and frankly the people in our lives, will take our silence as a sign that faith simply is not that important to us, and we don't want that at all, now do we? And once again, when it comes to Moses and Joshua, Moses talked about the faith with Joshua every opportunity that he could find. 181 00:17:55,476.8964333 --> 00:18:02,126.9055886 He didn't just hand Joshua the Torah and say, "Everything you need to know is in there, all right? You do what you need to do now. 182 00:18:02,126.9055886 --> 00:18:02,796.9037575 This is yours." 183 00:18:03,586.8970437 --> 00:18:10,148.8935036 No, he continuously talked to him about the faith and what it looked like to follow God again, and again, and again. 184 00:18:11,432.8988738 --> 00:18:13,862.8989033 We certainly don't want to hand off the baton too early. 185 00:18:14,872.8988938 --> 00:18:22,42.8984932 On the flip side, and I think this is the one that maybe happens the most often out of these three, we don't want to hand off the baton too late. 186 00:18:22,612.8991417 --> 00:18:26,42.8984932 Sometimes we wait to share our faith longer than we should. 187 00:18:26,642.8988747 --> 00:18:29,542.8984932 I've seen people do this with the children in their lives. 188 00:18:30,692.8981118 --> 00:18:35,532.8982644 They say, "Well, they're, they're just too little to understand all the big concepts in the faith. 189 00:18:35,822.8991799 --> 00:18:40,592.8996377 I'll teach them when they're older, when they can understand, and when they can listen a little better. 190 00:18:40,592.8996377 --> 00:18:42,632.8986458 They can't sit still for a single second. 191 00:18:42,632.8986458 --> 00:18:45,182.8997902 I can't really talk to them about any of this stuff. 192 00:18:45,182.8997902 --> 00:18:48,332.8975014 I've tried, and, well, it doesn't go well." 193 00:18:50,362.9000954 --> 00:18:52,62.8970437 I sympathize with you, I promise. 194 00:18:52,62.8970437 --> 00:18:53,272.8999428 I empathize with you. 195 00:18:53,532.8982644 --> 00:18:54,462.8985695 I really do. 196 00:18:54,682.8997902 --> 00:18:57,602.8979592 The family devotion time can be, it's strugglesome sometimes. 197 00:18:58,892.8988747 --> 00:19:01,232.8990273 And yes, you might look at your kids and say, "They're so little. 198 00:19:01,232.8990273 --> 00:19:05,232.8990273 They can't understand some of these abstract concepts that we talk about." 199 00:19:06,312.8970437 --> 00:19:07,372.8984169 But don't underestimate them. 200 00:19:08,352.8979592 --> 00:19:20,452.8964333 There are certainly things that they can understand, and frankly, we're called to have childlike faith, which means I think we should be a little bit more like them sometimes, shouldn't we? There are absolutely things they can understand. 201 00:19:21,702.8964333 --> 00:19:31,212.8985695 When Catherine and I are out walking on a hike in nature with the kids, a lot of times what we like to do is point to things and say, "Wow, what an amazing thing God has made. 202 00:19:31,212.8985695 --> 00:19:39,592.895823 Isn't His creation wonderful? What's something that you like in His creation, Nathan or Cooper?" They can understand that. 203 00:19:40,462.8985695 --> 00:19:43,432.8997902 They can understand what it looks like to model forgiveness. 204 00:19:43,432.8997902 --> 00:19:48,62.8970437 They live that out when you do that for them, when you use those words, "I forgive you." 205 00:19:48,752.8994851 --> 00:19:57,760.8987698 Or maybe more important, "Will you forgive me for what I've done?" The time to start teaching the kids in our life, it's right now. 206 00:19:58,110.8989129 --> 00:20:00,100.898684 Sometimes we wait to share our faith with the children. 207 00:20:00,330.898703 --> 00:20:04,710.8992943 Sometimes we wait to share the faith until that perfect time. 208 00:20:05,470.8985695 --> 00:20:07,130.8984169 We wait for the stars to align. 209 00:20:07,130.8984169 --> 00:20:15,770.8997139 There's that person in our life who we know isn't walking with the Lord, and we say, "Well, I'll tell them when they're ready," right? "I'll tell them when the stars align. 210 00:20:15,770.8997139 --> 00:20:20,10.8994851 I'll tell them when they hit rock bottom, then they'll be more willing to listen to me." 211 00:20:21,690.8997902 --> 00:20:25,600.8996377 The truth is, the perfect time, it might never come along. 212 00:20:25,660.8991036 --> 00:20:27,960.900248 At least you might never see it knowingly. 213 00:20:29,550.9004006 --> 00:20:40,300.9004006 Life is pretty fragile, isn't it? I'm not a NASCAR fan, but I was watching SportsCenter this week and I saw that NASCAR driver who died at the age of forty-one. 214 00:20:40,770.8978066 --> 00:20:42,590.8975014 He won the race last week. 215 00:20:43,680.897654 --> 00:20:48,170.8993325 He was in the prime of his life, wasn't he? And just like that, he's gone. 216 00:20:49,480.9007058 --> 00:20:56,610.8979592 We don't know when our time is up, do we? We don't know when that person who we've waited to share our faith with, we don't know when their time is up. 217 00:20:57,700.8981118 --> 00:20:58,510.8994851 Life is fragile. 218 00:20:58,510.8994851 --> 00:21:01,930.897654 The time to share your faith is right here, right now. 219 00:21:02,110.8979592 --> 00:21:04,850.895823 Don't wait too long to hand off that baton. 220 00:21:05,670.8955178 --> 00:21:18,10.8994851 We don't wanna hand it off too early, we don't wanna hand it off too late, and we don't wanna hand off that baton too hard because that leads to a drop, doesn't it? We don't wanna do what I might call shoving the dove. 221 00:21:18,810.9025368 --> 00:21:23,810.9025368 A couple of major ways I've seen people do this is by beating people over the head with the law. 222 00:21:24,770.9016213 --> 00:21:34,600.895823 They don't hesitate for a second to tell people that they need Jesus, right? Because they're such a great sinner, and they focus on that sin again and again and again. 223 00:21:36,370.9000954 --> 00:21:44,920.8955178 Don't forget the second part of that message, right? They may be a great sinner, but they have an even greater Savior in Jesus Christ. 224 00:21:46,440.8997902 --> 00:21:51,990.8952126 We also shove the dove when we keep on preaching to people who have clearly rejected the message in the moment. 225 00:21:53,100.895823 --> 00:21:57,200.9019265 Sometimes you'll be sharing your faith with someone, telling them about Jesus, and they'll say, "Stop. 226 00:21:57,780.8961281 --> 00:21:59,650.8988747 I don't wanna hear about this right now." 227 00:22:00,50.9004006 --> 00:22:01,820.8970437 And you get aggressively rebuffed. 228 00:22:02,530.9037575 --> 00:22:08,740.8952126 You know what you should do when you get aggressively rebuffed when you're sharing the faith? You should stop talking about it. 229 00:22:08,830.8915505 --> 00:22:12,730.9007058 A lot of times we're gonna do more harm than good in that situation. 230 00:22:13,420.9031472 --> 00:22:17,290.8982644 Does that mean you give up on the person? No, no, no. 231 00:22:17,570.8970437 --> 00:22:18,760.8994851 Keep on praying for them. 232 00:22:19,10.8994851 --> 00:22:22,630.8946023 Look for other opportunities to share your faith with them on another day. 233 00:22:22,810.9025368 --> 00:22:26,80.8915505 Be like Jesus who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one. 234 00:22:26,660.8933815 --> 00:22:43,68.8992943 But in that moment, it'd probably be best to start talking about something else, at least for the time being When it comes to these baton exchange errors, as we close out this message, my guess here is that every single person here has made at least one of them. 235 00:22:43,768.8991036 --> 00:22:48,858.8992562 I know I have, right? Sometimes we outsource that work of teaching away from us. 236 00:22:48,858.8992562 --> 00:22:49,808.8990654 "That's not my job. 237 00:22:49,838.8987984 --> 00:22:51,188.8991799 I'm not qualified for that." 238 00:22:51,928.898951 --> 00:22:56,758.8988747 Sometimes we hand off the baton too late, don't we? We wait for that perfect time to come along. 239 00:22:57,388.8980355 --> 00:23:13,38.897654 Sometimes we hand off that baton too hard, and it leads to a drop, which can be pretty embarrassing, right? If you have made any of these errors when you've been living out that Great Commission, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3. 240 00:23:14,308.8981118 --> 00:23:23,338.9007058 He says, "Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 241 00:23:24,458.8996377 --> 00:23:37,628.8978066 My friends, we are called to forget almost everything that is behind us, aren't we? Jesus doesn't want you to hold on to the shame and guilt of those sins of your past, of your baton exchange failures. 242 00:23:38,108.8973488 --> 00:23:42,738.9022316 He doesn't want you to hold onto them because He forgave each and every one of them on the cross. 243 00:23:43,98.8952126 --> 00:23:43,978.9000954 They're all forgiven. 244 00:23:44,258.8988747 --> 00:23:47,218.8979592 He wants to take that shame and guilt away from you. 245 00:23:47,808.9019265 --> 00:23:52,568.8964333 The only thing He wants you to focus on in the past is that cross and what He did on it just for you. 246 00:23:54,348.8952126 --> 00:23:58,718.8979592 He also wants us not to forget that we are to strain towards what is ahead. 247 00:23:59,758.8988747 --> 00:24:06,818.8964333 As long as you are still breathing, you still have that baton of faith in your hand, and you are still a part of this relay race. 248 00:24:07,718.8979592 --> 00:24:08,348.8952126 And so St. 249 00:24:08,348.8952126 --> 00:24:13,68.8964333 John's family, my prayer for you this week is this: may you live out that Great Commission. 250 00:24:13,898.8982644 --> 00:24:18,148.8982644 In response to Jesus' great love for you, may you share the faith with others. 251 00:24:18,398.8982644 --> 00:24:25,128.9016213 In response and with a thankful heart that Jesus sent someone to pass that baton to you, may you live out that Great Commission. 252 00:24:26,468.8979592 --> 00:24:33,198.9013161 And in response to a perishing world around you, may you do this with the love of Christ within you, thanks to the Holy Spirit working through you. 253 00:24:33,728.9000954 --> 00:24:34,918.9025368 May you do this in Jesus' name. 254 00:24:36,58.9019265 --> 00:24:41,59.232208 Amen You've been listening to a sermon from St. 255 00:24:41,59.232208 --> 00:24:43,139.232208 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 256 00:24:43,459.232208 --> 00:24:45,259.232208 If you would like more information about St. 257 00:24:45,259.232208 --> 00:24:50,919.232208 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 258 00:24:51,9.232208 --> 00:24:51,249.232208 stjohnsbuffalo. 259 00:24:52,489.231208 --> 00:24:52,819.231208 org. 260 00:24:53,199.231208 --> 00:24:54,489.232208 Thank you and God bless you.
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