Message for 2017’s First Chapel Urges Action on Christ’s Last Words

His last words as our first word. That is the message that Trinity Pres. Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., offered at the first Chapel of 2017.

The message explored Christ’s Great Commissioning in Matthew 28, which was read by Juliana Dykstra ’20: “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 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

In particular, Dykstra urged worshipers to consider both the baptizing aspects and the teaching aspects of Christ’s words. Many of us are comfortable with the idea of baptism, but not as comfortable with teaching others about the Bible, he said. However, when it comes to making disciples through teaching and baptism, baptism is only half of the equation. “We like deeds, but we may shy away from words,” Dykstra said. “We live in Deedsville. We also need to live in Wordsville.”