"You Go Be Light"

“you GO be LIGHT!”

Last Sunday was without a doubt one of the most powerful times we have had in this building… God’s power, Spirit, presence and comfort were here in a mighty way…AND when Marie came up second service and said – “I’m ready to be baptized..” - well what more can we say… except, “yeah baby!”

Last week we answered – 3 questions that many were and still are asking; in regards to the events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

The 1st question was;

WHY - Did these events happen? Answer - because God has given mankind free-will and often times the innocent suffer the consequences of the evil choices of wicked men..

Question # 2 was;

WHERE – Are we to turn in times like these? Answer - we are to turn to the unshakable, the unmovable king of kings and lord of lords – we are to turn to the rock that is higher than we are, to the fortress that is mighty and strong, to the refuge that will always shelter us from life’s storms -–we are to turn to God…

The last question was;

WHAT – are we to do in response to this event? And remember to answer that question we took the word pray and made an acrostic of it. What are we to do in response? PRAY!

P – pray for our country and countrymen

R – remember what matter most – (loving God and loving the people God has placed in

our lives…

A – always put your trust in God

Y – you GO be LIGHT

“You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. LIVE so that they see the good things you do and will praise your father in heaven.” Mt 5:14-16

Today, I feel that the most appropriate thing we can do is to pick up our discussion where we left off… The title for our message today IS – you GO be LIGHT!

Show clip from video....

The words that Jesus spoke on the mountains in Galilee are known as the Great Commission....it is the marching orders, the agenda, the mission, the purpose for His church & His people.

(Prayer.....)

You know, I really like that video clip we just looked at; BECAUSE it helps me sense the excitement that Jesus must have felt....at that moment. The words that He spoke on the cross were TRUE, “It is finished!” His death, His blood had become the substitute.... And Jesus is pumped! WHY? BECAUSE, now there is nothing standing in the way of man coming back home to the Father.

That final freeze frame with Jesus’ arm in the air, and with that look in his eyes, It is as if - Jesus is telling them & us; “Hey guys it’s time! The bell has sounded! Everything is ready. The world is waiting..It’s time! Let’s do it! Follow me and I will make you fishers of men....”

You know that word mission – is taking on a new meaning to so many in our country today. Across this great nation men and woman – of the armed services – both active and reserve are being called to fulfill their mission… in a military movement that is being called “Operation Infinite Justice.”

Understand that everyone of those men and women at one time, raised their right hand and took an oath to defend this country against all enemies both foreign and domestic… When they took that oath they became part of the crew, they became one of the troops – AND at that moment the mission of the US military became their mission…

Now - BEFORE – they took that oath it was not their mission; but once they did they had new marching orders, they were no longer their own – they were and literally are property of the U.S.A. I and some in this room, at one time took that oath… AND I and most in this room today – have taken another oath… A more important oath – Listen - we are a part of an even greater mission than national defense. On December 30th 1979; I was immersed into the name of Christ – and I received the forgiveness of my sins…

And at that moment, as God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 6:20; “You are not your own, you were with a price…” ON that day the mission of the church became my mission… I had new marching orders – I became part of a movement, a movement that could be called, “Operation Infinite Grace.”