Marching in the Light of God

McGilvary Seminary Chiang Mai Thailand January 2015 Teach the song – We are marching in the light of God Alexander the Great threatened people in submission, not by fighting but by marching. He would tell people to surrender, and then tell his soldiers to march. They would march near a cliff, but he would not tell them to stop – the soldiers would just keep marching over the cliff. With an army that dedicated, people would surrender without having to fight. People have been marching for a cause ever since. The song that we sung is from south Africa where during apartheid and beyond, people marched to be recognized. I participated in marches as a child, African americans in the 60’s and 70s asked for their civil rights. And recently I have been watching the news are the marches continue. America – in my community marching is important for civil rights. It appears that young men are not given a chance. There are marches every where all over the nation. As I arrived in Thailand there seems that news from France has dominated the airways. People are carrying signs saying we are Charlie –it is a unity march. Just as marching is not new, the reasons that we march are not new – injustice, freedom, to let your voice be heard, to correct a wrong, to show solidarity. Injustice and oppression go back a long time. The book of Isaiah show injustice for the Hebrew people. Injustice has taken over – slavery and injustice. I preached this text for Christmas. This Christmas season has been filled with marches, fighting for justice. Advent starts in Isaiah – the place where God speaks clearly. This is one of the few places in the bible where God speaks himself. God says I have heard the cry of my people. God will comfort my people – god will correct the injustice of te world. God will create a better life for those who are marching. As I watched the marches on tv, I ask what will it take to make a better world? How long will we have to march before the world is a wonderful place for all of those who are crying out. As we identify the pain of the world. Who has the authority to make it better, who will bring justice? Listen to prophecy – God says that he will intervene. But will intervene by sending a strong leader – a man of God who speaks with authority. he will speak and do the world of the lord. I cannot help but to ask – where is that leader today – who is speaking for God in all of these marches – how do you see God in these marches? Is the prophecy about Christ? Christ is the suffering servant who will die to save the people. He endures pain so that all can have a better life. I was very young during the marches for civil rights of African Americans – former slaves – who are free, but still not respected. The church was a very important part of the history of marching. Many pastors were leaders of the movement – they trained people to protest and march and still be obedient to God. Unfortunately many leaders were killed for their leadership. As a child, my mother was very active in the movement – she worked for the community action agency. I was a part of the day care – I learned to march with her. When I was 3 years old – Robert Kennedy an important leader was killed. I went to school that day – the adults in my life were sad and devastated. Everyone was quiet – no wanted to talk to us kids to help us understand what was going on. Finally the lady in the cafeteria explained that the adults were sad and disappointed, every time that thought justice was on the way – the door slammed. Someone doing the work of the lord was killed. She explained that we were the generation to make a difference – it was up to us to bring about justice Where there were hatred bring peace, in violence peace. As the world has lost leaders – we were to ones to step up. I will never forget that day and the lunch ladies words. On that day – at 3 I pondered what it meant to be a leader. How to stand up and do the work of God. Samuel in our scripture was a young man. The story says that he heard a voice calling his name. He couldn’t figure out who was calling him. Finally his master explained that it was God, and that the next time who heard the voice to say - speak Lord your servant is listening. Hear God, Listen to God, obey God’s calling. I think it is an important lesson for us to hear – listen to God’s voice. We are leaders of the church. We are the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. God appoints each of us to be at the forefront of the march for justice, for peace, for unity. As I watch the news, every march, every protest, Where is the voice of God. but the response comes in the form of a leader. A suffering servant who will sacrifice so that his people can have what they need. It is important to remember that as leaders of the church – you and I are those leaders. We cannot be afraid to stand up and speak what we know about God, justice, love and peace, A pastor tells a story of her son, who asks what does God’s voice sound like? When you hear it you will know. You may hear God’s voice as a young child is being bullied and no one does anything – you go home and hear god’s voice speaking telling you to speak up and to make a difference. The son kew God’s voice and heard what it said. He finally spoke up and said I am gonna listen to God’s voice no matter what Today, God speaks to us in so many ways – scripture, teaching, television, world events, friends, suggestions. It is important to recognize God’s voice. Know what he is saying, know what to do. It is so important as a leader to know God’s voice. Pray, read scripture, stay close to god you cant go wrong. As we watch the marches on tv, what will happen? When will justice finally arrive? Most importantly who will speak for God. who will bring about the kingdom of God where all will be treated well, all respected, all just. God still speaks You are the leaders of the church. God’s people need strong leaders. Speak so others know, Act so others see. Have you heard God’s call? Is God calling your name? Will you go forward for God? Christ is the suffering servant – the messiah. But he asks you to follow, to understand the prophecy in scripture. People will continue to march. The need new leadership to connect their lives to God. May you be the leadership as we march to a brighter future! Let us sing! Amen