Rise, Sister, Rise: Walking in the Light of Grace

But the devil is always trying to distract. He was trying to distract him from his purpose. So be mindful when you're operating in your purpose. Distractions will come. Oh my God. To derail you. Yeah, Lord. to get you off track to hinder the move of God. Yes. And the purpose he has over your life. [01:56:46]

Some distractions distractions can make you second guessess what God has purposed in your life. In this first conversation, the Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus and and they say she's been caught in adultery. And the book says that she should be stoned. They were trying to trap Jesus. And sometimes conversations in our lives are a way to trap us. [01:57:19]

Initially, Jesus was silent, which showed his character. And let me tell you, my ladies, it takes character to be still and to not open your mouth. You got to have some power behind you. Jesus Jesus doesn't judge on our past or our current situation, right? Or what people have said about us. He doesn't need our opinions. [01:57:45]

When Jesus does speak, he says, "Anyone without without sin, throw the first stone." And let me pause here and say there's a lesson in this for those of us who judge that before you speak against anyone or try to condemn anyone, you should think about what you're about to say. [01:58:16]

Think of the ramifications and the accusations of your words. Words have meaning. That's right. The word of God says the tongue is a restless evil full of poison. Think about the cause and effect of what you're about to say and how it will affect the person. The longstanding stigma it could have and more importantly how others will judge you. Amen. [01:58:41]

Before you judge, do some self-reflection and in extend some grace. When Jesus finally speaks, he asks the women the woman, "Where are they? Where are your accusers? Where are the people who judged you? Has no one condemned you?" You know what her response was? No, sir. No, sir. Mhm. Jesus's response with neither do I condemn you. Jesus extends grace and forgiveness. [01:59:17]

Don't miss this. People will try to destroy you with their lies. But you could have killed them with the truth. People who judge can't stand alone. They're only as good as the group. Come on. We need to extend the same grace that Jesus has extended and is extending and will continue to extend towards us. Amen. We are to lift each other up not tear each other down. Rise woman rise. [01:59:55]

We rise together. A unified body of believers. We stand on the shoulders of great women. Women like Shirley Chisum, Josephine Baker, Michelle Obama, Rosa Parks, our mothers, our grandmothers, our aunties, they didn't stand on the necks of other women. Amen. In his second conversation, Jesus testifies, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." [02:00:36]

Sometimes our past will keep us in the darkness, in the shadows, on the fringes of life. It's like sitting on the bench while everybody else is in the game. Help us. I believe that there are some of us who are sitting here today who are standing in the dimness in the darkness of our past because of their shame because of our hurt. [02:00:54]

Some are sitting in the dimness of life because they really do believe what others say about them. Don't sit on the b the benches, my sisters. Get in the game while the game is being played. Don't stand on the sidelines. Don't be a spectator. If that's you this afternoon, Jesus is saying, "Get up. Get up. Get in the game. Your gifts and talents are needed." [02:01:36]

They will make room for you. My goodness. You deserve to stand in the light. Jesus is the light. And if you believe that this afternoon, then his light is illuminated through you. It doesn't matter what you did in your past. You're forgiven. It doesn't matter what they say about you. My goodness, you're forgiven. My goodness. Rise. Rise, woman. [02:01:54]

Don't let out Don't let others dictate your your future or your past. Jesus doesn't judge based on human standards. That's right. That's right. He judges the heart. Jesus demonstrates mercy over judgment. Jesus demonstrates grace over your past. Right. In a world full of darkness. Jesus offers a path illuminated by his forgiveness and full of his grace. [02:03:16]

When we do stand in the dimness, in the darkness, on the fringes, on the sidelines, being a spectator, it's really dictated by societal norms, dictated by church norms, dictated by family norms, dictated by sister friend norms. M dictated by group norms. But Jesus offers a better way by simply trusting him. Trust his word to bring clarity. [02:03:41]

And when I say clarity, I mean when you look in the mirror, when I look in the mirror, I only see my flaws, my goodness, my disappointment, my goodness, my loneliness, my doubt, and my fear. Yeah. the labels that others have placed over my life. But may I suggest to you, sir, that the next time you look in the mirror, come on, you see yourself the way that God sees you, the work of a great craftsman, proud of what he's created, full of depth, full of love and beauty, a daughter full of grace and wisdom, bold and powerful. [02:04:36]

We are create created for greatness. The crowns we wear are crowns of wisdom. My goodness. They're crowns of discernment. Crowns of leadership. Thank you. Crowns of motherhood. Yeah. Crowns of entrepreneurship. Crowns of compassion and love. Yes. We shine bright like a diamond. Amen. Amen. Once you step into the light, you become proof of the light. [02:06:12]

You become proof that because of the light, you are who God says you are. Lord, you are proof of his word. You are proof of his sacrifice. You are proof of his grace. You are proof of his love. Rise, sister. Rise. You are proof of who God is. [02:06:29]

But there's a move in the game of chess called checkmate. All right. And in that position, the player's king is under direct threat of capture and cannot move to any other square that would allow it an escape. And when the player's king is checkmated, the game is immediately over. All right. And the player loses. I only have one assignment this afternoon and that's to let you know in this thing called life, there's always another move. [02:07:39]