LifePoint, I want to remind us that God’s love empowers our GOing.

We conclude our worship gathering each week with a benediction. This is a blessing pronounced to close a divine service, a word spoken for people to remember that God’s presence and power remains with them. We’ve concluded our services, for the last 7 years or so, with a benediction and reminder that “you are sent”. This grew out of our foundational teaching, was used one day “off the cuff”, and it stuck. It has encouraged us well all these years.

Understanding our Christian identity as loved and sent is important to never forget. Love is God’s compelling motivation; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). Love is the Christian’s compelling motivation too; “For Christ’s love controls us” (2 Cor 5:14a). The word “controls” literally means “seize; to urge or force to an action”.

God’s love seizes us to send us.

God’s love provides our only unending source of motivation to obey. Love encompasses the whole gospel message. Jesus says “Come to me” all who are weary and heavy laden, all who thirst. (Matt 11:28; Isa 55:1); and Jesus says “Go” (Matt 28:19). God’s love draws us to run in to His name (Prov 18:10), and to go forth in (authority of) His name. The Christian’s greatest motivation to GO into the world is to remember God’s rescuing love for us.

Therefore, our aim will be to exhort and encourage LifePoint to “keep ourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). Numbers 6:24-26 records Aaron’s blessing, words spoken to resonate continually within the people to encourage faithful obedience unto the Lord. May they serve us in this way. We appeal to God’s love to live under Jesus’ Lordship: