jonathandurke - Tumblr blog

[jonathandurke]

Chapter 2

Verses 1 – 5

Previously in chapter 1 we read how Paul tackled the first of many issues among the Corinthian church, and there were a lot. He wrote to them of their need for unity instead of persisting in division. Well Paul continues along his trail. Paul subtly continues along this path by reflecting on himself. The Corinthians have elevated certain leaders within the early church, such as Paul, Peter, and Apollos, and their unhealthy cult-like following of these personalities (which wasn’t in any way encouraged by those leaders) created factions, splitting up the church based on who followed whom. The Corinthians were seeking power and wisdom from these human leaders, and not the Lord Jesus. The saying is true, whatever you idolize you will one day demonize.  

So, Paul reminds the church of his first visit to them. He didn’t come with lofty speech or worldly wisdom; which the Corinthian were looking to these men for. Instead, Paul planted the church and proclaimed the Gospel of Christ crucified in weakness (physically his body was battered), fear, and trembling (having experienced violent reactions to the Good News elsewhere). Paul’s message didn’t come through reasonable, plausible words, but through the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Paul lived with the expectation and anticipation for God to move in power through Him, to demonstrate His signs and wonders. All of which had the goal of pointing to salvation as the greatest gift of grace and power. Men’s wisdom doesn’t save, God’s power saves.

As a side note, that’s not to bash philosophy and logic. We are responsible and commanded to use of minds to better understand God. In the Book of Acts Paul is described by Luke as persuading and reasoning from the Holy Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. So there’s always a place for using what’s called apologetics (defending a belief – particularly using logical reasons). Our own Matt Wood and Ed Grovenor are great guys to talk to about that. Yet, it’s important to remember that reason only goes so far. Persuasive arguments and reasonable defences are helpful gateways into faith, but ultimately it is our faith alone that will be judged on the Last Day.

Question:

Can we relate to Paul? Do our lives reflect a faith that rests in the saving power of God? Would our lives look any different if we didn’t have the Spirit? Would they look different if we did?  Without going to either extremes of expecting a miracle every Monday to having no eager desire for demonstrations, let’s aspire to imitate Paul and reflect the life of Christ. Both lived in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Why not ask the Father this week to put in you a fresh hunger to eagerly desire His power, to not hold back His demonstrations through you, and to step out with sensitivity to His promptings?    

Verses 6 - 16

Paul goes on to write that although we don’t place our faith in the world’s wisdom, we have received a secret wisdom from our Father. This is a special wisdom that the World cannot comprehend, because it seems so ridiculous. The wisdom is that salvation comes from a poor dead Jewish man hanging on a cross…This wisdom was kept hidden and obscured in the Old Testament, but it came to light at the right time in the New Testament – when the Lord died on Golgotha for us. The dead and resurrection of Christ, the whole plan of salvation authored by the Father in eternity-past, is the true knowledge and wisdom. To those of world our worship and radical devotion to a 2,000 plus year old Israelite who died a criminal’s death seems insane. Yet to us who are disciples, the Spirit has revealed to us supernaturally that this is the truth – Jesus died in our place for our sins to bring us back to the Father as His children. We must seek our unity around the wisdom and power of God.

 Reflection:

Take time in prayer to thank the Lord for His substitutionary atonement for you and let His Spirit reaffirm in you the reality and wisdom of God’s incredible redemption plan.

[jonathandurke]

Another New Year, Still the Same God

Last New Year I wrote a blog called New Year, Same God. In it I encouraged us to remember to cast all our blessings and all our curses onto the Lord. I highlighted the reality that no matter what comes in a year, whether that be sorrow or success, our Father in Heaven remains the same.

I think it is worth repeating this truth afresh as we enter 2021.

So, with a similar title and a similar theme as January 2020’s blog, I start January 2021’s blog by saying we still have the same faithful God.

We received another inspiring preach from Gordon last Sunday, and preceding it a stirring time of worship with Colin and Claire. For me there was a clear sense of God’s unfailing faithfulness. From Gordon’s reminder that God is faithful with His love for us, to Colin and Claire’s melodic statements of the Father’s faithful love surpassing that of mountains and oceans in its breadth and depth. There seems to be a ringing reminder from the Spirit to not forget just how faithful the Lord is – in the highs and the lows (cough! – 2020 – cough!).

The theme of God’s faithfulness has also been resonating with me anew as I’ve begun my bible reading plan. Following bible reading plans is not usually my thing – in fact this year will be the first time I’ve done it! I am glad I made the choice though because it is already blessing me. As I read through the sections they select from the New and Old Testaments I am thoroughly enjoying, in particular, the early Genesis accounts. God’s faithfulness is so clearly demonstrated and evident so often in those initial revelations to our forefathers. Whether it was faithfulness to fulfil the promises of land, descendants, or protection, God was trustworthy and reliable to make good on His word.

Genesis is rich with accounts of many difficult circumstances the Patriarchs (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, etc.) had to endure. Natural disasters, famines, wars, enslavement, danger to life, riots, and many more. Not too dissimilar from our own experiences to a certain degree. Yet, in the midst of it all God was working His sovereign providential purposes out with love and grace towards those who placed their faith in Him. The Patriarchs never saw the fully realised promises the Lord had made with them. They caught glimpses of them, but never completely received them. They lived with hope in the God of hope.

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

He still remains faithful, working out His sovereign providential purposes with love and grace in this world, especially to those that are in Christ.

I was speaking to several colleagues recently (while eating pizza from Dominoes!) and we were talking about how history classes in schools will teach on this little cluster of years, where relatively monumental events have taken place. We wondered what exam papers will ask about Brexit, Donald Trump being president, a global plague, the major shift in racial issues, the explosion of gender ideology, to name a few. One thing that will not be asked is if God was faithful. That is a question for me and you to answer.

Has the Father been faithful to you this last year and will He be faithful to you this year?

A spite of what has been overly-described as an unprecedented time in our generation this past year, and even going into this new year, reflect on all that the Lord has given you, done for you, protected you from, blessed you with, taken away from you for you good, restored back to you; meditate on all He weaved into your life. Do that and I guarantee you, if you honestly look, you will see that God is faithful.                  

The Father is doing a mighty work in those who call on His name. He will not stop until it is accomplished in us. He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. He will never leave nor forsake His plan for us. He will build upon us and develop us into His destiny for us individually and collectively as the Church.

We are witnessing the birth pains of our nation’s independence and the possible difficulties that may ensue as we find our feet. We have suffered with other nations worldwide the deadly effects of a pandemic that has ripped loved ones from us in death or with distance. We have observed the true colours of racial prejudice. We have seen the damaging extremities of sexual politics. Perhaps most devastating for us disciples has been the inability to gather together for corporate worship and enjoy the Father’s presence united. We have felt much this past year. We may be weak, frustrated, confused - now more than ever even – but still God is good, gracious and gloriously faithful.  

We have come through a lot in 2020, and we still have much to go through if the start of 2021 is anything to go by.

But,

Whatever happens this year, it is always the same as every other year – the Lord will be faithful to you. The reconciliation of all things will happen. The restoration of the Kingdom and its coming will happen. The Lord Jesus will return. Our resurrection is certain. The Church will be victorious. Satan will be defeated. Hell will not prevail. Evil will end. Sin will cease. God will get the glory, and we will enjoy Him forever.

Like the Patriarchs before us, maybe we will not see all of this take place in our lifetime. Perhaps we will not see the fully realised promises we are believing God to be faithful for (personally or as part of the big story of salvation). However, like the Patriarchs let us place our hope in the God of hope, and the God of Hope Church – because He. Is. Faithful.

Happy New Year!  

[jonathandurke]

Chapter 1

Verses 1 – 3

Paul and Sosthenes (the authors of this epistle) begin their letter in the customary style of a personal greeting. Paul immediately identifies himself as an apostle called by the will of God, and so right from the outset he establishes his authority. He goes on to identify the Corinthians as well. He addresses them as ‘those sanctified in Christ’, and those who are ‘called to be saints’. As we’ll find out later in the letter, Paul has some heavy and direct words to speak to the church due to their waywardness; however, before he highlights their sin he first highlights their status.

This is an important habit to form when reflecting on ourselves, but especially when we view others. When we sin, and when others fall short of God’s glory, it is healthy to remember who we are before we recognise what we’ve done. Our identity informs our behaviour. We will miss the mark many times in this life, but to avoid condemnation, remember that you and your brothers and sisters in Jesus are sons and daughters, children of God, inheritors, new creations, saints, holy ones, etc. No matter who often and to what degree we sin, our status in Christ lifts us up from guilt and motivates us to keep going.

Verse 4 - 9

Paul lays a foundation of thanksgiving before he starts tackling the tricky topics. He informs the church that he gives thanks to God always for them. He’s particularly grateful to God for the grace He has poured out over this church. The grace that has resulted in salvations, growth in knowledge of the truth and the boldness to speak out about it. Paul notes that they don’t even lack spiritual gifts in their fellowship – so he might be also referring to the grace given them in operating with prophecy and tongues specifically.

Paul briefly comforts the church too by telling them Jesus Christ ill sustain them to the end, and He will hold them guiltless on the Final Day. All because Jesus is faithful to His people. What a God we can hope in, that He is powerful enough to hold onto us, even when we loosen our grip on Him!

Verses 10 – 17

Now Paul and Sosthenes go in with their first plea. Their plea is for the church to cease their divisions. They are separated into factions and there’s a spirit of disunity in their ranks. A report reached Paul’s ears in Ephesus from people associated with a woman called Chloe. Chloe may have been the hostess of the church that met in her house, or an influential member within the church. Either way, they inform Paul that the church is full of quarrelling.

Factions have emerged where one group follows Peter (one of the 12 Apostles), another group a man called Apollos (a teacher and part of Paul’s apostolic team), another group follows Paul, and still another simply follows Christ. Paul asks the Corinthians, “Is Christ divided?” The answer? No.

Reflection:

Where you identify the beginnings of disunity, or where we see it clearly (in Hope Church or among our family and friends), what can you do to reject it? What resolutions can you make to stop a spirit of division rising up?  

Verses 18 – 31

Paul now seems to take a slight detour in his thinking but it’s with the purpose of emphasising that no one should boast in anyone but only Jesus our Lord. It is our joy and responsibility to boast only in the Jesus and His cross. The cross is the power of God to save sinners, like you and I were. The cross is the wisdom of God to redeem unbelievers. Sadly, to those who are perishing it seems stupid and ridiculous that we would put our faith in a 33-year-old poor Jewish man who lived over 2,000 years ago who was killed among criminals. Yet, it was God’s mysterious wisdom and power that raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at His right hand with all authority and power. 

God’s wisdom and power is demonstrated through the foolish, weak, the common, and the despised because his grace transforms us into wise, strong, noble and valued people in faith, and so point back to God for His glory.

After that little detour, Paul swings back around and asks the church how they can we boast in light of all that Jesus has done for them through God’s wonderfully wise plan of salvation? He alone is worthy to be boasted in, not an influential Christian leader or church.

Perhaps this is food for thought in our celebrity culture, which sadly can easily infiltrate the church. Let’s be sober in our thinking and remember never to place an unhealthy stock in a person, whether they be a church leader, a spiritual mother, or just someone we look up to. A pedestal is a dangerous place to put people, and they can easily fall off it. It’s important to honour and respect those over us in the Lord; giving a double portion and blessing to those who work hard in serving God and His church; but let’s make Jesus our only idol, boasting in Him alone, and never entertaining the idea of divisions.

[jonathandurke]

Being Overshadowed by the Spirit

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” – Luke 1:35a (ESVUK)

Christmas is upon us.

It just so happened that I started reading Luke’s Gospel as we entered the run up to Christmas, and naturally I read through the births of John the Baptiser and Jesus Christ. The above verse struck me. It’s set in the narrative where Gabriel visits Mary and tells her the Father’s plan to incarnate the Son through her. Mary is told she will give birth to the Messiah; the Great Prophet Moses prophesied of (Deuteronomy 18:15-18); the eternal King who will sit on the throne of David forever (Acts 2:29-31).

That’s a big deal…

That’s why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. Not just to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the next; not just to enjoy the company of relatives we haven’t seen in while or friends we can have fun with; not just the presents, rich food, seasonal films, hokey music and general jolly merriness. But because the eternal invisible wise creator God of the universe cloaked Himself with flesh and came down to us to lift us up to Him.

Yet what struck me about this verse, is the word overshadow. In common Greek it’s transliterated (a word re-written using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet – English in our case) as episkiazo. That’s as closely translated as the English version gives as overshadow. It can also denote being covered. It’s like when we say someone has had an episode, meaning someone has been overcome with something i.e. joy or sadness. The root word epi means on or over or upon – hence episode or episkiazo, to cover and overshadow, or to come upon.  

Mary was covered by the Holy Spirit and she literally birthed fruit of the Spirit within her, the birth of Christ our Lord.

With all that’s been happening as we close 2020 and now look to 2021, as we’ve seen issues of race, a global pandemic, Brexit continue, gender politics, and many other matters, there’s been one key thing that has stuck with me. There’s been something I’ve wrestled with, prayed for, read about, listened about, and in all honesty grown frustrated over due to this year’s restrictions, and that’s the overshadowing of the Spirit’s power resulting in the fruit of Kingdom breakout in my every day.

I’ve been challenged about all this, from my own comfortable complacency to naturally trusting in my own abilities and not relying on the Spirit.

My desire as I leave 2020 is to rejoice over Christ’s coming, and as I go into 2021 to rejoice over His Spirit’s staying. The Holy Spirit indwells me as a deposit of my salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). He lives within me as a guarantee of my resurrection (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). He is a down payment on my heavenly home. But, there’s always more…

My greatest desire as I move into the New Year is to be continually covered with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). I want to be overshadowed by Him. I don’t want COVID, Brexit, politics, or anything else to overshadow me. I want to Spirit to cover me entirely.

I heard a challenging interview between Nigel Ring and Terry Virgo last week, in which they concluded their time together discussing pitfalls for the church to avoid. One of them was claiming the title charismatic but living with little of the charismatic power that first birthed the New Testament church, and much later the 20th century renewal and restoration movements. They provocatively stated that it wasn’t enough to have contemporary music, small groups, expressive worship and the like, but that a truly New Testament church is one overshadowed by the Spirit. It’s founded on the Kingdom’s values and covered with the Spirit’s power to demonstrate those values. The values of the supernatural, the miraculous, the gifts, holy lifestyles, righteous living, the enjoyment and glorifying of Jesus, etc.

I love being part of a local church where these are demonstrated and lived out. Hope Church is such a brilliant example of a biblical New Testament charismatic church. So as I look back on missing our times together for worship it’s been a growing struggle, I’m sure for us all, to not regularly witness the power of the Kingdom in our midst.  

But maybe the Father has been inviting us to not overly rely on others and what how the Spirit has covered them. Perhaps the Lord is calling us to leave His power behind in our gathered meetings, but to take it out into our personal every day lives. Kingdom covering and Spirit overshadowing is not a Sunday activity, but a daily exercise.

I wait with anticipation for when we can gather fully with no restrictions whatsoever, and it’s vitally important we don’t give up meeting online in these difficult times (as tiring as it may feel). But why not join Mary in receiving in greater measure the overshadowing of the Spirit? Be covered with Him, and them take Him out to the world in your everyday. Let the Kingdom come in your Monday to Friday.

Be convinced by Scripture, worship with stirred up expectation, wake up with a welcoming attitude to the Spirit, and simply ask and ask again to be overshadowed.

While you’re getting into the Christmas Spirit, make the priority to get into the Holy Spirit!  

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[jonathandurke]

Crazy Corinthians!

Setting the Scene

Before we delve into the content of Paul’s first recorded letter to the Corinthian church, let’s kick things off by unveiling the contextual backdrop that this epistle (another word for letter) came into existence against. Here’s a breakdown:

Author – The Apostle Paul and Sosthenes (he was the ruler of the Corinthian synagogue who was converted by Paul when the church was first planted – Acts 18:17)

 Date – Possibly 53-55AD (during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey)

 Location – He wrote the epistle while staying at Ephesus (where there was the Ephesian church he also planted)

 Recipients – Gentile and Jewish disciples in Corinth

 Founders – Paul planted the church with an apostolic team that included Priscilla and Aquila (a married couple), as well as Silas and Timothy (apostolic apprentices) – Acts 18:1-5

 Duration – Paul laboured in Corinth for around 1 year and 6 months

 Date planted – Possibly early 50AD to 52AD (during his 2nd missionary journey)

 1st conversions – Titius Justus who lived with him family next to the Synagogue, and Crispus and his family.

Socio-economic climate – Corinth was one of the largest cities in Greece. It was also one of the most corrupt (it was a common phrase to refer to a corrupt person as a Korinthiazein (someone who lived like a debauched Corinthian). The primary temple overlooked the city atop the Acrocorinth – a large hill where a temple stood. The temple belonged to the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her priestesses would ‘ply their trade’, as it were, at night as an act of worship. Coupled with this was the temple to Apollos at the bottom of the Acrocorinth. The Greek god expressed male beauty and virility. So put the two together and you get a mixture of sexual deviance influencing much of the Corinthian population (and even the church, which we’ll come to). It was a prosperous commercial sea port, with plenty of trade passing through. As a cosmopolitan area different merchants with a host of various cultures, religions and philosophies would come through the city and spread their ideas as they passed through the Isthmus (a narrow land alleyway that led out from Corinth to the mainland of Greece that boats were pulled along on top of logs). This turned out to be a strategic plan of Pauls as he focused his apostolic work in urban locations that would help quickly spread the Gospel.

Behind the scenes – Interestingly, 1 Corinthians isn’t the first letter of Paul…It’s possible there was an initial letter sent to Corinth that preceded 1 Corinthians. Others say 1 Corinthians is the first letter. Either way some representatives of the church visited him with questions from Corinth. He later visited them in person but it didn’t go well and caused him much sorrow. Paul then sent a second letter which was known to be very severe. This is now lost to time, possibly along with a potential first letter before 1 Corinthians (tricky to follow, I know!). The Corinthians replied to Paul’s second letter and Paul replied with his third and final recorded letter, this being what we call 2 Corinthians. He then followed that up with an intended third visit to the church.

Reasons for writing – Ultimately, the key reason was that the church had many problems that Paul didn’t necessarily expect from a more mature plant. The epistle is famous for highlighting the church’s extravagant issues and serious errors both doctrinally and practically. So Paul not only had to write three letters but also visit them three times to impart apostolic guidance.

 Contents – This letter covers many topics. Grouping them together generally it touches on divisions and unity, morality and ethics, marriage and divorce, idols and worship, spiritual gifts and resurrection.  

 So there’s a whistle-stop tour of the key background that this letter was written in. Next time we’ll dive into the first chapter and look at division, wisdom and power.

[jonathandurke]

Emboldened Unquestionable Confidence in the Kingdom

I have this thing when I go on holiday.

The first half of my break I’m relaxed, deciding what to do as the day starts, no schedule, no planning, not much thinking either if I’m being honest. I’m just resting as I enjoy unwinding.

The second half of the break…the itching begins. The itching to start some form of productivity. I begin thinking through goals, reflecting, mulling over what parts of my life I can change, what needs cutting out, and what needs adding to it. I even get my phone calendar out and start organising my days and weeks again.

It’s a rhythm that I enjoy and find helps recentre each season in my year – although there’s trial and error.

My most recent holiday I did the same thing. Including my usual mindset of creating inner space to hear from the Father.  

I enter each day with the expectation that God will speak to me if He wills, without necessarily setting my usual time aside to pray, read His Word or meditate. I just enjoy the unstructured rest and anticipate the Lord to impart something for me to chew on and take with me into the next chunk of the year.

A few weeks ago, it was this:

Emboldened unquestionable confidence in the Kingdom.  

The Kingdom of God’s been in my heart a lot in these recent months. What it is, how it manifests, its effect on the world, its characteristics etc. Most importantly, how do I live out the Kingdom in this season of my life?

The Spirit spoke these words to my soul, emboldened unquestionable confidence in the Kingdom. This is my desire, to be so emboldened that I have unquestionable confidence in the power of Kingdom to work in and through my life in extraordinary ways.

At present, my life is far from where I want it to be when it comes to living a Kingdom lifestyle, and Lockdown 1.0 and 2.0 ain’t helping either! Yet, that phrase got me thinking about how exactly I can grow in this emboldened unquestionable confidence.

A key source became clear, a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit.

It’s super simple but can easily be forgotten I reckon.

I was reading a book while pondering all this by John Hosier called Christ’s Radiant Church (highly recommended). He outlines the unique marks of what used to be called the New Churches or House Churches, where Hope Church was birthed from to a degree. In it he highlights a personal view when he shares how the teaching, practice and expectation of the filling of the Spirit (or baptism) might not be quite as prominent as it used to be. Bearing in mind that was one of, if not the, primary foundation upon which the Charismatic Movement were laid on. Interesting how he felt this way even in 1985 when the book was first published!

Whether that’s a true observation of the Church then or today is not my point here, either way it’s true for me.

If I want to live with emboldened unquestionable confidence in the Kingdom, I need to go on being filled with the Spirit and go on releasing the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 says, ‘And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit’. The original Greek, if I’m not mistaken, is a present continuous phrase i.e. it would literally read, but be going on filled with the Spirit.

Therefore, for breakthrough to come in I need to regularly submit to the continual drenching of the Spirit. Then once wet with His presence I need to step out and pour out that power.

I remember Gordon’s preach a while back where he encouraged us to use the filling of the Spirit as a key to unlock the gifts of the Spirit. And how if we miss the filling and go straight to the gifts then they either won’t be there to use or won’t be effective. The same applies to the Kingdom I believe.

To live lives that emulate the life Jesus lived in demonstration of the Kingdom, we need the same Spirit that descended on Him to descend on us. We need the dove of the Spirit to perch regularly on us, stay on us, and when He isn’t, to call on Him a fresh.

So how can be welcome a new wave of the Spirit in this season?

·         Call out to Him in prayer

·         Build faith and expectation from the Scriptures

·         Sing to Him

·         Speak words of gratitude to Him

·         Be creative in stepping out, especially during these current restrictions

·         Have someone pray with you

·         Pray in tongues

·         Take a risk of faith somehow

These are steps I’m constantly learning and relearning, but many both the Scriptures and experience guides us to seek.

Let’s pursue emboldened unquestionable confidence in the Kingdom by being continually filled with the Spirit, and see what happens – even under Lockdown!    

[jonathandurke]

Mission > Meetings

The Church, along with the World, has entered a new season of learning. We’re learing to adjust to situations that are pretty much out of our control. From full-on lockdown to local restrictions to local lockdowns, we’ve had to become mouldable to ever-changing circumstances. Parents and their families, employers and employees, politicians and world leaders, markets and trade, companies and charities, teachers and pupils, hospitals, banks, restaurants, care homes, and yes even the Church, have had to adapt to the new normal.

During this period of transition in many areas, I’ve pondered very lightly on how the Church, but particularly how Hope Church, has/is/will also adjust. I’m sure many of us have wondered the same thing. And I’m sure you’ve also had lots of thoughts about what our future looks like.

Among a myriad of possibilities, probably not helped by my constant looking at different churches on social media and being bombarded by what they’re doing (I’m reminded of Jesus telling Peter to follow Him and not get preoccupied with how He leads John – John 21:20-23), a key reality for me is that meetings are not the mission.

If there’s one thing I’ve become struck by it’s the fact that COVID has highlighted, at least to me, my misdirected fulfilment in meetings. I like how Rich describes himself as Sunday service machine. I would call myself the same. It’s a beautiful aspect of our lives as Hope. Special times together as family where we sing to our saviour, hear from His Word, remember Him through communion, bring our prayers, serve one another humbly, enter the Father’s presence corporately, use of gifts in love, shepherd each other with encouragement, be filled with the Spirit and so many other things that are somewhat unique to our gatherings. It’s right and good that we highly esteem our times together in person to engage in all these wonderful blessings (remember Hebrews 10:24-25?). It’s a priority and an absolute must for any disciple to be regularly involved in and committed to. After all, what is the local church if it can’t gather publicly to enjoy all these things?

However, the fact of the matter is we can’t during this unique season. By God’s grace and sovereignty, we hope and pray that this will be resolved and public gatherings in all their fullness can resume. But in honour to our government and respect to public health and wellbeing, we aren’t (Romans 13:1-7).

By having our meetings stripped back, although what a gift our online services have been and please do remember to thank all those involved in facilitating this important feature of our church, it has made me realise that I had misplaced my purpose. When there was nothing to go to in an evening e.g Advance, and no meeting to physically prepare for i.e. small group, I’ve been left with the revelation that my mission was in these meetings, rather than these meetings facilitating my mission. I had become meeting-centric and not mission-centric. The goal of my week was to experience the glory of a meeting, rather than the glory of the mission. My sense of worth, value, fulfilment and purpose has been wrapped up in how many meetings I attended this month and what part did I play. I’ve been tip toing along the edge of legalism – such a dangerous trap to easily fall down! I’ve reserved the use of my gifts, my resources, my time and energy to meetings when there’s a world out there we’ve been called to reach.

Just as The Granary is a resource centre to better enhance our mission, and is not the mission itself; so, our meetings are a resource to better facilitate our outreach. Our meetings feed us so we can go out and offer the same life-nourishing food to those we work with. Our gatherings encourage us so we can go meet with our friends and give them the same encouragement. Our services serve us but only so we can serve our city with the Gospel in our own capacity, gifting and personality.      

When the meetings were gone, I was left thinking, “What do I do now to serve Jesus’ mission to go and make disciples?” The Spirit’s response to me has been challenging but creative, “quite little, but there’s opportunity to adapt.” May I respectfully ask the same question to anyone reading this? I think it’ll be a worthwhile exercise, and unlock unrealised potential in us to adjust our Spirit-given gifts and skills to a wider recipient than just our meetings. The Great Commission is our mission, not the ‘Great Meeting’. We can contribute to the Great Commission according to our abilities in this season.

The meetings facilitate us. The meetings resource us. But the meetings aren’t the mission. The mission is to live as witnesses in our spheres of influence using our gifts anyway we can to reach others with the Good News, informatively and practically.

How could you do that? Be creative! Be daring! Be risky! Be different! Be inventive! Be yourself!

I’m currently learning this, and invite any one glancing over this to join me in figuring out our missional-impact that goes beyond the meeting.

[jonathandurke]

Building A Legacy

It was exciting to see Jim at The Granary this past Sunday during our Hope Central, Dines Green and Encounter gatherings. Hearing the update that the prospect of having the ground floor potentially refurbished enough to begin some form on activity was encouraging. It’s also been interesting to see all the renovation pictures on The Granary Facebook page (like it to get notifications). Let’s continue to pray and hope that we can start ministering in it and from it sooner rather than later.  

Since last Sunday it’s had me thinking more specifically about our new home.

It had me thinking about our present.

It had me thinking about our future.

It had me thinking about our legacy.

Most of all, it had me thinking about our own insignificance.

In terms of the present, the Granary will function exactly as it’s named, a storehouse; a resource centre; a place of supply. As the church we will operate within it and from with out it to bless Worcester by the words of the Gospel and the acts of the Kingdom. We will be like a lighthouse, shining out to the lost and drawing them into safety. We’re excited for all it will be used for. A home for us to gather and worship. A hub for all our various activities. A venue to expand our influence. Practically speaking, what a relief it’ll be not to set up and pack down every week. To not have our equipment or items lost or misplaced under the almost cavern-like stage-pit. To not use gum-covered tables for hospitality. To not be unexpectedly locked out of a classroom that’s used for our kids’ group. To not be cancelled on last minute because the dance concert was double booked. How brilliant will it be to have a place we can host each other in and invite others into. All the various ministries we have, serving and impacting the church and the city for Jesus. The not too distant present will soon be a reality.

Then there’s the future, how we’ll serve our city in new ways. Offering help by opening up our facilities. Creating space for the arts and creativity. Being available to businesses and charities. Serving different groups like the homeless, parents, couples, addicts, those in debt, the lonely, the widows, orphans, the marginalised, etc. Perhaps offering to give counselling, provide resources, work with other organisations, establish strategies to help others become self-sufficient. There’ll be so many opportunities to reach out to the lost and reach in with the Good News of Jesus. What can you think of that you could contribute to when we have our building? Do you have a vision to start something or see something flourish? Ask the Father and see what He says. The not too distant future will soon be a reality.

Then there’s our legacy. What will The Granary be like in decades time or even centuries time? What mark will we leave on this faithful city? What influence will we have left when we’re long gone? May our legacy ultimately be the faithful presentation of the Gospel to all areas of Worcester’s life and beyond. Let our legacy be the application of the Kingdom in works and words. In Spirit and Word. In hands and mouths. In actions and deeds. In mouths fed and hearts filled. Will our commitment and dedication to this next season of Hope Church add to our legacy? A legacy is built patiently over time. It takes investment and engagement. The results aren’t always seen immediately. But if we’re stay the course, we will see that harvest of hope and know our decedents will benefit from our determination.      

Lastly, all this made me think of our own insignificance. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t in any way mean everything we do is insignificant. Far from it. Anything we do in realising our vision for The Granary is significant and matters to God. What I mean is that to truly obtain all that the Lord has called us to requires forgetting ourselves. It requires seeing past our own hopes for the building and looking down the tunnel of time to the greater impact it will have for the generations to follow. We might not see everything The Granary will be in our lifetime. But let’s catch the dream and pull it into reality as much as we can now but more so for the future. No doubt we will be blessed in our building, but let’s ensure we continue building for the generations to come that they will be more blessed. Let them stand on our shoulders so they can soar to greater heights in impacting this city of Jesus. Let what they end up doing with our building in the future make our efforts now seem insignificant.

Our present, our future and our legacy in The Granary will only be built with sacrifice, hard work, determination and dedication.

Let’s continue to play our part because we’re not building a building, but building a legacy.    

[jonathandurke]

Life Is More Than A Grade

With all that is continuing to unfold at the present, particularly with containing COVID and rising racial tensions, it appears insult is being added to injury as the topic of education and the recent uproar over exam results is causing further chaos in our society. Not only is our present generation being disrupted but our future generation seem to be caught in the upheaval too.

At the time of writing this I believe there’re further talks of changing the strategy over determining student’s exam results. Suggestions such as lowering the grade down by two, relying on the predicted or mock exam grades, and now possibly entrusting the teachers of individual pupils with determining the result.      

Well, honestly none of this is my area (thanks goodness!) and I’m sure everyone is more up to date than I’m able to be. Yet, it’s still painful to see young people across our nation, specifically our own at Hope Church, become scared for their future or angry at the change in their situation that was taken out of their hands. At the moment, many university conditions might not be met and career prospects may need to take a detour. At a glance, it seems long hours of study into the late night have been wasted. Pages of highlighted text books and revision notes have come to nothing.

All this got me thinking about my own education.

It’s refreshing being part of a church with so many varied backgrounds. We get to see the grace of God at work in so many people’s lives who have grown up and been educated in different ways, or to varying degrees. Speaking only of myself – I was a bum in school!

Confession time – my homework was barely completed, if it was done at all. Classes were attended but with very little going into my head. Exams were taken but with a tiny amount of revision and usually with poor results. All this is to my shame and truthfully has had detrimental consequences for my life that I’ve had to work on as I entered adulthood. Whereas others who applied themselves at school got that helpful leg up, I went on an unhelpful detour that has taken time to catch up from.

That being said, whether you went to school or not, whether you got only so far in school and dropped out (or kicked out!), whether you were home-schooled, privately school or publicly schooled, whether you went to college or university, whether you’re a student facing this confusing time or the parent of one, your life is not determined by a grade.

Education is to be sought throughout our lifetime. We must apply ourselves at all our work. Education is an invaluable blessing and privilege that should be shared and pursued.  

But…

A life lived successfully does not depend on a good education, but on a good God of grace.

The lack of education won’t stop those whom God has called to live for Him. A low grade won’t prevent the purpose God has planned for you. Yes – work hard and apply yourself, but if you never reach the ivory tower of higher education or you find all your hard work vanishing, with God you can become more and do more than any grade determines.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

God chooses people who are unwise, weak, foolish, and despised. By His grace He transforms them into wise, powerful, noble, honoured people in the Faith.

Don’t forget the types of people Jesus choose – uneducated fishermen, deceitful tax collectors, violent protestors, prostitutes, the poor etc.

Still, don’t forget that God also chose an educated doctor, an intellectual religious leader, kings, wise men, etc.

These people weren’t used by God because of the degree that hung on their wall. Their destinies weren’t decided because they failed every test. Their lives were counted as successful because of their lives were lived for God.

Want to know at the moment if you or the person you know in education has as a good a future as they were working hard for? If our understanding of what is a truly good future are founded correctly then we can. A future built on the Kingdom of God, with its foundations laid on the Gospel of Jesus, and inhabited by the power of the Spirit, is a future carved out for success. Perhaps not materially or in status or possessions, but in your soul. A soul set in godly character and holy integrity.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 16:19-20, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Whatever happens about all this, if you have a young relative or friend in education (or are in education yourself), let your lasting advice be to work hard but ultimately trust in God and live for Him alone.

Success is found in a saviour, not a school. A good life is found in a good God, not a good grade.    

[jonathandurke]

Plagues, Prejudice and the Kingdom of God

Since the start of this year I’ve been feasting on books and sermons relating to the Kingdom of God. Some highlights include books such as Bryn Jones’ The Radical Church and Andrew Walker’s Restoring the Kingdom, as well as videos from John Wimber’s 1985 Signs and Wonders Conference on Youtube. I recommend them all to you. Alongside all these I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled back for all the references to the Kingdom as I read the four Gospels again, and there’s a lot!

Even today I’ve had fresh revelation from God’s Word on the nature of His Kingdom. Reading through Matthew 13 you can see Jesus pulling back the veil of mystery surrounding the Kingdom as He tells several parables (stories which reveal a particular meaning) on the subject.

Although the Kingdom is a kaleidoscope of truth, with many angles to view it from, here specifically Jesus explains that the Kingdom is an invaluable treasure worth sowing, growing and reaping.

Thinking it over, you can’t help but ask, “What is the Kingdom exactly?” Well, think it through. Politically speaking, a kingdom is the dominion of a ruler (or rulers in subjection to their people in our democratic society) who reigns according to his policies. Spiritually speaking then, God’s Kingdom is His dominion whereby He sovereignly rules according to His character, nature and will. In addition, we know Christ to be God’s begotten son who has received from His father all authority in the Kingdom and reigns as its King. Also, Christ has been revealed as the king of this Kingdom and as a catalyst to usher in its reign over the earth through the good news of His birth, life, death and resurrection (the Gospel).

So what am I saying!?

In a nutshell, God’s Kingdom is the sovereign reign of the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ, a revealed in the Gospel and delivered in the power of the Spirit.        

Trust me when I say that is a kingdom invaluably worth sowing into, growing out of and reaping blessing from.

 We’ve seen a great deal of world history take place since the start of the year. Two events in particular have taken over the majority of the world and are reshaping life as we speak.

Of course, I’m referring to the plague that is Coronavirus and the prejudice that is racism.

Obviously, I’m neither an authority on these subjects, nor am I qualified to speak into their complicated details. Yet, I hope this short article will be of at least the tiniest encouragement to anyone from Hope Church that might skim read this.

What the Father has laid on my heart recently is to remind us that in light of everything, we must remember the Kingdom. God forbid that we become ignorant ostriches burying our heads in the sand as these events go on around us! We must pray for our political leaders. We must act where it is appropriate to do so. We have to speak out with all wisdom and godliness. We have to support one another with gentleness and zeal, with grace and truth.

But here, amidst all the specifics and details, let me just simply encourage us to never forget, but regularly recentre ourselves on, Jesus and His Kingdom.

In spite of everything we’re surrounded by, with plagues on the one side and prejudices on the other, let’s remind ourselves that our hope is in the Gospel of Christ. The good news of His Kingdom coming with increasing power until it reigns fully at the reconciliation of all things and a new heaven and new earth will rule in righteousness.

It’s tough to prevent that reality from just staying as a theory in our minds and not allow it to produce fruit in our lives. It’s something we all have to work out in our own daily living. How can I respond to this situation in a Gospel-manner that brings something of the Kingdom?

Perhaps one way might be to resolve that as we hear the latest updates on COVID19, either its frustrating limitations regarding safety measures or its positive reduction in infection rates, we will take heart and confidently remind ourselves and others that our lives our held in Jesus’ hands. That’s sowing into the truth of the Kingdom – that Jesus reigns over all life and has a purpose for us all – in sickness or health, and living or dying

Another way could be that as we grow more aware of racial prejudices and maybe witness ethnic slurs or discriminatory behaviour, we stand boldly for anyone and everyone who is a recipient of injustice. That’s growing into the reality of the Kingdom – that God is a father to the fatherless, husband to the widower, friend to the lonely, provider to the poor, executor of justice to those oppressors, grace-giver to the everyone, and ultimately and best of all, Saviour to mankind.      

In all this, surely our primary goal is to partner with God in building His Kingdom through the church on the foundation of the Gospel, being united in our mission as salt and light as we seek to make disciples of all nations. Black, white, male, female, disabled, able-bodied, rich, poor, high IQ, low IQ, young, old, the well, the sick, whatever! We’re all called to join together and be both ambassadors of the Kingdom as well as catalysts for the Kingdom, so those outside the Kingdom can come to Christ, be born again and receive their citizenship as new creations in the Kingdom. That’s reaping for the Kingdom – that we can bring anyone in regardless of status and identity.  

I’ve given no in-depth practical answers here. Instead, just some thoughts to process. Allow this question to settle with you:

Plagues, prejudice, or anything, how will I believe, think, speak and act in such a way that represents the Gospel and ushers in the presence of Jesus and His Kingdom to a situation?

You Kingdom come, Lord.    

[jonathandurke]

The Privileges of Pentecost

It’s been 50 days since we celebrated Jesus rising from the dead on Resurrection Day.

The fiftieth day is what’s referred to as Pentecost. On that day we remember and celebrate what happened as recorded by Luke in Acts 2, where the 120 disciples (which included the women and Jesus’ biological family) were gathered in an upper room praying together and the Spirit fell on them. Thus, was inaugurated the New Testament church explicitly to start its Great Commission work (Mark 16:14-20).  

Now as we celebrate the pouring out the of Spirit in New Covenant realities, I just wanted to take some brief time to highlight three privileges that Pentecost has opened to us and that the Lord has been speaking clearly to me about. With the pouring out of the Spirit comes the privileges of the Spirit.  

POSITION

The first privilege that the Spirit’s graciously given us at His coming is a change in our position. No longer are we slaves to sin, bound by our fallenness and servants to Satan. Instead, with the Spirit’s coming into us He has adopted us and re-positioned us into God’s family. That means we’re called sons and daughters of God. We’re liberated and given the freedoms of a child in his father’s house. As Rich Thomas puts it, we got ‘divine fridge rights’. It’s like a son who visits his dad’s house and immediately heads to the fridge to enjoy the delights of what mum and dad have stocked up on. So we can come to our heavenly father and receive all the delights and benefits He gives his kids because we know we’re his children and He delights in us. We’ve be re-positioned as heirs too. When we were spiritual orphans, our only inheritance was death because the consequence of sin is to die. Now as co-heirs with Christ through the Spirit indwelling us, we inherit life in the Kingdom; a place having been prepared for us. Joy, meaning, fulfilment and glory are all ours through the Spirit because of our new identity in Jesus.

In practice, our kingdom-position means that whatever circumstance we find ourselves in (losing our jobs, irritableness towards our spouse, illness of a loved one, etc.) we can approach it knowing our identity is firmly established as children of the King. Therefore, we have all the resources of the Kingdom to engage in our situations with righteousness, faith, godliness and victory. Our circumstances might not change how we’d like them to, but our perspective will. 

It also means we can approach God Himself with all the boldness and confidence that a little child does towards his father. When you set time aside to pray, know you can talk in such a way that’s not only respectful towards a parent but is intimate too. There’s no unhealthy fear but a parent/child affection and fondness. Like Martyn Sharpe has often illustrated, we can come to God with the frequency and freedom his son comes with when he used to visit his office at work, and he would drop what he was doing and focus on him.

Pentecost have given us the privilege of a new position.  

PRESENCE

Another privilege the Spirit has bestowed on us is His presence. In the OT the presence of God would only manifest at the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple. Before Pentecost God would reveal Himself at unique occasions and in special ways such as lightening, smoke and fire from Mount Sinai when He spoke to Israel in the wilderness; or through an angel speaking and acting on His behalf like at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; or as an audible voice from the Ark of the Covenant between the two cherubim in the Holy of Holies that only the high priest could enter once a year. God’s presence was limited, infrequent and distant. It was mediated through other means like angels, priests and the Law. No one could go near this holy and transcendent God.

However, thanks to Jesus, our great high priest and eternal mediator, God indwells us forever by His Spirit. After Pentecost, with the Father and the Son sending the Spirit, we can now have the immediate and personal presence of God always. The Spirit indwells all of us who are disciples. Not only that, but He manifests His presence in our lives too.

In practice this means that I don’t have to go to anyone special, like a pastor, or to a sacred place, like a church building, to get near to God. Instead, He is with me everywhere, when I clean the house or go to work, He’s present in me. All I have to do is develop a habit of acknowledging His presence. That can be in prayer (again, that doesn’t have to be on any ‘holy ground’), meditation or reading His Word (having Him stir His Spirit within me). Why not take time to practice being still and reflecting on God’s presence in you?

It also means that we get to share God’s presence with others and be encouraged when He manifests Himself through us. In our homes as small groups, at our big gatherings or just in our friendships groups, we can experience the revealed presence of God as He renews our minds with His truth, helps us feel Him with our emotions, and as He displays His dynamic activities in our mist. Why not take time together with others to enjoy God’s presence, feel His affections for you and wait on His immediate manifestations? 

Pentecost has given us the privilege of God’s personal presence   

POWER

Although there’s a whole host of privileges Pentecost has purchased for us, for brevity’s sake I’ll end with this one as these three have been key in my thinking recently. The last privilege I’ll touch on that the Spirit has bestowed on us is His power. The Spirit has transferred us from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. We are kingdom-citizens and representatives of the King in this world. Therefore, light must break through from our lives into this dark world. What does that mean? As John WImber’s well known for saying, it means we all get to play. Although Jesus from time to time clearly ministered on earth from His divinity as the Son of God, He also modelled for us a life lived in submission, obedience and faith to operate under the influence of the Spirit. Look to the Gospel records of Jesus’ activities and you’ll find examples of how we should be living. Jesus has given us kingdom authority to do greater works than He. Do we really believe that? The power of the Spirit is many things, living righteously with all godliness, resisting temptation and sin. It is also the dynamic breaking out of Kingdom power through the gifts and lives of everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. This lifestyle isn’t for the privileged few, the ‘ordained clergy’ or the crazies on the fringe. Gospel power is for everyone! We’ve been made ambassadors for God by becoming followers of Jesus. Just as Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing, so we must imitate Him. Let’s do the works the Father is calling us to do.

In practice this might look like asking God for specific gifts to receive, develop and operate with. Do you want to encourage people from God? Ask boldly, receive faithfully, operate diligently and develop the gift of prophecy. Want to heal the sick? Lay hands on people, pray with faith, don’t give up and see if that gift grows. Much of the time it’s relatively simple to ask and receive as this can be done in private prayer or with the laying of hands from a leader or friend, the tough part is doing it.

Just give it a go. Be bold. Be confident. Even if you’re not, be scared but willing to step out. Ignore social etiquette where you have to. Avoid the thought of what’s expected of me, or what people may think and say about me. Change that conversational gear awkwardly if you have to, if God wants to do something let Him do it. Be a fool for Christ. Exercise you gifts with expectation and anticipate that God will move.      

Pentecost has given us the privilege of dynamic power.

 Finally, take note of this order – position, presence and power. It’s intentional. We must acknowledge our new position first if we really want to enjoy God’s presence, because then from His presence we will operate in His power.

Thank God for Pentecost!

[jonathandurke]

Fruit from a Bloody Tree

As we approach both Good Friday and Easter Sunday, or as I like to call it Resurrection Sunday, it’s common for many believers to reflect on both historical events as Scripture records them. As a church you may have noticed that we’ve been doing this through a brief series of preaches from Richard on our Sunday Mornings Group Facebook Page. In them we’ve heard about the various spiritual events that took place on the cross.

In our small group on Thursday nights, we’ve started a new series called ‘What is the Gospel?’ and we’ll be looking at what the Bible says happened as a result of Jesus’ crucifixion and His rising from the dead.

So just to add as a supplement I thought I’d shortly write on the several key fruits that were produced on that bloody tree 2,000 plus years ago.

Jesus’ cross, like any other, was carved from a fallen tree. And like a tree bears fruit to be enjoyed by those who receive it, Jesus’ bloody cross bears fruit to be enjoyed by those who receive it. It’s spiritual fruit from a bloody tree.

I like how Richard says, like a single diamond has many facets which when looked at from different angles can give various perspectives, so is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Or, like a single kaleidoscope when peered through displays a myriad of colours and shapes, so does the Gospel.  

As I mention these different blessings of the cross and empty-grave, be encouraged that not only have these affected our souls, but they also help us physically, here and now. Perhaps that might be particularly helpful as we endure isolation, concerns over job-security, health-risks, financial stability etc. So, let’s have a look at the fruit…

Ransom

Matthew 20:28 reveals how Jesus described His death and resurrection as being a ransom for many. God the Father paid a price for us. He purchased us from Satan’s schemes and death’s destiny for us. God did this by offering His only Son as a sacrifice. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver by Judas for his own gain. The bigger plan was that Jesus was handed over by His father as a price to purchase sinners and so ransom us through His blood. 

So by God purchasing us, we now belong to Him through Christ. If we are in Christ, we have security. When you buy something, it belongs to you; you own it. Our Father bought us through Jesus’ blood and so we are His possession; safe and secure in Jesus.

No matter how you might be affected by COVID-19 at the moment, rejoice that you belong to God, you’re His possession and He will keep your souls secure even if all else falls away.     

 Victory  

The author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus came to destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He has taken the victory over sin, Satan, the World and death itself. As the hymn Thine Be The Glory says, He is the ‘risen conquering Son’ (Christus Victus, for anyone who learned Latin at school…which is probably no one). Jesus’ empty grave is His proof that He has power and authority over sin and death as our saviour. 

As we remember Jesus rising again this coming Sunday, don’t forget to also remember that He has included you in His victory. You share in his victory. Sin is not your lifestyle anymore. Satan has no power over you. You’re no longer imprisoned in the World; and eternal death isn’t your destiny. 

From one perspective the world seems to be losing at the moment. People are sadly passing away, others are being laid off, school pupils can’t do their exams. But take a look at the church and what do you see? We’re worshiping, glorifying, and living for Christ in ways we may never have done before! We’re sharing Scriptures, songs, art, pictures and videos. We’re meeting online to pray, hear the Word and enjoy one another. We’re ding all this with a renewed sense to encourage and build one another up. That looks like a victorious church to me. 

Substitution

The prophet Isaiah wrote, 

he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Jesus hung condemned on a cross at Calvary’s hill in our place so we wouldn’t have to. He acted as our substitute replacing us and bearing the crushing weight of sin, the piercing wrath of God, and the worst punishment imaginable – separation from God. All so that we could have peace with God through His sacrifice. The penalty that we deserved He bore. The judgement that was ours He made His. ‘What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear’. He was laid in our grave. 

Allow gratitude to fill your hearts. Lockdown can be a recipe for bitterness and anger. Spouses are in close proximity for extended periods of time. Parents are having to home-school their children. Shoppers appear to be looking out for number one at the expense of the elderly or medical workers. All this drags us down. Take a stand in these days and resolve to live with thankfulness in your heart. Let that thankfulness have its source firstly in Jesus’ substitution for you, then let it flow down into appreciation for all sorts of things. Be grateful for the NHS, teachers, government, your family etc.

 Example

Last but by no mean least, take Jesus’ death and resurrection as an example for how to live your life. The apostle John wrote that anyone who says they know Jesus but doesn’t walk as He walked is a liar but that anyone who says they abide in Jesus will walk as He waked (1 John 2:4-6). If we say we’re believers in Jesus, let’s live like Him. Follow the Spirit as He guides us into reflecting Jesus every day. Learn how Jesus lived by reading His Word. Ask for His help to imitate Him in prayer. Jesus is our example (Christus exemplar).  

When we turn our minds back to the rugged cross this Good Friday and the empty grave on Resurrection Sunday, reflect on how you might demonstrate something of Jesus’ life. Although isolation makes it tricky, where might we humbly serve and put someone else before ourselves as Jesus did for us on the cross? Even though fears and worries abound, how could you share joy and victory as Christ did with us?

There we go, some fruits from a bloody tree called the cross. I hope you go on to enjoy the taste and savour the sweetness that Jesus’s death resurrection provided to us this Easter weekend.      

[jonathandurke]

Unity and Encouragement

So, 2020 has got off to an interesting start.

A new decade has greeted us with Brexit, severe flooding and now a global virus.

Thank goodness that in God’s economy things that start bad don’t end bad.

I wonder, if you reflect briefly on those three big events what common thread might you find weaving its way through them all?

ISOLATION.

That’s a buzzword at the moment, particularly with the coronavirus, but if you think about all three you’ll find one of the consequences was separation from one another.

Brexit was all about Britain leaving the EU and existing as an independent country. Whether you agree with it or not, the goal was to govern our own affairs in isolation from other nations judgement or guidance (however you look at it).

The floods resulted in people being left stuck in their homes, or unable to get to work. Businesses couldn’t trade, families couldn’t visit one another. Whole portions of land become either inescapable or unreachable. We were left isolated geographically.

Covid-19 is literally causing those infected to self-isolate. 14 days home-bound and socially excluded. Holiday-makers stranded on cruise ships or in hotels, planes grounded, travelling only was essential, offices deserted while employees work from home, family member in quarantine.

The common thread weaving its way through it all is isolation.

 I preached this past Sunday on the exact opposite of this.        

I spoke on unity and its fruit, encouragement.

As the Church we’re called to stand united and to encourage one another.

At the present time that may seem difficult. With churches deciding to cancel their services and activities we may ponder how we can physically stay united. With the death toll increasing for those elderly and medically vulnerable groups we might query how we can remain encouraged (let alone encouraging others!).

Don’t bow to fear. Stand firm in your faith

Our God is sovereign, ruling and reigning over everything. He is in control and governs every circumstance and situation. From political strife to natural disasters, even viral pandemics – our Father has it all in His hands and His children can trust Him.

The Apostle Paul urges us to ‘walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4:1-3)

While folks are selfishly stockpiling items at the expense of others, consider your brother and sister and maintain unity together.

As people keep themselves to themselves as they isolate, if you’re well, perhaps consider delivering the weekly shopping to a neighbour or taking their dog for a walk, as so demonstrate unity.

Its times like these where technology is a blessing. If your small group is cancelled or the mum and tots group is off, keep united by sending a text, WhatsApp video call a friend, call your mother or send an Facebook message to your group who aren’t meeting. What great modes we can use to keep our unity.

Best of all why not pray for those you know are fearful or infected, and let them know.

Let’s be eager to maintain unity in the Spirit, even if we can’t be together physically.

 Then, our unity breeds encouragement.

Paul says elsewhere, ‘encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

In this time of panic, pause and remember who God is and be encouraged. Then take that encouragement and use it t build others up. Those who are worried, encourage them to worship in the midst of it. Others who scared, encourage them to seek solace in the Word. Still, for us who are panicking, be encouraged to pray.  

Scripture says that knowledge puffs up but love builds up. As we watch the news and keep updated with what’s going on, let’s remember that it won’t help us just to know all the details (as good as that is) but we need to love each other and look out for one another. By doing so, we’ll be built up and edified in our faith in Christ.

Why not send a Facebook message to check in with someone? WhatsApp call someone self-isolating to help them keep sane. Text a brother or sister to let them know you’re praying. Let’s take care with our hygiene and use that as a form of encouragement as we seek to care for each other.  

 As our world distances itself in isolation, separating from others and keeping themselves at arm’s length, let us as the church be an example of wisdom, unity and encouragement.

[jonathandurke]

Love is Only a Feeling?

So that certain day has come and gone.

That day which for some creates an opportunity to express their affection through chocolates, flowers, and cards while simultaneously declaring their undying love over a balcony as though they were Romeo and Juliet; at least they think they are. For others, it’s a day to avoid and either not acknowledge or actively speak out against it, like a parallel grinch trying to steal Valentine’s Day. Lastly, and I think most commonly perhaps, it’s just any other day. You wake up, go to work or school, come home, eat dinner and relax, while maybe hearing someone say something nice about their spouse.

Rest assured, St. Valentine and his myriad of chubby harp-holding cherubim have nothing to do with this blog.

But I do want to write about love briefly.

My wife and I recently watched Moulin Rouge, a film we both think is a classic, for the umpteenth-time. The plot is all about freedom, beauty, truth and most of all…love. Set in Bohemian Paris during the French Revolution a young penniless writer becomes infatuated with a courtesan. They flirt, fall in love, fool around and sing passionate songs to one another. Affection, desire, and pleasure is the three-course meal they devour on the table of love. Sadly, she passes away unexpectedly and he mourns her passing, yet love was a feeling worthy to be pursued. Even if he lost it.

Not too long ago I happened across The Darkness as I was listening to music on YouTube. This is a band that sends me straight back to my teenage years. If you remember them at all, and I guess you only would if you are around my age, you’d recall that they were a 70s-styled, rock band with a lead singer who hits notes as high as the ceiling, with a questionable amount of teeth! Their best known single was ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’. However, the song ‘Love is Only a Feeling’ caught my attention. The chorus reads:

Love is only a feeling (Drifting away) When I'm in your arms I start believing (It's here to stay) But love is only a feeling Anyway          

Would it be fair to state that for many people their view on love might reflect Moulin Rouge’s picture of a passionate infatuation or The Darkness’ ballad on love being a fleeting feeling?

When it comes to humans, maybe it’s a question for another time.

Right now, let’s talk about God and what His love is.

God’s love goes deeper than passionate infatuation and it lasts longer than a fleeting feeling. The steadfast love of the Lord never fails (Lamentations 3:2-23). God’s love transcends humanity’s capability, although we are blessed with the ability to reflect it slightly.

The well-known Christian apologist, author and university lecturer C. S. Lewis, wrote on the topic of the four loves, these are storge (a love expressed in family), philia (a love expressed through friendship), eros (a love expressed through sexual intimacy) and agape (a love expressed from the divine). This latter love is the supreme love. It’s the love that in some ways is incomprehensible and goes above and beyond anything a family, a friend or a couple could experience.

God’s love is long-term, dedicated and unconditional. His love is faithful, reliable and trustworthy. God’s love is hopeful and helpful. His love is committed. Regardless of our emotions, circumstances or actions, even if we’re faithfulness, He remains faithful (1 Timothy 2:13).

At times passion can fade away. Often feelings come and go. Yet, God’s love for His people, His bride, will never fade nor depart. God’s love is grounded in covenant (Jeremiah 32:40). A covenant is a sacred and unbreakable contract. Something heavier and of deeper substance than a mere vow or promise. God has covenanted with Himself that His love for His children will not be broken (Deuteronomy 31:6). Sadly, marriages can end, friendships do set sail in different directions, families can grow distant, but God’s love is everlasting, it takes us to the same destination and it draws us to Him, together. The Lord will never break His marriage vow to His church, you and me; He will never end our friendship with Him; God will never abandon us as orphans cast out of His family (John 14:8).

God’s love is expressed like a father to his children (1 John 3:1), a husband to his wife (Ephesians 5:25), even a hen to her chicks! (Luke 13:34) His love is protective, nurturing and supportive.  

So, what can we take away from all this?

Meditate and enjoy the reality of God’s unconditional, devoted and unbreakable love for you. Where others might fail you and their love waiver or wither away, His will never.

By God’s grace and His Spirit’s power, reflect something of this divine love to others. What could that look like? Perhaps it might be committing to meeting up with friends and cultivating those friendships; investing in your marriage by being fully present and honest with each other; forgiving that co-worker and working with them united on whatever project you’re on.

Whatever it is, look to Christ and His Word to help us reflect His divine love. A love that isn’t just a feeling, but one that’s here to stay.

Grace and peace.  

[jonathandurke]

New Year, Same God

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope 2020 is kicking off well for you all.

As we enter this new year you might have been reflecting on what’s gone before you in 2019 and what may lie ahead of you this year, especially as it’s the start of a new decade.

A past year provides a lot to think about, let alone ten of them! It can be particularly healthy to look back on the highs and lows of previous years, resolve to make changes where needed, continue in patterns you’ve found helpful, or just give thanks for what you’ve experienced. I know I find enjoyment during the Christmas holidays to take time to pause, reflect, make resolutions, reaffirm habits, and rejoice in all that’s happened.  

However, it can be hard to look back when what we predominantly see is pain. Equally, it’s hard to look forward when all we may expect is further pain. Still, it’s encouraging to know there are times when we can also look back and clearly see blessing. While also, looking ahead and seeing greater blessing waiting for us.

Something I’ve been marinating over in my mind is how each year is filled successes and sorrows. We’re guaranteed that. The Apostle James told all those churches that received his letter that every good and perfect gift they receive comes from God (James 1:17). And yet, Jesus said that while we’re in the world we will have trouble (John 16:33). Success and sorrow are not too far from each other as we walk this life. Yet, there’s a third element involved which navigates our journey between the two, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

I’m sure we all know people, perhaps ourselves, that have had to travail a rocky road this past year, and the one ahead isn’t looking much smoother. At the same time maybe we know others, perhaps yourself, that has skipped down the street praising God for His abundance in your life.

Either way, we will go through sorrows at times and successes at others. When we do let’s not forget to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). The only constant is our Saviour who brings us to and through it all.  

If you’ve had a decade of “unconscionable grace” in your life, then give glory to God with a glad and grateful heart. Appreciate the lavish grace that our Father has poured over you, resulting in prosperity where it may have sprung up. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed victory this past year, rising up by God’s power to conquer that which as overpowering you. Maybe you’ve experienced a miraculous breakthrough and witnessed the defeat of a trial. Not only that, but this year might be shaping up to be a delight as well.

New opportunities. New blessings. New successes. New victories. New breakthroughs. A new year can yield a bountiful harvest.

However, prosperity can turn to poverty. Victory can end in defeat. Blessings can be twisted into curses. Breakthroughs can break in two. Success can result in failure.

That’s why we don’t rely on these things when they happen, although we’re thankful for them, because as quickly as we received them, we can lose them (Job 1:21). But one person we can rely on and one person we cannot lose, is Jesus (Hebrews 13:5). If we set our sights on our Saviour, our successes become secondary.

A New Year might mean new success but we still have the same God.

However, you may have had a decade of unconscionable grief. This past year might have yielded sorrow and mourning you never thought you’d experience. You’ve seen it in other people’s lives and you’ve sympathised with them as much as you could. Yet, this past year something terrible hit you like a train that you weren’t expecting and now you’re going through some tough stuff. Perhaps it feels like the rug’s been pulled from under you and words like defeat, brokenness, disappointment and abandonment seem to best describe your past decade. Frustratingly, this next year doesn’t seem to be shaping up any better either.

But.

Defeat can turn to delight. Brokenness can become beautiful. Disappointment can change to divine appointments. Abandonment may lead to abundance.

A New Year might mean new sorrows but we still have the same God.

Let’s finish the best we can, by setting our sights on the one and only constant throughout the next decade. Jesus our Saviour. He saves us from our sorrows (sometimes by bringing us through them) and he sings over our successes. He supports us when we’re grief-stricken and celebrates with us when we’re blessed.

As the old hymn says, ‘turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the thing of earth will look strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.’ Fix your life on Christ and the sorrows and successes we experience will grow dim compared to His everlasting, eternal and constant presence in your life.

It’s a New year. It’s a new decade. There’ll be new sorrows. There’ll be new successes. Both will come and go. But our Saviour will always be there.

Grace and peace.          

[jonathandurke]

5 Weapons To Wield Against Worry - Part 2

Relinquishing

Worry can easily set in as we choose to hold onto those situations that cause us to worry. Occupying our minds and inhabiting our speech with the circumstance that is creating worry will only feed the anxiety. That’s not to say we shouldn’t think through our worries with wisdom or talk about our worries honestly. But there’s a difference between that and only ever thinking about the worry or speaking about it. Grasping what worries you too tightly will only serve to reinforce the issue. Believing that we can deal with it alone or ignore it just ties us up in knots and burdens our souls with stress and strain. Jesus said to come to Him all those of us who are heavy laden and He will provide rest (Matthew 11:28-29). Jesus said to take His yoke (an item that was placed on animals that worked the fields to guide them and keep them together, which would be heavy and uncomfortable) because it’s light and easy, compared to our heavy and burdensome one.

When it comes to worry, choosing to let go of the yoke that is the reason for our worry and replace it with the rest Jesus promises is difficult. However, by God’s power and grace, if we learn to steadily relinquish our worry and trust Him with it it’ll be worth it. Are there any “holy” distractions in your life? Hobbies and activities that can take you away from fixating on your worries can be helpful tools to relinquish them bit by bit. Sticking your nose in a good book, escaping through the screen with a film, eating with friends, sports, there are a great many opportunity to distract yourself. I’m not talking about escapism, rather, a healthy balance of dealing with the worry but learning to relinquish control over it to Christ and trusting Him with it. How about trying to loosen your grip on your worries and letting God deal with it?

 Yielding

This may sound similar to relinquishing but I’m using it in a slightly different way. When I write about yielding, I mean turning your worry over to someone and intentionally redirecting yourself. In a way relinquishing is the first part of the process, to release your worry. Yielding is the second part, to then hand it over to someone else and follow their way. Yield your worry over to Jesus. Follow the Spirit’s guidance. Submit to the Father’s purpose for you. That purpose is to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness…’ (Mat.6:33). One of many ways that we can better overcome worry in our lives is to realise that we are part of a bigger story. We are included in a greater design that we could ever create alone. There is a will and destiny for your life relinquishing worry and yielding to Christ, His kingdom and his righteousness. Worry seeks to put itself in front and centre of our attention. It’s trying to claim and remain in the epicentre of our hearts and minds. Yet, God calls us to yield our heart, mind, and attention to His kingdom purposes. By yielding to Him we can better refocus and realign our lives to His big story and get on board with it. Then whatever we’re worrying about, by God’s grace and the Spirit’s power, will diminish in greater measures.

What does that look like? May I suggest it could look like asking yourself some questions, such as ‘where and how can I best serve God with His gifts in His church?’ or ‘how can I grow in knowing my Father and deepening our relationship and therefore express His Kingdom better?’ Reject the lie that the part you play is too small and insignificant. Believe the truth that you are a valued member of Jesus’ body and have a valuable contribution to give. Believe that through you the Kingdom can come in unique and specific ways. Give up on worry, give it over to Jesus and get involved in His mission for you.

 5 weapons to wield against worry are:

Word

Order

Relationships

Relinquishing

Yielding              

[jonathandurke]

5 Weapons To Wield Against Worry - Part 1

On the whole I think I’m a worrier by nature. Some things I have no worries about at all that other people have big worries over. Yet, there are other things I become like a leech with and stick onto, worrying about them until I get stomach cramps and headaches. If I get worried over an issue, I’ll struggle to let it leave my mind and my thoughts. It’ll be on my lips in almost every conversation I have and become a massive distraction in my work place and home. You name it and I’ve probably worried over it, and have the mouth ulcers to prove it.

There’s massive opportunity to give ourselves over to worry in every sphere of our lives. But worry isn’t an opportunity we want to embrace. Worry waits for us at our office, our house, our bank, our school, our doctor’s surgery, our wardrobe, our friendship groups, our spouse, our children, our future. Worries are a ‘waiting round each corner ready to pounce if we engage with them. I find worry to be one of the major stumbling blocks in my life. It will eat away at me and become detrimental to many areas of life such as relationships, work, and faith. “Will I die of cancer? Will I lose all that money? Am I being fired? Will I ever get a job? When will I find a spouse? Can I afford the mortgage? Can we have children?” So many worries and so little time to sufficiently worry over them! When I worry, I’m at my most unreasonable, insecure and vulnerable, which then becomes foothold for temptation to sin.

For clarification, I am talking about these “normal” worries, which we are all susceptible to. Sadly, some suffer to an unusual degree and may then need professional medical help – and thank God when that is available!

So how do we overcome worry in our lives?          

Let’s identify 5 weapons I believe can help us better defeat worry and win more ground in our battle against it.

Word

Our first essential weapon to wield against worry is God’s holy Word. Worry is birthed from fear and fear is the spawn of insecurity. Insecurity can be rooted in a false perception of who God is and who you are. That’s a lot of stuff to tackle even before we end with its consequence, namely worry. However, if we dig at the root then the rest will be affected. We must begin with Scripture. If we’re to overcome worry we have to view God and ourselves through the right lens. The Bible is the clearest lens. It informs us of the truth of God’s identity and ours. When we better understand God, we will better understand ourselves and we can perceive ourselves correctly. As a believer we are saints who occasionally sin (not sinners who occasionally act saintly), we’re children of our heavenly Father not abandoned orphans, and we’re lovingly elected and accepted by a gracious God not hatefully cast away by an angry overlord.

Our Bibles are a means of transformation that the Spirit uses to teach, reproof, correct and train us in righteousness which excludes our self-destructive tenancy to worry (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s Word secures us in our godly, holy and righteous identity through Christ. Insecurity is hacked away as Scripture reminds us how the Spirit’s transformed us. A lack of insecurity leads to a greater boldness over against fear. Scripture fortifies our souls with the knowledge that we haven’t been given a spirit of fear but one of power (1 Timothy 1:7). Along with power we have been given a perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18). How do we know this and enjoy its reality? By prioritising Scripture and allowing it to reinforce the truth in our hearts instead clinging to worry and allowing it to fill our minds with lies. Read it, memorise it, listen to it, talk about it, pray over it, sleep on it, paint it on a canvas or draw it on paper, stick it on your mirrors, write it in your journal, sing it in the car, whatever helps ground you in the revelation of Scripture do it. The truth is we’re commanded to not worry, and God’s Word is truth (John 17:17), so reinforce that truth by soaking up your Bible and cutting the giant of worry down to size.

Order

The second weapon to wield against worry is order. Truth be known, I’m a stickler for routine. I love a good schedule! The small group I lead with my wife have a good laugh poking fun at me when I mention my planning our next term with an excel spreadsheet. Here though I’m not talking about timetables and spreadsheets. Rather it’s the underlying principles behind these tools, such as managing yourself, discipline and being aware of your limitations, that I’m thinking of. When we better establish a sense of order in our lives it helps us keep under control. It helps prevent us from being rattled by a chaotic lifestyle that more easily opens the doors to anxiety, fear, insecurity and worry.

Order is the fruit of self-control, and self-control is a mark of a ripe, or healthy, believer (Galatians 5:13-26). People are different. Some will lean more naturally towards an ordered lifestyle, while others flourish better with spontaneity. Both are good. Yet both will blossom better against worry if a style of self-awareness is developed in their daily lives. Learn to recognise what opens you up to more susceptibility to worry. Then put wise parameters in your life to help distance yourself or better handle those things. God is a god of peace and not of chaos and disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). He knows these things make us vulnerable to worry. So let’s get our lives is order.        

Relationships

Isolation breeds worry. There’s nothing wrong with being alone but there’s everything wrong with being lonely. It’s healthy to factor in time by yourself. Time to pause, re-centre, and then press on with your day. However, when we engage in too much time spent alone to the point where we start to intentional disengage ourselves from the company of others, we are opening ourselves to worry. God said it isn’t good for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Our first father Adam was all by himself in Eden. He may have had the animals and even the manifest presence of His creator God walking and talking with him.

Adam still needed a helper, someone to be in relationship with. He needed someone to converse with at his level. Nothing’s changed. We need people to be in community with. We need friends to relate to. We need family to engage with. Relationships produce stability, accountability and encouragement. These things help us me worry. Doing life together with others helps contribute to our ongoing battle against worry. Who do you have in your life that you can honestly talk to about your worries? Can you make regular time to meet up with trusted and godly friends to help journey with you in your worries? Can you learn to strike a healthy balance between being alone, thinking and praying through your worries with talking to others? Is there a small group you could connect with at your church that facilitates honest discussion or even one to one conversation? 

To be continued...