by Doug Blair
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Another pause. Craig went into prayer aloud. "Father we confess that we have little time for you. We have carved lives for ourselves which seem altogether too important. We have robbed you of opportunities to do as you have wanted with us. We come together and acknowledge that Jesus is the Living Bread, but then we play with other diets, and take in that which poisons. There is too much of the world in us. There seems to be a great divide in our lives between Sunday and the rest of the week. What we do. How we speak. What occupies our thoughts.
As in the chapter just read, we have gone away from you. We will not pay the price of being peculiar people before this dark world. We lean on the news, commonplace thinking, and fail to lean on your Spirit. Our eyes are being continually darkened, but we do not even realize the declension.
Lord, break us. Show us that our grasp of your revelation is still pitifully small. Let us smell the aroma of your pastures yet untraveled. Let us see the smiles of the newly redeemed. Make us ashamed. Make us hungry. Tear up our agendas. Make us living epistles. We are simply your property. Come in your majesty and in your purpose to re-make and revive these vessels of clay..."
The prayer went on for another ten minutes. The people were both irritated and spell-bound. They had never heard Craig in this fashion (although a couple of the elders had had talks with him after meetings). They had never been together in prayer this long. Then it was over and silence followed for a full minute. This was something entirely different.
A woman's crying could be heard over in the mid-left of the Body. It started softly and progressed to groanings. Then a word of prophecy: "People take heed to the burdens of my son. He speaks my displeasure. He also speaks my plan, and the light which is coming to you in a very few days. Not because of anything you have done. Not because you are exceptional in this City. But rather because I will have it so, that I might receive glory in this place. The hour is late. Prepare to see my love and my outpour. Repent, that the door might open."
Necks were craning that the speaker might be identified. It was Martha, a quiet widow in her early seventies. Not known to be out-spoken. Simply attentive, willing to volunteer, reverent when appropriate and softly smiling.
Craig spoke again. "By now you have guessed that there is no sermon this morning. Apparently we have given place to the Master. He indicates that He is about ready to act. Will we repent of our dreadful mixture? The front of the sanctuary is now open. Come forward for prayer and for washing. Let this be the start of something extraordinary between you and Jesus.
Now friends, who is ready?"
A couple of university students were the first...and it didn't stop.
ON INTO THE EVENING
It took about another hour and three quarters for the praying, the hugging, the confessing and the tears to abate. About seventy-five of varying ages had stayed behind . The corporate movement had separated into little clusters of four or five seated around the sanctuary. Hearts were being opened. Stories and secrets were being told. Burdens were being relieved.
Circulating among the groups Craig and his fiancee Michelle could be heard saying things like, "So you're tired of playing church"; "Jesus is really pleased with this"; "Don't hold back"; "He is sovereign"; "Come on back tonight for special Communion".
Something provoked Craig to call over one of the ushers and to tell him to get Phil the janitor to change the outdoor sign. "Let it read. Special Communion Tonight. Cleansing. Commissioning. Come."
Craig could already hear himself sharing with the people that famous exhortation of M'Cheyne's about Communion:
"Just such, beloved, is the meaning of receiving broken bread and poured-out wine at the Lord's table. It is the most solemn appropriating act of all your lives. It is declaring by signs, "I do enter into the ark; I flee into the city of refuge; I lay my hand on the head of the Lamb; I do touch the hem of His garment; I do take Jesus to be my Lord and my God; I hold Him, and by grace I will never let Him go."...
The more you feel your weakness, the amazing depravity of your heart, the power of Satan and the hatred of the world, the more need you have to lean on Jesus, to feed on this bread and wine-you are all the more welcome...
It is a solemn declaration that you are one with all true Christians, one in peace, one in feeling, one in holiness; and that if one member suffer, you will suffer with it, or if one member be honoured, you will rejoice with it. You thereby declare that you are branches of the true Vine, and are vitally united to all the branches-that you wish the same Holy Spirit to pervade every bosom. You declare that you are lamps of the same golden candlestick, and that you wish the same golden oil to keep you and them burning and shining as lights in a dark world."
THE CHILDREN’S BREAD
Stewart and Krista Cromarty had only been occasional attenders at Calvary Temple. But recently they had felt a greater compulsion to worship. Perhaps the cumulative effect of Uncle George's testimony for Christ and his recent stroke had impressed them with their need.
They heard of the movings and shakings at Crosspoints, but the development of friendships and providence had placed them elsewhere. A men's Bible study which Stewart attended had been investing time recently in new insights into Holy Communion. Both spouses were hoping to see it celebrated more frequently at Calvary.
Stewart had been particularly interested in Paul's teaching of blessings to health and body to be derived from the Sacrament properly taken (1 Corinthians 11). He could not shake the image of that little Gentile woman pleading with Jesus for the "children's bread" that her daughter might be healed (Matthew 15). Of course Krista's fibromyalgia was always on his mind. Pain in hips and lower back often made housework, walking and climbing the stairs intolerable. How could it not be Jesus' will to bring relief to his dear wife?
Sunday evening found the two showing up early at the special Communion called for by Craig Randall; happily receiving his every word on the holy remembrance; delving deep into their hearts for cleansing and thanksgiving; sensing the world-wide reality of this family exercise of hope "til He come".
After receipt of the bread and wine the congregation stood for a special prayer of dedication and a hymn. When they took again their seats Krista remained standing for so long that all eyes turned toward her. Purposefully she excused herself down the pew and headed for the front steps. She climbed them with ease, turned to the congregation and announced, "It's gone...this fibromyalgia is gone. Pain free. Thank you Jesus!"
The response in the house was electric.
HEALING IN HIS RAYS
It hurt me fifteen years the same,
And I thought that it would
Continue to torment my life,
And cripple me for good.
Oh, how I hoped the medicine
Would gently ease the pain;
But doctors told me not to hope
Too hard, lest it remain.
Each morning, I would fear the sun
Which called me from my bed.
I wanted to stay safe and still,
And nurse my pain instead.
I nursed the curse of memories
Of aching wasted days,
And thought that there was naught on earth
To cause me joy or praise.
From time to time, some friend would come,
And urge me to take heart;
As if by some strange strength of mind,
My symptoms would depart.
But nothing changed, and each new day,
My heart sank deeper still.
Experience and doubts and fears
Had robbed all strength of will.
Then one spring day, my mail contained
A letter from a friend,
Which praised a risen, healing Christ
Through whom my grief would end.
I read with hunger every page,
And scriptures she revealed
About the Lamb of Calvary,
‘By whose stripes we were healed’!
Could this be true, such power still
A witness to his love?
Though Christ returned so long ago
To streets of gold above?
A seed of faith had found my heart,
As I craved more to hear
How perfect love received from Christ
Could always cast out fear.
And fear was where my problem lay,
As time and time again,
I had the sad experience
Of fear preceding pain.
The Truth grew stronger than my hurts.
The Devil was my foe;
The source of my infirmity
Which doctors did not know.
And Christ had died to liberate
My spirit and my frame.
How could I slight the precious gift
Of healing in his name?
So by the power of God’s own Word,
Replacing faith for fear,
I grasped the passing robe of Christ
And drew his virtue near.
I set the Bible by my bed
And went to sleep assured…
The sunlight kissed my pillowed head,
To find me strong and cured!
1 PETER 2: 24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
MALACHI 4: 2
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
WORKING SESSION NUMBER TWO
Midweek evening service at Crosspoints. Beth in her stark white cast walking delicately to a front pew. Smiles and welcomes all around. Numbers significantly up. Keith taking a wooden stack-a-chair to a point one-third of the way down the centre aisle.
"Welcome friends to a week of bubbling, new considerations, hope...that Jesus might be honoured. I hear that you enjoyed your visit with the young pastor from Calvary Temple. That your curiosity is stirred. That this pastor could get out of the way for you to make glorious discoveries on your own. I am thankful.
On the way out you should take a copy of the list of suggestions for change being circulated. Right by the back centre door. Harry has a bunch of them.
Perhaps you have heard that things are being stirred at Craig's church. I have met with Todd Bushnell, back from vacation, and the two of us are considering how the assemblies might operate together in this period of new light. Apparently many living rooms have been opened for discussion and prayer. Many Bibles have been taken off the shelf. Friends and workmates, perhaps unacquainted with church, are now responding to the invitation to "come, see".
We are in a time of precious privilege. We will not manipulate it or hype it. We are stepping out of the way for movements of God. I am reminded of things which I have read concerning other revivals where pastors have left the pulpit, taken an obscure seat at the sidelines, prayed and let the people confess what God was doing.
Reports are coming in that right now, as we sit here together, marriages are being healed, parents and children are coming closer, bodies are being mended, abusive habits are being kicked, anxious inquirers are sitting down over coffee to hear the Good News. This is no exaggeration. We must respect this time and keep short accounts with God concerning our stumblings.
Right now if you have a word of good report, a striking piece of scripture, a prayer request, a comment on this move of refreshment in our midst, the microphone is yours. I believe that Beth, my wife-on-the-mend will start us off..."
READY FOR THE CALL
He calls you
When there's nothing left but pleading.
When the grim resolve you birthed
Has come and gone.
When the stumbling past
Re-visits with a vengeance.
And the face betrays
The force to carry on.
He sees you
When the days seem all so common.
When the evening prayer is lost
To clouded sleep.
When the Book of Life
Is shut to new discovery,
And the first-love fire
Impossible to keep.
He knows you
As the shepherd knows his lambkin.
And your stumblings and wanderings
In the climb.
But He promised through
The season to sustain you,
And His caring shoulders
Bore you many a time.
Christ loves you
And this truth proves all-sufficient.
And will clear the mists of doubt
And dull despair.
And will steel you for
New purpose in His timing,
With the force and fire
To work His wonders there.
OF ANDREW’S SPIRIT
We have found Him
And know that He is truth
Distilled and pure.
A Certain Spring,
'Though damp and slush
Delay the budding.
A Prince with yarns
Of fields and flowers
And feathered trust.
Unspoiled by gold
Or other trappings
Of convention.
Unmoved by rank
Or rule of present powers.
But moved by
Smallest cry of
Pain or shame
Or lonely lot.
A Man whose every
Waking step displays
Assurance, equity,
Mercy, patience, hope
Direct from Heaven.
Whose gaze commands.
The Promised One.
Re-charging nightly
On hills of prayer,
(With His Father,
So He says.)
As we have slept.
Brother, drop your net.
Come meet this One.
Come meet your future.
RIGHT WHAT?
Isaiah shows us the way to God's good pleasure. It is the right sort of Sabbath and the right sort of fast described in chapter 58:
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a sprin
g of water, whose waters fail not.
The consequent blessings from the Father look an awful lot like revival, both personal and corporate.
We evangelicals need to assess our priorities. First we need to be right (2 Corinthians 5). Then we need to act right (James 1: 27). Then we need to speak right (Ephesians 4: 15).
But instead we lock into the good confession, the sound doctrine, the Roman Road to eternal life, the pithy points of Paul's exposition, the principles of "successful" Christian living. We talk and we listen, and we talk and we listen, but we hesitate to push away from the table and work toward compassionate help and social justice. Opportunities are glaringly in our face every day. Serving the Lord does not simply mean filling a niche in the programs at the Assembly.
Consider Christ's admonitions in Matthew 25 about helping His little ones. Let's get on with fruitful Body Life. Let's open the gate to blessing and revival!
HAVE I SEEN?
Have I seen
Around the corner
Young mother in wheelchair
Pushed by sensitive son
Legs limp and thin
After the accident?
Or at the store,
Frail, neatly coiffed elder
Holding purchases
Mere inches from the eyes
Hiding her blindness?
