We believe God has called us to build a loving, worshipping, learning, evangelistic, and Spirit-filled fellowship here in Burwell.
We invite all those who share that vision to join us.
Each year we seek a bible passage to inspire and guide us as to how we might respond to this call. What should we focus on for the year?
We reflected on what God has been saying to us over the past year and this seemed to fit well with a verse which was suggested to us from Hebrews 12. Hebrews 12:1 – we are going to be kind to those who like to learn it off by heart and focus on – “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”.
We will be exploring the verse in is context in a couple of weeks’ time. For now, I am just going to focus on this short phrase. It fits in with a prophetic word from last year “Never give up, Never, Never, Give up, Never, Never, Never, give up.
Let us – A corporate exhortation. Not an individual pursuit. A choice – not inevitable.
Let us run – clearly a metaphor (thank goodness). In the New Testament, the word “walk” means to conduct one’s daily life. We are called to walk in love or live in love. Christianity was described as The Way. Because of the context, this “running” or way of living, must relate to living out our faith. Running then suggests a degree of eagerness and urgency in the way we live out our life of faith. We are not running away from something, or for the fun of it or for the health benefits, we are running towards something – or more accurately towards someone. As the writer makes clear in the next verse – we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. In the coming months we will explore what we can do to help us in our run.
With Perseverance – Perseverance “is used to describe a quality of steadfastness and endurance, particularly in the face of trials and difficulties. It conveys the idea of remaining faithful and patient under pressure, maintaining one’s faith and hope despite challenges.” (Strongs Lexicon) Our response to God’s unfailing – Hesed covenant love is a marathon not a sprint. A long obedience in the same direction – as Eugene Peterson put it.
Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
The race marked out for us – Not a race in the sense of a competition but the metaphor refers to the rules of a marathon. In 2011 Rob Sloan came third in a marathon. However he was seen catching a bus about 20 miles into the marathon, before jumping off just before the finish. He then hid behind a tree and popped out to run the last bit of the race, to cross the finish line in third place. Another runner, Steve Cairns should have received the bronze medal but Rob pipped him to third place.
I mean if you are going to catch the bus you should at least win the race shouldn’t you?
In 2018 — Almost 250 runners in the Shenzhen Half Marathon were caught cheating when traffic cameras captured them taking shortcuts through bushes.
This is the point of the metaphor. We need to run the actual route God is calling us to run not seek to skip bits or run someone else’s route. Of course, this raises the important questions of what we are called to persevere with and when we should see the new thing God is doing.
We will explore this during the year but for the vision service I just want to briefly apply that one word – perseverance.
Loving
We need to keep on loving even when things are difficult. We will need to clearly understand the difference between godly love and being manipulated or being driven by our guilt.
Worshipping
We have intentionally been learning worship songs which are about persevering in worship even in hard times. Worship isn’t just singing of course but it is good to have songs which encourage us to endure.
Learning
We are planning sermon series on Hebrews 12 and Acts – continued
We have invited Jews for Jesus to lead a Passover meal – April 10
We will have a visit from Baptist Union President – Stephen Finnemore – March 25
We will persevere in studying and applying scripture.
Evangelistic
Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
We will continue to encourage you in your witness and offer opportunities for invitation.
Consider sharing the online service.
Further afield we continue to support: CSW, Asia Link, YFC, Home Mission, AIM, GenR8, Stand by Me, YWAM, Mercy Ships and BMS. Thank you to all our mission reps. This year we will have a visit from Jim Gourlay from Asia Link.
Spirit-filled
We help to build a spirit-filled church by being spirit-filled individuals. I can’t make you more spirit-filled. All we can do is invite Holy Spirit to fill us, then use the gifts which He brings. Prayer ministry. To remove all barriers to the Spirit filling us and flowing out through us.
It is the Spirit who gives us the ability to endure by faith. The Holy Spirit gives believers a new heart and a steadfast spirit, He is the great encourager, He helps us in our weakness, He reminds believers of Jesus’ words, He give spiritual insight,He intercedes for us, He helps us to know God as our Father. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Response
I still believe God has called us to build a loving, worshipping, learning, evangelistic, and Spirit-filled fellowship here in Burwell.
I still believe that God has promised to bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.
I still believe that God has promised we will be a beacon.
Will you join us in that task this year by …
Join us in worship, become a member, come to the prayer meeting, ask to join the Congregation Group on Facebook, or our WhatsApp group, subscribe to and share our Youtube services on Facebook, volunteer to serve, persevere in what you are doing already, by not growing weary of doing good.