BIBLE STUDY FROM JAYNE JONES

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”  John 15:14-16 ESV

Recently, some of us watched a video of Tony Ling delivering a full preach entitled, “He has a name”. It was actually a message he had spoken to us in Chesterfield a while ago and it was a real treat to listen to it, as indeed it was always a treat to listen to Tony. For many of us, hearing him preach is the first thing we think of when we remember this friend of ours - he was such a gifted speaker who delivered the word with humour, warmth and wisdom. He unpacked the Bible in a way that made you want to sit & listen all day, his words and stories were so engaging and just crammed full of God in a way that you always felt you had encountered Him just by listening.

During the video, almost as an aside, Tony mentioned the church where he had come to know God many years before. He talked of the pastor there and how he had a love of the scriptures. Tony describes sitting in the pew, listening to his pastor unfold the scriptures, thinking to himself, “I would like to be able to do that - that’s what I want to do.” God heard the response in Tony’s heart and spoke to him that day, saying, “And so you shall.” There was a joining at that moment of heart and purpose - God already knew His plans for Tony and what his calling would be, but it wasn’t simply imposed upon him. God stirred Tony’s heart and gave him that desire to share the scriptures, so that when it came, the gift God gave him was received by eager and willing hands.

I’m sure there’s quite a story about how this was worked out over time and undoubtedly lots of effort and sacrifices from Tony. I imagine it wasn’t always a straight path, but we do know the outcome - that unpacking the scriptures to others was precisely one of the gifts that God bestowed upon Tony and he invested his years into reading and studying so he could walk in it. The church was certainly enriched as a result.

I wonder how many times this cycle has been repeated, with Christians listening to Tony preach and being encouraged to study the Bible for themselves so that they could pass it on to others. I wonder who it was that Tony’s pastor had listened to years before, who ignited the flame within him. This really made me think about my own life and the people who have inspired me and spurred me on. Those times when something has stirred my heart, there’s been an agreement between me and God when I’ve said to Him, “l really want to be able to do that.”

Who has inspired you and who might you have inspired? Are there desires yet to be fulfilled?

God puts desires in our hearts for a reason. Sometimes we see the fruits straight away, sometimes it takes years, but we know that God is not in the business of abandoning us halfway through. If God has seeded a gift in you that hasn’t blossomed yet, is just small green shoots or has been put on hold, now is a good time to seek Him for the next steps, “so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12 ESV

We know that this is a strange and difficult year but also that many are seeking God for the first time. The gifts which God has bestowed upon you are for purpose and the good of the body. God gave them so you could minister to others and be a part of their story, helping them on their walk as others have helped you on yours. The wonder that God would choose us to partner with Him is indeed something very precious.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:3-6 ESV

Jayne Jones