JOHN 14 (16 - 17)
Yeshua said "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever-
the spirit of TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees Him nor knows Him,
but you know Him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.
The old sandstone church stood proudly in the middle of the town square which had changed little over the years. A newly pasted poster on the notice board warned "IF YOU THINK LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES - WAIT TILL YOU DIE"
Bethany chuckled as she strode purposefully towards the main doors considering that should give folks something to think about. The lobby had been transformed into a small cafe with a fully operational kitchen tucked to one side, discreetly hidden away behind sliding panels during services. The remaining area filled with gingham covered tables and chairs, each having its own small glass vase of freshly cut flowers.
The smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee drifted through the open doors enticing weary shoppers to rest a while before continuing their journey home. The cafe buzzed with chatter to a background of gentle Christian music. Perhaps the real agenda, the fervent hope, that one day customers might pass through the second set of heavy glass doors into the sanctuary and stay for a service or two and perhaps discover their Saviour.
Christine was a volunteer and she loved welcoming customers and waiting on tables, thrilled when she got generous tips which promptly went into the collection box towards the running costs. The menu was comprehensive and heavily subsidizes by the church.
It was a popular Wednesday venue for the remnant. The atmosphere changed by their somewhat noisy debates both secular and political accompanied by fits of laughter, often overheard by nearby tables, appreciated by some and considered downright irreverent by a passing Pharisee.
Two tables had been hurriedly pushed together to accommodate the three couples. Christine approached the group smiling "Hi everyone what can I get you this morning" she enquired.
Lee's eyes glazed over. "Now that's a leading question" he joked. Betty, his wife of forty plus years was not impressed "remember where you are Lee" she reprimanded. "Why, is this place bugged as well" he said his face suggesting mock horror. "This place is always bugged" said Betty "He knows your every thought, word and deed" "Well Betty" said Lee with a pained expression on his face "I was merely going to suggest a new set of dentures or glasses might come in very handy but I'll settle for the hotpot. A loud guffaw proceeded from Philip who rising from the table suggested "NOW ORDERS PLEASE" and with military precision followed Christine back to the serving hatch closely observed by two members of the C.P.C. occupying a nearby table.
Back at the group the conversation moved to holidays. "Booked yours Beth" Lee enquired. "What
holidays" she replied "Its Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Valentines, Mothers Day, Fathers Day,
Grandparents Day and on and on, what chance do we get to save?'
Lee chuckled and started to recite:
"When I was a lad,
It wasn't that bad,
A book off me Dad
and a toy"
"How sad" added Philip returning with a large tray of steaming hotpot. "And did you get your extra £10 off the state at Christmas" he asked Lee. "Certainly did" Lee replied "although precisely what they think that will buy only heaven knows" There then followed a variety of humorous suggestions with the final request that he didn't forget the indigestion tablets and disinfectant, then to a rousing chorus of THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS FOOD - Amen, Amen and Amen they proceeded to attack the hotpot.
At this juncture a rather dishevelled elderly man shuffled in the entrance and observing the menu board clutched at the loose change in his shabby jacket offering the contents to Christine. "I don't think I have enough" he declared. Overhearing the conversation Joel rose from the table and called to the man "Hey mate, put it away, have this on me" There was a slight hint of amusement behind the tired smile. If only they knew who he was and how he had everything he could ever need, but he thanked Joel for his kindness and accepted the nourishing meal.
"That was kind of you Joel" said Bethany. "Well you never know" said Joel "remember that writer Adrian - what's his name" he paused trying to remember, he wrote a book on that very subject, the theme, Jesus had come back to inspect the readiness of His church but those who considered themselves so precious and preferred didn't even recognise him. "Absolutely" agreed Penny. "Here we go" said Philip noticing his wife tended to drift into another space and time.
"Where is it all going to end "moaned Penny "I had a dream the other night, thousands and thousands of creatures crawling out of a hole in the desert, spreading everywhere, covering everything".
"Yeap" laughed Lee "coming to a town near you"
"Well" said Joel "you can bet your life having mucked this country up - our dear leader and his merry men will swan off to some hideaway abroad along with Tony who started the whole sorry mess".
Bethany cautioned "Joel we are supposed to pray for our leaders".
"Yes" said Joel defiantly "I am praying Jesus will come back and whack them with a Rod of Iron and sort it, get my meaning". Amen and Amen followed fits of laughter.
Lee addressing the group commented "has anyone heard the news about the vicar of St. Saviours"
"Not having an attack of chinese whispers are we Lee" enquired Phillip. "Excuse me" said Lee indignantly "They have kicked him out. He didn't want to leave, he has refused to even discuss same sex marriage, its common knowledge" Joel's comment "they are re.writing the bible that lot, heaven help them" followed by Amen and Amen heralded the attention of the two women on the C.P.C. who glared at the rebels.
Penny appeared to drift again "don't they realise they are going to.........." her voice trailed off. "Now then Penny" Philip reprimanded "God's in charge IT IS WRITTEN" "This is scary" said Bethany "there's that bloke SIZER". "Oh for heaven sake" Penny pleaded "don't mention Sizer, Phil goes into a nose dive at the very mention of his name. His blood pressure goes off the scale. I keep telling him he'll finish up at the feet of Jesus and he'll have to explain why he's arrived early and the Lord will say "didn't you trust my Word Phil. I will deal with those who twist scripture"
"I heard a song last week by a young American Christian called Leslie Phillips" said Betty
"It was an old album from way back called The Definitive Collection and I couldn't help thinking how significant and relevant it is today. It was on a track called When the World is new. "NO WONDER PEOPLE TURN AWAY WHEN I GIVE YOU SUCH A BAD NAME." It was time for an Amen, Amen, Amen.
"Do you think this country and America are getting the message" enquired Penny anxiously "tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding" Bethany smiled "according to the t.v. its all caused by "Mother Nature" "Really" said Philip "Its God's judgement and its only going to get worse"
Lee noted the two C.P.C. members were furtively discussing minutes of a recent meeting. "If that lot get their way our vicar will be next out of the door, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the rumours I heard recently were true" he suggested. Bethany sighed "If he goes, I go" Joel whispered "Oh that would please them, you are surely a thorn in their side dear, they lean towards Replacement Theology.
The men chorused "well they won't be leaning on us, we're going underground" "Wasn't it the upper room" joked Bethany. "Don't split hairs dear" said Joel.
The six like minded spirits concluded it was time to leave. "There, we have a mission for the week - go to it men" said Joel and laughing they stepped out into the real world. Philip put a gentle arm around Penny. "Don't worry chucky, Jesus told his followers "FEAR NOT" His plan will unfold for us all.
The small group wandered down the lane to the church car park singing "How great is our God" to the amusement of the locals who probably considered they had had one drink too many in the "Duck & Pheasant" not realising they were full of a very different Spirit.
At this juncture the group decided to meet for fellowship, study and worship on a weekly basis. Penny enquired "but who will lead us" and Philip proclaimed "the only leader we need is the Lord, otherwise we will become like the churches we chose to leave - top heavy with hypocrites and Pharisees focused on position, ambition, celebrity and have you noticed its getting more like a pop concert every week.
Betty, ever practical enquired "but who will be treasurer" Lee joked "anyone want the position of Judas" There were no takers. "We freely give" said Penny. "And we will take turns at providing refreshment"
So the house church was birthed. They agreed the total number of a group would not exceed twelve but should the numbers increase one man would agree to head up another group. "Rather like the real church in China" suggested Penny remembering the book about Christian Brother Yun.
With holy hugs all round and the salutation "Go with God, drive carefully and may the Lord bless you and keep you in His loving care until we meet again" they parted remembering what their Lord had promised.
Matthew 28 20:
and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.
