3 Bridges; 6 Values

On By Gil

John 15 v 9-27. 3 Bridges; 6 Values

I was very impressed with this photo Veronica took a few weeks ago of our three bridges… and Jesus gives us three bridges we need to cross, three relationships we need to develop.

First, the Bridge of Dwelling. We make much, in Gospel-preaching Churches of letting Jesus into our hearts. But we forget that we are in Christ. He calls us to remain (NIV) or abide in Him. The word means to stay, to live somewhere, to rest. Jesus says “rest in me. Rest in my love”. He has let us into His heart!

His love is amazing!

  • He loves us like his father loves him.  Affirming us. Pleased with us. Trusting us. Speaking to us…  
  • He loves us with a love that lays down its life for its friend. With a love that call us friends.
  • He loves us with a love that chooses us and appoints us (v. 16) He wasn’t drawn to us, nor were we drawn to him, because of anything special about us. He took the initiative.

By God’s grace, Jesus has made the bridge – his love is the bridge – between us and God. From studying Hebrews we know that he is our High Priest. He is the “go-between” between us and God. The Latin word for priest is “Pontifex” which probably means someone who makes a bridge. Have you begun the journey, by putting your trust in Jesus as Saviour?

As believers, we are called daily to “Dwell” in Christ’s love. “Remain”. Dwell means to take up residence. It means to be at rest. When we dwell in his love, we find

  • Joy is complete. Jesus’ joy springs up from his obedience to the father. Obedience to His commands – the condition to resting – isn’t a burden: it’s a source of joy.
  • Friendship leads to knowledge. Jesus calls us friends not slaves! A key difference is that the slave doesn’t know the master’s business: she does what she is told. Friends share what they  know.  Today, we may want to ask “What on earth is God up to?” And then, “What do I do with my life, my opportunities and challenges?” “What should our Church be doing?” In the Church which is the Body of Christ, Vision & Values can only come from one source: from Jesus who is the Head of the Body. And they can only come through activity: resting, dwelling, with the Head.
  • Fruitfulness happens. Primarily, the lasting fruit of other people coming into God’s kingdom too. Fruitfulness is the result of resting in Jesus love, and is connected with believing prayer and the power of the Spirit.

So we are called to cross the bridge of “Resting” daily, to developing a relationship with Him. He’s the Source of the Spirit, the Gateway to guidance, the Focus of fellowship and the Motive for mission.

Secondly, the bridge of fellowship. The bridge into relationships with one another that are defined by our relationship with Jesus. John 13. 34 “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It’s not optional. It’s a command. His command. His one new command. Archbishop William Temple comments that “Love & obedience are linked.”   His love, pure grace, calls us to friendship with him: intimate abiding in Christ’s love. That relationship is sustained by obedience… keeping his commandment… to love one another… Jesus says if we don’t forgive, we forfeit the blessing of God’s forgiveness. In the same way, if we don’t love, we forfeit the blessing of friendship. Or rather, we extinguish it. Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12. 29) and we say “make me Thy fuel, flame of God. It costs to love and to forgive. But if we won’t let God’s fire transform us, we’re putting the fire out.

So we are called to cross the bridge of fellowship into relationships with one another. Have you crossed that bridge?

Thirdly, the bridge of mission. The bridge into relationships with our world, that are defined by our relationship with Jesus. Jesus says “If they hated me, they’ll hate you too!” (v. 18-25) Part of our calling in Christ, what he has chosen us for, is a different relationship with the world. We’re not supposed to go around trying to get ourselves hated, or trying to be as unconnected to the world as we can be. The world didn’t hate Jesus because he was ignorant, bullying and self-obsessed. They hated him despite the fact that he was intelligent, humble, compassionate and generous.

Se we are in the world as Christ’s servants, his representatives. Our relationship with Him is defined as friendship. Our relationship with the world is defined as Christ’s servants. We’re there to do what Jesus wants done. He says “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20. 21) Like Jesus we are to live lovingly for God, in the world, speaking His words and doing his wonders, in the power of the Spirit.

So we are called to cross the bridge into relationships with our world. Have you crossed that bridge recently?

For the next six weeks, we will be looking at six core values for the people of God. Being people who are

  1. Led, shaped and empowered by the Spirit.
  2. Flexible and adventurous
  3. Pastoral.
  4. Relational
  5. Connected with the rest of the Church and
  6. Embedded in our local community.

Each of these values is about our relationship with Jesus, each other , and our world. Each of them involves us crossing these three bridges.

We sometimes say “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it!” These three bridges are right there in front of you, every day of your life. Relationship with Jesus, that defines our relationship with one another and our relationship with our world.

© Gilmour Lilly October 2020

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