John Funnell, Abersychan

Which verses would you take with you to the desert island?

Stuck on a desert island with no place to gossip the Gospel and with nobody to impart the love of Christ to, my soul would be in great torment. But trusting in God’s sovereignty I would have to accept my fate and seize the opportunity to ponder the below verses until a big fish comes to swallow me up and spit me back out in the Welsh Valleys.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Any relationship will fail if either party forgoes their responsibility to love and serve the other. Every Christian is bought by the atoning work of Christ, but our relationship with Him will not grow and bear fruit if we remain passive. God used this verse early on to stir my soul to live out my side of the bargain. I could see the Christian life is one of repentance and seeking God's grace to help me deny myself certain thoughts and behaviours that would offend Him who loved me first. Stranded on a desert island, I would be denied so much, I could do no other than pick up my cross and follow Jesus.

"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. Luke 18:41

This verse leaves me in utter awe of our Saviour, it tells us so much of who He is.
The blind man was calling out for his Messiah, but all those gathered, silenced and suppressed him. Jesus, however, stopped and gave the blind man centre stage. Jesus asked a question he already knew the answer to, allowing the weakest person a leading voice among the scoffers.

Our Lord’s question is one of immeasurable compassion, it is an open question that can only be asked with full understanding that you will have to bear the cost for any answer that could be given. Even in such a short discourse we can see the abundance of God’s grace, how can we do anything else but praise and worship Him?

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Stuck on a desert island, the most productive thing you could possibly do is be still and know God. This verse would get me through the lonely periods, as I remember that, wherever I go, I will always have God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with me.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Ministering in the Valleys is tough. Our church has a mixture of durable old saints, young single mums, men who have given up crime and vice under the gospel, refugees, those fighting social services for custody of their children, travellers, many battling with mental health issues, depression, anxiety and sickness. Through these wonderful brothers and sisters, the Lord has opened many doors for our church; and this verse is often spoken under my breath as I witness in the darkest communities.

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18

This verse will give me the peace, in my isolation, the church will grow regardless of my feeble efforts. There is not an atom in the cosmos working against God’s sovereign will and on that spectacular final day, Christ will come for His bride.

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The one who loved us first took on Himself our sin, why should I then so easily add to His burden? This verse will keep me from temptation during my confinement.

So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18

Saul met with Jesus on the Damascus road and was completely broken before His perfection. The challenge Christ presents uncovered Saul’s sin and failures, but it was not until Ananias came to him and showed God’s love in fellowship that the scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Jesus is revealed through those who seek to be obedient to His word and action it out in relationship with others. This is why church is so important.

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Founder of the confessing church, Pastor, Teacher, anti-Nazi dissident, theologian, author and spy. A man of vast intelligence who gave up everything for Christ. He was murdered in Flossenberg concentration camp, aged 39, for high treason weeks before the war’s end. Bonheoffer knew what it was to suffer for Christ, yet he remained strong, spoke out and stuck to the word. Bonheoffer had to ‘do church’ amidst the most extreme hate and I feel his experience could teach us all something as we minister in an ever increasing hostile world.

Which song would you take to the island?

Facing a task unfinished that drives us to our knees,
a need that, undiminished, rebukes our slothful ease,
we who rejoice to know you renew before your throne
the solemn pledge we owe you to go and make you known.

Where other lords beside you hold their unhindered sway,
where forces that defied you defy you still today,
with none to heed their crying for life and love and light,
unnumbered souls are dying and pass into the night.

We bear the torch that flaming fell from the hands of those
who gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus died and rose;
ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours;
fired by the same ambition, to you we yield our pow'rs.

O Father, who sustained them, O Spirit, who inspired,
Saviour, whose love constrained them to toil with zeal untired,
from cowardice defend us, from lethargy awake!
Forth on your errands send us to labour for your sake.

By Frank Houghton