November 2024 Filling Station
We welcomed Pastor Brendan Munro, a Londoner and former journalist who came to faith while reporting on Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. Brendan, now retired, is still preaching and ministering around Britain, particularly on the theme of the Bride getting ready for the return of the Groom.
Brendan’s sermon focused on Revelation 3:20, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Brendan explained that while this verse is often interpreted as Jesus knocking at a non-believer’s heart, it actually depicts Jesus knocking at the door of his church, specifically the Laodicean Church.
He referenced William Holman Hunt’s famous painting “The Light of the World,” which illustrates this verse and became one of history’s most travelled artworks. Brendan emphasised that the Laodicean Church, though materially wealthy, had lost touch with Jesus himself – they were “so wrapped up in the church of the Lord that they had lost touch with the Lord of the church.”
The sermon explored themes from Song of Songs, identifying three hindrances to intimacy with God: low self-esteem, distractions (the “little foxes”), and lethargy/complacency. The solution, he explained, is spending time in the “secret place” with God through prayer and meditation on scripture.
