Author: West Oaks Fellowship

NEW

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

There are two primary Greek words for “new” that appear in the New Testament – καινός  kainos and neos.

Kainos is translated into English as “new,” meaning recent, something recently crafted/made, or something one has not had before (a vehicle may be new to you, but not new in age). Thus, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” In Christ’s ministry, His statement in John 13:34-35 provides the perfect example, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The idea of a commandment wasn’t “new” to the Hebrews, but this one certainly was … “new”… according to Christ Jesus Himself!

Neos, which is also translated into English as “new,” means something is fresh, young, or youthful (an individual might get a fresh / new start), perhaps figuratively, something regenerated. 1 Peter 5:5 offers an excellent example, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” The factual declaration of our Lord, which holds significant spiritual implications, flawlessly demonstrates the meaning of neos in Luke 5:37-38. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”

In Old Testament Hebrew, we find similar meanings for something fresh, new, or in some cases repair, rebuild, renew or make anew.  Isaiah 43:18-19 is a beautiful prophetic passage for the followers of Messiah in Israel, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

However, perhaps the most meaningful and applicable for each of us in 2023 are the words of God’s song writer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:10-13

Would you consider making this a life verse for you from the Old Testament in 2023? It will change you from the inside out, and give you a better view of your life, as well as your perspective concerning others. 

Let’s do this! -Pastor Frank     

December 26, 1972

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It was before dawn. Youth age students, young adults, and a handful of more mature sponsors gathered in the church parking lot with luggage in hand. Everyone was pretty excited – it was the day after Christmas, and most had never been snow skiing! There they were, a large group, anxiously waiting to load up on 2 buses and head out on the church’s first ever Christmas break retreat. 

Youth and young adult summer retreats were common events for this church’s ministry, but this one was super cool – in the lingo of the participating young people, “far out man.”

The luggage was all loaded, the guys all chipped in to help the sponsors, and some final instructions were given. The trip to the New Mexico Ski Retreat would be really long, but that didn’t matter to this enthusiastic group – in fact that was nothing unusual for this youth and student ministry. Everyone then gathered around for a prayer, and the final, eagerly-awaited command, “load up!” was announced.  Of course, the seats in the busses were quickly filled as young men and women jockeyed to sit with friends, those they were dating, and/or those they were interested in going out with. The busses were rolling, right on schedule – perfect!   

Some slept, many played games, youthful pranks were in abundance, others just talked, sang, and laughed. A joyful spirit prevailed throughout both busses and all the young people had their good behavior turned on which made the journey a delight for the small group of sponsors (2 or 3 on each bus).

Fuel stops were planned to allow for the necessary restroom breaks as the busses rolled toward Lubbock, Texas to pick up the church’s youth pastor, who had been spending Christmas with his family. This adjustment didn’t really make the journey any longer, but did modify the route which was adjusted to travel through Clovis and Ft. Sumner, New Mexico on Highway 60 on the way to the Ski Retreat.

After lunch, things kind of mellowed out with lots of retreat participants napping, yet some still sharing and laughing.  After all, west Texas highways can seem be to be incredibly long and somewhat boring!  

Supper was exhilarating, everyone sensed that the long bus ride would soon be over. As young people loaded up for the final segment, singing was in the air accompanied by much joyful loudness. What was formerly bus 1 now became bus 2. The sunset was beautiful as the busses traveled west, and as darkness set in, the outside temperature quickly dropped into the mid -20s. 

About 45 minutes out from Clovis, as bus 2 was singing “Lean On Me,” the driver of bus 1 (now) suddenly noticed in his rearview side mirrors that the headlights of bus 2 had disappeared. He stopped so he and the youth pastor could see if there was some sort of problem.

An east bound, loaded cattle truck had lost control of his vehicle trying to avoid having an accident on the 19’9” wide bridge where bus 2 and his 18-wheeler would have difficulty passing. The largest loss-of-life vehicle accident (at that time) in the USA had just occurred. 19 were dead, everyone on bus 2 was injured, and diesel fuel was covering the site of the accident. Those severely injured were taken to a hospital in Clovis (45 miles away), those with minor injuries to a clinic in Ft. Sumner (15 miles away). This was before cell phones – ambulances and emergency responders had to be notified … it was the day after Christmas and they were all a long way out. Those traveling along the highway, which was totally blocked by the wreckage on the bridge, assisted in whatever way they could. With broken fingers, hands, and wrists, I was taken to the hospital in the back of a pick-up truck with a little camper cover. My mom and dad, Jerry (41) and Gloria (42), volunteer youth workers, both died at the scene along with many of my friends (including a former girlfriend plus a guy from my Jesus band, Sonburst).

Acts 17:28 – In Him we live and move and exist (have our being).

Romans 14:8 – If we live, we live for the Lord, if we die, we die for the Lord, therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Psalm 31:15 – My times are in Your hands (Psalm 139:16)

On December 26, 2022, Brenda (who was in the other bus along with my closest friends) and I are hosting a 50 YearAnniversary Memorial Service and Monument Dedication at site of the accident (on the bridge) in New Mexico.  We could sure use your prayers.   

Thanks, His & Yours, PF  

GRATITUDE

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Consider this … Is it happy people who become grateful, or grateful people who become happy? While happiness is certainly not the ultimate goal or overall objective of one’s Christian life, it does seem to be a prominent issue / desire in the life of many believers.

One of the most important aspects of a growing / maturing man or woman of God, is to learn the significance of gratitude and then value it enough to fully embrace it! 

Then one may question … For what should I be grateful? For what should I express gratitude?  In our society, we tend to eagerly criticize situations we find ourselves in, negative circumstances that might impact our lives, other people, and perhaps even ourselves! This perspective of life works to deconstruct gratitude and erect barriers that prevent one from gratefulness as an everyday attribute for life and godliness.

Once one realizes that good comes to believers through gracious and merciful acts from sources outside of ourselves, then genuine gratitude can be conceived and birthed.

1 Timothy 4:4-5 – For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

2 Corinthians 4:15 – For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks (gratitude) to abound to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 – Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks (the result of being grateful) through Him (Christ Jesus, your Messiah) to God the Father.

Colossians 2:6-7 – Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

The concept of “overflowing with gratitude” is our Lord’s intention for all His people. Believers are created, in Christ, to be people of gratitude, a thankful people, continually celebrating His boundless purposes and incredible handiwork!

Now, if one can find no other reason for a spirit of personal, everyday gratitude, then dwell on this good that comes totally from a source outside of one’s self! 

Hebrews 12:28-29 – Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with  reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

Is your gratitude showing? If not, why not?

Evangelist Billy Graham stated,    

“Everything we have comes from (God’s) hands; even if we worked for it or earned it, He still gave us the ability and the opportunity to do it.” 

Don’t just think about,

His & Yours, Pastor Frank

TOLERANCE

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The word tolerance, while a very popular term in today’s western civilization, only appears twice in the biblical text. Both occurrences are in the New Testament, with Romans 2:4 referring to God’s “kindness and tolerance” towards humanity.  This same Greek word anoché (ἀνοχή) is also translated “forbearance” in some Bibles, and is not a reference to forgiveness, but instead, conveys the idea of delaying due / righteous / fully justified punishment.  God’s pretermission is in view … a willful, intentional delay or temporary disregarding of a matter or issue!

In Ephesians 4:2-3 we are instructed to walk in a manner worthy of our spiritual calling …

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Here, this instruction is clearly relational, as we deal with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Nonetheless, this is not an endorsement of wicked, sinful behavior or the validation of rebellion against the Lord and His sustaining Truth. Believers are never instructed to approve sin as a demonstration of one’s tolerance or forbearance.  However, this is too often expected and / or what is anticipated under the somewhat ambiguous misused and misunderstood cover of “Christian love!” Our intolerant world seeks the approval of their sin under the skewed auspices of tolerance!  We have no such calling.

The main biblical concept of tolerance and forbearance, as found in our New Testament scriptures, conveys the idea of refusing to focus in on the imperfections of a fellow believer.

We must gracefully and patiently allow (tolerate) each individual to build his walk in his own way, helping them out of sinful, destructive patterns through the encouragement of good, wise counsel and the properly explained / illustrated / demonstrated applications of biblical truth.  We too often are frustrated because a brother or sister does not think our way, or do something our way (which actually might be the very best)! Nonetheless, sometimes an individual’s spiritual development is best left to learning from their own mistakes, failures, etc. With this we are called to forebear, demonstrating tolerance in the framework of genuine Christian encouragement, truth, and love (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Colossians 3:12-15 seems to offer a very clear perspective.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

A spirit of fault-finding and /or little inequalities in a look, temperament, style, manners, cultural issues, etc. may quickly neutralize all the good or blessing you can offer a fellow brother or sister.

Over the past 2.5 years, in what I call the ERA of COVID, a broad range of theoretical debates and attitudes regarding public health, political freedom, online worship, the wearing of masks to church gatherings, the devaluing of long-term, meaningful relationships, giving, etc., etc., etc., have stirred up great difficulties for the church and divided individuals.  At West Oaks Fellowship, we have attempted to extend tolerance and forbearance to all – however, that’s a two-way street. Genuinely redeemed humans must decide if it is their responsibility or not to embrace biblical tolerance and forbearance in response to the Truth of God’s Word. Self-restraint should not be necessary if we make sure that personal preferences and personal convictions never infringe upon or threaten the sacred fellowship and shared mission of God’s people / Christ’s Church.

Pray about it.

— PF      

SAME

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The word “same” is very familiar to most of us in English, meaning – identical to something else / another, or not being different comparatively speaking.  However, while this may be the proper understanding for some biblical passages,

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,”

stretches us to grasp a significance that may be overlooked simply because of our English use of the word “same” and our familiar definitions.

In this Greek New Testament text, “same” is a singular, nominative, masculine pronoun referring specifically only to one individual, which in this case is “Jesus Christ!” The word “Christ” is the transliteration of the “Anointed One” which is a direct reference to the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.

While it is theologically true that Jesus Christ has the same character / nature whenever, wherever He abides (“yesterday, today, and forever”), the object of one’s faith cannot be His unchangeableness. He was, and is, always the Savior, the Redeemer, Who alone was able to bring reconciliation between fallen humanity and Holy God. 

Nonetheless, the actual thought of Hebrew’s author is … JESUS (His Name) is the CHRIST (The Messiah / The Anointed One / His Office / Title) yesterday, today and forever. That person was, and is, and will always be, the MESSIAH of both the Old and New Testaments. 

Another way to properly translate this verse might be, Jesus is Messiah, (the same individual) yesterday, today and forever! 

This makes perfect sense due to the fact that the author of Hebrews is writing to document Jesus Christ’s Messiahship as more excellent … being superior to every possible aspect of Judaism, as well as showing His incomparable supremacy to the Hebrew patriarchs, human priests, and even angels!

Vincent’s New Testament Word Studies declares that the King James translation is “slipshod,” because the readers of a careless or sloppy translation may be tempted to reembrace Judaism, ultimately denying Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Then the reader is then pointed to

Hebrews 13:9a, “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.”

Will you take just a moment and consider this Truth? Jesus is “The Christ / The Messiah” … always … irrespective of time, dates, places or anyone’s beliefs, religion, ideas, philosophies, etc.! Therefore, if the MESSIAH IS THE MESSIAH – is He yours?  

His & Yours, Because of GRACE

(God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

Pastor Frank

SIMPLY WORSHIP

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The following was taken from a live presentation by Claire Burkholder on Worship Night, Saturday, July 30 at West Oaks Fellowship

It seems as though it’s easier than ever to take something that was meant to be simple and make it so complicated. See, church isn’t just church anymore. It’s become so focused on perfecting a show just to get people through the door – as if a church is somehow a “better fit” based on its stage production. And, if it isn’t the constant pull of society trying to distort our understanding of our own faith, it becomes “us” that so easily complicate the true purpose of worship.

Christians are being led to believe that worship is an experience made just for them. Nowadays, the true meaning and simplicity of worship is drowning beneath the competition of lights and sound. First thoughts aren’t whether a church’s song choice is biblically sound, it’s whether or not the music is trendy enough. Is it relevant enough? Is it going to give me the experience that I want? When it doesn’t meet such earthly standards, it’s us that are left to linger in our own self-made disappointment … again, as if worship was ever meant to be about us.

It’s not about being able to simply worship God, for many that just isn’t the focus, it’s about how the worship songs make them feel. How lost we have gotten in the true purpose of worship – and the funny thing is, its purpose has always remained the same. It’s us who have made it complicated.

Psalm 34 says,

“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord.”

Psalm 59 declares,

“But as for me, I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; Yes, I will sing joyfully of Your lovingkindness in the morning; For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. To You, O [God] my strength, I will sing praises; For God is my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower], the God who shows me [steadfast] lovingkindness.”

Again and again throughout the Bible, we see this call to praise and glorify the Lord in / through worship. THAT IS THE SIMPLICITY OF WORSHIP! It’s a moment to praise God for all that He is and all that He has done / accomplished. Genuine and authentic worship is not about us, and it has “never” been about us! What an honor it is that believers get to so freely worship our Savior, our King. Such a unique moment to give all that we are, to the Lord, to praise His Name.

Therefore, as a true worshiper, I urge you to give all that you are to the Lord. If that means laying down situations that you’ve been holding onto, resentments that you have, addictions that have a hold on you, then lay them down at His feet so you can simply praise and freely worship the Lord, Jesus Christ.

That’s all it’s about – it’s all about Him and it’s all for Him. So let us go back to the simplicity of worship, pursuing nothing but the Lord.

Blessings, Claire Burkholder

Thank you, sister! As you made this public declaration, Saturday evening my heart / soul was deeply moved as if the Lord was speaking directly to me. Then, I was prompted, actually compelled, to considered these two questions:

  1. “What have we done, is worship at WOF distinct form something our secular world could successfully produce?”
  2. “What have we made worship to be / become in Christ’s New Testament Church at WOF?”   

The ultimate point of true / genuine worship for every believer has to be … ascribing “to the Lord, the Glory due His Name” according to Psalm 29:2 and 1 Chronicles 16:29!  Please, help us Lord.

–PF 

THE KING

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Matthew’s gospel is geared primarily to present Jesus Christ as the King and God’s Son as the Messiah — with the rightful claim (and heir) to King David’s throne.

It all begins in chapter 1 by showing our Lord as the One who should rightfully reign because of the legal Messianic bloodline (See Romans 1:3, John 7:42) — indeed the descendent of David. Then, In chapter 2, the authenticity of His reign was affirmed by the Magi from the east, who, in their own understanding of Old Testament prophecy and through the direction of God’s Spirit, were led to Jerusalem, then Bethlehem in search of the One who had been born, “King of the Jews.” (See Matthew 2:2) This confirmation of the Christ Child as King is a remarkable event – an outstanding occurrence! 

In chapter 3 we have the powerful unrelenting testimony of John the Baptist, the ordained / Holy Spirit-anointed forerunner of the King, declaring, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (See Matthew 3:2)

Matthew chapter 4 presents Messiah, the King, whose power and authority is attested to by His one-on-one conflict with Satan.  The very fact that Jesus Christ overpowered the onslaughts of the enemy, overcoming the kingdom of darkness, was a clear testimony to the fact that He was God’s chosen and anointed King.  For only God’s King could fully resist and incapacitate the ultimate enemy of the Word and the Truth – our King’s Gospel message! 

Matthew 4:10-11

Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Unquestionably Jesus is proven by His power and authority … The King!

Consider chapters 5, 6, and 7 where He teaches and speaks with authority, much different than others (See Matthew 7:28-29, Luke 4:22, Mark 1:22), continuously revealing principles of His kingdom. Just look at the incredible, unsurpassed “Sermon on the Mount!” (See Matthew 5:1-7:27)

Then, in chapters 8 – 10, one finds further credentials of our King with three chapters of miracles which prophetically prove His Kingship as well as His Lordship … even over various laws of nature itself. (See Matthew 8:5-13) Running parallel with these credentials, seemingly in a very strange element, is also a mounting and ascending rejection of Him, His Gospel, and Kingdom message.  The greater the evidence reveals that He is truly the King, the greater the rejection of His message and His kingdom – thus demonstrating the profound blindness of the Hebrew people.

Finally, one turns to chapter 11 where Jesus denounces the sinful nation of Israel for rejecting Him – declaring a severe judgment! (See Matthew 11:20)

Nonetheless, our gracious Lord and King closes chapter 11 with an invitation …

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

(See Matthew 11:28-29)

Incredibly, out of His warning of judgments comes once again the message of grace, an invitation to accept Him. However, in chapter 12 the rejection of King Jesus, His Gospel, His Truth, and His Kingdom reaches its climax, and His pronouncement of judgment also reaches its climax. The final rejection is fully clarified and summed up when they unashamedly accuse Jesus of being Demonic / Satanic (See Matthew 12:23-24). At that point Christ pronounces a detrimental final judgment on the Jewish leaders and says, “You’re beyond the point of being forgiven.” (See Matthew 12:30-32)

Dr. Toussaint, in his commentary on Matthew says, “Not seeing the Messiahship of Jesus in His words and works, they have separated the fruit from the tree.”  It is not necessarily that they denied the King’s miracles, or that they were not fascinated by Christ’s words, as He taught with authority. They were even fully aware of His miraculous power … however, they could never trace the fruit, the works of Jesus, to their logical conclusion. 

They separated them (fruit / works) from the reality of who He was … THE KING who came offering HIS KINGDOM!

Can one have the Kingdom without it’s King?

Undoubtedly, they desired that; however, it was                                                                      not possible without accepting the Kingdom’s King!

Please, never ignore or forget this simple, but profound truth!

His & Yours, PF

GOSPEL

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The Gospel is under serious attack in today’s secularized church.  It’s impossible to properly stress the imperative need of getting the Gospel right … understanding both the person, the message, and the completed / finished work of Jesus Christ. In addition, we must permanently lock-on-to the personal dimension of how we, as individual believers, benefit from the Gospel through the means of GRACE (unmerited/undeserved/unearned favor) combined with genuine FAITH.

Preachers, Pastors, Evangelists, Bible Teachers, etc. say they “preach the gospel” — but if one listens carefully, with a biblical mindset (world view), we may find very little “Gospel” in what’s being presented. The term “Gospel” has become a nickname for preaching almost anything, rather than something with definitive scriptural-based content and objective. The word for “GOSPEL” comes from the Greek word euangelion.  Notice it has the prefix “eu” which is translated into English meaning something “good” or “pleasant”. The Greek word angelos or angelion is translated into English as “message”. Combined, euangelion, basically and simply means a “good message” or “good news”. Matthew 4:23 declares:

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.  

In ancient times, when armies marched out into battle, the people waited anxiously for a report from the battlefield concerning the outcome of the conflict. Once the results were known, a highly skilled / trained marathon runner would dash back and give a report. This is the concept found in Isaiah 52:7 when God’s prophet penned:

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness!

The watchman in the tower would gaze out as far as he could see, hoping to catch a glimpse of the runner.  Eventually he would see the dust flying as the runner approached the city, and an excellent watchman could even tell by the way the runner’s legs were churning whether it was going to be good news or not.  If the runner was struggling, it indicated a grim, forbidding report, but if his legs were flying, with dust kicking up, that meant good news … which is the fundamental concept of the Gospel!

While the term “Gospel” may be used in literature referring to the first 4 books of the New Testament, as previously stated, Gospel means good news. Christ’s forerunner, John the Baptist, boldly proclaimed as good news, “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Putting it simply, nonetheless, the Gospel (good news message) is Jesus Christ!

The announcement of MESSIAH, who He is, and what He accomplished, is the pinnacle, as well as the culmination of GOOD NEWS!  If we share our salvation testimony with others saying, “I became a Christian last year, or I gave my heart to Jesus,” we are certainly and unashamedly bearing witness about Christ, but we are not sharing the Gospel. The gospel is not about us!  The gospel is only about Jesus Christ – all that He accomplished … His sinless life of perfect obedience, His atoning and sacrificial death on the cross, His victorious resurrection from the dead (conquering forever sin and death), His ascension into heaven, and the powerful outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon Christ’s Church on that glorious day of PENTECOST! 

These crucial elements are the objective aspects of the Gospel as presented and reiterated time and time again throughout the New Testament scriptures.  So as believers, will we be determined to stand with the Apostle Paul and the pure good news of Christ’s message, or yield to the influence of another or different gospel? (See Galatians 1:6-8)      

It’s certainly time to consider and verify your position.

His & Yours, Pastor Frank

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,   

“BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Romans 1:16-17

CONTENTMENT

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American cartoonist, Doug Larson once stated:

The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment.

Sad to admit, but this may hold true for those fully embedded in Westernized/Americanized Christianity as well. English Christian apologist, writer, and philosopher, Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874 –1936) who said,

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.

He also made this comment:

True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. It is arduous and it is rare. 

Perhaps one with that understanding and experience can copiously grasp and fully comprehend I Timothy 6:6-8:

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 

These verses demand believers to take notice, evaluate, and practically, as well as philosophically implement.  “With these” … with what? … “we (believers) shall be content!”  

Contextually speaking, one finds this admonition buried in a dissertation from the Apostle Paul to his “son in the faith,” young Pastor Timothy, concerning false teachers in Ephesus. They possessed and demonstrated inflated egos, they understood nothing, stirred up controversies and were teaching false doctrine as well as the theory that becoming a Christian was an ideal step and/or means to financial gain. (See Ephesians 6:3-5)  By using the words “godliness” and “gain,” Paul shifts the concept from erroneous to truthful.  Being godly does not guarantee financial gain; however, godliness in itself is tremendous gain when accompanied or joined together with the spiritual attribute of contentment.

The word contentment, as used in the above-referenced passage, is derived from the Greek word “autarkeia” which means to have satisfaction or competency–the exact opposite meaning of that found in the lyrics of a popular 1965 tune by the Rolling Stones from their “Out Of Our Heads” album.  Is it possible for humanity to find true satisfaction and/or contentment from/through any activity, experience, or possession?  The Stones were obviously convinced, even though that philosophy didn’t seem to stop them from trying to find it through the exact same experiences they so meticulously critiqued. 

Paul’s instruction to Pastor Tim provides encouragement for all faithful followers of Jesus Christ to simply, commendably, and meritoriously “be content” (See I Timothy 6:8)! At  first glance, this appears to be an external (perhaps emotional) expression of “satisfaction” or “contentment.” However, through spiritually-minded philosophical reflection, this radical demand becomes a stalwart admonition for the Lord’s true disciples. 

This instruction works perfectly in conjunction and congruent with Hebrews 13:5-6,

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,’ so that we confidently say, ‘THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.  WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?’ 

In essence, is what one has (in Christ, and as a faithful follower of Christ–recognizing His provision) enough?

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough                                                                                     

— From Enough by Chris Tomlin

Really!  Is one fully satisfied–content in Christ and His provision?  Perhaps one’s life answers more clearly than the words one sings.  Are hearts shaped in such a way that one longs for the things of God, but never finds complete satisfaction and contentment?  

Is Jesus really enough? 

Does one require outside elements (sometimes even selected with great discretion) to be mixed into one’s Christian faith in order to raise contentment and satisfaction levels?  The previously mentioned 60’s rock song declares, “I can’t get no satisfaction.”  How many individuals who call themselves Christians have come to that same conclusion and look for something other than God’s Truth, God’s call, and God’s purposes to fill their lives with meaning and purpose?  These souls often say things like, “Well I tried the religious thing, just didn’t work for me” or “I formerly believed all that stuff, but I’ve moved on … gave it up, etc.”  Obviously, there was an extreme lack of contentment and satisfaction.  Perhaps that was even coupled with some unfulfilled and/or even improper expectations?  Consider Philippians 4:11-13:

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

  Now, there’s some contentment!  In all reality, isn’t the Lord asking all of us to move into a similar position?  However, this all begins by accepting our Lord’s call to godliness, not gain!

Over almost 40 years of ministry, I’ve learned that people who are satisfied and content with the Lord’s provision live freer lives, enjoy what they have, and give much more to the Lord’s work than those who are without contentment.  Why?  Because as they continually surrender to Christ-likeness, they live godly and according to scripture.  That’s an incredible “means to great gain when accompanied by contentment.”     

Perhaps this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations (and even the entire holiday season) should become focused on contentment and satisfaction offered to believers through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Isn’t it time to set aside childish things and grow on up into “contentment?”  Godliness and satisfaction are actually twins!  

Now, don’t just think about it!

–Pastor Frank

JUSTICE

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

This word is tossed around like a hot potato or kicked around like a soccer ball in our modern society.  So misused, so distorted and abused, its meaning is becoming insensately meaningless.  Does anyone really know what’s meant or intended when someone passionately cries out or humbly appeals for “justice?”  Has the whole idea of justice become simply what one thinks or believes is right in a given situation within the framework of certain circumstances? 

It’s interesting to note that in both the Old and New Testaments, the Hebrew and Greek  words for “justice” are generally translated or rendered the same …  “righteousness” in our English Bibles.  While this may not seem important, it is highly significant because spiritually and scripturally speaking these two ideas are essentially the same.  Therefore, one must keep this in mind when reading and/or studying the biblical text, and not insert a modern, human, westernized definition or understanding of either word (which one may tend to do).    

In the Old Testament, a lot of emphasis is placed upon human justice, primarily dealing with one’s conduct in relation to others, especially in regard to the property, privileges, and rights of others. It applied to business — where just weights and measures are demanded (Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Amos 8:5; Proverbs 11:1; 16:11; Ezekiel 45:9-10). It is demanded in courts — where the rights of rich and poor, Israelite and sojourner, are equally to be regarded.  Neither station, nor bribe, nor popular clamor, shall influence judges or witnesses.  In actuality, all of God’s people are instructed . . .

Justice, justice shalt thou follow (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Exodus 23:1-3,6-9). 

This justice is what we, as faithful believers/followers, might call, “righteous living” — as contrasted with the wickedness and evil of those who fail to fear God and/or give due respect to other human beings.  Remember the parable of the “unrighteous judge” in Luke 18:1-8?  Jesus stated that he, “did not fear God and did not respect man” . . . So why was he called an unrighteous judge? 

In a broader sense, justice is not only honoring others by granting them their rights, but may actually involve the duty and/or activity of establishing someone else’s rights.  Remember the problem found in Acts 6:1-6, Christ’s first church meeting in Jerusalem? A specific group of individuals were being overlooked in the fellowship.  It did not matter if that was intentional or unintentional, it simply wasn’t appropriate/right. 

Therefore, justice was needed/demanded, and was promptly and forthrightly established!  Those living righteously were, in an unprecedented manner, able to establish righteousness/justice for all.  Please note, this wasn’t through the establishment of a governmental program or action, but the supreme  execution of a better system . . . righteous people simply doing righteousness, thus justice was established and prevailed!  In addition, consider the outward impact that occurred as His Church successfully resolved (without any outside influence) an internal problem —

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Throughout the scriptures, the idea of seeking justice means to:

  1. “relieve the oppressed”
  2. “aid the fatherless”
  3. “plead for and assist the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:12-13; Isaiah 1:17, 11:4; Jeremiah 22:15-16; Psalms 37:21,26, 82:2-4, 112:4-6).  

However, this conception of justice falls short of its full spiritual denotation and significance. Remember, biblically speaking, the concept of justice and/or righteousness is essentially the same. That idea becomes even more profound and focused within the spiritual, moral, and ethical aspects of a New Testament Christian’s life. It’s a matter of character, not some wishful norm of good human behavior.  For believers, the absolute, prevailing standard is clearly established in 1 John 3:7:

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

A mere give-and-take justice, defined by humans for humans, is not justice at all, and it is consistently never/not enough! The unfailing ideal is righteousness/justice, not simply extra rights or more privileges that somehow are supposed to give the less-advantaged the advantage. Yes, “the folly of fools is foolishness” (Proverbs 14:24) and “The naive inherit foolishness.“ (Proverbs 14:18)  While the ways of humanity may seem right to humanity (see Proverbs 16:2), God clearly reveals that even American justice is supremely deficient and flawed, because those that live justly/righteously are the only ones qualified to identify, establish, and implement true justice!  Think about it –

How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!(Psalms 106:3)

May the just arise from among us, may the righteous step up!

                   — His & Yours, Pastor Frank