galatians

RIGHTEOUS LIVING -V- LEGALISM

Posted on May 30, 2025 by West Oaks Fellowship

If one knows me at all, it’s pretty clear that I’m anti-legalism and that I uphold the concepts of GRACE, as well as living by FAITH, as the true essentials for abundant, successful Christian living.

I’ve held this theological position since I was a very young man in ministry, due to my study of scriptures, godly men that I considered my mentors, and my experiences within the framework of western religion / churchanity, as well as with genuine Christ followers.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Galatians 2:21

For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:21-22

Here’s why I stand so decisively and resolute:

Legalism promotes unbiblical standards, leading individuals to self-ordained, self-recognized convictions, self-authorized permission, as well as personal mandates that may even be imposed on others!
Legalism is performance based, promoting and even authorizing self-righteous attitudes and the ungodly, extremely biased judgment of others!
Legalism creates, and ultimately embraces division!
Legalism downgrades and actually works to devalue Jesus Christ and His preeminence, His righteousness, His victory over sin / death, and His sufficiency for all genuine believers!

These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Colossians 2:23

As our current teaching series, “Complete In Jesus Christ” (Sunday AM and Wednesday PM), is so plainly revealing . . . legalism is a hazardous and treacherous system as the Lord Himself warned in Mark 7:9.

He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.”

Any type of religious legalism, which is appealing to humanity’s fleshly nature, can be quite attractive. However, in it the Lord’s sheep are hurt (spiritually, mentally and emotionally damaged) and manipulated, as the redeeming, life-giving, good news of Christ’s Gospel is veiled, Jesus Christ is marginalized, and human efforts, along with the philosophies of our world with practices birthed in paganism, become exalted

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Colossians 2:8-15

Perhaps, even right now, as you read this article, please stop for a moment, bow before our gracious and glorious Lord, join my life pursuit, making the TRUTH of the following passage a life-long purpose / intent, which you can mentally, emotionally, and spiritually firmly cling to forever!

“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Galatians 2:18-21

How else then shall we live?

His & Yours, Because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

A CHALLENGE FROM PASTOR FRANK

Posted on May 30, 2025 by West Oaks Fellowship

On Tuesday evening we gathered as believers in preparation for the year 2025, reaffirming our commitment to Christ Jesus by participating together in Communion (The Lord’s Supper).

Before the partaking of Communion, the Lord encouraged me to take the opportunity that was available and share a few things that He was stirring my heart with. For those of you that attended the New Years Eve service Tuesday evening, this is simply a reminder of the challenges I shared. For those that weren’t able to make it, here are a few things “the Church” (at large) and our local New Testament Church body, aka West Oaks Fellowship, needs to focus in on immediately, as we say goodbye to 2024 and shift our focus to what lies ahead in 2025 and beyond!

Believers are called to live a life of spiritual awareness (alertness), spiritual fulfillment, and faith because we are made alive (have life, are now living) in and through our Lord and Christ Jesus! As the Lord’s people, we have an open (standing) invitation to live moment by moment, fully embracing these concepts as essentials for successful and productive Christian living.

However, the challenge started with a reminder that our God / Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever from Hebrews 13:8 and Psalm 102:25-28. Therefore, no matter whatever is going on in our lives and / or in our world. . . in good days of celebrating and rejoicing, or difficult ones . . . we must rest in the confident assurance of our Lord’s faithfulness with all our hope fixed solely on HIM! We serve the same Lord, who remains the same in every one of our situations … suffering or in prosperity, strong or weak, meek or bold, doubting or fearless, sad or in joyful celebration!

YOUR LORD IS NOT CHANGING — even though you will be, and according to James 1:17 there is no variation or “shifting shadow” in the framework of His character / nature!

CHALLENGE #1 – Be SPIRITUALLY ALERT (aware) IN 2025!

1 Peter 5:8 reminds every one of Christ’s genuine followers to be of “sober spirit” and to be “on the alert” (spiritually aware). Know this, spiritual awareness is essential according to 1 Corinthians 16:13; believers are not asked, but told / commanded to “be alert” and “stand firm” – acting like grown-ups instead of babies!

CHALLENGE #2 – Be SPIRITUALLY FULFILLED IN 2025!

John 10:10 confirms that Jesus Christ came so that we might have “life” and have life “abundantly!” Spiritual fulfillment is a vital aspect because, according to 1 Corinthians 3:20, our Lord is able to work in and through us, as believers, far more “abundantly” than we even can “ask” or “think!”

CHALLENGE #3 – LIVE BY FAITH IN 2025!

In Galatians 2:20, New Testament Christians are challenged to this perspective and calling. This is not about religious participation, but a responsive life lived in conjunction with Christ’s purposes and goals for each individual believer. Death – the crucifixion of one’s own flesh – opens the door to this exhilarating life of faith! One must forever stop living by sight, or human perspective, and according to 2 Corinthians 5:7, walk by faith in Christ Jesus, His Word, and the Holy Spirit, because as stated in Romans 1:7 and Habakkuk 2:4, the just or “the righteous live by faith!”

Will you accept this challenge? If so, it will positively change you, making you more into the image of Jesus Christ, which will dynamically change our church, making us a stronger and more cohesive body, which will change our community / society, then hopefully our country and our world!

May our hearts unite with many, many generations of faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who have relentlessly decided to follow Jesus … “no turning back, no turning back” … the world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back!”

His & Yours, because of GRACE

(God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

-PF

WHY ADVENT?

Posted on May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 by West Oaks Fellowship

I grew up in a committed Christian home and a bible teaching denominational church where, while Christmas was celebrated wholeheartedly, the concept of ADVENT was never mentioned or considered. (That was also true of other important celebrations like Pentecost and Reformation Day!). These were simply not incorporated into our framework of ministry and were generally left to the more orthodox, ecumenical and liturgical styled churches. After Thanksgiving, the lights came out, every strand checked, and every bad bulb was replaced (our house lights were 100% red). After the lights were up – usually by midday Friday – a tree would be purchased (absolutely nothing fake allowed), then laboriously fully decorated (seemed I always dropped a highly breakable ornament or two). Nonetheless, we weren’t finished until my 1954 Lionel Electric Train & Track set was completely up and running, with track laid out around and beneath the Christmas Tree. Upon completion my dad would then sit at his organ and play a Christmas carol or two and sing with my mom. Then, we were ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

However, as I grew in my understanding of Church history and started abandoning those things from my denominational heritage that weren’t founded on biblical / scriptural foundations, I continually discovered significant elements of genuine Christianity that should have the recognition of all believers and should not have been so easily or readily discarded just because styles of worship were different or due to various (generally numerous) doctrinal distinctions. While many of those doctrinal issues were certainly worthy of theological battles, we’ve all heard about throwing out the baby with the baby’s bath water!

At West Oaks Fellowship, we have attempted to recover, or reinstitute, some of the most meaningful, biblically based, historical celebrations such as ADVENT (coming or arrival), in which genuine believers can find spiritual value and truly rejoice!

As an example, one might consider the question, “Why do we meet on Sunday mornings?” On Sundays (for the early Jewish believers in Jesus Christ it was after the sun went down on the Sabbath day, or what we call Saturday afternoon / evening) the first / early Christians gathered to celebrate Christ’s victorious resurrection! Therefore, since the inception of Christ’s Church, believers have continually met on the day after the Sabbath (Saturday), being Sunday, to rejoice in the conquering power of Christ Jesus over sin and death! In reality, that’s exactly what we are doing every Sunday morning when we gather for spiritual enrichment and fellowship as His church! Obviously, that magnificent, unsurpassed event would have / could have never happened without His first ADVENT (coming)!

Consequently, shouldn’t we also celebrate Christ’s incarnation (our Lord’s embodiment as a human being . . . John 1:14–

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, which in theory, we also do every time we gather in His Holy and highly exalted Name!?

Here are some reasons that ADVENT has become incorporated as a significant aspect of our Christmas worship services (every Sunday In December) at WOF.

The weekly ADVENT themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are all gifts made available to us (as genuine believers) in and through Christ Jesus, along with the indwelling presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit. Each weekly biblical theme works powerfully within, helping us to fully appreciate and properly appropriate these essential and precious elements of a meaningful Christian life – only permanently acquired in / through faith in Jesus Christ!

By participating (fully engaging) in our ADVENT services, one can emotionally, mentally, and spiritually escape / separate from the paganism and materialism that infiltrates the current American Christmas spirit, allowing a sincere and intentional (direct) focus on the Lord as the single most significant entity of this year’s holiday celebrations!

Advent can serve as a reminder that we are not the center of God’s ultimate plan, even though sometimes we think we are what matters the most! Every week of our ADVENT celebration presents a perfect opportunity to refresh one’s perspective! God has a grand plan that is much larger than any of us can possibly grasp or imagine. In the midst of a cultural holiday that tends to have an emphasis on the sentimentality of enjoyment and pleasure, gift-giving / receiving, we can easily drift to an inappropriate mind-set about the reason(s) for Christmas. So, in the midst of a season that works to distract our central focus, Advent reminds us to pan the camera back out on the big picture, a larger scope of a life lived for God’s purpose(s) and glory!

Biblically speaking, ADVENT brings to mind the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy and of course, promises from the scriptures. Here’s what Jesus said in Luke 24:44 in reference to Himself, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

God’s faithfulness is at the very center of ADVENT! God promised and He sent Messiah. This provides confidence and assurance for all of Christ’s followers who are living in the anticipation of His next / second ADVENT!

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:7

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
Matthew 24:42-44

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

While I can’t point to a particular scripture that says to “celebrate” or “participate” in an “ADVENT” celebration, I can provide numerous scriptural reasons why, as believers, we should exuberantly rejoice in Christ’s first coming, as well as on the day of His second! Therefore, please come to church at WOF every Sunday in December with a specific purpose in mind concerning the HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE of ADVENT, and a readiness to find delightful joy in Christ’s first coming!

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

While I may not get all excited and actually decorate for Christmas the way some of you will, my deepest desire is that you will know Christ Jesus in this Christmas season, and throughout the holidays, as your redeeming MESSIAH – worthy of all praise, glory, and honor that will be properly exalted, and His incarnation will be enthusiastically and gratefully celebrated during ADVENT 2024!

So if you are like me, and did not grow up with the tradition of Advent in your family or church, consider the great benefits this blessing will bring to your walk with the Lord this season by joining fellow believers who have personally experienced great benefits by purposefully preparing during Advent for their Christmas gatherings and celebrations.

May our hearts unite with many, many generations of faithful brothers and sister in Christ who have relentlessly declared, with great anticipation (hope), “O come, O come, Emmanuel!”

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

– PF

LAW

Posted on May 29, 2025May 29, 2025 by West Oaks Fellowship

God’s law, as revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures, was never designed to bring about spiritual redemption and / or the salvation of humanity! While some teach that the keeping of the Law was the means and method of salvation before Christ, that concept works to instill much confusion. Therefore, one might legitimately ask, why was the O.T. Law given to God’s people?

First, the Law was designed to identify and expose one’s sin and clearly reveal the true spiritual condition of individuals. Thus, it serves as a comparative test … this is what God says is right, perfect, and desirable, as compared to the reality of one’s own thinking, desires, actions, etc. In essence, a clear, well-lit mirror that accurately reflects and reveals the exact image that is presented before it! Therefore, God’s law revealed the defects and shortcomings of a person’s life / character. The effect was to be as if one is driving down the highway at an accelerated speed and sees a patrol officer. Immediately the foot is lifted from the gas pedal and the vehicle slows to an appropriate / legal speed. That’s exactly what was intended to happen in the life of God’s people … when they recognized the Lord’s criteria, they adjusted their behavior, thoughts, etc. into compliance with the things of God (holiness, righteousness, justice, etc.).

Second, the Law was presented to the nation of God’s people (the 12 original tribes of Israel) to regulate their society. It was introduced when the Israelites sinned in the wilderness by worshiping the golden calf. The Lord God always wanted human beings to live by His guidance and leading. But those escaping their demise in Egypt were unwilling. As a result, God gave them a set of rules and regulations by which they would / should be governed. Every nation has laws, designating some behaviors as “legal’ and some as “illegal.” Generally speaking, illegal actions were / are accompanied by some form of judicial style punishment to offer recompense to the society or individuals damaged as a result of the Law being violated. As in the illustration stated above, those that refuse to slow down in obedience / agreement with the law are stopped, issued a ticket and compelled / mandated to pay a fine as a result of their failure to abide by the Law.

Third, by the keeping of God’s law, and through the abundant blessings of the Lord’s provisions, the nation was to be unique among all people groups in the world, and their testimony of the one true God would compel others to desire, know, and serve Him.

The Law, all 613 commands (mitzvot in Hebrew) extracted from the Old Testament, was aimed / pointed at humanity’s inability to conform and obey, bringing them to a place where they could recognize the weakness of their own flesh, their inability to live righteously 24/7, and their need for a faith-based relationship with a force and power greater than themselves and their own spiritual strength and abilities.

“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4

We must now inquire of the New Testament to gain a fuller, more complete revelation / understanding!

What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
Romans 7:7

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Galatians 3:10-11

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:21-22

God never intended for the Old Testament Law to be the universal law for all people, for all of time, by which one could gain / obtain a position of righteousness through the forgiveness / removal of sin!

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4

Sometimes we, as New Testament believers, get confused by the biblical use of the word “law.” Romans 6:14 declares to all of us … “You are not under law but under grace” … which means we are not burdened by the law as one’s source for earning, gaining, or acquiring forgiveness of sin, salvation, righteousness, and a place in eternity with Christ Jesus.

What if righteousness could come through Law? If righteousness is available through the Law, then Christ became human, suffered, and died needlessly (without purpose / cause … for nothing)!

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Galatians 2:21

Therefore, let us rejoice … my failure and inability to live by the tenants of the Law and upholding every portion of it, has resulted in a God-designed and orchestrated path of forgiveness, salvation, and righteousness, as well as an eternity with the Lord that I could have never acquired or attained on my own!

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Have you received and accepted the gift of God? It’s time to decide which path you’ll choose!

His & Yours, only because of G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

Pastor Frank

FREEDOM / LIBERTY / INDEPENDENCE

Posted on October 6, 2023October 6, 2023 by West Oaks Fellowship

Over the past 38 years, as the pastor of our church / ministry, I have taught numerous messages and various series on the topics of Freedom, Liberty, Independence, etc. In addition, I’ve frequently written articles (16), dating back to 2004, for our monthly newsletter, “Fusion,” on similar themes / subjects. Here are the links to some of those articles:

Today, rather than addressing these concepts from a social, cultural, or political perspective, I’ll discuss the most significant and important aspects of Freedom / Liberty / Independence.

In our current, ever-expanding pagan / secular philosophy, individuals are eagerly embracing liberty, and defining it as “absolute freedom” … insisting they have the right to (or can) live however (in any way) they may choose / desire! This lifestyle of no restraints is based upon a self-defined independence or concept of freedom that ultimately justifies anything and everything (whatever) one may or may not choose to do, resulting in a world without restrictions / limitations of any kind. At the outset, this may sound quite attractive or desirable; however, in such a society or culture, both adults and children will inevitably have great difficulty distinguishing / determining / discerning right from wrong and / or good from evil.

It’s often forgotten that genuine freedom, as well as true liberty, are impossible without Truth, and are unequivocally connected to human responsibility (see Luke 12:48). Therefore, as believers in Jesus Christ, we must be very careful — properly defining Christian Freedom, as well as Christian Liberty, while cautiously exercising and implementing these values correctly / appropriately in our lives.

OUR LIBERTY AND FREEDOM COMES ONLY FROM / THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!

“It was for freedom (or liberty) (Greek – eleutheria; independence from bondage) that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) Obviously, the scripture is addressing a realm of freedom distinct from that of political or societal liberty. In fact, this freedom is not granting believers the right to live however they want, say whatever they want, and / or do whatever they want, whenever they want! This step of independence is from the dominating control and entrapments of legalistic, enslaving religious systems that falsely attempt to persuade individuals to seek eternal life and / or righteousness (right standing before a deity) based upon their own deeds and actions. That form of bondage is present in nearly all world religions because one’s eternal destiny is based upon achievements that are good according to a particular belief system or what’s deemed as worthy / righteous within a certain / particular culture.

In Christ, by genuine faith in Him alone, one undeservedly is granted deliverance (the action of being rescued or set free – liberated or released) from the curse that God’s Law pronounces upon all sinners who are striving unsuccessfully to make themselves good enough for a spot in heaven eternally. Galatians 3:10-14 states, “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.’ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.’ However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, ‘HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE’ — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED (made righteous) BY THE LAW!

Romans 8:1-5

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

NOTE: “What the law could not do . . . God did”

HOW: By “sending His own Son”

Galatians 3:22

“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

ONE WAY — JESUS!

Galatians 4:4

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Those that Christ has set free are in fact “free indeed” (see John 8:36) … we are now free to live as the sons and daughters of the “ALMIGHTY.” (see 2 Corinthians 6:18) Now just think about that and its implications for one’s life right now and forever!

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

Pastor Frank

RESTRAINER

Posted on February 17, 2023 by West Oaks Fellowship

There are two programs at work in our world today: God’s program of salvation by grace through faith, and Satan’s program of sin, corruption and iniquity, “the mystery of lawlessness / iniquity.” (2Thessalonians 2:7) God has a timetable for His program in the world, and nothing Satan does can change His agenda / outline / plan. Just as there was a “fullness of the time” for the 1^st coming of Christ (See Galatians 4:4), so there is a time for the appearance of Antichrist. Therefore, nothing will be off schedule (that is according to God’s purposes / plans)! Once the restraining ministry of God’s Holy Spirit has ended, the next event in God’s design is set up to take place and will move forward accordingly.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul appeals for the believers to calm down (“not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed”) on the basis of the truth he had already taught them in his first letter. That being that the Lord would return and catch up His own to meet Him in the air according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Once Christ’s Church is taken out of the world, Satan and his forces will be theoretically unrestrained by those living righteously, and the program / plan can be unfolded without resistant / resistance. (As a example, just think of where the LGBT would be today in our world today … or abortion in the USA … without any stand for what is right!)

“The Day of the Lord,” as declared in this text (verse 7), is the period that immediately follows the snatching away / catching up (from Latin – the rapture) of the church. At that point, a time of Tribulation occurs for all those individuals remaining on the earth (Jew and Gentile alike). Satan and all his hosts will go to work head on, while at the same time, the Lord God Almighty will send His righteous judgments from heaven upon the earth (nations and individuals) as revealed in Revelation 6-19.

So, one must ask why is Satan unable to reveal his “man of lawlessness” – “son of destruction” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 on a quicker / sooner timetable? God is currently restraining the forces of evil in the world and Satan cannot do whatever he wants, whenever he pleases. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, Paul mentions the restraining force that’s at work today in our world, and is continually keeping everything according to God’s perfectly orchestrated program / design for the end times.

With that as the proper background, we ask who, or what, is this restrainer? Paul told those in Thessalonica that the “restrainer” is now at work in our world and will continue to work until it or he is “taken out of the way” (literally in the Greek text … “removed from the midst”). The Wuest Expanded New Testament reads, “Only He [the Holy Spirit] who is holding [the lawlessness] down, [will do so] until He goes out from the midst [of humanity].” BEAUTIFULLY STATED!

In 2 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul referred to this restrainer in the neuter gender, but in verse 7, uses the masculine gender. Therefore, the restrainer is a person who is today “in the midst,” but will one day be “taken out of the way / midst.” Many identify this restrainer as God’s Holy Spirit, Who is certainly currently “in the midst” of God’s on-going program in our world today. He is at work, in and through Christ’s Church, laboring steadfastly to accomplish God’s purposes. When the Church is snatched away (raptured), God’s Holy Spirit will not be taken out of the world (otherwise nobody could be saved, which requires genuine conviction … John 16:8-11 … during the Tribulation), but He will be taken out of the midst, allowing Satan and his forces to move and work without restraint. God’s Holy Spirit will most certainly be present on the earth at this point, but He will not be restraining the forces of evil though Christ’s Church (genuine believers) as He is today.

In spite of its weakness, current condition, and seeming failure, we should never, ever underestimate the importance of the Christ’s Church in this world. We, as God’s people, living in this world, continually give unsaved people an opportunity to be saved and discipled. This presence delays the coming of judgment until the proper time. Apparently, according to the biblical text, Paul had already told those in the Thessalonian church who and / or what the restrainer is according to 2 Thessalonians 2:5, but the Lord didn’t consider that a necessity for the scriptures as they were being written under His inspiration.

Remember, Lot? He was not necessarily a dedicated man of devotion to God, but his very presence in Sodom held back the wrath of God (Genesis 19:12-29). Answer … Biblically speaking, the “restrainer” appears to be the working of God’s Holy Spirit in and through Christ Church until we are removed / snatched away / raptured.

His & Yours, PF

GOSPEL

Posted on June 13, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

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

REDEMPTION

Posted on May 10, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

The idea of redemption originates in the Old Testament, and is initially used when money is paid to buy back property (Leviticus 25:25-28; Ruth 4:4-6) or something which must be protected or rescued. (Numbers 3:44-51; Nehemiah 5:6-13) As the term “redemption” is repeatedly employed throughout the scriptures, it becomes a common term referencing any form or type of deliverance. God, by example, is the “Redeemer” of Israel . . . their “Deliverer.” Deuteronomy 9:26 reveals this perspective:

I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

In addition, consider the point-of-view revealed in II Samuel 7:23-24:

And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God. (also see Isaiah 52:3-6)

Ultimately, the concept of “deliverance” includes liberation from any/all forms of evil such as national misfortune (Isaiah 52:9; 63:9; compare Luke 2:36-38), plagues (Psalm 78:35, 52), and calamity of any sort (Genesis 48:16; Numbers 25:4-9). However, in general, the relationship of Israel and/with God included His claim to them (Deuteronomy 15:15), as well as an obligation to them as seen in the Psalmist’s declaration (25:22):

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. (also see I Chronicles 17:21)

Without a doubt, Israel belonged to Him; therefore in the original, truest sense of “redemption,” He moved and worked in/with Israel as their legitimate (rightful, perhaps even somewhat legally obliged) “Redeemer.”

In the New Testament, the Greek word “apolutrosis,” translated “redemption” and/or “deliverance,” encompasses the idea of ransom.

All humanity is held under the curse:

of the law according to Galatians 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”;
of sin itself according to Romans 7:23, where Paul views himself as a “prisoner” to sin;
of death as a result of sin in Romans 6:23. In this context, and proper biblical application, the person who purchases one’s freedom or deliverance by paying a ransom is considered the/their “redeemer.”

It’s in this light that believers see Christ, the One Who purchased our freedom/deliverance by offering Himself as the entire/full payment/ransom for one’s sin. Ephesians 1:7-8 provides foundation for this perspective by declaring:

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.

In I Peter 1:18, one sees the incomparable value of Christ’s work and deliverance:

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

As Easter 2011 approaches, perhaps a clear focus on Jesus Christ as your individual “deliverer” or “redeemer” will enhance the spiritual meaning/purpose of this season and stimulate participation. What no one else could do, Christ did for you! May we never forget the redeeming truth of Romans 8:3-4:

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

This “deliverance” wasn’t because any of us deserved it, but because Christ owns us, and He faithfully assumed the role as our “redeemer,” offering “redemption” to His most highly valued creation (those created in His own image/likeness and whom He loves – according to John 3:16-17), humanity! What a great privilege, what honor and blessing has been bestowed upon us . . . we do not have a human “redeemer” paying a ransom, but the Lord Himself fully satisfying the entire demand – permanently and eternally conquering the curse of law, sin, and death! Hallelujah!

Now, what shall we say to this redemption? How shall we respond to this humanly incomprehensible deliverance and selfless demonstration? Is there anything that compares to this rescue? If the answer is no, then please don’t view Easter as simply another holiday where you work-in some time off, visit relatives, play golf, and gather for a nice meal. No – we must not! In fact, as true believers, how can we settle into such a ridiculous gesture and call it Easter?

I’m not saying a family celebration is inappropriate, especially if that gathering is focused on the events of our Lord’s redemption (His suffering, atoning death, and victorious resurrection); however, the only fitting and suitable spiritual response for each true believer is participation in a gathering of God’s people where praise and worship is distinctly and uniquely presented to Jesus Christ our Lord in view of REDEMPTION!

As your pastor, the one who is required to protect, watch over, and feed Christ’s flock (I Peter 5:1-3), face judgment for all the activities and teachings in our fellowship (James 3:1, I Corinthians 3:10-15), and give an account for your souls (Hebrews 13:17), I assure you that WOF’s focus for this year’s Good Friday Communion (Lord’s Supper) and Easter (Resurrection Celebration) will remain steadfast and exclusively fixed upon Jesus Christ and the gracious redemption/deliverance He alone brings to humanity. However, what will you say – what will you do – what will you offer – in light (illumination and radiance) of such a great deliverance/redemption?

— Pastor Frank

TRUTH & LIBERTY

Posted on April 29, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Every year, as July 4th approaches, my heart and my mind turn to the ideals and concepts of social/political freedom as well as those at the root of a believers’ spiritual liberty. While these freedoms are not the same, they are birthed from the same underpinnings, and in fact, social and/or political freedom cannot thrive, or ultimately even survive, without God’s people faithfully living in and experiencing individual spiritual liberty! While some would disagree with that statement, the reality is undeniable … True liberty rests upon the laurels of God’s absolute truth and Christ’s gospel of grace and redemption.

In John 8, one finds Jews that don’t even recognize the bondage they are experiencing, both politically and spiritually. A lack of, shortage of, or denial of truth has resulted in their blindness in both realms. In John 8:31-32, Jesus states:

If you continue in My word, (then) you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

Their response to His words in John 8:33 are incredibly revealing:

We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?

At that exact moment, their nation was controlled by the Romans! They hadn’t experienced any social/political liberty in hundreds of years and each of them was individually under the spiritual bondage of religion as well to the law of sin and death. Inevitably, the absence of God’s absolute truth breeds contempt for truth itself. Perhaps we all need to be reminded of Christ’s prayer for His followers/disciples/us in John 17:17:

Sanctify them (set them apart from the things of this fleshly/sinful world for a sacred/spiritual use … unto the things that are holy/of God) by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

Genuine liberty works in an unusual manner. It liberates one from someone or some condition of bondage and offers (liberates one to/unto) new opportunity. You may recall how Moses initially served the Lord by demanding of Pharaoh liberty for God’s people from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. Eventually, they were set free and the Lord offered tremendous liberty, allowing them the opportunity and privilege of following and serving the one true God. Their initial freedom brought a separation from Egypt and all the things of that land and the life they previously lived.

In addition, their liberty uniquely set them apart (sanctified) to be/become God’s people. In John 8, Jesus offered those present liberty from their condition of bondage in much the same manner. Nonetheless, they were so blinded by years of truth drought, that they were unable to even recognize their own spiritual, as well as social/political bondage.

As truth decreases, bondage increases. Ultimately it takes hold of an individual or even a whole society and enslaves him/her/it. At that point, a blindness starts to occur and the truth becomes harder and harder to identify. Simply put, most people would hold that 1+1=2. Is that the truth? In George Orwell’s book/film, “1984,” 2+2 no longer equals 4 … instead, according to the “Party” … 5. Who has/holds the power or right to control truth? In “1984” the “Party” determines truth and tells every citizen what they believe. Therefore, without any absolute, 2+2=5. That’s bondage, but this slavery is not necessarily recognized for what it is! As long as the “Party” continues perpetuating the lies, the people are kept in slavery.

However, according to Jesus Christ, if one continues in His Word, one will know TRUTH and that TRUTH will bring freedom/liberty. The society in “1984” was forever bound-up in darkness until 2+2=4. At that point other freedoms follow — once people know the truth, they are at liberty to leave bondage and free to pursue something else like God’s eternal, immutable truth that will ultimately offer spiritual, as well as social/political liberty. However, if the there is no sincere and diligent quest for/of truth, another form of bondage will encroach.

Galatians 5:1 — It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

I say all this because difficult times are ahead according to the truth …

II Timothy 4:3-4 — For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

I Timothy 4:1-2 — But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.

Now concerning truth, its absence or presence … concerning spiritual liberty, it’s absence or presence, and without too big of a stretch Christ words in Matthew 6:22-23 might be applied to social/political freedom, its absence or presence as well:

The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness?

Therefore, this is my prayer, please Lord, nothing but truth, light, grace, peace, hope, liberty, and freedom for all who know you, Christ Jesus, as their source of life and godliness! — Pastor Frank

BELIEVE

Posted on April 29, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

In Acts 16 one finds Paul and Silas ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the community of Thyatira. However, they have been tossed into jail by local magistrates for disrupting some of the town’s commerce when they cast a demon out of a female fortune-teller who was hindering them. According to the biblical text (Acts 16:24) they were placed in the inner prison and their feet were secured in stocks.

Then around midnight (Acts 16:25), while they were praying and singing praises, a great earthquake causes the foundation of the prison to shake (Acts 16:26) and amazingly all doors are opened and everyone’s shackles are unfastened. Needless to say, at that point it’s only logical that all the prisoners would have escaped, but not in this case, instead they all stay, which ultimately saves the life of the jailer (Acts 16:27). Acts 16:28-30 reveals what happened next:

But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!’ And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Isn’t it incredible how the Lord literally moves heaven and earth to bring one soul … one family, into His Kingdom! Notice their clear answer to the jailer’s question in Acts 16:31:

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.

The directive is, “Believe in the Lord Jesus” … it’s simple and to the point, only requiring a genuine belief/faith in one thing/person, Jesus Christ! There are no, ZERO, conditions attached!

The Greek word for “believe” used in this passage, “pisteuo” (pronounced – pist-yoo’-o), means to fully commit, put in trust with, to have faith in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing. By implication, in this case, it means to fully (whole-heartedly) entrust one’s spiritual well-being to Christ!

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” — Romans 10:6-13

Ever since SALVATION IN CHRIST ALONE came into view, humans have attempted to add something of individual merit to the process without understanding that this approach takes away from the completed work of Jesus Christ. This methodology actually denies the teaching of Christ Himself, the apostles, Christ’s early church, and the revelation of Scripture! In Acts 15:11, after a hearty debate concerning salvation and the part that the “Law of Moses” should play in the conversion of Jews and non-Jews/Gentiles, our early church leaders boldly declared:

We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.

However, here is the persisting problem — salvation doesn’t come by simply stating, “I believe Jesus.” James reminds us that one does well to believe, but according to 2:19 … “the demons also believe, and shudder.” Genuine salvation is placing your full faith/trust in Jesus Christ. When that occurs, a process of spiritual transformation begins which makes one’s belief and/or faith in Jesus Christ absolutely and undeniably evident. According to James 2:18-20 the works of one’s living faith becomes obviously apparent (dynamically observable)! I John 5:1-10 speaks of such undeniable proof … true believers love God, love other believers, follow the Lord’s commandments, overcome the world (its philosophies, lies and fleshly passions), and possess an inner testimony of our Lord’s work that ultimately shines forth from within the heart and soul of Christ’s faithful.

As one looks further into this matter of believing, genuine salvation, and understanding who is a true believer, Hebrews 12:4-11 cannot be ignored. Our Lord is faithful to discipline those He loves for their own benefit (eventual blessing), as well as in accordance with His definitive and decisive plan/purpose. Unquestionably, if one isn’t receiving discipline, then no relationship exists according to Hebrews 12:7:

For what son (child/heir) is there whom his father does not discipline?

Certainly other spiritual qualities confirm one’s position in Christ such as the indwelling presence and abiding power of God’s Holy Spirit in causing believers to bear fruit (John 15:1-11), equipping them with spiritual gifts for service in His Body (Romans 12:3-8), providing supernatural manifestations (I Corinthians 12:7-11), and the substantiating Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

Please hear the essential, indispensable questions: Are these qualities/traits yours and are they ever increasing as you live a life of faith (trusting and relying/believing in/on Jesus Christ)? (II Peter 3:4-11) As the Lord’s people, are we laying aside every encumbrance, the sin that so easily entangles us and running with endurance the race He has set before us with our eyes fixed upon Jesus? (Hebrews 12:1-2) If not, isn’t it time to truly, (full-heartedly) believe? Call upon the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ and experience His abundant mercy and grace, then the transformation will begin and you’ll never wonder again if you’re truly saved because the evidence will be apparent, noticeable by you and others as well!

Just do it!

His & Yours,

Pastor Frank

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
— Titus 3:3-7