Tag: joy

WHY ADVENT?

Posted on 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

ADVENT 2023

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As many of you know, I never get over enthusiastic, as some do, about Christmas. Every now and then, someone will actually inquire about why I’m not enamored with beautiful Christmas trees, amazing decorations in or on a house that looks like a Santa Village, the seemingly bubbling excitement of the season, etc. Well, there are actually several reasons, none of which I ever ask anyone else to embrace. In fact, I’m generally supportive of others ideas / practices unless they somehow push the envelope too far attempting to make something spiritual / biblical that’s clearly not!

Here’s my take:

  1. It’s disturbing that the coming of Jesus Christ, His first advent, is culturally, no longer the primary focus of Christmas decor and “holiday” celebrations.
  2. The overall commercialization of the “season” has moved us to a place where the monetization of Christmas works to create enormous amounts of stress and anxiety, literally stealing the joy and peace that should accompany us during these special days.
  3. The disruption of normal spiritual routines, like prayer, reading / studying scripture, Christ-centered fellowship opportunities, and worship service participation has proven to be detrimental in many lives, while justified by, “It’s Christmas!”

In addition, as most of you are aware, Christmas, for me, brings memories of December 26, 1972 when I lost 19 of my friends, including both my parents, and was somewhat severally injured (the doctors claim my hands / fingers are 70% disabled) in The Woodlawn Baptist Church Winter Ski Trip / Retreat Bus Accident.

Nonetheless, I am very enthusiastic and truly delighted about ADVENT. Not its tradition, or the way it may be currently celebrated in various denominations and churches, but about setting aside some time every year in this season to truly rejoice in God’s Gift! The Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that is abundantly offered to all humanity through Messiah, Jesus Christ! There is nothing of greater value and that assuredly inspires worship and ascribing Him the glory due His holy and glorious name!

The word “Advent” means a coming or arrival, and comes from the Latin word “adventus” which is translated from the Greek New Testament word, “parousia” — a reference to our Lord’s next ADVENT / 2nd Coming / return to earth from 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18!

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and  remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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.”

At West Oaks Fellowship, we celebrate ADVENT, recalling the prophecies of the Old Testament and the long-anticipated Messiah that God promised to the descendants of Abraham, His chosen / covenant people.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” 
Isaiah 9:6

We, as believers also recognize that as the Lord’s “new” covenant people (see 2 Corinthians 3:4-6), we too have a promise … an ADVENT, Christ’s 2nd coming, His impending / imminent return.

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:6-11

To me, Christmas is literally CHRIST – MASS (the original word), and when we gather as believers during this season, the Lord, Jesus Christ must be exalted above everything else as the highest and prominent priority!

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:9-11

Hopefully, we can accurately and clearly see through the clutter / distractions of these holidays and focus in on Him as the fulfilment of God’s promise and, as the One promised!

JOY TO THE WORLD — THE LORD HAS COME

JOY TO THE WORLD — HE IS COMING AGAIN!

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

Pastor Frank

GRATEFUL

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward – Christian Inspiration Writer

In our New Testament scriptures, the word “grateful” is not often found; but when employed, it has some very powerful implications for us as believers in Christ Jesus. The compound Greek words eucharisteo and eucharistia, from which the word Eucharist is derived, are translated in English Bibles as meaning gratitude–to be (actively) grateful, to express gratitude and/or thankfulness (towards God or an individual).  It is also used in the sense of an attitude or feeling, particularly as related to acts of worship, expressions, statements, prayers of thanksgiving, and can even be connected to the idea of saying grace before a meal.

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.  

Colossians 2:6-7

Here we find a thought-provoking concept.  Since no limitation is ever set on the undertakings and transforming work of God’s Holy Spirit in one’s soul, or maximum capacity established on one’s spiritual growth and development in the true knowledge, love, and image of God, those who are brought into such a state of salvation and life in Christ Jesus should abound with gratitude as they grow and mature in the grace afforded them.  Actually this verse is the closing statement of an argument set forth by the Apostle Paul beginning in Colossians chapter one:

A.   In Christ, true Christians have reconciliation to/with God (1:22-23)

B.   In Christ, true Christians are granted revelation concerning the mystery of Christ and the Gospel to the Gentiles (1:24-27)

C.   In Christ, true Christians are brought to perfection (1:28-29)

D.   In Christ, true Christians gain education/knowledge/wisdom (2:1-5)       

As a result, active, on-going expressions of gratitude begin overflowing from the heart as believers begin to grasp and more clearly understand the great privilege and opportunity afforded them to become intimately acquainted with all of God’s precious and glorious promises toward those who trust in Him.  If there is anything for which we ought to be “grateful,” it is for the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is the Truth and the abundant life we joyously experience.  Perhaps our gratitude, both spiritually and practically, would flow much more freely to the Lord and others if we were more diligent about taking every thought captive.  (See II Corinthians 10:5)   

In I Timothy 4:3, we are reminded that God has “created” many things to be “gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”  Then the apostle Paul continues — encouraging Christ’s followers to carefully consider their attitudes and perspective on life …

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. 

I Timothy 4:4

Perhaps this is a manifestation, a genuine outward display of spiritual growth — undoubtedly   an individual who is continually abounding in gratefulness is making real progress! 

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.

Hebrews 12:28-19

Therefore, the purposeful demonstration of being authentically grateful becomes the indisputable expression of, and the undeniable/irrefutable proof, concerning the habitation of spiritual joy — whether directed towards God, an individual(s), or a situation/ circumstance.

 Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.   

William Arthur Ward

Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit (See Galatians 5:22) are both seen and heard, visible and perceived — consequently, believers are encouraged by all these biblical passages to abound in them.  Nonetheless, while gratefulness is a key ingredient and building-block for experiencing joy in our daily Christian sojourn while confined to earth, we all know it’s really difficult to be “grateful” 24/7.  Here are some tips for acquiring a grateful attitude and perspective for the life you now live in the flesh through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who loves you and gave Himself for you! (see Galatians 2:20)

1.  Learn to say thanks, meaning it from your heart!

2.  Consider your blessings, count them, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!

3.  Give (money) as you earn (money) and sacrifice some time to serve Christ’s church!

4.  Do nothing from selfishness/empty conceit, but in humility regard others as more            important than yourself; not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others — have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus.

LET’S BECOME A GRATEFUL PEOPLE … ALL OF US AT WOF.  We can do it!   His & Yours, PF

WHY ADVENT? PART 2

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word Advent means coming in Latin. In our context as believers, Advent refers to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world. At West Oaks Fellowship, we will use 4 Sundays in December to prepare and remember the value, as well the authentic meaning of Christmas. 

This year’s focus is “God With Us” and each Sunday we will use a young lady from our congregation to symbolically light a candle representing the specific emphasis of each worship service (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love).  Then, at our candle light service, another young lady, in costume as Mary, will light the final “Christ” candle in the finale of our Advent celebration worship services.

Why young ladies?   According to Genesis 3:15, God, “put enmity” between Satan and Eve, as well as between her seed and that of the evil one. In that same prophetic statement, speaking of Christ’s 1st Advent, “He” – being Christ Jesus, will “crush” the head of Satan, while Satan will bruise His heel!  Therefore, as a reminder of God’s design to use a young lady (see Isaiah 7:14) without the concurrence of man to instigate His plan of humanity’s redemption, we choose young ladies to light each Sunday’s candle which distinctly represents the true Light coming into our world. (see John 1:4-9)   

  • HOPE – Psalm 33:17 declares, “A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.”  As believers, we become as foolish as those in the world when we place our hope (confident expectation), or strive to find hope in/from the things of the world! Proverbs 10:28 announces, “The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes.” “How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” — Psalm 146:5
  • PEACE – As far back as I can remember in my 64 years, I do not recall a time/season in our world absent from conflict.  Back in the “Jesus Movement” the Imperials, an early contemporary Christian Band had a song (during the Vietnam War peace movement) that declared, “there will never be any peace until God is seated at the conference table.” While Christ will certain maintain a Peaceable Kingdom after His 2nd Advent, the purpose of His 1st Advent was primarily attentive to reconciling the conflict between God and sin-separated humanity! “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” – Colossians 1:19-20 Undoubtedly, Romans 5:1-2 offers some additional explanation, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”
  • JOY – Christ’s 1st Advent bring a deep seated, lasting delight far beyond any momentary pleasure or happiness!  “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.  Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”  – Luke 10:17-20 Now there’s a reason to continued celebration … after all, just as the prophet proclaimed, “the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  – From Nehemiah 8:10  
  • LOVE – “Is a many splendored thing” so the proclamation of a popular Billboard hit from 1955. In the essence of this song, book, and movie — love is indeed full of many magnificent features and/or marvels.  In reality, it is also a magnificent marvel that God is both able and desirous of genuinely loving all of humanity.  This love is demonstrated even in spite of all our corrupt thoughts and errant behaviors!   I John 4:10 articulates, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full/complete payment) for our sins.” You may recall the old hymn lyrics, “How marvelous, how wonderful is my Saviour’s love for me.”  Indeed, God’s love for His most prized creation, humanity (made as no other in His image and likeness) is an everlasting, inexhaustible fountain of love flowing from the heart of God to the life and soul of human beings!  Indeed, “How will we escape if we neglect (Gk – ameleo: make light of, have no regard for) so great a salvation?” – Hebrews 2:3  John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (or condemn) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” 

Christ Himself brought all these things, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, into the world and made them freely available to all who believe/trust in Him as their Lord and Saviour!  So, a simply answer to the initial question is another question … WHY NOT? 

“To them He gave the right to be children of God!” – John 1:12

ADVENT … more than just something to think about!              – His & Yours, PF 

SHELTER

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In Psalm 5:11-12 we find a beautiful expression of faith and confident expectation (hope) from the Psalmist. 

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

Please consider these points for meditation as you focus on the gracious and abundant provisions of our Lord:

  • Let all who take refuge in the Lord be glad! – The idea of finding or taking refuge in the Lord implies trusting Him more than anything else.  In a storm, one would run into a properly engineered building/facility that provides physical safety from the onslaughts of wind, hail, flying debris, etc.  In this case, those that truly believe, run into the security of the Lord, Who has all the attributes, tools, equipment, and power necessary to protect a believer from whatever storm he or she faces.  In that safe place – be glad/rejoice; the Lord your God stands, according to the Hebrew text (cakak or sakak), as your cover and defender!
  • Let them ever sing with joy! – Why do we sing with joy?  Because the heart of the one who rests in the Lord’s protection is rejoicing … and from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, shouts, proclaims the greatness of the Lord as He delivers one from the dangers and threats of this world, the flesh, and our enemy (Satan/Devil).

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory!” — From 1 Peter 1:8

  • May you shelter them! – This word, “shelter” (Hebrew – tsinnah) is literally a large a shield! It’s so large it covers one entirely … should one choose to dwell/remain under/behind its formidable protection. Psalm 91:4 declares,

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”

  • Those who love Your name may exult in You! – Notice the connection between loving the Lord’s name (all He is and all He stands for) and the idea/concept of exulting in the Lord.  A lasting internal joy or happiness with a sense of fulfillment is what the Psalmist is speaking of – an ascription of praise and gratitude from within, that might just leak out! Romans 5:11 reminds us,

“And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Then, please notice these concluding thoughts:

1.      It’s You (our Lord) who blesses the righteous!

2.      It’s You (our Lord) who surround (the righteous) with favor ! 

Whose “shelter” is this?

Whose blessing and favor?

Shall we be grateful and rejoice?

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Indeed, how truly blessed we are as His children! –PF