Tag: remember

STIR UP

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In II Peter 1:13, the Apostle of the Lord tells his audience of fellow believers and friends that he considers it right (his responsibility) to intentionally “stir up” certain spiritual perspectives in their lives.  The Greek word found in this text, “diegeiro” is used sparingly in our New Testaments, usually in reference to awakening someone from their sleep as in the Gospels and Acts.  However in this case, it’s meaning is quite significant. Peter employs “diegeiro” metaphorically within a spiritual context demanding an awakening of the mind/heart/soul in the Lord’s people. 

This theme seems to progressively emerge as the primary objective of Peter’s epistles/letters … calling to remembrance the important truths which they had previously been taught, but of which these disciples were in serious danger of forgetting, or turning away from, due to prevailing errors in their beliefs and lifestyles.  Their minds/hearts were open and candid, but the biblical text and context implies they were not necessarily pure/sincere.  The apostle Peter regards these followers of Christ as disposed to both hear and understand the truth, and yet liable to be led astray by the plausible errors of others and the world. Such minds/hearts needed the spiritual truths of Christ’s teachings and biblical doctrine refreshed and brought to the forefront of their thinking. 

Without question, these truths were familiar — but not active; known — but not followed; understood — but not validated by obedience in the lives of these Christians.  Therefore, Peter uses this word,  “diegeiro” once again in II Peter 3:1-2 where he reveals an intended purpose of this letter . . . “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

A related Greek word, “egeiro” is also used within a similar context in Matthew 25:7 where the virgins are not prepared and must awake from their slumber; In Romans 13:11, where believers are reminded to live godly and prepared, anticipating the moment (imminency) when Christ calls for His bride and His subsequent second advent (physical return to earth); In Ephesians 5:14, where Paul challenges Christ’s Church to arise or awake from its spiritual slumber and apparent apathy!  Even in a letter full of personal encouragement and precise instruction to his faithful apprentice, Pastor Timothy, Paul follows a similar path coaching him, “to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.” (See II Timothy 1:6) Without question, Peter’s unquenchable,  insatiable hope and desire in II Peter 1:13 and 3:1-2 is to stir up, excite, awake, and arouse the faith and service of those he leads.

According to Peter himself, while awaiting His earthly departure, he will remain steadfast to this end … wholeheartedly, perhaps even with intimidation, stirring up believers so they will pursue excellence in their ministries and focus their minds/hearts upon the divine/spiritual things from above, rather than the overly enticing temptations and sins of this flesh/earth/world that so easily entangles Christ’s people.

As we approach 2012, God is stirring me in order to stir up you, and the body of Christ at West Oaks Fellowship as well.  Last year, our teachings, preaching and instruction seemed to take on a very serious posture of commitment with the  potential of suffering for our faith and the cause of Christ.  This year, our focus will be on re-kindling those things which God has birthed in us, yet for whatever reason have grown stale, ceased to function, or slipped into melancholy mediocrity.  This is my personal commitment to each of you as individuals, and to our entire fellowship. If ministers are negligent in their work, it can hardly be expected that the flock, which is entrusted to their care, will be diligent in theirs. 

Therefore, just as Peter will not be negligent (at no time or place, in no part of his work), but will be exemplarily and universally diligent, so will I, to the best of my ability as God continues to provide me strength, as your Pastor, co-laborer in the Gospel, brother in Christ, and friend.  I am also bound, by the Lord, just as Peter was, to continuously make mention of our Lord’s promises, declare His truths to His people, encourage you to obediently serve and do good to all.  I am trusting that your remembrances will be stirred and that we all awake to the things our Lord has “prepared for us beforehand to walk in!”  While some might think this effort needless or useless, the apostle doesn’t, therefore, nor shall I. 

We must: 

  1. Put in mind what we already know in order to prevent one from forgetting. 
  2. Improve our knowledge of the Lord.
  3. Put into practice what we know and what one learns. 
  4. Diligently study and pursue the things of God so one will not be shaken or moved by every wind of doctrine. 

The great doctrines/truths of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem and restore sinners, that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, and given a new life in Christ to carefully maintain and use for His glory/honor until one’s work in this world is accomplished will be our mantra. These are truths the apostles insisted on in their day and these are faithful precepts worthy of our acceptance in 2012 and in every age of the Christ’s church. These must be constantly affirmed by our Lord’s true ministers (See Titus 3:8) … believers must be well instructed and established therein, so each one can resolutely believe and determinedly behave accordingly. Even the most advanced Christian is not, and cannot, while in this world, be above the need for such stirrings and consistent reminders, nor move beyond the methods and means which God has appointed for His people/His body/His church. 

Therefore we will begin 2012 by asking, “Need To Unshelve In 2012?” because many have put things up … out of sight on an obscure shelf in their spiritual lives that need to be awakened — rekindled — stirred up.  I’m sure you’ve heard all the nonsense and speculation about the world ending in 2012 (see Fusion article on the 2012 movie from January 2010 @ the WOF website).  We  absolutely know, according to God’s Word, that this will not happen!  However, Christ may indeed appear in the clouds and call for His saints to be instantly transformed and meet Him in the air. So, if that potential exists, why not be found awake, faithfully serving, and waiting in anticipation of His call, rather than slumbering in dysfunction and snoozing?  Now, don’t just think about it!                    

–Pastor Frank

WHY ADVENT? PART 1

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

The word Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin. In reference to our This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. … Some people fast (don’t eat anything) during advent to help them concentrate on preparing to celebrate Jesus’s coming.

  • Embrace Change – just as the leaves change colors, reflecting the beauty of our Lord’s creation and design, so does life.  Almost every aspect of a genuine believer’s life is in a state of transformation as one’s grows spiritually, becoming more and more like Christ. (See II Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2) We, as Christ’s followers, fully understand and comprehend that not all change is good.  Today, there is an awful lot of unwelcome and unwholesome change in our world. Moral and societal changes really bother us …  we see it everywhere, with almost no exceptions. On top of that, we are painfully aware that the children and youth of this era are growing up in a world far different from the one we experienced as children, youth and young adults.

Then there are those changes that impact us as individuals — children leaving home, the passing of dear friends/family members/loved ones, and even perhaps the slow, steady decline in our vitality and health. Sometimes we may even feel “outdated” at work.  But amidst all the changes, one thing, one Person, stays constant in His existence, purpose, and character … our eternal Lord! To fully embrace God’s purpose(s) in our lives genuinely requires significant, on-going modifications in one’s thinking, understanding, and actions/behavior. Therefore, as one looks upon the ever-present physical changes revealed in our world through Autumn/Fall, consider the marvelous, omnipresent work/molding Christ desires to accomplish in you.  Yield to His touch in the same way the leaves of the tree submit to His ultimate design and persistent resolve.

  • Let Go – just as the trees and grass are unable to hang on to their radiance from Spring and Summer (if rained upon and/or watered), maturing Christians must release the bonds of the past in order to fully participate in the adventures that Christ has prepared for His people to pursue and walk/live in.  (See Luke 9:62; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:8-12; Philippians 3:13-14; I Corinthians 9:24; II Timothy 1:8-11) As one observes the variations in nature brought about by Autumn/Fall, perhaps one should ask the Lord what needs to break loose, be raked up, and intentionally/purposefully and permanently discarded from one’s life!  The past only comes back to haunt us if we make provision for it, and allow it impact our spiritual lives and progress!  As a new creature in Christ, are you allowing old things, particularly those things of one’s fleshly/worldly nature, to continually fall off, pass away, die? (See II Corinthians 5:16-17) Sadly, and yes, destructively, many genuine believers are having difficulty distinguishing the difference.
  • Be Grateful – you’ll never have everything you want and/or absolutely perfect unless the desires of your heart are completely modified by the Lord, and that your definition of good and/or perfect somehow comes into alignment with God’s definition of those things in your own life. Simply put, “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.” — I Timothy 6:6-9.  I’ve continually found that individuals who are content, which doesn’t mean they are lazy or lack drive to be successful, are generally grateful for whatever they have. That’s proven to be true in my experience, with those who have an abundance, as well as those that may have little, or are lacking, as defined in the eyes of our western culture. In addition, I’ve also found many who have more than they could ever use or want to be ungrateful, as well as those that have little to sulk in their want and greed. Too often the formula of greed or covetousness resulting in poverty is forgotten.  Psalm 10:3 declares, “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire (rather than the desires being birthed and shaped by the Lord), and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord.”  Proverbs 28:22 makes it pretty clear, “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want (poverty) will come upon him.”  While our God is certainly able to give us the desires of our heart (See Psalm 37:4-5). I suspect He is willing to do exactly that when and if our desires glorify Him and are conferring His purposes!

My prayer is that God’s Autumn/Fall 2018 will speak loudly to each of us!  –PF