victory

GIVING THANKS

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

God’s people have always been unique in expressions of giving thanks to the Lord for His blessings and provisions. Throughout history (His story), those that acknowledge the one true God have engaged in spiritually-based celebrations and festivities that both publicly, as well as privately, express collective and personal gratitude.

Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name. –Psalm 97:12

In some nations/people groups “giving thanks” events are deeply imbedded in the culture, as demonstrated in the Hebrew faith and those whose initial values and laws stem from a belief and/or subjection to a divine being.

These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, with the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. –Psalm 42:4

As we approach the American Holiday (created from the words for holy (halig) and day (daeg) from the 14th century) of Thanksgiving, perhaps we could/should re-think the whole concept. Are we giving thanks to the Lord based on our material blessings, or is our thanksgiving motivated by the Lord’s character and the spiritual blessing of being in Christ as His own possession?

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. –Ephesians 1:13-14

A few weeks ago, I asked some young people why they needed to go to college. The answers were not surprising or shocking, considering the materialistic influences that currently exist in our modern culture. Generally their responses focused on having a comfortable life style, a good job, and making enough money to enjoy a life of affluence and abundance. That life included concepts of what some would call the “American Dream” … a nice house, cool car, fashionable clothes, kids, comfortable lifestyle, etc. While I’m not sure when the “American Dream” started evolving into a materialistic-based quest, certainly that was not its original prize.

Although material gain may be the fruit or positive by-product of freedom and capitalism, how dare we refer to it as the “American Dream?” Have we undergone a metamorphosis from spiritually-based moral values and the principles of individual freedom into collective hedonistic greed? Assuredly, when people are more concerned with the attainment of things than with the maintenance and continuation of ethics, truth, morals, righteousness, and freedom, it’s a sure sign of moral decadence/spiritual decomposition.

Perhaps this crumbling decay begins when the focus of “giving thanks” shifts from an appreciation and gratitude for God, His character, His holiness, His attributes, grace, mercy, love, etc. to the benefits and blessings of His abundant provisions. Without question, the Lord God lavishes His goodness upon His people, but is that the foundation, motivation, and source for our “giving thanks” and expressions of gratitude? Don’t get me wrong, undoubtedly we should offer thanksgiving for all our material blessings, but isn’t there much, much more that demands an appreciative response?

Consider Psalm 7:17 where thanksgiving is offered because of God’s righteousness:

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

In I Chronicles 16:34 God’s goodness and lovingkindness is the cause for giving thanks:

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Daniel 2:23 offers an interesting perspective … the prophet is thankful because of God’s provision … wisdom, might, and answered prayer:

To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us the king’s matter.

The psalmist in 107:8 establishes an opportunity for thanksgiving because of His works among humanity:

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!

In the New Testament, I Corinthians 15:57 offers similar insight, focusing on the spiritual aspects of our Lord’s work rather than one’s abundance or excess of material blessing:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (over the power of sin, the law, and death … which includes our worldly/fleshly passions) through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Isn’t it time for true believers to reverse the trend of thanksgiving being offered upon valuations of possessions and wealth, comfort, or even health? Should we humbly give thanks for these things? Without question! Wealth and assets aren’t evil, just like forks and spoons don’t make gluttons and guns don’t kill people. It’s the greed, covetousness, and love of money that’s the root of all sorts of evil. (See I Tim. 6:10) Remember:

The covetous are never satisfied with money, nor the lovers of wealth with their gain; so this too is vanity.(Ecclesiastes 5:9)

May we never forget the scriptural warnings in Luke 12:15, Ephesians 5:3-5, and Colossians 3:5 – all address this issue for Christ’s church.

Together as individuals and His people collectively, let us be compelled to spiritually, mentally, and emotionally (in the flesh) embrace the words of the psalmist:

Direct my heart toward your testimonies and away from gain.

Perhaps from this assessment will burst untainted, spiritually-birthed thanksgiving that’s pleasing to our Lord and provider, Jesus Christ.

Think about it, then ask Him about it! –Pastor Frank

RESURRECTION

Posted on May 3, 2022May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

We are once again quickly approaching the anniversary of the greatest days in all of human history (His story) — Christ’s matchless atoning and sacrificial death, followed by His unsurpassed victorious resurrection! Biblically speaking, this one event is unquestionably incomparable to any other miracle when one considers its unparalleled theological and spiritual consequences when Christ forever conquers sin and death!

I Corinthians 15:55-57 – O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While visiting earth, our Lord Jesus clearly explained that all humanity would die and be raised again from the grave at a designated point in the future.

John 5:28-29 – Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

In this passage, Christ actually reveals that human history awaits not one, but two resurrections. One, a resurrection of, or unto life, and another of, or unto judgment. Needless to say, as true believers, we affirm and avow our belief in a bodily (physical) resurrection. This hope (confident expectation) and promise rests at the cornerstone of our faith, and without it, our Christian beliefs are in vain … God’s promises are merely bursting bubbles of fantasy … the Scripture/Bible is an unreliable source, mendacity … Jesus Christ Himself, the world’s chief imposter and most prevalent scam artist.

I Corinthians 15:16-19 – For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Many individuals, among them true believers, have been taught and believe that there is one “general” resurrection at the end of the world when all the dead are raised. This is a very serious error, robbing many believers of their joy and victorious Christian living.

Nowhere in the Scriptures are we taught that the bodies of all humans will be raised simultaneously. It is absolutely true that all the dead will be raised at some point and brought into judgment, but neither the time, the place, nor the type of judgments will be the same. Unquestionably, the Bible distinguishes between a believer’s resurrection and that of an unbeliever. Two classes of individuals will be raised, one group to eternal life and immortality, with the other group facing banishment from the Lord’s presence … certainly a “resurrection of life” and a “resurrection of damnation.”

When Paul testified before Felix, he said, “that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (see Acts 24:15). John makes the same distinction speaking of the redeemed as those who “lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” as part of the first resurrection (see Revelation 20:4-6). However, the rest of the dead “lived not again until the thousand years were finished” and subsequently face the “great white throne” of judgment.

Revelation 20:11-15 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

At the “Great White Throne” judgment, individuals are assessed “according to their deeds.” However, this judgment is not conclusive. Ultimately every individual who appears at the “Great White Throne” is carefully considered based upon only one issue … is their name “found written in the book of life?” Sadly, but absolutely just, no one’s name is inscribed! This is the second resurrection, that of the “unjust.” (see Acts 24:15) The same omnipotent power that raised our Lord from the dead, and that will reunite our redeemed eternal being with a resurrected body (as seen in Christ), will cause all the “dead” – “the great and the small” to rise and stand before Him who sits upon the throne.

Now, for the good, great news of Christ’s gospel. Every true believer has passed out of death into life (see John 5:24). Our lives are joined with His triumphant, sin and death conquering/overcoming resurrection, and are therefore, “hidden with Christ in God” (see Colossians 3:3). Not only that, but one must vigorously and continuously consider, “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (see Ephesians 1:19-21).

This power, that we as Christ’s followers, experience now and forever is,

in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His (The Father’s) right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

NOW, THAT’S SOMETHING WORTH CELEBRATING EVERY EASTER … actually, how about EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY! Let’s do it together in the presence of His people!

— Pastor Frank

APOCALYPSE

Posted on May 3, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Obviously if you’re reading Fusion, January 2013, the heretical prophesies of the Mayan calendars (see the WOF web site for article in 2010 on the movie 2012) and other ancient sacrileges such as the writings of so-called prophets like Montanus and his prophetesses (Prisca and Maximilla), St Malachy, Saint Columba (aka Columbkille), Paracelsus, and Nostradamus are proven bogus and counterfeit. In addition, we have all seen and heard the “doomsday” predictions that inevitably surround international crises and other notable events such as national tragedies, catastrophes, political and/or governmental upheavals etc.

Remember the millennial-bug scare of 2000, which gave good fodder for many apocalypse and doomsday preppers? Who can forget doomsday cults, such as the People’s Temple, David Koresh, and the Heaven’s Gate Community? Such outlandish views, as well as incessant, inevitably incorrect predictions about the future cause many to scoff at any talk of future world-wide cataclysm, devastation, and /or regional disasters.

As a result, many in our world classify those who address these issues biblically in the same camp as other “stranger than fiction” individuals and conspiracy theorists. Surprisingly, some “bible-believing” Christians react regimentally, even vehemently opposing discussions and biblical studies on topics related to humanity’s future. In reality there will be tribulation, unquestionably a great tribulation in which wrath consumes the earth, and all of its people/nations face the great and terrible day of our Lord.

Sometimes our modern day media gets on board as well, presenting documentaries with “scholars” and “specialists” from many different perspectives and disciplines, which only serve to erode the credibility and authority of our biblical narative and distinctively Christian world-view. Thus, popular misconceptions arise, distorting the true Christian viewpoint of escatology (study of end times – literally “things to come”) and any apocalypse. Undeniably, ignorance, continuous confusion, and perpetual misunderstandings of Christ’s return and its purpose prevail. Wonder whose work that is?

The word “apocalypse” (Ancient Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apocálypsis, from ἀπό and καλύπτω meaning ‘un-covering’), translates literally from Greek into English as disclosure of knowledge, a revealing (possibly of something hidden), a lifting of the veil, or a revelation … as in the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John in what we biblically refer to as the book of Revelation.

Your reading of this publication is evidence, once again, that our God, the one and only true God, reigns eternally as the sovereign and supreme authority over all humanity and His glorious handiwork (Creation … all that’s seen and unseen)! The fact that all these soothsaying prophets missed the apocalypse, or the “end of the world,” simply proves the fallacy and error of their technique. God’s true prophets are never wrong, they never miss! In fact, as you’ve heard me say before, while close counts in the games of horseshoes or washers, as well as in warfare with hand-grenades, mortars, and atomic bombs, close certainly doesn’t score anything in futuristic prophecy, apocalyptic considerations, or eschatology. Only direct hits are credited with accuracy and success.

Therefore, why would any consideration be given to the mystical, demonically-inspired predictions of a pagan culture’s calendar, or the bizarre ramblings and writings of mediums, shamanists, and spiritualists who claim to have some special gifting and unique, obscure understanding or revelation. Only the inerrant (without error in the original form/manuscript) scriptures declare the things to come before they happen — not as some complex formula with multiple variables that might or might not be fulfilled! No, exact, direct hits are the only writings and messages worthy of one’s consideration … and consequently only a supreme being that knows the end at the beginning, the outcome before the inception, can be totally and inexplicably infallible.

Therefore, as true believers, when considering “things to come” and the future apocalypse, let us rest assured that what God has said will surely be. We are never to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine or the contemporary ideas that so easily sweep through the non-discerning, doctrinally compromised modern church, society, philosophy, or culture. Our faith and future must rest extraordinarily in Christ Jesus and His complete revelation of apocalyptic events and “things to come.” Any and all other sources will be proven inaccurate and fallible — just like the erroneous Mayan calendar stands today!

There will come a time when each of us is called upon to express our belief/faith in an apocalyptic mode. Done properly, with biblical authority and inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, it becomes a powerful witness to both believer and unbeliever alike. Unquestionably our world-view includes an end … the Ancient of Days enthroned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is not an expression of our own self-importance and arrogance, but a genuine desire for the world to know Christ’s forgiveness, the power of His victorious resurrection, and His abundant life, now and forever! To have this capability, as empowered by God to change/reach our world, and yet retreat to non-apocalyptic mode because of all the heretical nonsense, denies our Lord’s ability to redeem even the darkest history and squanders a precious treasure. Undoubtedly, Christ asks and prepares His people to speak clearly in every opportunity!

— His & Yours by GRACE,

Pastor Frank

MOHAMMED V JESUS

Posted on April 25, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Mohammed was the prophet of war;

Christ is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Mohammed’s disciples killed for the faith;

Christ’s disciples were killed for their faith. (Acts 12:2; II Timothy 4:6-7)

Mohammed promoted persecution against the “infidels”;

Christ forgave and converted even His chief persecutor. (I Timothy 1:13-15)

Mohammed was the taker of life;

Christ is the giver of life. (John 10:27-28)

Mohammed and his fellow warriors murdered thousands;

Christ murdered none but saved mllions. (John 12:46-48)

Mohammed practiced FORCE;

Christ practiced and preached FAITH. (John 6:29, 35)

Mohammed was a WARRIOR;

Christ is a DELIVERER. (Col. 1:13; I Thess. 1:10)

Mohammed said to the masses, “Convert or die!”;

Christ said, “Believe and live!” (John 6:47; 11:25-26)

Mohammed was swift to shed blood (see the evil spoken of in Romans 3:15-17);

Christ shed His own blood for the salvation of many. (Ephesians 1:7)

Mohammed preached “Death to the infidels!”;

Christ declared “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Mohammed declared a holy war (Jihad) against infidels;

Christ achieved a holy victory on Calvary’s cross (Colossians 2:14-15) and His followers share in that victory. (John 16:33)

Mohammed constrained people by conquest;

Christ constrains people by love. (II Corinthians 5:14)

Modern terrorists derive their inspiration from Mohammed and carry out their despicable atrocities in the name of his god;

Christians derive their inspiration from the One who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Modern day disciples of Mohammed respond to the terrorist attacks by cheering in the streets;

Modern day disciples of Christ are deeply grieved by atrocities carried out by those who were “Christians” in name only (the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, Westboro Baptist Church, etc.).

Many Muslims claim to be peaceful and peace-loving because they are not strictly following the teachings of their founder;

Many Christians are peaceful and peace-loving because they do strictly follow the teachings of their Founder. (Romans 12:17-21)

Mohammed called upon his servants to fight;

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight . . . but now is My kingdom not from here.” (John 18:36)

Mohammed ordered death to the Jews (see A. Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad, Oxford University Press [1975], p. 369);

Christ ordered that the Gospel be preached “to the Jew first.” (Romans 1:16)

The Koran says, “Fight and slay the Pagans (idolaters, polytheist) wherever ye find them” (Qu’ran 9.5);

Christ said, “Preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Mohammed’s mission was to conquer the world for Allah;

Christ’s mission was to conquer sin’s penalty and power by substitutionary atonement, (II Corinthians 5:21;I Peter 3:18)

Mohammed claimed that there was but one God, Allah;

Christ claimed that He was God. (John 10:30-31; John 8:58-59; John 5:18; John 14:9)

Mohammed’s Tomb: OCCUPIED! No assurance of eternal life.

Christ’s tomb: EMPTY! Full assurance of life. (John 3:16)

JIHAD VS THE GOSPEL Jihad is the “peak” of Islam, held up by the five and the second greatest command of Muhammad. It is not only commended, but clearly commanded in the Quran. Even though the crusades ended many centuries ago, Islamic Jihad is carried out right now, to this day! Millions of people have been slaughtered throughout the centuries by Islamic militants – such as in 1915, the slaughter of 1.5 millions Armenians in Turkey. Christians have continued to be slaughtered by Islamic militants throughout the world as well. We don’t kill people because they fail to believe, instead we pray!

Therefore, before faithful New Testament believers buy into the lie of this so called “peaceful religion” or accept some responsibility for the atrocities of the Catholic endorsed crusades, which ended over 700 years ago … it would be extremely wise to first learn from reliable sources what the crusades were all about, study Islamic teachings, and consider the track record of Jihad over the last 14 centuries.

Do it! His & Yours, Pastor Frank

VICTORY

Posted on April 4, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

In 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 King David boldly proclaims:

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the VICTORY and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

To us, VICTORY is a powerful concept! The word is often used in numerous contexts such as sports (of all types), political elections, lawsuits, military conflicts, etc. Wherever there is competition, therein lies the potential for winners and losers as participants strive for one end result … VICTORY. That victorious conquest is only achieved or accomplished through the defeat and / or surrender of one’s enemy or opponent.

Here’s a huge question for all individuals that consider themselves faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Are you walking in VICTORY, living a life of triumph, or that of defeat (the correct and proper antonym of victory), disappointment, and discouragement?

1 John 5:4 reminds us:

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

The Greek work translated here as VICTORY, is “nike” – abstractly meaning conquest and figuratively meaning success. That’s the concept of authentic victory, success over an opponent! In the framework of this word, there is no place for participation trophies or honorable mention awards. This actual concept is beautifully pictured in Revelation 15:2 where those who have been victorious over, “the beast and his image and the number of his name” are seen on what appears to be sea of glass, “holding harps of God.”

VICTORY, biblically speaking, is undeniably an all-encompassing overcoming (devastating to the enemy) event. The same is true in the Old Testament as well, where all such VICTORY is accredited to GOD Himself.

The apostle Paul adds an interesting spin in Romans 8:37, when speaking about the various difficulties associated with living a faithful Christian life when he declares:

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

The Greek word used here is the compound word, “hupernikao”- meaning hyper conquers and that we, as believers, are granted the opportunity to be pre-eminently victorious. That overcoming VICTORY is made possible by God through Christ Jesus on our behalf.

Therefore, this overwhelming position of VICTORY must be fully accredited to GOD as David attributed in 1 Chronicles 29:11 (above)! It’s with this understanding that we, as Christ followers, are able to fully comprehend John 16:33, living / resting in the faith, promise, and undiminishing support of Christ’s words:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome (Greek – nikao; same root word as VICTORY – meaning conquer, prevail, or to get / obtain the VICTORY) the world.

Christ is our VICTORY, both over sin and death, as well the curse of the law, this world (system and its philosophy), our flesh (sinful nature) and our hostile enemy / adversary – the devil!

In just a few weeks we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday which presents a perfect opportunity for us to gather in Christ’s Holy Name and rejoice over His ultimate, definitive, and unsurpassed, VICTORY!

— His & Yours, PF

THE DEATH OF DEATH

Posted on March 24, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Of all the fears that grip the hearts of modern humanity, one of the greatest seems to be the personal fear of one’s impending death. While genuine believers in Christ may not succumb as easily to these fears because of their faith and eternal hope, undoubtedly, terrorism, mass shootings, and the progress of warfare technology has contributed to the fact that many individuals are greatly troubled because death is constantly before everyone’s eyes. Someone, somewhere, in a somewhat remote office or at sea, can launch a missile that successfully finds its target from thousands of miles away, taking out a whole city block and killing thousands, and yet they still have time for a game of tennis or a round of golf after lunch.

Killing is also more efficient than ever … someone, somewhere, sends package bombs through delivery or postal services, someone else, somewhere else, loads up a vehicle with explosives and drives it into an occupied building, someone, somewhere else, decides to take vengeance on relatives and shoots up a church on Sunday morning, someone else, somewhere else goes after fellow students, or teachers and administrators, shooting up a school, or someone, somewhere else decides to eliminate fellow human beings by shooting at hundreds from an advantageous lofty perch. Death is aplenty everywhere, yet II Timothy 1:10 declares that our Savior, Christ Jesus, has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

Hebrews 2:14-15 puts it this way:

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

The obvious question then is … If death has been “abolished” and is “powerless,” why do we still die? The most palpable answer is that one dies because of sin — See Romans 5:12. Sin always leads to death … not sickness, old age, accidents, cancer, stroke or heart attacks … as long as sin exists, death will never be very far away.

How certain is the fact of death? So certain that there are entire industries built upon the expectation of your death. Life insurance and all funeral/burial related trades are based totally upon the undeniable theological truth: Death reigns! (In reality, even cryonics and cloning.)

How did Jesus Christ then render death to death? When Christ rose from the dead, He resolutely broke the power of death. He died just like we die, just like all humans. According to the recorded accounts, He was really dead (the eye witness account of John 19:31-42), actually dead, fully and completely dead, not partially, or almost dead. He was as dead as any person could be dead. Then, from that state of death, God raised Him to life. He got up, unwrapped the face cloth around His head (See John 20:1-9), and then walked away victorious! (See Luke 24:1-7)

As a result, physical death takes on new meaning for the Christian, being simply a separation from the physical form/shell that we now live in, to await our own physical resurrection in the type of Christ’s. This is exactly what Jesus meant in John 11:25-27 when He said the following:

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

See, there is good news from the graveyard today! There’s an empty tomb in Jerusalem’s Garden Cemetery. It’s the former tomb of Jesus Christ, Who died and was buried (according to Hebrew tradition). However, on Sunday morning His tomb was found to be empty by the power of God Almighty! This is God’s good news message for all humanity! Death could not keep Him, and that grave could not hold Him. Understand, He is truly the Lord of life, the King immortal and eternal (See I Timothy 1:17). How did He render death to death? He conquered death by entering the realm of death in human flesh, then marching out on Resurrection Sunday — triumphant over both sin and death!

In Revelations 1:17-18, Jesus Himself declares:

Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

As faithful Christians, when it concerns our own physical death, we daily align ourselves with the statement of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21-23, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better!”

Consider I Corinthians 15:54-57:

DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us (all genuine believers) the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s come together to celebrate life over death, and life over the fear of death because of Christ’s resurrection victory this Sunday morning!

I’m looking forward to seeing you and yours (bring some friends along too).

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

— Pastor Frank

RESURRECTION

Posted on March 21, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Our New Testament scriptures employ two pairs of Greek terms with reference to our Lord’s resurrection: the verb, anístemi and its derivative noun, anástasis; and the verb, egeírœ, with its noun form, egersis. The noun “egersis” occurs only once, in a reference to Christ’s victorious resurrection (Matthew 27:53). Anástasis is used, almost universally, as the noun for “resurrection” of the dead, which happens in the realm of, and in reference to, human experience!

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep – for since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:12-22

Obviously, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the future resurrection of believers is at the very root of our faith/beliefs. His victory over death took the doctrine of the resurrection out of the realm of hopeful, speculative Old Testament eschatology (things to come) into present reality. Henceforth, it became fact … a genuine, historical, documented experience, the basic foundation for authentic Christianity and the promise, assurance for every true believer!

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:5-11

On Sunday morning, April 21st, we, as believers in Christ Jesus, will gather in His name to celebrate not only His victorious, death-conquering resurrection, but also the life we now enjoy in Him — along with our promised, future resurrection in a glorified body to abide with Him forever and ever and ever and ever!

(But God) Raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:6-7

Let’s celebrate Jesus … He has risen, come on and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!

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

— Pastor Frank