God walks the line.

God walks the line. It is a line, which connects our sinful brokenness with God’s holiness. It is the line of living the straight and narrow path. Therefore, it is a line no man can cross alone without Christ in his heart because personal righteousness is unachievable without grace. In the story you are about to read about the great patriarch, Abraham, you will receive a grand illustration about what it looks like when God walks the line.

          I have always been a great admirer of the musical legend Johnny Cash. In fact, I consider him my greatest personal influence in my music and pastoral ministry. For a man who aroused audiences with his “rebel with a cause” façade was a man who, deep down and publicly, embodied himself as a keen proponent of God and the Gospel. Despite his near ill-fated decades battle with drug addiction, it was his faith, which delved him out of this ailment. From Sun Records in the 50’s to American Records in the latter part of his life, Cash recorded countless songs ranging from Gospel, love, prison empathy, protest, to patriotism. Of all his tunes, I believe that “I Walk the Line” ranks pinnacle mostly because I believe it reflects his life struggles and his devotion to please God. “I Walk the Line” was a ballad of love and marital commitment from Cash to his then wife Vivian. However, according to psychology professor, Richard Beck, who wrote a worthy novel about Cash’s enthusiasm for God, this song was really about his perseverance to walk God’s line. However, Beck noted that the words in the song “I Walk the Line” are intangible simply because humans cannot walk the line of pure righteousness without divine intervention. Only God can walk the line, and Cash learned this the hard way (Beck, Trains, Jesus, and Murder). 

Asking Jesus into our heart is the ultimate expression of allowing God to walk the line because it is the admittance of our powerlessness to meet God’s perfect standards. Therefore, we have grace, which alone by faith is the only way we can be accepted in God’s eyes. Genesis 15 talks about God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham. Long before the Law was established, this covenant deeply foreshadowed God’s work of grace in every believer, so that in the end, it is not us who walks the line of righteousness, but it is God who does on our behalf (See Eph. 2:8-9 & Heb. 11:6). Let’s examine how God walks the straight and narrow in Abraham’s story. As always, the following expository will not be written here due to lack of space. Feel free to follow along in your Bible.

                            God Walks the Straight and Narrow on Our Behalf

          First, God walks the straight and narrow for us without personal responsibility.Observe Genesis 15:12. Abraham was a man of faith; therefore, he was counted as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). By faith, Abraham left his homeland with his family to sojourn to a foreign “promised land,’ which would later become Israel. Israel was essentially the hub where all nations would be drawn into the presence of God through their ordained example of faithful living (see Isa. 49:6). God made a covenant with Abraham that he would take this land and would then become the “Father of many nations.” In the first part of our text, God reassures Abraham of this covenant by putting him in a deep sleep. This sleep represents God’s eternal rest for His children- a rest signifying one’s release from personal responsibility to achieve what only God can (Macarthur, Macarthur Study Bible). Illustrate a father who assists his helpless child when he is in a bind. The son is powerless to do anything to be freed. Therefore, the father implores to his son, “It’s ok. I have it under control. You rest, and I will take the load.” Receiving God’s grace is the ultimate experience of rest. Many of us have spent countless years trying to do it all ourselves (breaking addiction; fighting depression and anxiety; overcoming animosity or resentment). Then God appeared to you and said, “Let me take the load.” The purpose of the Mosaic Law was to reveal the restlessness of the people to meet God’s standards of holiness. The purpose of grace through Jesus was to reveal God’s ultimate gift of rest to the restless. Hebrews 4:10 says, “For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” This is a picture of the Sabbath rest of the New Heaven and New Earth, which are transposed into the eternity of God, and we can partake in His unending rest (Hughes, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews). Thus, when we rest in Christ, we can trust Him!

          Second, God walks the straight and narrow for us with unwavering reassurance. Continue in Genesis 15:13-16. Despite persistent doubt from Abraham that God would bless him, God continually reassured him of His promises. God provides evidence for this by providing glimpses of Israel’s following history. For instance, God mentions, “Sojourners in a land not theirs.” This implies the large enemies who had to be defeated for the land to be taken. Second, God said, “And you will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.” This refers to Israel’s Egyptian captivity in Exodus. Third, God said, “But I will bring judgement.” This means that God will defeat Israel’s enemies! These promises required great trust from Abraham! I am reminded of a story my father used to tell me when I was a child. My father survived a major house fire when he was a child. His father (my grandfather) bravely saved five people in the house. My father was the last one to be rescued. He recalled having to jump from a second story window to escape because the fire was closing in on him. My grandfather was outside at the bottom reassuring my dad that he would catch him. Despite his doubts, my dad jumped, and my grandfather caught him with his flesh-peeled hands from the massive 3rd degree burns he sustained. Our God is not a god of “I may,” “I might,” or “I’m uncertain.” Our God is a god of “I will,” “I shall,” and “I’m certain.” Thus, when God speaks, He speaks irrevocable law (Munroe). This resonates with His sovereignty. Having a sovereign nature should procure our trust in Him. When the trials hit and when the flames are closing in around us, God promises to be there at the bottom, and we will be caught by the nail-scarred hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ (see Ps. 91:4). We must trust in a God who walks the line.

          Third, God walks the straight and narrow for us with a designated path. Let’s look at Genesis 15:17-18. The word, which describes God’s faithfulness in the Hebrew Old Testament is hesed, which refers to God’s covenantal loyalty, kindness, and fidelity to His people (Beck, Trains, Jesus, and Murder). There are two covenants in the Hebrew Old Testament. The first is the covenant God made with Israel on Mount Sinai with the Law. This was a covenant of rewards and punishment (Deut. 30:19). It was Moses’ description of the people’s choice to follow God or not follow Him. “If we are faithful to God, if we walk the line, there will be trouble to pay” (Beck). Choices equal consequences in this covenant, and to their demise, Israel found themselves at the short end of the stick with their constant disobedience. This disobedience led to exile; thus, for the Israelites, the story appears to be over just like if we sin big time, then it appears to be over for us. But then grace appears! The second covenant, which preceded this one was the deeper, primordial covenant God made with Abraham (Beck). Contrary to the first covenant mentioned, God alone initiated, created, and assumed the burden of this one. In this covenant, God promised Abraham to bless him and make him a great nation. To seal this agreement, the tradition in this time-period was to cut animals in half and then have the two parties walk the path between them- literally walking the line between the animals (Beck)! The idea posits, “Let this happen to me or let me be cut in two if I break my covenant with you.” To prepare for the covenantal ceremony, God instructed Abraham to gather a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and a pigeon (Gen. 15:9-11). Abraham divided the animals and laid them out. Now, the sun then sets, Abraham is asleep, and God appears in the form of a light- a flaming torch. The light then proceeds to move down the path walking the covenant line between the animals. However, notice that only God walks the line instead of both Himself and Abraham according to the custom. Unlike Mt. Sinai where Israel was mandated to hold up their end of the bargain, this covenant was one-sided. Abraham nor Israel had the ability or responsibility to maintain this covenant (Beck). You know, according to this passage, as sinners, attempting to walk the line is like taking a sobriety test while hammered. During this test, an officer will instruct you to walk a straight line with one foot in front of the other, but before you take that first step, in drunken state, you will fall on your face. 

          The deeper covenant lies in hesed, a love that will never lose its grip on you no matter how bad you have sinned (Beck). God walked the line for Abraham, and through that promise, He walked the line for us by sending Jesus to the cross who took the sins of all mankind on His shoulders (2 Cor. 5:21). As Christians, we are called to live righteously, but it is not our righteousness, which God notices. It is always the work of His Son in those who believe in Him He notices alone (see Isa. 64:6; Phil. 2:13). Therefore, if Cash entitled his popular song “God walks the Line,” it should read as followed: “God keeps a close watch on this heart of mine. He keeps my eyes wide open all the time. He keeps the ends out for the tie that binds. Because He is mine, He walks the line.”

          If you are someone who keeps trying to walk the line and have never allowed God to take your place, then release all authority and power to Him. Long before the Law arrived, Abraham’s faith in God proved that our works are futile to please Him. God has cut the ties between sin and bondage through Christ. Therefore, He has walked the line through the animals; the chanting crowds shouting, “Crucify Him; death row up the mountains of Golgotha; and the gates of Hell itself, so we could rest in God’s presence!

          If you are looking for a home family church, you are welcome to visit us at First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest - “Together a Family, Witnesses of Truth” (1350 S. Downs Street, fbcridegcrest.com, (760) 375-2503)at 10:30 on Sunday morning. 

Pastor Mathew B. Pope, M.Div. 

Senior Pastor.

          I am excited to announce that revival is coming to Ridgecrest where God’s love will be declared over the city! It is time for revival! As many know, in total, there are countless churches in Ridgecrest alone, and, together, they have reached a plethora of people for Christ. However, there are still many who have not been reached for the Gospel. There are people who have never known God’s love in our city. There are those who have turned their hearts from God provoked by past negative experiences in church. There are those who might have a misleading insight on what the Gospel is about. It is time for revival, and I pray that “God’s Love Unleashed” this weekend (Friday through Sunday) at the Ker McGee Center will establish a new awakening for our citizens and that they will know God’s unceasing love for them through His Son Jesus. Let us observe three ways God desires revival.

          First, God seeks to restore a fallen and broken world. God created a perfect world, which became tainted by sin. With perfect justice, God declared all human beings guilty; thus, we have become separated from His presence. However, with perfect love, God sent His only begotten Son Jesus to come to earth and take our punishment on the cross at Calvary. By faith alone in that Savior, restoration between God and man has begun, and this restoration will be fully manifested when we enter the Kingdom of God. 

          Second, God seeks to heal the broken and destitute. The Bible describes God as just, holy, merciful, wise, gracious, and loving. In fact, love encapsulates the essence of God’s character because God’s love in manifested in every attribute. There are many in our city who are suffering from many ailments including poverty, addiction, and spiritual affliction. God, through His love, desires to heal those who seek His goodness. We habitually accuse God of all the evil and suffering we see in the world, but how many of these people have ever pondered the reality that it was us (human beings) who initiated this suffering by disobedience? God is not a proponent of evil nor suffering because these are facets, which contradict His holiness. God seeks to bring healing to those who are under Satan’s oppression and bring them into His presence through Christ.

          Third, God seeks to establish more ambassadors of His Kingdom. Matthew 28:19-20 discloses that Christians are called to reveal God’s grace and mercy to the world through the Gospel, and through revival, we will see more people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they will be added to the many in number who will spread the “Good News” to the world. All Christians are called to ministry, and through revival, God wants to see more people come to know Him through Christ, so that they can share their experiences with others and draw them into God’s family.

This weekend let us pray that God’s Love will be Unleashed over all people in Ridgecrest. Let us pray and encourage the leaders from over the 22 churches involved and the speaker of this event, so they will be equipped to serve others and draw people to Christ! For more information on “God’s Love Unleashed,” please consult fbcridgecrest.com under “events” page.

If you are looking for a home church family to worship with, please visit us at First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs St.). We pledge to make you feel right at home! (Visit fbcridgecrest.com and our Facebook site “First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest”).

Mathew B. Pope, M.Div.

Senior Pastor

       22% of our generation has been aborted. This means that a quarter of our contemporary population is absent because they have been aborted. Abortion has plagued our nation even long before Roe V. Wade in 1973, and it continues to corrupt the ideal moral code. From what I have read from most valued biblical scholars recently considering next week’s presidential election, much has been discussed about the urgency to abort abortion in our nation. I felt the Holy Spirit’s conviction in my heart to continue this thread of urgency for our community’s awareness. As I have said in my previous submissions relating to the election, my goal is not about pushing political agendas on people but rather to invoke a biblical (and ethical) worldview on what each side of the political “fence” represents.

     Despite the possible repercussions I know I will receive with this; I am proud to say that I voted for Donald Trump in this election. I won’t say that I agree with every political agenda that Trump promotes (and this is not a discussion about that), but his stance alone for the protection and sanctity of human life is enough to warrant my vote. I know of many Christians whose conscious bears them witness for voting “left,” and our freedoms as Americans grant them that prerogative. Praise God! However, I feel that as a Christian (and Christian leader), it is my responsibility to uphold God’s view and value of life. Therefore, to endorse any political candidate who violates these standards would be to endorse murder. Now, of course, I have heard Christians argue this same response regarding the other side of the fence. For instance, John Piper, in his recent article, Policies, Persons, and Paths to Ruin, advocated that he endorses neither political candidate because of their alleged mutual corrupt moral views. For Trump, he stated that his “unrepented sexual immorality” will cause voters to condone his actions, and for Biden, he brought up the abortion issue (see https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/policies-persons-and-paths-to-ruin). However, I came across a rebuttal argument by his colleague (and world leading theologian), Wayne Grudem who posited that when it comes to world leaders, the predominant factor we must observe is not so much their personal backgrounds but what they stand for. For instance, I do not doubt that Trump has sinned in his life and at times in his presidency (wow! imperfect people sin??) I will also concede that he is probably one of the most unconventional “politicians” (if we can call him that) who has ever taken office. But being unconventional, to a degree, is a merit. Even Jesus was considered unconventional to the Pharisees but did not sin (unorthodox in their minds is more appropriate). However, these backgrounds do not affect us. We are responsible for our own sins before God. This same mentality goes for Biden and his colleagues, but when it comes to abortion, that is an issue that they promote (and condone), and that affects us (see more from Grudem at https://www.christianpost.com/voice/a-response-to-my-friend-john-piper-about-voting-for-trump.html?fbclid=IwAR1-lDK2iIynutQCvkc82blflmW0tiMsEgcJoAJiVfNPpyUnwCVjOBOCcnI).

     Abortion is one of the most (if not the most) unprecedented and daunting issue facing the church and society currently. Officials indoctrinate the public about abortion being a human rights agenda or debate when life begins in the womb etc. This is their appeal to alter the “laws of nature” of which God created (i.e. “the law giver” - see my previous article Not Everything Is Debate Parts 1 and 2 for an in depth study on this concept). However, I want to enlighten you about several truths that are associated with abortion which I hope will encourage you to see the value of all human life.

     First, scientists have confirmed that a child’s heartbeat can be detected very early on during pregnancy and thus constitutes that the fetus is alive. However, going back even further, to God, life begins before conception. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” This is God’s message to the prophet Jeremiah, but it applies to all human beings. God, in His omniscience (or all-knowingness), knows every human being before they are born, and He treasures each life to be. Any interruption in the process of their development grieves God whether it be through a miscarriage, complications during birth, or abortion (consider the depression rates among parents who lose their child before birth). 

     Second, abortion has nothing to do with human rights (or “women’s rights”). Yes, I have read the “science” supporting Planned Parenthood’s legal right and, in some cases, obligation to perform abortions. However, in recent discoveries, it was found that a fetus and mother are separate from one another except for children being attached in various forms to receive nutrients from her to survive etc. However, simply summarizing everything, the fact a fetus is considered an individual implies that it is ethically entitled to life and protection of his well-being (see further discoveries at https://epicpew.com/10-reason-unborn-part-womans-body/). Thus, the child is entitled to rights, and the rights of an individual cannot intrude on another’s. Allow me to add another note. In a way, it is appropriate to say that abortion is about human rights based on how God views His relationship with mankind. However, human rights are not the equivalent of a permissible and appropriate choice/lifestyle. The “sauce” of man’s relationship with God is based on free will (the freedom to choose or reject God). Thus, it is a human being’s “human right” to choose or reject God based on the gift of free will. However, one path leads to death, and the other leads to life through Christ.

     Third, those who advocate abortion have never been the victim of having an abortion. Yes, I used the word “victim” intentionally although their act was immoral. You cannot possibly fathom the grief, mental/physical repercussions, and remorse that women face after they have an abortion. When I was in college, some schoolmates and I were heavily into the pro-life ministry (one colleague, in fact, leads one of the biggest non-profit pro-life organizations on the West Coast called “Voices for the Voiceless” in PHX. AZ. They have done great work with ministering to women and standing up for life https://www.voicesforthevoiceless.org/). I recall an encounter we once had with a woman outside of Planned Parenthood who confessed to having an abortion ten years prior while immersed in tears and grief. Just vaguely reiterating what she said, she expressed that having an abortion for her felt like she took a gun and shot someone in cold blood. Laws may try to define human morality, but the conscious never lies. 

     Community, this is the most sensitive article I have ever composed (and I venture some of you will disregard this message and that is ok). But here is my urgency: abortion is not a legal or political issue. It is about the integrity of a human life. Most of you reading this, I’m sure, value all human life. If this is your claim, then you must deny abortion. This is a significant issue facing our nation, and our vote depends on standing up for life. I want to add that if you are a woman who had an abortion at some point in your life, know that God’s grace is infinitely superior to your grief and regret. Through Jesus Christ, God is willing and ready to forgive you and comfort you in His arms. Paul said in Romans 8:1, “For there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” If you come to know Jesus as your Savior through faith alone (Jn. 3:16), you will never again have to be imprisoned by your grief. I understand peoples’ rebuke against both the “right” and “left” in their own right, but what does your moral code support?

If you would like to become connected with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs Street), please reach out to us at fbcridgecrest.com or Facebook: “First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest.” We offer Sunday services at 10:30 including alternative drive-in parking lot options for people to tune in to F.M. 101.5 from their vehicle or Facebook Live on our page.

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

          This week, America tuned in for the most anticipated event thus far of election season, the initial Presidential Debate. To say the least, most spectators were disappointed by the results (or lack thereof) of this event. Throughout the course of the debate, many subjects were brought up including both candidates’ views on addressing COVID-19, healthcare, economy fluctuation, and the election itself. Of course, both the Republican and Democratic nominee provided antithetical responses to these issues. Despite Republicans and Democrats having opposing insights on different and essential topics, I was perplexed to witness such divisiveness throughout this conversation (if we can call it that). Therefore, debates are no longer about cordial and unified disagreements. They are egocentric and, oftentimes, hostile. 

          People seldom get into numerous debates about different topics, and election season (it might as well legally be named a season like Summer or Winter) is no exception. However, not everything is debatable. Thus, debates are often centered on subjective topics, but objective truths never warrant debate. Truth is truth. Jesus Christ was the author of objective truth when He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus reemphasized this principle in response to Pontius Pilot’s inquiry, “What is truth” (Jn. 18:38)? The Apostle Paul collectively and publicly displayed Jesus’ words through the Gospel when he instructed, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). 

          Truth has numerous definitions, but I would define it as the declaration of an irrefutable and undebated statement. Therefore, if Jesus, the Son of God, Savior, and author of creation itself, declared His words to be true, then we can confidently accept that truth, indeed, derives from God Himself. During this unsettling political crisis our nation is experiencing, it is comforting to know that truth exists. It is traumatizing to live in a relativistic world where truth is subjective based on one’s personal, political, or cultural worldviews. If the Gospel (the good news of salvation from Jesus to the world) was the subject of a major national debate, it would be very one-sided because you cannot counter truth. Truth is the most sacred virtue in existence, and it is a principle that I advocate must be put back into our political system. I believe that we are all exhausted by the continuous back and forth rants from politicians and are eager to see truth be implemented as the guiding virtue of our nation.

          As you contemplate your vote this coming November for the appropriate Presidential candidate to lead our nation, my encouragement to you is to base your choice on the individual who closely adheres to truth. It is not my place to publicly sway people one way or the other on who to vote for. Voting is a private prerogative of our citizens. I hear pastors say all the time, “vote your conscious,” and, admittedly, I used that phrase in one of my recent DI submissions. However, I would like to recant that statement and rather implore you to “vote your discernment.” Conscious and discernment are conflicting terms. One’s conscious is usually governed by personal convictions. Discernment is governed by the Holy Spirits’ conviction in you. Note Jesus’ words in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” 

          Promoting truth begins with you recognizing where truth originates, and it follows with you sharing it with others. Let this election season be an opportunity for us all to bring truth back into our communities and in our nation. Blessings to you all!

If you would like to become connected with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs Street), please reach out to us at fbcridgecrest.com or Facebook: “First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest.” We offer Sunday services at 10:30 and provide our parking lot for people to tune in on FM 101.5 or Facebook Live on our page.

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

           1 Corinthians 15:1-3 says, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scripture.”

          On an estimate, about 70% of the people I have invited to FBC have reported being hurt by the church in their past mostly because of the lack of sound doctrine they heard. It is reasonable to say that many churches have lost their priority for the Gospel through adequate Bible teaching. In today’s world, it appears that the only thing some churches talk about is their personal rights, namely, regarding their freedoms to assemble for worship during the COVID crisis. They speak of these constitutional rights as if they are the source of their doctrine. As important as our rights are as American citizens, we must recognize that Paul did not focus on such concepts because his audiences had no understanding of such prerogatives given the trampled and tyrannical societies they inhabited. Paul simply said, “Preach the Gospel.” The only time Paul repeated himself in his letters was when he emphasized this truth. That is worth spreading headlines about. We are all aware of Pastor John Macarthur’s recent bold civil disobedience to the government by holding church services, and we celebrate his triumph. However, even though I believe this was a noble move to protect the integrity of the church, we should examine, “Is retaliation the answer to our positive influence in the world?”

          The Bible describes the church as the assembly of Christ followers (i.e. the body of Christ) from the Greek, ecclesia which translates, “Called out ones.” Never is the church associated with a building. However, this does not mean that church gatherings are insignificant. Scripture calls the church to gather and perform priestly worship (1 Pet. 2:5; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 2:19-21). Therefore, the church requires a location to perform this work of the people (usually called a liturgical in the NT). So, the church means that we are a body, but we must worship together as a family (The Gospel Coalition, “Should We Say the Church Is Not a Building?”). However, a building is not mandated to perform these rituals adequately. Churches have come up with clever ideas to provide gatherings such as drive in services, meetings at the park, and home Bible studies. These safer methods preserve our ability to gather. Although, we long for the day when we can rejoin our church families for conventional church services. I pray that day comes soon!  

          I would never tell an American citizen to cease from standing up for his constitutional rights. Too many brave men and women fought and died for those rights! However, rights are not the same as calling. Rights are personal freedoms, but calling is a divine appointment for service. It is our right to worship freely with our brothers and sisters in church buildings, but our calling is bringing the Gospel to the lost through sound doctrine! Bible teaching has been gradually taken out of our churches and replaced with selfish doctrines. Every time a church takes the Bible away from the pulpit, the integrity of the Church is attacked. For instance, I came across a church online that exploited sermons about Ravi Zacharias and Billy Graham burning in Hell because they were alleged false prophets. This church has an exceptional following, but I went on the church website and discovered the following beliefs: First, it advocated the death penalty for proponents of homosexuality. Second, it excluded some sinners to attend services for the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Third, it promoted a message of hate rather than of grace. These messages are antithetical to what the Gospel says! 

          Let us briefly look at 2 Timothy 4:1-4 as our main text. It says, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Paul’s instruction to Timothy in this chapter was to preserve the integrity of sound doctrine through the preaching of the Gospel. Preaching sound doctrine for Timothy was priority against the religious persecutors who opposed the Ephesian church with false teachings. Paul inserts a warning to Timothy that in the dangerous seasons of this age, many people would become intolerant of the confrontive, demanding preaching of God’s Word (Macarthur Commentary). Consequentially, people will fall for false teachers who produce messages to satisfy selfish desires and omit God’s forgiveness and salvation (“itching ears”). 

          The Bible broke the world record for being the bestselling book of all time, but that does not mean that it is the most “popular” book of all time. It is full of uncomfortable information which alter our way of thinking. People constantly reject its central message of God’s salvation to the world through Jesus. People often call the Bible a nominal religious textbook or “good book.” However, the Bible is not just a religious text; it is God’s Word spoken to His people. You cannot say this about any other text. However, other religions will argue with you on that. False doctrines today are not spoken from God. They are fallacies spoken by man to manipulate the truth. People want the Bible to say what we want it to say, not God. This has been a prevalent issue throughout many years. Examples include the teaching of The Book of Mormon, The New World Translation of the Bible, The Quran, materialism, universalism (everyone will go to Heaven) etc. There is only one Word of God.

          Let us quickly look at some points that will help us protect the integrity of Scripture. First, we must defend the truth. Many people will try to convince us that God’s Word is fiction. But there is evidence to support that the Bible is true! For example, there is insurmountable historical evidence regarding the people groups and characters of the Bible. There is also overarching archeological evidence regarding Israel and the places Jesus walked. We also cannot ignore the prophetic fulfillments that have taken place between hundreds of years of biblical history. Christian apologists say that the accumulation of historical evidence alone to support Scripture could fill thousands of encyclopedias. For example, first century Roman historical records about Emperor Nero mentions Jesus more times than Nero himself. Not to mention, there are records of eyewitnesses of Jesus’ miracles and His resurrection. The Bible can only be completely true or not true at all. The slightest error or addition of the Bible would counteract its inerrancy. A sportscar that strikes my fancy is a 1971 Thunderbird. Imagine if I went online and found a cherry red 1971 T-bird like new with all the original parts still attached to it and runs perfectly. That is the real deal! But when I go to get the car, I find out that what I bought is a replica of a 1971 Thunderbird. Sure, it still looks like a 1971 Thunderbird, and it still drives like a 1971 Thunderbird. However, it is not a 1971 Thunderbird. The car is fake, although when you put it next to a real one, you cannot tell the difference on the outside. Most religions have their own interpretations about revelations from God. Many of them claim to mirror the Bible with slight to major inconsistencies. These people may pass off their doctrine as true, but if it is not recorded in Holy Scripture…no matter how much it looks like the Bible… no matter how many times God or Jesus is mentioned in it…no matter how encouraging and enticing it may seem…it is fake (2 Tim. 3:16). The Bible is the only text ever recorded to come straight from the mouth of God. Words spoken from the mouth of God are holy, sovereign, and cannot “err.”

          Second, we must practice the truth. You have heard, “Practice makes perfect” and “actions speak louder than words.” But I say, “Practice produces conviction.” Modeling God’s Word to our neighbor produces a better witness than just speaking it. When people see God’s work of salvation through us, then others will better comprehend the power of Scripture (1 Thess. 1:1-3). Every Christian has a testimony about how they came to know Jesus, and their walk will be a testimony to others. The more we practice our faith, the better we will communicate God’s Word. We want others to see God’s Word lived out through us and not just on the pages we read. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel to everyone and use words if necessary” (Jas 1:22; Matt. 5:14-16).

          Lastly, we must preserve the truth. To preserve something basically means maintaining it in its original or existing state. Jesus tasked His disciples with preserving the truth that He taught during His time on earth and to carry it throughout the world (Matt. 28:19-20; 24:14). We are tasked with the same mission! When preserving God’s Word, we must ensure that when it is preached, we honor the integrity of its originality. Therefore, when positing any information, we must always prompt the question, “Is this biblical?” The problem with many religions who fabricate Scripture is that they never ask this question. To know if something is biblical means it comes directly from God. Martin Luther, the father of the 16th century Reformation, understood this point. When witnessing the corruption of the Catholic Church in the 16thcentury, he consulted Scripture (Rom. 1:17) which provoked him to address the false doctrine of Tetzel’s indulgences for people to buy their way into Heaven. The way we preserve God’s Word is the following (i.e. taken from the basic tools of biblical interpretation): Observe what the text is saying, observe who wrote the text, observe who the text was originally written to, identify key words in the text, observe what the text means to us, and, most importantly, pray for God to reveal the truth within the text to us (1 Jn. 4:1-3; Matt. 5:13).

          Let us honor our rights as American citizens but let us protect our calling as stewards of the Gospel through the presentation of sound doctrine first and foremost! We cannot ever forget this truth!

          If you would like to become connected with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs Street), please reach out to us at (760) 375-2503 or visit us at fbcridgecrest.com or Facebook: First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest. We are now offering “drive in” services at 8:30 on Sunday mornings, and we offer streamed services on our web pages.

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

        COVID-19 has given root to additional dilemmas we are currently facing in America such as racial segregation and social injustice. Therefore, we have invoked the slogans “black lives matter” verses “all lives matter.” I have encountered many people who have these slogans inscribed on their apparel, bumper stickers, and even on their COVID masks. The conflict between these two phrases has caused us to contemplate the value of human life and how we view cultural and racial unity in society. However, one slogan that is overlooked and, I believe, closes the barriers between segregation is “all souls matter.” This was God’s preliminary mindset when He sent His Son, Jesus to earth to die on the cross to procure the salvation of the world.

        When God instituted His plan for salvation in Genesis 3:13 just following the events of man’s fall from fellowship with God, He had an integrated state of mind. He desired people from all nations and tongues to be united with Him through His plan for salvation which would be accomplished by Christ. This process began to unfold when God established Israel. When the Hebrews followed God and inhabited Israel, they had an exclusive state of mind based on their self-entitlement for divine favor and deliverance (i.e. “Hebrew lives matter”). God had a different plan. Although Israel was God’s chosen nation, He implored that His people display His heavenly glory to their surrounding foreign nations thus inviting them to partake in a share of his promises by faith (i.e. “all nations matter”). Fast forwarding to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul consecrated this integrated mindset when He collaborated the Jews and Gentiles in the family of God voicing that all are one in Christ despite gender, race, and ethnicity (Galatians 3:28). Paul’s church plants especially within the Asia Minor continent were predominately a mixed crowd between Jew and Gentile believers in Christ.

        I am a keen advocate that all lives matter. I personally believe it is inappropriate to be exclusive to whose lives seem to matter more in the eyes of protesters who trend too heavily on one side of the spectrum. However, I am a greater advocate that all souls matter because no matter the shape of our biology or historical/cultural background, God sees us all equally. Without Christ, He sees us as guilty defendants who deserve divine justice. With Christ, He sees us as children. There is no hierarchy between shareholders of God’s kingdom in the body of Christ. All that matters to God is that all souls matter. Again, all that matters to God is that all souls matter.

        Community, the next time you wave the “black lives matter” and “all lives matter” phrases in someone’s presence, look beyond what these limited words mean. True life is not just in the health of our bodies but in the security of our eternal state. We should care enough for other people to the point that we desire for them to have eternal life with God through faith in Christ. If your neighbor does not know Christ, his physical life is irrelevant given the fact that He is already dead in His trespasses and sins (Romans 1-2). I would love to see masks and clothing with the slogan “all souls matter” written on them because that is a message that promotes unity. That is a message that truly conveys the heart behind God’s desire for universal life in the Son! That is a message that tells us we are all one in Christ. Let us create unity together!

        If you would like to connect with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest, please visit us at fbcridgecrest.com and Facebook: “First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest.” You are welcome to join us for 9:30 drive-in services on Sunday mornings. Please reach out if we can serve you!

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

In last week’s submission, I discussed some of the integral principles that make up the theology of worship. Scripture reveals that worship is a 24/7 mentality and is displayed in everything we do for the glory of God, and this submission will explain how this mentality is essential in both good times and unprecedented times.

          Let us apply the object illustration of the brightest flashlight in the world (the Ms18). The beams of this flashlight can reach over 4000 feet. That would be like turning on the flashlight at one end of China Lake Boulevard on a pitch-black night and almost seeing its beam at the other end. Imagine though if you turned on the flashlight outside during a bright-sunny day. The light would be visible up close, but it would be invisible from afar. However, if you turned it on at night, the light would be blinding both up close and far away. Flashlights are resourceful because they penetrate darkness. They technically work during the day, but they are not as effective as using them at night. 

          Worship is akin to a flashlight. Worship illuminates our heartfelt desire to God. This light functions very well when is everything is good in life (when everything is sunny). However, it works even better when times are difficult (when everything is dark) because worship is a light that penetrates the shadows of trials that the enemy throws at us. Worship works a lot more effectively during dark times than bright times because God reveals Himself more intimately to us in bad times than good times. Remember the story of Job? His story is the most depressing in the entire Bible. However, Job was a man devoted to God and understood the power of worship during rough times. Job was a wealthy, prosperous, and respected individual, but when God tested his obedience by allowing Satan to inflict suffering on him by taking away his possessions including his children, Job responded with worship! See his response in Job 1:20-22. As a result, God restored Job’s prosperity ten-fold, but more importantly, Job grew closer with God. We can learn a lot about the power of worship from Job’s story which leads us to four quotes that I want to encourage you all with during the present trials we are all facing in the world.

          Quote#1: “Worship is defined by our happiness.” We all like to get puffed up for a typical Sunday morning worship experience. We look forward to seeing our friends. We are ready to listen to some good music. We are eager to hear the preacher’s sermon. We are itching for the potlucks after service. But what does worship look like when times are difficult, and our worship does not have the same normal “gloomy” experience? James 1:2-3 talks about having joy when trials arise, but James was not talking about emotional happiness. Joy is a character model and attitude of praise despite circumstances. We should worship God in good times and bad times. I read a story this week about a pastor who spent 18 years in a Chinese prison camp for preaching the Gospel. Every morning when he went to work out in the “cesspool” to collect fertilizer, he would sing hymns. I doubt he was happy about his situation, but his attitude of joy was a witness to those around him including the prison guards. We are seeing some rough times right now such as job losses, death, sickness, disunity, and injustice. Are you still engaged in the heart of worship (see Hab. 3:17-19)?

          Quote#2: “Trials are God’s instruments for Christian character development.” Trials always feel like an eternity, but they are merely dark corridors in route of God’s revelation of His glory for your life (see 2 Pet. 3:8). Trials are strategies of spiritual warfare, but that does not mean they have no benefit to our life. A counseling model I use to explain this concept is drawing two circles. The first shaded circle is called the “Vortex,” and the blank circle to the right of it is called the “Sphere of Enlightenment.” There is a bridge that connects to both circles symbolizing God carrying us from trials (Vortex) to healing (Sphere of Enlightenment). Once we reach the healing circle, we realize the purpose of the Vortex was for God to develop our character in Him. Evil always comes from the enemy, and it is evidence of sin in this world, but even Satan’s most powerful inflictions are God’s most profitable instruments for wisdom and the revealing of His glory to His people. God wants you to be further developed into the person He desires you to be, and trials kindle the process!

          Quote#3: “There is a time to worship and then there is a time to worship.” A Christian can’t not worship. When hard times hit, we may lose our energy for worship. We may lose the vibe, lose the appetite, and lose the spring in our step getting to church, but worship is a 24/7 state of mind. My definition for worship is “honoring God’s goodness with humility with every human thought and behavior” (Rom. 12:1-2). Every action and every breath we take for God’s glory is worship (Col. 3:17)! The Bible describes that our experience in Heaven will be everlasting worship (Rev. 5:13). Imagine non-stop worship for eternity! Our earthly 24/7 worship mentality is a foreshadowing of this glorifying experience (Heb. 13:15)! 

          Quote#4: “Satan hates it when we worship.” Did you know that one of the predominant evidences of sincere worship is spiritual warfare? Satan does not care if we merely sing a few worship songs in our car or say a few “amens” in church. He cares when our hearts are deeply and sincerely devoted to God in worship (see 1 Pet. 5:8). There is a such thing as a lack of spiritual warfare in our life being abnormal. This could simply mean that God is protecting us, but it could also mean that Satan is oppressing us in a way we may not even be aware. Maybe it is through a sin we cannot shake, or we are simply rebelling against God. The Bible says that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) which mean that he tempts us with things that are appetizing to the flesh. Therefore, if things feel too normal or comfortable in our lives, we must be discerning what is going on spiritually, and we need to protect ourselves (see Eph. 6:10-12). The more we worship God, the more we will be hit. The more Job worshipped, the more the enemy took away from him. But the harder we worship, the harder Satan falls.

Ridgecrest, even though we are going through a rough patch right now, God is still holy and worthy of our praise! Do not allow our circumstances to thwart your worship experience! We will experience God’s grace and mercy in a whole new “light” when we praise Him in the light and dark times.

If you would like to become connected with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs Street), please reach out to us at (760) 375-2503 or visit us at www.fbcridgecrest.com or Facebook: First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest for streamed Sunday services at 10:30, Bible studies, and weekly updates. Please reach out any time if we can serve you.

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

     The church has recently faced extreme injustice from governments forcing us to close our doors and now requiring that singing/chanting be prohibited when it is appropriate (and advisable) to protest in the streets without repercussion. As church leaders in this community have been deeply hurt by this persecution, it has provoked me to contemplate over the principle of worship. I came to the realization that although our unjust governments took away singing in the church, they did not take away our worship. Singing, of course, is an integral exercise for worship, but it is only an outlet for worship. I would like to draw your attention to the heart of worship and how it is exercised not only musically but holistically.

      The following are normal activities that we often associate with worship: singing, raising hands, chanting phrases like “amen,” choirs, doxologies, and standing, kneeling, praying, repeat. Doing a little research, I came across some very insightful definitions about worship, but my definition, I believe, is the simplest: worship is honoring God’s goodness with humility in every human thought and behavior. Worship is one of the most complex theologies in the church, but it is a very simple idea! It is an idea that I think we have overcomplicated and miscommunicated. Sometimes, we can get all hyped up about the practice of worship to the point where we miss its meaning. Let us observe Romans 12:1. I think that this text expresses the closest definition we have about worship in the Bible. It says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” The context here communicates that for those in Christ, the only true and acceptable worship is offering themselves completely to God (Macarthur Commentary). This text does not necessarily define worship but describes the precursor for proper worship which is serving God (Expositor’s Bible Commentary). In the Old Testament, worship was exercised through the frequent temple sacrifices. However, because Jesus fulfilled the Law by perfecting these sacrificial ordinances through his death and resurrection, we must yield ourselves (both body and spirit) completely to Him to be used as His vessels for the calling that He has given us. Our sacrifice is an expression of adoration to God.

     In biblical Greek, the root meaning of the word, “worship,” derives from the phrase, “worth ship.” This means that in worship, we acknowledge God’s true worthiness for praise. The word affiliates with the word, “glory.” The Greek verb tense of this word (dokeo) translates, “To appear” or “to seem.” The noun tense (doxa) translates, “An opinion.” When you put these tenses together, you get the full translation, “To praise someone with an exceptional reputation” (Crit. & Exeg. Commentary on Romans). When we worship God, we come into agreement with Him about His holiness and exceptional goodness! He is worthy to be praised. Worship immerses us into a spiritual universe that is separated from and superior to the physical world. The ways of the physical world are of the enemy. When we worship God, our minds are purified, and we focus on Him alone (Rom 12:2). With all this said, how can we define this thing called worship? Is there a way to comprehensively apply it to our lives without limiting it to certain ordinances and practices? I think we can answer these questions by addressing five of the most common clichés of worship that have surfaced in modern culture. 

      Cliché 1, “You can only worship God in church.” This does not mean that we have an excuse not to go to church. Worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ is essential (Heb. 10:24-25). However, worship is not limited to the local church. Worship is not something we do strictly for an hour on Sunday morning. It something we do 24/7 (every activity no matter how   Cliché 1, “You can only worship God in church.” This does not mean that we have an excuse not to go to church. Worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ is essential (Heb. 10:24-25). However, worship is not limited to the local church. Worship is not something we do strictly for an hour on Sunday morning. It something we do 24/7 (every activity no matter how  

     Cliché 2, “Worship is done only during the singing portion of the church service.” Music is often associated with worship in the Bible such as singing praises to the Lord, dancing, clapping, and instruments. However, worship is evident in other outlets in the Bible such as the giving of offerings, our posture, the study of Scripture, praying, and teaching/preaching. Worship is not just limiting to singing just before falling asleep before the sermon. Worship should be exercised in every activity. When I say, “Let us enter into the heart of worship this morning” in church, that statement applies to every activity we do together as a church family. Last week, we did prayer instead of music during the praise session. Our prayer was just as worshipful as our music! Churches are always at war over how worship should be done with music. “What kind of songs should we sing?” “Should we have a choir or a band?” “Are we allowed to raise our hands in church?” Except, Jesus never indulged in these debates. He explained plainly how worship is to be done in John 4:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” In context, Christians must worship God sincerely both externally and internally through the truth of His Son (Macarthur Commentary). Whether you are singing, greeting your neighbor, listening and following along to a sermon, taking communion, giving your tithes, getting involved in church, inviting your Oikos to church etc. you are doing an act of worship (Col 3:17)!

     Cliché 3, “Worship is about getting into an emotional frenzy.” Many people think that if we do not feel emotion or an intense “spiritual” experience during worship, then we are not doing it correctly. You peek over and see the person crying next to you and you are left motionless and discouraged. You do not have to get all worked up to worship God appropriately. If your heart is engaged in worship with no distractions, then you are worshipping God. God calls us to worship Him with every part of our body. Matthew 22:37 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Expressing our love to God through intellectual worship is just as effective as expressing outward heartfelt/emotional worship. I have seen many pastors worship God in numerous ways. I have seen “crying preachers” during the sermon. I have seen “hyperactive preachers” who jump all over the stage to the point where you have trouble following them with your eyes. I have seen the “angry preachers” who passionately express their intolerance for injustice. I have seen “blank stare preachers” who just look at the audience with a serious face with no emotion whatsoever. They are all exceptional pastors,

and I knew that they were worshipping God in their own way. If you feel that you are not worshipping God appropriately because you are not as emotional as the other guy, then here are some tips to encourage you: First, relax and do not try to get yourself worked up. Second, simply say, “Thank you” to God if you do not know what to say. Third, close your eyes and listen to    

what God may be telling you. Fourth, do not try to outdo you neighbor in worship by singing louder, raising your hands higher etc. God just wants you to experience His presence and thirst for Him through His Son (Ps. 26:8)!

     Cliché 4, “You have the pastor and then you have the worship leader.” I never understood why praise singers in churches are the only ones labeled “worship leaders.” Rather, they are music directors who lead congregations into worship. In retrospect, all church leaders, including pastors, are worship leaders. A church leader’s job is leading people into the heart of worship through song, fellowship, and teaching of the Bible etc.! When my music director and I lead services, our roles are fundamentally similar. He may sing and I may preach, but between our roles, we are constantly leading our congregation into the heart of worship from beginning to end. You do not have to be a professional musician or seminary graduate to be a worship leader. In fact, God calls people to lead worship in their own homes (Deut. 12:6). When families rejoice together, they worship together. Husbands, in fact, are the ideal worship/spiritual leaders in the home (Col. 3:18-19). Practice worship leading in your households where you will experience a deeper relationship with God.

      Cliché 5, “Worship can me muted.” This is the number one worship myth in the world! Whether audible or silent, worship can never be muted. Whether we stand and lift our hands and shout or sit quietly in prayer with our hands folded, our hearts are a megaphone to God. The Bible uses allegories to express how our entire bodies can be used as instruments for worship (Ps. 84:2). The California governor made a law prohibiting singing in church, and that is an injustice against the church. Governments, despite their efforts being unconstitutional, may be capable of taking away singing in church, but they can never take away worship. That is impossible!!!As unjust and inconvenient as these laws are, we will keep on worshipping God no matter what in our hearts. Singing is just a tool for worship. It is not the essence of worship. If we must continue to just pray and fellowship without music until the ban is lifted, then that’s ok because God still hears us no matter what. He hears our sincere silence the same as he does a choir!!! Worship is limitless, and every expression is a shout of praise. 

Let us come back to the heart of worship as a church body!

If you would like to become connected with First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs Street), please reach out to us at (760) 375-2503 or visit us at fbcridgecrest.com or Facebook: First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest for streamed Sunday services at 10:30, Bible studies, and weekly updates. Please reach out any time if we can serve you.

Pastor Mat Pope, M.Div.

          According to a recent poll proposed by Franklin Graham, over 50% of Christians are not voting. Thus, I find it deeply perplexing when I hear Christians protest the current status and occupants of multiple political offices both locally and federally, yet they refuse to cast their voices to potentially fix these issues. Understanding the dichotomy between God and government for Christians is alarming because many of them fail to realize that God has given them power to impact their societies. God gave these people power to proclaim the Gospel to the nations (Act 1:8), but this power is inclusive in their voices to seek political change, which mobilizes the advancement of God’s kingdom. The Great commission is more than just simply witnessing the Gospel of God’s grace and mercy to individuals; it is about taking the Gospel to the polls and allowing its values to influence the masses because our God is unceasingly faithful, loving, sovereign, and just; therefore he is control of all things. 

          Christians, if you voted this week, how did your decisions reflect your faith? Were you confidant in your decisions? Were you discouraged by your decisions? Based on the policies you studied in preparation for your vote, how did you decisions further point you to Christ? It’s not rocket science to conclude that we live in world filled with unrest and civil conflict between our governments, which has significantly divided our unity as a nation. Furthermore, we as citizens of the most blessed country on earth, are cursing out one another simply because we voted for opposing candidates. In a technological savvy world, these disputes are more apparent now than ever. Diversity is everywhere! Jesus does not condone such behavior. If Christians are called to be the body of Christ, we are to promote unity amongst ourselves and in our government. I encourage you to read the Apostle Paul’s discourse on this principle in Philippians 2:2-3. To simply paraphrase Paul, he said, the body of Christ is called to be, think, act, and humble themselves like Jesus. As a result, they will have the same attitude and mindset of Jesus. We are not above Christ’s authority, and when He exhibited His authority, He did so by providing the path to greatness by acting as a servant, one who “made Himself nothing…” (see Phil. 2:7). 

          As a body and nation, the most strategic way we can promote unity is by acting in a manner that glorifies God, being like-minded with Christ in humility. How can we specifically unite as a body and nation? There are three principles to consider: First, know that God is in full control. Second, submit to and pray for our government. Third, realize that we live in a finite universe awaiting an infinite home, which is the Kingdom of God. 

                                                       God Is in Full Control

          A popular country tune that resonates with the general population today is “Jesus, take the Wheel.” This statement has evolved into a cliched cultural ideal, but, at the same time, it is greatly undermined. With all the diversity occurring in our nation between the people and government, people have become power hungry where they dismiss God from the picture. It is a tremendous blessing to live in a society ruled by democracy and free speech with the privilege of peaceful protest but not when it undermines God’s authority. God is king; therefore, he is in control of everything. We know He is in control because He has sovereign power over creation (Ps. 22:27-28; Ps. 115:1-3), and we know He is in control when we adhere to the mission of God’s kingdom, which is to be disciples, make disciples, and be world changers for Christ (Matt. 28:18-20).

                                        Submission to Governing Authorities

          The second way to promote unity in our nation and church is by submitting to and praying for our governing authorities. Holy Scripture instructs that “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exists are established by God” (Rom. 13:1). Furthermore, Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account…” Everyone who sits in a position of authority over this country was permitted by God to fulfill a purpose, whether these individuals were pleasant or unpleasant to the public. However, God instructs that we pray for all leaders, so that they will work effectively for His glory (2 Tim. 2:1-4).

                                                  A Kingdom Unshaken

          The final way we promote unity in our nation and the church is recognizing that God’s Kingdom stands forever, and it will not be shaken. Evangelist, John Piper once quoted, “One day, America, with all her brief history and all of her presidents, is going to be a footnote in the history of the world, and the Kingdom of Jesus will go unshaken forever.” The world is finite; therefore, compared to the Kingdom, this earth and our nation will only be a footnote-just a few lines of text compared to the comprehensive pages of Scripture. As a result, all suffering and conflict will fade away. Christians belong to a kingdom that stands forever, and it cannot be shaken. It cannot be moved. It stands like a solid rock (Matt 24:35; 2 Pet. 3:10).

It’s time for Christians to unite and be the voice that God commands us to be and promote the Kingdom of God through our church and in our governing bodies.

New and great things are happening at FBC Ridgecrest! We’d love for you to join us and become a part of a family (1350 S. Downs Street) at 10:30 on Sundays. Check out our website (www.fbcridgecrest.com) and our Facebook site (First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest).

Pastor Mathew B. Pope, M.Div. 

Senior Pastor.

 Contentment is the key to a can-do attitude. Thus, it's the factor, which provides the most motivation.  

  Most people are acquainted with the verse Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Paul wrote this epistle to the church in Philippi to generally instruct them on how to live an effective and productive Christian life. Thus, as a model church (see Phil. 1:3-6), Paul empowered the Philippian congregation to magnify their efforts for Christ, so they could be equipped to teach others the appropriate methods for being His disciples. Now, Philippians 4:13, perhaps, is one of the most misunderstood texts in the Bible (especially from a prosperous Westernized perspective), and this mistranslation is an indictment on teachers who have severely miscommunicated the essence of what Paul was trying to communicate. At first glance to these teachers, it is apparent that Paul was teaching about Christians possessing infinite power to accomplish materialistic tasks, such as winning a football game, having the best job, or making the most money. However, this interpretation is lightyears away from Paul’s context. Unfortunately, the modern church in Western society has been seduced by materialism, and it has corrupted many congregations to the point where the Bible has become treated as an enterprise manual for happy living rather than being treated as the holy Word of God. 

          To understand the true context behind Philippians 4:13, we must utilize a major principle associated with the essential steps in biblical interpretation called surrounding context. Surrounding context is the fourth of five vital tools for navigating Scripture appropriately (key words, immediate context, historical context, surrounding context, and application…KIHSA). Surrounding context generally abides by a statute of “five.” This means that when an expositor of Scripture analyses a text, he must read at least five (or more) verses prior and following the text, so he can grasp the author’s “entire train of thought” without cutting him off midsentence and missing the point of what is being communicated in the text. Thus, when analyzing Philippians 4:13, it is essential that we begin reading Paul’s thoughts in verse ten. Here, Paul is communicating thankfulness to his congregation for supporting him in his ministry. For those of you unaware, Paul’s journey as a missionary was, to suitably put it, difficult. When preaching the Gospel, Paul was met with severe oppression against the Jewish rejectors of Christianity (who were once his cohorts when he was known as the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus) and the Romans Empire (Paul went to a Roman Prison and was later beheaded by Emperor Nero). Paul was beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and later sentenced to death because of his faith in Jesus (most Christians in our society cannot relate to such a sacrifice in the name of Jesus). Therefore, we see a key phrase in verse eleven, which provides the context to verse thirteen. It says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.” The main word here is “contentment.” To put the entire context together, Paul is saying that even through his trials in ministry, he has learned to be content in these situations because he recognizes that Christ will give him the necessary strength to persevere and be victorious! Christians can learn a lot about their faith through Paul!

          Contentment gives Christians a can-do attitude in the following ways. 

          First, contentment reminds them that it is an honor and privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus (see Phil. 1:29; Act. 5:41; Rom. 8:17; 1 Pet. 3:14; Matt. 5:11). Jesus never said that being a Christian was going to be an easy task. Christianity comes with a cost to experience trials and trials, but Jesus promised that he would help them during trials (Rom. 8:35-39). 

          Second, contentment reminds Christians that their strength is in Christ and not within themselves (Isa. 41:10; Eph. 3:16; 2 Cor. 12:10). In a materialistic context, people believe that they can overcome trials on their own, but it is Christ who is their strength who will take the victory when overcoming obstacles.

          Third, contentment reminds Christians to pursue faithfully in their walk with Christ when facing oppositions (Jas. 1:3; Jas. 1:12; 1 Cor. 15:58; 1 Cor. 16:13; Heb. 10:35-36; Rom. 5:3-5). The Christian walk is a long and, sometimes, grueling process. It is not a path of convenience or material prosperity. It is path of spiritual prosperity and joy (see Jas. 1:2-3) exhibited by heartfelt devotion to Jesus (see Act.1:8. The word “witness” comes from Greek, which gives us the word for martyr. Thus, being a witness for Christ means being willing to suffer for his sake).

          Christian, if you are facing an obstacle, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!

          If you are looking for a home church family to worship with, please visit us at First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1350 S. Downs St.). We pledge to make you feel right at home! (Visit www.fbcridgecrest.com and our Facebook  site “First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest”).

Mathew B. Pope, M.Div.

Senior Pastor