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Hello, Oak Hills! I’m honored to step in this week as a Touchpoint “guest blogger” during Pastor Dale’s well-earned sabbatical. —Michael Buckley Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (Ps. 1:1-2). Have you ever been discouraged while reading Psalm 1? If I’m being completely honest, I have been, especially about the word “delight.” As I meditated on the first psalm while writing this essay, I wasn’t sure why the word delight should be particularly discouraging to me. After all, not standing in the way of sinners, or not walking in the counsel of the wicked, or not sitting in the seat of scoffers is very, very hard. Avoiding sin is, in fact, impossible but for the grace of God. Yet, the second verse asks something which appears to be even harder; it commands not just obedience in action, but also a right affection, that of delight. Perhaps you’re like me and you don’t usually associate “the law of the Lord” with “delight.” I certainly read scripture and agree that the law of the Lord is good, but who can conjure any affection in one’s heart? Aren’t we told by the world that affections and emotions well up in our hearts naturally, even mysteriously, and that we cannot control when emotions come and go? And surely delight is one of the most impossible-to-fake of all emotions? So, if we are blessed by delighting in the law of the Lord, who then can be blessed? What is more, we read that this seemingly impossible delight in scripture remains even after days and nights of meditation! Though I know and believe that God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3), my own experience usually falls so short of the psalmist’s delight that I am tempted to be discouraged by this fact.... Keep Reading

This is part six of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives and the church. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 6. As Paul wraps up his first letter to Timothy, he returns to the focus of false teachers that he addressed in chapter 1. Not only do their teachings “promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (1:4), but also the teaching does not “accord with godliness” (6:3). False teaching, holding onto beliefs that do not agree with the sound words of Jesus, is not harmless. It nurtures ungodliness. Paul says it produces “envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people” (6:4-5). All this highlights the teaching of Scripture: what we believe shapes how we live. If we cling to the sound words of Jesus, our living will be conformed more and more to the sound living of Christ. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the area of contentment. This is what Paul focuses on in chapter 6 as he contrasts true godliness with the ruin of the false teaching. The foundation of contentment is valuing that which is truly eternal. Paul explains in verse 7, “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” In other words, the things of this world are temporary. They should not hold primary place in out hearts. A content heart is one that treasures Christ and all that he has for us above anything in this world. Paul contrasts contentment with an ungodly love for this world and the things of the world. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (6:9-10). Lack of contentment in Christ is the source of all sorts of misery. ... Keep Reading

This is part five of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives and the church. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 5. Have you ever seen one of those “House Rules” signs hanging in someone’s home? Perhaps you have one in your home. Some signs focus on how you treat the things of the home: “If you open it, close it; If you turn it on, turn it off; etc.” Some focus on how you treat other people in the home: “Say please and thank you; Listen to your parents; Use kind words; etc.” And still others focus on keeping things light: “Laugh a lot; Try new things; Make mistakes; Play games; etc.” We can say 1 Timothy 5 is kind of like the House Rules for the household of God. As we have observed in this study of 1 Timothy, Paul writes his apprentice in order to explain how the Gospel guides the church in “how one ought to behave” (3:15). The Gospel ought to shape the teaching of the church (chap. 1), the outward face of the church (chap. 2), the character of the church (chap. 3), and the servants of the church (chap. 4). In chapter 5, Paul gives some general instructions for how the members of the church should care for one another. House Rules for the household of faith.... Keep Reading

This is part four of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives and the church. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 4. In chapter 4 of his first letter to Timothy, Paul speaks directly to Timothy as a servant of the Lord. After briefly revisiting the topic of false teaching, already addressed in chapter 1, Paul calls Timothy to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus” (v. 6). In light of the warning that false teaching leads some to “depart from the faith” (v. 1), Paul commands Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (v. 16). This is a sober reminder that no one is immune to the dangers of false teaching. What are the marks of “a good servant of Christ Jesus”? Let me highlight 4 from 1 Timothy 4. Immersed in the Gospel. Paul uses the phrase “these things” three times in chapter 4: “put these things before the brothers” (v. 6), “Command and teach these things” (v. 11), and “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them” (v. 15). What are “these things”? Paul first used the phrase in 3:14 where he wrote, “I am writing these things to you…” There he is explaining the purpose for writing the letter. “These things” lead to how “one ought to behave in the household of God” (3:15). “These things” is none other than the teaching and implications of the Gospel. This is the theme of Paul’s letter to Timothy. The Gospel transforms lives and churches. Therefore, a good servant of Christ Jesus will be immersed in the Gospel in order to put it before others, teach it, and practice it. ... Keep Reading

This is part three of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives and the church. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 3. As Paul encourages Timothy’s ministry at Ephesus, he emphasizes how essential it is to keep the gospel central. In chapter 1, Paul focused on the teaching of the church. In chapter 2 he addressed worship and prayer, with a view to the outward face of the church. The gospel ought to permeate everything in the life of the church. In chapter 3, Paul turns his attention to the leadership of the church. In the New Testament we find two offices described for the church. Paul opens his letter to the Philippians by addressing the “overseers and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). In Acts 20 the words “elders” (v. 17) and “overseers” (v. 28) are used to address the same group of leaders. Many Bible scholars believe this two office system is first established in Acts 6 when seven men are chosen to serve the needs of the widows so the ministry of the word would not be hindered. So, it is not surprising that Paul addresses these two offices in 1 Timothy 3, written after Acts when the church was more established. Paul’s primary concern in addressing the overseers (or elders) and deacons is the required character qualifications for each office. Consider each list provided. Above reproach. Faithful in marriage. Sober-minded. Self-controlled. Respectable. Hospitable. Able to teach. Not a drunkard. Not violent but gentle. Not quarrelsome. Not a lover of money. Faithful in household management. Dignified. Not double-tongued. Not addicted to much wine. Not greedy for dishonest gain. Tested and mature. Nearly every single qualification has to do with one’s character. Giftedness, talents, and charisma, all valued in our television saturated culture, are not even mentioned. ... Keep Reading

This is part two of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 2. We started last week by noticing why Paul wrote his letter to Timothy. Paul explains in 3:14-15, “I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God.” Paul wants to help Timothy shepherd the church at Ephesus with explicit, practical instructions on how the gospel transforms individuals and churches. Paul began in chapter 1 by focusing on the teaching of the church. All of the preaching and teaching of the church must be gospel-centered. Paul moves on in chapter 2 by focusing the outward face of the church. He addresses this by expressing his desire. He uses this word, “desire,” in verse 8, where he writes, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray…” This desire for prayer is a repetition of Paul’s exhortation in verse 1, where he says, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” He goes on to specifically mention the people in governing positions. Paul’s desire is that the church would be praying for all people, including those outside of the church. Paul explains the aim for such a prayer-filled church in verse 2, “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” I call this the “outward face of the church” because Paul is concerned about how the church is perceived in the eyes of the watching world. Does the church love all people? Does the church care for all people? Does the church strive to bring peace to the world around them? The primary avenue for the church to “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” is through prayer. The gospel teaches us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, not us, nor our efforts. Therefore, the gospel trains us to be people of prayer, being diligent to seek the Lord’s favor in all things. ... Keep Reading

This is part one of a six-part study series on Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This personal letter gives us clear teaching on how the gospel transforms our lives. I encourage you to read through 1 Timothy with this series. Today we are looking at chapter 1. The book of Acts ends on a cliff-hanger. The apostle Paul has just arrived in Rome on house-arrest. He is awaiting his trial before Caesar. What comes of that trial? Will Paul be released? Or will he face execution, as his Jewish accusers desired? The Bible never answers those questions, but writings of the early church indicate that Paul was released from that imprisonment about AD 62 (see 1 Clement 5:7 and Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 2.22.2-8). He continues his ministry for a few years (possibly visiting Spain, cf. Rom. 15:24) and then is imprisoned again in Rome. Under Nero’s persecution of the Church, Paul is executed in AD 68. During those years between imprisonments, we believe Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy. Timothy first joined Paul at Lystra during Paul’s second missionary journey (AD 48-49; Acts 16:1). Timothy became such an integral part of Paul’s ministry team during that journey that Paul includes him as a co-author in the letters he writes to those churches (see 2 Cor. 1:1, Phil. 1:1, Col. 1:1, 1 Thes. 1:1, & 2 Thes. 1:1). After more than a decade of training and mentorship under Paul, Timothy now is being sent out on his own to minister in the churches. Paul has urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3), a church that Paul established during his third missionary journey (Acts 19). ... Keep Reading

Stories are powerful. We are drawn to and shaped by them. We are surrounded by them. We love to listen to them and many of us love to share them. What was the last story that deeply impacted you? Maybe it was a recent movie you watched. Maybe it was that new song your favorite artist just released. Maybe it was a dear family member or friend sharing what has been going on in life. Stories are powerfully impactful. I was reminded of this reality during this last month on the bike trail near where I live. I had a moment to connect with a stranger while on my bike ride. It all started after coming to stop, an opening question she asked about the weather, and eventually led to sharing the stories of our lives. She began with sharing her life story with me. She shared some of the hardships and joys she had experienced and currently experiencing. When she finished sharing, she turned to me and asked something along the lines of, “now, what’s your story?” If you were asked this today, where would you begin? What would you share? What moments would you highlight as the most significant? As I began to share parts of my life story with this new friend, I quickly came to realize again how my life has a single thread holding it all together (Acts 17:28). With everything I shared, my life was tracing the grace that God has shown to me and my family. I got to share my testimony of how God saved me in high school and the circumstances that surrounded that time. I got to share about how God had saved my family just a generation before me. I got to share about how the good news of Christ radically changed my heart and how eventually the Lord led me into pastoral ministry which brought me to the foreign Midwest land of Kansas City. Long story short, as the Lord opened an opportunity for me to share my life story with this new friend, I found an even greater opportunity to share briefly the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gospel’s impact in my life. You see, our testimonies are significant – not because we’re so great, but because Jesus is great. ... Keep Reading

While various attempts were made in the 19th century to create a day to honor mothers, Mother’s Day as we know it didn’t begin in earnest until the early 20th century. Anna Jarvis initiated the celebration of mothers in 1908 and promoted it until President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday in 1914. Within ten years, however, Jarvis began to campaign against the holiday because she felt it became too commercialized. When she died in 1948, Jarvis regretted what became of Mother’s Day. The Christian church celebrated a form of mother’s day long before our modern Mother’s Day experience. Mothering Day was the fourth Sunday of Lent (the six week period before Easter), a day when Christians were encouraged to visit their “mother” church, where they first came to faith and grew up. Consequently, many Christians would be reunited with their birth mothers on this day. The focus of the day was not on their physical mothers, however, but on their spiritual mothers, the church. The 3rd century church father, Cyprian of Carthage, said, “you cannot have God for your Father unless you have the church for your Mother.” Augustine communicated a similar sentiment and the reformer John Calvin expanded on the metaphor of the church as our spiritual mother. Calvin writes in his Institutes:... Keep Reading

In 1970 Francis Schaeffer first published his little booklet, The Mark of the Christian. In this short writing, Schaeffer unpacks and applies the distinguishing mark of the Christian. This mark is by Jesus in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Schaeffer explains that “the final apologetic” to confirm the message of the gospel for a watching world “is the observable love of true Christians for true Christians” (cf. John 17:21). Christians’ love for one another in the church is a compelling testimony to the goodness of the gospel. “The church is to be a loving church in a dying culture.” Schaeffer goes on to ask the question of how this mark, love for one another in the church, becomes visible to a watching world. He offers two practical, tangible actions we can do in order to show love to fellow Christians. First, we must be willing to apologize to one another. Schaeffer says, “When I have made a mistake and when I have failed to love my Christian brother, I go to him and say, ‘I’m sorry.’ That is first.” It should go without saying that we inevitably hurt one another. Bitter words get spoken. Acts of kindness are withheld. Vengeful actions are taken. In all of these, fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ is broken. The only “way of renewed fellowship” is the simple apology and asking for forgiveness. ... Keep Reading