Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:20Dr. John Joseph Goff
1937-2009
We have all had at one time or another great people who have affected and many times effected the course of our life in this world. Most times this is a parent or grandparent, sometimes a friend, sometimes a mentor. When such a person passes from this life we feel a sense of emptiness that is left. This is but natural as the influence along with the person is taken from our course of life. For the Christian, this is but temporary as a Christian never sees another Christian for the last time. Yet the change of address is such a long distance from us that we feel as if a person who we say has died, has really passed beyond our reaching out to them.
However for those of us who are left in this world, we carry memories of those loved ones and they live and are still a part of us as we head towards our finish line and home.
This man, for those of you around the world, is Pastor John Goff of Chapmanville, WV. He pastored the First Baptist Church there for over 30 years, founded a Christian School, had a successful and long run Radio Broadcast, and was a friend and mentor, principal, coach, and example to those of us who knew him. I would like to direct this posting to a few reflections of this man's stay on Earth and how as a Christian, we should implement the same characteristics.
I would use the acrostic CEO to describe Pastor Goff.
The "C" stands for Commitment.
As any who knew Pastor Goff for any length of time knew that whatever he did, He was committed wholeheartedly to it. His first commitment was to his Lord. He always studied and never have you seen a more worn out Bible than his. I had seen it many times and wondered how it could be read with all the notes and markings in it. But you see it is a relationship with he and the Lord and it was all crystal clear. Every day at school when there were no papers to grade or whatever, the Bible would be open and studied, whenever he went home it was the same. In preaching he committed himself fully to understanding and relating the Gospel to his congregation. There was no "foolishness" as he often remarked to be had in the pulpit. The preaching and reading of the Word of God was serious business as it ought to be. I believe Pastor Goff was one of the few individuals who really knew and understood the reverence and serious nature of God to be had by all who follow the Lord. Pastor's radio program was called, "A Time For Truth." The truth of the Scripture was so important to Him as it should be us all, but I reckon even more important was that Truth be told to those who knew and did not know the Risen Lord. The Gospel that is committed to our charge, as Paul reminded Timothy, was to be passed on to faithful men also ( 2 Tim. 2:2 ). Many people who heard the Truth and heeded it have been blessed. Those who heard the Truth and did not heed it will be held accountable. Though in all of this, it was the commitment of the heart and love towards people that pushed him onward to tell a needy world that Jesus loved them and that Christ would forgive them of sin and come into their hearts and change their lives. Though Pastor Goff was committed in Sports immensely, to his loving wife and family faithfully, in service works just as well, this desire for knowing Jesus Christ and telling others about what they can have in Him is the whole commitment of John Goff for his Lord and for his people.
Question 1. "How much of my life is committed to Jesus Christ and the service He enables us to do?"
The Second letter "E" stands for Example.
A Christian person can talk a good talk, but it is the life and the works of faith which paint the true picture. Pastor Goff had his faults and his short comings as any fallible man or woman living in the world does. However, we strive to allow the witness of God live through us to show other men and women that in Whom we believe and serve is genuine. I mentioned Pastor Goff founded a school. I am a graduate of the school. I benefit today from his example as my principal and teacher. There is something to say here. That is many kids who went to school with me were afraid of him. The man was a giant and extremely strong, yet never once that I can remember was I afraid of him. I had no reason to be because he was not a cruel or angry sort bent on others harm. I knew by observing that he had impeccable character and that he was there for our good. He was very stern but fair. I think this example he left that a man can be both stern and fair without losing his temper or becoming ungodly in any fashion is one of the greatest remembrances I have of him. As long as I knew him there was never any double side to him. Likewise there is never any double side to our Lord. We dare not compare ourselves to the full character of Christ, for none of us here can attain fully to it, but we can strive to show it to others. I remember as a basketball coach he gave us the example of discipline and the value of practicing the right methods. Pastor always said something I will never forget, "How in the gym you practice is how you will play against another team in the game." How true. That is great advice for ball playing, but its better advice for the Christian life. How we live our lives everyday, according to God's Word or not, defines how we weather the tests of life. Do we crumble under pressure or do we praise God for His faithfulness? Do we curse God when things are not going our way, or do we praise Him in the good and bad times? Do we say we love God on Sunday and show it during the week towards the public? All these questions can be answered by the correct example of practice by following closely day by day example with Christ as Pastor Goff did. Whatever he did people looked to him, his church, his school, his contemporaries. People watch our example in the world. They may look at us, but what they are looking for is Christ and does His example show forth in us.
Question 2. "Does our life show a clear example of Christlikeness to anyone at anytime?"
The third and final letter is "O" for Opportunity.
We all have opportunities in life. Some we take others we don't. Pastor Goff's opportunities came in many forms. Though we have talked about his school, his sports and his ministries, let's look at one other area, his people. What do I mean? Every person in life who is a true follower of Christ will always cross the paths and make or not make an impact and have a hand in shaping these destinies of different lives. It is always self evident to know a person has had great influence when that person's funeral is more than well attended. But it is more self evident when we see lives changed before us and hear the testimonies of them retell how the now deceased so impacted them and they can point to a practical way in which that involvement is having today. At my own Grandpa's funeral, one man stood up and said that "I am a better man for knowing Mr. Pierson." So we who knew Pastor can utter the same. When we wake up and see opportunities in the form of lives before us, then we begin to see with the eyes of the Master. Wherever Jesus walked He encountered someone that He cared for and cared enough to help. Many times the disciples wanted the Lord to judge the people around them. Jesus told them plainly that the Son of Man is come to seek and to save the lost. This same mission is Opportunity #1. We cannot save anyone of ourselves, but we can so involve ourselves to show others that this same Jesus is more than worth knowing.
At Pastor Goff's funeral, his wife, also as committed and an example as her husband, told me that the Pastor kept a prayer book of all the student's names. Pastor Goff found prayer as an opportunity to stay involved with a student's life that maybe across the world or around the corner. Another opportunity of involvement was one on one help. Many times, while riding in his car on the way to a ball game everyone would talk about sports. I would some, but I was not good at sports even though I played. Many times though he would share with me about the Lord in a one on one fashion.
One last opportunity among many to mention was the opportunity he valued to see the Savior.
In life or in his death, he valued to see Christ. Paul said that to die was gain ( Philippians 1:21 ). The Apostle John said in all of his writings that he desired to see Christ. A relationship with Christ is an everyday expectation to see the One we love and Who loved us. There would be no relationship with anyone anywhere if the separated parties had no desire to see each other face to face someday, but rather was satisfied with verbal communication only. Pastor Goff was ready to seize his opportunity to see the One who loved us all. One of the most beloved verses in the Scripture is found in John 13:1 where Jesus loved His disciples to the End. Christ loved them to the end point when He would leave them in the world, and He loves each of us right up to and beyond the point when the end comes for our stay in the world. At such times the faith will be sight and the Joy sat before us will be in our experiential presence of everlasting sight. This opportunity would not be possible had Pastor Goff not received the crucified Lord in his heart.
Question 3. "Does the opportunities of service and relationship with Jesus Christ interest you?"
In conclusion, I cannot say enough about this man. There is so much more. However, in all things Christ is to be magnified over a man. This is the heart's desire of John Goff and the desire of all who serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. John the Baptist said it best, "He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease." We miss our friend and Pastor. Right now all we have left is a picture, but one day, very soon Lord willing, we will have the person again. This is a victory and a promise of Jesus Christ to His church. Better than that as Pastor Goff would testify, all of us who have Christ shall always be with the Lord!
Heavenly Father, thank you for faithful servants. Thank You that you are the pattern for our lives. May we always glorify you and edify one another as Pastor Goff did. Thank You for loving us and helping us to love one another. May we be committed to You always as You are always committed to us. In Your Name, Amen.
However for those of us who are left in this world, we carry memories of those loved ones and they live and are still a part of us as we head towards our finish line and home.
This man, for those of you around the world, is Pastor John Goff of Chapmanville, WV. He pastored the First Baptist Church there for over 30 years, founded a Christian School, had a successful and long run Radio Broadcast, and was a friend and mentor, principal, coach, and example to those of us who knew him. I would like to direct this posting to a few reflections of this man's stay on Earth and how as a Christian, we should implement the same characteristics.
I would use the acrostic CEO to describe Pastor Goff.
The "C" stands for Commitment.
As any who knew Pastor Goff for any length of time knew that whatever he did, He was committed wholeheartedly to it. His first commitment was to his Lord. He always studied and never have you seen a more worn out Bible than his. I had seen it many times and wondered how it could be read with all the notes and markings in it. But you see it is a relationship with he and the Lord and it was all crystal clear. Every day at school when there were no papers to grade or whatever, the Bible would be open and studied, whenever he went home it was the same. In preaching he committed himself fully to understanding and relating the Gospel to his congregation. There was no "foolishness" as he often remarked to be had in the pulpit. The preaching and reading of the Word of God was serious business as it ought to be. I believe Pastor Goff was one of the few individuals who really knew and understood the reverence and serious nature of God to be had by all who follow the Lord. Pastor's radio program was called, "A Time For Truth." The truth of the Scripture was so important to Him as it should be us all, but I reckon even more important was that Truth be told to those who knew and did not know the Risen Lord. The Gospel that is committed to our charge, as Paul reminded Timothy, was to be passed on to faithful men also ( 2 Tim. 2:2 ). Many people who heard the Truth and heeded it have been blessed. Those who heard the Truth and did not heed it will be held accountable. Though in all of this, it was the commitment of the heart and love towards people that pushed him onward to tell a needy world that Jesus loved them and that Christ would forgive them of sin and come into their hearts and change their lives. Though Pastor Goff was committed in Sports immensely, to his loving wife and family faithfully, in service works just as well, this desire for knowing Jesus Christ and telling others about what they can have in Him is the whole commitment of John Goff for his Lord and for his people.
Question 1. "How much of my life is committed to Jesus Christ and the service He enables us to do?"
The Second letter "E" stands for Example.
A Christian person can talk a good talk, but it is the life and the works of faith which paint the true picture. Pastor Goff had his faults and his short comings as any fallible man or woman living in the world does. However, we strive to allow the witness of God live through us to show other men and women that in Whom we believe and serve is genuine. I mentioned Pastor Goff founded a school. I am a graduate of the school. I benefit today from his example as my principal and teacher. There is something to say here. That is many kids who went to school with me were afraid of him. The man was a giant and extremely strong, yet never once that I can remember was I afraid of him. I had no reason to be because he was not a cruel or angry sort bent on others harm. I knew by observing that he had impeccable character and that he was there for our good. He was very stern but fair. I think this example he left that a man can be both stern and fair without losing his temper or becoming ungodly in any fashion is one of the greatest remembrances I have of him. As long as I knew him there was never any double side to him. Likewise there is never any double side to our Lord. We dare not compare ourselves to the full character of Christ, for none of us here can attain fully to it, but we can strive to show it to others. I remember as a basketball coach he gave us the example of discipline and the value of practicing the right methods. Pastor always said something I will never forget, "How in the gym you practice is how you will play against another team in the game." How true. That is great advice for ball playing, but its better advice for the Christian life. How we live our lives everyday, according to God's Word or not, defines how we weather the tests of life. Do we crumble under pressure or do we praise God for His faithfulness? Do we curse God when things are not going our way, or do we praise Him in the good and bad times? Do we say we love God on Sunday and show it during the week towards the public? All these questions can be answered by the correct example of practice by following closely day by day example with Christ as Pastor Goff did. Whatever he did people looked to him, his church, his school, his contemporaries. People watch our example in the world. They may look at us, but what they are looking for is Christ and does His example show forth in us.
Question 2. "Does our life show a clear example of Christlikeness to anyone at anytime?"
The third and final letter is "O" for Opportunity.
We all have opportunities in life. Some we take others we don't. Pastor Goff's opportunities came in many forms. Though we have talked about his school, his sports and his ministries, let's look at one other area, his people. What do I mean? Every person in life who is a true follower of Christ will always cross the paths and make or not make an impact and have a hand in shaping these destinies of different lives. It is always self evident to know a person has had great influence when that person's funeral is more than well attended. But it is more self evident when we see lives changed before us and hear the testimonies of them retell how the now deceased so impacted them and they can point to a practical way in which that involvement is having today. At my own Grandpa's funeral, one man stood up and said that "I am a better man for knowing Mr. Pierson." So we who knew Pastor can utter the same. When we wake up and see opportunities in the form of lives before us, then we begin to see with the eyes of the Master. Wherever Jesus walked He encountered someone that He cared for and cared enough to help. Many times the disciples wanted the Lord to judge the people around them. Jesus told them plainly that the Son of Man is come to seek and to save the lost. This same mission is Opportunity #1. We cannot save anyone of ourselves, but we can so involve ourselves to show others that this same Jesus is more than worth knowing.
At Pastor Goff's funeral, his wife, also as committed and an example as her husband, told me that the Pastor kept a prayer book of all the student's names. Pastor Goff found prayer as an opportunity to stay involved with a student's life that maybe across the world or around the corner. Another opportunity of involvement was one on one help. Many times, while riding in his car on the way to a ball game everyone would talk about sports. I would some, but I was not good at sports even though I played. Many times though he would share with me about the Lord in a one on one fashion.
One last opportunity among many to mention was the opportunity he valued to see the Savior.
In life or in his death, he valued to see Christ. Paul said that to die was gain ( Philippians 1:21 ). The Apostle John said in all of his writings that he desired to see Christ. A relationship with Christ is an everyday expectation to see the One we love and Who loved us. There would be no relationship with anyone anywhere if the separated parties had no desire to see each other face to face someday, but rather was satisfied with verbal communication only. Pastor Goff was ready to seize his opportunity to see the One who loved us all. One of the most beloved verses in the Scripture is found in John 13:1 where Jesus loved His disciples to the End. Christ loved them to the end point when He would leave them in the world, and He loves each of us right up to and beyond the point when the end comes for our stay in the world. At such times the faith will be sight and the Joy sat before us will be in our experiential presence of everlasting sight. This opportunity would not be possible had Pastor Goff not received the crucified Lord in his heart.
Question 3. "Does the opportunities of service and relationship with Jesus Christ interest you?"
In conclusion, I cannot say enough about this man. There is so much more. However, in all things Christ is to be magnified over a man. This is the heart's desire of John Goff and the desire of all who serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. John the Baptist said it best, "He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease." We miss our friend and Pastor. Right now all we have left is a picture, but one day, very soon Lord willing, we will have the person again. This is a victory and a promise of Jesus Christ to His church. Better than that as Pastor Goff would testify, all of us who have Christ shall always be with the Lord!
Heavenly Father, thank you for faithful servants. Thank You that you are the pattern for our lives. May we always glorify you and edify one another as Pastor Goff did. Thank You for loving us and helping us to love one another. May we be committed to You always as You are always committed to us. In Your Name, Amen.
1 comment:
Jonathon, this "blog" is so beautiful!!! I really admire you for what you have wrote. I will always cherish the times with Pastor Goff. He was a very Godly man that I will always love. He and his family will have always had an impact on my life. Take care and I pray that you will continue to do God's will in your life.
With God's love,
Twiggy McNeil (aka Kim Fortune)
twiggy@windstream.net
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