Characteristics of a Living Oasis

Introduction:

Each year I try to think of a theme that I want to emphasize going into the New Year. This year the theme was “Look on the Fields” from John 4:35. In both of our revivals we had speakers that were born in different fields of the world. Back in March we had Ed Goode with us who was born in the UK and who challenged us from God’s Word and brought several messages about SEEING and LOOKING.

In October we had Hemant Patel with us, who was born in India and did a phenomenal job preaching God’s Word and reminding us of so many important things.

As 2025 draws to a close I’ve been spending some time with the Lord, specifically asking Him to give me some direction for the New Year. I hope you have been doing the same thing. In doing so, a few passages have been in the slow cooker of my heart. I want to share them with you this morning and talk about them briefly:

Matthew 10:42 NKJV

And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

In the context of this passage Jesus is giving His disciples various instructions and reminds them of this important truth. What we do to bless others, for the glory of God gets noticed by God even if it’s unnoticed by others.

Another passage I’ve been thinking about is also found in the book of Matthew:

Matthew 25:34–40 NKJV

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

As I thought on these Scriptures I began to think...that’s what we need to do. As a church we need to be busy “giving cups of cold water in Jesus’ name” and we need to be busy SERVING and MINISTERING to our church family and community as we would minister to Jesus if He were on earth today.

After thinking about these Scriptures, spending time in prayer, and sharing this burden with the deacons I have decided on the 2026 theme:

TEAM OASIS: Filling Empty Cups in Jesus’ Name

Let’s think about this theme together:

First, I understand we need to do these things as a TEAM. We have to work together to accomplish this goal.

The second word is OASIS. Now, what is an oasis? Someone defined an OASIS this way:

An oasis is an area of life surrounded by a landscape of death. It is a place of refuge, relief, and refreshment in the midst of a dry and weary land.

In today’s message I want to ask you to turn to consider with me the CHARACTERISITICS OF A LIVING OASIS.

I do not believe we can work together to be a COLLECTIVE OASIS as a local church if we are not trusting and surrendering to God to be a personal Oasis: An OASIS in our homes, our marriages, our relationships, and in our church family.

Neither can we POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP. We must make sure that while we are ministering to and serving others, we are also making sure we stay spiritually healthy and are tapping into the water of life that we have available to us.

BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER: I want to ask you to do something with me right now. Would you bow your heart to God and sincerely ask Him

FIRST ASK Him to reveal how your words, your life, and your actions can be a PLACE OF REFUGE, RELIEF, AND REFRESHMENT TO YOUR SPOUSE, TO YOUR CHILDREN, TO YOUR CO-WORKERS, AND TO YOUR CHURCH FAMILY.

SECOND ASK Him to reveal areas in your life where you may be, even unintentionally, ADDING burdens to YOUR SPOUSE, CHILDREN, CO-WORKERS, and CHURCH FAMILY. Do your words and actions AFFLICT and DISCOURAGE or BLESS and ENCOURAGE? Are YOU filling cups, or are you depleting them? Ask God to reveal whether or not you are being used by God to be a “faucet or a drain.”

With a sermon like this I bet someone has already come to your mind that exhausts you, frustrates you, depletes you. But before you point a finger at them, stand open and honest before the Lord and say “God SEARCH ME and TRY ME and SEE if there are any wicked ways in MY heart...”

REVIVAL DOESN’T COME BY US CONFESSING SOMEONE ELSE’S SINS, BUT OUR OWN!

Let me just say right off the bat that EVERYONE of us needs to improve in this area. EVERYONE of us has room to grow in this area. The only PERFECT example in this area was the Lord Jesus Christ.

But there are several people in Scripture who I believe God used to be a LIVING OASIS and I want to share ONE of those examples with you today.

Turn to the TINY book near the end of your New Testament called PHILEMON. Philemon is only 1 chapter, but Paul gives us a glimpse into this man’s life who was being used by God to be an OASIS in the middle of a SPIRITUALLY DRY world.

Today I want to share with you some CHARACTERISTICS OF A LIVING OASIS

Notice with me Philemon 4-7

Philemon 4–7 NKJV

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The FIRST CHARACTERISTIC of a LIVING OASIS is that

They Have a Reputation of Christlike Love

In verse 5 Paul takes time to elaborate about Philemon’s LOVE. That was his testimony. He was a loving guy. Paul says that his love was DIRECTED toward “all the saints.”

Philemon had this testimony—he loved people!

It is interesting that the Greek word that is used for Philemon’s love reveals much. This word referenced “AGAPE” love. Christlike love is:

Sacrificial

Christlike love always seeks out what is BEST for the object of the one loved. Christlike love never asks, “What can I get out of this relationship,” but rather it asks, “What can I GIVE to this relationship?”

Isn’t that the way Christ loved us?

John 15:13 NKJV

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

While Philemon had not literally laid down his life, sacrificial love willingly lays aside SELFISH motives TO BENEFIT OTHERS!

Not only is Christlike love sacrificial, it is also

Supernatural

Christlike love is not natural, it is supernatural! It is the DIRECT and NECESSARY result of one’s faith in Christ! It is the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit.

Philemon’s Christlike love was also

Practical

His love led him to be hospitable and his house served as home to a local church

Philemon 2 NKJV

to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Paul knew of his hospitality because he knew he could count on Philemon to provide a place for him to stay when he came to visit:

Philemon 22 NKJV

But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

His love demonstrated itself in practical ways like being KIND and being GENEROUS.

Inclusive

Philemon is known as a person who not only loved Jesus, but as a person who loved “all the saints” (note again the end of verse 4)

Leon Morris said this about Philemon’s love...

Philemon’s kindnesses to the saints at large brought joy and comfort to Paul and no doubt to many others as well...such love has its effects on those outside the circle of believers. “See how these Christians love one another!” was a verdict which brought the non-Christian world to take seriously the faith that could produce such results. It may well be that many of the troubles facing the church today would be solved or at least considerably reduced if the whole church structure were permeated by a spirit of love.

Philemon had a history of loving behavior, how about you?

If you are going to be a LIVING OASIS, if Meadowbrook Church is going to be a LIVING OASIS in the desert of Buncombe County, we are going to have to become people that are SURRENDERED to and SATURATED with the LOVE OF CHRIST—this love will be demonstrated by our BEHAVIOR!

May it be said about us...THEY LOVE JESUS AND THEY LOVE PEOPLE!

Not only does as Living Oasis have a reputation of Christlike love, but...

They Have a Refreshing Spirit

Note again Philemon 7

Philemon 7 NKJV

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The word used for “REFRESHED” is an interesting word. Daryl Ellis says it means to “refresh by giving ...comfort or compensation.”

It’s the same word that’s translated “REST” in Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It has its origin as a military term. N. T. Wright says:

The verb here is in origin a military metaphor, signifying the rest that an army takes while on the march. The Colossian Christians, weary in their daily battles for the Lord, find in Philemon the refreshment and rest needed to regain strength for renewed warfare

Philemon had a testimony of being a REFRESHING CHRISTIAN. When people spent time with Philemon they felt spiritually stronger, not weaker, they felt spiritually rested, not frazzled. Philemon didn’t add to the warfare, but provide a place of REFUGE from the warfare so they would be ready to go out and fight the REAL ENEMY!

We’ve got enough warfare outside of these walls, we don’t need warfare inside these walls.

When we are with other believers, we should be doing all we can to REFRESH one another, SERVE one another, and ENCOURAGE one another.

Coming together with other believers is when we should get our spiritual batteries recharged, NOT DRAINED, so we will be ready to fight the battles that are just outside these doors.

As you reread Philemon 7, you find that he was refreshing to the “hearts of the saints.” The word “heart” here references a persons “inner man, his emotions.”

So when you put this all together you find that Philemon’s spirit, actions, and attitude were used by God to bring rest and relief to other believers both physically and emotionally!

Here’s a good, but convicting question to ask ourselves and we need to do so with brutal honesty: "If everyone in Meadowbrook Church treated others exactly the way you treat others, would this church be an oasis of rest, or a desert of exhaustion?" What needs to change to make this to happen? Don’t point fingers at someone else. Ask God to enable YOU to become the OASIS that someone else needs!

That leads us into another characteristic of a Living Oasis is that...

You are Glad to See Them Coming

When I was a young pastor in another part of the state I almost dreaded the beginning of church service. Doesn’t that sound awful? I was a very immature pastor in the mid-90’s when this happened, but I got into the habit of going to my office between Sunday School and Church because invariably someone wanted to talk to be about something NEGATIVE right before I got up to preach.

I didn’t handle this situation properly, but I’m going to be honest with you. There were some folks I DREADED TO SEE COMING MY WAY, because I knew they were going to make a withdrawal from my emotional bank account, right before I got ready to try to preach God’s Word.

We need to be the kind of Christians who others are GLAD TO SEE US COMING THEIR WAY!

Think about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:15-18

1 Corinthians 16:15–18 NKJV

I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Did you see what he said, “I AM GLAD ABOUT THE COMING OF [these men]...the refreshed my spirit! They supplied what was lacking!

When other believers see you coming their way do they anticipate the encouragement you are bringing or do they expect another criticism?

Another characteristic is...

They Bring You Comfort

Let’s go back to our text in Philemon 7

Philemon 7 NKJV

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

I want you to notice the word “consolation” in this passage. It’s the same word used in 2 Corinthians 7:13

2 Corinthians 7:13 NKJV

Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

The word “refreshed” in this verse is the same Greek word we find in Philemon 7. This shows us that COMFORT and SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT go together.

The word comfort is often used in the CONTRAST of tribulation or trouble. A refreshing believer doesn’t ADD TROUBLE to your life, but rather adds COMFORT and STRENGTH!

What happened in 2 Corinthians 7? Titus had been comforted and refreshed by the Corinthian believers, which led to an OVERFLOW OF JOY!

One last characteristic I want to mention...

They are Someone for Whom You are Grateful

In this season of Thanksgiving not only should we focus on WHAT we are grateful for, but we should also focus on WHO we are grateful for. As you look around this congregation I hope and pray there are some people that YOU can say, as Paul did...

Philemon 4 NKJV

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

Philippians 1:3 NKJV

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

These are the characteristics I believe the Lord wants for us individually and collectively as a church family. We live in a world that is an emotional and spiritual desert.

We can never become the OASIS God wants us to be in other people’s lives if we do not get honest with God and honest with ourselves. We need to take some UNCOMFORTABLE INVENTORY.

If you are not FILLING the CUPS around you in Jesus’ name, I promise you the enemy will CAPITILIZE on it!

Is your home an OASIS or a Desert?

Is your marriage an OASIS or a Desert?

Is your small group an OASIS or a Desert?

GOD HELP US!

If I were the devil and I wanted to destroy marriages,

and homes,

and children,

I would be capitalizing on all the empty cups and offering a POISONED OASIS in the place of the OASIS that our spouses and children should be drinking from.

Ask God to help you to be REAL and HONEST about what needs to change in your life so that God can BLESS YOU TO BE A BLESSING!

CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you SPOT and FILL an empty cup this week.

Find a way to bless someone this week.

Maybe you have a neighbor that needs comforted

Maybe you know someone you can text and just say, “I was thinking about you today. Is there anything I can be praying with you about?”

Send a thank you card to someone who has been an OASIS in your life and thank them for the difference they made. Their cups get dry too.

Look around our congregation, and when you see folks that you don’t know or are alone, take the initiative to be an oasis for the lonely.

Learn to LISTEN without FIXING. This is a touch one especially for me. Some people want to share their burdens and just need someone to listen to them rather than trying to FIX them.

Go and visit our shut-ins and those who are in the nursing homes.

Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive thru

Slip a gas card or gift card in the hand of someone that you know might be struggling

HOW MANY BELIEVERS will take that Challenge this Week?

Maybe your cup is empty because you’ve never met the Water of Life?

Invitation

Share 2026 Vision and Plan

January: Jamaica Project—Hurricane Relief

February: SALT SQUAD Appreciation Luncheon (Team Leader—Regina Presley)—Senior Adults Living Triumphantly

March: Leadership Retreat & The Oaks Service Project (Team Leader—Daryl Grimes)

April: Good Friday at the Western NC Rescue Mission (Team Leader—Junior & Frances Melton)

May: Black Mountain Children’s Home (Team Leader—Sonya Grindstaff)

June: Ascend Women’s Center (MAPS) Diaper Drive (Team Leader—Charlie & Jane Wilhelm)

July: Christmas in July OCC Collection (Team Leader—Stephanie Wise)

August: Backpack Blessings (Team Leader—Connie Reynolds)

September: World Missions Offering

October: Trunk or Treat Candy Collection (Team Leader: Vanessa Tillis)

November: Thanksgiving Baskets

December: Christmas Project for Local Nursing Home (Team Leader: Miranda Brendell)

Some of these items are coming up quickly! We’d like to ask every person to serve on at least ONE team this year. Some of you could serve on multiple teams.

These are just some practical ways to “Fill Empty Cups in Jesus’ Name”