"End of Construction. Thank You For Your Patience": Ruth Bell Graham & the Hope of Sanctification

Sunday we will be discussing the doctrine of sanctification - or as I prefer to call it "holification." There are three aspects of salvation: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Think of it as salvation is past (justification), present and ongoing (sanctification), and future and final (glorification). Consider what Paul says in Philippians 3:12-:4:1 (our text for Sunday).

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; ¹⁶ however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
¹⁷ Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

4 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

As I was thinking about this text and thinking about what is meant by these three terms, I am reminded of the epitaph of Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, who died in 2007. It reads, End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.

Perfect.


September 2, 2012 | Philippians 1:1-11 - The Joy of Thanksgiving & Prayer 
September 16, 2012 | Philippians 1:19-30 - The Joy of the Future
September 23, 2012 | Philippians 2:1-4: The Joy of Humility
September 30, 2012 | Philippians 2:5-11: The Joy of Holy Condescension
October 7, 2012 | Philippians 2:12-30: The Joy of Sanctification 
October 21, 2012 | Philippians 3:1-11: The Joy of a Pure Gospel
October 28, 2012 | Jude 1-25 - Is Grace a License to Sin?: Jude & the Antinomians 


For more:
There is no Gospel Without Blood
MacArthur: Salvation is Divine Transaction & Transformation
This is Who We Are: What a Baptist Is and Believes - Salvation
Bonhoeffer on Matthew 5:7-9

Thanks For Your Gifts!: Another Donation to Turn on the Tap

After some time collecting pocket change and donating it into the "Turn on the Tap" program bottle at the back of the church, today Goshen donated that money (totaling $35) to Franklin Graham's Samaritan Purses Turn on the Tap.  Below are some resources explaining what the program is and why we, in this small way, support this program.

And starting Sunday we will begin collecting again.  Bring your pocket change!











We also participate in the Samiritan Purses Operation Christmas Child (what we have called Joy Boxes). We are beginning those with more information to come in the coming weeks.

Weekly Recommendation: "The Journey"

Billy Graham certainly needs no introduction. He has preached throughout the world and his books have been best-sellers. His most recent book, however, is perhaps his best. If there ever was a book that articulates the gospel and the Christian life (in light of the gospel) and best summarizes the entire ministry of Billy Graham, it would be his monumental book, "The Journey: Living By Faith in an Uncertain World."

Graham writes with an amazing ability to make complicated issues simple. Graham manages to lay out the gospel and the Christian worldview in simple words that any reader an understand. He is orthodox and thorough, yet not dull and stuck in an ivory tower. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I was unsure what to expect and with some of Graham's comments in recent years that challenge a biblical understanding of the gospel, but Graham holds firm to the exclusive, justification by faith alone gospel of Scripture. Though there are minor moments of disagreement I had with Graham throughout, this is a solid book.

Anyone who respects, loves, and has learned from Graham will enjoy this book. I would recommend this book to all believers, especially to new believers. he covers God, Scripture, the gospel, Christian living, the purpose and meaning of the church, etc.

If you read nothing else and have little experience in reading Christian non-fiction, begin here and read this book.

Operation Christmas Child Video

Here is a promotional video from last year regarding Operation Christmas Child. I really want us to participate in this. During Sunday School on November 1, the youth will be packing their shoeboxes.




I know this is the U.K. version, but it was the best I could do on short notice.

Billy Graham and Eschatology

Assuming that we have church this upcoming Sunday (power is still out at the church), we will begin looking at the Olivet Discourse. And so I have been spending a lot of time looking at the end times, the book of Revelation, what Jesus had to say about His Second Coming, and similar issues.

Interstingly, Billy Graham, who just turned 90, has placed heavy emphasis on the second coming of Christ at his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website. I would like to point everyone to an article by Christianity Today on the subject. In the article, the author wrote:

This year, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will focus on the return of Jesus Christ and help prepare believers for life in the last days, according to a recent announcement.

"People ask me, 'Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is going to come back to this earth again?'" writes the Rev Billy Graham in one of several resources that the ministry is providing on the End Times.

"Yes, I do,” he continues. “The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. And I don’t see any other hope, because we’re heading toward a catastrophe in our world."

As part of its effort, the ministry has compiled a number of End Times resources including a message delivered by Graham in 1998, a 2008 message from BGEA president and CEO Franklin Graham, an article adapted from a message delivered by Anne Graham Lotz in 1996, an End Times article on the basics of the Second Coming, and a couple of Q&As with Billy Graham that include a question on whether the world will end in 2009.

“The most important question, however, is this: Are you ready for Christ's return?” Graham writes after offering his response.

The BGEA is hoping that through its compilation of resources on the Second Coming of Christ, believers will learn how they can fulfil God's plan for their life, increase their love for the Saviour and grow their faith during these times — as if it were their last days.

“If that happens today, are you ready?” Graham poses.

After reading the article, I am left asking myself 2 questions

1. Am I ready if Christ comes to Me? That is, am I ready for the return of Christ?
2. Am I ready if I go to Christ? That is, am I ready for death and the life after?

The real question is, am I a true believer that has embraced the cross and do I produce the fruit of that conviction? These are the questions that the study of the end times should drive us to ask.

Are your ready?

______________

I want to recommend some books about Billy Graham that I have reviewed. I have read a lot from and about Graham and so this is not an complete list of what I have read. These are only books that I have personally reviewed.

"Billy Graham: His Life And Influence" by David Aikman- My favorite biography on Graham. I love how Aikman writes and have read a number of his books.

THE EVANGELIST - This traces the theology of Graham.

"Why?: Trusting God When You Don't Understand" by Ann Graham Lotz - this is the daughter of Billy Graham. I was a bit disappointed with this book.

"The Preacher and the Presidents" - I just finished reading this book. I love to study the Presidents, and I admire Billy Graham. Anyone interested in either or both should pick up this book!