"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

September 16, 2012 | Philippians 1:19-30 - The Joy of the Future

I know I'm really behind, but here is the third sermon in our series looking at the book of Philippians. Here, Paul confronts the reality that he very well might be executed and yet he writes with joy. Like Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We win regardless. If we are alive, let us live for Christ.

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. ²⁹ For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.





Notes
Audio

September 2, 2012 | Philippians 1:1-11 - The Joy of Thanksgiving & Prayer

Just War Theory: What Christians Have Had to Say

Sunday night we discussed issues of war and the Christian worldview. I laid out the traditional Just War Theory. A general search for just war theory contains a lot of secular philosophy, but I am most interested in what Christians have had to say about it. The two leading thinkers on the subject are Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas.

Here are the tenants of Just War Theory:

1. Just Cause -“All aggression is condemned; only defensive war is legitimate.

2. Just Intention - “The only legitimate intention is to secure a just peace for all involved. Neither revenge nor conquest nor economic gain nor ideological supremacy is justified.”

3. Last Resort - “War may e entered upon only when all negotiations and compromise have been tried and failed.”

4. Formal Declaration - “Since the use of military force is the prerogative of governments, not of private individuals, a state of war must be officially declared by the highest authorities.”

5. Limited objectives - “If the purpose of peace, then unconditional surrender or the destruction of a nation’s economic or political institutions is an unwarranted objective.”

6. Proportionate Means - “The weaponry and the force used should be limited to what is needed to repel the aggression and deter future attacks, that is to say, to secure a just peace. Total or unlimited war is ruled out.

7. Noncombatant Immunity - “Since war is an official act of government, only those who are officially agents of government may fight, and individuals not actively contributing to the conflict (including POWs and casualties as well as civilian nonparticipants) should be immune from attack.”

These are all taken from McQuilkin, Introduction to Biblical Ethics, 337.

I also want to point you to a good article written by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on Christians and the Just War Theory.

Mohler - Is War Ever Justified? A Reality Check

Weekly Recommendation: "Death By Love"

Last night during Bible Study, we discussed Christus Exemplar and I reference one of my favorite books, "Death By Love: Letters From the Cross" by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Beshears. I highly recommend this book and have written a full review of the book some time ago. In fact, I was listening to this book the day I got hired at Goshen. So it is especially important to me.

Review - "Death By Love"



For More:
Where Theology and Life Intersect: A Theological Case for Christus Exemplar and Why It is Necessary - Part 1 - Introduction
Where Theology and Life Intersect: A Theological Case for Christus Exemplar and Why It is Necessary - Part 2 - This regards the doctrine of sin and depravity
Where Theology and Life Intersect: A Theological Case for Christus Exemplar and Why It is Necessary - Part 3 - Here is a discussion on the historicity of the doctrine
Where Theology and Life Intersect: A Theological Case for Christus Exemplar and Why It is Necessary - Part 4 - Here is a discussion on Humility
Review -"Religion Saves"
Review - "The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World"
Review - "The Radical Reformission"
Review - "Vintage Jesus"
Theology - Churches Helping Churches: MacDonald Makes His Plea
Theology - The Myth of Adolescence: Mark Driscoll Weighs In
Theology - Does Satan Exist? Debate
Theology - Driscoll on ABC

April 5, 2009 - Leviticus 16:15-22: The Day of (Christ's) Atonement

Click on the title to listen/download audio. You can download the notes by clicking here.

April 5, 2009 - Mark 15:21: Simon of Cyrene and the Meaning of Christianity

Click on the title to listen/download audio. You can download the notes by clicking here.

Week Prayer for North American Missions: Hostility In America

As we finish our series on the week of Prayer for North American missions, I want us to focus on a tragedy that took place on Sunday morning. In Illinois, a Baptist pastor was shot to death during the early morning church service. Investigators are still looking into the case and will be charging the murderer. Before the man could, what seemed to be, commit suicide, some of the members of the church subdued the man, but by then, the pastor had already died. One bullet struck the pastors Bible.

As we have already seen, hostility and persecution happen around the world and America is no different. Although such an attack, at this magnitude, is rare and surprising, what a testimony it is to be willing to die for the Lord. Let us pray for this pastors family and let us pray for the church as they have an amazing opportunity to illustrate the gospel and bring more to Christ.

During tragedies like this, we oftentimes find ourselves asking why has God allowed such a thing. We must always return to seeking God's glory. The history of Church is full of such tragedies. Much blood has been spilt on account of being a follower of Christ. However, God has used such tragedies to further the gospel. So although we weep and pray for healing and comfort for the family and church for this pastor, let us pray that the gospel might flourish, a revival might begin, and ultimately, that God will be glorified.

Funeral For Phyllis Berry

For the second time in a week, we have lost another sister. Phyllis Berry and passed away this week and her funeral is scheduled for Sunday at 1:00. I encourage everyone who can to go and support the Berry family as they mourn the lost of their loved one. I had the opportunity of meeting and knowing Phyllis. One of the things I will never forget is her and her husbands love for one another. Each of them would have done anything for each other. I pray that I will love my wife like that!

Isn't it interesting that the week of Phyllis' burial, we will be celebrating Christmas. Christmas is a time when Christians are to celebrate the birth of their Savior. Christmas, furthermore, would be pointless if it wasn't for Easter. The cross of Christ is the heart of Christianity. Without it, Christianity does not exists. Therefore, in the birth of Christ we celebrate the death of Christ.

Likewise, during the mourning over the loss of a loved one this time of year, we can rejoice because a Child was born who came to die for us so that we might live. And all who accept Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf will, in their death, live forevermore.

Keep the Berry family in prayer!

Funeral for Hallie Pierce

Today, another member of our church, Hallie Pierce, has passed away. She has gone home to be with her Lord. Hallie was the first person I visited at the hospital and I have enjoyed the time that I got to spend with her. For the past week, I have either visited or called checking up on her and have see her deteriorate to her death. Her death has been stressful for her family and let us pray for her family as they mourn. They clearly loved her and were willing to do anything for her.

The one thing that Hallie wants most is for her family, friends, church family, and loved ones to be with her one day in heaven. Hallie loved Christ and want to spend the rest of eternity with both God and those that God had placed in her life. Therefore, at her funeral, we will, at the request of the family, we will be making the gospel the main theme of the services and we will even have an invitation at the end.

As a pastor, I could not be more pleased to see that in the midst of suffering and death and mourning, the family is pleading that we share the gospel with others. What a legacy! I can't think of a better way to honor Hallie. As Christians, let us want the same thing in our lives and in our death: the salvation of souls.

Funeral for Bessie Phillips

One of our members passed away this week. Her funeral will be held Saturday December 6, 2008 at Goshen Baptist Church and her burial will be at the church graveyard. Her husband had been a deacon and she served as the church clerk for decades. I encourage everyone to attend the funeral or the visitation (on Friday) and help the family during this time of morning.

As a new pastor, I do not know every member. There are many members who are shut-ins and are unable to attend church on a regular basis or at all. Recently, I have been able to visit and call many of them. Bessie was one of them.

I contacted her the Monday before Thanksgiving and we spoke for about 20 minutes on many things. I introduced myself, we talked about her health, her experience with the church for so many years, her work as a clerk, who I was, who my family was, where we were from, etc. I really enjoyed our conversation. I was eager to meet Mrs. Phillips.

The week came for my visit and at church it was brought to my attention that she was in the hospital. The next day I swung by and paid a visit. For the first time, and only time, I met Mrs. Phillips. She had been told that there was a good chance that she would get to go home the next day. Excited I sat down and we continued our conversation. She was such a blessing.

Before leaving, I prayed with Mrs. Phillips. I thanked God that he had allowed her to go home. Little did I know that within a few hours, she would go home, though not the home we had been talking about. God had called her home into His arms where she is to this day. As Christians we are to mourn the loss of a loved one but rejoice that she has returned to her heavenly home. We are not citizens of this world and Mrs. Phillips is walking the streets of gold. So though we mourn, we rejoice nonetheless.

I want to briefly reflect on the legacy that Mrs. Phillips will have in my life. I will be reading the Lord's Prayer at her funeral and the chairman of the deacons will be performing the funeral. A text that comes to mind to me is Jesus' prayer in the Garden just prior to his arrest. Why? Because it is there that we see Christ on His knees awaiting the sacrifice that would redeem many.

Likewise, I will always remember Mrs. Phillips as a woman of prayer. Why? Because whenever I asked if she would like to pray, her countenance chanced and she was eager to speak to her Lord. There was an eagerness there. Not just for health, but to be drawn into His presence. In the garden we are confronted with desperate prayer for God's Will and at the same time propitiation for sins. Mrs. Phillips has been forgiven and is in heaven with Her Lord because of the death and resurrection of Christ. And I will always remember her as a woman of prayer. What a legacy!