Irrevocable Call

February 24, 2018

"I am not going to heaven because I have

preached to great crowds or read the Bible

many times. I'm going to heaven just like the

thief on the cross who said in the last moment:

Lord, remember me." -Billy Graham

This past week on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Billy Graham passed away. One of my hero's and a gentleman that I looked up to. Humble. Godly. Preached the gospel with no fluff! I loved that about him. I always wanted to meet the man, yet that will have to wait for another day in eternity! Just in the last couple of days as people have looked back on this man, the gospel has been his reflection! Think about. You live your life and the very thing the people remember you for was the love you had for your family and most of all, the love you had for God! As people reflect on your life the gospel of Christ is continued to be talked about! From the grave, Billy's life will continue to preach the gospel. What a legacy!

So today there is no sadness, just rejoicing for his homecoming! What a scene it must have been when Billy entered into the presence of God!

"Billy Graham's ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his matchless voice changed the lives of millions. We mourn his passing but I know with absolute certainty that today he heard those words, 'well done good and faithful servant.' Thank you Billy Graham"

-Vice President Mike Pence

I came across a video of Billy Graham taken about twenty years ago...a TED Talk of all things. The video was made at the time he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In this TED Talk Billy Graham marvels at technology's power to improve lives and change the world -- but says the end of evil, suffering and death will come only after the world accepts Christ. A great message that is very relevant for us today. Please take the time to watch this video...I promise, it will challenge you!

The video also contains subtitles in different languages for your pleasure.

Billy Graham: On Technology and Faith (26:00)

His call. His gift to you. Your purpose. Irrevocable.

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Irrevocable Statement of Faith

We are called to focus on Scripture, accept salvation by grace through faith, magnify Christ, and live for God's glory.

The Five Solas....

Sola Scriptura: "Scripture alone” The Bible alone is the source of authority for the followers of Christ. The Scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160 & 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

Sola Fide: "Faith alone” Salvation is a free gift to all who accept it by faith (John 3:16). Salvation is not based on human effort or good deeds (Ephesians 2:9). Every follower of Christ has eternal life and complete assurance in the finished work of Jesus Christ when He died on the cross for our sins, and arose from the dead. (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:24; 6:23; 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:18-19, 22-25; I John 5:11-13)

Sola Gratia: "Grace alone" Grace is the reason for our salvation, which is not based on what we do, but what God has done. Man willingly fell to sin, ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world. (Genesis 3) Through grace we can enter into a relationship with God through Christ who brought salvation through his death and resurrection.

Sola Christo: "Through Christ alone" Jesus is the one who intercedes, as the "high priest" on our behalf before the Father. Through Christ we are offered access to God. Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, born of a virgin, sinless, crucified for our sins, resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven, and coming back again to establish His Kingdom on earth. (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 29; 3:16; I Corinthians 15:3, 4, 12-19; Hebrews 4:15; I John 2:1-2; Acts 1:9-11)

Soli Deo Gloria: "Glory of God alone" The goal for every follower of Christ is to bring glory to God in everything we do in life. "So, whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Corinthians 10:31).

The Four Basic Questions (4Bq's)

Everyone has a worldview. Our worldview is our foundation which shapes our values. Our values shape our behavior. The "behavior" is the result of our worldview. How one answers the Four Basic Questions helps us understand one’s worldview foundation. Irrevocable answers the 4Bq’s as followed:

4Bq 1: How do you see the world created? God is the creator of all living matter. Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” In verse 31, God saw all that he made, and it was very good. Though creation and evolution are theories, it is the belief of Irrevocable that the idea of creation is highly supported through evidence of science.

4Bq 2: How do you see human beings? We are created in His image," In Genesis 1:26 and again in 5:1 it reads that we were created in “His image” or “likeness”. What does that mean? When we study the word "likeness," we find the definition to be ..."the same form or a copy, portrait". The word "image" is defined ..."as a representation of a person or thing". In verse 3 of chapter 5 we see something similar, but this time it is between Adam and his son. "When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image:". Because of sin, Adam created and passed the sinful nature to his creation, his children. Adam passed on to them his imperfection - the ability to sin, experience pain and death. Does that mean then we are not created in God's image? No, we are created in his image, but God may not dwell where sin abounds. Thus the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ. It is believed humanity is not the product of evolution or animal ancestry; (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7; 3:1-24).

4Bq 3: How do you see life after death? It is believed we have eternal separation from God or eternal life with God through Christ alone. Life after death is decided by that which we accept to be true. That truth in a Christian worldview is founded on Jesus Christ!

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:22-24)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whomsoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16)

4Bq 4: How do you determine right from wrong? It is believed the Scriptures are the foundation to help humanity determine what is right or wrong towards God and humanity. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). Paul's ethical teachings (some examples are 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:1-13; Eph. 5:22; Col 3) and The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) are three examples how the Scriptures give insight to ethics and morality.