Angels

Jack Graham

Description

Leading Baptist Pastor Teaches the Truth about AngelsMyths about angels are everywhere. Do we become angels when we die? Are angels always hovering nearby, on guard to protect us from danger? Can we talk to them? Many of our ideas about angels come from the media, which is more interested in ratings and ticket sales than truth. As Christians it's important to understand what angels really are.Pastor Jack Graham walks readers through Scripture, revealing the truth about angels and their roles as worshipers of the Lord, witnesses to his glory, and warriors fighting on his behalf. Focusing on practical application, Dr. Graham separates fact from fiction, encouraging you to become a better worshiper, warrior, and witness.Includes end-of-chapter questions. A small-group curriculum DVD will also be available.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 21 juin 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441265517
• Langue: English

Extrait

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2016 by Jack Graham
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2016
Ebook corrections 10.07.2016
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-6551-7
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007
Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified® Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked T HE M ESSAGE are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One Scripture quotation is from The Living Bible , copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Cover design by LOOK Design Studio
Author is represented by Wolgemuth and Associates.
Endorsements
“This book is classic Jack Graham—great biblical teaching, wonderful stories, and terrific applications for readers.”
—Christine Caine, author of Undaunted and founder of The A21 Campaign
“Jack Graham shines an angelic light from Scripture on the mysterious topic of angels as instruments used in the hand of God. While angels will never possess the salvation offered freely to all people by the Lord Jesus himself, they are used to carry out his plan of redemption (Hebrews 1:14). We will never know the full impact of their presence among us, but a glimpse into the stories Jack shares will bolster your faith in God. As time on earth nears the end, God will use an angel to spread the glorious Gospel one more time: ‘Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him”’ (Revelation 14:6–7). As you read Angels , remember that God has given us every comfort and every promise for His glory.”
—Franklin Graham, president & CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse
“I consider Jack Graham to be a key voice for the church in these turbulent days. His commitment to Christ is unshakable, his clear teaching is inspiring, and his leadership is desperately needed. This book is yet another valuable contribution from a dear saint.”
—Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author of Glory Days
“I read everything Jack Graham writes because he loves God’s Word and knows how to communicate it with integrity and impact. You will see the world around you differently and experience a greater connection to the unseen world when you read his new book, Angels .”
—Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel and author of Act Like Men and Vertical Church
“Jack Graham has done it again. His treatment of the topic of angels will move you from confusion to curiosity and on to clarity. Through compelling stories you will learn a great deal about angels . . . but this time from a biblical worldview. After you’ve read Angels , I guarantee you’ll be on the lookout for them.”
—Dave Stone, pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Dedication
To our grandchildren, Ian, Levi, Dylan Claire, Piper Jane, Zach, and Jake, “little angels” who give me great joy every day.

Psalm 112:2: “The generation of the upright will be blessed.”
Epigraph
Ahi anime ingannate e fatture empie, che da sì fatto ben torcete i cuori, drizzando in vanità le vostre tempie!
Ah, souls beguiled, creatures without reverence,who wrench your hearts away from so much good and set your minds on emptiness!
Dante’s Paradiso, Book IX, lines 10–12
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
Epigraph 6
Foreword by Roma Downey 9
Author’s Note: Eggs and Toast and a Yes From God 11
Part One: The Wisdom of Angels as You Start the Journey 17
1. FORGIVENESS When You’ve Sinned Against God 19
2. PERSPECTIVE When You Can’t See Straight 33
3. PROVISION When You Are in Need 45
4. CONFIDENCE When You’re Being Led by the Spirit 57
Part Two: The Protection of Angels as You Sustain Life’s Blows 69
5. COMFORT When You Are Afraid 71
6. COURAGE When You Are in Danger 83
7. ADVOCACY When You’re Excluded or Despised 101
8. SHELTER In the Midst of the Storm 111
Part Three: The Encouragement of Angels as You Soar on Eagles’ Wings 123
9. SPURRED ON When You’re Spiritually Lethargic 125
10. FAITHFULNESS When You’ve Been Broken 133
11. VICTORY When You Are Tempted 143
Part Four: The Presence of Angels as You Stay the Course With Christ 157
12. COMPANIONSHIP When You Are Lonely 159
13. PERSISTENCE When You Want to Give Up 171
14. ASSURANCE When You Are Dying 187
15. INSPIRATION When You’re Short on Hope 199
Acknowledgments 213
Notes 215
About the Author 219
Back Ad 221
Back Cover 222
Foreword
I t was a normal day on the set of A. D. The Bible Continues in steamy, dusty Morocco when one of our actors pointed toward the sky and said, “Look!”
There in plain sight was a single white cloud that had formed itself boldly against the backdrop of a crystal blue sky into the shape of a cross. A hush fell over the entire crew as people reflexively reached for their cell phones to snap photos of what was clearly a sign from God that he was ever present.
I believe that on that day, God aimed to remind everyone that the supernatural realm is closer than we think, just as my dear friend Dr. Jack Graham has done so well in this wonderful book.
Like Dr. Graham, I am firmly convicted that if you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that longs to beat with faith, you will see God’s divine activity throughout the earth, hour by hour, day by day. You will sense God’s presence. You will detect God’s protection. You will be mysteriously—but undeniably—upheld as you make your way through life.
For almost ten years, I had the privilege of playing the angel Monica on Touched by an Angel . Every week, Monica would step into someone’s life at a moment of need or desperation to personally deliver a message of hope, a message of God’s love, a message of intervention on God’s behalf. I believe the role I played on television is a role played in real life every single day by those God has assigned to watch out for us.
You hold in your hands an exploration of fifteen of the most practical and personal ways in which God supports his beloved sons and daughters through his angelic host. My hope is that you will allow Dr. Graham’s words to wash over you, reminding you that you are never abandoned to this world alone. You have a loving heavenly Father who is for you every step of the way and whose angels are with you as you go.
This book will bless you.
Roma Downey May 2015
Author’s Note
Eggs and Toast and a Yes From God
A ren’t angels kind of a— fringe topic?”
I was asking the question of my publisher’s marketing team, who had come to Dallas for a brainstorming session regarding the subject of the next book I was to write. In all my years of bookmaking, this marked the first time a publisher was asking me to cover a specific topic instead of the other way around. Usually I spend weeks or months crafting sermon material born out of a particular book of the Bible or a concept I sense our congregation needs to master, and then, upon delivering those sermons, I look to that well-thought-out, well-researched material to form the backbone of an upcoming book. But not so this time around. My publisher was asking for a book about angels, and I had neither preached a series on angels nor done any real research on angels— ever , in my forty-plus years of ministry. This would be an easy no, I figured, even as they kept adding layer upon layer of rationale.
Several weeks later, while in Florida for a few days, I met good friends of mine Bobbie and Robert Wolgemuth for breakfast. They’d called Orlando home for a number of years and knew of my affinity for golf, and so we met at Bay Hill, Arnold Palmer’s famed lakeside course. The view and the grounds were stunning, but the most significant gain of the morning had nothing to do with scenery. That midmorning conversation over eggs and toast would single-handedly redirect the next twenty-four months of my life.
I’ve known Robert for more than thirty years, and because of his expertise as a literary agent, a few years ago he began counseling me regarding my publishing decisions. This was to be a social meeting, but because that marketing meeting was still on my mind, I raised the issue with Robert and exp