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Charles Stanley
Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
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Charles Stanley emphasizes the importance of true repentance, which involves recognizing, agreeing, and committing to turning away from sin and walking in godliness. Whether new believers or seasoned ones struggling with sin, all are called to practice Biblical repentance by aligning their lives with God's Word and seeking to please Him. The process of repentance includes recognizing our sinful behaviors, agreeing with God's standards, and making a commitment to follow His ways, empowered by the Spirit. Through studying Scripture and understanding God's will, believers can experience true freedom and transformation in Christ.
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A Call to Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 We learned yesterday that true repentance of our sin includes: - Agreeing with Him that our behavior or thought pattern is ungodly; - Establishing in our thinking that this sinful habit is displeasing to God; - Identifying - with the Spirit's help - what would please God; and - Taking steps under the Spirit's power to turn from sin and walk in godliness. Whether we are nonbelievers newly coming to faith in Jesus or believers wrestling with sin, we all need to practice Biblical repentance. There are three key words in the repentance process: recognition, agreement and commitment. If we do not recognize that our behavior or thoughts are sin, then we will not see any need to confess them to God. Recognition comes as we study God's Word and learn what God identifies as sin. We must then agree that God's pattern for life is correct and ours is wrong. The epistles to the Ephesians and Galatians are both helpful in revealing what pleases and displeases God. Without agreement, our confession would be more of an "I am sorry for the consequences" statement. Commitment is also necessary. Isaiah proclaimed, "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 50:7 NIV). We must commit ourselves to turning away from the sin and choosing God's way. We who belong to Jesus can permanently change. Remember Christ promises that those He sets free will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
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Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”