Bob Memorial

Message

thanks to bride colonial chapel for arrangements

col Dan and major Scott for your grace and ministry

thanks to major Geoff an Leti at the corps for serving here today

I first met Bob in 2006. I got to know him well over the next 16 years has his son-in-law.  The more I got to know Bob, I realized that above all else, you could always count on him to be exactly who he was.  No artifice, no putting on airs,  (more intro, but not a ton)

Looking at the passage read today, when Paul begins, he had just been talking about the idea of “religious pedigree”… the actions and tangible things that many people considered made them righteous and holy.  Paul states that he considers these things garbage, because he knew that true hope didn’t lie in any of this, it was only through knowing Jesus, and that is the hope that Bob believed in.

What does it mean to know Jesus?

Knowing Jesus means you can Stay the course. Staying the course implies that there is a destination and that the way to get there requires guidance. Paul often uses lists to make his point. In the previous verses, Paul made the list of ways that people might use to determine they were staying on the course of success. But now, he throws the trophies out the window.

A key to staying the course is found when Paul says “that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him.” Certainly, as a sailor, Bob understood the need to stay the course. But, how do staying the course and knowing Jesus come together? Knowing Jesus means we don’t seek other destinations outside of Him. When we are found in Christ, we are held in His grip, in His mighty hand, and as a result, our strength, our vision, our security, come from Him. Knowing Jesus means we have confidence that the hand that grips us will not stray off course, will not abandon the route, and will not drift off the course. Faith in Christ brings us the confidence to stay the course because we live in the wake of God’s power and grace, which goes before us, often calming the waters or guiding our journey.

Next, Paul talks more deeply about knowing Christ. He says, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Knowing Jesus means you know Him as being steadfast. He can be leaned on. His strength gives you strength. Jesus had shown Paul love and forgiveness in friendship. Jesus had given Paul meaning and hope, a new purpose for living. Therefore Paul can be so emphatic “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering.” Paul knew that Christ’s steadfast love gave Him hope.

As you all know, Bob had his convictions. Of course, we know that he was unwavering in his purchasing of quality tools, cars, computers, and household items. He was steadfast. Later in the time, we had together, his faith became more steadfast. When our kids told Papa that they accepted Jesus as their Savior, he bought them Bibles, or he brought them right in front of them and told them – that is the most important decision you’ll ever make. Bob made it a priority to come to church. He would talk with me about the Bible. Bob saw that gaining Christ was priceless and valuable, and steadfast, an anchor for his soul.

The final few verses of this passage are filled with hope. They are focused on the future, but they call us to a daily purpose. Paul reminded the people of Philippi that the most important day of the week is today. This perspective is found throughout this text. Paul says that today you should be focused on becoming like Christ. In the past few years, Bob set his focus on the future. Verse 13 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Bob grew up in West Virginia, didn’t have a toothbrush until he was 9 or 10. Grew up in abject poverty. And yet, his children, grandchildren, and beyond are successful. His favorite minister is here today and I’m happy to say that she is mine too.

We’re here today in this place, in this church, because Bob Graham was looking for a church. He met Major Vickie Cole and Bob decided this is the place to be. I don’t know what motivated Bob to start looking for a church, but I am grateful that he did. My wife and I are officers in The Salvation Army today because Bob decided to come in these doors. Bob sought progress in his faith after he came to the Corps. He took steps to know Jesus daily. He faced forward and focused his life on Christ and what Christ did for him. This is what Paul means when he says: “not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

The final verse , 14, says  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Bob had a knack for improving something or seeking improvement

in his life. Amanda and Averie are coming back up here to sing our final song. His final improvement project was to know Jesus more fully and to make it known to others. This leaves us a challenge - Are you pressing on to make Christ your own? That is, are you resolving day by day to count Christ as your supreme treasure and count everything else as rubbish by comparison?

If not, God’s gift of salvation through his Son is available to anyone who seeks Him. Salvation means your life

at this time it is my honor to ask The United States Navy Sailors to come forward and present the colors.