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The V Vo o ice i c e of Truth Tru th I nternatio nte rnat ional nal

Staff:

Byron Nichols Jerry Bates Louis Rushmore Layout: Betty Burton Choate Typesetting: Gay Nichols Computer Consultant: Bradley S. Choate Editor: Associate Editors:

Spanish Edition:

Managing Editor: Rafael Barrantes

Telugu Edition:

Managing Editor, Translator:

Joshua Gootam

Tamil Edition: Managing Editor, Translators:

Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam

English Edition in India and Braille Edition:

Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah

and Kingsly Rajah

Hindi Edition:

Managing Editor, Earnest Gill

Nepali Edition:

Nepal Center for Biblical Studyl

Paite Edition:

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

Marathi Edition:

Managing Edior, Amul Bansod

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Staff Writers: George Akpabli Felix O. Aniamalu Rex Banks Wayne Barrier Paula Bates Roy Beasley Mike Benson Maxie B. Boren Ron Bryant Charles Burch Kyle Butt Frank Chesser Betty B. Choate Glenn Colley Lance Cordle Sunny David Jerry L. Davidson Hans Dederscheck David Deffenbaugh Clarence DeLoach, Jr. Bill Dillon Bobby G. Dockery Hershel Dyer Earl Edwards Demar Elam Raymond Elliott Reuben Emperado David Everson Royce Frederick E. Claude Gardner Alex Gibson Joe D. Gray

Gary C. Hampton Jack Harriman Parker Henderson Gordon Hogan Mike Ireland Wayne Jackson Ancil Jenkins Jeff Jenkins John Kachelman, Jr. Dayton Keesee Dalton Key Michael L. King Mack Lyon Joe Magee J. Randal Matheny Cecil May, Jr. Wes McAdams Colin McKee Hollis Miller Stan Mitchell Kevin L. Moore Owen D. Olbricht David Pharr Neal Pollard Mark Posey Rebecca Rushmore David A. Sargent David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams

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G od God

To Be Pleasing to God 0DUN 3KLOOLSV 6RPHWLPHV LW LV LQWHUHVWLQJ WR WKLQN DERXW D WRSLF LQ WKH %LEOH DQG WR ORRN LQ D FRQFRUGDQFH WR ILQG DOO WKH YHUVHV WKDW FRQWDLQ WKDW ZRUG 7KLV FDQ KHOS \RX WR OHDUQ DERXW WKDW WRSLF IURP WKH IXOO VFRSH RI WKH %LEOH , ZDV WKLQNLQJ DERXW WKH WRSLF RI EHLQJ SOHDVLQJ WR *RG VR , WRRN P\ FRQFRUGDQFH DQG EHJDQ ORRNLQJ XS WKH YHUVHV WKDW ZHUH OLVWHG 1RWLFH D IHZ RI WKH SDVVDJHV WKDW WDON DERXW SOHDVLQJ *RG ,Q *DODWLDQV WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO ZULWHV “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.â€? 3DXO LQ WKLV SDVVDJH ZULWHV DERXW WKH FKDOOHQJH RI HLWKHU SOHDVLQJ RWKHU SHRSOH RU EHLQJ SOHDVLQJ WR *RG :KLFK LV EHWWHU" 0DQ\ SHRSOH ZLOO DWWHPSW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PHQ DQG LQ WKHLU DWWHPSW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PHQ WKH\ ZLOO QRW EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG 3DXO LQ GHDOLQJ ZLWK VRPH RI WKH SUREOHPV IDFHG E\ WKH FKXUFKHV LQ *DODWLD ZDQWV WKHP WR NQRZ WKDW KH LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW EHLQJ SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ EXW UDWKHU 3DXOÂśV FRQFHUQ LV WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG $VN \RXUVHOI Âł:KDW LV P\ SULRULW\" 'R , GHVLUH WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ RU GR , GHVLUH WR SOHDVH *RG"´ 7R WKH FKXUFK DW 7KHVVDORQLFD 3DXO ZULWHV LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we


G od God never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed ² God is witness.â€? ,Q WKHVH YHUVHV 3DXO LV VSHDNLQJ RI EHLQJ HQWUXVWHG ZLWK WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW DQG DV VXFK ZH DUH QRW WR VSHDN DV SOHDVLQJ PDQ EXW UDWKHU WR SOHDVH *RG 3DXO ZDQWV KLV UHDGHUV WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW KH LV VSHDNLQJ WKH WUXWK RI *RG DQG DV VXFK KH LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW IODWWHULQJ SHRSOH +H LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW JDLQLQJ D ILQDQFLDO DGYDQWDJH EXW KLV FRQFHUQ LV WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG $VN \RXUVHOI WKHVH TXHVWLRQV Âł:KDW LV P\ PDLQ FRQFHUQ" 'R , ZDQW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ RU *RG" :KDW LV P\ PDLQ FRQFHUQ"´ $QRWKHU ZD\ LQ ZKLFK ZH DUH WR EH SOHDVLQJ *RG LV WR OLYH D PRUDOO\ SXUH OLIH 3DXO ZULWHV LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV II “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.â€? :H OLYH LQ DQ DJH RI PRUDO UHODWLYLW\ ZKHUH HDFK SHUVRQ KDV KLV RU KHU RZQ PRUDO VWDQGDUG 0DQ\ SHRSOH GR QRW EHOLHYH WKDW WKH PRUDO VWDQGDUG WKH\ OLYH E\ ZLOO KDYH DQ HIIHFW XSRQ WKHLU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG DQG XSRQ ZKHUH WKH\ ZLOO VSHQG HWHUQLW\ :H QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW *RGÂśV :RUG GRHV QRW FKDQJH *RGÂśV VWDQGDUG GRHV QRW FKDQJH 7KLV FDQ EH LOOXVWUDWHG E\ WKH IDFW WKDW *RGÂśV 6RQ -HVXV &KULVW GRHV QRW FKDQJH 7KLV LV VHHQ LQ +HEUHZV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.â€? :H QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW MXVW DV -HVXV LV WKH VDPH \HVWHUGD\ WRGD\ DQG IRUHYHU *RGÂśV :RUG DQG *RGÂśV VWDQGDUG GR QRW FKDQJH QR PDWWHU ZKDW RXU VRFLHW\ PD\ VD\ = = 0DUN 3KLOOLSV OLYHV LQ /RYHODQG 2KLR DQG SUHDFKHV IRU WKH *URHVEHFN FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ &LQFLQQDWL 2KLR 86$


G od God

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FKRRVH ZKDW KH ZLOO GR +H LV DEOH WR FKRRVH EXW KH LV QRW VRYHUHLJQ +H FDQ DFW EXW LV QRW DEOH WR RYHU UXOH WKH FRQVHTXHQFH RI KLV DFWLRQV :KHQ PHQ UHDS WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV RI WKHLU DFWLRQV ² ZKHQ ULJKWHRXVQHVV SURGXFHV LWV EHQHILWV WKDW LV EXW DQ LOOXVWUDWLRQ RI WKH IDFW WKDW *RG LV LQ FRQWURO $V GLVFRPILWLQJ DV LW PD\ EH WR DGPLW LW LV VWLOO WUXH ZKHQ VLQ SURGXFHV LWV FRQVHTXHQFHV ² FRQVH TXHQFHV SUHGHWHUPLQHG DQG RUGHUHG E\ *RG ² WKRVH FRQVHTXHQFHV VWDWH ORXGO\ WKDW *RG LV VWLOO LQ FRQWURO “God is not mocked” OLW µRXWZLW WHG¶ µWUHDWHG ZLWK FRQWHPSW¶ Arndt & Gingrich Lexicon S 0DQ FDQ EH FRQWHPSWXRXV DQG FDQ FRQWHPS WXRXVO\ WKLQN WKDW KH KDV RXWZLWWHG *RG EXW LQ GRLQJ VR KH SXUVXHV DQ LPSRVVLEOH DJHQGD *RG LV LQ FRQWURO DQG FDQQRW EH RXWZLWWHG :KDW LV SUHVHQWO\ KDSSHQLQJ LQ RXU ZRUOG WKH GHFOLQH RI PRUDOLW\ WKH LQFUHDVH RI FULPH WKH JURZWK RI HYLO LV DOO WKH FRQVHTXHQFH RI LQ GLIIHUHQFH WRZDUG WKH JRRG DQG WKH KRO\ RI GLVUHJDUG IRU VDFUHG YRZV


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G od God

The Fullness of Christ &KDUOHV &DVK )RXQG LQ D WK FHQWXU\ FKXUFK EXLOGLQJ LQ +DPSVKLUH (QJODQG LV WKLV LQVFULSWLRQ YOU ENTER THIS CHURCH, NOT AS A STRANGER, BUT AS A GUEST OF GOD. COME, THEN, WITH JOY IN YOUR HEART AND THANKS UPON YOUR LIPS, OFFERING GOD YOUR LOVE AND SERVICE. BE GRATEFUL TO THE STRONG AND LOYAL MEN AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO IN THE NAME OF GOD BUILDED THIS PLACE OF WORSHIP, AND TO ALL WHO HAVE BEAUTIFIED IT AND HALLOWED IT WITH THEIR PRAYERS AND PRAISES. MAY ALL WHO LOVE THIS HOME OF FAITH FIND THE INSPIRATION OF THIER LABOR AND REJOICE IN THE POWER AND LOVE OF GOD, THAT HIS BLESSING MAY REST ON YOU BOTH IN YOUR GOING OUT AND YOUR COMING IN. *UDQW LW WKLV LQVFULSWLRQ ZDV RULJLQDOO\ ZULWWHQ DERXW WKH FKXUFK EXLOGLQJ EXW LW ZLOO ILWWLQJO\ DSSO\ WR WKH ³DVVHPEO\´ WKH FKXUFK 7KH FKXUFK LV WKH SHRSOH EURXJKW WRJHWKHU LQ FRPPXQLW\ E\ WKHLU VXUUHQGHU FRPPLWPHQW DQG REHGLHQFH WR WKH /RUG -HVXV &KULVW ZKR HQMR\ +LV EOHVVLQJV WR WKH IXOOHVW ,Q KLV ERRN Reversed Thunder (XJHQH 3DWWHUVRQ ZURWH ³7KH OLIH RI IDLWK« LQ WKH ELEOLFDO QDUUDWLYHV LV KLJKO\ SHUVRQDO EXW QHYHU PHUHO\ LQGLYLGXDO DOZD\V WKHUH LV D IDPLO\ D WULEH D QDWLRQ« FKXUFK *RG¶V ORYH DQG VDOYDWLRQ DUH UHYHDOHG DQG H[SHULHQFHG LQ WKH FRQJUHJDWLRQ RI WKH SHRSOH ‘who know the festal shout’ 3VDOP QRW µin the garden, alone.’” ,Q NHHSLQJ ZLWK WKLV WKHPH SOHDVH QRWLFH WKHVH LQVSLUHG ZRUGV RI 3DXO “And God placed all things under His >&KULVW¶V@ feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way” (SKHVLDQV &KULVW


G od God LV QRW RQO\ “the head of the body, the churchâ€? &RORVVLDQV KDYLQJ DXWKRULW\ DV WKH +HDG EXW +H LV DOVR WKH “head over everything for the churchâ€? ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV +H LV WKH +HDG RI HYHU\WKLQJ WKDW KDV DQ\WKLQJ WR GR ZLWK WKH FKXUFK +LV SHRSOH $JDLQ WKH FKXUFK LV “the fullness of Him who fills everything in every wayâ€? %ULHIO\ WKLV “fullnessâ€? LQFOXGHV )LUVW WKH “fullnessâ€? LV ZKDW &KULVW UHSUHVHQWV “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity >*RGKHDG@ lives in bodily formâ€? &RORVVLDQV 7KH IXOOQHVV RI DOO WKH GHVLJQV SXUSRVHV DQG JRDOV IRU PDQ ZHUH ZUDSSHG XS LQ &KULVW 2WKHQKHLPHU WKH DWRPLF VFLHQWLVW RQFH VDLG Âł:KHQ \RX KDYH DQ LGHD WR JHW DFURVV ZUDS LW XS LQ D PDQ DQG VHQG WKH PDQ ´ 7KDWÂśV H[DFWO\ ZKDW *RG GLG “according to His divine purposeâ€? 3KLOOLSV FDOOHG &KULVW Âł*RGÂśV FHOHVWLDO UHVFXH SDUW\ ´ 6HFRQG WKH “fullnessâ€? RI ZKDW *RG VXSSOLHV IRU +LV SHRSOH LV WKURXJK &KULVW “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christâ€? (SKHVLDQV *RGÂśV SODQ LV “that you may be filled to all the measure of the fullness of Godâ€? (SKHVLDQV 7KLUG WKH “fullnessâ€? RI &KULVWÂśV SUHVHQFH LV LQ RXU OLYHV 2XU /RUGÂśV ELRJUDSK\ FORVHV ZLWK WKHVH ZRUGV “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ageâ€? 0DWWKHZ 7KH +HEUHZV ZULWHU DVVXUHV XV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and foreverâ€? +HEUHZV %DFN XS WKUHH YHUVHV IRU *RGÂśV SURPLVH “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake youâ€? 9HUVH ,VQÂśW *RG JUHDW" 3DXO VXPV XS RXU OLIH LQ WKH FKXUFK WKLV ZD\ “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in >WKURXJK@ the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amenâ€? (SKHVLDQV ,Q OLYLQJ RXU OLYHV IRU *RG ZH JLYH JORU\ WR +LP WKURXJK WKH FKXUFK ZKHUH ZH HQMR\ WKH IXOOQHVV RI &KULVW = = &KDUOHV &DVK ZRUNV ZLWK WKH %HOOD 9LVWD &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ %HOOD 9LVWD $UNDQVDV 86$


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But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13 NKJV)


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How Can We Get Back to the Original Church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Let us humbly return; yes, let us get back to that one church which was already established in the first century.


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Where Would Jesus Worship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Quick Commentary on Crucial Verses [Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:26-32]

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Who Are the Meek? *UHHO\ .LUNSDWULFN 6RPHRQH KDV VDLG Âł$ JRRG GHVFULSWLRQ RI WKH KXPDQ UDFH LV IRXQG LQ WKH %HDWLWXGHV E\ WXUQLQJ WKHP XSVLGH GRZQ´ $W WLPHV LW VHHPV WKDW WKH TXDOLWLHV WKDW FKDUDFWHUL]H RXU OLYHV DUH WKH RSSRVLWH RI ZKDW -HVXV VDLG LQ WKH %HDWLWXGHV 0DWWKHZ VD\V “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.â€? +RZ PDQ\ SHRSOH LQ RXU VRFLHW\ UHJDUG PHHNQHVV DV D YLUWXH" 0DQ\ VHHP WR FRQVLGHU LW DV OLWWOH PRUH WKDQ D V\QRQ\P IRU ZHDNQHVV +RZHYHU PHHNQHVV LV QRW ZHDNQHVV Âą LW LV VWUHQJWK XQGHU FRQWURO ,Q KLV ERRN HQWLWOHG New Testament Words :LOOLDP %DUFOD\ ZULWHV In Greek praus is used in one special sense. It is used‌for a beast which has been tamed. A horse which was once wild but has become obedient to the bit and to the bridle is praus. Now herein lies the secret of the meaning of praus. There is gentleness in praus, but behind the gentleness is the strength of steel, for the supreme characteristic of the man who is praus is that he is the man who is under perfect control. It is not a spineless gentleness, a sentimental fondness, a passive quietism. It is a strength under control. 7KH %LEOH JLYHV XV VRPH H[DPSOHV RI PHHNQHVV 7DNH 0RVHV IRU H[DPSOH D VWURQJ PDQ EXW VDLG WR EH PHHN 7DNH 3DXO IRU H[DPSOH DQRWKHU VWURQJ PDQ EXW RQH ZKR ZDV DOVR PHHN 7KHQ WKHUH LV WKH VWURQJHVW RI DOO -HVXV ZKR ZDV DOVR WKH PHHNHVW RI DOO 7KH TXHVWLRQ IRU HDFK RI XV LV Âł$P , D PHHN SHUVRQ" 'R , KDYH P\ VWUHQJWK XQGHU *RGÂśV FRQWURO" +DYH = , VXUUHQGHUHG P\ OLIH WR WKH ZLOO RI *RG"´ = *UHHO\ .LUNSDWULFN LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU OLYLQJ LQ 1L[D 0LVVRXUL 86$

True meekness is strength under God’s control.


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“Wh ha att D o oe e s It I t Cos C o stt ? ” &ODUHQFH 'H/RDFK -U $ FDUWRRQ VKRZV WKH RZQHU RI D ERRNVKRS VD\LQJ WR D FXVWRPHU ³1R ,¶P DIUDLG ZH GRQ¶W KDYH D ERRN RQ &KULVWLDQLW\ PDGH HDV\ ´ ,I WKHUH ZHUH VXFK D ERRN LW ZRXOG EH D EHVWVHOOHU 7KHUH LV QR ³HDV\ FRXUVH´ DYDLODEOH RQ EHLQJ D &KULVWLDQ *RG WDXJKW +LV 2OG 7HVWDPHQW SHRSOH WKH PHDQLQJ RI VDFULILFH :KHQ $EHO EURXJKW KLV RIIHULQJ *RG DFFHSWHG LW EHFDXVH LW ZDV RIIHUHG E\ IDLWK +HEUHZV %\ LPSOLFDWLRQ D SDUW RI ZKDW LW PHDQV WR RIIHU E\ IDLWK LV VXJJHVWHG ZKHQ 0RVHV UHFRUGHG WKDW KH EURXJKW “the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof” *HQHVLV +H JDYH +LV EHVW ,Q RIIHULQJ KLV VRQ ,VDDF $EUDKDP GHPRQVWUDWHG KLV ZLOOLQJQHVV WR JLYH *RG KLV EHVW *HQHVLV *RG NQHZ +H KDG $EUDKDP¶V WRWDO GHYRWLRQ 'DYLG OHDUQHG ZHOO WKH VSLULW RI VDFULILFH :KHQ KH KDG VLQQHG LQ DUELWUDULO\ QXPEHULQJ ,VUDHO *RG FKDVWLVHG KLP 'DYLG ZDV JLYHQ WKH FKRLFH RI WKUHH SODJXHV $ SODJXH RI SHVWLOHQFH ZDV VHQW XSRQ WKH SHRSOH 2UQDQ RIIHUHG 'DYLG KLV WKUHVKLQJIORRU KLV R[HQ WKH ZRRG DQG WKH ZKHDW IRU D EXUQW RIIHULQJ $ IUHH VDFULILFH %XW WKDW LV D FRQWUDGLFWLRQ +RZ FDQ D VDFULILFH EH IUHH DQG HDV\" 'DYLG VDLG “I will pay the full price. I will not take what is yours to offer the Lord without cost” &KURQLFOHV VR KH SDLG 2UQDQ VKHNHOV RI JROG $UH ZH JLYLQJ *RG OHIWRYHUV" 7KH VFUDSV" ,V RXU JLYLQJ MXVW WRNHQV" 7KH VSLULW RI VDFULILFH LV FRQWLQXHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW *RG JDYH +LV EHVW ± +LV 6RQ -RKQ -HVXV JDYH +LV EHVW ² +LV OLIH (SKHVLDQV -HVXV WDXJKW +LV GLVFLSOHV ³WR GHQ\ VHOI´ DQG WDNH XS WKH FURVV DQG IROORZ +LP 0DWWKHZ 3DXO XUJHG WKH 5RPDQ &KULVWLDQV WR “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” 5RPDQV ,Q WKHVH GD\V RI ³DFFRPPRGDWLYH HDV\ DQG FRQYHQLHQW UHOLJLRQ´ WKH VSLULW RI VDFULILFH VHHPV RXW RI WKH TXHVWLRQ ,W LV VWLOO = KRZHYHU WKH YHU\ KHDUW RI VHUYLQJ &KULVW 7KLQN DERXW LW = &ODUHQFH 'H/RDFK -U KDV SUHDFKHG IRU PDQ\ \HDUV DQG QRZ OLYHV LQ &RRNHYLOOH 7HQ QHVVHH 86$


D a ily Christian Ch ri stian Living Liv ing

A f te r 25 After 2 5 Years Ye a rs .HLWK 3DUNHU 0\ PRWKHU¶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¶V ELUWK VKH EURXJKW EUHDNIDVW WR RXU KRXVH VHUYHG LW DQG VWD\HG DURXQG WR KHOS FOHDQ XS 0\ PRWKHU KDSSHQHG WR EH WKHUH DQG ZDV WRXFKHG E\ 6DUDK¶V NLQGQHVV ,W¶V EHHQ RYHU WZHQW\ ILYH \HDUV EXW P\ PRWKHU LV VWLOO WDONLQJ DERXW LW $ VPDOO GHHG RI NLQGQHVV PDGH DQ LPSUHVVLRQ RQ KHU $ NLQG GHHG GRHVQ¶W JR XQQRWLFHG $Q LQYLWDWLRQ WR 6XQGD\ GLQQHU $Q HQFRXUDJLQJ QRWH $ ILQDQFLDO JLIW &KDQJLQJ D IODW WLUH 5DNLQJ OHDYHV 0RZ LQJ JUDVV 3URYLGLQJ WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ WR WKH JURFHU\ VWRUH RU WR FKXUFK $ SUD\HU $ YLVLW $ ERXTXHW RI IORZHUV $ ER[ RI FDQG\ $ VPLOH :KR NQRZV ZKHQ \RX PLJKW FKDQJH VRPHERG\¶V OLIH" 3DXO SXW LW OLNH WKLV LQ *DODWLDQV “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” $IWHU \HDUV D EUHDNIDVW FDVVHUROH VWLOO VSHDNV %\ WKH ZD\ , MXVW FDOOHG 6DUDK WR WKDQN KHU DJDLQ = = .HLWK 3DUNHU ZRUNV ZLWK WKH FKXUFK LQ +HQGHUVRQ YLOOH 7HQQHVVHH 86$


We Leave His Mark &DWKHULQH -DQVVHQ

We leave His mark On each kind deed That we bestow On those in need. We leave His mark When we show we care For a lonely soul Who has known despair. We leave His mark On each bright day That we have chosen To pave the way. We sing the praises Of Heaven above As we spread the joys Of hope and love.


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T he Christian Ch ri sti an Home

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T he Christian Ch ri sti an Home beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate� 0DWWKHZ = = 'ZLJKW )XTXD SUHDFKHV IRU WKH )LQGOD\ FRQJUHJDWLRQ LQ 6SDUWD 7HQQHVVHH 86$

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A Suitable Helper 6XVLH )UHGHULFN 2Q WKH VL[WK GD\ RI WKLV ZRUOGÂśV H[LVWHQFH *RG FUHDWHG PDQ /DWHU WKDW VDPH GD\ +H FUHDWHG ZRPDQ “And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable [suitable] to him’‌ And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the manâ€? *HQHVLV *RG NQHZ IURP WKH YHU\ FUHDWLRQ RI WKH ZRUOG


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What Do You Think of Christ? &KDUOHV 5 5RVH :H RIWHQ UHDG 0DW WKHZ ZKHUH -HVXV VSHDNV RI WKH WZR JUHDWHVW FRPPDQG PHQWV RI WKH ODZ QDPH O\ ORYLQJ *RG ZLWK RXU ZKROH EHLQJ DQG ORY LQJ RXU QHLJKERU DV ZH ORYH RXUVHOYHV 7KLV DURVH LQ DQVZHU WR D TXHVWLRQ DVNHG E\ RQH RI WKH 3KDULVHHV WHPSWLQJ +LP 7KH 0DVWHU WKHQ LQ WXUQ DVNHG WKHP D TXHVWLRQ “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them saying, What do you think about the Christ, whose Son is He?â€? 0DWWKHZ ,Q UHDGLQJ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ZH ILQG RXU /RUG LQWHUDFWLQJ ZLWK PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW HQWLWLHV DQG DOO KDG WKHLU RSLQLRQ RI ZKR &KULVW ZDV ,W LV DOVR LQWHUHVWLQJ WR QRWH WKDW WKH RQO\ ZD\ WKH 3KDULVHHV FRXOG FRQYLFW -HVXV RI EODVSKHP\ ZDV E\ XQVFUXSXORXV SHRSOH ZKR OLHG LQ WKHLU WHVWLPRQLHV 0DUN /HW XV QRWH WKH WKRXJKWV RI WKRVH ZKR ZHUH KRQHVW LQ WKHLU HVWLPDWLRQ RI &KULVW x $1*(/6 ,Q /XNHÂśV DFFRXQW RI WKH YLUJLQ ELUWK ZH KHDU WKH DQJHOV GHFODUH WR FHUWDLQ VKHSKHUGV “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lordâ€? /XNH x *2' 7+( )$7+(5 :KHQ -HVXV FDPH WR WKH -RUGDQ WR EH EDSWL]HG E\ -RKQ +H FDPH XS RXW RI WKH ZDWHU â€œâ€Śand, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. And a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleasedâ€? 0DWWKHZ


B ib le Q uestion u est ion s x -2+1 7+( %$37,67 -RKQ UHFRJQL]HG WKH GHLW\ RI -HVXV DQG VDLG WR KLV GLVFLSOHV “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the worldâ€? -RKQ x 3(7(5 :KHQ -HVXV DVNHG +LV GLVFLSOHV ZKR SHRSOH WKRXJKW +H ZDV 3HWHU FRQIHVVHG “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living Godâ€? 0DWWKHZ x '(0216 ,Q +LV DZHVRPH SRZHU -HVXV KHDOHG DOO PDQQHU RI GLVHDVHV DQG FDVW HYLO VSLULWV RXW RI WKRVH SRVVHVVHG E\ VXFK “And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God‌â€? /XNH x +,6 %(75$<(5 )ROORZLQJ -HVXVÂś DUUHVW -XGDV VDZ ZKDW ZDV WDNLQJ SODFH DQG VDLG “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent bloodâ€? 0DWWKHZ x 3,/$7( :KHQ -HVXV ZDV EURXJKW WR WKH JRYHUQRU KH WRRN +LP WR +HURG ZKR DOVR H[DPLQHG +LP 7KH FRQFOXVLRQ ZDV “I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man‌ No, nor yet Herod‌â€? /XNH x 3,/$7(Âś6 :,)( +DYLQJ D EDG GUHDP FRQFHUQLQJ -HVXV FRQYLQFHG KHU WKDW +H ZDV D MXVW PDQ 0DWWKHZ x 7+( &(1785,21 +DYLQJ ZLWQHVVHG WKH FUXFLIL[LRQ RI WKH &KULVW DQG KDYLQJ VHHQ WKH HDUWKTXDNH DQG RWKHU WKLQJV WKDW ZHUH GRQH KH FRQIHVVHG “Truly this was the Son of Godâ€? 0DWWKHZ x 7+20$6 +DYLQJ GRXEWHG ZKHQ WROG RI WKH /RUGÂśV DSSHDUDQFH EHIRUH KLV IHOORZ DSRVWOHV 7KRPDV ZDV JLYHQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR WRXFK WKH QDLO VFDUUHG KDQGV DQG WKUXVW KLV KDQG LQWR WKH SLHUFHG VLGH RI WKH &KULVW +LV UHDFWLRQ ZDV WR H[FODLP “My Lord and my God!â€? -RKQ +RZ PDQ\ ZLWQHVVHV DUH QHHGHG WR FRQYLQFH XV RI WKH WUXWK" )ULHQGV HQHPLHV DQG WKRVH ZKR WULHG WR VWDQG QHXWUDO DOO KDG WR IDFH WKH WUXH IDFWV VXUURXQGLQJ WKLV PDQ FDOOHG -HVXV RI 1D]DUHWK :KLOH UHDGLQJ WKLV DUWLFOH WKH VDPH TXHVWLRQ LV EHLQJ DVNHG RI \RX DV ZDV DVNHG RI WKH 3KDULVHHV “What do you think of Christ? Whose Son is He?â€? = &KDUOHV 5 5RVH SUHDFKHV IRU WKH /RUGÂśV FKXUFK LQ /LQFROQ 0LVVRXUL 86$


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A Pair o off Q u ue es stio ons ns for C o n ns s i d erat e rat i o n 'HQQLV *XOOHGJH Âł:DV WKHUH IRUJLYHQHVV RI VLQ LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW" ,I QRW KRZ FRXOG (QRFK KDYH EHHQ WDNHQ LQWR KHDYHQ"´ 7KH %LEOH VD\V “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Godâ€? 5RPDQV 3DXO XVHG D ZRUG IRU “remissionâ€? YHUVH WKDW LV QRW WKH W\SLFDO ZRUG IRU ÂłUHPLVVLRQ´ LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 7KLV LV WKH RQO\ WLPH LW LV XVHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DQG LW GRHV QRW PHDQ ÂłIRUJLYHQHVV RI ´ OLWHUDOO\ WKH ÂłVHQGLQJ DZD\ RI VLQV´ ,W PHDQV ÂłWKH SDVVLQJ RYHU´ RI VLQV )RU WKLV UHDVRQ WKH UHYLVHUV UHQGHUHG LW ÂłSDVVLQJ RYHU´ WKDW LV ÂłWKH SDVVLQJ RYHU RI WKH VLQV GRQH DIRUHWLPH´ 5RPDQV $69 7KHUHIRUH WKHUH ZDV QRW DEVROXWH IRUJLYHQHVV RI VLQV XQGHU WKH IRUPHU GLVSHQVDWLRQV 6HH +HEUHZV $V WR (QRFK WKH %LEOH QRZKHUH VD\V WKDW KH ZDV WDNHQ LQWR KHDYHQ 7KH %LEOH RQO\ VD\V WKDW “he was not; for God took himâ€? *HQHVLV DQG “by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death‌â€? +HEUHZV

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We Worship Thee Chorus: We Worship Thee, we worship Thee, Our God of praise and majesty, %HJLQQLQJ FKRUXV EXW QRW UHSHDWHG We humbly come on bended knee, DIWHU WKH YHUVHV Lord of Hosts, to worship Thee. Hear us, Father, hear our cry, With broken hearts we come; Forgive the sins that stain our souls And let us kneel before Your throne. You gave us life, You gave us hope, You washed us in His blood; You gave the light to show the way — The treasure of Your Word. You trusted us to wear His name, That name that knew no sin; We cringe for every blot we’ve made, For souls misled, we did not win. You trusted us — these human hands — Oh, God, how can it be? — That all the work You’ve ever done You’ve trusted now, at last, to me? Oh God, I come with aching heart, Forgive me when I fail; Help me to bring Your Words of life To souls now on the road to hell. Chorus: I worship Thee, I worship Thee, My God of praise and majesty; (QGLQJ FKRUXV VXQJ I humbly come on bended knee, YHU\ VRIWO\ Lord of Hosts, to worship Thee. — Betty Burton Choate


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