Voice of Truth International, Volume 83

The Voice of Truth International

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Volume Eighty-Three

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International

Volume 83

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The Voice of Truth International

Staff:

Byron Nichols Jerry Bates Louis Rushmore Layout Editors: Betty Burton Choate Bonnie Rushmore 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

Paite Edition

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

Nepali Edition &RVW IRU VLQJOH LVVXHV IRU IRXU LVVXHV IRU HLJKW LVVXHV 3OHDVH PDNH FKHFNV SD\DEOH WR :RUOG (YDQJHOLVP DQG PDLO WR %\URQ 1LFKROV (GLWRU 3 2 %R[ 6SULQJ¿ HOG 02 7HOHSKRQH (PDLO E\URQ QLFKROV#DWW QHW

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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 Burton 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. Colin McKee Hollis Miller Loy Mitchell Stan Mitchell Kevin L. Moore Owen D. Olbricht David Pharr Neal Pollard Bonnie Rushmore Rebecca Rushmore David A. Sargent David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams

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The churches of Christ salute you (Romans 16:16).

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Editorial

The Word of the Lord Continues Under Attack %\URQ 1LFKROV 7KH %LEOH RYHUIORZV ZLWK VWDWHPHQWV RI IDLWK UHYHUHQFH DQG WKDQNVJLYLQJ IURP WKH OLSV RI PHQ RI *RG WKURXJKRXW ERWK WKH 2OG DQG 1HZ 7HVWDPHQWV DV WKH\ VSRNH UHJDUGLQJ *RGÂśV ZULWWHQ :RUG WKH LQVSLUHG :RUG WKDW ZH VWLOO KDYH WRGD\ WKH %LEOH 0RUH WKDQ DQ\ RWKHU ZULWHU 'DYLG ZURWH DJDLQ DQG DJDLQ RI KLV JUDWLWXGH IRU *RGÂśV :RUG DQG RI KLV GHVLUH WR OHW WKDW :RUG JXLGH KLP WKURXJK OLIH /RRNLQJ RQO\ DW 3VDOP OHWÂśV QRWLFH MXVW D IHZ RI 'DYLGÂśV UHPDUNV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Youâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your lawâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the dayâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I got understanding; therefore I hate every false wayâ&#x20AC;? YHUVHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my pathâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śmy heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasureâ&#x20AC;?

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ZKHUH KH DIILUPHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.â&#x20AC;? 3HWHU FRQFXUUHG WRWDOO\ ZULWLQJ LQ 3HWHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;...knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.â&#x20AC;? +RZ VDG LW LV WKDW ZLWK WKH SDVVLQJ RI WLPH PRUH DQG PRUH SHRSOH HYHQ VRPH ZKR DUH UHOLJLRXV OHDGHUV DQG UHJDUGHG E\ PDQ\ DV IHUYHQW DQG IDLWKIXO VSRNHVPHQ IRU *RG KDYH FRPH WR WKH FRQFOXVLRQ WKDW WKH %LEOH LV QRW DFWXDOO\ LQVSLUHG LV QRW DOZD\V UHOLDEOH DQG LV QRW WR EH UHJDUGHG DV EHLQJ D FRPSOHWHO\ VDIH JXLGH IRU PDQ 6XFK WKLQNLQJ LV REYLRXVO\ LQ GLUHFW FRQIOLFW ZLWK VXFK LQVSLUHG SDVVDJHV DV 3DXOÂśV ZRUGV LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.â&#x20AC;? &KULVWLDQV QHHG WR EH DZDUH RI VXFK KHDUWEUHDNLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ DV , DP DERXW WR VKDUH ZLWK \RX $ UHWLUHG SURIHVVRU RI UHOLJLRXV VWXGLHV DW RQH RI WKH XQLYHUVLWLHV LQ WKH FHQWUDO 8QLWHG 6WDWHV KDV UHFHQWO\ ZULWWHQ D ERRN LQ ZKLFK KH PDNHV VWDWHPHQWV WKDW DUH FOHDUO\ FRQWUDGLFWRU\ WR ZKDW WKH %LEOH VD\V )RU H[DPSOH KH DVVHUWV WKDW DOO ZH NQRZ DERXW -HVXV LV ZKDW WKH PHQ ZKR ZURWH DERXW +LP WKRXJKW DERXW +LP +H FRQWHQGV Âł(YHU\WKLQJ LQ WKH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQ JRVSHOV LV HLWKHU GHULYHG IURP KLVWRULFDO PHPRU\ RU LV ERUURZHG RU LQYHQWHG ´ 7KLV XQLQVSLUHG PDQ WKHQ DIILUPV Âł,Q VKRUW HYHU\WKLQJ DERXW -HVXV LQ WKH JRVSHOV LV DW EHVW KHDUVD\ ´ +H IXUWKHU DUJXHV WKDW HYHQ WKRVH VD\LQJV RI -HVXV WKDW DUH PRUH DFFHSWHG E\ KLVWRULDQV DV EHLQJ DFWXDOO\ VD\LQJV RI -HVXV FDQ RQO\ EH UHJDUGHG DV KLVWRULFDOO\ SUREDEOH UDWKHU WKDQ KLVWRULFDOO\ FHUWDLQ 7KLV PDQ JRHV VR IDU DV WR EUD]HQO\ VWDWH WKDW WKH *RVSHOV ZKLFK ZHUH ZULWWHQ VHYHUDO \HDUV DIWHU WKH OLIHWLPH RI -HVXV ÂłDUH VHULRXVO\ IODZHG DV KLVWRU\ PHDQLQJ WKH\ DUH QRW UHSRUWLQJ ZKDW KDSSHQHG LQ DQ XQELDVHG ZD\ ´ /HW PH VKDUH WKLV RQH DGGLWLRQDO TXRWDWLRQ IURP WKLV PDQÂśV RZQ SHQ DV KH VSRNH RI -HVXV Âł+H GLG QRW OHDYH EHKLQG D FRGH RI FRQGXFW WR EH IROORZHG DQG VLPSO\ RPLWWHG DQ\ SUDFWLFDO JXLGDQFH DV WR KRZ KLV FKDOOHQJLQJ LGHDV VKRXOG EH LQFRUSRUDWHG LQWR GDLO\ OLIH ´ 3HUKDSV \RX DUH E\ QRZ DVNLQJ \RXUVHOI Âł+RZ FRXOG DQ\ KLJKO\ HGXFDWHG SURIHVVRU ZKR LV VXSSRVHG WR EH D %LEOH VFKRODU SRVVLEO\ PDNH VXFK GHURJDWRU\ VWDWHPHQWV DERXW WKH %LEOH DV ZHOO DV DERXW WKH YHU\ 6RQ RI *RG"´ +H FODLPV WKDW VRPH SDUWV RI WKH :RUG RI *RG DUH PRUH UHOLDEOH RU PRUH DFFHSWDEOH WKDQ RWKHUV :K\ ZRXOG D SHUVRQ ZDQW DQ\ SDUW RI WKH %LEOH LI KH EHOLHYHV WKDW VRPH SDUWV RI LW DUH IDOVH DQG FDQQRW EH WUXVWHG"

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Associate Editorial

Reflecting the Trinity -HUU\ %DWHV 0RVW &KULVWLDQV DUH IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKH FRQFHSW RI WKH 7ULQLW\ /LNHZLVH PRVW &KULVWLDQV DUH IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKH QHHG IRU WKH FKXUFK WR EH XQLWHG +RZHYHU , EHOLHYH IHZ UHDOO\ FRQVLGHU WKH UHODWLRQ EHWZHHQ WKH WZR FRQFHSWV , VXEPLW WKDW WKH 7ULQLW\ LV DFWXDOO\ D PRGHO IRU KRZ ZH DUH WR UHODWH WR RQH DQRWKHU :H VKRXOG VWULYH WR EH OLNH *RG WKHUHIRUH ZH PXVW EH XQLWHG -HVXV VDLG WKDW ZH DUH WR EH RQH MXVW DV +H DQG WKH )DWKHU ZHUH RQH â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent meâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

7KXV DQ XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI WKH XQLW\ DQG RQHQHVV RI WKH *RGKHDG LV QHFHVVDU\ WR XQGHUVWDQG H[DFWO\ KRZ ZH DV +LV GLVFLSOHV DUH WR UHODWH WR HDFK RWKHU )LUVWO\ DOO &KULVWLDQV VKRXOG EH UHJDUGHG DV HTXDO LQ YDOXH :KLOH FHUWDLQO\ HDFK KDV GLIIHUHQW WDOHQWV DELOLWLHV DQG IXQFWLRQV QHYHUWKHOHVV ZH DUH RQH LQ YDOXH DQG ZRUWK WR *RG ÂłThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesusâ&#x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Associate Editorial

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ /RXLV 5XVKPRUH 7KH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI -HVXV &KULVW ZDV WKH FRUH RI WKH *RVSHO PHVVDJH SUHDFKHG LQ WKH ILUVW FHQWXU\ DQG LW UHPDLQV WKH KHDUW RI WKH *RVSHO PHVVDJH WKURXJKRXW WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW â&#x20AC;&#x153;And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also emptyâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

2QH VLPSO\ FDQQRW RYHUHPSKDVL]H WKH VLJQLILFDQFH RI WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI &KULVW $PRQJ RWKHU FRQVLGHUDWLRQV WKH KRSH RI RXU UHVXUUHFWLRQ GHSHQGV XSRQ WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI -HVXV &KULVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with youâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for youâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU

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God /XNH ³6R LW ZDV WKDW WKH EHJJDU GLHG DQG ZDV FDUULHG E\ WKH DQJHOV WR $EUDKDP¶V ERVRP ´ 7KLV 6FULSWXUH SXOOV EDFN WKH FXUWDLQ RI WKDW HWHUQDO ZRUOG IRU XV DQG DOORZV XV WR NQRZ WKDW WKH VRXO OHDYLQJ WKH GHDG ERG\ LV FDUULHG DZD\ E\ DQJHOV 0DWWKHZ ³7DNH KHHG WKDW \RX GR QRW GHVSLVH RQH RI WKHVH OLWWOH RQHV IRU , VD\ WR \RX WKDW LQ KHDYHQ WKHLU DQJHOV DOZD\V VHH WKH IDFH RI 0\ )DWKHU ZKR LV LQ KHDYHQ ´ 6RPHWLPHV SHRSOH VSHDN RI D SHUVRQ¶V ³JXDUGLDQ DQJHO´ EDVHG RQ WKLV YHUVH RI 6FULSWXUH :KHWKHU RU QRW HDFK RQH RI XV KDV RXU RZQ JXDUGLDQ DQJHO ZH ZRXOG DJUHH WKDW LQ VRPH VHQVH ² DFFRUGLQJ WR WKLV 6FULSWXUH ² DQJHOV DUH HQWUXVWHG ZLWK WKH FDUH RI KXPDQV DQG HYLGHQWO\ SDUWLFXODUO\ RI FKLOGUHQ 5HYHODWLRQ ³7KHQ , KHDUG D ORXG YRLFH IURP WKH WHPSOH VD\LQJ WR WKH VHYHQ DQJHOV ³*R DQG SRXU RXW WKH ERZOV RI WKH ZUDWK RI *RG RQ WKH HDUWK ´ ([DFWO\ ZKDW LV OLWHUDO DQG ZKDW LV ILJXUDWLYH LQ WKH ERRN RI 5HYHODWLRQ PD\ EH XS IRU GHEDWH EXW WKH HQWLUH ERRN LV ILOOHG ZLWK PRYHPHQW DQG LQYROYHPHQW RI DQJHOV LQ WKH DIIDLUV RI HDUWK 7KLV SDVVDJH VHHPV WR EH VD\LQJ WKDW *RG ZLOO VHQG DQJHOV WR EULQJ FDODPLW\ RQ WKRVH QDWLRQV WKDW DUH IODJUDQWO\ HYLO +HEUHZV ³$UH WKH\ >DQJHOV@ QRW DOO PLQLVWHULQJ VSLULWV VHQW IRUWK WR PLQLVWHU IRU WKRVH ZKR ZLOO LQKHULW VDOYDWLRQ" 'R QRW IRUJHW WR HQWHUWDLQ VWUDQJHUV IRU E\ VR GRLQJ VRPH KDYH XQZLWWLQJO\ HQWHUWDLQHG DQJHOV ´ :KDW D FOHDU DQG UHDVVXULQJ PHVVDJH LV FRQWDLQHG LQ WKHVH YHUVHV 7KH\ VKRZ WKDW HYHQ WRGD\ GXULQJ WKH QRQ PLUDFXORXV &KULVWLDQ $JH DQJHOV DUH *RG¶V VHUYDQWV ZRUNLQJ RQ EHKDOI RI +LV FKLOGUHQ +HEUHZV HYHQ VD\V WKDW WKHUH FDQ EH DQJHOLF DSSHDUDQFHV ² ORRNLQJ OLNH RUGLQDU\ KXPDQV ² LQ RXU RZQ OLYHV 7UXO\ DV -HVXV SURPLVHG +H GRHV QRW OHDYH XV LQ WKLV DOLHQ ZRUOG DV KHOSOHVV RUSKDQV -RKQ (YHU\ QHHGHG WRRO LV DYDLODEOH WR +LP DQG +H ZLOO EH LQYROYHG ZLWK PDWWHUV DV JUHDW DV QDWLRQ EXLOGLQJ RU GHPROLWLRQ RU DV LQVLJQLILFDQW DV WKH LQGLYLGXDO QHHGV DW DQ\ JLYHQ PRPHQW LQ WKH OLIH RI RQH RI +LV FKLOGUHQ ² RU LQ WKH OLIH RI VRPH LVRODWHG VRXO VHHNLQJ +LP $V +H VDLG “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” = %HWW\ %XUWRQ &KRDWH LV WKH ZLGRZ RI - & &KRDWH OLYLQJ LQ :LQRQD 0LVVLVVLSSL 86$

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God

Never Man So Spake :D\QH -DFNVRQ $W WKH FRQFOXVLRQ RI WKH IHDVW RI WKH WDEHUQDFOHV WKH /RUG -HVXV KDG VWRRG DQG FULHG “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink” -RKQ :KDW D FRQWURYHUVLDO LQYLWDWLRQ WKDW ZDV 7KHUH LV OLWWOH ZRQGHU WKDW LW FDXVHG VXFK D VWLU DPRQJ WKH SHRSOH VRPH DIILUPLQJ WKDW -HVXV ZDV “the prophet” 'HXWHURQRP\

RWKHUV DOOHJLQJ WKDW +H ZDV WKH &KULVW DQG VRPH GHQ\LQJ ERWK VR WKDW D GLYLVLRQ DURVH DPRQJ WKH PXOWLWXGH FRQFHUQLQJ &KULVW 7KH FKLHI SULHVWV DQG 3KDULVHHV VHQW D JURXS RI GHSXWLHV WR DUUHVW WKH /RUG EXW WKH\ UHWXUQHG HPSW\ KDQGHG :KHQ WKHVH RIILFLDOV ZHUH SUHVVHG DV WR ZK\ WKH\ KDG IDLOHG LQ WKHLU PLVVLRQ WKH\ UHSOLHG DPD]LQJO\ “Never man so spake” -RKQ 7KHLU DQVZHU GHVHUYHV FDUHIXO DQDO\VLV 1R PDQ HYHU VSDNH DV +H IRU +H ZDV PRUH WKDQ PDQ +H ZDV GHLW\ LQ WKH IOHVK -RKQ

)LUVW WKH\ DFNQRZOHGJHG “Never man so spake.” ³1HYHU´ LV DQ DZIXOO\ ORQJ WLPH 7KHVH RIILFHUV ZHUH XQGRXEWHGO\ VLQFHUH DQG WKH\ WROG WKH WUXWK DV WKH\ IHOW LW EXW WKH IDFW LV WKH\ WROG IDU PRUH WKDQ WKH\ NQHZ )RU QHYHU QHLWKHU EHIRUH QRU VLQFH &KULVW KDV DQ\ PDQ VSRNHQ DV +H GLG 'HPRVWKHQHV LV FKDUDFWHUL]HG DV WKH JUHDWHVW VSHDNHU RI WKH DQFLHQW ZRUOG \HW ZKR FDQ TXRWH RQH OLQH IURP KLV IDPRXV VSHHFK ³2Q WKH &URZQ´" &LFHUR ZDV WKH PRVW IDPRXV VSHDNHU RI DQFLHQW 5RPH EXW KLV RUDWLRQV OLH EXULHG LQ WKH GXVW RI DQWLTXLW\ 'DQLHO :HEVWHU KDV EHHQ FDOOHG ³WKH JUHDWHVW RUDWRU WKDW HYHU OLYHG LQ WKH :HVWHUQ +HPLVSKHUH ´ \HW IHZ FDQ VSHFLILFDOO\ FLWH DQ\ RI KLV ZRUGV WKRXJK KH KDV EHHQ GHDG RQO\ VOLJKWO\ PRUH WKDQ D FHQWXU\ +RZHYHU WKH ZRUGV RI -HVXV¶ JUHDW VHUPRQV UROO IURP WKH WRQJXHV RI NLQJV DQG FRPPRQHUV DOLNH $QG +LV ZRUGV FKDQJH WKH OLYHV RI PXOWLWXGHV 7UXO\ WKHUH ZDV QHYHU DQRWKHU OLNH +LP 6HFRQG WKH RIILFHUV VWUHVVHG “Never man spake so.” 7KHUH LV PHDQLQJ LQ WKDW HPSKDVLV 7KHVH DXGLWRUV RI WKH /RUG ZHUH VXJJHVWLQJ WKDW -HVXV GLG QRW VSHDN DV D PHUH PDQ +LV ZRUGV FRXOG QRW EH H[SODLQHG LQ WHUPV RI PHUH KXPDQ EULOOLDQFH +LV PHVVDJH SRLQWHG WR D KLJKHU VRXUFH 7KH 0DVWHU +LPVHOI KDG UHSHDWHGO\ REVHUYHG WKDW RQH ZKR LV RI WKH HDUWK VSHDNV OLNH RQH RI WKH HDUWK EXW RQH “from above” ZLOO VSHDN DV IURP DERYH VR “he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God …” -RKQ :KHQ WKH -HZV PDUYHOHG DW +LV WHDFKLQJ REVHUYLQJ WKDW +H ZDV QRW XQLYHUVLW\ HGXFDWHG WKH /RUG SODLQO\ WROG WKHP “My teaching is not mine, but His that sent Me” -RKQ 1R PDQ

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God HYHU VSRNH DV +H IRU +H ZDV PRUH WKDQ PDQ +H ZDV GHLW\ LQ WKH IOHVK -RKQ

VSHDNLQJ D PHVVDJH RUGDLQHG LQ KHDYHQ 7KLUG LW LV LQWHUHVWLQJ WR QRWH WKDW WKH WHPSOH RIILFHUV DFNQRZOHGJHG WKDW WKH SRZHU RI WKH /RUG¶V LQIOXHQFH ZDV LQ +LV VSHDNLQJ L H +LV ZRUGV +RZ YHU\ GLIIHUHQW IURP WKRVH YDLQ SKLORVRSKLHV ERWK DQFLHQW DQG PRGHUQ ZKLFK DVVHUW WKDW WUXWK LV WR EH IRXQG ZLWKLQ PDQ VR WKDW HDFK SHUVRQ GLVFRYHUV KLV ³RZQ´ WUXWK VR WKDW ZKDW PD\ EH ³WUXWK´ IRU \RX PD\ EH VRPHWKLQJ HQWLUHO\ GLIIHUHQW IRU PH 1R &KULVW FDPH WR UHYHDO WKH PLQG RI *RG E\ PHDQV RI WKRVH YHKLFOHV RI FRPPXQLFDWLRQ WKDW ZH FDOO ³ZRUGV ´ ,Q WKH FRPPHQFHPHQW RI -RKQ¶V *RVSHO DFFRXQW -HVXV LV FDOOHG WKH GLYLQH ³:RUG´ ORJRV 7KH *UHHN WHUP VXJJHVWV WKDW &KULVW LV ³WKH UHSUHVHQWDWLYH DQG H[SUHVVLRQ RI ZKDW *RG KDV WR VD\ WR WKH ZRUOG LQ ZKRP DQG E\ ZKRP *RG¶V PLQG DQG SXUSRVHV WRZDUGV WKH ZRUOG ¿ QG WKHLU H[SUHVVLRQ´ Cremer, Biblico-Thelogical Lexicon of NT Greek

7KRXJK LQ IRUPHU DJHV WKH )DWKHU VSRNH WR WKH SDWULDUFKV E\ WKH SURSKHWV LQ GLIIHUHQW ZD\V H J GUHDPV YLVLRQV HWF QRZ +H KDV VSRNHQ WKURXJK +LV 6RQ +HEUHZV 7KH /RUG GHFODUHG “…the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life” -RKQ +RZ YHU\ XUJHQW LW LV WR NQRZ WKRVH ZRUGV ZKLFK +H VSDNH )RXUWK WKHUH LV VLJQLILFDQFH LQ WKDW WKH RIILFHUV DQQRXQFHG WKDW “Never man spake so.” 7KH DGYHUE KLQWV RI D XQLTXHQHVV WKDW VHW &KULVW¶V WHDFKLQJ DSDUW &RQVLGHU WKH IROORZLQJ -HVXV ZDV WKH RQO\ SHUVRQ WR H[LVW EHIRUH +LV RZQ SK\VLFDO FRQFHSWLRQ -RKQ +H NQHZ RI WKH JORU\ +H VKDUHG ZLWK WKH )DWKHU EHIRUH WKH ZRUOG H[LVWHG -RKQ $JDLQ ZH DUH UHPLQGHG WKDW +H FODLPHG WR EH “from above” DQG WKXV +LV WHDFKLQJ ZDV FRQVLVWHQW ZLWK ZKDW +H KDG ERWK “seen and heard” EHIRUH +LV ELUWK -RKQ 1R RQH HYHU VSRNH OLNH WKDW +LV VSHDNLQJ ZDV DXWKRULWDWLYH 7KH VFULEHV RI -HVXV¶ GD\ FRXOG KDUGO\ VD\ ³ERR´ ZLWKRXW TXRWLQJ D GR]HQ UDEELV RI WKH SDVW WR EXWWUHVV WKHLU DVVHUWLRQV EXW WKH 6DYLRXU HPSOR\HG QR UDEELQLFDO FUXWFKHV ,Q IDFW +H FRQWUDGLFWHG WKHLU OHJDO LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV DQG HYHQ GDUHG WR DVVHUW WKDW +LV WHDFKLQJV ZHQW EH\RQG 0RVHV¶ WHDFKLQJV 0DWWKHZ

,W LV WKXV QR VXUSULVH WKDW ZKHQ &KULVW KDG FRQFOXGHG +LV JUHDW ³6HUPRQ RQ WKH 0RXQW´ WKDW WKH PXOWLWXGHV “were astonished at His teaching: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” 0DWWKHZ

:LWK ZLVGRP GLYLQH WKH /RUG FRPELQHG WHQGHUQHVV DQG ILUPQHVV QRWH +LV GHDOLQJV ZLWK KRQHVW VLQQHUV -RKQ II DQG KDUGHQHG UHEHOV 0DWWKHZ II

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God DEOH WR KDSSLO\ FRPELQH WKH PRVW SURIRXQG RI VSLULWXDO WUXWKV ZLWK WKH VLPSOHVW ODQJXDJH RI H[SUHVVLRQ +LV SDUDEOHV IRU H[DPSOH DUH PDVWHUSLHFHV LQ FRQYH\LQJ WUXWK RQ D OHYHO ZKHUH DOO FDQ XQGHUVWDQG <HV WKRVH RIILFHUV ZHUH TXLWH DFFXUDWH ZKHQ WKH\ H[FODLPHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never man so spake!â&#x20AC;? = :D\QH -DFNVRQ LV WKH (GLWRU RI Christian Courier DQG OLYHV LQ 6WRFNWRQ &DOLIRUQLD 86$

The Incarnation *OHQ :DOWRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truthâ&#x20AC;?

-RKQ

7KH OLWHUDO PHDQLQJ RI ÂłLQFDUQDWLRQ´ LV WR EH ÂłLQIOHVKHG´ ,W LV XVHG LQ 7KH OLWHUDO PHDQLQJ RI ÂłLQFDUQDWLRQ´ LV WR EH ÂłLQIOHVKHG´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â&#x20AC;&#x153;For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help us in time of needâ&#x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God

Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

'DQ :KHHOHU 6DUDKÂśV UHOXFWDQFH WR EHOLHYH LQ WKH SUHGLFWLRQ RI KHU EHDULQJ D FKLOG EURXJKW D UKHWRULFDO UHEXNH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a sonâ&#x20AC;? *HQHVLV .-9 7KH :RUG RI WKH /25' FDPH WUXH MXVW DV +H KDG VDLG DQG ,VDDF ZDV ERUQ WKH QH[W \HDU $EUDKDP EHFDPH WKH IDWKHU RI D JUHDW QDWLRQ HYHQ WKRXJK KH ZDV FKLOGOHVV ZKHQ WKLV SURPLVH ZDV ILUVW PDGH *HQHVLV

2WKHUV IRXQG RXW WKH DQVZHU WR WKH TXHVWLRQ ,I \RX GRXEW LW MXVW DVNÂŤ x 1RDK DIWHU KLV IDPLO\ ZDV VDYHG LQ WKH DUN *HQHVLV

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x 7KH SHRSOH ZKR VDZ -HVXV GR â&#x20AC;&#x153;all things wellâ&#x20AC;? 0DUN

x 0DUWKD DQG 0DU\ DIWHU WKHLU EURWKHU ZDV UDLVHG IURP D SXWULG JUDYH -RKQ

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x 7KH PXOWLWXGH ZKR KHDUG WKH *RVSHO HDFK PDQ LQ KLV RZQ ODQJXDJH $FWV

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*RG FDQ HYHQ PDNH KHOO ERXQG VLQQHUV H J â&#x20AC;&#x153;fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortionersâ&#x20AC;?

DEOH WR LQKHULW WKH NLQJGRP RI *RG WKURXJK WKH ZRUN RI WKH /RUG -HVXV DQG E\ WKH 6SLULW RI RXU *RG &RULQWKLDQV

+H GRHV WKLV ZKHQ ZH REH\ WKH *RVSHO E\ UHSHQWLQJ DQG EHLQJ EDSWL]HG $FWV IRU WKH UHPLVVLRQ RI RXU VLQV ,I *RG LV VR SRZHUIXO ZK\ GRHVQÂśW +H GR IRU XV ZKDW ZH ZDQW MXVW OLNH WKH IHPLQLQH $UDELDQ ERWWOH GZHOOHU LQ Âł, 'UHDP RI -HDQQLH´" :K\ ZRQÂśW RXU SUREOHPV JR DZD\" 7KH SURSKHW ,VDLDK WROG D FRPSODFHQW SHRSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behold the LORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hearâ&#x20AC;? ,VDLDK

*RG LV QRW D ZLVK JUDQWHU +RZHYHU ZH KDYH PDQ\ EOHVVLQJV PRUH WKDQ ZH FDQ FRXQW DQG LQ WKH ORQJ UXQ ZH NQRZ WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;all things work together for them that love Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

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God

The Miracle Spaghetti %RE 3OXQNHW $IWHU &KULVWPDV ZLWK WKH GHOLFLRXV KDP WXUNH\ GUHVVLQJ DQG FUDQEHUU\ VDXFH , WKRXJKW VRPH VSDJKHWWL ZRXOG EH QLFH -DQ PDGH XS D ELJ SRW RI VSDJKHWWL DQG PHDWEDOOV LW ZDV DFWXDOO\ QRRGOHV DQG PHDWEDOOV :H DWH VSDJKHWWL IRU GD\V DQG HYHU\ WLPH LW VHHPHG WR JURZ ELJJHU , NQRZ LW PXVW VZHOO ZKHQ \RX ZDUP LW XS 7KDW¶V ZK\ , FDOOHG LW ³PLUDFOH VSDJKHWWL´ , ZRXOG DVN ³:KDW¶V IRU VXSSHU"´ 6KH ZRXOG VD\ ³+RZ DERXW VSDJKHWWL«\RX ZDQQD VSDJKHWWL \RX JRWWWD VSDJKHWWL ´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¶W PLUDFOH VSDJKHWWL EXW , GHFODUH LW ORRNHG ELJJHU HYHU\ WLPH ZH ZDUPHG LW XS 7KLV UHPLQGHG PH RI *RG¶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¶V ORYH LV SDWLHQW +H ZDLWHG LQ WKH GD\V RI 1RDK ZKLOH WKH DUN ZDV SUHSDULQJ IRU PHQ WR FKDQJH 7KH SURGLJDO GLG QRW H[KDXVW WKH ORYH RI *RG :KHQ KH UHSHQWHG *RG PHW KLP ZLWK RSHQ DUPV +LV IRUJLYHQHVV FDQQRW EH H[KDXVWHG DV ORQJ DV +LV FKLOGUHQ FDQ UHSHQW 7KH 3VDOPLVW VD\V LQ 3VDOP “Thou Lord are good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.”

1R ZRQGHU -HUHPLDK VD\V LQ /DPHQWDWLRQV VSHDNLQJ RI WKH PHUFLHV RI *RG “They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.” = %RE 3OXQNHW SUHDFKHV IRU WKH &ROEHUW +HLJKWV FRQJUHJDWLRQ LQ 7XVFXPELD $ODEDPD 86$

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Evidences

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Evidences 3DXO PDGH WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI &KULVW WKH PDLQ SURRI RI +LV JHQXLQHQHVV &RULQWKLDQV ,Q YHUVHV +H OLVWHG VRPH RI WKH ZLWQHVVHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen

by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 6HYHUDO KXQGUHG SHRSOH ZKR NQHZ +LP ZHOO YHULÂż HG WKDW WKH VDPH WHDFKHU ZKR KDG EHHQ NLOOHG DW WKH LQVLVWHQFH RI -HZLVK OHDGHUV ZDV LQGHHG DOLYH DPRQJ WKHP DIWHU EHLQJ HQWRPEHG 3DXO ZURWH WKLV ZKLOH PRVW RI WKHVH ZLWQHVVHV ZHUH VWLOO OLYLQJ 7ZR OHDGLQJ -HZV KDG EXULHG -HVXV 7KH\ KDG ZUDSSHG DQG DQRLQWHG +LV GHDG ERG\ 5RPDQ JXDUGV ZHUH SRVWHG <HW +H ZDV VHHQ DOLYH DJDLQ E\ UHSXWDEOH ZLWQHVVHV ZKR ULVNHG WKHLU OLYHV WR DIÂż UP WKLV ,W LV DQ XQGLVSXWHG IDFW WKDW Âż UVW WKH -HZV DQG WKHQ WKH 5RPDQV WULHG WR VXSSUHVV WKLV QHZ UHOLJLRQ ZLWK YLROHQFH \HW WKHUH LV QR HYLGHQFH WKDW WKH\ ZHUH DEOH WR GLVSURYH WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ 7KH UHSRUWV RI PLUDFOHV E\ -HVXV DQG +LV DVVRFLDWHV DV HYLGHQFH RI WKH VXSHU QDWXUDO RULJLQ RI WKHLU PHVVDJH KDYH EHHQ UHMHFWHG E\ PDWHULDOLVWLF ZRUOGO\ PLQGV RI RXU GD\ $V 3DXO VDLG WR )HVWXV $FWV â&#x20AC;&#x153;These things were not done in a corner.â&#x20AC;? +LV HQHPLHV GLG QRW GHQ\ WKH PLUDFOHV WKH\ VLPSO\ FORVHG WKHLU PLQGV WR WKHLU VLJQLÂż FDQFH 7KHVH ZHUH QRW WULFNV RU VWDJHG SHU IRUPDQFHV 7KH\ ZHUH RSHQO\ GRQH XQGHU YDULHG FLUFXPVWDQFHV WKDW DOORZHG QR VOHLJKW RI KDQG DQG WKDW OHIW QR GRXEW FRQFHUQLQJ WKH PLUDFXORXV QDWXUH RI WKH HYHQW 7KRXVDQGV RI SHRSOH ZKR KHDUG WKH PHVVDJH ZKHQ LW ZDV Âż UVW GHOLYHUHG DQG ZKR VDZ LW FRQÂż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Evidences

And God Created Without Form and Void 'DYH (YHUVRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the earth was without form, and void: and darkness moved upon the face of the deepâ&#x20AC;? *HQHVLV

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The Word Of God

Lord, Clothe Me in Your Truth 5DQGDOO &DVHOPDQ 7UXWK LV GHILQHG DV WKDW ZKLFK LV UHDO JHQXLQH FHUWDLQ YDOLG DQG IDFWXDO 7UXWK LV DFWXDOLW\ WKDW ZKLFK FDQ EH WUXVWHG EHFDXVH LW LV UHDOLW\ ,Q WKH %LEOH WUXWK LV VSRNHQ RI DV DQ DWWULEXWH RI *RG 7ZLFH ,VDLDK WHOOV XV WKDW *RG LV WKH *RG RI WUXWK â&#x20AC;&#x153;So that he who blesses himself in the earth Shall bless himself in the God of truth...â&#x20AC;? ,VDLDK 7LWXV LQ VSHDNLQJ RI RXU KRSH GHVFULEHV LW DV WKH â&#x20AC;&#x153;hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began...â&#x20AC;?

FRQWHQGLQJ ZLWK WKHVH ZRUGV WKDW *RG FDQQRW OLH 6R WKDW ZKLFK LV UHYHDOHG E\ *RG LQVSLUHG E\ *RG DQG EUHDWKHG E\ *RG LV WUXWK DQG FDQ EH WUXVWHG DV JHQXLQH DQG YDOLG 1RWH VRPH WUXWKV DERXW WUXWK

7UXWK &DQ %H .QRZQ -HVXV VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will know the truth, and the truth will set you freeâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

7KHUH LV D WUXWK ZH FDQ NQRZ +LV WUXWK LV IRXQG LQ 6FULSWXUH WKH LQVSLUHG :RUG RI *RG -RKQ ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truthâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ -HVXV SODLQO\ VWDWHG WKDW +H ZDV WKH WUXWK LQ -RKQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am the way and the truth and the life.â&#x20AC;? 'R ZH NQRZ WUXWK" $UH ZH VHDUFKLQJ IRU WUXWK ZKLFK LV ERWK WKH ZULWWHQ DQG OLYLQJ :RUG"

7UXWK 2EH\HG 6DQFWLÂż HV -HVXV SUD\HG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truthâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

$V ZH UHVSRQG WR WKH JXLGDQFH RI WKH 6SLULW ZH DUH FOHDQVHG E\ WUXWK 3DXO WHOOV XV DV PXFK LQ (SKHVLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blamelessâ&#x20AC;? (SKHVLDQV <RX VHH JXLOW KDV QR SODFH LQ WKH OLIH RI *RGÂśV FKLOGUHQ RU *RGÂśV FKXUFK EHFDXVH REHGLHQFH RI WUXWK VDQFWLILHV

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The Word Of God ZDWHU E\ WKH :RUG ZH DUH UDLVHG WR ZDON LQ D QHZQHVV RI OLIH 5RPDQV 3DXO JRHV RQ WR VD\ WKDW ZH EHFRPH LQVWUXPHQWV RI ULJKWHRXVQHVV OLYLQJ VDFULILFHV YHUVH 3HWHU VD\V ZH DUH D KRO\ QDWLRQ D UR\DO SULHVWKRRG D SHRSOH EHORQJLQJ WR *RG 3HWHU $V ZH DOORZ WKH 6SLULW RI WUXWK WR OHDG XV DV ZH NHHS LQ VWHS ZLWK +LP ZH SURGXFH +LV IUXLW Âłlove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

And those who are Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. *DODWLDQV ,QGHHG +LV IUXLW VHWV XV DSDUW IURP WKH ZRUOG 5LJKW"

7UXWK 6KRXOG 6HW 8V $EOD]H 5HPHPEHU -HUHPLDK" â&#x20AC;&#x153;His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannotâ&#x20AC;? -HUHPLDK

,I DQG ZKHQ ZH DUH JHQXLQHO\ FRQYLQFHG WKDW ZH KDYH WKH WUXWK RI *RG LQ XV ZH FDQQRW KROG LW EDFN /LNH -HUHPLDK ZH DUH IRUFHG WR SUDFWLFH DQG SURFODLP +LV WUXWK EHIRUH RWKHUV +LV WUXWK VHWV XV DEOD]H LQ DQRWKHU ZD\ DOVR ,W NHHSV XV IURP VLQ 'DYLG ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against Youâ&#x20AC;? 3VDOP 7UXWK KLGGHQ LQ RXU KHDUW UHJXODWHV RXU DWWLWXGH RXU GLVSRVLWLRQ DQG GDLO\ EHKDYLRU

7UXWK 0XVW %H &RQWHQGHG )RU -XGH LQVWUXFWV XV WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.â&#x20AC;? 7KH IDLWK UHIHUV WR WKDW ERG\ RI WUXWK RQFH GHOLYHUHG 7KLV WUXWK LV QRW RQO\ WR EH SUDFWLFHG DQG SURFODLPHG LW LV WR EH GHIHQGHG :K\" %HFDXVH LW LV WKH JRRG QHZV RI WKH *RVSHO WKDW VDYHV ,Q &RORVVLDQV 3DXO VSHDNV RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the Word of truth, the Gospel.â&#x20AC;? ,QGHHG ZH PXVW FRQWHQG IRU WKH IDLWK VWDQG XS IRU WUXWK ILJKW WKH JRRG ILJKW NHHS WKH IDLWK ² EHFDXVH ZH DUH WKH SLOODU DQG JURXQG RI WKH WUXWK :KDW LV WUXWK" :KDW LV RXU UHODWLRQVKLS WR WUXWK" 'R ZH NQRZ LW" 'R ZH NQRZ +LP" $UH ZH EHLQJ OHG E\ +LV 6SLULW" $UH ZH EHDULQJ +LV IUXLW" $UH ZH REH\LQJ DQG SURFODLPLQJ WUXWK" $UH ZH ZDONLQJ LQ WKH OLJKW RI WUXWK" +DYH ZH EHHQ FORWKHG ZLWK +LV WUXWK" , SUD\ WKDW ZH DUH â&#x20AC;&#x153;So if the Son sets you freeâ&#x20AC;Ś You will be free indeedâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ ,QGHHG

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The Word Of God

Disputing the Lord &DUUROO 6LWHV , UHDG RI D SUHDFKHU ZKR GHOLYHUHG D VHUPRQ RQ WKH VXEMHFW RI HWHUQDO SXQLVKPHQW 7KH QH[W GD\ D \RXQJ PDQ FDPH WR VHH KLP WR GLVSXWH ZKDW KH KDG KHDUG SUHDFKHG FRQFHUQLQJ KHOO $V KH VSRNH WR WKH SUHDFKHU KH VDLG ³, EHOLHYH WKDW WKHUH LV D GLIIHUHQFH EHWZHHQ ZKDW \RX DQG , EHOLHYH DERXW HWHUQDO SXQLVKPHQW , FDPH KHUH WRGD\ LQ RUGHU WR VHWWOH WKLV GLIIHUHQFH ´ 7KH SUHDFKHU WKRXJKW IRU D IHZ PRPHQWV DQG WKHQ WXUQHG WR WKH \RXQJ PDQ DQG VDLG ³7KHUH LV QR GLVSXWH EHWZHHQ \RX DQG PH ,I \RX ZLOO WXUQ DQG UHDG 0DWWKHZ \RX ZLOO ILQG WKH GLVSXWH LV EHWZHHQ \RX DQG WKH /RUG -HVXV &KULVW +H FOHDUO\ VDLG “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” , DGYLVH \RX WR JR LPPHGLDWHO\ DQG VHWWOH LW ZLWK +LP ´ :KHQ D SUHDFKHU SUHDFKHV WUXWK DQG VRPHRQH GLVSXWHV LW WKH GLVSXWH LV QRW ZLWK WKH SUHDFKHU EXW ZLWK *RG¶V WUXWK )RU LQVWDQFH 7KH %LEOH VD\V *RG FUHDWHG WKH KHDYHQV DQG WKH HDUWK *HQHVLV

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The Word Of God

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Man’s Needs 3HUU\ 1 +DOO (YHU\WKLQJ *RG KDV PDGH LV HVVHQWLDO +H PDGH IRRG DLU DQG ZDWHU PDQ QHHGV DOO RI WKHP :H FDQ¶W OLYH ZLWKRXW WKHP :H GR QRW KHDU SHRSOH FDOOLQJ DQ\ RQH RI WKHP ³QRQ HVVHQWLDO´ :H ZRXOG QRW ZDQW WR EH IRUFHG WR FKRRVH WR OHDYH RII IRRG DLU RU ZDWHU IRU ZH NQRZ WKDW ZH FRXOG QRW OLYH ORQJ LQ VR GRLQJ -HVXV VDLG “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”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The Word Of God

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Corrupt Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word .HQ 7\OHU 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO VDLG LQ &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of Godâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? )URP WKLV YHUVH ZH VHH WKDW WKHUH ZHUH PDQ\ SHRSOH LQ 3DXOÂśV GD\ ZKR ZHUH FRUUXSWLQJ WKH :RUG RI *RG , ZRQGHU ZKDW KH ZRXOG VD\ WRGD\ LI KH OLYHG LQ RXU ZRUOG ZKLFK LV ILOOHG ZLWK UHOLJLRXV GLYLVLRQ HYLGHQFHG E\ WKRXVDQGV RI GLIIHUHQW FKXUFKHV :LWK WKH SDVVLQJ RI FHQWXULHV DQG SRSXODWLRQ JURZWK WKH GHSDUWXUH IURP *RGÂśV :RUG KDV LQFUHDVHG PRUH DQG PRUH , DP DPD]HG WKDW SHRSOH EHOLHYH WKH\ FDQ GR MXVW DERXW DQ\WKLQJ LQ WKH QDPH RI UHOLJLRQ 7KH IDFW LV YLYLG ZKHQ \RX WKLQN DERXW WKH NLOOLQJ DQG WRUPHQWLQJ WDNLQJ SODFH WKURXJKRXW WKH ZRUOG EHFDXVH RI HUURQHRXV UHOLJLRXV EHOLHIV 7KH ZRUGV RI 3DXO LQ &RULQWKLDQV QHHG WR ULQJ ORQJ DQG ORXG LQ RXU HDUV WRGD\ /LNH 3DXO ZH PXVW QRW FRUUXSW *RGÂśV :RUG <HV PDQ\ PD\ EH GRLQJ LW EXW 3DXO VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwe are not as many which corrupt the word of Godâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? :KDW ZH QHHG DUH SHRSOH ZKR EHOLHYH *RGÂśV :RUG DQG DUH QRW DVKDPHG WR VWDQG ZKHUH LW VWDQGV +RPRVH[XDOLW\ DQG OHVELDQLVP DUH WU\LQJ WR WDNH RYHU RXU VRFLHW\ ,W LV XQEHOLHYDEOH WKDW VRPH ZKR FODLP WR EH UHOLJLRXV GR QRW EHOLHYH WKLV FRQGXFW LV ZURQJ 3DXO LQ VSHDNLQJ RI WKH VLQIXO SUDFWLFHV RI WKH *HQWLOHV SODLQO\ FRQGHPQHG KRPRVH[XDOLW\ DQG OHVELDQLVP LQ 5RPDQV 1RWLFH FDUHIXOO\ YHUVHV DQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly , and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.â&#x20AC;? 7KHVH VWDWHPHQWV VKRXOG VHWWOH WKH PDWWHU ,VDLDK VSRNH VRPH ZRUGV D ORQJ WLPH DJR WKDW SODLQO\ GHVFULEH RXU VLWXDWLRQ WRGD\ +H VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitterâ&#x20AC;? ,VDLDK

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Salvation

Our Eternal Reward 'DQQ\ %RJJV %RUQ WR SDUHQWV ZKR ZHUH SDUW (XURSHDQ DQG SDUW 6DF DQG )R[ ,QGLDQ \RXQJ -LP 7KRUSH VXIIHUHG WKH SUHMXGLFH RI EHLQJ UHJDUGHG DV DQ ,QGLDQ +H VWUXJJOHG WR VWD\ LQ VFKRRO DQG ERWK RI KLV SDUHQWV GLHG E\ WKH WLPH KH ZDV ILIWHHQ %XW IRU WKUHH GD\V LQ -LP 7KRUSH YDOLDQWO\ SURYHG WUXH WR KLV ,QGLDQ QDPH ³:D +R 7KXFN ´ ZKLFK PHDQV ³%ULJKW 3DWK ´ ,Q -LP PDGH WKH 8 6 2O\PSLF 7HDP $W WKH *DPHV LQ 6WRFNKROP 6ZHGHQ KH FRPSOHWHG WKH RQH GD\ ILYH HYHQW SHQWDWKORQ DQG WKH WZR GD\ WHQ HYHQW GHFDWKORQ +H FDSWXUHG JROG PHGDOV LQ ERWK HYHQWV E\ ZLGH PDUJLQV -LP VFRUHG SRLQWV LQ WKH GHFDWKORQ PRUH WKDQ GRXEOH WKH WRWDO RI KLV FORVHVW ULYDO +LV PDUN ZDV QRW WRSSHG IRU \HDUV 8SRQ KLV UHWXUQ WR WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV -LP ZDV JUHHWHG ZLWK D YLFWRU\ SDUDGH RQ %URDGZD\ LQ 1HZ <RUN &LW\ 3UHVLGHQW 7DIW WROG KLP ³<RX DUH WKH KLJKHVW W\SH RI FLWL]HQ WKLV FRXQWU\ FDQ SURGXFH DQG ZH DUH SURXG RI \RX ´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¶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our UDFH LV UXQ our award is unalterable. *RG “will render to each one according to His works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life” (Romans 1:6,7). 2XU SUL]H LV “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in

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Salvation heaven for youâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU 2QFH ZH UHFHLYH LW LW ZLOO EH RXUV IRUHYHU 3DXO H[KRUWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualifiedâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV :H NQRZ WKH UXOHV $FFRUGLQJ WR -RKQ WKH :RUG WKDW -HVXV KDV VSRNHQ ZLOO MXGJH XV RQ WKH ODVW GD\ /HWÂśV SUHVV WRZDUG WKH SUL]H OLNH 3DXO GLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearingâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\

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Salvation

The Best for Last %LOO 'LOORQ 7KH UXOHU RI WKH PDUULDJH IHDVW VWDWHG D IDU UHDFKLQJ SULQFLSOH ZKHQ KH VDLG, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now!â&#x20AC;? -RKQ

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Salvation

When Was Saul Saved?

5D\PRQG (OOLRWW

Picture used with permission: (c)2006 www.TheGloryStory.com

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Salvation RSSRUWXQH WLPH IRU WKH /RUG WR KDYH LQIRUPHG 6DXO RI KLV VDOYDWLRQ LI KH KDG EHHQ VDYHG DW WKLV SRLQW LQ WKH SURFHVV RI KLV FRQYHUVLRQ )XUWKHU LI 6DXO ZDV VDYHG ZKLOH RQ WKH URDG WR 'DPDVFXV WKH GLVFLSOH $Q QLDV ZKRP WKH /RUG KDG VHQW WR 6DXO GLG QRW NQRZ LW IRU KH VDLG WR 6DXO â&#x20AC;&#x153;And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lordâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 6DXO KDG EHOLHYHG LQ &KULVW +H KDG EHHQ D SHQLWHQW SHUVRQ DV LQGLFDWHG E\ KLV DFWLRQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drankâ&#x20AC;? $FWV

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Salvation

“If a Man Die…” 'HDQ )XJHWW 7R VD\ WKDW PDQ LV DQG KDV DOZD\V EHHQ LQWHUHVWHG LQ HWHUQDO OLIH LQ RQH IRUP RU DQRWKHU LV DQ XQGHUVWDWHPHQW :KHQHYHU KH KDV QRW EHHQ DEOH WR GLVFRYHU DQ RUJDQL]HG UHOLJLRQ WKDW SURPLVHG WKLV OLIH DV KH GUHDPV LW KH KDV VXPPDULO\ PDGH RQH XS 0DQ\ H[LVWLQJ UHOLJLRQV DUH WHVWLPRQ\ RI PDQ¶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“soberly, righteously and godly in this present life” 7LWXV IDVKLRQHG LQ WKH OLNHQHVV RI &KULVW EDVHG XSRQ +LV :RUG DQG LQ REHGLHQFH WR +LV /RUGVKLS 7KHQ ZH UHVW LQ WKH KRSH RI +LV SURPLVHV WKDW +H LV WKH 6DYLRU RI DOO WKHP WKDW REH\ +LP +HEUHZV 7KH HQG RI WKRVH ZKR GR QRW REH\ &KULVW UHJDUGOHVV RI WKHLU SURYLVLRQV LQ WRPEV RU UHOLJLRQV IDVKLRQHG DFFRUGLQJ WR WKHLU LPDJLQDWLRQ LV FOHDUO\ VHW IRUWK LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...” ,I \RX DUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ HWHUQDO OLIH ZH XUJH WKDW \RX UHDG \RXU %LEOH FDUHIXOO\ KRQHVWO\ DQG REHGLHQWO\ 2EH\ WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW OLYH LQ +LV FKXUFK LQ JRGOLQHVV DQG IDFH GHDWK ZLWK WKH DVVXUDQFH RI WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI &KULVW DV WKH SOHGJH RI RXU RZQ UHVXUUHFWLRQ

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The Church

A Look at Paul’s Preaching &ODUHQFH 'H/RDFK

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The Church VHULRXVO\ KLV RZQ DGYLFH WR 7LPRWK\ EHLQJ “instant in season and out of season” 7LPRWK\

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The Church +LV PHWKRG RI WHDFKLQJ ZDV ERWK SXEOLF DQG SULYDWH +H ORYHG WR SUHDFK WR WKH FURZGV EXW KH ZDV DOVR FRQWHQW WR WHDFK SHUVRQ WR SHUVRQ 1R SUHDFKHU VKRXOG IHHO WKDW WKH SXOSLW LV KLV H[FOXVLYH WHUULWRU\ 3DXO WHVWLILHG +RZ XQIRUWXQDWH WKDW WKLV JRRG ZRUG KDV EHHQ VR DEXVHG LQ WKH UHOLJLRXV ZRUOG 0DQ\ ORRN XSRQ ³WHVWLI\LQJ´ DV JLYLQJ VRPH HPRWLRQDO H[SHULHQFH +RZHYHU WKH ZRUG PHDQV WR ³SUHVHQW HYLGHQFH´ DQG LQ 3DXO¶V FDVH LW LQYROYHG JLYLQJ ORJLFDO SURRI WKDW -HVXV ZDV WKH &KULVW WKH 6RQ RI *RG $FWV

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The Church

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The Church

Who Owns the Church? +ROOLV 0LOOHU )RU EHOLHYHUV LQ -HVXV &KULVW WKH DQVZHU WR WKH DERYH WLWOH LV HDVLO\ JLYHQ -HVXV VDLG “Upon this rock I will build my church” 0DWWKHZ ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH /RUG¶V ZRUGV WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW PDNHV LW DEXQGDQWO\ FOHDU WKDW -HVXV GRHV RZQ WKH FKXUFK $FFRUGLQJ WR $FWV +H SXUFKDVHG LW ZLWK +LV EORRG +H KDV QHYHU VROG LW QRU KDV LW EHHQ VWROHQ IURP +LP %HFDXVH -HVXV RZQV WKH FKXUFK DQ\RQH ZKR XVXUSV +LV DXWKRULW\ RYHU LW LV JXLOW\ RI UREELQJ WKH /RUG RI ZKDW ULJKWIXOO\ EHORQJV WR +LP 1R WKHRORJLDQ QR UHOLJLRXV SKLORVRSKHU QR HOGHUVKLS QR GHDFRQ QR SUHDFKHU QR V\QRG RU FRQYHQWLRQ FDQ GHFLGH DQ\WKLQJ WKDW GRHV QRW PHHW WKH DSSURYDO RI WKH FKXUFK¶V RZQHU 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO D GLYLQHO\ DSSRLQWHG VSRNHVPDQ IRU +LP WDXJKW WKDW -HVXV RZQV WKH FKXUFK DQG WKDW +H LV WKH +HDG RYHU DOO WKLQJV WKDW SHUWDLQ WR LW $FWV “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church... For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church” (SKHVLDQV I

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The Church

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:KDW FDQ \RX DQG , GR WR EXLOG XS WKH FKXUFK" 7KH ERRN RI (SKHVLDQV KDV DV LWV WKHPH WKH JORULRXV FKXUFK RI &KULVW ² “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus . . .”

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:H QHHG WR 7+,1. EHIRUH ZH VSHDN 7 + , 1 . ,V ZKDW , DP DERXW WR VD\ WUXH KHOSIXO LQVSLULQJ QHFHVVDU\ DQG NLQG" :KLFK GLUHFWLRQ DUH ZH WDNLQJ WKH FKXUFK WKURXJK RXU VWXG\ RXU LQYROYHPHQW DQG RXU ZRUGV"

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The Church

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Be Ashamed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The Church WR EH SRSXODU DQG DFFHSWHG 7KH\ GRQÂśW ZDQW WR EH FRQVLGHUHG QDUURZ PLQGHG DQG DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK WKH PLQRULW\ 5DWKHU WKDQ VSHDN RXW IRU &KULVW WKH\ TXLHWO\ WU\ WR EOHQG ZLWK WKHLU IULHQGV DQG QHLJKERUV ZLWK WKHLU IDPLO\ PHPEHUV ZKR DUH QRW &KULVWLDQV VR WKDW QR RQH ZLOO KDYH KDUG IHHOLQJV WRZDUG WKHP 7KHLU DWWLWXGH LV RSSRVLWH WKDW RI HDUO\ &KULVWLDQV ZKR ZHUH ZLOOLQJ WR GLH UDWKHU WKDQ GHQ\ WKHLU /RUG ZKR UHMRLFHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His nameâ&#x20AC;? $FWV

7KH $SRVWOH 3DXO VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faithâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

:H UHDG â&#x20AC;&#x153;As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamedâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

$JDLQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamedâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

3DXO GHFODUHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by deathâ&#x20AC;?

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3DXO FRQWLQXHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wherefore I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that dayâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\

$JDLQ 3DXO VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truthâ&#x20AC;? (2 Timothy 2:15). 7KH +HEUHZ ZULWHU LQ VSHDNLQJ RI *RG DQG +LV FKLOGUHQ VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through

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The Church sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto theeâ&#x20AC;? +HEUHZV &RQWLQXLQJ KH VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a cityâ&#x20AC;? +HEUHZV

3HWHU ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that ye might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spiritâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU +H ZHQW RQ WR VD\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief; or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalfâ&#x20AC;? O 3HWHU

&KULVW VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever therefore shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heavenâ&#x20AC;?

0DWWKHZ +H DOVR VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angelsâ&#x20AC;? 0DUN

0\ IULHQG ZKHUH GR \RX VWDQG EHIRUH WKH /RUG" 'R \RX EHOLHYH LQ +LP +HEUHZV -RKQ RU GR \RX UHMHFW +LP" :LOO \RX EHOLHYH DQG EH EDSWL]HG WR EH VDYHG 0DUN RU KDYH \RX DFFHSWHG WKH WHDFKLQJV RI PHQ" $UH \RX D PHPEHU RI WKH /RUGÂśV FKXUFK 0DWWKHZ RU GR \RX EHORQJ WR D GHQRPLQDWLRQDO FKXUFK WKDW EHJDQ ZLWK PDQ" 'R \RX ZHDU WKH QDPH RI &KULVW $FWV RU GR \RX ZHDU D PDQPDGH QDPH" 5HPHPEHU WKDW LQ WKH ODVW GD\ ZH ZLOO EH MXGJHG E\ WKH :RUG RI WKH /RUG LWVHOI -RKQ

3OHDVH GR QRW UHMHFW &KULVW DQG +LV ZLOO 'R QRW EH DVKDPHG RI +LP %HOLHYH LQ +LP REH\ +LP DQG OLYH IRU +LP DQG RQH GD\ +H ZLOO DFNQRZOHGJH \RX DV +LV RZQ DQG JLYH \RX DQ HWHUQDO KRPH LQ KHDYHQ

= - & &KRDWH GHFHDVHG EHJDQ SXEOLFDWLRQ RI The Voice of Truth International LQ

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Quick Commentary on Crucial Verses \RX KDYH FRPH WR 0RXQW =LRQ DQG WR WKH FLW\ RI WKH OLYLQJ *RG WKH KHDYHQO\ -HUXVDOHP WR DQ LQQXPHUDEOH FRPSDQ\ RI DQJHOV WR WKH JHQHUDO DVVHPEO\ DQG FKXUFK RI WKH ILUVWERUQ ZKR DUH UHJLVWHUHG LQ KHDYHQ WR *RG WKH -XGJH RI DOO WR WKH VSLULWV RI MXVW PHQ PDGH SHUIHFW WR -HVXV WKH 0HGLDWRU RI WKH QHZ FRYHQDQW DQG WR WKH EORRG RI VSULQNOLQJ WKDW VSHDNV EHWWHU WKLQJV WKDQ WKDW RI $EHO

This beautiful picture is describing our spiritual surroundings in worship, but it concludes with stress laid on one vital part of our worship: the Memorial Supper, as we eat the bread which is His body, and drink of the cup which is His blood that was poured out as the seal of the New Covenant, that we may be the children of God and the brother of the Lord who died for us!

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Doctrine To Live By

What Is Not Said 'DYLG 'HIIHQEDXJK â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of Godâ&#x20AC;? $FWV

$Q DPD]LQJ VWDWHPHQW LVQÂśW LW" 3DXO OLQNV WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI WKH *RVSHO WR KLV SHUVRQDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ IRU WKH OLYHV RI PHQ 7KH YHUGLFW 3DXO FODLPV LV KLV LQQRFHQFH 7KLV LVQÂśW WKH ILUVW WLPH 3DXO KDV VDLG VRPHWKLQJ OLNH WKLV $W &RULQWK KH WROG WKH -HZV LQ WKH V\QDJRJXH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean, from now on I shall go to the Gentilesâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 7KH VDPH FRQQHFWLRQ LV PDGH %XW ZK\" )RU WKH DQVZHU RQH PXVW WXUQ WR WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW DQG WKH LQVWUXFWLRQ WR WKH SURSKHW (]HNLHO *RG WHOOV +LV VSRNHVPDQ Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel: whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You will surely die,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. Again when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself (]HNLHO

$Q\RQH FODLPLQJ WR EH D SUHDFKHU RI WKH *RVSHO KDV WKH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI SUHDFKLQJ WKH ZKROH SXUSRVH RI *RG 7KDW PHVVDJH LV QRW DOZD\V D SRSXODU RQH ,W JRW -RKQ EHKHDGHG -HUHPLDK WKURZQ LQWR D PXGG\ FLVWHUQ DQG OHIW IRU GHDG 3DXO EHDWHQ VWRQHG YHUEDOO\ DVVDXOWHG DQG VR RQ DQG -HVXVÂŤQDLOHG WR D FURVV 1HHG ZH HYHQ DVN ZKDW WKH UHVXOW ZLOO EH LI RQH WHDFKHV WKH VLQJOHQHVV RI WKH FKXUFK *RGÂśV ODZV DERXW PDULWDO ULJKWV PDOH OHDGHUVKLS LQ WKH KRPH DQG LQ WKH FKXUFK DQG VH[XDO SXULW\ H[FOXVLYHO\ ZLWKLQ D PRQRJDPRXV KHWHURVH[XDO PDUULDJH" ,W LV QRW RQO\ D PDWWHU RI ZKDW RQH WHDFKHV :KDW RQH IDLOV WR WHDFK PD\ EH WKH ELJJHVW SUREOHP LW PD\ GHWHUPLQH WKH YHUGLFW RI JXLOW RU LQQRFHQFH = 'DYLG 'HIIHQEDXJK SUHDFKHV IRU WKH 6RXWKZHVW FRQJUHJDWLRQ LQ 2NODKRPD &LW\ 2NOD KRPD 86$

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Doctrine To Live By

Grace Abounding %REE\ 'RFNHU\ *UDFH LV LQFUHGLEOHÂŤ EXW WUXH $IWHU PDQ KDG UHEHOOHG DJDLQVW *RG DQG GHPHDQHG KLPVHOI LQ VLQ *RG VWLOO ORYHG 6R *RG LQYROYHG +LPVHOI LQ D SODQ IRU PDQÂśV UHGHPSWLRQ -RKQ *RG WRRN WKH LQLWLDWLYH â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Word became fleshâ&#x20AC;? DQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;of His fullness we have all receivedâ&#x20AC;Śgrace upon graceâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

,Q 5RPDQV 3DXO VSHDNV RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;the abundance of grace.â&#x20AC;? 7ZR RWKHU WLPHV LQ WKH VDPH FKDSWHU 3DXO OLQNV WKH ZRUG â&#x20AC;&#x153;graceâ&#x20AC;? WR WKH ZRUGV â&#x20AC;&#x153;abundantâ&#x20AC;? RU â&#x20AC;&#x153;aboundingâ&#x20AC;? YHUVHV 7KHUH LV QR JUDFH VKRUWDJH 7KH UHOLJLRXV ZRUOG KDV D WHQGHQF\ WR EHFRPH XQEDODQFHG ZKHQ LW WDONV DERXW JUDFH 2Q WKH RQH KDQG WKHUH DUH VRPH ZKR SUHDFK ZKDW PLJKW EH FDOOHG ÂłHDUQHG JUDFH´ ² WKH LGHD WKDW ZH PXVW LQ VRPH ZD\ GHPRQVWUDWH WKDW ZH GHVHUYH WKH XQGHVHUYHG WKDW *RG VKRXOG H[WHQG JUDFH RQO\ WR WKRVH ZKR FDQ SDVV TXDOLILFDWLRQV $W WKH RWKHU H[WUHPH LV ÂłHDV\ JUDFH´ ² WKH QRWLRQ WKDW ZH VKRXOG QRW UHDOO\ ZRUU\ RYHU RXU VLQV Âł'RQÂśW EH VR XSWLJKW ´ ZH DUH WROG Âł'RQÂśW EH FRQFHUQHG RYHU ZHDNQHVV ´ WKLV WKHRU\ JRHV Âł-XVW OHW JUDFH WDNH FDUH RI WKLQJV ´ %XW JUDFH QHYHU VD\V WKDW VLQ GRHV QRW PDWWHU ,W VD\V WKDW VLQ PDWWHUV VR PXFK WKDW -HVXV GLHG WR JLYH XV WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR HVFDSH IURP LWV FOXWFKHV 3HUKDSV LW ZRXOG EH ZHOO WR UHPLQG RXUVHOYHV RI VRPH WKLQJV WKH %LEOH WHDFKHV DERXW JUDFH

:H $UH 6DYHG E\ *UDFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;By grace are you saved through faithâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? 6HH (SKHVLDQV 0DQ ZDV ORVW ZLWKRXW KRSH ZLWKRXW *RG LQ WKH ZRUOG 7KHUH ZDV QRWKLQJ PDQ FRXOG GR WR KHOS KLPVHOI 5RPDQV H[SODLQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.â&#x20AC;? *RG VWHSSHG LQ VHQGLQJ +LV RZQ 6RQ WR GLH IRU XV *UDFH GRHV QRW PHDQ WKDW VLQ GRHV QRW KDYH WR EH SDLG IRU ,W PHDQV WKDW I GR QRW KDYH WR SD\ IRU LW EHFDXVH -HVXV GLHG WR SD\ WKH GHEW , FRXOG QHYHU SD\

:H $UH 6FKRROHG E\ *UDFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace teaches us,â&#x20AC;? WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present ageâ&#x20AC;? 7LWXV *UDFH WHDFKHV XV WKDW ZH PXVW VD\ Âł1R´ WR DOO WKDW LV ZURQJ DQG Âł<HV´ WR DOO WKDW LV JRRG ULJKWHRXV DQG WUXH *UDFH WHDFKHV XV WKDW ZH ZKR KDYH GLHG WR VLQ FDQ QR ORQJHU OLYH LQ VLQ 5RPDQV

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Doctrine To Live By

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Doctrine To Live By

Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Successor 1HDO 3ROODUG $Q LPSRUWDQW HOHPHQW RI WKLQNLQJ DPRQJ RXU &DWKROLF IULHQGV LQYROYHV WKH LGHD RI SDSDO VXFFHVVLRQ ,Q WKLV FRQFHSW &DWKROLF VFKRODUV DWWHPSW WR ORRN DOO WKH ZD\ EDFN WR 3HWHU DQG WUDFH D OLQH RI SDSDF\ 7KLV HODERUDWH HIIRUW WR GHIHQG WKH LGHD RI D XQLYHUVDO SRSH JRHV EDFN WR IDLUO\ DQFLHQW WLPHV 7KH IXUWKHU EDFN WKH\ JR KRZHYHU WKH PRUH GLIILFXOW WKLV HIIRUW WR ILQG 3HWHU¶V VXFFHVVRUV EHFRPHV $ FDVH LQ SRLQW LQYROYHV WKH VR FDOOHG WKLUG VXFFHVVRU RI 3HWHU DV ELVKRS RI 5RPH (YHUHWW )HUJXVRQ SRLQWV RXW WKDW ,UHQDHXV ORRNHG DW &OHPHQW DV WKLV ELVKRS +RZHYHU DV )HUJXVRQ ZULWHV ³$V PDQ\ 3URWHVWDQW DQG VRPH 5RPDQ &DWKROLF KLVWRULDQV KDYH REVHUYHG WKH GLIILFXOW\ DULVHV EHFDXVH WKHUH ZDV D SOXUDOLW\ RI SUHVE\WHU ELVKRSV DW WKLV WLPH LQ WKH FKXUFK DW 5RPH DQG ,UHQDHXV DQG RWKHUV UHDG EDFN LQWR WKLV WLPH WKH ODWHU RUJDQL]DWLRQ RI RQO\ RQH ELVKRS LQ D FKXUFK´ Church History

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Doctrine To Live By

Why Should I Believe? .HYLQ / 0RRUH :K\ 6KRXOG , %HOLHYH LQ *RG" $OO ZKR JHQXLQHO\ VHDUFK IRU *RG FDQ HDVLO\ ILQG +LP $FWV DQG WR FRQILUP WKH UHDOLW\ RI *RG RQH FRXOG DSSHDO WR DQ\ QXPEHU RI SKLORVRSKLFDO DUJXPHQWV DQG ORJLFDO V\OORJLVPV %XW WKH %LEOH SURYLGHV WKH VLPSOHVW DQG PRVW SRZHUIXO DUJXPHQW RI DOO “For every house is built by someone…” +HEUHZV D +RZ VLPSOH \HW KRZ SURIRXQG , H[LVW \RX H[LVW DQG WKLV XQLYHUVH H[LVWV ² VR ZKHUH GLG LW DOO FRPH IURP" 7KH RQO\ DOWHUQDWLYH WR D &UHDWRU LV WKH XQWHQDEOH DVVHUWLRQ WKDW HYHU\WKLQJ FDPH IURP nothing WKURXJK WKH DFFLGHQWDO SURFHVV RI FKDQFH ,W LV PXFK PRUH UHDVRQDEOH DQG EHOLHYDEOH WR DFFHSW WKLV VLPSOH WUXWK “For every house is built by someone, but He who build all things is God” +HEUHZV

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Doctrine To Live By FKDUDFWHU DQG ZRUGV %\ KRQHVWO\ FRQVLGHULQJ WKH WHVWLPRQLHV RI WKRVH ZKR SHUVRQDOO\ NQHZ DQG REVHUYHG -HVXV DQG E\ FDUHIXOO\ H[DPLQLQJ +LV WHDFKLQJV WKHUH LV RQO\ RQH OHJLWLPDWH FRQFOXVLRQ WR UHDFK -HVXV ZDV H[DFWO\ ZKR +H DQG QXPHURXV RWKHUV VDLG +H ZDV ² WKH YHU\ 6RQ RI *RG FI 3HWHU

0RUHRYHU -HVXV ODXQFKHG D UHOLJLRXV PRYHPHQW QHDUO\ \HDUV DJR WKDW KDV QRW RQO\ VXUYLYHG DQG SURVSHUHG LQ WKH IDFH RI WKH PRVW H[WUHPH SUHMXGLFH DQG SHUVHFXWLRQ LPDJLQDEOH EXW LW KDV VLJQLILFDQWO\ LPSDFWHG DQG WUDQVIRUPHG ERWK KXPDQ KLVWRU\ DQG FRXQWOHVV LQGLYLGXDO OLYHV “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” -RKQ

:K\ 6KRXOG , %HOLHYH LQ WKH +RO\ 6SLULW" 6RPHWKLQJ PXFK PRUH VXEVWDQWLDO WKDQ VXEMHFWLYH HPRWLRQ RU SHUVRQDO H[SHULHQFH FRQILUPV WKH UHDOLW\ RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW 7KH %LEOH VD\V “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (SKHVLDQV 7KH +RO\ 6SLULW ZKR JXLGHG WKH ZULWHUV RI WKH %LEOH WR SURGXFH WKH PRVW UHPDUNDEOH GRFXPHQW HYHU ZULWWHQ 3HWHU UHYHDOV WUXWK &RULQWKLDQV VDQFWLILHV 7KHVVDORQLDQV FRPIRUWV $FWV

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Doctrine To Live By

A Bible Study in One Session 3DXO +ROODQG

5HFHQWO\ D EURWKHU SUHVHQWHG WKH SRVVLELOLW\ WR PH WKDW KH DQG KLV ZLIH PLJKW KDYH D %LEOH VWXG\ ZLWK D ZRPDQ G\LQJ RI FDQFHU ,I KH KDG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR UHDG IURP *RGÂśV :RUG +LV SODQ RI VDOYDWLRQ LQ RQH VHVVLRQ ZKHUH ZRXOG KH VWDUW" :KDW ZRXOG KH UHDG" :KHUH ZRXOG KH JR" :KLOH WKDW DQVZHU FRXOG FRPH IURP D YDULHW\ RI GLIIHUHQW SRVVLELOLWLHV , RIIHUHG WKH ERRN RI 5RPDQVÂŤ 5RPDQV ² â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.â&#x20AC;?

The word gospel means â&#x20AC;&#x153;good newsâ&#x20AC;?. :KDWÂśV WKH EDG QHZV ILUVW" 5RPDQV ² â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is written: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The venom of asps is under their lips.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;There is no fear of God before their eyes.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may

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Doctrine To Live By be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? 7KDWÂśV WKH EDG QHZV 7KHUH LV IXUWKHU EDG QHZVÂŤ 5RPDQV ² â&#x20AC;&#x153;What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.â&#x20AC;? :H FDQQRW ZRUN RXU ZD\ WR KHDYHQ ,W PXVW FRPH E\ WKH JUDFH RI *RG WKURXJK IDLWK :KDW DUH ZH WR EHOLHYH" 5RPDQV ² â&#x20AC;&#x153;For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person â&#x20AC;&#x201D; though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.â&#x20AC;? +RZ KDV *RG PDGH LW SRVVLEOH WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI WKH GHDWK RI -HVXV &KULVW" 5RPDQV ² â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.â&#x20AC;? )URP WKHUH MXPS WR FKDSWHU DQG UHDG WKH ZRQGHUIXO EOHVVLQJV WKDW DUH QRZ DYDLODEOH WR D SHUVRQ ZKR KDV EHHQ XQLWHG ZLWK &KULVW WKURXJK EDSWLVP LQWR WKH OLNHQHVV RI +LV GHDWK DQG WKH OLNHQHVV RI +LV UHVXUUHFWLRQ

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Doctrine To Live By

â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Things Are Lawfulâ&#x20AC;? +XJR 0F&RUG $ TXHVWLRQ FRPHV DERXW &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be made subject to any.â&#x20AC;? $ VLPLODU VWDWHPHQW LV LQ &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;All things are lawful, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful, but all things are not upbuilding.â&#x20AC;?

7KH ZRUG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Allâ&#x20AC;? LQ WKH VWDWHPHQW â&#x20AC;&#x153;All things are lawful,â&#x20AC;? ZRXOG LQFOXGH D PDQ OLYLQJ LQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;fornicationâ&#x20AC;? ZLWK â&#x20AC;&#x153;his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wifeâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV EXW 3DXOÂśV FRQGHPQDWLRQ RI VXFK â&#x20AC;&#x153;Expel the evil man from among youâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

VKRZV WKDW IRUQLFDWLRQ LV QRW LQ 3DXOÂśV OLVW RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;all thingsâ&#x20AC;? EHLQJ ODZIXO 6LPLODUO\ 3DXO GLG QRW LQFOXGH ÂłKDYLQJ ODZVXLWV´ DPRQJ ÂłEURWKHUV´ LQ KLV VWDWHPHQWV WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;all things are lawful,â&#x20AC;? IRU KH DOVR ZURWH WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;lawsuits among yourselvesâ&#x20AC;? LV â&#x20AC;&#x153;a complete defeatâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV )+9 â&#x20AC;&#x153;an utter failure,â&#x20AC;?

1.-9 7KH\ DUH â&#x20AC;&#x153;lawfulâ&#x20AC;? EXW QHLWKHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;helpfulâ&#x20AC;? QRU â&#x20AC;&#x153;upbuildingâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

7KH LPPHGLDWH FRQWH[W RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;all things are lawfulâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV LV LQ WKH QH[W YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;foodsâ&#x20AC;?. 6R 3DXO ZDV VD\LQJ WKDW WKRXJK â&#x20AC;&#x153;all foods are lawfulâ&#x20AC;?, VRPH DUH QRW â&#x20AC;&#x153;helpfulâ&#x20AC;?, DQG KH ZRXOG QRW DOORZ KLPVHOI WR EH â&#x20AC;&#x153;made subject to anyâ&#x20AC;? RI WKDW NLQG $ YHJHWDULDQ PDNHV KLPVHOI VXEMHFW WR KLV RZQ ODZ DERXW ÂłIRRGV´ ÂłD SHUVRQ ZKR HDWV QR PHDW DQG VRPHWLPHV QR DQLPDO SURGXFWV DV PLON HJJV HWF ´ :HEVWHU

7KXV WKHUH DUH WZR NLQGV RI &KULVWLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;One believes that he may eat anything, but another who is weak eats vegetablesâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let not the one who eats look down on the one who does not eat; and let not him who does not eat condemn the one who eats, for God has received him. Who are you to condemn the servant of another man? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for the Lord can make him standâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;He who does not eat refrains for the Lord, and he thanks Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;None of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.

Whether, therefore, we live or die, we belong to the Lordâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV

â&#x20AC;&#x153;All things are lawful, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful, but all things are not upbuilding. Let no one seek his own good, but that of another. Eat whatever is sold in the market, questioning nothing for the sake of conscience, for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the earth is the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and its fullness.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; If an unbeliever invites

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Doctrine To Live By you, and you wish to go, eat whatever is placed before you, questioning nothing for the sake of conscience. But if anyone says to you, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is a temple sacrifice,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; do not eat, for the sake of the one who told you, and because of conscience.

However, I do not speak of your own conscience, but of the otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. ...I please all men in everything, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, that they may be savedâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

$QRWKHU DUHD LQ ZKLFK â&#x20AC;&#x153;all things are lawfulâ&#x20AC;? LV LQ UHJDUG WR GD\V ZKHWKHU KRO\ RU QRQ KRO\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;One person considers a certain day as more sacred than other days, while another person considers every day alike. Let each be fully persuaded in his own mind. He who regards a day highly does so for the Lord. ...Why do you condemn your brother? Why do you look down on your brother? All of us will stand or fall before Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment seat, for it is written, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will acknowledge God.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead, judge this, that you do not place a stumbling block or an obstacle before your brotherâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV =

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Christianity In Action

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Christianity In Action

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Christianity In Action

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Christianity In Action

Association, But Not Participation &HFLO 0D\ -U 7KH %LEOH VD\V “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” 0DUN

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worship

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worship In This Matter of Giving -HUU\ -HQNLQV ,Q WKLV PDWWHU RI JLYLQJ WKHUH DUH FHUWDLQ SULQFLSOHV WKDW VKRXOG EH UHPHPEHUHG 2QH FDQ QHYHU RXW JLYH *RG 2QH PDQ ZKHQ DVNHG KRZ KH FORWKHG IHG DQG ORGJHG KLV QLQH FKLOGUHQ UHSOLHG Âł, VKRYHO RXW DQG WKH /RUG VKRYHOV LQ DQG +LV VKRYHO LV ELJJHU WKDQ PLQH ´ 7KH *RG ZH VHUYH LV VR WUHPHQGRXV +LV UHVRXUFHV XQOLPLWHG DQG +H ZLOO QRW ZLWKKROG DQ\WKLQJ WKDW ZRXOG EH JRRG IRU +LV FKLOGUHQ 'DYLG ORQJ DJR UHĂ&#x20AC; HFWHG DERXW *RGÂśV JRRGQHVV WR PDQNLQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour, Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!â&#x20AC;? 3VDOP

2QHÂśV JLYLQJ LV D UHĂ&#x20AC; HFWLRQ RI WKH ZD\ KH IHHOV DERXW *RG 2XU JLIW WHOOV RI RXU WUXH IHHOLQJV 7KH WHHQDJH ER\ GHQLHV DQ\ LQWHUHVW LQ JLUOV EXW KH PLJKW SRVVLEO\ EH VHHQ ORRNLQJ IRU VRPH JLIW IRU D VSHFLDO VRPHRQH 7KH JLIW UHYHDOV KLV WUXH IHHOLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalfâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

$ WKLUG SULQFLSOH WKDW PXVW EH UHPHPEHUHG *RG EOHVVHV XV Âż QDQFLDOO\ LQ SURSRUWLRQ WR WKH PDQQHU ZH VXSSRUW +LV FDXVH 7KH VFKHPHV RI WHOHYLVLRQ FRQ DUWLVWV KDYH FDXVHG PDQ\ WR GHQ\ WKLV ELEOLFDO WHDFKLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giverâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

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worship

Sing!

7UDYLV / 4XHUWHUPRXV

PXVLF LV PDGH DQG QRW D PHFKDQL FDO LQVWUXPHQW 7KLV DOVR PHDQV ZH DUH WR JHQXLQHO\ ZRUVKLS *RG WKURXJK VRQJ DQG QHYHU MXVW WKRXJKWOHVVO\ PRXWK WKH ZRUGV RU ³JR WKURXJK WKH PRWLRQV´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¶V SUDLVH <HW ZH KDYH WRR PDQ\ EUHWKUHQ ZLWK FORVHG PRXWKV GXULQJ RXU VLQJLQJ 4XLW ZRUU\LQJ DERXW ZKDW RWKHUV WKLQN DQG FRQFHUQ \RXUVHOI PRUH ZLWK ZKDW *RG WKLQNV “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!” 3VDOP =

$ YLWDO HOHPHQW RI WKH ZRUVKLS RI WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW FKXUFK ZDV FRQJUHJDWLRQDO VLQJLQJ <HW VR PDQ\ &KULVWLDQV WRGD\ GHSULYH WKHPVHOYHV DQG *RG RI WKH MR\ RI WKLV SDUWLFXODU DFW RI ZRUVKLS VLPSO\ EHFDXVH WKH\ RSW RXW RI WKH VLQJLQJ $ FUXFLDO YHUVH RQ VLQJLQJ LV IRXQG LQ &RORVVLDQV ZKHUH WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO ZURWH “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” +HUHLQ ZH DUH FRPPDQGHG WR 6LQJ 1RWLFH WKDW 3DXO GLG QRW VD\ ³6LQJ ZHOO ´ (YLGHQWO\ VRPH EUHWKUHQ KDYH FRQFOXGHG WKDW EH FDXVH WKH\ GR QRW VLQJ ZHOO RU EH FDXVH WKH\ GRQ¶W OLNH WR VLQJ WKH\ DUH IUHH WR GLVREH\ *RG¶V FRP PDQG " 8QOHVV RQH KDV DQ LOOQHVV OLNH ODU\QJLWLV WKDW SUHYHQWV KLP IURP VLQJLQJ ZH VKRXOG DOO VLQJ SUDLVHV WR +LV JUHDW QDPH 6LQJ ZLWK JUDFH 7KLV VLPSO\ PHDQV WR VLQJ ZLWK MR\ ORYH WKDQNIXOQHVV DQG UHYHUHQFH DV ZH SUDLVH RXU +HDYHQO\ )DWKHU / 4XHUWHUPRXV LV D *RVSHO 6LQJ IURP WKH KHDUW 7KH KHDUW 7UDYLV SUHDFKHU ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKH FKXUFK RI LV WKH LQVWUXPHQW XSRQ ZKLFK RXU &KULVW LQ 'H[WHU 0LVVRXUL 86$

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Daily Christian Living

The Experience of a Lifetime 0LFKDHO / .LQJ 6RPH SHRSOH VSHQG DQ HQWLUH OLIHWLPH VRUWLQJ RXW WKH PHDQLQJ RI OLIH 0DQ¶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Daily Christian Living WKH WULEXODWLRQV RI OLIH KH JDLQV SDWLHQFH 3DWLHQFH EOHVVHV SHRSOH RI *RG ZLWK H[SHULHQFH ZKLFK PDWXUHV LQWR KRSH 5RPDQV 6RPHWLPHV WKH ZRUGV ÂłWULDO´ DQG ÂłSURRI´ DUH XVHG DV V\QRQ\PV RI ÂłH[SHULHQFH´ 0RUH WKDQ OLNHO\ \RX KDYH KHDUG VRPHRQH VD\ Âł, ZRXOG QRW JR WKURXJK WKDW H[SHULHQFH DJDLQ IRU DQ\WKLQJ LQ WKH ZRUOG \HW , ZRXOG QRW WDNH DQ\WKLQJ LQ WKH ZRUOG IRU KDYLQJ KDG WKDW H[SHULHQFH ´ ([SHULHQFH LV D FRQVWDQW EHDFRQ UHIOHFWLQJ IURP WKH SDJHV RI *RGÂśV +RO\ :RUG OHVVRQV E\ ZKLFK PDQ FDQ OLYH DQG GR ZHOO ERWK KHUH DQG LQ HWHUQLW\ 7KH DQDORJLHV HPSOR\HG E\ WKH ZULWHU RI 3VDOP JLYH JUHDW HPSKDVLV WR OLIHÂśV EUHYLW\ +H VDLG WKDW OLIH LV â&#x20AC;&#x153;like yesterday when it passes byâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH D â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a watch in the nightâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH E â&#x20AC;&#x153;like grassâ&#x20AC;Ś it sprouts and withersâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;like a sighâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH DQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;soon it is goneâ&#x20AC;? YHUVH ,Q ORRNLQJ EDFN OLIH LV YHU\ EULHI DW EHVW /LIH LV VHHQ IURP H[SHULHQFHÂśV 0W 3HUVSHFWLYH DV EHLQJ XQFHUWDLQ IRU WKH SUHVHQW Âł7KH EHVW ODLG SODQV RI PLFH DQG PHQ´ KDYH D WHQGHQF\ WR EHFRPH GDVKHG -DPHV ZDUQHG DJDLQVW GHFODULQJ WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;we willâ&#x20AC;? DFFRPSOLVK WDVNV HLWKHU WRGD\ RU WRPRUURZ EXW ZH â&#x20AC;&#x153;ought to say, If the Lord willâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? -DPHV

7KLV LV WKH UHDVRQ -HUHPLDK LQVLVWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his stepsâ&#x20AC;? -HUHPLDK

7KH GHVLUHV RI *RG IRU PDQ FDQ EH VHHQ LQ OLIH DV D FKDOOHQJH -HVXV SURPLVHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantlyâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

:KDW ZRQGHUIXO DVSLUDWLRQV WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earthâ&#x20AC;? &RORVVLDQV 7KLV LV DQ H[SHULHQFH RI D OLIHWLPH WR ORRN LQWR WKH KHDYHQO\ DQG HWHUQDO ZKLOH \HW OLYLQJ LQ WKH IOHVK :H VKRXOG DFFHSW VSLULWXDO FKDOOHQJH ZLWK SOHDVXUH ,I RXU IDLWK OHDUQLQJ DQG H[SHULHQFH GR QRW HQDEOH XV WR VHH EH\RQG WKH PHGLRFUH DQG PXQGDQH ZH PD\ EH VLPLODU WR WKH 3KDULVHHV %HFDXVH WKH\ VRXJKW SHUVRQDO DQG WHPSRUDO DFFODLP -HVXV VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have their rewardâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

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Daily Christian Living

The Conclusion of the Whole Matter :D\QH %DUULHU 0DQÂśV VHDUFK IRU SXUSRVH IXOILOOPHQW KDSSLQHVV UHFUHDWLRQ UHVW FRQWHQWPHQW DQG VHFXULW\ LQ OLIH KDV DOZD\V EHHQ GLIILFXOW $OPRVW DQ\ SHUVRQ ZLOO WHOO \RX WKDW WKH\ DUH QRW VDWLVILHG LQ DOO WKHVH DUHDV RI OLIH (YHQ WKRXJK ZH OLYH LQ WLPHV ZKHQ DGYDQFHV LQ PHGLFLQH DQG WHFKQRORJ\ KDYH PDGH OLIH ORQJHU DQG HDVLHU PRVW SHRSOH VWLOO IHHO WKDW WKLQJV VKRXOG EH EHWWHU 9HU\ IHZ DUH ZHOO VDWLVILHG ZLWK WKHLU OLYHV ,V LW SRVVLEOH WR RYHUFRPH WKLV HPSWLQHVV" 7KH ZLVHVW PDQ WR OLYH ² 6RORPRQ ² XVHG KLV ZLVGRP WR DFFXPXODWH ZHDOWK DQG SRZHU WKDW DOORZHG KLP WR SXUVXH FRPSOHWH VDWLVIDFWLRQ LQ DQ\ ZD\ KH GHVLUHG +H IDLOHG 6RPH RI KLV ILQGLQJV DUH SUHVHUYHG LQ *RGÂśV LQVSLUHG :RUG LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW ERRN RI (FFOHVLDVWHV +H RIIHUV KLV FRQFOXVLRQ RQ WKH ZKROH PDWWHU RI PDQÂśV GXW\ IROORZLQJ D OLIH RI IDLOHG DWWHPSWV WR DFKLHYH VDWLVIDFWLRQ WKURXJK SRSXODULW\ SRZHU ZHDOWK DQG SOHDVXUH &RQVLGHU KLV ZRUGV LQ (FFOHVLDVWHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vanity of vanitiesâ&#x20AC;?, says the preacher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All is vanity.â&#x20AC;? And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright ² words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

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Daily Christian Living

“Fear Not, Only Believe” %REE\ .H\

)HDU LV RQH RI WKH VWURQJHVW HPRWLRQV RI WKH KXPDQ KHDUW VXUSDVVHG LQ LQWHQVLW\ RQO\ E\ ORYH ,W LV D XQLYHUVDO H[SHULHQFH RI PDQNLQG )URP WKH FUDGOH WR WKH JUDYH ZH PRUWDOV DUH SODJXHG E\ IHDU %HIRUH P\ PRWKHU¶V GHDWK , ZDV VLWWLQJ E\ KHU VLGH DW WKH KRVSLWDO ,Q WKH KDOO RXWVLGH WKH URRP D QXUVH VSLOOHG VHYHUDO WUD\V 7KH FUDVK UHVXOWHG LQ D ORXG QRLVH 7KHUH ZDV LQVWDQW IHDU DQG SDQLF DPRQJ WKH SDWLHQWV LQ WKH HQWLUH DUHD 7KH\ ZHUH PDQLIHVWLQJ RQH RI PDQ¶V LQVWLQFWLYH UHDFWLRQV WKH IHDU RI ORXG QRLVHV $ERXW WKH VDPH WLPH LQ DQRWKHU SDUW RI WKH KRVSLWDO D SUHDFKHU VDW E\ WKH EHGVLGH RI D PDQ ZKR KDG UHDFKHG WKH DJH RI $V WKH\ WDONHG WRJHWKHU WKH ROG JHQWOHPDQ VDLG ³, DP JUDGXDOO\ JURZLQJ ZHDNHU 7KH HQG FDQQRW EH IDU DZD\ DQG , DP DIUDLG WR GLH ´ )HDU LV UHFRJQL]HG DV WKH FRPPRQ H[SHULHQFH RI PHQ 7KH %LEOH WHDFKHV XV WKDW IDLWK LV WKH DQWLGRWH IRU IHDU )UHHGRP IURP IHDU GHPDQGV JUHDW IDLWK “Fear not, only believe” 0DUN )HDU FDQQRW H[LVW LQ DQ DWPRVSKHUH RI IDLWK “And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” -RKQ

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” -RKQ

/RYH ZKHQ SURSHUO\ H[SUHVVHG LV G\QDPLF IDLWK :KHQ RQH UHDOO\ EHOLHYHV WKDW QRWKLQJ “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” KH KDV WKH W\SH RI IDLWK WKDW FRQTXHUV IHDU = %REE\ .H\ SUHDFKHG PDQ\ \HDUV IRU WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK LQ 0LDPL 2NODKRPD 86$ ZKHUH KH FRQWLQXHV WR OLYH

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Daily Christian Living

Called to Purity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ÂśW SRRU RXW LW SORSV RXW LQ ODUJH ZKLWH VPHOO\ FKXQNV LQVWHDG <RX PL[ LW XS <RX EDNH WKH FDNH 7KHQ \RX FRYHU LW ZLWK WKDW ULFK VPRRWK FKRFRODWH LFLQJ $UH \RX JRLQJ WR HDW LW" 2I FRXUVH QRW 7KDW FDNH LV JDUEDJH , DOZD\V WHOO WKH WHHQV LQ RXU \RXWK JURXS Âł*DUEDJH LQ *DUEDJH RXW ´ ,I ZH DUH JRLQJ WR EH SXUH DV LQ WKH VHQVH WKDW &KULVW FDOOV XV WR SXULW\ ZH KDYH WR SURWHFW RXU PLQGV IURP WKH JDUEDJH RI WKH ZRUOG 5RPDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.â&#x20AC;?

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Daily Christian Living PLQG :KHQ RXU PLQGV DUH IXOO RI WKLQJV WKDW DUH QRW RI JRRG TXDOLW\ RU YDOXH WKHQ ZH ZLOO ILQG RXUVHOYHV HQJDJHG LQ DFWLYLWLHV WKDW DUH QRW SXUH ,I ZH VSHQG RXU WLPH WDNLQJ LQ WKH JDUEDJH RI WKH ZRUOG ZKHWKHU LW EH IURP 79 UDGLR ,SRGV FHOO SKRQHV PRYLHV RU WKH ,QWHUQHW ZH ZLOO RQO\ UHDS JDUEDJH EHIRUH WKH /RUG , KHDU VR RIWHQ SKUDVHV VXFK DV ³, GRQ¶W SD\ DWWHQWLRQ WR WKH FXVV ZRUGV ´ ³, FORVH P\ H\HV LQ WKH EDG SDUWV´ RU ³,W¶V QR GLIIHUHQW WKDQ ZHDULQJ D EDWKLQJ VXLW´ VR RIWHQ WKDW , FULQJH ,W GRHVQ¶W PDWWHU KRZ PXFK VZHHW LFLQJ \RX WU\ WR FRYHU LW XS ZLWK *DUEDJH RQO\ SURGXFHV JDUEDJH ,I RXU PLQGV DUH FRQVWDQWO\ VXUURXQGHG E\ JDUEDJH WKHQ WKDW LV DOO ZH FDQ H[SHFW WR FRPH RXW ,QVWHDG RI DEVRUELQJ DOO WKH JDUEDJH WKH ZRUOG LV FRQVWDQWO\ WHOOLQJ XV LV QRUPDO DQG RN ZH QHHG WR EH DEVRUELQJ LQJUHGLHQWV WKDW DUH SXUH LQVLGH DQG RXW ,I ZH ZDQW WR EH HTXLSSHG ZLWK JRRG LQJUHGLHQWV DQG QRW JDUEDJH ZH QHHG WR EH LQ FRQVWDQW PHGLWDWLRQ DQG VWXG\ RI *RG¶V :RUG 7LPRWK\ “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

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Daily Christian Living LQ -DFNVRQ 0LVVLVVLSSL DW WKH DQQXDO &KULVWPDV 7RXUQDPHQW *UHJ ZDV WLULQJ DQG WKH FRDFK SXOOHG KLP IURP WKH JDPH +H EHJJHG WKH FRDFK Âł3XW PH EDFN LQ ´ 7KH FRDFK VDLG Âł,ÂśOO ZRUN \RX EDFN LQ LQ D PLQXWH WDNH D EUHDWKHU ´ *UHJ ZDONHG WR WKH HQG RI WKH EHQFK VDW GRZQ LQ KLV FKDLU FOXWFKHG KLV FKHVW DQG IHOO RXW LQ WKH IORRU /DWHU ZH OHDUQHG WKDW *UHJ KDG D KHDUW FRQGLWLRQ DQ HQODUJHG KHDUW YDOYH 7KH KHDUW LV VR VHQVLWLYH DQ\ GHIHFWV DQG LW VWRSV ,I WKHUH DUH LPSXULWLHV SXW WKURXJK WKH KHDUW LW VWRSV ,I WKH KHDUW VWRSV ZH GLH ,WÂśV WKDW VLPSOH 7KH VSLULWXDO KHDUW LV QR GLIIHUHQW ,I WKH VSLULWXDO KHDUW LV GHIHFWLYH LW ZLOO VWRS ,I ZH ILOO RXU VSLULWXDO KHDUW ZLWK LPSXULWLHV LW ZLOO VWRS ,I WKH VSLULWXDO KHDUW VWRSV ZH GLH LQ VHSDUDWLRQ IURP *RG <HW KRZ PDQ\ WLPHV GR ZH ILOO RXU OLYHV ZLWK LPSXULWLHV" +RZ RIWHQ GR ZH LJQRUH WKH EHDWLQJV DQG KXUWLQJV RI RXU VSLULWXDO KHDUWV" 0DWWKHZ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. If we want to have a strong spiritual heart we have got fill our lives with pure things.â&#x20AC;?

3HWHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever...â&#x20AC;? EHFDXVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.â&#x20AC;? 2QH WKLQJ LV JXDUDQWHHG LQ WKLV OLIH 2XU SK\VLFDO KHDUW ZLOO VWRS EHDWLQJ RQH GD\ 7KH EHDXW\ RI WKDW LV WKLV ,I ZH ZLOO WDNH FDUH RI RXU VSLULWXDO KHDUWV DQG ILOO WKHP ZLWK WKH :RUG RI *RG ZH ZLOO ILQG RXUVHOYHV GZHOOLQJ LQ KHDYHQ LQ WKH SUHVHQFH RI RXU JUHDW DQG $OPLJKW\ &UHDWRU IRU HWHUQLW\ PURE BODY .HHSLQJ D SXUH ERG\ LQ WKLV GD\ DQG DJH LV ² OHWÂśV EH KRQHVW ² D KXJH FKDOOHQJH 2XU VRFLHW\ KDV SURXGO\ VXUURXQGHG LWVHOI ZLWK VH[ (YHU\ZKHUH \RX WXUQ VH[XDO LPPRUDOLW\ LV QRW RQO\ EHLQJ SUDFWLFHG EXW SUDLVHG 2XU FKLOGUHQ DUH EHLQJ WDXJKW WR ÂłH[SHULPHQW ZLWK FDVXDO VH[XDO HQFRXQWHUV´ EHFDXVH LWÂśV QDWXUDO EXW WROG Âł-XVW EH VDIH ´ 7KH %LEOH LV YHU\ FOHDU RQ WKH GDQJHUV RI VH[XDO LPPRUDOLW\ 7KHVVDORQLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness,

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Daily Christian Living but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.â&#x20AC;?

6R KRZ GR ZH OHDUQ WR SURWHFW RXU ERGLHV IURP EHLQJ GHILOHG E\ WKH ZRUOGÂśV YLHZ" $Q\WLPH WKH WRSLF RI SXULW\ FRPHV XS , DP LPPHGLDWOH\ UHPLQGHG RI -RVHSK DQG KLV HQFRXQWHU ZLWK 3RWLSKDUÂśV ZLIH :H DUH DOO IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKLV DFFRXQW -RVHSK LV ZHOO UHJDUGHG LQ WKH H\HV RI 3RWLSKDU EXW KH KDV D SUREOHP 3RWLSKDUÂśV ZLIH ZDQWV KLP VH[XDOO\ -RVHSK ILQGV KLPVHOI RQH GD\ LQ D GLIILFXOW VLWXDWLRQ ZKHUH KH DQG 3RWLSKDUÂśV ZLIH DUH LQ WKH KRXVH DORQH 1RWLFH ZKDW WDNHV SODFH *HQHVLV VD\V WKDW VKH FDXJKW KLP E\ KLV JDUPHQW VD\LQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lie with me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

6R RIWHQ ZH ZDQW WR IOLUW ZLWK WKH LGHD RI JHWWLQJ DV FORVH DV SRVVLEOH WR VLQ ZLWKRXW IDOOLQJ RYHU WKH HGJH :H ZDON WKLV WLJKWURSH ZLWK WKH GHYLO ZKHUH ZH WU\ WR JHW MXVW DV FORVH WR VLQ DV ZH FDQ ZLWKRXW DFWXDOO\ EHLQJ JXLOW\ RI WKDW VLQ )LUVW RII LI \RX ZDON D WLJKWURSH ZLWK WKH GHYLO \RXÂśUH JRLQJ WR ORVH 6HFRQG KRZ HDV\ ZRXOG LW KDYH EHHQ IRU -RVHSK WR VD\ Âł:HOO 3RWLSKDU LV JRQH DQG KH ZLOO QHYHU ILQG RXW LI ZH MXVW IRRO DURXQG D OLWWOH ´ +H FRXOG KDYH ÂłMXVWLILHG´ GLIIHUHQW VFHQDULRV ZKHUH KH ÂłGLGQÂśW QHFHVVDULO\ VLQ´ ,Q \HDUV RI \RXWK PLQLVWU\ WKLV TXHVWLRQ DOZD\V FRPHV XS RQ D UHJXODU EDVLV Âł+RZ IDU LV WRR IDU"´ Âł+RZ IDU FDQ , JR EHIRUH LWÂśV ZURQJ"´ 1RWLFH KRZ -RVHSK UHVSRQGHG ZKHQ IDFHG ZLWK VLQ +H GLGQÂśW WDNH WKH WLPH WR UHDVRQ LW RXW +H GLGQÂśW WU\ WR ILJXUH RXW ZKHUH WKH OLQH ZDV 7KH 6FULSWXUHV VD\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;He fled.â&#x20AC;? 6KH WRUH KLV FORWKHV IURP KLV EDFN DV KH OHIW IRUFHIXOO\ DQG LQ D KXUU\ -RVHSK IRXJKW DQG SK\VLFDOO\ WRUH KLPVHOI IURP KHU JUDVS LQ RUGHU WR NHHS KLV ERG\ SXUH ,I \RX ZDQW WR NQRZ KRZ WR VWD\ SXUH LQ ERG\ ORRN DW KRZ -RVHSK UHVSRQGHG WR WHPSWDWLRQ 6HFRQG 7LPRWK\ VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flee youthful lusts.â&#x20AC;? 7HDU \RXUVHOI DZD\ IURP WKRVH WHPSWDWLRQV DW DOO FRVW 7KH RWKHU WKLQJ ZH QHHG WR GR LV VWD\ EXV\ LQ WKH /RUG -DPHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.â&#x20AC;? /HW PH HQFRXUDJH \RX WR VWD\ VR EXV\ ZRUNLQJ IRU WKH /RUG WKDW \RX GRQÂśW KDYH WLPH WR ILQG \RXUVHOYHV LQ VLWXDWLRQV ZKHUH \RX DUH ERUHG <RX ZRQÂśW KDYH WLPH WR ILQG \RXUVHOYHV DVNLQJ TXHVWLRQV OLNH Âł+RZ IDU LV WRR IDU"´ <RX ZRQÂśW KDYH WLPH IRU WKH GHYLOÂśV DWWDFNV RQ WKH SXULW\ RI \RXU ERG\ = -RVK 3LHUFH ZRUNV ZLWK WKH &HQWUDO &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ &OHYHODQG 7HQQHVVHH 86$

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Daily Christian Living

Why â&#x20AC;&#x153;Same-Sex Marriageâ&#x20AC;?

Cannot Be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marriageâ&#x20AC;? by Any Biblical Measure 'U *ORYHU 6KLSS

7KHUH DUH DW OHDVW IRXU IXQGDPHQWDO UHDVRQV ZK\ ÂłVDPH VH[ PDUULDJH´ LV QRW PDUULDJH DW DOO 7KHVH DUH 'HILQLWLRQDO ² 'LFWLRQDULHV LQ ODQJXDJHV DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG GHILQH PDUULDJH DV EHWZHHQ D PDQ DQG D ZRPDQ 2QH FXUUHQW GLFWLRQDU\ GHILQLWLRQ RI PDUULDJH WKH IRUPDO XQLRQ RI D PDQ DQG D ZRPDQ W\SLFDOO\ UHFRJQL]HG E\ ODZ E\ ZKLFK WKH\ EHFRPH KXVEDQG DQG ZLIH +LVWRULFDO ² )URP WKH HDUOLHVW UHFRUGHG KLVWRU\ PDUULDJH KDV DOZD\V EHHQ FRQVLGHUHG XQWLO UHFHQW \HDUV RQO\ D XQLRQ RI D PDQ ZLWK D ZRPDQ ERXQG E\ VRPH VRUW RI OHJDO FRQWUDFWXDO RU FRYHQDQWDO DJUHHPHQW +HDU ZKDW *HQHVLV VD\V DERXW WKH GDZQ RI PDUULDJH â&#x20AC;&#x153;For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.â&#x20AC;? 0DUULDJH ZDV FRQVLGHUHG D FRYHQDQWDO UHODWLRQVKLS HQWHUHG LQWR ZLWK *RG â&#x20AC;&#x153;[the wayward wife] who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made with Godâ&#x20AC;? 3URYHUEV â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe Lord is acting as a witness between you and

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Daily Christian Living the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenantâ&#x20AC;? 0DODFKL â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śeach one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husbandâ&#x20AC;? (SKHVLDQV 'RZQ WKURXJK WKH FHQWXULHV PDUULDJH KDV EHHQ FRQVLGHUHG D YHU\ VSHFLDO DQG KRO\ XQLRQ DOZD\V EHWZHHQ PDQ DQG ZRPDQ QRW EHWZHHQ PDQ DQG PDQ RU ZRPDQ DQG ZRPDQ $QDWRPLFDO ²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ÂłOHJDOO\ PDUULHG´ ,I PDUULDJH ZDV GHVLJQHG WR SURGXFH FKLOGUHQ DQG QXUWXUH WKHP WKHQ JD\ PDUULDJH IDLOV RQ WKH ILUVW RI WKHVH WZR UHTXLUHPHQWV LI QRW RQ ERWK %LEOLFDO ² 7KURXJKRXW WKH %LEOH KRPRVH[XDO UHODWLRQVKLSV KDYH EHHQ FODVVLILHG DV LPPRUDO DQG VLQIXO )ROORZLQJ DUH VSHFLILF SDVVDJHV RQ WKLV PDWWHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.â&#x20AC;? /HYLWLFXV ,V WKLV QRW FOHDU" â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of Godâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;...outside >RI +HDYHQ@ are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.â&#x20AC;?

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Daily Christian Living EXLOGLQJV DUH IXOO 7KDW LV WKH GD\ ZKHQ PRVW SHRSOH EHFRPH PRUH UHOLJLRXV ORYLQJ NLQG IRUJLYLQJ DQG JLYLQJ &KULVWPDV 'D\ KDV EHFRPH VR LPSRUWDQW LQIOXHQWLDO DQG SRZHUIXO IRU SHRSOH WKDW WKH\ VLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;A man will live forever more because of Christmas day.â&#x20AC;? &KULVWLDQLW\ LV QRW D ÂłRQFH D \HDU´ UHOLJLRQ &KULVW VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Meâ&#x20AC;? /XNH

$OWKRXJK &KULVWPDV LV REVHUYHG DQG FHOHEUDWHG WRGD\ ZLWK PXFK ]HVW HQWKXVLDVP H[FLWHPHQW DQG IDQIDUH E\ SHRSOH DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG WKLV GRHV QRW PHDQ WKDW LW LV ULJKW DQG DFFHSWDEOH WR *RG *RG LV KDSS\ RQO\ ZKHQ SHRSOH GR WKRVH WKLQJV +H KDV FRPPDQGHG 6DPXHO

*RG KDV JLYHQ XV WKH %LEOH WR EH RXU JXLGH LQ DOO UHOLJLRXV PDWWHUV IDLWK DQG SUDFWLFH 3RSXODU RSLQLRQV DQG KXPDQ WUDGLWLRQV DUH QRW VDIH JXLGHV &KULVW VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of menâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ ,Q 3URYHUEV WKH %LEOH VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.â&#x20AC;?

-RKQ DQ DSRVWOH RI &KULVW ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Sonâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ ,V &KULVWPDV LQ WKH GRFWULQH RI &KULVW" :H PXVW DOVR UHPHPEHU ZKDW WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO VDLG WR VRPH &KULVWLDQV ZKR ZHUH REVHUYLQJ SDUWLFXODU GD\V DQG VHDVRQV ZKLFK ZHUH QRW LQWHQGHG IRU WKHP â&#x20AC;&#x153;But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have labored for you in vainâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV

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The Christian Home

Our Changing Times 'DOWRQ .H\ $ ZKLOH EDFN , UHDG DERXW D VWUDQJH ZHGGLQJ ZKLFK WRRN SODFH MXVW RXWVLGH 'HQYHU &RORUDGR 7KH SDUWLFLSDQWV DOO ZRUH 7 VKLUWV 7KH EULGH ZRUH D VKLUW ZLWK ³EULGH´ SULQWHG RQ WKH IURQW WKH JURRP KDG ³JURRP´ HPEOD]RQHG RQ KLV DQG WKH RWKHU PHPEHUV RI WKH ZHGGLQJ SDUW\ LQFOXGLQJ WKH PLQLVWHU KDG WKHLU LQGLYLGXDO UROHV SULQWHG RQ WKHLU 7 VKLUWV DV ZHOO 0XVLF IRU WKH FHUHPRQ\ FDPH IURP D EDQG RI ND]RRV RQH RI ZKLFK ZDV ZLHOGHG E\ QRQH RWKHU WKDQ WKH JURRP KLPVHOI $QG WR WRS LW DOO RII WKHUH RQ WKH IURQW URZ VDW WKH EULGH¶V PRWKHU REOLJLQJO\ KROGLQJ WKH FRXSOH¶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“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” *DODWLDQV

*RG¶V :RUG LV FOHDU “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” +HEUHZV

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The Christian Home

Parents: Be a Mentor to Your Children!

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-XGJHV 7KLQN RI KRZ PXFK VWURQJHU RXU KRPHV ZRXOG EH LI DOO SDUHQWV WRRN VHULRXVO\ WKLV RSSRUWXQLW\ WR RUGHU WKHLU FKLOGUHQ LQ WKH ZD\ WKDW *RG ZRXOG KDYH WKHP WR JR +RPH LV WKH WUDLQLQJ JURXQG IRU IXWXUH VROGLHUV RI WKH FURVV :KDW DUH \RXU FKLOGUHQ VHHLQJ LQ \RXU KRPH ,VDLDK " 'R WKH\ VHH D IDWKHU DQG PRWKHU ZKR ORYH *RG VXSUHPHO\" -HVXV VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mindâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

'R WKH\ VHH D KRPH ZKHUH &KULVW DQG WKH FKXUFK DUH KRQRUHG UHVSHFWHG FKHULVKHG DQG HVWHHPHG" ÂłBut seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to youâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

'R WKH\ VHH D KRPH ZKHUH *RGÂśV SODQ IRU PDUULDJH LV XSKHOG" â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judgeâ&#x20AC;? +HEUHZV ,V \RXUV D KRPH ZKHUH IDWKHU DQG PRWKHU ORYH HDFK RWKHU LQ D ZD\ WKDW UHIOHFWV WKH ORYH &KULVW KDV IRU +LV EULGH" â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himselfâ&#x20AC;? (SKHVLDQV

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The Christian Home 'R WKH\ VHH D KRPH ZKHUH PRP DQG GDG DUH ZDONLQJ WKH ZDON LQVWHDG RI MXVW WDONLQJ WKH WDON" “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” -RKQ

'R WKH\ VHH D KRPH ZKHUH *RG¶V :RUG LV WDXJKW DW HYHU\ RSSRUWXQLW\" “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” 'HXWHURQRP\

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The Christian Home

Divorce +RZDUG :LQWHUV 5HFHQWO\ , WRRN WLPH RXW WR ZDWFK -DQH 3DXOH\ÂśV SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI DQ 1%& :KLWH 3DSHU RQ GLYRUFH ,W ZDV D YHU\ IRUFHIXO SUHVHQWDWLRQ RQH WKDW , IRXQG P\VHOI ZLVKLQJ WKDW HYHU\RQH FRXOG VHH HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH FRQWHPSODWLQJ PDUULDJH ,W SURYHG EH\RQG TXHVWLRQ WKDW LQ PRVW FDVHV GLYRUFH FUHDWHV PRUH SUREOHPV WKDQ LW VROYHV 0RVW RI XV NQRZ ZKDW WKH 6FULSWXUHV WHDFK RQ WKH VXEMHFW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;made them male and female,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one fleshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? ... And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.â&#x20AC;?

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The Christian Home

A Good Parent 6HOHFWHG

x $ *RRG 3DUHQW LV ZLOOLQJ WR PDNH VDFULILFHV WR SURYLGH IRU KLV FKLOG¶V HVVHQWLDO QHHGV EXW DEOH WR SXUVXH KLV RZQ LQWHUHVWV x $ *RRG 3DUHQW VWULNHV EDODQFH +H LV DXWKRULWDWLYH ZLWKRXW EHLQJ RYHUEHDULQJ DQG SHUPLVVLYH ZLWKLQ JLYHQ OLPLWV RI DOORZDEOH EHKDYLRU x $ *RRG 3DUHQW GRHV QRW QHHG WR VHH KLPVHOI PLUURUHG LPSURYHG RU IXOILOOHG WKURXJK ZKDW KLV FKLOGUHQ DUH RU WXUQ LQWR x $ *RRG 3DUHQW KDV DQ DZDUHQHVV RI WKH SUREOHPV WKDW PD\ FRQIURQW KLP +H SUHSDUHV KLV FKLOGUHQ IRU VDIHW\ KHDOWK OHDUQLQJ EHKDYLRUDO VRFLDO VH[XDO DQG RWKHU SUREOHPV WKH\ DUH OLNHO\ WR HQFRXQWHU DQG IRU HYHQWXDO LQGHSHQGHQFH x $ *RRG 3DUHQW OHDUQV ZLWK KLV FKLOG +H NHHSV DEUHDVW RI HYHQWV WUHQGV DQG NQRZOHGJH +H VHOHFWV WKRVH IHDWXUHV WKDW DLG KLV FKLOG DQG VKHOWHUV KLP IURP RWKHUV WKDW DUH SRWHQWLDOO\ GDPDJLQJ x $ *RRG 3DUHQW VKDUHV KLV IHHOLQJV ZLWK KLV FKLOG +H OLVWHQV WR KLP DV ZHOO DV WDONLQJ +H DVNV TXHVWLRQV DV ZHOO DV PDNLQJ VWDWHPHQWV x $ *RRG 3DUHQW JLYHV KLV FKLOG H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH UHDO ZRUOG DQG DV PXFK IUHHGRP DV KH FDQ KDQGOH DW HDFK VWDJH RI GHYHORSPHQW x $ *RRG 3DUHQW VKDUHV DQG WDNHV DQ LQWHUHVW LQ KLV FKLOG KLV DFWLYLWLHV IULHQGV DQG VFKRROLQJ +H LV PRVW LQWHUHVWHG LQ KLV FKLOG¶V HWHUQDO GHVWLQ\ =

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Textual Studies

³$QG :H $UH 1RW 6DYHG´ 0D[LH % %RUHQ 7KH SURSKHW -HUHPLDK LQ WKH WK FKDSWHU RI WKH ERRN ZKLFK EHDUV KLV QDPH ODPHQWV WKH VSLULWXDO FRQGLWLRQ RI -XGDK LQ WKH GDUN GD\V SULRU WR WKHLU EHLQJ WDNHQ FDSWLYH E\ %DE\ORQ ,Q YHUVH KH SUHGLFWV WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;death shall be chosen rather than lifeâ&#x20AC;? E\ WKH UHVLGXH RI WKH RQHV UHPDLQLQJ ,Q YHUVH KH GHFODUHV WKDW WKH\ GLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;not know the judgment of the Lord,â&#x20AC;? DQG LQ YHUVH KH LQGLFWV WKHP IRU KDYLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;rejected the word of the Lordâ&#x20AC;?. )LQDOO\ WRZDUG WKH HQG RI WKH FKDSWHU LQ YHUVH -HUHPLDK VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.â&#x20AC;? <HV WKH JUHDW SURSKHW SHUFHLYHG WKDW *RGÂśV SDWLHQFH ZLWK -XGDK KDG HQGHG DQG DOO KRSH IRU WKHLU VDOYDWLRQ IURP WKH KRUGHV RI %DE\ORQ ZDV JRQH -XGDKÂśV WLPH WR UHSHQW KDG H[SLUHG -HUHPLDKÂśV ZULWLQJV RI DERXW \HDUV DJR VHUYH DV DQ LQFLVLYH FULWLTXH RQ WKH PLOOLRQV DQG PLOOLRQV RI SHRSOH WRGD\ ZKR FRQWLQXH LQ VLQ LQ VSLWH RI WKH ZDUQLQJV RI *RGÂśV :RUG 7KH LURQ\ RI LW DOO (YHQ WKH ZLOG GXFN RQ D QRUWKHUQ ODNH IHHOV WKH KLQW RI FRPLQJ IURVW DQG KH KHDGV WRZDUG D VXQQLHU FOLPDWH %XW SRRU GHOXGHG PDQ IRU DOO KLV ERDVWHG VXSHULRU LQWHOOLJHQFH VHHPV EOLVVIXOO\ XQDZDUH RI WKH MXGJPHQW WR FRPH *RGÂśV ZDUQLQJ IRU ,VUDHO ZDV ORXG DQG FOHDU LW ZRXOG EH QR OHVV FOHDU IRU DOO WRGD\ ZKR GLVREH\ +LP â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will surely consume them,â&#x20AC;? says the Lord. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No grapes shall be on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things I have given them shall pass away from them.â&#x20AC;? /HW XV DOORZ WKH VHDVRQV RI WKH \HDU WR WHDFK XV D OHVVRQ WKDW -XGDK FRXOGQÂśW VHHP WR OHDUQ LQ WKH ORQJ DJR DQG WKDW PLOOLRQV FKRRVH WR LJQRUH WRGD\ 7KH VXPPHU RI OLIH ZLOO HQG VRPHGD\ DQG WKH KDUYHVW ZLOO EH SDVW :LOO \RX FU\ ZLWK WKH PXOWLSOLHG PLOOLRQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwe are not saved!â&#x20AC;? RU ZLOO \RX EH DEOH WR UHMRLFH ZLWK WKH UHGHHPHG DV DQ DEXQGDQW HQWUDQFH LQWR KHDYHQ LV JLYHQ" â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christâ&#x20AC;?

3HWHU " 'RQÂśW OHW WKH KDUYHVW FRPH ZLWKRXW EHLQJ D IDLWKIXO &KULVWLDQ = 0D[LH % %RUHQ LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU DQG DOVR VHUYHV DV DQ HOGHU LQ WKH %URZQ 7UDLO FRQJUHJDWLRQ LQ %HGIRUG 7H[DV 86$

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Textual Studies

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do All Things Without Complaining and Disputingâ&#x20AC;?

-LPP\ &ODUN â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vainâ&#x20AC;? 3KLOLSSLDQV 7KHVH YHUVHV DUH DOO RQH FRPSOHWH VHQWHQFH 7KH PDMRU WKRXJKW RI WKH VHQWHQFH LV WR GR DOO WKLQJV ZLWKRXW PXUPXULQJ DQG GRXEWIXO UHDVRQLQJ 7KH FRQWH[W RI WKLV FRPPDQG LV LQ YHUVHV DQG RI WKH VDPH FKDSWHU ZKHUH WKH EUHWKUHQ DUH WROG WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;work out your own salvation with fear and tremblingâ&#x20AC;? 3KLOLSSLDQV /LYLQJ D OLIH ZLWK D FKHHUIXO DQG WUXVWLQJ KHDUW LV WKH HVVHQFH RI KDYLQJ WKH PLQG RI &KULVW 3KLOLSSLDQV

7KHUH DUH WKUHH PRGLI\LQJ VWDWHPHQWV LQ WKH VHQWHQFH WR JLYH IXUWKHU LQVLJKW WR WKLV JUHDW OLIH YRLG RI FRPSODLQLQJ DQG GLVSXWLQJ

6KRZLQJ $WWULEXWHV RI 7UXH &KLOGUHQ RI *RG 7KH ILUVW PRGLI\LQJ VWDWHPHQW LV WKH FODXVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generationâ&#x20AC;? 3KLOLSSLDQV

7KH OLIH RI D &KULVWLDQ LV WR PDQLIHVW WKH SXUH QDWXUH RI *RG WR WKH FRUUXSW VHUYDQWV RI 6DWDQ :RUGV OLNH â&#x20AC;&#x153;blamelessâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;harmlessâ&#x20AC;?, DQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;without faultâ&#x20AC;? GR QRW PHDQ WKDW WKH &KULVWLDQ FDQ OLYH D VLQOHVV OLIH 7KH DSRVWOH -RKQ ZURWH LQ -RKQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.â&#x20AC;? 7KRXJK &KULVWLDQV GR IDOO VKRUW DQG FRPPLW VLQ WKH\ DUH WR VWULYH WR OLYH OLYHV WKDW DUH â&#x20AC;&#x153;blamelessâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;harmlessâ&#x20AC;?, DQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;without faultâ&#x20AC;?

EHIRUH D ZRUOG IXOO RI VLQ 7KH FKLOG RI *RG LV WR REH\ WKH ZLOO RI *RG VWULYLQJ WR SUDFWLFH ULJKWHRXVQHVV DQG ZKHQ VLQ LV SUHVHQW WKHUH LV D SHQLWHQW DQG KXPEOH VSLULW WKDW LV TXLFN WR FRQIHVV DQG VHHN IRUJLYHQHVV -RKQ :KLOH WKH ZRUOG OLYHV XQWR VLQ WKH FKLOG RI *RG OLYHV WR REH\ *RG 5RPDQV 7KH FKLOG RI *RG VHHNV ILUVW DQG IRUHPRVW WKH NLQJGRP RI *RG DQG +LV ULJKWHRXVQHVV 0DWWKHZ

6LQFH HYHU\ JRRG DQG SHUIHFW JLIW FRPHV IURP *RG -DPHV DERXW ZKDW GRHV KH KDYH WR FRPSODLQ RU GLVSXWH ZLWK *RG"

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Textual Studies

6KLQLQJ DV /LJKWV LQ WKH :RUOG 7KH VHFRQG PRGLI\LQJ VWDWHPHQW LV WKH FODXVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;among whom you shine as lights in the worldâ&#x20AC;? (3KLOLSSLDQV

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. ... Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ... Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.â&#x20AC;?

6WHDGIDVWO\ +ROGLQJ WKH :RUG RI /LIH 7KH WKLUG PRGLI\LQJ VWDWHPHQW LV WKH SDUWLFLSLDO SKUDVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;holding fast the word of lifeâ&#x20AC;? 3KLOLSSLDQV

7KH WURXEOHV DQG ELWWHUQHVV RI VLQ LQ WKH ZRUOG ZRXOG PDNH LW HDV\ WR IDOO SUH\ WR PXUPXULQJ DQG GRXEWIXO UHDVRQLQJ +RZHYHU WKH :RUG RI OLIH KHOG ILUP LQ WKH PLQG DQG KHDUW SUHYHQWV VXFK IURP KDSSHQLQJ ,W LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW WKDW WKH FKLOG RI *RG EH UHPLQGHG GDLO\ RI WKH SUHFLRXV SURPLVHV WKDW DUH IURP *RG RQH RI WKRVH EHLQJ WKDW *RG ZLOO QRW IRUVDNH +LV SHRSOH 7KH ZULWHU RI +HEUHZV VDLG LQ FKDSWHU YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never leave you nor forsake you. $OO VXIIHULQJ LV EXW OLJKW DIIOLFWLRQ WKDW ZRUNV IRU WKH FKLOG RI *RG WRZDUG VRPHWKLQJ IDU EHWWHU WKDQ ZKDW WKH ZRUOG KDV WR RIIHU &RULQWKLDQV

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Textual Studies

Open-Mindedness -RKQ *LSVRQ +HDU ZKDW WKH SVDOPLVW VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simpleâ&#x20AC;? 3VDOP

'RQÂśW OHW WKH ZRUG ÂłVLPSOH´ WKURZ \RX :H KDYH FRUUXSWHG WKDW ZRUG XQWLO DV IUHTXHQWO\ XVHG LW PHDQV VRPHWKLQJ QRW PXFK EHWWHU WKDQ KDOI ZLWWHG DQG WKDW LV QRW DW DOO ZKDW WKH SVDOPLVW KDG LQ PLQG 0RIIDWWÂśV UHQGHULQJ ÂłWKDW LQVWUXFWV WKH RSHQ PLQGHG ´ KDV PXFK WR FRPPHQG LW :H UHFDOO WKH ROG SKUDVH Âł7KHUH LV QRQH VR EOLQG DV KH ZKR ZLOO QRW VHH ´ 7KH SURXG PDQ WUXVWV KLV RZQ PLQG DQG 6RORPRQ FDOOV WKDW PDQ D IRRO 3URYHUEV 7KH KXPEOH PDQ RSHQV KLV PLQG WR UHFHLYH WKH :RUG RI *RG DQG KLV VRXO LV UHYLYHG *RG LQVWUXFWV WKH VLPSOH PLQGHG 7KDW RXJKW WR EH REYLRXV :KDW RWKHU FODVV RI SHRSOH FRXOG WKH (WHUQDO SRVVLEO\ LQVWUXFW WKDQ WKH RSHQ PLQGHG" 1R RWKHUV DUH WHDFKDEOH 0DQ LQ KLV SULGH SURFODLPV Âł7KHUH LV QR *RG ´ 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO KDV D IHZ ZRUGV IRU VXFK FORVH PLQGHG SHRSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let no one deceive himself, if any one among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wiseâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ LW VHHPV WKDW PDQ\ PLQGV DUH KHUPHWLFDOO\ VHDOHG ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR *RG DQG UHOLJLRQ $OPRVW D FHQWXU\ DJR 7KRPDV +DUG\ ORRNHG DW WKH DWWLWXGH RI %\URQ DQG 6ZLQEXUQH DQG REVHUYHG WKDW WKH\ ZHUH ÂłQRWKLQJ EXW QDXJKW\ ER\V SHHNLQJ DURXQG WKH FKXUFK GRRU DQG PDNLQJ IDFHV DW WKH SDUVRQ ´ 6XFK EHKDYLRU UHPDLQV ZLWK XV WR WKLV GD\ $UH ZH RSHQ DQG UHFHSWLYH" -DPHV VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soulâ&#x20AC;? -DPHV

1RU VKRXOG ZH IRUJHW WKH ZRUGV RI -HVXV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heavenâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

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Obstinate, closed minds to God and His Message are comparable to â&#x20AC;&#x153;naughty boys peeking around the church door and making faces at the parson.â&#x20AC;?

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Textual Studies

A Vital Connection +DUYH\ 3RUWHU -HVXV WDXJKW â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in meâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ

7KHUH DUH VRPH JUHDW &KULVWLDQ SULQFLSOHV FRQWDLQHG LQ WKH DERYH VLPSOH ZRUGV RI RXU /RUG )LUVW -HVXV LV WKH WUXH UHDO RQO\ YDOLG VSLULWXDO UHODWLRQVKLS LQ DOO FUHDWLRQ (YHU\RQH QHHGV WR EH FRQQHFWHG ZLWK +LP IRU VSLULWXDO OLIH 7KH PHWDSKRU LV RQH RI OLIH GHSHQGHQF\ 1R EUDQFK SHUVRQ FDQ SURGXFH IUXLW RU HYHQ OLIH ZLWKRXW EHLQJ FRQQHFWHG WR WKH 9LQH ² -HVXV 6HFRQG *RG LV WKH *DUGHQHU +H SODQQHG WKH ZKROH OLIH UHODWLRQVKLS +H FXWV RII EUDQFKHV OLYHV WKDW EHDU QR IUXLW VR WKH ZKROH YLQH FDQ UHPDLQ KHDOWK\ +H DOVR SUXQHV KHDOWK\ EUDQFKHV VR WKH\ FDQ EHDU PRUH IUXLW $OO RI XV DV &KULVWLDQV PXVW RI QHFHVVLW\ ORRN DW RXU OLYHV YHU\ FORVHO\ WR VHH LI ZH DUH UHDOO\ EHDULQJ IUXLW IRU WKH FDXVH RI &KULVW 'RLQJ QRWKLQJ IRU WKH /RUG PHDQV WKDW ZH DUH D GHDG EUDQFK ² ZH RQO\ VDS VWUHQJWK IURP WKH YLQH DQG *RG ZLOO HYHQWXDOO\ FXW XV RII EHFDXVH ZH DUH GHDG VSLULWXDOO\

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Textual Studies 7KLUG WKH UHODWLRQ RI WKH :RUG WR RXU VSLULWXDO XQLRQ ZLWK &KULVW PXVW EH QRWLFHG 7KH :RUG VDYHV XV 7KH :RUG FUHDWHV IDLWK LQ RXU KHDUWV 7KH :RUG LV WKH )DWKHU DQG WKH 6RQ FRPPXQLFDWLQJ ZLWK XV ,W EHFRPHV RXU UXOH IRU OLYLQJ ,W LV DEVROXWHO\ QHFHVVDU\ IRU RXU FRQQHFWLRQ ZLWK &KULVW )RXUWK -HVXV VDLG “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” 7KH :RUG VWDWHV WKDW ZH ZHUH “baptized into one body” &RULQWKLDQV 7KH ERG\ LV GHILQHG DV WKH FKXUFK DQG &KULVW LV WKH +HDG RI WKH ERG\ WKH FKXUFK (SKHVLDQV

,I DQ\RQH TXLWV WKH FKXUFK KH OHDYHV &KULVW DOVR (YHU\RQH ZKR LV D &KULVWLDQ LV YLWDOO\ FRQQHFWHG WR &KULVW DQG LV FRQQHFWHG ZLWK DOO RWKHUV ZKR DUH LQ WKH VDPH ERG\ WKH VDPH YLQH 7KH\ DOO HQMR\ VWUHQJWK IURP WKH VDPH VRXUFH DQG WKH\ OLYH WRJHWKHU WR SURGXFH WKH VDPH IUXLW 7KHUH DUH QR ³&KULVWLDQV DW ODUJH´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“Whoever loves God must also love his brother” VHH -RKQ , KDYH VHHQ WKH VORJDQ ³-HVXV \HV WKH FKXUFK QR ´ 7KLV WKLQNLQJ LV FRQWUDU\ WR WKH ZKROH WHDFKLQJ RI &KULVWLDQLW\ 7KH FKXUFK LV WKH IDPLO\ RI *RG ZLWK *RG DV RXU )DWKHU DQG &KULVW DV RXU %URWKHU 7KH IDPLO\ VWD\V WRJHWKHU ZRUNV WRJHWKHU ZRUVKLSV WRJHWKHU DQG KDQJV WRJHWKHU WKURXJK JRRG WLPHV DQG EDG 6L[WK -HVXV FRQFOXGHG “Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” $ VLQJOH EUDQFK GRHV QRW GR DQ\WKLQJ VLQFH LW LV VHYHUHG IURP WKH YLQH LWV OLIH VRXUFH :H KDYH WR UHPDLQ LQ &KULVW DQG WKURXJK +LP ZH DUH FRQQHFWHG WR WKH UHVW RI WKH YLQH WKH EUDQFKHV ² WKH FKXUFK 7RJHWKHU ZH FDQ GR LPPHDVXUDEO\ PRUH WKDQ ZH FRXOG GR DV D VLQJOH LQGLYLGXDO HYHQ LI ZH FRXOG UHPDLQ FRQQHFWHG WR WKH YLQH 7KH YHU\ QDWXUH RI WKH YLQH LV WKH IDFW WKDW LW KDV PDQ\ EUDQFKHV WKDW H[LVW WRJHWKHU DUH FRQQHFWHG WRJHWKHU DQG EHDU IUXLW WRJHWKHU 7KLV LV KRZ *RG WKH *DUGHQHU SODQWHG LW DQG KRZ -HVXV WKH WUXH 9LQH ZDQWV LW = +DUYH\ 3RUWHU SUHDFKHG IRU PDQ\ \HDUV LQ $OEXTXHUTXH 1HZ 0H[LFR 86$

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How Do You Measure Up?

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away,to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame....

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor oflove which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. +HEUHZV

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Bible Characters

Âł7KH 6HUYDQW RI WKH /RUG´ *DU\ & +DPSWRQ 0RVHV LV GHVFULEHG DV â&#x20AC;&#x153;the servant of the Lordâ&#x20AC;? 'HXWHURQRP\ \HW KH ZDV QRW DOORZHG WR HQWHU WKH 3URPLVHG /DQG 7KH SHRSOH PXUPXUHG DJDLQVW *RG ZKHQ WKH\ DUULYHG LQ .DGHVK DQG 0RVHV DVNHG WKH $OPLJKW\ ZKDW WR GR LQ UHVSRQVH WR WKHLU FRPSODLQWV 1XPEHUV *RG WROG KLP WR WDNH WKH URG DVVHPEOH WKH SHRSOH DQG VSHDN WR WKH URFN 0RVHV UHEXNHG WKH SHRSOH DQG struck WKH URFN LQVWHDG RI speaking WR LW HYHQ VD\LQJ WKDW KH DQG $DURQ ZHUH VROHO\ UHVSRQVLEOH IRU SURYLGLQJ ZDWHU IRU WKH SHRSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given themâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? 1XPEHUV 0RVHV KDG IDLOHG WR VDQFWLI\ *RG LQ KLV DFWLRQV WKHUHE\ DFWLQJ OLNH DQ XQEHOLHYHU +LV IDLOXUH WR IROORZ *RGÂśV H[DFW GLUHFWLRQ FDXVHG WKH /RUG WR GHQ\ KLP HQWUDQFH WR WKH SURPLVHG ODQG 0RVHV SOHDGHG ZLWK *RG WR OHW KLP HQWHU WR VHH WKH HQG RI WKH ZRUN RI GHOLYHUDQFH +H WROG WKH SHRSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Enough of that!

Speak no more to Me of this matterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? 'HXWHURQRP\ *RG GLG WHOO KLP WR JR XS LQWR 0RXQW 3LVJDK RU 1HER LQ WKH $EDULP UDQJH WR VHH WKH ODQG WKH SHRSOH ZRXOG SRVVHVV DQG WR FKDUJH -RVKXD ZLWK WKH MRE RI OHDGHUVKLS DQG WR HQFRXUDJH KLP LQ WKH ZRUN 0RVHV GLHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;according to the word of the Lord.â&#x20AC;? /HVOLH * 7KRPDV VD\V WKLV OLWHUDOO\ PHDQV ÂłE\ WKH PRXWK RI WKH /RUG ´ DQG WKH -HZLVK 5DEELV VD\ WKH PHDQLQJ LV ÂłE\ WKH NLVV RI *RG ´ +H ZHQW WR VOHHS ZLWK WKH NLVV RI WKH ORYLQJ )DWKHU LQ KHDYHQ *RG WRRN KLV ERG\ DQG EXULHG LW LQ D SODFH XQNQRZQ WR PDQ 0RVHV OHG WKH SHRSOH IRU IRUW\ \HDUV $W WKH WLPH RI KLV GHDWK DW WKH DJH RI KLV SK\VLFDO VWUHQJWK KDG QRW OHIW KLP QRU KDG KLV VLJKW JURZQ ZHDN 7KH OHVVRQ IRU XV LV SRZHUIXO , FDQ EH D â&#x20AC;&#x153;servant of the Lord,â&#x20AC;? \HW ORVH KHDYHQ IRU IDLOLQJ WR REH\ +LV ZLOO 7KDQNIXOO\ 0RVHV DOVR VKRZV XV ZH FDQ UHSHQW DQG VWLOO JR WR VOHHS ZLWK WKH NLVV RI WKH )DWKHU

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Bible Characters

Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prayers 'DQ 5 2ZHQ

Picture used with permission: (c)2006 www.TheGloryStory.com

:KDW PDNHV *RG GLVSRVHG WR KHDU WKH SUD\HUV RI PHUH KXPDQ EHLQJV" 7KH SULQFLSOH LV VWDWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evilâ&#x20AC;? 3VDOP 7KH EOLQG PDQ VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His willâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ 7KHVH SULQFLSOHV QRWZLWKVWDQGLQJ ZH DUH DOO VLQIXO KXPDQ EHLQJV :KLOH ZH PD\ QRW EH UHEHOOLRXV DQG QHJDWLYHO\ GLVSRVHG WRZDUG *RG ZH DUH ILOOHG ZLWK IDLOXUH DQG RIWHQ RYHUFRPH E\ WHPSWDWLRQ :LOO *RG OLVWHQ WR RXU SUD\HUV" ,V WKHUH KRSH IRU ZHDN KXPDQ EHLQJV OLNH XV" ,I 'DYLGÂśV OLIH LV DQ\ LQGLFDWRU WKHUH LV )LUVW FRQVLGHU WKH ZHDNQHVVHV RI 'DYLG 7KH\ ZHUH QRW LQVLJQLILFDQW +H YLRODWHG WKH VDQFWLW\ RI PDUULDJH ZKHQ KH FRPPLWWHG DGXOWHU\ ZLWK 8ULDKÂśV ZLIH %DWKVKHED +H FRQVSLUHG WR FRPPLW PXUGHU WR FRYHU XS KLV VLQ UREELQJ ,VUDHO RI D ILQH PLOLWDU\ FRPPDQGHU +H UHIXVHG WR IRUJLYH KLV VRQ IRU ILYH ORQJ \HDUV GXH WR KLV SULGH +H ZDV ZLOOLQJ WR DOORZ WKHVH KDUG IHHOLQJV WR SOXQJH KLV FRXQWU\ LQWR

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Bible Characters

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$ 6LPSOH &HUHPRQ\ 7KH WZR PHQ WUDLQHG VWXGHQW SURSKHWV VR WKH\ FRXOG RQH GD\ WDNH SDUW LQ WKH ZRUN RI WKH /RUG (OLMDK DQG (OLVKD ZRUNHG WRJHWKHU IRU DERXW WHQ \HDUV 2Q DQ DSSRLQWHG GD\ LW ZDV WLPH IRU (OLMDK WR EH WDNHQ +H ZDQWHG WR JR RQ WR %HWKHO DORQH EXW (OLVKD VDLG “As the Lord lives…I will not leave you.” 6R WKH\ ZHQW GRZQ WR %HWKHO WRJHWKHU .LQJV 7KH VRQV RI WKH SURSKHWV VWXGHQWV

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Bible Characters if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you…” (OLVKD FRXOG KDYH DVNHG IRU ULFKHV SRZHU RU IDPH 5DWKHU KLV UHTXHVW VKRZHG JUHDW ZLVGRP +H KDG ZRUNHG VLGH E\ VLGH ZLWK WKLV PDQ RI *RG IRU WHQ \HDUV +H NQHZ WKDW LI KH ZHUH WR EH DEOH WR FDUU\ RQ LQ (OLMDK¶V IRRWVWHSV KH ZRXOG QHHG PRUH WKDQ KLV RZQ DELOLWLHV +H ZRXOG QHHG D GRXEOH SRUWLRQ RI (OLMDK¶V VSLULW $V WKH WZR ZDONHG DORQJ WRJHWKHU VXGGHQO\ D ORXG QRLVH OLNH D ZKLUOZLQG ZDV DOO DURXQG WKHP $ FKDULRW RI ILUH DQG KRUVHV RI ILUH VHSDUDWHG WKHP DQG (OLMDK ZHQW XS WR KHDYHQ LQ WKH ZKLUOZLQG

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Bible Questions

What Is the Name that God’s People Are to Wear? , ' %\DUV ,W LV RIWHQ WKRXJKWOHVVO\ VDLG ³7KHUH LV QRWKLQJ LQ D QDPH ´ EXW QRERG\ UHDOO\ EHOLHYHV WKLV :KHQ QH[W \RX KHDU WKDW VDLG VWDWHPHQW LQIRUP WKH SHUVRQ VR VD\LQJ WKDW KHUHDIWHU \RX ZLOO DGGUHVV KLP DV WKH ³'HYLO ´ 1RWH KRZ TXLFNO\ ELWWHU UHVHQWPHQW ULVHV ,I WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ LQ D QDPH ZK\ LV QRW WKH QDPH ³'HYLO´ DV JRRG DV DQ\" 9DULRXV UHOLJLRXV WLWOHV DUH XVHG WRGD\ QRW RQH RI ZKLFK PD\ EH IRXQG LQ WKH %LEOH ,V LW QRW VWUDQJH WKDW VRPH SHRSOH SUHIHU WR EH FDOOHG E\ VRPH KXPDQ QDPH UDWKHU WKDQ WKH RQH IRXQG LQ *RG¶V :RUG" “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” $FWV 7KRVH SHRSOH QRW RQO\ FODLPHG WR EH &KULVWLDQV WKH\ ZHUH FDOOHG E\ WKDW QDPH 3HWHU WKH DSRVWOH ZURWH “if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on His behalf” 3HWHU 3DXO VRXJKW WR PDNH $JULSSD D &KULVWLDQ QR PRUH QR OHVV $FWV

6KRXOG WKLV QRW EH HQRXJK IRU XV WRGD\" 7KH QDPH ³&KULVWLDQ´ LV WKH GLYLQH QDPH RUGDLQHG E\ *RG WKDW +LV SHRSOH VKRXOG ZHDU ,VDLDK WKH SURSKHW ZURWH WKDW D “new name” ZRXOG EH JLYHQ WR WKH /RUG¶V SHRSOH ,W ZDV WR EH JLYHQ RQO\ DIWHU WKH *HQWLOHV ZHUH LQYLWHG WR EHFRPH SDUWDNHUV RI VDOYDWLRQ WKURXJK &KULVW ,VDLDK ,W FRXOG QRW KDYH DSSHDUHG EHIRUH $FWV ZKHQ WKH *HQWLOHV ZHUH UHFRJQL]HG DV EHLQJ KHLUV RI VDOYDWLRQ ,V LW QRW VLJQLILFDQW WKDW LQ WKH FKDSWHU LPPHGLDWHO\ IROORZLQJ ² $FWV ² WKDW WKH “new name” ² WKH QDPH “Christian” ZDV JLYHQ" 1R RWKHU QDPH KRZHYHU DQFLHQW KRQRUDEOH RU GLVWLQJXLVKHG FDQ HYHU PHHW WKH GHPDQGV RI WKH LQVSLUHG SURSKHW ,W SOHDVHG *RG WR FDOO +LV SHRSOH Christians LQ WKH DSRVWROLF DJH DQG WKDW ZKLFK SOHDVHG +LP WKHQ PXVW XQGRXEWHGO\ PHHW +LV DSSURYDO WRGD\ /HW LW QHYHU EH IRUJRWWHQ WKDW ZH JORULI\ *RG RQO\ ZKHQ ZH ZHDU WKH QDPH “Christian,” QR PRUH QR OHVV 7KH FKXUFK LV WKH EULGH RI &KULVW ² VKH PXVW ZHDU WKH KXVEDQG¶V QDPH

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Bible Questions

What Is Christianity? /HRQ &ROH ,I \RX ZHUH FDOOHG XSRQ WR GHILQH &KULVWLDQLW\ ZKDW ZRXOG \RX VD\" 3HUKDSV ZH ZRXOG VD\ LW LV WKH UHOLJLRQ IRXQGHG E\ -HVXV &KULVW :KLOH WKLV DQVZHU ZRXOG EH FRUUHFW LW ZRXOG QRW PHDQ PXFK WR RQH XQDFTXDLQWHG ZLWK -HVXV DQG +LV WHDFKLQJ &KULVWLDQLW\ LQ IDFW LV PRUH WKDQ VLPSO\ D V\VWHP RI EHOLHIV ± LW LV DFWLRQ -DPHV UHPLQGV XV WKDW SXUH DQG XQGHILOHG UHOLJLRQ EHIRUH *RG DQG WKH )DWKHU LV WKLV “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” 1.-9 5HOLJLRQ WKHQ LV VRPHWKLQJ ZH GR RU SUDFWLFH QRW VRPHWKLQJ ZH JHW RU PHUHO\ EHOLHYH ,W LV VLJQLILFDQW WKDW /XNH GHVFULEHG WKH *RVSHO DFFRXQW WKDW KH KDG ZULWWHQ DV EHLQJ “All that Jesus began both to do and teach” $FWV

2FFDVLRQDOO\ ZH KHDU VRPHRQH LQWHUSUHW RU GHILQH &KULVWLDQLW\ DV LI LW FRQVLVWV RQO\ RI JRLQJ WR DQ DVVHPEO\ RI WKH FKXUFK 4XHVWLRQV DUH SRVHG WKDW OHDG WR WKLV FRQFOXVLRQ ³:KHUH ZHUH \RX RQ :HGQHVGD\ QLJKW"´ ³'LG \RX VWXG\ \RXU %LEOH OHVVRQ"´ ³<RX PLVVHG WKH FODVV 6XQGD\ PRUQLQJ ´ 6LPLODU VWDWHPHQWV FDQ EH PXOWLSOLHG ,W LV KRSHG WKDW WKHUH KDV EHHQ QR PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJ 7KHVH PDWWHUV DUH LPSRUWDQW &KULVWLDQV PXVW QRW QHJOHFW ZRUVKLSSLQJ WRJHWKHU +HEUHZV

DQG WKH\ QHHG WR VWXG\ WKH %LEOH WRJHWKHU %XW WKHUH PXVW QRW EH D IRUJHWWLQJ WKDW &KULVWLDQLW\ LQYROYHV ZKDW ZH GR DQG SUDFWLFH Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and all day Saturday, as well as what we do on Sunday!

5HPHPEHU WKH *RRG 6DPDULWDQ +H PLQLVWHUHG WR WKH PDQ ZKR ZDV UREEHG EHDWHQ DQG OHIW KDOI GHDG E\ WKH VLGH RI WKH URDG +H ZDVQ¶W DW DQ DVVHPEO\ RI WKH FKXUFK DW DOO ,Q IDFW WZR KLJKO\ UHOLJLRXV SHRSOH WKH SULHVW DQG WKH /HYLWH SDVVHG E\ WKLV PDQ RQ WKH RWKHU VLGH ,I RXWZDUG IRUP DQG ULWXDO EHFRPH VR LPSRUWDQW WKDW ZH QHJOHFW WKH QHHGV RI SHRSOH WKHQ ZH DUH LQ D EDG ZD\ “But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice” 0DWWKHZ

-HVXV FDPH WR WHDFK XV KRZ WR OLYH 7KLV LQYROYHV ZKDW ZH GR DW KRPH ZKDW ZH GR DW ZRUN ZKDW ZH DUH LQ RXU WKRXJKW ZRUOG DQG ZKDW ZH GR ZLWK RXU OHLVXUH WLPH ,W LQYROYHV RXU GDLO\ UHODWLRQV ZLWK SHRSOH “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” *DODWLDQV

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;And He said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? ,, 3XUSRVH (SKHVLDQV

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ...â&#x20AC;? ,,, 3URPLVH *DODWLDQV

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In you all the nations shall be blessed.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? ,9 3URSKHF\ 3HWHU

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you...â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says the Lord of hosts.â&#x20AC;?

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“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

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The Voice of Truth International

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Volume Eighty-Three

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International

Volume 83

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