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

Staff:

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

Spanish Edition:

Managing Editor: Rafael Barrantes

Telugu Edition:

Managing Editor, Translator:

Joshua Gootam

Tamil Edition: Managing Editor, Translators:

Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam

English Edition in India and Braille Edition:

Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah

and Kingsly Rajah

Hindi Edition:

Managing Editor, Earnest Gill

Nepali Edition:

Nepal Center for Biblical Studyl

Paite Edition:

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

Marathi Edition:

Managing Edior, Amul Bansod

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

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

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3DXO LQ WKLV SDVVDJH ZULWHV DERXW WKH FKDOOHQJH RI HLWKHU SOHDVLQJ RWKHU SHRSOH RU EHLQJ SOHDVLQJ WR *RG :KLFK LV EHWWHU" 0DQ\ SHRSOH ZLOO DWWHPSW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PHQ DQG LQ WKHLU DWWHPSW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PHQ WKH\ ZLOO QRW EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG 3DXO LQ GHDOLQJ ZLWK VRPH RI WKH SUREOHPV IDFHG E\ WKH FKXUFKHV LQ *DODWLD ZDQWV WKHP WR NQRZ WKDW KH LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW EHLQJ SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ EXW UDWKHU 3DXOÂśV FRQFHUQ LV WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG $VN \RXUVHOI Âł:KDW LV P\ SULRULW\" 'R , GHVLUH WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ RU GR , GHVLUH WR SOHDVH *RG"´ 7R WKH FKXUFK DW 7KHVVDORQLFD 3DXO ZULWHV LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we

G od God never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed ² God is witness.â&#x20AC;? ,Q WKHVH YHUVHV 3DXO LV VSHDNLQJ RI EHLQJ HQWUXVWHG ZLWK WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW DQG DV VXFK ZH DUH QRW WR VSHDN DV SOHDVLQJ PDQ EXW UDWKHU WR SOHDVH *RG 3DXO ZDQWV KLV UHDGHUV WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW KH LV VSHDNLQJ WKH WUXWK RI *RG DQG DV VXFK KH LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW IODWWHULQJ SHRSOH +H LV QRW FRQFHUQHG DERXW JDLQLQJ D ILQDQFLDO DGYDQWDJH EXW KLV FRQFHUQ LV WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR *RG $VN \RXUVHOI WKHVH TXHVWLRQV Âł:KDW LV P\ PDLQ FRQFHUQ" 'R , ZDQW WR EH SOHDVLQJ WR PDQ RU *RG" :KDW LV P\ PDLQ FRQFHUQ"´ $QRWKHU ZD\ LQ ZKLFK ZH DUH WR EH SOHDVLQJ *RG LV WR OLYH D PRUDOO\ SXUH OLIH 3DXO ZULWHV LQ 7KHVVDORQLDQV II â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.â&#x20AC;? :H OLYH LQ DQ DJH RI PRUDO UHODWLYLW\ ZKHUH HDFK SHUVRQ KDV KLV RU KHU RZQ PRUDO VWDQGDUG 0DQ\ SHRSOH GR QRW EHOLHYH WKDW WKH PRUDO VWDQGDUG WKH\ OLYH E\ ZLOO KDYH DQ HIIHFW XSRQ WKHLU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG DQG XSRQ ZKHUH WKH\ ZLOO VSHQG HWHUQLW\ :H QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW *RGÂśV :RUG GRHV QRW FKDQJH *RGÂśV VWDQGDUG GRHV QRW FKDQJH 7KLV FDQ EH LOOXVWUDWHG E\ WKH IDFW WKDW *RGÂśV 6RQ -HVXV &KULVW GRHV QRW FKDQJH 7KLV LV VHHQ LQ +HEUHZV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.â&#x20AC;? :H QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW MXVW DV -HVXV LV WKH VDPH \HVWHUGD\ WRGD\ DQG IRUHYHU *RGÂśV :RUG DQG *RGÂśV VWDQGDUG GR QRW FKDQJH QR PDWWHU ZKDW RXU VRFLHW\ PD\ VD\

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G od God

God Is In Control!

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G od God

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

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

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Conversion demands that we be changed.

5HSHQWDQFH LV QRW LQFLGHQWDO WR FRQYHUVLRQ UDWKHU LW LV D PXVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

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Conversion is discipleship.

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Summary 5HOLJLRXV TXLFN IL[HV DUH OLWWOH PRUH WKDQ FRVPHWLF %DQG $LGV 7KH\ JLYH XV LQVWDQW UHOLHI DQG D PRPHQWDU\ UHOLJLRXV ORRN EXW WKH\ RIIHU QR ODVWLQJ FXUH 7KHUH LV QR TXLFN DQG HDV\ VROXWLRQ WR WKH SUREOHP RI VLQ H[FHSW JHQXLQH ELEOLFDO FRQYHUVLRQ -HVXV VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;I came that you might have life and have it more abundantlyâ&#x20AC;ŚAnd when the Son sets you free, you are free indeedâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ ,1'((' ,1'(('

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We sing the praises Of Heaven above As we spread the joys Of hope and love.

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Neither in the Past nor Since -RKQ *LSVRQ 3RRU 0RVHV +H ZDV RQ WKH VSRW *RG ZDV FDOOLQJ KLP WR GR VRPHWKLQJ KH GLGQÂśW UHDOO\ IHHO TXDOLILHG WR GR , FDQ VHH KLP VTXLUPLQJ DV KH VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;0 Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongueâ&#x20AC;? ([RGXV

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What Do You Think of Christ? &KDUOHV 5 5RVH :H RIWHQ UHDG 0DW WKHZ ZKHUH -HVXV VSHDNV RI WKH WZR JUHDWHVW FRPPDQG PHQWV RI WKH ODZ QDPH O\ ORYLQJ *RG ZLWK RXU ZKROH EHLQJ DQG ORY LQJ RXU QHLJKERU DV ZH ORYH RXUVHOYHV 7KLV DURVH LQ DQVZHU WR D TXHVWLRQ DVNHG E\ RQH RI WKH 3KDULVHHV WHPSWLQJ +LP 7KH 0DVWHU WKHQ LQ WXUQ DVNHG WKHP D TXHVWLRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them saying, What do you think about the Christ, whose Son is He?â&#x20AC;?

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x 3(7(5 :KHQ -HVXV DVNHG +LV GLVFLSOHV ZKR SHRSOH WKRXJKW +H ZDV 3HWHU FRQIHVVHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living Godâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

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x +,6 %(75$<(5 )ROORZLQJ -HVXVÂś DUUHVW -XGDV VDZ ZKDW ZDV WDNLQJ SODFH DQG VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent bloodâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ

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Bible Find

(from page 48)

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-DLOHU $QWLRFK

&ULVSXV $WKHQV

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We Worship Thee Chorus: We Worship Thee, we worship Thee, Our God of praise and majesty, %HJLQQLQJ FKRUXV EXW QRW UHSHDWHG We humbly come on bended knee, DIWHU WKH YHUVHV Lord of Hosts, to worship Thee.

Hear us, Father, hear our cry, With broken hearts we come; Forgive the sins that stain our souls And let us kneel before Your throne.

You gave us life, You gave us hope, You washed us in His blood; You gave the light to show the way â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The treasure of Your Word.

You trusted us to wear His name, That name that knew no sin; We cringe for every blot weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made, For souls misled, we did not win.

You trusted us â&#x20AC;&#x201D; these human hands â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oh, God, how can it be? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; That all the work Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever done Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve trusted now, at last, to me?

Oh God, I come with aching heart, Forgive me when I fail; Help me to bring Your Words of life To souls now on the road to hell.

Chorus: I worship Thee, I worship Thee, My God of praise and majesty; (QGLQJ FKRUXV VXQJ I humbly come on bended knee, YHU\ VRIWO\ Lord of Hosts, to worship Thee. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Betty Burton Choate