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The Sin of Omission Louise Buffington /RUG DW QLQHW\ , OLYH DORQH $QG ,¶P ERZLQJ QRZ EHIRUH <RXU WKURQH 6SLOOLQJ P\ JULHYRXV WKRXJKWV WR <RX $ERXW WKH WKLQJV ,¶YH IDLOHG WR GR $W VRPH SRLQW , OHW P\VHOI VOLS EDFN $QG ZDQGHUHG RII WKH VSLULWXDO WUDFN <HW LQ P\ VWDWH RI PLQG , NQHZ 7KDW , KDG EHHQ QHJOHFWLQJ <RX , FRXOG KDYH GRQH PXFK LQ P\ \RXWK +DG , QRW WXUQHG IURP WKH *RVSHO WUXWK 7URXEOHV SLOHG XS WR EOXU P\ ZD\ $QG KLQGHUHG PH ZKHQ , WULHG WR SUD\ )LQDOO\ , FDPH XQWR P\VHOI :KHQ , ZDV IDFHG ZLWK WKH MDZV RI GHDWK *XLOW NHSW RQ IHVWHULQJ ZLWKLQ 2PLVVLRQ KDG EHFRPH D FRQVWDQW VLQ /RUG ZKDW ,¶P WU\LQJ VR KDUG WR VD\ ,V WKDW , FDPH FORVH WR ORVLQJ P\ ZD\ )RUJLYH PH IRU WKRVH ZDVWHG GD\V :KHQ , IRUJRW WR VLQJ <RXU SUDLVH )RUJLYH PH IRU WKH ZDVWHG \HDUV :DVKHG VR RIWHQ LQ ELWWHU WHDUV )RUJLYH PH IRU WKH VRXOV XQWDXJKW $QG KHOS PH EULQJ WKHP WR WKH &URVV

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T he V oice o f Tr uth Inter national

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

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 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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3OHDVH QRWLFH VRPH FUXFLDO GHFLVLRQ PDNLQJ ZKHQ -HVXV DVNHG “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?â€? 0DWWKHZ 'HFLVLRQV FDUU\ FRQVHTXHQFHV 7KH FKRRVLQJ RI RXU IULHQGV FDQ KDYH 'HFLVLRQV FDUU\ FRQVHTXHQFHV HWHUQDO FRQVHTXHQFHV &KRRVLQJ *RG IHDULQJ &KULVWLDQV DV RXU IULHQGV FDQ EHDU ZRQGHUIXO VSLULWXDO IUXLW EXW FKRRVLQJ DV FORVH IULHQGV WKRVH ZKR KDYH OLWWOH RU QR FRQFHUQ DERXW *RG DQG ZKR KDYH QR LQWHUHVW LQ VHUYLQJ +LP FDQ HDVLO\ FDXVH XV WR GULIW IDUWKHU DQG IDUWKHU DZD\ IURP WKH /RUG :H KDYH D JUHDW GHDO WR GR ZLWK RXU RZQ ZHOO EHLQJ DQG RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG -DPHV WHOOV XV “Draw near to God and He will draw near to youâ€? -DPHV 7KHQ LQ YHUVH KH DGGV “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.â€? 7KH %LEOH OLNHQV RXU PDQQHU RI OLIH WR D IDUPHU VRZLQJ VHHG LQ SUHSDUDWLRQ RU LQ DQWLFLSDWLRQ RI D FURS ,W LV RXU GHFLVLRQ DV WR ZKDW NLQG RI VHHG ZH VRZ DV ZHOO DV WR WKH TXDQWLW\ WKDW ZH VRZ :H QHHG WR KHHG WKH ZRUGV RI 3DXO LQ *DODWLDQV ZKLFK UHDG “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.â€? we PDNH WKH GHFLVLRQ DV WR ZKDW NLQG RI VHHG 3DXO PDNHV LW TXLWH FOHDU WKDW we ZH DUH JRLQJ WR VRZ +RZHYHU KH PDNHV LW HTXDOO\ FOHDU WKDW UHJDUGOHVV RI will UHDS D KDUYHVW Âą HLWKHU D KDUYHVW ZKLFK NLQG RI VHHG ZH GHFLGH WR VRZ ZH will “How RI HDUWKO\ FRUUXSWLRQ RU D VSLULWXDO KDUYHVW RI HYHUODVWLQJ OLIH , DVN \RX “How difficult should it be to make that decision?â€? 0RVW IRONV ZDQW WR EH DEOH WR PDNH WKHLU RZQ GHFLVLRQV WR PDNH WKHLU RZQ FKRLFHV 7KDWÂśV WKH ZD\ *RG PDGH XV ZLWK IUHHZLOO 7KDWÂśV MXVW ILQH DV ORQJ DV ZH XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW D JUHDW UHVSRQVLELOLW\ ZH KDYH LQ PDNLQJ RXU GHFLVLRQV :H PXVW QRW IRUJHW WKDW GHFLVLRQV FDUU\ FRQVHTXHQFHV DQG VRPHWLPHV WKRVH FRQVHTXHQFHV DUH LUUHYHUVLEOH WKH\ FDQQRW EH XQGRQH :KHQ ZH OLH GRZQ DW QLJKW ZH QHHG WR UHYLHZ RXU GD\ DQG WKH GHFLVLRQV WKDW ZH PDGH LQ LW Âą ZKHWKHU WKH\ ZHUH JRRG QRW VR JRRG RU HYHQ EDG 7KH\ ZLOO KDYH WKHLU FRQVHTXHQFHV 5HSHQWDQFH DQG SUD\HU FDQ UHVXOW LQ IRUJLYHQHVV RI RXU VLQIXO GHFLVLRQV EXW WKDW VWLOO GRHV QRW HOLPLQDWH DOO RI WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV WKDW FDQ UHVXOW IURP RXU GHFLVLRQV /HWÂśV DOO SUD\ IHUYHQWO\ DQG IUHTXHQWO\ IRU ZLVGRP DV ZH PDNH RXU GHFLVLRQV = WKURXJKRXW RXU OLYHV KHUH VR WKDW ZH PD\ EH DEOH WR HQMR\ HWHUQLW\ =

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God Is Not Unjust -HUU\ %DWHV ,Q +HEUHZV ZH ILQG WKH LQVSLUHG ZULW HU ZURWH VRPH YHU\ HQFRXUDJLQJ ZRUGV “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.�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“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?� Furthermore, the psalmist penned, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips� 3VDOP *RG ZDQWV XV WR NQRZ WKDW ZH FDQ WUXVW +LP FRPSOHWHO\ DQG WKH ZULWHU RI +HEUHZV FRQWLQXHG WR HPSKDVL]H WKDW LQ +HEUHZV *RG LV QRW XQMXVW WR IRUJHW 7KLV FDUULHV WKH LGHD RI VLPSO\ QHJOHFWLQJ *RG LV QRW XQMXVW WR IRUJHW WR GR VRPHWKLQJ :H NQRZ WKDW PDQ RIWHQ IRUJHWV DQG QHHGV WR EH UHPLQGHG 1RW RQO\ GRHV PDQ IRUJHW EXW KH IUHTXHQWO\ QHJOHFWV WR GR ZKDW KH NQRZV KH VKRXOG GR :H VHH WKLV LGHD LQ WKH %RRN RI +HEUHZV 7KHVH &KULVWLDQV ZHUH

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ZDUQHG DJDLQVW QHJOHFWLQJ WKHLU VDOYDWLRQ +HEUHZV 7KH\ KDG QHJOHFWHG WR JURZ DV WKH\ VKRXOG KDYH 7KH\ ZHUH HQFRXUDJHG QRW WR QHJOHFW WR VKRZ KRVSLWDOLW\ +RZHYHU *RG GRHV QRW IRUJHW *RG VHHV HYHQ WKH VPDOOHVW DFW RI NLQGQHVV DQG ORYH VXFK DV VLPSO\ JLYLQJ D FXS RI FROG ZDWHU LQ +LV QDPH 0DWWKHZ DQG +H FHUWDLQO\ ZLOO QRW VLPSO\ QHJOHFW WR NHHS +LV SURPLVHV ,VDLDK HPSKDVL]HG WKLV IDFW ZKHQ KH FRPSDUHG *RG WR D PRWKHU DQG KHU EDE\ “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” ,VDLDK 2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG *RG GRHV IRUJHW VRPH WKLQJV )RU LQVWDQFH *RG IRU JHWV RXU SDVW VLQV “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins” ,VDLDK ,Q +HEUHZV WKH ZULWHU TXRWHG -HUHPLDK “…their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 7KXV ZH FDQ EH DVVXUHG WKDW ZKHQ *RG IRUJLYHV WKRVH VLQV DUH JRQH IRUHYHU 7KLV LV RIWHQ LQ FRQWUDVW ZLWK WKH KDELWV RI PHQ 6KDNHVSHDUH RQFH ZURWH ³7KH HYLO WKDW PHQ GR OLYHV DIWHU WKHP WKH JRRG LV RIW LQWHUUHG ZLWK WKHLU ERQHV ´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¶V VHUYLFH 7KHVH &KULVWLDQV KDG SHUIRUPHG VXFK ORYLQJ VHUYLFH LQ WKH SDVW DQG ZHUH FRQWLQXLQJ WR GR VR EXW WKH\ QHHGHG ZRUGV RI HQFRXUDJHPHQW ZRUGV WR UHPLQG WKHP WKDW WKHLU ODERU ZDV QRW LQ YDLQ *RG ZRXOG UHPHPEHU WKHLU ORYLQJ NLQGQHVV VKRZQ WR IHOORZ VDLQWV “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” &KURQLFOHV *RG WRRN QRWH RI &RUQHOLXV¶ GHVLUH WR SOHDVH +LP HYHQ LQ KLV XQVDYHG VWDWH $FWV +RZ PXFK PRUH ZLOO +H WDNH QRWH RI +LV FKLOGUHQ¶V HIIRUWV WR VHUYH +LP" 7KHVH ZRUGV VKRXOG HQFRXUDJH XV DV ZHOO ,W LV HDV\ WR JHW GLVFRXUDJHG DQG ZRQGHU LI LW LV DOO ZRUWKZKLOH :H VRPHWLPHV DVN ³'RHV DQ\RQH FDUH"´ 0DQ PLJKW QRW EXW ZH FDQ UHVW DVVXUHG WKDW *RG VHHV DQG +H FDUHV 1HYHU VKRXOG ZH EH GLVFRXUDJHG E\ WKLQNLQJ WKDW RXU GHHGV DUH EHLQJ RYHUORRNHG = =

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Children -RVO\Q 5DPVXEKDJ God gave us children So small and so cute; We hug them and kiss them And play peek a boo. God gave us children They grow every day; We spank them and train them And watch them not stray. God gave us children So restless are some; We groom them and prune them And teach them good fun. God gave us children They try us each day Though kicking and fussing: We demand they obey. God gave us children Who insist on their own way; We give in and ignore them And spoil them everyday. God gave us children Each one to discipline, To shape them and rule them Then give back to Him.

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What Is the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit? - & &KRDWH >'HFHDVHG@ The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians, ³)LQDOO\ WKHQ EUHWKUHQ ZH XUJH DQG H[KRUW LQ WKH /RUG -HVXV WKDW \RX VKRXOG DERXQG PRUH DQG PRUH MXVW DV \RX UHFHLYHG IURP XV KRZ \RX RXJKW WR ZDON DQG WR SOHDVH *RG IRU \RX NQRZ ZKDW FRPPDQGPHQWV ZH JDYH \RX WKURXJK WKH /RUG -HVXV ³)RU WKLV LV WKH ZLOO RI *RG \RXU VDQFWLILFDWLRQ WKDW \RX VKRXOG DEVWDLQ IURP VH[XDO LPPRUDOLW\ WKDW HDFK RI \RX VKRXOG NQRZ KRZ WR SRVVHVV KLV RZQ YHVVHO LQ VDQFWLILFDWLRQ DQG KRQRU QRW LQ SDVVLRQ RI OXVW OLNH WKH *HQWLOHV ZKR GR QRW NQRZ *RG WKDW QR RQH VKRXOG WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI DQG GHIUDXG KLV EURWKHU LQ WKLV PDWWHU EHFDXVH WKH /RUG LV WKH DYHQJHU RI DOO VXFK DV ZH DOVR IRUHZDUQHG \RX DQG WHVWLILHG )RU *RG GLG QRW FDOO XV WR XQFOHDQQHVV EXW LQ KROLQHVV ³7KHUHIRUH KH ZKR UHMHFWV WKLV GRHV QRW UHMHFW PDQ EXW *RG who has also given us His Holy Spirit. %XW FRQFHUQLQJ EURWKHUO\ ORYH \RX KDYH QR QHHG WKDW , VKRXOG ZULWH WR \RX IRU \RX \RXUVHOYHV DUH WDXJKW E\ *RG WR ORYH RQH DQRWKHU´ (1 Thessalonians 4:1-9).

In this setting Paul is encouraging these Christians to remain pure and clean and to have proper respect and love for one another since they belonged to God and the Holy Spirit had been given to them. In the context, it appears that Paul is speaking to all Christians in general, and in doing so he says that God had given them the Holy Spirit. Paul said to the Christians at Corinth, ³'R \RX QRW NQRZ WKDW \RX DUH

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God WKH WHPSOH RI *RG DQG WKDW the Spirit of God dwells in you? ,I DQ\RQH GHILOHV WKH WHPSOH RI *RG *RG ZLOO GHVWUR\ KLP )RU WKH WHPSOH RI *RG LV KRO\ ZKLFK WHPSOH \RX DUH´ (1 Corinthians 3:16,17). Again, he said, ³2U GR \RX QRW NQRZ WKDW your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, ZKRP \RX KDYH IURP *RG DQG \RX DUH QRW \RXU RZQ" )RU \RX ZHUH ERXJKW DW D SULFH WKHUHIRUH JORULI\ *RG LQ \RXU ERG\ DQG LQ \RXU VSLULW ZKLFK DUH *RGœV´ (1 Corinthians 6:19,20).

3DXO ZDV FOHDUO\ VD\LQJ WKDW RXU ERGLHV DUH WKH WHPSOH RI WKH 6SLULW EXW KRZ FDQ +H OLYH LQ D &KULVWLDQ LQ D QRQ PLUDFXORXV ZD\" ,Q WKH VDPH ZD\ WKDW &KULVW GZHOOV LQ XV &RORVVLDQV DQG *RG GZHOOV LQ XV (SKHVLDQV DQG RI FRXUVH ZH GZHOO LQ &KULVW DQG LQ *RG 5RPDQV *DODWLDQV There are those who deny a literal “indwellingâ€? of the Spirit, saying that He indwells Christians only representatively through the Scriptures. Their logic is that the Bible was inspired by the Spirit, so He dwells in us through the Word. z There are several problems with this doctrine, beyond the fact that when they read verses saying that the Spirit dwells in us, as in Romans 8:11, they are forced to parenthetically insert “through the wordâ€? in order to make it read like their belief says: Âł%XW LI WKH 6SLULW RI +LP ZKR UDLVHG -HVXV IURP WKH GHDG GZHOOV LQ \RX >WKURXJK WKH ZRUG@ +H ZKR UDLVHG &KULVW IURP WKH GHDG ZLOO DOVR JLYH OLIH WR \RXU PRUWDO ERGLHV WKURXJK +LV 6SLULW ZKR GZHOOV LQ \RX >WKURXJK WKH ZRUG@ 'RHVQÂśW 5HYHODWLRQ KDYH VRPHWKLQJ WR VD\ DERXW ÂłDGGLQJ WR WKH ZRUG´" Âł)RU , WHVWLI\ WR HYHU\RQH ZKR KHDUV WKH ZRUGV RI WKH SURSKHF\ RI WKLV ERRN ,I DQ\RQH adds WR WKHVH WKLQJV God will add to him the plagues WKDW DUH ZULWWHQ LQ WKLV ERRN ´ z Beyond that problem, there is the fact that when Peter preached, saying that those who repented and were baptized would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the New Testament had not yet been written! How could the 3000 on that day receive something that would not be completed for decades, if the “giftâ€? of indwelling was the Scriptures, not the Spirit, Himself? z And then there is the problem that people living under the Old Testament portion of the Scriptures were never described as being given the

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God ÂłJLIW RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW´ They had God’s word dwelling in them. Why is it never said that the Holy Spirit was “indwellingâ€? the nation of Israel? z And, finally, humans imbibe various amounts of Scripture throughout their lives. If the “indwellingâ€? is only as they have the Scriptures in their hearts, do some have 20%, others 35% of the Spirit — and what about those who have even memorized large portions of Scripture and yet were never baptized correctly according to the specifications in Acts 2:38? They may actually have more of the literal Scripture in their heads than do many who are part of the Family of God, so do they have more of the Spirit dwelling in them even though they never complied with what God required a person to do to be given ÂłWKH JLIW RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW´ in the first place? We therefore believe we are in the Lord and the Lord is in us. We believe God hears and answers prayers and He works mightily through providence. At the same time we believe that the work of the Spirit, in answer to prayer, through providence, and all that is sacred and divine, is done today in harmony and in keeping with the Spirit’s word — or the word of God — as contained in the New Testament. Nothing, absolutely nothing, in our lives and in the things we teach, can contradict one word that is written in the Scriptures. God works today, and the Spirit lives within us, not miraculously, but it is within the framework of what is clearly said in His word. = - & &KRDWH SDVVHG LQWR WKDW HWHUQDO UHDOP RQ )HEUXDU\

1RZ +H ZKR HVWDEOLVKHV XV ZLWK \RX LQ &KULVW DQG KDV DQRLQW HG XV LV *RG ZKR DOVR KDV VHDOHG XV DQG JLYHQ XV WKH 6SLULW LQ RXU KHDUWV DV D JXDUDQWHH (2 Corinthians 1:21,22) 1RZ +H ZKR KDV SUHSDUHG XV IRU WKLV YHU\ WKLQJ LV *RG ZKR DOVR KDV JLYHQ XV WKH 6SLULW DV D JXDUDQWHH 2 Corinthians 5:5) ,Q +LP \RX DOVR WUXVWHG DIWHU \RX KHDUG WKH ZRUG RI WUXWK WKH JRVSHO RI \RXU VDOYDWLRQ LQ ZKRP DOVR KDYLQJ EHOLHYHG \RX ZHUH VHDOHG ZLWK WKH +RO\ 6SLULW RI SURPLVH ZKR LV WKH JXDU DQWHH RI RXU LQKHULWDQFH XQWLO WKH UHGHPSWLRQ RI WKH SXUFKDVHG SRVVHVVLRQ WR WKH SUDLVH RI +LV JORU\ (Ephesians 1:14)

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Th e Wor d Of God

Would You Destroy a Bible? 6WHYH +LJJLQERWKDP 0DQ\ \HDUV DJR D ZLFNHG NLQJ ZDV SUHVHQWHG ZLWK D FRS\ RI *RG¶V :RUG 7KH NLQJ FRPPLVVLRQHG D PDQ WR UHDG LW IRU KLP DQG DIWHU RQO\ UHDGLQJ D IHZ SDUDJUDSKV WKH NLQJ WRRN WKH VFUROO DQG FXW LW ZLWK D SHQNQLIH WKHQ GHVWUR\HG LW E\ WKURZLQJ LW LQ WKH ILUHSODFH -HUHPLDK %\ ZD\ RI GLYLQH FRPPHQWDU\ -HUHPLDK UHFRUGV WKDW DIWHU WKH NLQJ GHVWUR\HG *RG¶V :RUG “they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments…” -HUHPLDK %XW KHUH LV ZKDW KDV FDSWXUHG P\ DWWHQWLRQ ZLWK UHJDUG WR WKLV KLVWRULFDO HYHQW $V EDG DV LW ZDV IRU WKH NLQJ WR GHVWUR\ WKH :RUG RI *RG LW ZDV DOVR LQFUHGLEOH IURP *RG¶V SHUVSHFWLYH WKDW QR RQH IHDUHG +LP HQRXJK WR WHDU WKHLU JDUPHQWV LQ OLJKW RI ZKDW ZDV GRQH +HUH LV WKH WKRXJKW , ZDQW WR OHDYH ZLWK \RX :KLOH ZH PD\ QHYHU KDYH WKH QHUYH WR IODJUDQWO\ GHVWUR\ D %LEOH EHFDXVH ZH GRQ¶W OLNH ZKDW LW VD\V PLJKW ZH EH JXLOW\ RI EHLQJ FDOORXVHG ZKHQ ZH ZLWQHVV RWKHUV FRQWHPSWXRXVO\ ³GHVWUR\ WKH %LEOH"´ +DYH ZH IHDUHG" +DYH ZH WRUQ RXU JDUPHQWV" +DYH ZH FORWKHG RXUVHOYHV ZLWK VDFNFORWK" )ULHQGV WKHUH LV D WLPH IRU HYHU\ SXUSRVH XQGHU KHDYHQ 7KHUH LV D WLPH WR ODXJK (FFOHVLDVWHV EXW WKHUH LV DOVR D WLPH WR SXW DZD\ ODXJKWHU DQG ODPHQW PRXUQ DQG ZHHS -DPHV 'RQ¶W DOORZ \RXUVHOI WR EHFRPH GHVHQVLWL]HG E\ DQ HYHU LQFUHDVLQJ FXOWXUH RI GLVUHVSHFW IRU *RG DQG +LV :RUG 0XFK RI RXU PHGLD WHOHYLVLRQ PRYLHV PXVLF ,QWHUQHW HWF LV GHVWUR\LQJ *RG¶V :RUG MXVW DV IODJUDQWO\ DV GLG WKDW NLQJ ZLWK KLV SHQNQLIH :KDW ZLOO RXU UHDFWLRQ EH" :LOO ZH FRQWLQXH WR ZDWFK OLVWHQ FKXFNOH DQG HYHQ VKDUH RU ZLOO ZH ODPHQW PRXUQ DQG ZHHS" *LYH LW VRPH WKRXJKW = = 6WHYH +LJJLQERWKDP SUHDFKHV IRU WKH .DUQV &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ .QR[YLOOH 7HQQHVVHH 86$

Don’t allow yourself to become desensitized by an ever-increasing culture of disrespect for God and His Word.

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Th e Wor d Of God

Known, But Forgotten or Ignored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â€œâ€Śto him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sinâ€? -DPHV 3DXO DGYLVHG 7LPRWK\ WR FKDUJH KLV KHDUHUV WR â€œâ€Śstrive not about words to no profitâ€? 7LPRWK\ -XVW DIWHU 3HWHU KDG UHFRUGHG D OLVWLQJ RI QHHGHG VSLULWXDO TXDOLWLHV KH VWDWHG WKDW “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truthâ€? 3HWHU -XGH IROORZHG WKH

VDPH OLQH RI UHDVRQLQJ LQ WKH FRQWHQW RI KLV PHVVDJH DLPHG DW KLV DXGLHQFH E\ VD\LQJ “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.� -XGH

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Th e Wor d Of God ‘Go up and possess the land which I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God, and you did not believe Him nor obey His voice� 'HXWHURQRP\ $V *RG ZDV

GLUHFWLQJ 0RVHV WR HGXFDWH WKH FKLOGUHQ RI ,VUDHO SULRU WR WKHLU HQWUDQFH LQWR WKH 3URPLVHG /DQG WKHLU UHEHOOLRQ DQG IRUJHWIXOQHVV ZHUH IODJJHG $ YHU\ VHULRXV FKDUJH ZDV PDGH E\ 0RVHV “You have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew youâ€? 'HXWHURQRP\ ,Q WKLV YHU\ FKDSWHU DQG WKH FKDSWHUV LQ FRQWH[W WKH ZRUG ÂłUHPHPEHU´ DSSHDUV VHYHUDO WLPHV DSSDUHQWO\ EHFDXVH WKH\ ZHUH IRUJHWWLQJ RU LJQRULQJ 7KH ZULWHU RI WKH +HEUHZV OHWWHU FDWHJRUL]HG WKLV DV ZLOOIXO VLQ KH ZDUQV “For

if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sinsâ€? +HEUHZV 7KHUH ZHUH VRPH LQ 5RPH WKDW KDG NQRZOHGJH RI *RG EXW â€œâ€Śthey did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fittingâ€? 5RPDQV ,Q WKH VDPH OHWWHU VRPH ZHUH UHIHUUHG WR DV â€œâ€Śhaving a form of knowledge and truth‌â€? 5RPDQV 3DXO FDXWLRQHG 7LPRWK\ WKDW WKHUH ZRXOG EH VRPH ZKR KDG “a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!â€? 7LPRWK\ $ ÂłIRUP´ QRW WKH UHDO WKLQJ

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Th e Wor d Of God

The Engrafted Word (James 1:21) -LPP\ &ODUN “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls� -DPHV 7KH :RUG RI *RG LV FDOOHG PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW WKLQJV LQ WKH %RRN RI -DPHV )RU H[DPSOH LW LV FDOOHG “the word of truth� -DPHV “the perfect law of liberty� -DPHV “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ� -DPHV “the royal law according to the scripture� -DPHV “the law� -DPHV “the whole law� -DPHV “the law of liberty� -DPHV “the scripture� -DPHV “the truth� -DPHV DQG “the wisdom that is from above� -DPHV +HUH -DPHV XVHV WKH WHUP “engrafted� -DPHV WR GHQRWH WKH QHHG

IRU WKH :RUG WR EH IRXQG ZLWKLQ WKH LQQHU PDQ 7KD\HU VD\V RI WKH *UHHN ZRUG WUDQVODWHG KHUH “engraftedâ€? -DPHV ÂłLQ ERUQ LPSODQWHG E\ QDWXUH LPSODQWHG E\ RWKHUVÂś LQVWUXF WLRQ WKXV WKH GRF WULQH LPSODQWHG E\ \RXU WHDFKHUV´ 7KD\HU 7KH YHUE foini RI WKLV DGMHFWLYH LV WKH WHUP WKDW PHDQV WR LPSODQW 7KHUH DUH VHY HUDO WKRXJKWV DERXW WKLV HQJUDIWHG RU LPSODQWHG :RUG WKDW DUH ZRUWK VWXG\ LQJ &RQVLGHU WKUHH

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Th e Wor d Of God 5LG 2QHVHOI RI +LQGHULQJ ,QIOXHQFHV :KLOH WKH :RUG KDV WKH SRZHU WR SURGXFH ZKDW *RG KDV GHVLJQHG IRU LW WR SURGXFH ,VDLDK 5RPDQV LW PXVW EH LQ WKH ULJKW NLQG RI KHDUW IRU LWV IXOO EHQHILW 7KH 3DUDEOH RI WKH 6RLOV UHYHDOV WKLV LQ VR PDQ\ ZD\V /XNH 7KH WHUP WUDQVODWHG “filthiness” -DPHV UHIHUV WR DQ\WKLQJ WKDW LV RI ³ZLFNHGQHVV DV PRUDO GHILOHPHQW´ 7KD\HU ,W UHPLQGV RI WKH VWDWHPHQW 3DXO PDGH WR WKH &RULQWKLDQV ZKHUH KH VDLG “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” &RULQWKLDQV

:KLOH WKH *UHHN ZRUGV LQ HDFK SDVVDJH DUH GLIIHUHQW ZRUGV IRU ILOWKLQHVV WKH WKRXJKW LV WKH VDPH 7KH SXUH :RUG RI *RG FI -DPHV FDQQRW EH PL[HG ZLWK WKH GHILOHPHQWV RI WKH ZRUOG 7KH WHUP “superfluity of naughtiness” -DPHV UHIHUV WR WKH UHVLGXDO HYLO GLVSRVLWLRQ WKDW FRXOG VWLOO EH SUHV HQW LQ WKH KHDUWV RI SHRSOH ZKR KDYH QRW JRWWHQ WKH ³ZRUOG RXW RI WKHLU V\VWHP´ 7KLV ZRXOG EH LQ NHHSLQJ ZLWK WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI WKH WUXO\ SXUH DQG XQGHILOHG PDQ ZKR NHHSV KLPVHOI “unspotted from the world” -DPHV 2QH PXVW OD\ DVLGH WKH QHJDWLYH LQIOXHQFHV IRU WKH LPSODQWHG :RUG WR EH SURGXFWLYH 5HFHLYH WKH :RUG ZLWK 0HHNQHVV 7KH WHUP IRU “receive” -DPHV LV WKH ZRUG GHQRWLQJ WR ZHOFRPH 0HHNQHVV LV WKDW JHQWOH ZLOOLQJ TXDOLW\ WKDW JLYHV WKH :RUG D KRPH LQ WKH KHDUW LQ ZKLFK WR UHVLGH +RZ VSHFLDO LV WKH :RUG RI WUXWK -DPHV WR WKLV UHFLSLHQW 6XFK SHRSOH DV &RUQHOLXV WKH (WKLRSLDQ HXQXFK 6DXO RI 7DUVXV /\GLD WKH 3KLOLSSLDQ MDLORU HWF FRPH WR PLQG KHUH 5HFRJQL]H WKH 3RZHU RI WKH :RUG WR 6DYH -DPHV GLVWLQFWLYHO\ SRLQWV RXW WKDW WKH :RUG LV DEOH WR VDYH WKH VRXO *RG¶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Th e Wor d Of God

S t o p Di s m i s s i n g S cr i ptur e Wi th, “ T h a t ’ s J us t Your I n t e r pr etati on ! ” :HV 0F$GDPV

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Th e Wor d Of God 2FFDVLRQDOO\ , ZLOO KDYH D FRQYHUVDWLRQ RU RYHUKHDU D FRQYHUVDWLRQ ZKHUH D SHUVRQ LV WROG ZKDW WKH %LEOH VD\V RQ D FHUWDLQ VXEMHFW EXW KH RU VKH TXLFNO\ UHVSRQGV ³:HOO WKDW¶V MXVW \RXU LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ ´ ± DV LI WKDW VWDWHPHQW VHWWOHG WKH PDWWHU RQFH DQG IRU DOO ,W¶V DV LI HYHU\RQH KDV D ULJKW WR KLV RU KHU RZQ LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ RI 6FULSWXUH DQG WKDW RQH LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ LV MXVW DV YDOLG DV DQRWKHU +HUH DUH D IHZ WKRXJKWV RQ WKDW OLQH RI UHDVRQLQJ

Understanding Some Important Words 7KHUH DUH VRPH ZRUGV ZH XVH DOO WKH WLPH DQG ZH MXVW DVVXPH SHRSOH XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW WKH\ PHDQ EXW SHUKDSV LW ZRXOG EH JRRG WR WDNH D PRPHQW WR GHILQH VRPH LPSRUWDQW WHUPV “Translation” ± 7KH ERRNV RI WKH %LEOH ZHUH ZULWWHQ LQ WKUHH GLI IHUHQW ODQJXDJHV +HEUHZ $UDPDLF DQG *UHHN 7KHUHIRUH LQ RUGHU IRU (QJOLVK VSHDNHUV WR UHDG WKHP WRGD\ WKH\ PXVW EH WUDQVODWHG LQWR (QJOLVK 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ UHOLDEOH (QJOLVK WUDQVODWLRQV RI WKH %LEOH DQG WKH\ KDYH EHHQ WUDQVODWHG IURP WKH RULJLQDO ODQJXDJHV E\ JURXSV RI H[SHUWV DQG VFKRODUV ZKR KDYH GH YRWHG WKHLU OLYHV WR XQGHUVWDQGLQJ WKHVH ODQJXDJHV 7KH WUDQVODWRU¶V SULPDU\ FRQFHUQ LV :KDW GRHV WKH WH[W say" “Interpretation” ± 7KH ERRNV RI WKH %LEOH ZHUH QRW RQO\ ZULWWHQ LQ GLI IHUHQW ODQJXDJHV WKH\ ZHUH ZULWWHQ WKRXVDQGV RI \HDUV DJR LQ FRPSOHWHO\ GLI IHUHQW FXOWXUHV IURP RXU RZQ 6R HYHQ ZKHQ D ERRN KDV EHHQ WUDQVODWHG LQWR D FXUUHQW ODQJXDJH LW FDQ VWLOO EH GLIILFXOW IRU SHRSOH WRGD\ WR XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW WKH DXWKRU ZDV WDONLQJ DERXW :H $// PXVW LQWHUSUHW 6FULSWXUH EXW WKLV VLP SO\ PHDQV WKDW ZH PXVW DVN WKH TXHVWLRQ ³:KDW GRHV WKH WH[W mean"´ “Application” ± :KHQ WKH ELEOLFDO WH[W KDV EHHQ WUDQVODWHG LQWR RXU RZQ ODQJXDJH DQG ZH KDYH GRQH WKH KDUG ZRUN WR XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW WKH WH[W PHDQV WKHQ ZH PXVW DSSO\ LW WR RXU RZQ OLYHV :H PXVW DVN WKH TXHVWLRQ ³:KDW GLIIHUHQFH VKRXOG WKH WH[W PDNH LQ P\ OLIH"´

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Th e Wor d Of God

Only One Right Interpretation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³6LU GLG \RX VHH WKDW VWRS VLJQ"´ 7KH GULYHU UHVSRQGV ³<HV VLU , GLG ´ &RQIXVHG WKH RIILFHU VD\V ³'RQ¶W \RX XQGHUVWDQG WKDW PHDQV \RX KDYH WR VWRS"´ 7KH GULYHU WKHQ VPLOHV DQG VD\V ³:HOO WKDW¶V your LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ ´ 7KH PHDQLQJ RI D SDUWLFXODU SDVVDJH PLJKW EH difficult WR XQGHUVWDQG EXW UHVW DVVXUHG LW RQO\ KDV RQH FRUUHFW LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ 7KH %LEOH LV QRW VRPH P\VWLFDO ERRN WKDW FKDQJHV PHDQLQJV GHSHQGLQJ RQ ZKR LV UHDGLQJ LW ,W GRHVQ¶W PHDQ GLIIHUHQW WKLQJV WR GLIIHUHQW SHRSOH :KHQ WKH SURSKHW RU DSRVWOH SHQQHG WKRVH SDUWLFXODU ZRUGV WR WKH RULJLQDO DXGLHQFH KH PHDQW VRPHWKLQJ 2XU MRE LV WR ILJXUH RXW ³:KDW GLG KH PHDQ E\ WKDW"´

Interpretation Requires Hard Work 8QGHUVWDQGLQJ ZKDW D SDVVDJH RI 6FULSWXUH PHDQV FDQ EH GLIILFXOW $V , VDLG HDUOLHU WKH ERRNV RI WKH %LEOH ZHUH ZULWWHQ E\ PHQ OLYLQJ LQ HQWLUHO\ GLIIHUHQW FXOWXUHV 2Q WRS RI WKDW GLIIHUHQW ERRNV RI WKH %LEOH PXVW EH LQ WHUSUHWHG GLIIHUHQWO\ )RU LQVWDQFH WKH %RRN RI 3VDOPV LV D ERRN RI SRHWU\ DQG \RX FDQ¶W LQWHUSUHW SRHWU\ WKH VDPH ZD\ \RX LQWHUSUHW KLVWRULFDO QDUUD WLYHV OLNH WKH %RRN RI -RVKXD ,I ZH ZDQW WR NQRZ WKH 7UXWK ZH PXVW GR WKH KDUG ZRUN RI LQWHUSUH WDWLRQ :H PXVW DVN TXHVWLRQV OLNH ³:KR ZURWH WKLV ERRN"´ ³7R ZKRP GLG KH ZULWH LW"´ ³:KHQ GLG KH ZULWH LW"´ ³:KDW OLWHUDWXUH VW\OH ZDV KH XVLQJ"´ ³:KDW ZDV WKH SULPDU\ SXUSRVH RI WKLV ERRN"´ 7KH PRUH ZH XQGHUVWDQG WKH DQVZHUV WR WKHVH TXHVWLRQV WKH EHWWHU FRQFOXVLRQV ZH ZLOO UHDFK DERXW WKH FRUUHFW PHDQLQJ RI 6FULSWXUH 7KLV

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Th e Wor d Of God LV 127 DQ LPSRVVLEOH WDVN *RG ZDQWV +LV SHRSOH WR XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW 6FULSWXUH PHDQV 7KH %LEOH ZDV ZULWWHQ WR EH WLPHOHVV ,W ZDV ZULWWHQ WR EH UHDG IRU FHQWXULHV ,W ZDV ZULWWHQ WR EH XQGHUVWRRG

Several Possible Meanings , ZLOO UHDGLO\ DGPLW WKHUH DUH VRPH GLIILFXOW SDVVDJHV RI 6FULSWXUH WR LQ WHUSUHW QRW QHDUO\ DV PDQ\ DV VRPH SHRSOH ZRXOG KDYH \RX EHOLHYH 7KHVH SDVVDJHV KDYH YDULRXV possible PHDQLQJV ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV VFKRODUV DQG WKHR ORJLDQV GLVDJUHH RQ ZKDW WKH SDVVDJH PHDQV DQG WKH\ KDYH FRPH XS ZLWK VHYHUDO GLIIHUHQW possible LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV %XW DW WKH HQG RI WKH GD\ WKHUH LV RQO\ RQH right LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ DQG DOO WKH RWKHU LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV DUH ZURQJ

Let’s Stop Being Lazy and/or Disobedient :KHQ D EURWKHU LQ &KULVW DGPRQLVKHV PH VD\LQJ ³6FULSWXUH VD\V \RX¶UH ZURQJ IRU ZKDW \RX¶UH GRLQJ ´ DQG , UHVSRQG ZLWK ³:HOO WKDW¶V MXVW \RXU LQ WHUSUHWDWLRQ ´ DW WKH YHU\ OHDVW , DP EHLQJ OD]\ DQG DW WKH ZRUVW ,¶P EHLQJ GLV REHGLHQW WR *RG ,W FRXOG EH WKDW WKH SHUVRQ LV ZURQJ LQ KLV LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ ,Q WKDW FDVH ZH QHHG WR VLW GRZQ WRJHWKHU DQG ILJXUH RXW WKH FRUUHFW LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ RI WKH WH[W DQG KRZ LW DSSOLHV WR WKH OLYHV RI &KULVWLDQV WRGD\ ,I KH LV ZURQJ LQ KLV LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ DQG , NQRZ KH LV ZURQJ LW LVQ¶W ORYLQJ RU NLQG IRU PH WR OHDYH KLP ZLWK WKH LPSUHVVLRQ WKDW LW¶V DOULJKW IRU KLP WR FRQWLQXH EHOLHYLQJ D ZURQJ LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ DV LI ZH DUH DOO HQWLWOHG WR GLIIHUHQW LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV ,W FRXOG DOVR EH WKDW KLV LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ LV FRUUHFW ,I VR , QHHG WR \LHOG P\ OLIH WR *RG¶V ZLOO ,W¶V HDV\ WR MXVW GLVPLVV VRPHWKLQJ ZLWK ³7KDW¶V QRW KRZ , LQWHUSUHW WKDW SDVVDJH ´ EXW LW¶V HDV\ EHFDXVH GLVPLVVDO LV RIWHQ VLPSO\ GLVREHGLHQFH 'LVREHGLHQFH LV HDV\

The Bottom Line -XVW EHFDXVH \RX GRQ¶W OLNH ZKDW D SDVVDJH RI 6FULSWXUH VD\V GRHVQ¶W PHDQ \RX FDQ MXVW LQWHUSUHW LW D GLIIHUHQW ZD\ ,I \RX ZRXOG EH D GLVFLSOH RI &KULVW \RX PXVW DFFHSW HYHQ WKH GLIILFXOW DQG FKDOOHQJLQJ WUXWKV DV UH YHDOHG LQ 6FULSWXUH = = :HV 0F$GDPV SUHDFKHV IRU WKH %DNHU +HLJKWV &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ $ELOHQH 7H[DV 86$

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Ve rs e S e a rc h

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Sal vation

What Must I Do to Be Saved? Well, It Depends… .HYLQ / 0RRUH

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you, have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.� +HUH DQG LQ D JUHDW PDQ\ RWKHU SODFHV -HVXV VSRNH RI

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Sal vation

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Bible Find /RXLV 5XVKPRUH

Some Bible Colors

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Across

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3URYHUEV /XNH 0DWWKHZ *HQHVLV /HYLWLFXV 1XPEHUV *HQHVLV

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Answers inside back cover

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Th e C h u r c h

“ Cal l ed Ou t â€? a nd Cal l ed Tog e t h e r 5R\FH )UHGHULFN â€œâ€ŚI will build My church‌â€? 0DWWKHZ “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for herâ€? (SKHVLDQV

7KH ZRUG ³FKXUFK´ PHDQV ³WKH FDOOHG RXW´ ,W LV WUDQVODWHG IURP WKH *UHHN ZRUG ekklesia, ZKHQ ZH XVH (QJOLVK OHWWHUV ,W LV IURP WKH ek ³RXW RI´ DQG kaleo ³WR FDOO´ :H DUH ³FDOOHG RXW´ E\ &KULVW %XW ZH DUH QRW FDOOHG WR JR RXU VHSDUDWH ZD\V 7KH ZRUG ekklesia DOVR LQFOXGHV WKH LGHD RI ³DVVHPEOHG´ ,Q WKH ILUVW FHQWXU\ $ ' DQ HNNOHVLD ZDV D JURXS RI FLWL]HQV ZKR ZHUH FDOOHG RXW RI WKH YDULRXV SDUWV RI WKH FLW\ DQG DVVHPEOHG LQ RQH SODFH WR GLVFXVV PDWWHUV RI LPSRUWDQFH IRU WKH FLW\ /LNHZLVH &KULVW FDOOHG XV RXW WR DVVHPEOH XV 7KURXJKRXW WKH HQWLUH ZRUOG DOO ZKR KDYH REH\HG WKH *RVSHO DUH DVVHPEOHG VSLULWXDOO\ LQWR +LV

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Th e C h u r c h RQH ERG\ WKH FKXUFK “There is one body‌â€? (SKHVLDQV “And He is the head of the body, the church‌â€? &RORVVLDQV &KULVW DOVR WHDFKHV XV WR DVVHPEOH ORFDOO\ DV +LV FKXUFK ZKHUHYHU ZH PD\ OLYH RQ HDUWK VHH 5RPDQV &RULQWKLDQV &RORVVLDQV $OO RI WKH ORFDO FKXUFKHV DUH “the churches of Christ‌â€? 5RPDQV +H EXLOW LW +H GLHG IRU LW DQG +H LV WKH +HDG RI LW &KULVW VKRZV XV PDQ\ SXUSRVHV DQG EHQHILWV IRU DVVHPEOLQJ ORFDOO\ ZLWK RWKHU &KULVWLDQV :H DVVHPEOH WR *52: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine‌â€? $FWV $VVHPEOLQJ LQ RQH SODFH IRU LQVWUXFWLRQ IURP *RGÂśV :RUG HQDEOHV XV WR JURZ VSLULWXDOO\ WRJHWKHU “So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people‌â€? $FWV VHH &RULQWKLDQV 3HWHU :H DVVHPEOH WR 6+$5( “And they continued steadfastly in‌ fellowship‌â€? $FWV :H DUH SDUWQHUV EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV LQ *RGÂśV IDPLO\ :H VKDUH HDFK RWKHUÂśV QHHGV VRUURZV DQG MR\V “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had needâ€? $FWV VHH “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all members rejoice with itâ€? &RULQWKLDQV :H KHOS *RGÂśV ZRUN E\ JLYLQJ RQ

WKH ILUVW GD\ RI HDFK ZHHN &RULQWKLDQV &RULQWKLDQV %\ *RGÂśV JUDFH ZH ZRUN WRJHWKHU DQG DFFRPSOLVK PXFK JRRG XQWR +LV JORU\ 5RPDQV &RULQWKLDQV 7KHVVDORQLDQV (SKHVLDQV 3HWHU = = 5R\FH )UHGHULFN LV WKH (GLWRU RI International Gospel Teacher DQG OLYHV LQ )RUW :RUWK 7H[DV 86$

In the first century A.D., an ekklesia was a group of citizens who were called out of the various parts of the city and assembled in one place to discuss matters of importance for the city. Likewise, Christ called us out to assemble us.

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Th e C h u r c h

W hy A re We M em b ers o f th t h e Ch C h urch u rc h o f Ch C h r is t ? 2ZHQ ' 2OEULFKW 0RVW SHRSOH DUH LQTXLVLWLYH 6RPH ZKR ZDQW WR NQRZ ZK\ RWKHUV DUH PHPEHUV RI D FHUWDLQ UHOLJLRQ PD\ DVN ZK\ ZH DUH PHPEHUV RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW 7KLV LV D JRRG TXHVWLRQ DQG GHVHUYHV D %LEOH DQVZHU ZKLFK ZH DV PHPEHUV VKRXOG EH SUHSDUHG WR JLYH 3HWHU 7KH TXHU\ DV WR ZK\ ZH DUH PHPEHUV RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW FRXOG LPSO\ WZR GLIIHUHQW TXHVWLRQV ³:K\ GLG ZH FKRRVH WR EH D PHPEHU RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW"´ RU ³:K\ GLG FHUWDLQ DFWLRQV PDNH XV D PHPEHU RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQVWHDG RI VRPH RWKHU FKXUFK"´

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Th e C h u r c h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² FKXUFK ² ZH FDQ HQWHU ZKHQ ZH UHFHLYH -HVXV¶ RQH EDSWLVP ,Q WKLV ZD\ ZH DUH WUDQVIHUUHG IURP GDUNQHVV LQWR -HVXV¶ NLQJGRP &RORVVLDQV +LV FKXUFK 0DWWKHZ ZKHQ ZH DUH ERUQ RI ZDWHU DQG VSLULW -RKQ :H DUH PHPEHUV RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW EHFDXVH -HVXV¶ RQH EDSWLVP SXW XV LQWR RQH ERG\ +LV FKXUFK ,I WKH EDSWLVP WDXJKW E\ -HVXV ZRXOG KDYH SXW XV LQWR DQRWKHU FKXUFK ZH ZRXOG EH PHPEHUV RI LW

Why Did We Choose to Be Members? :H DUH PHPEHUV RI WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW EHFDXVH RI -HVXV¶ UHODWLRQVKLS WR +LV FKXUFK VLQFH +H x ,V WKH %XLOGHU RI +LV FKXUFK 0DWWKHZ x 6KHG +LV EORRG IRU +LV FKXUFK $FWV x +DV JORU\ LQ +LV FKXUFK (SKHVLDQV x ,V +HDG RYHU LW WKH RQH FKXUFK WKDW VXEPLWV WR +LP (SKHVLDQV x ,V LWV 6DYLRU (SKHVLDQV x /RYHV +LV FKXUFK (SKHVLDQV x *DYH +LPVHOI IRU +LV FKXUFK (SKHVLDQV x 6DQFWLILHG DQG FOHDQVHG +LV FKXUFK ZLWK WKH ZDVKLQJ RI ZDWHU E\ WKH :RUG (SKHVLDQV x :LOO SUHVHQW +LV FKXUFK WR +LPVHOI ZLWKRXW VSRW RU ZULQNOH DQG KRO\ DQG ZLWKRXW EOHPLVK (SKHVLDQV x +DV WKH QDPHV RI WKRVH LQ +LV FKXUFK HQUROOHG LQ KHDYHQ +HEUHZV

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Th e C h u r c h :H DUH LQ WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW EHFDXVH RI WKH EHQHILWV ZH UHFHLYH DQG RI WKH UHODWLRQVKLS ZH KDYH ZLWK -HVXV DV PHPEHUV RI +LV FKXUFK

Most Important Reason 7KH ODVW UHDVRQ JLYHQ DERYH PLJKW EH RXU PRVW LPSRUWDQW UHDVRQ RI DOO 7KH FKXUFK LV PDGH RI WKH “firstborn ones” $V LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW WKH ILUVWERUQ ZHUH WKH PRVW IDYRUHG LQ WKHLU IDPLO\ WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW DOVR LV PDGH XS RI -HVXV¶ PRVW IDYRUHG ILUVW ERUQ SHRSOH ZKR DUH HQUROOHG LQ KHDYHQ WKXV LQ KHDYHQ¶V %RRN RI /LIH +HEUHZV

$V PHPEHUV RI -HVXV¶ FKXUFK ZH ZLOO JHW WR HQWHU WKH QHZ KHDYHQO\ -HUXVDOHP 5HYHODWLRQ EHFDXVH RXU QDPHV DUH ZULWWHQ LQ WKH /DPE¶V ERRN 5HYHODWLRQ ,I RXU QDPHV DUH QRW WKHUH ZH ZLOO EH SXQLVKHG

“And anyone not found written in the Book of life was cast into the lake of fire” 5HYHODWLRQ

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Doctrine To Live By

What is Truth? 5DQGDOO &DVHOPDQ 3LODWH DVNHG “What is truth?”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± LQFOXGLQJ UHOLJLRQ ,Q EDQNLQJ VFLHQFH PHGLFLQH DFDGHPLFV DQG HYHU\GD\ OLIH ZH ZDQW WUXWK DEVROXWH DFFXUDF\ :KR LV VDWLVILHG ZLWK DFFXUDF\ WRGD\" 1RW PH 1RW \RX )RU LQVWDQFH SHUFHQW JRRG HQRXJK PHDQV« x 2YHU WZR PLOOLRQ GRFXPHQWV ORVW E\ WKH ,56 WKLV \HDU x FKHFNV GHGXFWHG IURP ZURQJ EDQN DFFRXQWV LQ WKH QH[W PLQXWHV x EDELHV JLYHQ WR WKH ZURQJ SDUHQWV HDFK GD\ x GHIHFWLYH WLUHV VKLSSHG WKLV \HDU x LQFRPH WD[ UHWXUQV SURFHVVHG LQFRUUHFWO\ WKLV \HDU x 7ZR XQVDIH SODQH ODQGLQJV DW 2¶+DUH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO $LUSRUW LQ &KLFDJR GDLO\ x SLHFHV RI PLVKDQGOHG PDLO LQ WKH QH[W KRXU x SDFHPDNHU RSHUDWLRQV SHUIRUPHG LQFRUUHFWO\ WKLV \HDU x 2YHU LQFRUUHFW GUXJ SUHVFULSWLRQV ZULWWHQ LQ WKH QH[W PRQWKV x LQFRUUHFW PHGLFDO SURFHGXUHV SHUIRUPHG E\ WKH HQG RI WKH GD\ WRGD\ x PLVVSHOOHG HQWULHV LQ Webster’s Unabridged New International Dictionary ,Q PDWWHUV RI UHOLJLRQ ZH KDYH EHFRPH D JHQHUDWLRQ WKDW LV VDWLVILHG ZLWK EHLQJ VSRRQ IHG E\ IDOVH WHDFKHUV UDWKHU WKDQ WR VHDUFK RXW WUXWK IRU

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Doctrine To Live By RXUVHOYHV IURP WKH :RUG 7KLV LV ZRUN “Sanctify them by the truth. Thy word is truthâ€? -RKQ “Work out your own salvation with fear and tremblingâ€? 3KLOLSSLDQV *RGÂśV WUXWK QHYHU IDLOV *RGÂśV :RUG FDQQRW EH EURNHQ “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall never pass awayâ€? 0DWWKHZ :KDW ZLOO ZH GR ZLWK WUXWK" .QRZ LW “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you freeâ€? -RKQ %X\ LW “Buy the truth and sell it notâ€? 3URYHUEV 6WXG\ LW ÂłStudy to show thyself approved of God, handling right the word of truthâ€? 7LPRWK\ :RUVKLS LQ LW “God is Spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthâ€? -RKQ :KDW GRHV WUXWK GR IRU XV" *XLGHV XV “When the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truthâ€? -RKQ 6DQFWLILHV XV “Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy Word is truthâ€? -RKQ 3XULILHV XV “You have purified your souls in obeying the truthâ€? 3HWHU 6HWV XV IUHH “You shall know the truth and truth shall make you freeâ€? -RKQ -XGJHV XV “The judgment of God is according to truth. The words I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last dayâ€? 5RPDQV -RKQ

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is found within truth. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truthâ€? &RORVVLDQV 3LODWH DVNHG “What is truth,â€? EXW ZDONHG DZD\ +H GLGQÂśW ZDLW IRU WKH

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Doctrine To Live By

By Faith or Feelings? 'DYLG 5 3KDUU 3DXO VDLG “For we walk by faith, not by sight” &RULQWKLDQV 7R ZDON E\ IDLWK PHDQV WR OLYH DFFRUGLQJ WR *RG¶V :RUG )DLWK FRPHV E\ KHDULQJ WKH :RUG RI *RG 5RPDQV 7KHUH LV QR RWKHU ZD\ WR ZDON E\ IDLWK H[FHSW WR OLYH LQ KDUPRQ\ ZLWK WKH 6FULSWXUHV 7R ZDON E\ ³VLJKW´ PHDQV WR EH JXLGHG E\ WKH SK\VLFDO VHQVHV ,W LV WR OLYH DFFRUGLQJ WR ZKDW FDQ EH VHHQ RU VHQVHG E\ WKH IOHVK DQG LQ WKH UHDVRQLQJ RI WKH KXPDQ PLQG 2QH ZKR ZDONV E\ VLJKW UHMHFWV WKH WUXWK RI WKH %LEOH DQG LQVWHDG IROORZV WKH LQFOLQDWLRQV RI KLV RZQ PLQG 7KLV LV ZDONLQJ E\ IHHOLQJV LQVWHDG RI ³E\ IDLWK ´ ,W LV QRW XQFRPPRQ IRU SHRSOH WR PDNH UHOLJLRXV GHFLVLRQV RQ WKH EDVLV RI WKHLU IHHOLQJV 2QH PD\ VD\ ³7KLV LV ZKDW , IHHO , VKRXOG GR ´ 2U LW PLJKW EH FODLPHG ³, NQRZ , DP ULJKW EHFDXVH , IHHO LW LQ P\ KHDUW ´ 6RPH KDYH HYHQ GLUHFWO\ DQG NQRZLQJO\ UHIXVHG WKH SODLQ VWDWHPHQWV RI 6FULSWXUH EHFDXVH RI ZKDW WKH\ KDYH ³IHOW´ 6XFK WUXVWLQJ XSRQ IHHOLQJV LV WKH VDPH DV ZDONLQJ E\ VLJKW :H PXVW ZDON E\ IDLWK QRW E\ IHHOLQJV 6RPH KDYH EHHQ OHG WR WKLQN WKDW WKH 6SLULW¶V JXLGDQFH LV WKURXJK IHHO LQJV RU LPSXOVHV 3HRSOH ZLOO VRPHWLPHV PDNH GHFLVLRQV RQ WKH EDVLV RI WKHLU RZQ LQWXLWLRQV DQG VXSSRVH WKH\ KDYH EHHQ LQVSLUHG E\ WKH 6SLULW :KHQ SHRSOH VWDUW WUXVWLQJ VXFK LPSXOVHV WKH\ DUH QRW ZDONLQJ E\ IDLWK EXW E\ WKHLU RZQ LQFOLQDWLRQV 2QH LV ZDONLQJ E\ IDLWK ZKHQ KH LV IROORZLQJ WKH %LEOH 7KH +RO\ 6SLULW ZLOO QHYHU LQVSLUH RU VWLPXODWH RXU KHDUWV DSDUW IURP WKH 6FULSWXUHV :DONLQJ E\ IDLWK PHDQV WR WUXVW WKH /RUG DQG GR ZKDW +H UHTXLUHV “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” 3URYHUEV %XW VRPHRQH PD\ VD\ ³, UHDOO\ EHOLHYH WKH 6SLULW JXLGHV PH IURP ZLWKLQ , EHOLHYH WKLV VR LW PXVW EH µE\ IDLWK ¶´ 6XFK LV QRW D UHOLDEOH FRQFOXVLRQ -XVW EHOLHYLQJ VRPHWKLQJ GRHV QRW PDNH LW ³E\ IDLWK´ 2QH PD\ VWURQJO\ EHOLHYH D OLH +H PD\ KDYH IDLWK LQ D OLH EXW LW LV VWLOO D OLH 7KH RQO\ VDYLQJ IDLWK LV WKDW ZKLFK EHOLHYHV WKH WUXWK -RKQ 5RPDQV 7KH RQO\ VRXUFH RI VSLULWXDO WUXWK LV WKH %LEOH -RKQ ,I ZH ZDON E\ IDLWK ZH ZRQ¶W EH JXLGHG E\ VLJKW IHHOLQJV RU LPSXOVHV EXW E\ ”Thus says the Lord” = = 'DYLG 5 3KDUU LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU OLYLQJ LQ 5RFN +LOO 6RXWK &DUROLQD 86$

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Doctrine To Live By

When He Appears &ODUHQFH 'H/RDFK -U 7KH 6HFRQG &RPLQJ RI &KULVW WR WKH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQV ZDV QRW VRPH WKHRORJLFDO VSHFXODWLRQ WR DUJXH DQG WR GHEDWH ,W ZDV WKHLU HDUQHVW H[SHFWDWLRQ &RQVLGHU WKHVH SDVVDJHV “From which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ� 3KLOLSSLDQV “Even

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see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself� -RKQ %HOLHI LQ WKH 6HFRQG &RPLQJ RI &KULVW QRW

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Christianity In Ac tion

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Christianity In Ac tion

Swapping Sheep or Making Disciples? 3DWULFN 0RUULVRQ 5HJUHWIXOO\ LW VHHPV WKDW PDQ\ ZLWKLQ WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFK KDYH IRUJRWWHQ RXU SULPDU\ UHVSRQVLELOLW\ DQG SULYLOHJH “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” 0DWWKHZ $69 2I DOO WKH PDQ\ JRRG WKLQJV WKDW RXU /RUG FDPH WR GR ZKLOH XSRQ HDUWK +LV FHQWUDO IRFXV ZDV “to seek and to save that which was lost” /XNH :H KDYH JRWWHQ VR IDU DZD\ IURP WU\LQJ WR UHDFK DQG WHDFK WKH ORVW DQG KDYH LQVWHDG IRFXVHG RQ UHFUXLWLQJ PHPEHUV IURP RWKHU FRQJUHJDWLRQV RI WKH /RUG¶V SHRSOH 3DXO +DUYH\ RQFH VDLG ³:H KDYH JRQH IURP EHLQJ ILVKHUV RI PHQ WR ³:H KDYH JRQH IURP EHLQJ ILVKHUV RI PHQ WR NHHSHUV RI WKH DTXDULXP ´ ,QVWHDG RI WU\LQJ WR JURZ WKH FKXUFK WKURXJK NHHSHUV RI WKH DTXDULXP ´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¶W HYHQ DWWHQG D VHUYLFH ZKHQ WKH\ FDQ WUDYHO E\ DLU FRQGLWLRQHG FDU IRU DERXW D ILYH PLQXWH GULYH WR VLW RQ D SDGGHG SHZ LQ DQ DLU FRQGLWLRQHG EXLOGLQJ IRU D VHUYLFH WKDW PLJKW ODVW DQ KRXU 7R WRS LW RII VRPH ZDQW WKHLU FRIIHH EDUV DV RQH FRQJUHJDWLRQ DQQRXQFHG ³-DYD ZLWK -HVXV´ WKHLU J\PQDVLXPV DQG WKHLU SOD\JURXQGV WR HQWHUWDLQ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ ,V LW DQ\ ZRQGHU WKDW ZKHQ ZH DUH QRW EXV\ PDNLQJ GLVFLSOHV

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Take This Once a Week for the Rest of Your Life 'DQQ\ %RJJV

2Q WKH ILUVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN ILUVW FHQWXU\ GLVFLSOHV RI -HVXV JDWKHUHG WR EUHDN EUHDG $FWV 8QGHU WKH GLUHFWLRQ RI WKH DSRVWOHV HYHU\ 6XQGD\ ZDV D GD\ WR FRQVXPH WKH /RUGÂśV 6XSSHU &DOO WKDW WKH FROG KDUG IDFW LI \RX ZLOO %XW WKHQ OHW \RXU KHDUW ZDUP WR WKH RFFDVLRQÂśV SXUSRVHV “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comesâ€? &RULQWKLDQV

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Wo r sh ip :H HDW DQG GULQN WR UHPHPEHU -HVXV :H UHPHPEHU ZKDW +H GLG ZLWK +LV ERG\ :H UHPHP EHU ZKDW +H GLG ZLWK +LV EORRG :H SURFODLP +LV GHDWK WR HYHU\RQH DVVHPEOHG :H SURFODLP LW NQRZLQJ WKDW +H LV QRW GHDG DQ\PRUH DQG +H LV FRPLQJ DJDLQ “Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.� &RULQWKLDQV

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Playing With Fire 5LFN &XQQLQJKDP

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Wo r sh ip $DURQ 0RVHVÂś EURWKHU ZDV WKH ILUVW SULHVW RI WKH 0RVDLF FRYHQDQW $DURQ PDUULHG (OLVKHED DQG WRJHWKHU WKH\ KDG IRXU VRQV 1DGDE $ELKX (OHD]HU DQG ,WKDPDU 7KHLU VRQV DOVR EHFDPH SULHVWV :KHQ 0RVHV ZHQW XS RQ 0RXQW 6LQDL KH DORQH PHW ZLWK *RG DQG UHFHLYHG WKH FRYHQDQW DJUHHPHQW %XW $DURQ 1DGDE $ELKX DQG VL[ PHQ IURP HDFK WULEH RI ,VUDHO ZHQW SDUW ZD\ XS WKH PRXQWDLQ WR ÂłVHH´ *RG RU PRUH VSHFLILFDOO\ WR VHH WKH SODFH RI *RGÂśV SUHVHQFH 0RVHV ZURWH LQ ([RGXV “Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God and they ate and drank.â€? 6R D IHZ PHQ LQFOXGLQJ 1DGDE

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Unauthorized fire, or any unauthorized act of worship, is an affront to God. Those who implement unauthorized acts of worship are playing with fire.

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“Worship in Truth” &HFLO 0D\ -U

“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” -RKQ “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” -RKQ

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Daily Ch ristian Living

HELL Is Not Funny &KDUOHV %R[

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Daily Ch ristian Living me from all them that persecute me, and deliver meâ€? 3VDOP ,I WKH H[SUHVVLRQ Âł2K P\ *RG´ LV XVHG LQ UHYHUHQFH LW LV D ZRQGHUIXO VWDWHPHQW 6DGO\ SHRSOH VD\ RU ZULWH 20* ZLWKRXW D WKRXJKW RI UHYHUHQFH DQG UHVSHFW IRU WKH *RG RI KHDYHQ /HW XV UHVROYH WR GR EHWWHU :H PXVW DOVR GR EHWWHU LQ XVLQJ ZRUGV OLNH ÂłGDPQ´ DQG ÂłDVV´ ,I ZH XVH WKH ZRUG ÂłGDP´ WKHUH KDG EHWWHU EH VRPH ZDWHU EHKLQG LW ,I QRW ZH PXVW EH XVLQJ WKH ZRUG LQ WKH VHQVH RI FRQGHPQHG “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damnedâ€? 0DUN ,I \RX XVH WKH ZRUG ÂłDVV´ \RX KDG EHWWHU EH UHDGLQJ D YHUVH IURP WKH .LQJ -DPHV %LEOH DQG WKHUH KDG EHWWHU EH D GRQNH\ LQ WKDW YHUVH -HVXV VDLG “Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto meâ€? 0DWWKHZ %HIRUH \RX ZULWH /0$2 \RX VKRXOG WKLQN DERXW KRZ GLVUHVSHFWIXO WKDW LV WR *RG +HDUW WURXEOH LV D YHU\ VHULRXV SUREOHP LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 7KH UHDVRQ SHRSOH XVH ILOWK\ ODQJXDJH KDV WR GR ZLWK WKH VSLULWXDO KHDUW 6R LQ D VSLULWXDO ZD\ FXUVLQJ DQG ILOWK\ ODQJXDJH FRPH IURP \RXU KHDUW “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speakethâ€? /XNH *RGÂśV SHRSOH PXVW VWRS OLVWHQLQJ WR PXVLF ZDWFKLQJ 79 VKRZV RU DWWHQGLQJ PRYLHV WKDW ILOO WKHLU KHDUWV ZLWK FXUVLQJ DQG ILOWK\ ODQJXDJH 7KRVH ZKR DUH LQ &KULVW DUH QHZ FUHDWXUHV “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become newâ€? &RULQWKLDQV &KULVWLDQV KDYH EHHQ WUDQVIRUPHG “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,

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Daily Ch ristian Living will of God� 5RPDQV ,V \RXU WRQJXH QHZ DQG WUDQVIRUPHG" &UXGH DQG YXOJDU ODQJXDJH KDYH QR SODFH LQ WKH OLIH RI D &KULVWLDQ 'R WKH ZRUGV WKDW FRPH RXW RI \RXU PRXWK JORULI\ -HVXV" “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned� 0DWWKHZ

7R EHFRPH D &KULVWLDQ z +HDU WKH ZRUG “... It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Meâ€? -RKQ z %HOLHYH LQ *RG DQG LQ -HVXV “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Himâ€? +HEUHZV z 5HSHQW RI \RXU VLQV “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the deadâ€? $FWV z &RQIHVV -HVXV DV /RUG “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heavenâ€? 0DWWKHZ z %H EDSWL]HG LQWR &KULVW ÂłOr do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of lifeâ€? 5RPDQV “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemnedâ€? 0DUN . “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemerâ€? 3VDOP = = &KDUOHV %R[ :DOQXW 6WUHHW &KXUFK RI &KULVW :DOQXW 6WUHHW *UHHQYLOOH $ODEDPD 86$

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Daily Ch ristian Living

Have You Learned Contentment? *UHHO\ .LUNSDWULFN ,Q 3KLOLSSLDQV WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO FRQFOXGHV WKLV OHWWHU WR KLV ³VZHHWKHDUW´ FKXUFK E\ WKDQNLQJ LW IRU LWV JLIW +H ZDV SOHDVHG WKDW WKH FKXUFK KDG VKDUHG ZLWK KLP LQ KLV GLVWUHVV DV KH ZDV LQ D 5RPDQ SULVRQ DW WKH WLPH KH UHFHLYHG WKHLU KHOS +RZHYHU KH LV VXUH WR OHW WKHP NQRZ WKDW KH ZDV FRQWHQW ZLWK RU ZLWKRXW SK\VLFDO KHOS /LVWHQ WR KLP LQ 3KLOLSSLDQV “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

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Daily Ch ristian Living

â€œâ€Świth thanksgiving‌â€? 'DQ :LQNOHU “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus.â€? 3KLOLSSLDQV

:KDW D SDVVDJH :KDW D SURPLVH 'RQÂśW ZRUU\ DERXW DQ\WKLQJ 7DON WR *RG DERXW HYHU\WKLQJ 7KHQ JHW UHDG\ IRU D SHDFH RI PLQG OLNH \RX QHYHU WKRXJKW SRVVLEOH 7KH NH\ WR WKLV ZKROH ZRQGHUIXO SURFHVV LV WKH TXDOLILHU “with thanksgiving.â€? (1) PROBLEMS? PROBLEMS? :KRVH OLIH LVQÂśW “full of troubleâ€? -RE " ,QVHFXULW\" $ ZDQW RI KHDOWK" 7HDUV RI JULHI" 6WUDLQHG UHODWLRQVKLSV" 6WLOO ZH DUH QRW WR “be anxious.â€? (2) PRAY! *RG “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or thinkâ€? (SKHVLDQV &UHDWLRQ 7KH IORRG 7KH PLUDFOH RI RQH FDOOHG -HVXV “Great is our Lord, and mighty in powerâ€? 3VDOP $QG +H LV WKH RQH WR ZKRP ZH FDQ SRXU RXW RXU KHDUWV “by prayer and supplicationâ€?. (3) PRAISE! PRAISE! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lightsâ€? -DPHV /LIH )DPLOLHV &KULVWLDQLW\ +RSH 7R UHIOHFW “with thanksgivingâ€? RQ DOO WKDW *RG KDV DOUHDG\ GRQH IRU XV KHOSV XV WXUQ WR +LP DJDLQ ZLWK RXU FDUHV DQG RXU IXWXUH (4) PEACE! “ PEACE! In me,â€? -HVXV VDLG “ye may have peaceâ€? -RKQ %XW DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH SDVVDJH DERYH KRZ GRHV WKLV SHDFH FRPH LQWR RXU KHDUWV" :LWK JUDWLWXGH ZH UHPHPEHU ZKDW *RG KDV PHDQW WR XV LQ WKH SDVW :H DUH WKHQ HQFRXUDJHG WR HQWUXVW +LP ZLWK RXU IXWXUH DQG HQMR\ “the peace‌which passeth understandingâ€?.

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Daily Ch ristian Living

Hurting Hearts Hunting Heaven’s Help .HLWK 3DUNHU :KDW GR \RX GR ZKHQ \RX GRQ¶W NQRZ ZKDW WR GR" /HW PH VXJJHVW VRPHWKLQJ ± SUD\ 7KDW¶V ZKDW 1HKHPLDK GLG 5HPHPEHU WKH VWRU\" 1HKHPLDK DSSHDUHG EHIRUH D NLQJ 7KH NLQJ DVNHG KLP ZKDW KH ZDQWHG , ORYH ZKDW 1HKHPLDK GLG %HIRUH KH DQVZHUHG KH SUD\HG /LVWHQ WR WKH DFFRXQW “The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it” 1HKHPLDK ,PDJLQH \RX¶UH VWDQGLQJ EHIRUH D NLQJ ZKR KDV DVNHG \RX D TXHVWLRQ +H¶V ZDLWLQJ RQ \RXU DQVZHU +H¶V D EXV\ PDQ 7KHUH DUH EDWWOHV WR ILJKW ZDUV WR ZLQ DQG FLWLHV WR FRQTXHU +H¶V DVNHG \RX D TXHVWLRQ ± ZKDW ZRXOG \RX GR" 1HKHPLDK SUD\HG 2K LW ZDVQ¶W D ORQJ GUDZQ RXW SUD\HU ,W ZDVQ¶W ³ PLQXWHV ZLWK WKH 0DVWHU ´ ,W ZDVQ¶W D ³'HDU *RG WKDQN \RX IRU WKLV GD\ DQG DOO LWV PDQ\ EOHVVLQJV´ W\SH UHTXHVW ,W ZDV SUHFLVH 7R WKH SRLQW 6KRUW 4XLFN ³3OHDVH *RG KHOS ´ ,W ZDV D KXUWLQJ KHDUW DVNLQJ IRU KHDYHQ¶V KHOS +DYH \RX HYHU IHOW WKH QHHG IRU KHDYHQ¶V XUJHQW KHOS" 0D\EH \RX¶UH WHDFKLQJ D IULHQG DERXW -HVXV« RU \RX¶UH KDYLQJ D FRQYHUVDWLRQ ZLWK \RXU ERVV« RU \RX¶UH WU\LQJ WR ZLQ EDFN D EDFNVOLGGHQ EURWKHU« RU \RX¶UH LQYROYHG LQ D GLVDJUHHPHQW ZLWK D IULHQG« RU \RX QHHG ZLVGRP LQ DGYLVLQJ \RXU FKLOGUHQ $QG \RX GRQ¶W KDYH WLPH IRU D ORQJ LQWLPDWH FRQYHUVDWLRQ ZLWK *RG MXVW WLPH IRU D ³3OHDVH KHOS GHDU *RG , QHHG ZLVGRP´ W\SH UHTXHVW 'R ZKDW 1HKHPLDK GLG ± SUD\ :KHQ DOO HOVH IDLOV ± RU EHWWHU \HW ± EHIRUH WU\LQJ DQ\WKLQJ HOVH SUD\ :KHQ \RX KDYH D KXUWLQJ KHDUW DQG \RX¶UH KXQWLQJ KHDYHQ¶V KHOS ± 35$< <RX VHH EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV RXU SUD\HUV GRQ¶W KDYH WR EH HWHUQDO WR EH = VSLULWXDO = .HLWK 3DUNHU ZRUNV ZLWK WKH FKXUFK LQ +HQGHUVRQYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH 86$

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Come — See Where He Lay %HWW\ %XUWRQ &KRDWH He was the Son of God Yet He was born in a stable And that soft baby form Left its first imprint In a bed of straw. Come — see where He lay. Little boy feet pattered around In the dust of Nazareth. Then, leaving that home with its childish mat, The noble head of the Man Found rest with friends In Cana of Galilee, At Peter’s house, Then in a boat, storm-swept and dark. Judean roads knew His footprints and the way to Bethlehem; Mary and Martha made a place, Simon and others too, But all were borrowed, No house was His own. Come — see where He lay.

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Then later — After the dark, After the cross that was mine, not His, His body was lowered with gentle hands To the grieving earth He’d made And friends brought spices and linen cloth And laid Him in Joseph’s tomb. Come — see where He lay. How did He feel, This King of Kings, Living a pauper’s life Leaving His footprints On borrowed ground In the world His hands had made?

Come — see where He lay.

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Husbands, Wives, and Children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ÂłROG IDVKLRQHG´ EDVLF WHDFKLQJV IURP WKH %LEOH FRXOG JUHDWO\ FKDQJH RXU KRPHV IRU JRRG &RQVLGHU WKH VWUDLJKW IRUZDUG HDVLO\ XQGHUVWRRG WHDFKLQJ RI 3DXO LQ (SKHVLDQV DQG )LUVW WR ZLYHV KH VD\V LQ (SKHVLDQV “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is the 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.â€? $OVR (SKHVLDQV E VWDWHV â€œâ€Śand let the wife see that she respects her husband.â€? $GGLWLRQDOO\ 7LWXV UHDGV â€œâ€Śolder women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands.â€? 7KHVH DUH YHU\ XQSRSXODU ROG IDVKLRQHG SROLWLFDOO\ DQG VRFLDOO\ LQFRUUHFW FRQFHSWV 7KH\ GR QRW ILW WKH SUHVHQW GD\

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The C h ristian H o me KXPDQLVWLF PRGHO RI D ZLIHÂśV UROH LQ WKH KRPH 7KH\ DUH KRZHYHU ZRUGV IURP RXU &UHDWRU 6XVWDLQHU DQG XOWLPDWH -XGJH IRU HWHUQLW\ 1H[W ZH FDQ UHDG 3DXOÂśV WHDFKLQJV WR KXVEDQGV DV UHFRUGHG LQ (SKHVLDQV D ZKLFK VD\V “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 wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own body, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself‌â€? $JDLQ WKHVH WHDFKLQJV DUH FRQVLGHUHG REVROHWH DQG EDFNZDUG E\ PDQ\ PRGHUQ H[SHUWV DQG VFKRODUV 7KHVH VFULSWXUDO ZRUGV RI LQVWUXFWLRQ DUH IURP *RG DQG WKH\ DUH QRW VXEMHFW WR KXPDQ IDLOXUH DQG ZHDNQHVV *RG LV DOO NQRZLQJ DQG ZLVH 7KH VDPH WH[W SURYLGHV VRPH EDVLF WHDFKLQJ FRQFHUQLQJ FKLOGUHQ (SKHVLDQV VWDWHV “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in training and admonition of the Lord.â€? 7KHVH LQVWUXFWLRQV DUH VLPSOH DQG IXQGDPHQWDO :H PXVW UHVSHFW *RGÂśV PRGHO DQG SODQ IRU RXU KRPHV LI ZH KRSH WR VXFFHHG LQ RXU PDUULDJHV DQG FKLOGUHDULQJ 0XFK PRUH LV VDLG LQ *RGÂśV :RUG DERXW WKLV DOO LPSRUWDQW = DUHD RI OLIH DQG &KULVWLDQLW\ 6WXG\ DQG OHW *RGÂśV :RUG JXLGH \RX = :D\QH %DUULHU OLYHV LQ )ORUHQFH $ODEDPD 86$ DQG KH GRHV PLVVLRQ ZRUN LQ VHYHUDO FRXQWULHV

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“Let Down Your Netsâ€? *DU\ & +DPSWRQ -HVXV WDXJKW WKH PXOWLWXGHV IURP 3HWHUÂśV ERDW +H WKHQ FRPPDQGHG KLP “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.â€? 3HWHU DQVZHUHG “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the netâ€? /XNH 7KH UHVXOWLQJ FDWFK ZDV ODUJH HQRXJK WR ILOO DQG DOPRVW VLQN WZR ERDWV 7KHUH LV D VHQVH LQ ZKLFK WKH /RUG KDV WROG XV WR OHW GRZQ RXU QHWV LQ WHDFKLQJ :H QHHG WR EHJLQ ZLWK RXU RZQ FKLOGUHQ LQ RXU RZQ KRPHV DQG LQ %LEOH FODVVHV *RG WROG ,VUDHO “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on you hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.â€? 'HXWHURQRP\

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Mnason, an Old Disciple +HUVKHO '\HU 0QDVRQ ZDV DQ “old disciple”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³0QDVRQV ´ ERWK PHQ DQG ZRPHQ 7R NQRZ = WKHP LV RQH RI WKH MR\V RI P\ OLIH = +HUVKHO '\HU LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU OLYLQJ LQ 7XOVD 2NODKRPD 86$

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” 3HWHU

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Do You Know His Father? -RKQ *LSVRQ (YHU\ %LEOH VWXGHQW NQRZV 6DPXHO +H ZDV WKH DQVZHU WR KLV PRWKHUÂśV SUD\HU DQG YRZ +DQQDK SURPLVHG WKDW LI *RG ZRXOG JLYH KHU D VRQ WKDW VKH ZRXOG GHGLFDWH KLP WR WKH /RUG DOO RI KLV OLIH DQG ZKDW D PDQ RI *RG KH EHFDPH +H ZDV WKH ILUVW RI WKH SURSKHWV DQG ZDV FRQVLGHUHG LQ 2OG 7HVWDPHQW WLPHV WR EH WKH JUHDWHVW ILJXUH VLQFH 0RVHV -HUHPLDK 6DPXHOÂśV PRWKHU +DQQDK LV ZHOO NQRZQ WR DOO RI XV EXW GR \RX NQRZ KLV IDWKHU" :KDW ZDV KLV QDPH" :KDW NLQG RI PDQ ZDV KH" +H ORYHG KLV ZLIH +H FRXOG WUXWKIXOO\ VD\ WR +DQQDK “Am I not more to you than ten sons?â€? 7KDWÂśV WKH NLQG RI KXVEDQG HYHU\ ZLIH VKRXOG KDYH DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for herâ€? (SKHVLDQV +H OHG KLV IDPLO\ LQ ZRUVKLSLQJ *RG “Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship‌â€? 6DPXHO +H ZRUVKLSHG ZKHUH *RG VDLG WR ZRUVKLS DQG LQ WKH PDQQHU SUHVFULEHG E\ *RG $QG KH WRRN KLV IDPLO\ ZLWK KLP 1RQH RWKHU WKDQ -HVXV HPSKDVL]HG “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’â€? 7KH IDWKHU RI 6DPXHO NHSW WKLV JUHDW FRPPDQGPHQW DQG VHW DQ H[DPSOH IRU WKH UHVW RI WKH IDPLO\ :KHQ KH ZRUVKLSHG KH JDYH RIIHULQJV WR *RG “Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.â€? :RUVKLS DQG VDFULILFH JR KDQG LQ KDQG LQ VHUYLQJ *RG 1RZ +RSKQL DQG 3KLQHKDV HYHQ WKRXJK SULHVWV ZHUH FRUUXSW PHQ DV &KDSWHU RI 6DPXHO VKRZV 6DPXHOÂśV IDWKHU FRXOG KDYH VDLG Âł,ÂśP QRW DERXW WR FRQWULEXWH DV ORQJ DV WKHVH ZRUWKOHVV PHQ DUH SULHVWV ´ EXW KH GLGQÂśW +H NQHZ KH ZDVQÂśW RIIHULQJ WR WKHVH PHQ EXW WR WKH /RUG RI KRVWV 6DPXHOÂśV IDWKHUÂśV QDPH ZDV (ONDQDK +H ZDV D PDQ ZKR NQHZ ZKDW D IDWKHU RXJKW WR EH /HW PH XUJH HDFK IDWKHU WR IROORZ LQ KLV IRRWVWHSV ,W ZLOO EOHVV \RXU IDPLO\ = = -RKQ *LSVRQ ZRUNV ZLWK WKH :LQGVRQJ &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ /LWWOH 5RFN $UNDQVDV 86$

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Stephen -DFN +DUULPDQ

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« $OO RI WKHVH WKLQJV PDGH 6WHSKHQ WKH IRUHPRVW PDQ RI KLV GD\ DQG DV D FRQVHTXHQFH WKH ¿ UVW PDQ WR EH VWUXFN DW DQG VWUXFN GRZQ

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” $FWV = -DFN +DUULPDQ LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU OLYLQJ LQ )D\HWWHYLOOH $UNDQVDV 86$

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B ibl e Questio ns

Is the Sabbath the Day Christians Should Observe? 0D[LH % %RUHQ

$ UDWKHU VLJQLILFDQW QXPEHU RI SHRSOH LQ WKH GHQRPLQDWLRQDO ZRUOG EHOLHYH WKH 6DEEDWK GD\ LV WR EH REVHUYHG E\ WKH IROORZHUV RI &KULVW 6R DGDPDQW DUH WKH\ LQ WKHLU YLHZ RQ WKH PDWWHU WKDW WKH ODUJHVW JURXS RI WKRVH VR EHOLHYLQJ FDOO WKHPVHOYHV ³6HYHQWK 'D\ $GYHQWLVWV´ %XW LV WKHLU SRVLWLRQ WUXH" :KDW GRHV WKH %LEOH WHDFK RQ WKH VXEMHFW" 7KH ILUVW PHQWLRQ RI WKH VHYHQWK GD\ ODWHU GHVLJQDWHG ³WKH 6DEEDWK´ LV LQ *HQHVLV 7KHUH DV WKH FRQWH[W FOHDUO\ LQGLFDWHV WKH ³VHYHQWK GD\´ ZDV WKH GD\ *RG UHVWHG IURP +LV FUHDWLRQ ZRUN DQG WR ³UHVW´ LV HVVHQWLDOO\ ZKDW WKH ZRUG ³6DEEDWK´ PHDQV :KLOH YHUVH LQIRUPV XV WKDW *RG EOHVVHG WKDW GD\ DQG VDQFWLILHG LW WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ LQ WKH YHUVH WR LQGLFDWH DQ\ PDQ ZDV LQVWUXFWHG E\ +LP WR VWDUW REVHUYLQJ LW DW WKDW WLPH LQ KLVWRU\ DV D UHOLJLRXV KRO\ GD\ 7KLV LV DV DQ LPSRUWDQW SRLQW WR QRWH ,Q WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH SDVVDJH XQGHU FRQVLGHUDWLRQ WKH REVHUYDQFH RI WKH VHYHQWK GD\ ZDV QRW HQMRLQHG XSRQ DQ\RQH 7KH VHYHQWK GD\ RI WKH ZHHN ZDV ILUVW FDOOHG “the holy Sabbath unto the Lord”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¶YH QHYHU NQRZQ D ³6DEEDWK GD\´ DGYRFDWH LQ PRGHUQ WLPHV WKDW HPEUDFHV WKDW IDFHW RI WKH ROG ODZ :K\ QRW" ,I RQH LV JRLQJ WR LQVLVW XSRQ ³6DEEDWK GD\´ REVHUYDQFH WKHQ WKH ODZ JLYHQ WR 0RVHV UHJDUGLQJ LW VKRXOG EH IROORZHG

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B ibl e Questio ns :KHQ WKH 3KDULVHHV FDOOHG -HVXV LQ TXHVWLRQ DERXW +LV GLVFLSOHV SOXFNLQJ JUDLQ RQ WKH 6DEEDWK WKH 6DYLRU FRQFOXGHG +LV UHVSRQVH WR WKHP E\ VD\LQJ “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” 0DUN $QG ZKDW GLG &KULVW WKH /RUG RI WKH 6DEEDWK SXUSRVH WR GR DERXW WKH ZKROH ODZ JLYHQ WKURXJK 0RVHV RI ZKLFK WKH 6DEEDWK ZDV D SDUW" +H FDPH WR fulfill WKH ODZ 0DWWKHZ DQG +H GLG VR /XNH 7KXV WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW LV UHSOHWH ZLWK 6FULSWXUHV WKDW WHDFK WKH /DZ RI 0RVHV ZDV IXOILOOHG WDNHQ RXW RI WKH ZD\ DQG “nailed to the cross”. 5HDG FDUHIXOO\ DQG WKRXJKWIXOO\ &RORVVLDQV *DODWLDQV +HEUHZV WKURXJK 5RPDQV WKURXJK (SKHVLDQV $FWV DQG &RULQWKLDQV 7KHUH LV QR ZD\ DQ KRQHVW VHHNHU RI WUXWK FDQ UHDG WKH DERYH SDVVDJHV DQG VWLOO WDNH WKH SRVLWLRQ WKDW &KULVWLDQV DUH ³ERXQG´ E\ WKH ODZ JLYHQ WKURXJK 0RVHV $QG UHPHPEHU WKH REVHUYDQFH RI WKH 6DEEDWK LV WLHG WR WKDW ODZ 1R RQH WRGD\ LV XQGHU WKH /DZ RI 0RVHV ZKLFK LQFOXGHV WKH REVHUYDQFH RI WKH 6DEEDWK WKRXJK PDQ\ PD\ WKLQN VR 7KH *HQWLOHV ZHUH QHYHU FRPPDQGHG WR NHHS ³WKH 6DEEDWK´ ,W ZDV D ODZ JLYHQ WR ,VUDHO RQO\ XQWLO &KULVW FDPH UHDG *DODWLDQV :KHQ +H FDPH +H IXOILOOHG WKH 2OG /DZ DQG HVWDEOLVKHG +LV ODZ«WKH 1HZ &RYHQDQW $OO PHQ ERWK -HZV DQG *HQWLOHV WRGD\ DUH DPHQDEOH WR WKH ODZ RI &KULVW ZKHWKHU WKH\ DFFHSW WKDW IDFW RU QRW 0DWWKHZ -RKQ D $FWV HWF 7KH ODZ RI &KULVW GRHV QRW LQFOXGH DQ\ FRPPDQG RU LQVWUXFWLRQ IRU &KULVWLDQV WR REVHUYH WKH VHYHQWK GD\ &KULVW DURVH IURP WKH GHDG RQ WKH first day RI WKH ZHHN 0DWWKHZ II 0DUN II /XNH II -RKQ II 7KH FKXUFK ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG RQ 3HQWHFRVW ZKLFK DOZD\V FDPH RQ WKH first day RI WKH ZHHN VHH $FWV DQG /HYLWLFXV ZKHUHLQ 3HQWHFRVW LV WKH VXEMHFW 7KH HDUO\ FKXUFK DVVHPEOHG RQ WKDW GD\ $FWV &RULQWKLDQV 7KH YDVW PDMRULW\ RI VFKRODUV FRQFXU WKDW LV WKH GD\ UHIHUUHG WR DV “the Lord’s day” LQ 5HYHODWLRQ $SDUW IURP WKH VDFUHG UHFRUG RI WKH %LEOH ZKLFK VKRXOG EH VXIILFLHQW IRU DQ\ KRQHVW VHHNHU RI WUXWK VHFXODU KLVWRU\ SHUWDLQLQJ WR ³&KULVWLDQLW\´ VKRZV EH\RQG TXHVWLRQ WKDW WKH GD\ REVHUYHG IURP WKH ILUVW FHQWXU\ $ ' HYHQ WR WKH SUHVHQW ZDV ³WKH ILUVW GD\´ RI WKH ZHHN QRW ³WKH VHYHQWK ´

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B ibl e Questio ns )XUWKHU LW LV IDOODFLRXV WR UHIHU WR ³WKH ILUVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN´ DV WKH ³&KULVWLDQ 6DEEDWK´ 1HLWKHU VXFK WHUPLQRORJ\ QRU LGHD LV IRXQG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW :H EHOLHYH LQ “speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where the Bible is silent.” 3HWHU ZURWH “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” 3HWHU $QG VLQFH WKH :RUG RI *RG GRHV QRW LQFOXGH HLWKHU WKH WHUPLQRORJ\ RU WKH FRQFHSW RI ³WKH &KULVWLDQ 6DEEDWK´ OHW XV QRW XVH VXFK DQ H[SUHVVLRQ :H QHHG WR EHDU LQ PLQG WKDW WKH VHYHQ GD\ ³ZHHN´ LV ELEOLFDO EXW WKH ³QDPLQJ´ RI WKH VHYHQ GD\V RI WKH ZHHN LV QRW 7KRXJK PXFK LV ORVW LQ DQWLTXLW\ FRQFHUQLQJ WKH RULJLQ RI WKH GD\V¶ QDPHV PRVW VFKRODUV EHOLHYH WKHVH GHVLJQDWLRQV ZHUH WDNHQ IURP WKH SODQHWV 6XQGD\ LV D SULPH H[DPSOH 0DQ\ SDJDQV ZRUVKLSSHG WKH VXQ DQG XQGRXEWHGO\ VHOHFWHG RQH RI WKH GD\V WR EH VR GHVLJQDWHG ³7KH QDPHV JLYHQ WR WKH GD\V IURP WKH SODQHWV ZKLFK FDPH LQWR FRPPRQ XVH LQ WKH ILUVW SUH &KULVWLDQ FHQWXU\ ZHUH DYRLGHG E\ WKH &KULVWLDQV« ODQJXDJH RI WKH FKXUFK DYRLGHG WKH QDPHV GHULYHG IURP WKH SODQHWV« DQG WKH XVH RI QXPHUDOV ZDV FRQVWDQW´ The New Schaff Herzog Encyclopedia Of Religious Knowledge 7KXV HYHQ WRGD\ ³WKH ILUVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN´ VKRXOG EH SUHIHUUHG DPRQJ XV LQVWHDG RI ³6XQGD\´ %XW EHFDXVH WKH YDVW PDMRULW\ RI SHRSOH XVH WKH ³QDPHV´ RI WKH GD\V LQVWHDG RI WKH ³QXPHUDOV´ LW LV H[WUHPHO\ GLIILFXOW IRU XV QRW WR GR WKH VDPH LQ RUGHU WR EH XQGHUVWRRG LQ FRQYHUVLQJ ZLWK SHRSOH /LIH LQ WKH SUHVHQW GD\ DQG DJH DOPRVW QHFHVVLWDWHV WKDW ZH JR DORQJ ZLWK ZKDW KDV EHHQ VR XQLYHUVDOO\ HVWDEOLVKHG WKURXJK WKH FHQWXULHV DV ³WKH QDPH RI WKH GD\´ $V ORQJ DV ZH XQGHUVWDQG LW DV VLPSO\ D GHVLJQDWLRQ WR VSHFLI\ ³WKH ILUVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN´ DQG DWWDFK QR SDJDQ VLJQLILFDQFH WR LW DV D ³681 ZRUVKLS GD\´ WKHQ , VXSSRVH WKHUH LV QR UHDO KDUP GRQH = = 0D[LH % %RUHQ LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU DQG VHUYHV DV DQ HOGHU LQ WKH %URZQ 7UDLO FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ %HGIRUG 7H[DV 86$

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B ibl e Questio ns

Can We as a s Christ C hr i stiians ans Today To day Really R e al ly K NOW th aatt We Are i n a Save d C o ndi ti o n? 'HDQ )XJHWW -HVXV VDLG “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples

indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free� (John 8:31,32). Then He adds, “If the Son makes you free, then are you free indeed!� -RKQ ,Q WKHVH SDVVDJHV -HVXV VD\V WKDW WKHUH LV D ERG\

RI NQRZOHGJH NQRZQ DV ÂłWUXWK´ WKDW WKLV WUXWK LV NQRZDEOH DQG WKDW WKLV NQRZOHGJH SURGXFHV IUHHGRP ZKHQ DSSURSULDWHG 7KH FRQWH[W UHYHDOV WKDW WKLV IUHHGRP LV IUHHGRP IURP VLQ ,Q YHUVH -HVXV KDG VDLG â€œâ€ŚWhoever commits sin is a slave of sin.â€? +H WKHQ PDGH WKH VWDWHPHQW WKDW LI WKH 6RQ PDNHV RQH IUHH KH LV IUHH LQGHHG 7KHUHIRUH ZH NQRZ WKDW +H LV VSHDNLQJ RI IUHHGRP IURP VLQ )UHHGRP IURP VLQ LV IUHHGRP WR EH ULJKWHRXV 1RWH 3DXOÂśV FRPPHQWV IURP 5RPDQV “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.â€? ,Q -RKQ -HVXV VDLG “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.â€? 7R

KHOS XV XQGHUVWDQG ZKDW LW PHDQV WR ÂłNQRZ´ *RG -RKQ JLYHV WKLV VWDWHPHQW LQ -RKQ “By this we know that we know him, if we keep his

commandments. He that says, ‘I know him,’ and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But, whoever keeps his word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him.â€? ,I ZH FDQ NQRZ DQ\WKLQJ ZH FDQ NQRZ *RGÂśV

ZLOO IRU RXU VDOYDWLRQ 6R VDLG -HVXV :H FDQ DOVR NHHS +LV FRPPDQGPHQWV “If you love me, keep my commandments� -RKQ ,I ZH NHHS +LV

FRPPDQGPHQWV ZH DUH VDYHG DQG VDIH $Q\RQH FDQ NQRZ LI KH LV NHHSLQJ WKH FRPPDQGPHQWV RI *RG MXVW DV KH FDQ NQRZ LI KH LV REH\LQJ WKH ODZV RI WKH ODQG MXVW DV KH FDQ NQRZ WKH UXOHV RI DQ\ JDPH

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B ibl e Questio ns :H FDQ DOVR NQRZ WKDW LI ZH DUH QRW NHHSLQJ +LV FRPPDQGPHQWV ZH DUH QRW LQ +LP DQG ZH DUH QRW +LV 7KH GRFWULQH WKDW WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ WKDW ZH FDQ GR WKDW ZLOO HQGDQJHU RXU HWHUQDO VDOYDWLRQ DQG KRSH RI KHDYHQ LV D SHUQLFLRXV DQG GDPQDEOH GRFWULQH ,W LV RI WKH GHYLO DQG QRW IURP WKH 6RQ 'RQÂśW OHW DQ\RQH GHFHLYH \RX ZLWK VXFK IDOVH WHDFKLQJ = = 'HDQ )XJHWW SUHDFKHV IRU WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ &DYH &LW\ $UNDQVDV 86$

How is Baptism an Identification with the Death of Jesus? /RXLV 5XVKPRUH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW SDVVDJHV SURYLGH D FOHDU DQVZHU IRU WKLV TXHVWLRQ (VSHFLDOO\ WZR SDVVDJHV HQOLJKWHQ XV DERXW WKH UHODWLRQVKLS RI EDSWLVP WR WKH GHDWK RI RXU /RUG â€œâ€Śas many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.â€? 5RPDQV 1.-9 VHH DOVR &RORVVLDQV

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“There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ� 3HWHU %LEOH EDSWLVP

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B ibl e Questio ns

How Does God Answer Prayers? 'HQQLV *XOOHGJH 7KH %LEOH VD\V “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Himâ€? -RKQ $OVR “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails muchâ€? -DPHV *RG DQVZHUV WKH SUD\HUV RI +LV VSLULWXDO IDPLO\ 7KLV GRHV QRW PHDQ WKDW +H DQVZHUV WKHP DOO WKH VDPH ZD\ QRU LQ WKH ZD\ WKDW ZH PLJKW H[SHFW )LUVW VRPHWLPHV +H DQVZHUV Âł\HV´ WR RXU UHTXHVWV DV LQ WKH FDVH RI 3HWHUÂśV SUD\HU IURP SULVRQ $FWV 6HFRQG *RG VRPHWLPHV DQVZHUV ÂłQR´ 7KH ÂłQR´ LV MXVW DV PXFK RI DQ DQVZHU WR D SUD\HU DV LV D Âł\HV´ ,Q 'HXWHURQRP\ 0RVHV DVNHG *RG WR DOORZ KLP HQWUDQFH LQWR WKH ODQG RI SURPLVH *RG GHQLHG KLP &HQWXULHV ODWHU 0RVHV LQ VSLULW DORQJ ZLWK (OLMDK DSSHDUHG ZLWK -HVXV WR GLVFXVV +LV DSSURDFKLQJ FUXFLIL[LRQ 0DWWKHZ 6R *RGÂśV DQVZHU RI ÂłQR´ WR RXU SUD\HUV PD\ PHDQ WKDW +H KDV VRPHWKLQJ EHWWHU LQ VWRUH IRU XV )LQDOO\ *RG LQ +LV RZQ LQILQLWH ZLVGRP PD\ VHH ILW WR GHOD\ DQVZHULQJ RXU SUD\HUV 7KH FODVVLF FDVH LV WKDW RI -RE ZKRVH SUD\HUV UHFHLYHG D ORQJ GHOD\HG DQVZHU -RE PDGH KLV LPSDVVLRQHG SHWLWLRQV WR *RG EXW KH GLG QRW UHDOL]H WKDW *RG KDG D SXUSRVH LQ PLQG -RE = = 'HQQLV *XOOHGJH SUHDFKHV IRU WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 0DEHOYDOH $UNDQVDV 86$

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The Goodness of God 5RPDQV 0DUN 1 3RVH\ ,QWURGXFWLRQ &RQVLGHUHG KRQHVWO\ WKH JRRGQHVV RI *RG VKRXOG PHOW RXU KHDUWV 5R PDQV *RG KDV EHHQ VR JRRG WR XV ZKHQ ZH SRVVHVVHG QR JRRGQHVV QHHGLQJ +LV PHUF\ +H ORYHV FDUHV DQG SURYLGHV IRU XV HYHQ WKRXJK ZH JR DJDLQVW +LV UHYHDOHG ZLOO +H LV RXU )DWKHU LQ WKH WUXHVW VHQVH RI WKH WHUP 6LQFH *RG LV VR EHQHYROHQW VKRXOG ZH QRW JLYH +LP RXU EHVW" 6KRXOG ZH QRW LQYHVWLJDWH +LV :RUG REH\ +LV FRPPDQGV VKDUH +LV ORYH DQG ORQJ IRU +LV FRPSDQ\ LQ KHDYHQ" , DP VXUH DOO ZRXOG DJUHH 7KHUH IRUH DV ZH GDLO\ SUHSDUH IRU HWHUQLW\ OHW XV FRQVLGHU VRPH RI WKH EOHVVLQJV +H KDV JLYHQ XV WKLV VLGH RI HWHUQLW\ -HVXV 3DXO ZDV GHHSO\ DSSUHFLDWLYH IRU -HVXV +H VDLG “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 7KH ZRUG “gave” IRXQG LQ -RKQ

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Cha rts & Outlines LGHQWLILHV WKH JUHDWHVW JLIW HYHU JLYHQ *RG “gave” -RKQ WKDW WKH ZRUOG PLJKW “receive” -HVXV &RORVVLDQV -HVXV GLHG &RULQWKLDQV WKDW WKH ZRUOG PLJKW OLYH -RKQ -HVXV LV WKH JUHDWHVW JLIW HYHU NQRZQ WR PDQNLQG %LEOH 7KH %LEOH LV WKH JUHDWHVW ERRN LQ H[LVWHQFH EHFDXVH LW LV IURP WKH PLQG RI *RG 7LPRWK\ ,WV YHU\ QDPH ³+RO\ %LEOH´ PHDQV ³7KH %RRN ´ 0DQ\ KDYH WULHG WR GHVWUR\ LW KRZHYHU LW KDV DOZD\V HQ GXUHG 6NHSWLFV KDYH IRXJKW DJDLQVW LW DQG \HW WKH\ KDYH EHHQ IRUFHG WR DGPLW LWV ZRQGHUIXO LPSDFW XSRQ KXPDQLW\ ,VDLDK GHFODUHG “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” ,VDLDK 7KDQN *RG IRU +LV :RUG

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F ro m th e H eart Of

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So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them /XNH ±

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F ro m th e H eart Of DPD]LQJ WKH UDEELV WKHUH +HÂśV MXVW EHHQ IRXQG DJDLQ E\ D YHU\ GLVWUDXJKW 0DU\ FRQFHUQHG IRU KHU 6RQ -RVHSK DQG 0DU\ ORRN SUHWW\ WLUHG KHUH KDYLQJ WUDYHOOHG DOO WKH ZD\ EDFN WR WKH WHPSOH EXW UHOLHYHG WR KDYH IRXQG +LP “His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.’ And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’â€? /XNH

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“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’ Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.’ And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did

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F ro m th e H eart Of not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, ‘Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!’ This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him� -RKQ

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“Coming to his home-town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’�

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F ro m th e H eart Of 6R -HVXV KDG DW OHDVW VLEOLQJV E\ WKLV DFFRXQW -RVHSK PXVW KDYH EHHQ D YHU\ JRRG FDUSHQWHU RU PD\EH WKLV LV ZK\ -HVXV GLGQÂśW KDYH PDQ\ PDWHULDO SRVVHVVLRQV %XW -HVXV ORYHG FKLOGUHQ DV ZH UHDG DERXW LQ +LV PLQLVWU\ +H KDG D ORW RI FKLOGUHQ DURXQG +LP JURZLQJ XS

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returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers $FWV ¹

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F ro m th e H eart Of looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! WhoevHr does God’s will is my brother and sister and motherâ€? 0DUN Âą

We are in this photo. 7KHUH DUH PLOOLRQV RI XV DQG SHUKDSV PLOOLRQV PRUH WR FRPH $QG QRZ ZH VLW KHUH WRGD\ WR IHOORZVKLS DURXQG D WDEOH ZLWK D PHDO SUHSDUHG IRU XV -XVW OLNH D IDPLO\ GRHV :H ZLOO UHPHPEHU RXU %URWKHU DQG +LV VDFULILFH IRU XV 7KH FRVW RI LW 7KH JLIW LW ERXJKW JLYHQ IUHHO\ WR XV :H ZLOO WKLQN RI WKH KRPHFRPLQJ ZH ZLOO KDYH RQH GD\ DV ZH UHWXUQ KRPH WR D +HDYHQO\ )DWKHU DQG WR D ELJ %URWKHU WKH FDUSHQWHU ZKR KDV SUHSDUHG D KRXVH IRU XV

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name, I am there in the midst of them.�

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the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom�

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