Voice of Truth International, Volume 91

Page 1

Man sinned God promised One who would crush the head of satan (Genesis 3:15) Man continued to delve deeper into sin (Genesis 6:5) God sent the flood, but saved the remnant of humanity through Noah and his family (Genesis 9:1) Man again fell into sin and the worship of idol gods. In order to preserve a line through which man’s Saviour would be born, Abraham was chosen as the father of a new nation, under God’s new but transitory law (Genesis 12:1). Sin continued to grow, but God continued to prepare for the coming of the Saviour into the world preserving the Israelite nation again and again through the power and intervention of The Angel of the Lord (Exodus 33:2; Isaiah 63:9). In the fulness of time, the Saviour was born (Galatians 4:4). He did the work He came to do, He died for the sins of humanity, and He overcame death — giving to humanity the Gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

God’s entire work of the ages has been entrusted to our hands! Are we completing the work, or does it die with us?

V

The

oice of Truth

International

Volume 91

Then, to the church, His brothers and sisters, He said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature... (Mark 16:15,16).

The Voice of Truth International

The Focal Point for God from the Beginning:

Volume Ninety-One

The close of God’s beautiful day!

If You Have Never 0DU\ .HOO\ 2OHU

If you have never felt the joy Of sharing a brother’s loss; If your own arms have not grown strong By bearing another’s cross; If you have never brought a smile To a face tear-stained and grim; If your own hands have not held up The light when the way grew dim; If you have never told someone Of a better life to be, Then you have walked in a path unknown To the Man of Galilee!

T he Vo ice of Truth I nter national

Staff:

Louis Rushmore Jerry Bates Byron Nichols J.C. Choate Betty Burton Choate Barbara Oliver Of¿ce Manager: Paula Bates Computer Consultants: Bradley S. Choate Dennis Larson Editor: Associate Editor: Editor Emeritus: Founding Editor: Layout:

English Edition in India and Braille Edition:

Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah

and Kingsly Rajah

English Edition in Nigeria:

Managing Editor, Makinde Olefumi

English Edition in Ghana: Managing Editor, Seth Larbi

Spanish Edition:

Managing Editor: Efrain Aranda

Telugu Edition:

Managing Editor, Translator:

Joshua Gootam

Tamil Edition: Managing Editor, Translators:

Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam

Hindi Edition:

Managing Editor, Earnest Gill

Paite Edition:

Managing Editor, Thang Lien

Marathi Edition:

Managing Editor, Amul Bansod

Staff Writers: George Akpabli Felix O. Aniamalu Rex Banks Wayne Barrier Paula Bates Roy Beasley Mike Benson Ron Bryant Charles Burch Kyle Butt Frank Chesser Betty B. Choate Glenn Colley Lance Cordle Sunny David 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 Gary C. Hampton

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

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FKXUFK LQ \RXU OLVW RI SULRULWLHV" $Q DGGLFWLRQ FRPSHOV \RX WR GR VRPHWKLQJ ,W EHFRPHV VRPHWKLQJ WKDW GULYHV \RX RU FRQVWUDLQV \RX $GGLFWV ZLOO RIWHQ VD\ WKH\ ZDQW WR TXLW EXW WKHLU DGGLFWLRQ FRQWUROV WKHP 7KH ORYH RI &KULVW VKRXOG FRPSHO XV DV ZHOO “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus; that if One died for all, then all died” &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO VDLG KH ZDV D GHEWRU WR WKH *UHHNV DQG WR WKH %DUEDULDQV WR WKH ZLVH DQG WR WKH XQZLVH 5RPDQV :H DUH WR EH FRQWUROOHG E\ WKH 6SLULW “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit”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“Here am I, send me.”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³WKHP´ ZKRHYHU WKDW PLJKW EH 7KH XQVDYHG DOZD\V QHHG WR EH WDXJKW 7KH VLFN WKH PRXUQIXO DQG WKH DJHG DOZD\V QHHG KHOS DQG HQFRXUDJHPHQW :H PXVW GR RXU GXW\ DQG QRW ZDLW IRU VRPH ³RUJDQL]HG SURJUDP ´ :H FDQ UHVW DVVXUHG WKDW *RG ZLOO UHZDUG RXU ODERUV “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” +HEUHZV $OYLQ <RUN WKH JUHDW PLOLWDU\ KHUR RI ::, ZDV RQFH DVNHG ZK\ KH GLG WKH GHHGV RI EUDYHU\ WKDW KH SHUIRUPHG +H VLPSO\ VWDWHG LQ KLV 7HQQHVVHH PRXQWDLQ (QJOLVK ³, VHHQ P\ GXW\ DQG GRQH LW ´ &RXOG \RX PDNH WKDW = VDPH VWDWHPHQW UHJDUGLQJ WKH ZRUN DW \RXU FRQJUHJDWLRQ" =

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Real Peace %\URQ 1LFKROV 7KH GHVLUH IRU SHDFH LV D XQLYHUVDO ORQJLQJ DV SHRSOH DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG SUD\ IRU DQG ORQJ IRU SHDFH 7KH %LEOH KDV D ORW WR VD\ DERXW SHDFH VR OHWÂśV FRQVLGHU WRJHWKHU VRPH RI ZKDW WKH 6FULSWXUHV UHYHDO DERXW WKLV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW PDWWHU

The Bible Says to Strive or Seek for Peace. 3VDOP WHOOV XV “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.â€? 7KLV HPSKDVLV LV UHSHDWHG WR WKH FKXUFK LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DV 3DXO XUJHG “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify anotherâ€? 5RPDQV 3DXO UHFRJQL]HG WKH YDOXH RI SHDFH DV KH VKRZHG WR ZKDW H[WHQW RXU HIIRUWV VKRXOG EH WR KDYH SHDFH 1RWLFH ZKDW KH SHQQHG LQ 5RPDQV “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.â€? :KDW ZDV KH VD\LQJ" +H ZDV VD\LQJ Âł3HDFH LV VR LPSRUWDQW DQG YDOXDEOH WKDW HDFK &KULVWLDQ PXVW ZRUN KDUG IRU SHDFH WR H[LVW WKDW LI LW GRHV QRW SUHYDLO LW FDQQRW SRVVLEO\ EH EHFDXVH RI D ODFN RI GHGLFDWHG HIIRUW RQ RQHÂśV SDUW ´ 3DXO FRQWLQXHG WKLV HPSKDVLV DV KH FORVHG &RULQWKLDQV LQ “Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.â€? 2QH PHDQV RI GHWHUPLQLQJ WKH YDOXH RI VRPHWKLQJ LV E\ VHHLQJ WKH

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So, Peace Is Important, but What Is Its Source; How Do We Get It? :H UHDG LQ /XNH RI WKH ELUWK RI -HVXV DQG LW LV LQWHUHVWLQJ WKDW D PXOWLWXGH RI WKH KHDYHQO\ KRVW SUDLVHG *RG DQG VDLG “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!â€? YV 6XUHO\ LW LV QRWHZRUWK\ WKDW WKH FRPLQJ RI WKH &KULVW ZDV VR FORVHO\ DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK SHDFH /XNH DOVR ZURWH WKH %RRN RI $FWV DQG LQ KH VWDWHG WKDW SHDFH LV SUHDFKHG WKURXJK -HVXV &KULVW 7KXV ZLWKRXW &KULVW WKHUH LV QR WUXH SHDFH ,Q (SKHVLDQV 3DXO SODLQO\ DIILUPHG WKDW -HVXV LV “our peace,â€? KDYLQJ PDGH SHDFH SRVVLEOH WKURXJK WKH VKHGGLQJ RI +LV EORRG RQ WKH FURVV ,Q VR GRLQJ +H GHVWUR\HG WKH VHSDUDWLRQ RI WKH -HZV DQG WKH *HQWLOHV PDNLQJ DOO RQH /HWÂśV DOVR QRWLFH 3DXOÂśV FRPPHQW LQ &RORVVLDQV “For it pleased the Father that in Him >-HVXV@ all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.â€? 6R ZH ILQG WKDW SHDFH FRPHV IURP WKH DWRQLQJ VDFULILFH RI WKH 6RQ RI *RG IRU WKH VLQV RI WKH HQWLUH ZRUOG

Now We Come to the Ultimate Peace —the Peace within—the Real Peace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“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.� 3DXO VDLG WR DOO ZKR DUH VWULYLQJ WR VHUYH WKH /RUG WRGD\ “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful� &RORVVLDQV

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Don’t Ever Belittle the Church - & &KRDWH +DYH \RX HYHU KHDUG DQ\RQH VD\ Âł2QH FKXUFK LV MXVW DV JRRG DV DQRWKHU´ RU Âł<RX GRQÂśW KDYH WR EH D PHPEHU RI DQ\ FKXUFK WR EH VDYHG -XVW UHSHDW Âľ7KH 6LQQHUÂśV 3UD\HUÂś DQG \RXÂśOO EH DOULJKW´" 2U ZRUVH KDYH \RX KHDUG 1932—2008 SHRSOH EHOLWWOH DQG PRFN ÂłRUJDQL]HG UHOLJLRQ´ DV D IDUFH EHFDXVH RI DOO WKH GLYLVLRQ DQG FRQIXVLRQ LQ WKH WHDFKLQJV DQG SUDFWLFHV RI WKH UHOLJLRXV ZRUOG" %HIRUH \RX JHW WRR FDXJKW XS LQ UHMHFWLRQ RI WKH LGHD RI ÂłFKXUFK ´ WKLQN ZLWK PH D PRPHQW 'LG \RX NQRZ WKDW WKH FKXUFK LV FDOOHG the the bride of Christ? Christ? 0DUULDJH LV D FRPPRQ DQG ZHOO XQGHUVWRRG WKLQJ WKURXJKRXW WKH ZRUOG $ PDQ FKRRVHV RQH VSHFLDO ZRPDQ WR EHFRPH KLV EULGH +H PDUULHV KHU +H JLYHV KHU KLV QDPH +H OLYHV WR protect KHU WR SURYLGH IRU KHU QHHGV WR ORYH KHU DQG LI KH ORYHV KHU HQRXJK DQG LI WKH QHHG DULVHV KH ZLOO GLH WR VDYH KHU ,I QHFHVVLW\ VHSDUDWHV WKHP IRU D WLPH KLV SDUDPRXQW WKRXJKW LV UHWXUQLQJ WR KHU $V WKH EULGH RI &KULVW WKH FKXUFK LV the church of Christ, DQG WKH FKLOGUHQ RI WKH XQLRQ DUH Âł&KULVWLDQV ´ -XVW DV LQ SK\VLFDO PDUULDJH QR KXVEDQG ZRXOG DOORZ KLV ZLIH WR ZHDU WKH QDPH RU QDPHV RI FRXQWOHVV RWKHU PHQ 7KH EULGH Âą FKXUFK Âą RI &KULVW LV WR ZHDU KHU +XVEDQGÂśV QDPH “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be savedâ€? $FWV “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antiochâ€? $FWV

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commandments” -RKQ 7KH FODULILFDWLRQ LV IXUWKHU HPSKDVL]HG LQ *DODWLDQV ZKHUH LW UHDGV “…even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” 7KH PDQ\ GRFWULQHV DQG FUHHGV FUHDWHG E\ PHQ WR JRYHUQ WKH FKXUFKHV WKH\ KDYH VWDUWHG DUH LQ GLUHFW YLRODWLRQ RI WKLV 6FULSWXUH 7KH SDUDOOHO EHWZHHQ KXPDQ PDUULDJH DQG WKH PDUULDJH RI &KULVW DQG +LV FKXUFK LV EHDXWLIXOO\ GHVFULEHG LQ (SKHVLDQV ZKHUH WKH FKXUFK LV XUJHG WR ORYH DQG REH\ &KULVW ZKHUH WKH ORYH DQG FDUH RI &KULVW IRU +LV EULGH DUH KHOG XS DV H[DPSOHV WR WKH KXPDQ FRXSOH DQG ZKHUH WKH ZLOOLQJQHVV RI &KULVW WR OD\ GRZQ +LV OLIH IRU +LV EULGH ± EHFDXVH RI +LV JUHDW ORYH IRU KHU ± LV GHVFULEHG 7KH UHODWLRQVKLS LV ZRUGHG WKLV ZD\ “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water >EDS WLVP@ by the word >LQ VWULFW DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH 6FULSWXUHV@ that He might present her to Himself >+H LV FRPLQJ DJDLQ WR UHFHLYH +LV EULGH WR +LPVHOI@ a glorious church >VLQJXODU RQH XQL¿ HG ERG\ QRW WKRXVDQGV RI GHQRPLQDWLRQV@ not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” )URP WKLV SDUDOOHO EHWZHHQ &KULVW DQG +LV FKXUFK DQG D KXVEDQG DQG D ZLIH ZH FDQ VHH WKDW WKHUH LV D YHU\ VSHFLDO UHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ WKH FKXUFK DQG KHU +XVEDQG +H ZRXOG EH JUHDWO\ RIIHQGHG LI DQ\RQH PRFNHG RU EHOLWWOHG +LV EULGH ±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³XPEUHOOD ´ \RX HQG XS ZLWK WKH FKXUFK WKDW ZH FDQ UHDG DERXW LQ WKH %LEOH 2WKHUV JR WR -RKQ DQG VD\ WKDW &KULVW LV WKH YLQH DQG WKDW WKH EUDQFKHV RI WKDW YLQH DUH WKH GLIIHUHQW GHQRPLQDWLRQDO FKXUFKHV 6RPH RI WKHVH FKXUFKHV ZHDU WKH QDPHV RI WKHLU IRXQGHUV VRPH DUH QDPHG IRU WKH GD\ RQ ZKLFK WKH\ ZRUVKLS RU DIWHU VRPH EHOLHI RU SUDFWLFH WKDW LV SHFXOLDU WR WKHP 7KHVH FKXUFKHV KDYH DOO NLQGV RI WHUPV IRU PHPEHUVKLS WKH\ ZRUVKLS LQ GLIIHUHQW ZD\V VRPH RI ZKLFK DUH PRUH

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Engaged in Battle 5D\PRQG $ /HRQDUG We are in this fight together In the service of the Lord. We fight the force of evil with God’s Word, the Spirit’s sword. God has called us into His service, His banner to hold up high, As we preach and teach the Gospel, That sinners need not die. When we put on our service mantle, A commitment to God we did make, That we would obey His commandments And His will we would not break. Thus, as we engage in this battle, In which God has called us to fight, We will do it as men of honor, Shining forth Christ’s Gospel light. We have no authority other than the power contained in God’s Word, Which only has life changing power When by those in need it is heard. We must be persistent in the battle, Our responsibility we cannot shirk. We are fighting for eternal souls, And evil does everywhere still lurk. God has pressed us into this battle; We are engaged in a righteous cause. Pray that we never get so discouraged = That we want to quit or pause.=

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G od “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’� 0DWWKHZ

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Did You Know? The Bible lands stretch about 2,200 miles from east to west (Rome to the Persian Gulf) and about 900 miles from north to south (Mount Ararat to Mount Sinai). A large part of that expanse is water (i.e., Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba).

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â€œâ€Śâ€˜Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’â€? -RKQ $ FKLOG LV ERUQ ZKHQ LW FRPHV RXW RI LWV PRWKHU $ VLQQHU EHFRPHV D FKLOG RI *RG ZKHQ KH RU VKH FRPHV RXW RI WKH ZDWHU RI EDSWLVP :KHQ D VLQQHU LV “baptized into Christ Jesus,â€? KH LV “buriedâ€? LQ ZDWHU DQG WKHQ KH ULVHV RXW RI WKH ZDWHU WR “walk in newness of lifeâ€? 5RPDQV

D octrin e T o Liv e By $FWV 7KLV LV WKH QHZ ELUWK “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new� &RULQWKLDQV The New Covenant

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)RXU $WWLWXGHV 7RZDUG *LYLQJ :DGH :HEVWHU :KHQ , ZDV D VWXGHQW LQ WKH 0HPSKLV 6FKRRO RI 3UHDFKLQJ -DPHV 'HDUPDQ RQH RI P\ LQVWUXFWRUV JDYH RXU FODVV DQ RXWOLQH RQ JLYLQJ WKDW , KDYH XVHG GRZQ WKURXJK WKH \HDUV 7KH RXWOLQH ZDV WDNHQ IURP D VWDWHPHQW WKDW 'DYLG PDGH WR $UDXQDK ZKHQ KH RIIHUHG WR JLYH WKH NLQJ KLV WKUHVKLQJ IORRU DQG DOO WKDW ZDV QHHGHG IRU WKH NLQJ WR PDNH D VDFULILFH WR -HKRYDK 7KH SDVVDJH UHDGV “And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” 6DPXHO )URP WKLV SDVVDJH EURWKHU 'HDUPDQ SRLQWHG RXW IRXU DWWLWXGHV WKDW LQGLYLGXDOV RIWHQ GLVSOD\ WRZDUG JLYLQJ 7KH I LUV W DW W LWX G H ² ³, ZLOO Q RW RIIHU RI IHU ´ ´ 6RPH IRONV DUH VLPSO\ XQZLOOLQJ WR JLYH 7KH\ DUH VSLULWXDO VFURRJHV 7KH V HFRQG DWWLWXGH ² ³, ZLOO QRW RIIHU X Q WR WK H / R UG ´´ 6RPH IRONV DUH ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH EXW WKH\ DUH QRW ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH WR WKH /RUG 7KH\ DUH ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH WR WKLV FOXE DQG WR WKDW FDXVH EXW WKH\ DUH QRW ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH WR WKH /RUG¶V FDXVH 7KH W KLUG DW WLWXGH ² ³, ZLOO QRW RI IHU X Q WR WK H / R UG WKDW ZKLFK FRVWV PH ´ 6RPH IRONV DUH ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH XQWR WKH /RUG EXW WKH\ DUH QRW ZLOOLQJ WR JLYH +LP DQ\WKLQJ WKDW FRVWV WKHP 7KH\ ZLOO JLYH +LP WKH VFUDSV EXW QRW WKH PDLQ GLVK 7KH I RXUW K DWWLWXGH ² ³, ZLOO Z LOO QRW Q RW RI IHU X Q WR WK H / R UG WK D W ZKLFK FRV W V P PH H Q QRWKLQ RWK LQJ ´ J ´ 7KHUH DUH WKRVH ZKR VDFULILFH LQ WKHLU JLYLQJ 7KH\ JLYH XS WKLQJV WKDW RWKHUV HQMR\ VR WKDW WKH\ FDQ JLYH PRUH WR WKH /RUG :KLFK DWWLWXGH EHVW UHSUHVHQWV \RX DQG \RXU JLYLQJ" 'R \RX UHIXVH WR JLYH DW DOO RU GR \RX VLPSO\ UHIXVH WR JLYH WR WKH /RUG" 'R \RX JLYH WKH VFUDSV RU GR \RX JLYH WKDW ZKLFK FRVWV \RX" , HQFRXUDJH \RX WR EH OLNH 'DYLG DQG JLYH RQO\ ZKDW FRVWV \RX < <

W orship “Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without .HYLQ 0RRUH wrath and doubtingâ€? 7LPRWK\ ,Q WKLV YHUVH ZKDW LV PHDQW E\ “lifting up holy handsâ€?" 0DQ\ SHRSOH SODFH HPSKDVLV RQ WKH ZRUG “handsâ€? DQG KDYH WKH LPSUHVVLRQ WKDW 3DXO LV DGGUHVVLQJ RQHÂśV SRVWXUH ZKHQ KH SUD\V +RZHYHU LW LV QRW ZKDW PHQ GR ZLWK WKHLU KDQGV WKDW 3DXO ZDV FRQFHUQHG DERXW LQ WKLV YHUVH EXW UDWKHU WKH FRQGLWLRQ RI WKHLU KHDUWV DQG OLYHV 7KURXJKRXW WKH %LEOH YDULRXV SK\VLFDO SRVLWLRQV IRU SUD\HU DUH GHVFULEHG VWDQGLQJ .LQJV NQHHOLQJ 'DQLHO VLWWLQJ /XNH O\LQJ GRZQ 6DPXHO KDQGV OLIWHG 1HKHPLDK KDQGV QRW OLIWHG 0DWWKHZ IDFLQJ D ZDOO .LQJV ERZHG KHDG ([RGXV H\HV ORRNLQJ XSZDUG -RKQ HWF ,W LV HYLGHQW WKDW WKHUH LV QR SUHVFULEHG SRVWXUH IRU SUD\HU 7KH SRVLWLRQ RI RQHÂśV ERG\ GRHV QRW PDWWHU WR *RG EXW UDWKHU WKH FRQGLWLRQ RI RQHÂśV KHDUW PDWWHUV WR +LP “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evilâ€? 3HWHU 6LQFH D SHUVRQ XVHV KLV KDQGV IRU PRVW SK\VLFDO DFWLYLWLHV ZRUN 7KHVVDORQLDQV ILJKWLQJ 3VDOP HWF WKH KDQGV V\PEROL]H

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Building on a Foundation of Rock

:D\QH %DUULHU $ SK\VLFDO VWUXFWXUH LV QR VWURQJHU WKDQ LWV IRXQGDWLRQ :H DUH UHPLQGHG RI WKLV IDFW ZKHQ HDUWKTXDNHV VKDNH WKH JURXQG DQG EXLOGLQJV IDOO 7KLV SULQFLSOH DOVR DSSOLHV WR RXU OLYHV -HVXV WDXJKW LQ 0DWWKHZ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the Ă€oods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the Ă€oods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.â€? -HVXV ZDV ILQLVKLQJ +LV JUHDW 6HUPRQ RQ WKH 0RXQW UHFRUGHG LQ 0DWWKHZ

D a ily Christian Living 7KHVH FKDSWHUV UHFRUG D SRZHUIXO VXPPDU\ RI WKH FRUH WHDFKLQJV RI &KULVWLDQLW\ -HVXV JDYH HVVHQWLDO JXLGDQFH DQG FRPPDQGPHQWV WKDW FDQ EH IROORZHG WR UHVXOW LQ JRGO\ OLYHV WKDW DVVXUH RXU VSLULWXDO ZHOO EHLQJ DQG REHGLHQFH WR *RG 3DXO UHIHUUHG WR WKH WHDFKLQJ RI &KULVW DV D IRXQGDWLRQ IRU OLIH DV KH VWDWHG LQ &RULQWKLDQV “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 6RPH NH\ HOHPHQWV RI WKLV JUHDW VHUPRQ WKDW FUHDWH D IRXQGDWLRQ RI URFN LQFOXGH WKH IROORZLQJ 7KH PHHN KXPEOH ULJKWHRXV SXUH LQ KHDUW x 0DWWKHZ PHUFLIXO SHDFHPDNHU DQG VHUYDQW RI *RG WKDW LV SHUVHFXWHG IRU ULJKWHRXVQHVV¶ VDNH LV EOHVVHG DQG IDYRUHG 6LQ FRPHV IURP RXU KHDUWV DQG EHKDYLRU x 0DWWKHZ UHIOHFWV RXU KHDUWV 0DWWKHZ *RG ZLOO DQVZHU WKH SUD\HUV RI +LV FKLOGUHQ x 0DWWKHZ 2QH¶V WUHDVXUH LQ OLIH LV QRW NHSW RQ HDUWK EXW x 0DWWKHZ UDWKHU LW LV DFFXPXODWLQJ LQ KHDYHQ 0DWWKHZ x 0DWWKHZ :H PXVW VHHN ILUVW WKH NLQJGRP RI KHDYHQ DQG &KULVW¶V ULJKWHRXVQHVV $V ZH GR WKLV *RG ZLOO SURYLGH IRU RXU HYHU\ QHHG 0DWWKHZ x 0DWWKHZ 7KH ZD\ WR KHDYHQ LV QDUURZ DQG GLIILFXOW DQG WKH ZD\ WR HWHUQDO GHVWUXFWLRQ LV ZLGH DQG HDV\ 0DWWKHZ %HZDUH RI IDOVH WHDFKHUV x 0DWWKHZ 0DWWKHZ x 0DWWKHZ 2QO\ WKRVH ZKR NQRZ DQG GR WKH )DWKHU¶V ZLOO DUH VDYHG 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ RWKHU WHDFKLQJV LQ WKLV VHUPRQ 5HDG DQG VWXG\ HYHU\ YHUVH RI 0DWWKHZ WR OHDUQ KRZ WR EXLOG \RXU OLIH RQ D VROLG IRXQGDWLRQ 7KH ZRUOG LV SRSXODWHG E\ ELOOLRQV RI SHRSOH ZLWK IDLOLQJ OLYHV 7KH XOWLPDWH IDLOXUH LV GHDWK ZKLOH RXWVLGH RI WKH ERG\ RI &KULVW 8SRQ ZKDW = NLQG RI IRXQGDWLRQ LV \RXU OLIH EXLOW" = :D\QH %DUULHU OLYHV LQ )ORUHQFH $ODEDPD 86$ DQG GRHV PLVVLRQ ZRUN LQ VHYHUDO FRXQWULHV

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*UHJ 7LGZHOO “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a Ă€ame of Âżre, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the Âżrst’â€? (Revelation 2:18-19). :KLOH RXU /RUG ZRXOG JR RQ WR DGPRQLVK WKH FKXUFK LQ 7K\DWLUD WR JUHDWHU IDLWKIXOQHVV WKH FRPSOLPHQWV ZLWK ZKLFK +H RSHQHG WKLV VHFWLRQ DUH SURIRXQG 3UDLVLQJ WKHLU LQGXVWU\ DQG WHQDFLW\ +H FURZQHG WKHLU DFKLHYHPHQWV ZLWK WKLV VWULNLQJ SKUDVH “your latter works exceeded the first.â€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ospel Advocate

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That’s Life &DUUROO 6LWHV “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a proÂżt’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.â€? -DPHV (69

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The Ten Commandments and the New Testament 5XVVHOO %HOO 4 X H V W L R Q ³:RXOG \RX SOHDVH IXUQLVK VSHFLILF %LEOH WH[WV IRU HDFK RI WKH RWKHU QLQH FRPPDQG PHQWV"´ $QVZHU ,Q D SDVW DUWLFOH , PHQWLRQHG WKDW QLQH RI WKH RULJLQDO 7HQ &RPPDQG PHQWV DUH PHQ WLRQHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW EXW WKH IRXUWK FRPPDQG PHQW ³5HPHPEHU WKH 6DEEDWK GD\ WR NHHS LW KRO\ ´ ZDV QRW LQ WKH 1HZ 7HV WDPHQW 7KH UHDGHU HYLGHQWO\ UHFRJ QL]HV WKH DEVHQFH RI WKH 6DEEDWK FRPPDQGPHQW LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DQG ZRQGHUV LI DQ\ PDQGPHQW LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DQG ZRQGHUV LI DQ\ RI WKH RWKHU QLQH DUH DEVHQW 7KH DQVZHU LV ³1R ´ +HUH DUH QLQH RI WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 7KHVH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW ODZV EURXJKW LQWR WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DUH QRW DOO ZRUG IRU ZRUG EXW WKH FOHDU WHDFKLQJ RI WKHP LV WKHUH

B ib le Q uestion s 1. No other God (Exodus 20:4). “Concerning therefore the eating of things sacriÂżced to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.â€? &RULQWKLDQV

2. No graven images (Exodus 20:4). “Wherefore, my beloved Ă€ee from idolatryâ€? &RULQWKLDQV 3. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7). “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy nameâ€? 0DWWKHZ “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hearâ€? (SKHVLDQV 4. Keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:8). 7KHUH LV QR FRPPDQG SUHFHSW RU H[DPSOH LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ODZ IRU PDQ WR NHHS WKH 6DEEDWK 7KLV FRPPDQG ZDV HQWLUHO\ RPLWWHG LQ WKH QHZ FRYHQDQW RI &KULVW 7KH /RUGÂśV 'D\ WKH Âż UVW GD\ RI WKH ZHHN ZDV JLYHQ WR EH REVHUYHG $FWV &RULQWKLDQV 5. Honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12). “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the Âżrst commandment with promise)â€? (SKHVLDQV 6. Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). “For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer,

B ib le Q uestion s or as a meddler in other men’s mattersâ€? 3HWHU 7. Do not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of Godâ€? &RULQWKLDQV 8. Do not steal (Exodus 20:15). “Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath needâ€? (SKHVLDQV 9. Do not bear false witness (Exodus 20:16). “Lie not one to another seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doingsâ€? &RORVVLDQV 10. Thou shalt not covet (Exodus 20:17). “For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and Godâ€? (SKHVLDQV = = >(GLWRUÂśV 1RWH $W OHDVW WKHVH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW SDVVDJHV YDOLGDWH WKH DIILUPDWLRQ WKDW QLQH RI WKH RULJLQDO 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV KDYH EHHQ UHLQVWLWXWHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 'RXEWOHVVO\ WKH OLVW FRXOG EH H[SDQGHG ZLWK VLPLODU DGGLWLRQDO UHIHUHQFHV IURP ZLWKLQ WKH 1HZ &RYHQDQW /DVWO\ FRQWHPSRUDU\ SHRSOH DUH ERXQG WR LPSOHPHQW WKRVH QLQH FRPPDQGPHQWV QRW EHFDXVH WKH\ ZHUH LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW EXW EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW XQGHU ZKLFK ZH OLYH DQG E\ ZKLFK ZH ZLOO EH MXGJHG RQH GD\ a /RXLV 5XVKPRUH (GLWRU@ 5XVVHOO %HOO LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU DQG D IRUHLJQ PLVVLRQDU\ ZKR UHVLGHV LQ 7RSHND .DQVDV 86$

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Secret to Global Evangelism

Elders of the Elmore Church of Christ: Stan Taylor, Jimmy Davis, Terry Carlisle, and Marshall Reese.

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Members of the Valley Cities Church of Christ in Sayre, Pennsylvania

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100’s of Books Over 100 Tracts Nearly 100 issues of The Voice of Truth International

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Man sinned God promised One who would crush the head of satan (Genesis 3:15) Man continued to delve deeper into sin (Genesis 6:5) God sent the flood, but saved the remnant of humanity through Noah and his family (Genesis 9:1) Man again fell into sin and the worship of idol gods. In order to preserve a line through which man’s Saviour would be born, Abraham was chosen as the father of a new nation, under God’s new but transitory law (Genesis 12:1). Sin continued to grow, but God continued to prepare for the coming of the Saviour into the world preserving the Israelite nation again and again through the power and intervention of The Angel of the Lord (Exodus 33:2; Isaiah 63:9). In the fulness of time, the Saviour was born (Galatians 4:4). He did the work He came to do, He died for the sins of humanity, and He overcame death — giving to humanity the Gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

God’s entire work of the ages has been entrusted to our hands! Are we completing the work, or does it die with us?

V

The

oice of Truth

International

Volume 91

Then, to the church, His brothers and sisters, He said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature... (Mark 16:15,16).

The Voice of Truth International

The Focal Point for God from the Beginning:

Volume Ninety-One

The close of God’s beautiful day!

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