Let us not deceive ourselves: GOD will demand payment for this evil.
Volume 92
During a suction abortion procedure, the doctor or nurse will use a small, hand-held suction device or suction machine to suck the pregnancy tissue out of the uterus. They may also use a small Abortion tools surgical tool called a curette to cut and remove any tissue that’s left in the uterus, or check to make sure the uterus is totally empty. This type of abortion only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. How are dilation and extraction performed? The fetus is rotated and â€œâ€Ś a pair of forceps is inserted into the womb to grasp part of the fetus. The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn child. This process is repeated until the fetus is totally dismembered and removed. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.â€? (from Priests for Life) Salt Poisoning: a salt solution is injected through the mother’s abdomen so as to reach the baby’s sac. The baby is not merely poisoned when he swallows the solution; rather, his outer layer of skin is burned off. The baby will also not die right away, as it usually takes over an hour for him to die. If such measures were used to drag a reluctant dog from his kennel, PETA would sue for 100 years in prison or the death sentence for the perpetrators. If these methodss were used to execute the worst criminal on death row, angry citizens would rise up in arms against such cruelty. Yet, not only in the USA but WKURXJRXW WKH ZRUOG WKLV KRUULÂżF PXUGHU RI KHOSOHVV innocent babies takes place by the millions each year, with the consent of the legal systems. Where is the outrage? When will honesty demand that the procedure be called what it is: the cruel and inhumane murder of millions of humans?
The Voice of Truth International
What is an Abortion?
V
Volume Ninety-Two
The
oice of Truth
International
Since Roe vs. Wade there have been approximately 1,600,000 babies aborted every year in the United States. That’s 4,383 per day. We have aborted more babies than the total number of American soldiers killed in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined!
These six things the Lord hates... Hands that shed innocent blood....
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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:
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and Kingsly Rajah
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Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam
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Managing Editor, Earnest Gill
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Managing Editor, Thang Lien
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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 David R. Kenney 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 Darrell Surrette David Tarbet J.J. Turner Ken Tyler Allen Webster R.H. Tex Williams Nathan Wright
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Wolves in Sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clothing -HUU\ %DWHV -HVXV ZDUQHG XV DJDLQVW EHLQJ GHFHLYHG E\ VXSSRVHGO\ JRGO\ PLQLVWHUV ZKR DUH LQ ZDUGO\ QRWKLQJ EXW VHUYDQWV RI 6DWDQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolvesâ&#x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â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.â&#x20AC;? )URP ZKHUH ZRXOG WKHVH IDOVH WHDFKHUV FRPH" 7KH\ ZRXOG VRPHWLPHV FRPH IURP DPRQJ RXUVHOYHV WKH IORFN )DOVH WHDFKHUV GR QRW DOZD\V FRPH IURP WKH RXWVLGH EXW RIWHQ WKH\ DULVH IURP ZLWKLQ WKH FKXUFK 7KLV PDNHV WKHP HVSHFLDOO\ GDQJHURXV EHFDXVH ZH RIWHQ WUXVW WKHVH PHQ XQWLO LW LV WRR ODWH 7KH\ KDYH DOUHDG\ SRLVRQHG PDQ\ ZLWK WKHLU IDOVH WHDFKLQJ DQG GUDZQ PDQ\ DZD\ IURP WKH WUXWK EHIRUH ZH UHDOL]H ZKDW LV EHLQJ GRQH (YHQ DIWHU
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Who Is God? - & &KRDWH “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…” *HQHVLV “And God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image.’ In the image of God created He him, male and female created He them…” *HQHVLV 1932—2008 +XPDQV ZHUH FUHDWHG WR EH WKH REMHFW RI *RG¶V ORYH :H ZHUH JLYHQ LPPRUWDO VRXOV VR WKDW RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG FRXOG EH QHYHUHQGLQJ :H ZHUH PDGH ZLWK WKH DELOLW\ WR WKLQN WR FKRRVH WR ORYH DQG WR UHVSRQG WR ORYH )URP WKH FUHDWLRQ KXPDQV ZHUH SHUIHFW 7KH\ KDG QR VLQ 7KHLU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG ZDV SHUVRQDO *RG ZDONHG DQG WDONHG ZLWK WKHP ,Q WKDW UHODWLRQVKLS *RG ZDV IXOO\ UHYHDOHG VR WKDW KXPDQV NQHZ +LP IRU WKH UHDOLW\ WKDW +H LV
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RI JUDYLW\" :RXOG HYHU\WKLQJ IO\ DSDUW LQWR WKH HQGOHVVQHVV RI VSDFH" 2U ZRXOG HYHU\WKLQJ IDOO LQ RQ HYHU\WKLQJ HOVH" 5HJDUGOHVV WKH HIIHFW ZRXOG EH WRWDO GHVWUXFWLRQ RI RXU ZRUOG DQG WKH XQLYHUVH ,Q D YHU\ UHDO VHQVH LW LV WKH SRZHU RI *RG WKDW KROGV DOO RI FUHDWLRQ LQ LWV SURSHU SODFH VR WKDW WKLQJV FDQ JR RQ LQ D normal ZD\ +HEUHZV GHFODUHV WKDW *RG WKURXJK +LV 6RQ FUHDWHG DOO WKLQJV DQG WKDW +H LV â&#x20AC;&#x153;upholding all things by the word of His power.â&#x20AC;? *RG VSRNH DQG DOO WKDW H[LVWV FDPH LQWR EHLQJ +H UHYHDOHG LQ +LV :RUG FHQWXULHV EHIRUH LW ZDV NQRZQ E\ PDQ WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;He hangs the earth on nothingâ&#x20AC;? -RE ,W LV WKLV *RG WKLV %HLQJ RI LQWHOOLJHQFH DQG SRZHU :KR LV UHYHDOHG LQ His creation DQG in the pages of the Bible. 5HDGLQJ WKH ERRNV RI UHOLJLRQV SUDFWLFHG WRGD\ ZH VHH P\WKV DQG VWDWHPHQWV WKDW DUH FRQWUDU\ WR WKH ODZV E\ ZKLFK QDWXUH RSHUDWHV 7KH *RG RI WKH %LEOH LV QRW H[SODLQHG E\ P\WKROLJLFDO VWRULHV RU E\ VWDWHPHQWV WKDW DUH LQ FRQIOLFW ZLWK WKH NQRZQ VFLHQWLILF ODZV +H VD\V RI +LPVHOI â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down â&#x20AC;ŚLet the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judgeâ&#x20AC;Ś Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Meâ&#x20AC;? 3VDOP â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am the Lord your Godâ&#x20AC;? ([RGXV = - & &KRDWH SUHDFKHU RI WKH *RVSHO IRU PRUH WKDQ \HDUV EHJDQ SXEOLFDWLRQ RI The Voice of Truth International LQ
Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (Isaiah 46:9-11).
Priceless $QGUHZ /DQNIRUG Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so easy to feel good when things are calm and peaceful, when birds are singing, when the sun is rich and warm. But when things are not so calm and peaceful, when fear and doubt and loneliness fall like flames, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so easy to feel good. One thing is for certain, however, even in the midst of a dark and stormy night, Christ died for us! That will never change. As long as we live and breathe that will never change. No matter what we are facing, no matter how difficult things become, Christ loved us so much he died for us. That great sacrifice makes us priceless in the eyes of a God so strong He created the universe with the sound of His voice, a God so intelligent He composed the greatest love story ever told, a God so limitless He knows the end from the beginning. We are indeed priceless, even when we may not feel like it, even when we believe all hope is lost.
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:KDW &KULVW 0HDQW WR 3DXO 7HUU\ * -RQHV ,Q WKH HSLVWOHV RI WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO WKHUH DUH FRQVWDQW UHIHUHQFHV WR WKH LGHD RI EHLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;in Christ.â&#x20AC;? %HLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;in Christâ&#x20AC;? LQYROYHV RQH EHLQJ LQIOXHQFHG E\ &KULVW EHLQJ REHGLHQW WR WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW DQG EHLQJ DGGHG WR WKH ERG\ RI &KULVW ZKHUH RQH ZDONV LQ WKH IRRWVWHSV RI &KULVW DQG OLYHV LQ KRSH RI HWHUQDO OLIH ZLWK &KULVW 3DXO ZRXOG KDYH XV WR NQRZ WKDW &KULVW KDG LQIOXHQFHG HYHU\ DVSHFW RI KLV OLIH 1RZKHUH LV WKLV PRUH HYLGHQW WKDQ ZKHQ KH ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for meâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV ,Q WKLV YHUVH ZH OHDUQ ZKDW &KULVW UHDOO\ PHDQW WR 3DXO )LUVW 3DXO ZDV FUXFLILHG ZLWK &KULVW FUXFLILHG ZLWK &KULVW +H KDG QRW H[SHULHQFHG SK\VLFDO GHDWK RQ D FURVV +RZHYHU 3DXO FRXOG LGHQWLI\ ZLWK &KULVWÂśV GHDWK +H KDG EHFRPH GHDG WR WKH /DZ RI 0RVHV *DODWLDQV LQ WKDW LW QR ORQJHU KDG FRQWURO RYHU KLP +H KDG GLHG WR WKH IOHVK â&#x20AC;&#x153;And they that are Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lustsâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV +H KDG GLHG WR WKH ZRUOG â&#x20AC;&#x153;But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the worldâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV FKDQJHG E\ &KULVW +H VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;nevertheless I live; 6HFRQG 3DXO ZDV FKDQJHG E\ &KULVW yet not Iâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? 7KRXJK FUXFLILHG KH VWLOO OLYHG 7KHQ QRWLFH WKH SKUDVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;yet not I.â&#x20AC;? +HUH 3DXO SRLQWHG WR WKH FKDQJH WKDW KDG WDNHQ SODFH LQ KLV OLIH DQG WKH LQIOXHQFH WKDW &KULVW QRZ KDG RYHU KLP ,Q &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO GHFODUHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.â&#x20AC;? :KHQ 3DXO PHW -HVXV KLV OLIH ZDV FRPSOHWHO\ DQG IRUHYHU FKDQJHG +HUH LV D OLIH WKDW ZHQW IURP â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?â&#x20AC;? $FWV WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV 7KLUG 3DXO ZDV FRQWUROOHG E\ &KULVW FRQWUROOHG E\ &KULVW +H VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;but Christ liveth in
G od me.â&#x20AC;? ,W ZDV 3DXOÂśV OLIH EXW &KULVW ZDV DW WKH FRQWUROV +H DOORZHG HYHU\ DVSHFW RI KLV OLIH WR EH GLUHFWHG E\ WKH /RUG ,Q &RORVVLDQV 3DXO GHWDLOHG KRZ FRPSOHWHO\ &KULVW FRQWUROOHG KLV OLIH &KULVW FRQWUROOHG KLV PLQG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earthâ&#x20AC;? Y &KULVW FRQWUROOHG KLV PHPEHUV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatryâ&#x20AC;? Y &KULVW FRQWUROOHG KLV PRUDOV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsufferingâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? YV &KULVW FRQWUROOHG KLV PDQQHUV â&#x20AC;&#x153;And let the peace of God rule in your heartsâ&#x20AC;Ś Let the word of Christ dwell in you richlyâ&#x20AC;Ś And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by himâ&#x20AC;? YV )RXUWK 3DXO ZDV FRPPLWWHG WR &KULVW FRPPLWWHG WR &KULVW +H VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.â&#x20AC;? 3DXO UHIHUUHG WR KLV SUHVHQW OLIH ZKLFK KH ZDV â&#x20AC;&#x153;nowâ&#x20AC;? OLYLQJ DV D &KULVWLDQ DV RSSRVHG WR KLV ROG OLIH EHIRUH KLV FRQYHUVLRQ 1RW RQO\ ZDV KH VDYHG E\ IDLWK *DODWLDQV EXW KH OLYHG E\ IDLWK LQ WKH 6RQ RI *RG ,Q 3KLOLSSLDQV KH GHFODUHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.â&#x20AC;? (YHU\ DVSHFW RI 3DXOÂśV OLIH ZDV URRWHG LQ &KULVW )LIWK 3DXO ZDV FODLPHG E\ &KULVW FODLPHG E\ &KULVW +H VDLG WKDW &KULVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;loved me, and gave himself for me.â&#x20AC;? 3DXOÂśV OLIH ZDV PRWLYDWHG E\ WKH ORYH RI &KULVW WKDW ZDV GHPRQVWUDWHG E\ +LV YLFDULRXV GHDWK /LNH DOO PHQ 3DXO ZDV ORVW LQ VLQ EXW &KULVW GLHG WKDW +H PLJKW FODLP KLP IRU +LV RZQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, then are ye Abrahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seed, and heirs according to the promiseâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV 7R 7LPRWK\ 3DXO VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am now chiefâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ %\ +LV GHDWK &KULVW KDV FODLPHG XV IRU +LV RZQ /LNH 3DXO ZH PXVW /LNH 3DXO ZH PXVW DOORZ &KULVW WR LQIOXHQFH HYHU\ DVSHFW RI RXU OLYHV DOORZ &KULVW WR LQIOXHQFH HYHU\ DVSHFW RI RXU OLYHV = = 7HUU\ * -RQHV LV D *RVSHO SUHDFKHU DQG DQ LQVWUXFWRU DW WKH :HVW 9LUJLQLD 6FKRRO RI 3UHDFKLQJ LQ 0RXQGVYLOOH :HVW 9LUJLQLD 86$
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;His Hour Had Not Yet Comeâ&#x20AC;? 5R\FH )UHGHULFN *UHDW FURZGV IROORZHG -HVXV DV +H ZHQW DERXW WHDFKLQJ WKH JRRG QHZV RI WKH NLQJGRP DQG KHDOLQJ HYHU\ NLQG RI VLFNQHVV +H WDXJKW WKHP ZLWK DXWKRULW\ DQG WKH FRPPRQ SHRSOH KHDUG +LP JODGO\ 0DWWKHZ 0DUN +RZHYHU QRW HYHU\RQH ZDV KDSS\ ZLWK WKH ZRUNV DQG ZRUGV RI -HVXV 6RPH HYHQ ZDQWHG WR NLOO +LP -RKQ /XNH -HVXV UHWXUQHG WR 1D]DUHWK +LV KRPHWRZQ DQG SUHDFKHG WKHUH â&#x20AC;&#x153;So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His wayâ&#x20AC;? /XNH ,W ZDV QRW \HW WLPH IRU +LP WR GLH
G od ,Q -HUXVDOHP DIWHU +H KDG WDXJKW LQ WKH 7HPSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthey sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet comeâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ 2Q RQH RFFDVLRQ WKH 3KDULVHHV DQG WKH FKLHI SULHVWV VHQW RIILFHUV WR WDNH -HVXV 7KH\ IRXQG +LP WHDFKLQJ WKH SHRSOH +RZHYHU WKH RIILFHUV ZHUH VR DPD]HG E\ -HVXV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why have you not brought Him?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The officers answered, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No man ever spoke like this Man!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? -RKQ $JDLQ LQ -HUXVDOHP â&#x20AC;&#x153;These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet comeâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ /DWHU ZH VHH WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthey took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed byâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ VHH 1RW RQH VWRQH OHIW WKHLU KDQGV ,W ZDV QRW \HW WLPH IRU +LP WR GLH <HW ZKHQ WKH WLPH FDPH IRU +LP WR GLH -HVXV JDYH +LV OLIH ZLOOLQJO\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Fatherâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ (YHQ ZKHQ WKH\ ZHUH DUUHVWLQJ +LP LQ WKH *DUGHQ -HVXV FRXOG KDYH FDOOHG IRU D PLJKW\ DUP\ RI DQJHOV WR UHVFXH +LP 0DWWKHZ EXW +H GLG QRW :KHQ WKH WLPH FDPH IRU +LP WR GLH IRU RXU VLQV -HVXV IUHHO\ JDYH +LV OLIH IRU \RX DQG IRU PH = = 5R\FH )UHGHULFN LV WKH (GLWRU RI International Gospel Teacher DQG OLYHV LQ )RUW :RUWK 7H[DV 86$
.HQQH\ÂśV 3HQQLHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnessâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ 1.-9 , KDYH KHDUG LW VDLG WKDW WKH KDUGHVW ZRUGV LQ WKH (QJOLVK ODQJXDJH DUH Âł, ZDV ZURQJ´ RU Âł, KDYH VLQQHG ´ ,ÂśP QRW VXUH LI WKHVH DUH WKH KDUGHVW RU QRW EXW WKH\ GR VHHP WR EH UDWKHU VFDUFH DW WLPHV
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A Trio of Truths %LOO 'LOORQ 7KH DSRVWOH RI ORYH HPSKDWLFDOO\ VHW IRUWK WKUHH JUHDW IDFWV DERXW *RG 7KLV WULR RI WUXWKV GLG QRW FRPH E\ UHSHDWHG UXPRU QRU E\ UHFRUGHG WUDGLWLRQ QRU E\ WKH YRLFH RI KHDUVD\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is lightâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ ,Q D ZRUOG RI IOHHWLQJ VKDGRZV ZH DUH UHPLQGHG RI WKH UDGLDQFH RI *RG ,Q D ZRUOG ZKHUH WKH GDUNQHVV RI VLQ LV VR SUHYDOHQW LW LV JRRG WR NQRZ RI WKH OLJKW WKDW EDQLVKHV WKH QLJKW 6R HPLQHQW LV WKH EULJKWQHVV RI *RG WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x153;in him is no darkness at all.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is life.â&#x20AC;? 7KLV WUXWK LV KDSSLO\ UHFHLYHG LQ D ZRUOG WKDW LV LQ WKH LF\ JULS RI JORRP (YHU\ WULS WR WKH FHPHWHU\ VKRXOG EH PDGH XQGHU WKH XPEUHOOD RI WKLV KRSH EULQJLQJ GHFODUDWLRQ 1RWLFH KRZ -RKQ HODERUDWHG RQ WKLV WUXWK â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this is the promise that He has promised usâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;eternal lifeâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Sonâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ :KDW D WULXPSKDQW PHVVDJH â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is loveâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ 7KLV SUHFHSW WRXFKHV XV LQ HYHU\GD\ OLYLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x153;He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?â&#x20AC;? -RKQ $JDLQ, â&#x20AC;&#x153;But whoever has this worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?â&#x20AC;? -RKQ :KDW LV WKH SXUSRVH RI JLYLQJ WKHVH WULXPSKDQW WUXWKV" -RKQ VDLG LQ KLV RZQ ZRUGV â&#x20AC;&#x153;These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of Godâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ 7KHVH JUDQG VHQWHQFHV FRPSULVH WKH DQWKHP RI -RKQÂśV OLIH DQG PLQLVWU\ 0RUH LV KHUH WKDQ PHHWV WKH H\H :H WRR VKRXOG VSHDN WKHVH WUXWKV WR PHQ DQG OHW WKHP EH WKH PXVLF RI RXU VRXOV < < %LOO 'LOORQ SUHDFKHV IRU WKH /RUGÂśV FKXUFK LQ &RWWHU $UNDQVDV 86$
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the w ord of god
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The New Testament: A Pattern for Our Day? 'DOWRQ .H\
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the w ord of god &RULQWKLDQV $FWV 7KH &RORVVLDQV ZHUH LQVWUXFWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodiceaâ&#x20AC;? &RORVVLDQV +RZHYHU WKDW ZDV ORQJ DJR :KDW DERXW WKH FKXUFK WRGD\" 2XU RULJLQDO TXHVWLRQ OLQJHUV VWLOO
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Did You Know?
Th e H ebrew re ew w word w ord â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;arek â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a a re re k (aw-rakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) is translated as longsuff fering, f er e r iin n g, patient, pat iie en ntt , slow to anger. Four times it is translated t anslat e tr translat ed d as as longsuf fering in reference to God waiting aiting for fo o r man ma m a n to to obey (Exodus 34:6). One time the word ord is translated trra r a ns n s lla a te ted d as patient, referring to waiting instead stead of o f being b e ing impatient (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Nine times mes the e word w ord is translated as slow to anger. God is slow to t o anger, a ge an ger, r, and we should be too (Psalm 103:8; Proverbs Prove r b s 14:29). 1 4 :29) .
The W ord Of Go d
How to Preach the Bible &KDUOHV 5 5RVH -DPHV JDYH VRXQG DGYLFH ZKHQ KH VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgmentâ&#x20AC;? -DPHV ,W LV DQ DZHVRPH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ WKDW RQH XQGHUWDNHV ZKHQ KH DFFHSWV WKH UROH RI %LEOH WHDFKHU RU SUHDFKHU 7KH VRXOV RI HDFK SHUVRQ LQ KLV OLVWHQLQJ DXGLHQFH DUH SODFHG XQGHU KLV SHUVRQDO FDUH :KDW DGYLFH VKRXOG RQH RIIHU WR D \RXQJ PDQ ZKR LV SODQQLQJ VXFK DQ HQGHDYRU" 7KH IROORZLQJ LV P\ DGYLFH WR KLP
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Be Adaptable %\ WKLV , PHDQ OHDUQ WKH VNLOO RI DGDSWLQJ WKH OHVVRQ WR WKH QHHGV RI \RXU DXGLHQFH 3DXO H[SODLQHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all things save someâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO GLG QRW FRPSURPLVH *RGÂśV WUXWK EXW UDWKHU KH DGDSWHG KLV DFWLRQV DQG VSHHFK WR KLV DXGLHQFH 7KXV SUHDFKHUV WRGD\ VKRXOG VSHDN WKH ODQJXDJH RI WKHLU DXGLHQFHV 6SHDN RQ WKHLU OHYHO XVLQJ WKHLU YRFDEXODU\ 6RPH SUHDFKHUV VHHP WR WU\ WR VKRZ RII WKHLU HGXFDWLRQ E\ XVLQJ ODQJXDJH WKDW RQO\ D XQLYHUVLW\ SURIHVVRU ZLOO XQGHUVWDQG 6SHDN WKH ODQJXDJH RI WKH FRPPRQ PDQ EHFDXVH WKH JUHDW PDMRULW\ RI WKH DXGLHQFH LV PDGH XS RI FRPPRQ SHRSOH
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Women of Excellence, Arise -RVO\Q 5DPVXEKDJ
Women of excellence, arise! God’s Word will make you wise Quickly check through your life To a new horizon you must strive. As the rising sun radiates the sky Your humble life will attract passersby ‘Lay off weights which keep you down Remember Satan only entices wrong. Women of excellence like the rising sun Radiating light could be lots of fun Your portrayal of Christ for all to see In darkness, in light, shines continuously. Women of excellence, thou excel all! You slip…you stumble…you never fall As beacons beams at troubled seas You arise like the sun for all to see.
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3OHDVH (QFRXUDJH WKH &KXUFK -LPP\ &ODUN â&#x20AC;&#x153;So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctifiedâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 7KLV HQFRXUDJLQJ VWDWHPHQW LV VHW LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI VRPH VDG QHZV WKDW 3DXO JDYH WKHVH HOGHUV IURP (SKHVXV 3DXO VDLG WR WKHP â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no moreâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 2QFH PRUH â&#x20AC;&#x153;For 1 know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselvesâ&#x20AC;? $FWV $OO WKH WURXEOLQJ QHZV 3DXO JDYH ZRXOG PDNH RQH ZDQW WR WHOO KLP WR VWRS JLYLQJ DQ\ PRUH 6XFK ZDV YHU\ GLVWXUELQJ +RZHYHU KH GLG VSHDN RI WKHP EHLQJ DEOH WR EH EXLOW XS HYHQ DIWHU KLV GHSDUWXUH IURP WKHP 7KHUH DUH WLPHV ZKHQ WKH FKXUFK QHHGV WR EH HQFRXUDJHG DV 3DXO GLG HYHQ LQ WKH PLGVW RI VRPH EDG QHZV &RQVLGHU WKUHH FRQGLWLRQV ZKHUH WKH FKXUFK QHHGV HQFRXUDJHPHQW
The Church ,Q 7LPHV RI 6HFXODUL]DWLRQ DQG 'HSUDYLW\ 7KH /RUG *RG FDOOV KLV SHRSOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;out of darkness into his marvelous lightâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU 7KDW FDOOLQJ LV D FDOO WR KROLQHVV 3HWHU DOVR ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conductâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU ,W LV H[WUHPHO\ GLVFRXUDJLQJ WR WKH FKXUFK ZKHQ WKRVH ZKR DUH VXSSRVHG WR ZDON LQ KROLQHVV OLYH OLYHV RI K\SRFULV\ DQG ZRUOGOLQHVV 7KH FKXUFK QHHGV WR NQRZ WKDW QRW HYHU\RQH LV ÂłJRLQJ WR WKH GRJV ´ $V GHDG DV WKH FRQJUHJDWLRQ DW 6DUGLV ZDV 5HYHODWLRQ WKHUH ZHUH VWLOO VRPH LQ WKDW FRQJUHJDWLRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;who have not defiled their garmentsâ&#x20AC;? 5HYHODWLRQ 7KHUH DUH VWLOO SHRSOH LQ WKH FKXUFK ZKR KDYH QRW â&#x20AC;&#x153;bowed the knee to Baalâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV 6XUHO\ WKDW VKRXOG HQFRXUDJH WKH FKXUFK ,Q 7LPHV RI 6FKLVPV DQG 'LYLVLRQ 7KH FRQJUHJDWLRQ DW &RULQWK ZDV GHHSO\ GLYLGHG \HW 3DXO HQFRXUDJHG WKHP â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesusâ&#x20AC;Ś God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lordâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV /DWHU LQ WKH ERRN 3DXO ZURWH DERXW WKH GLYLVLRQ SUREOHP â&#x20AC;&#x153;For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among youâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV 'LYLVLRQV PHUHO\ UHYHDO ZKR DUH RI *RG DQG ZKR SUHWHQG WR EH RI *RG :KLOH GLYLVLRQ LV QRW GHVLUDEOH &RULQWKLDQV LW LV QRW WR EH SDUDO\]LQJ WR WKH IDLWKIXO 7R EH IRUHZDUQHG LV WR EH IRUHDUPHG DQG HQFRXUDJHG ,Q 7LPHV RI 6XIIHULQJ DQG 'HDWK 3DXO ZURWH WR WKH 7KHVVDORQLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hopeâ&#x20AC;? 7KHVVDORQLDQV 7KRVH ZKR VXIIHU DQG HYHQ FRPH WR GHDWK KDYH JUHDW HQFRXUDJHPHQW LQ WKH *RVSHO 3HWHU ZURWH RI JUHDW FRQVRODWLRQ LQ WKH OLYLQJ KRSH 3HWHU DQG VWDWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trialsâ&#x20AC;? 3HWHU 7KH JUHDW DQG SUHFLRXV SURPLVHV RI *RG DUH RI JUHDW HQFRXUDJHPHQW WR DOO ZKR IDFH VXIIHULQJ DQG GHDWK < < -LPP\ &ODUN SUHDFKHV IRU WKH %HWKHO &KXUFK RI &KULVW LQ $WKHQV $ODEDPD 86$
Doctrine To Live By
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Doctrine To Live By OHW XV SXUVXH IDLWKIXOQHVV QRW QHZ IDGV RU LQWHUSUHWDWLRQV WKDW FRPH DORQJ “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” 7LPRWK\ 6KRZ SHRSOH VRPHWKLQJ QHZ WKH\¶YH SUREDEO\ QRW VHHQ EHIRUH = = 5LFKDUG 0DQVHO DV SRVWHG DW KWWS IRUWKULJKWSUHVV FRP E /
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Doctrine To Live By
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Preaching That “I Bid You” ( &ODXGH *DUGQHU 5HEHOOLRXV -RQDK WKHQ SHQLWHQW ZDV QRZ UHDG\ WR SUHDFK WR 1LQHYHK +H ZDV LQVWUXFWHG WR SUHDFK WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI *RG “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and preach to it the message that I tell you”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¶V PHVVDJH RI ZDUQLQJ DQG SRVVLEOH GRRP 7KH FLW\ RI 1LQHYHK ZLWK SHRSOH ZDV ODUJH HQRXJK WKDW -RQDK KDG WR WDNH D WKUHH GD\ MRXUQH\ LQ WKH FLW\ WR GHOLYHU *RG¶V PHVVDJH :KDW ZDV WKH PHVVDJH" “And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh
D octrin e T o Liv e By shall be overthrown!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? :KDW ZHUH WKH UHVXOWV RI KLV SUHDFKLQJ" â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do itâ&#x20AC;? /HW XV OHDUQ WKDW D FOHDU DQG GLUHFW *RVSHO PHVVDJH ZLOO KDYH SRZHUIXO UHVXOWV
T hr ee Fa c t s o n Pr ea chin g )LUVW SUHDFKLQJ LV DQ DEVROXWH FRPPDQG RI *RG &KULVW FKDUJHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;And He said to them, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creatureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? 0DUN 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO XUJHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;before Godâ&#x20AC;? WR SUHDFK â&#x20AC;&#x153;I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teachingâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?â&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV 3UHDFKLQJ PXVW EH LQFOXGHG LQ WKH FKXUFK RQ WKH /RUGÂśV 'D\ ZRUVKLS WKHUH PXVW EH â&#x20AC;&#x153;apostlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; doctrineâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 7ZR W\SHV RI FRQJUHJDWLRQV H[LVW WRGD\²SUHDFKLQJ DQG SUHDFKLQJ UHSODFHG E\ SUDLVH ,Q WKH ODWWHU NLQG SUHDFKLQJ LV GLVGDLQHG QHJOHFWHG DQG GLOXWHG 3UHDFKLQJ LV UHSODFHG E\ SHUVRQDO GHYRWLRQDOV OHFWXUHV DQG WHVWLPRQLHV RQ ZKDW -HVXV KDV GRQH IRU WKHP 3UDLVH LV LQFOXGHG WR VKRZ ÂłUHODWLRQVKLSV´ ZLWK -HVXV 7KH FKXUFK RI WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW DQG WKH WUXH SODQ RI VDOYDWLRQ DUH DW WKH VXEOHYHO 6R FDOOHG ÂłSUDLVH´ LV GLVSODFLQJ ÂłSUHDFKLQJ ´ ZKLFK LV GHSDUWXUH 7KH ÂłROG´ %LEOH SUHDFKLQJ LV VWDOH DQG QRQ IHHOLQJ WR PDQ\ \RXQJHU SHUVRQV <RXQJ SUHDFKHUV VKRXOG VWXG\ DQG OHDUQ WKH :RUG RI *RG 7KH\ VKRXOG QRW ORRN IRU ZHLUG DQG ÂłIDU RXW´ WRSLFV EXW WHOO WKH ROG ROG VWRU\ RI WKH :RUG RI *RG 6HFRQG SUHDFKLQJ PXVW EH WKH :RUG ,W PXVW QRW EH D KXPDQ FUHHG ZULWWHQ RU DQ RUDO WUDGLWLRQ $ SUHDFKHU PXVW VWDQG EHKLQG WKH FURVV DQG SUHDFK &KULVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucifiedâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO VDLG WKHUH LV â&#x20AC;&#x153;woeâ&#x20AC;? LI KH GLG QRW SUHDFK WKH *RVSHO â&#x20AC;&#x153;For if I
D octrin e T o Liv e By preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me, yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!â&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV $ SUHDFKHU PXVW QRW HQGDQJHU KLV VRXO E\ DGGLQJ WR RU VXEWUDFWLQJ IURP WKH :RUG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this bookâ&#x20AC;? 5HYHODWLRQ ,W LV WKH GXW\ RI WKH SUHDFKHU WR GHFODUH WKH ZKROH FRXQVHO RI *RG DV ZULWWHQ LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW 7KH\ IROORZ 3DXO ZKR VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of Godâ&#x20AC;? $FWV *RVSHO SUHDFKLQJ ZLOO EULQJ PDUYHORXV UHVXOWV DV LW GLG LQ WKH GD\V RI WKH HDUO\ FKXUFK :H REVHUYH WKDW 3DXO DQG DVVRFLDWHV SUHDFKHG LQ 7KHVVDORQLFD ZKLFK UHVXOWHG LQ PDQ\ &KULVWLDQV DQG WKH VWDUW RI WKH FKXUFK /XNH UHSRUWHG WKH RXWFRPH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then Paul as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silasâ&#x20AC;? $FWV 7KH :RUG RI *RG ZLOO QRW UHWXUQ YRLG DV 6RORPRQ ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after may daysâ&#x20AC;? (FFOHVLDVWHV 7KLUG SUHDFKLQJ WKH :RUG SURPLVHV PXOWLSOH EOHVVLQJV ,W LV QHYHU D PLVWDNH WR SUHDFK RQO\ WKH :RUG 7KH *RVSHO
Save s Saves â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselvesâ&#x20AC;? -DPHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctifiedâ&#x20AC;? $FWV
D octrin e T o Liv e By
Jud ge s U s â&#x20AC;&#x153;He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last dayâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ
I s Tr u t h â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truthâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you freeâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ
I s L ivin g â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heartâ&#x20AC;? +HEUHZV â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to youâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ
, V 3 R ZH U IXO â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greekâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV
L ove a n d O b e y t h e Wor d 2QH PXVW ÂłKHDU´ DQG KHHG WKH :RUG RI *RG IRU LW SURGXFHV IDLWK DQG REHGLHQFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV 2QH PXVW QRW EH OLNH WKRVH ZKR KHDUG -RKQ WKH %DSWLVW EXW UHIXVHG WR REH\ WKH FRPPDQG RI *RG 7RGD\ WKRVH ZKR REH\ WKH *RVSHO 0DUN IROORZ WKH â&#x20AC;&#x153;counsel of God.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by himâ&#x20AC;? /XNH 7KRVH ZKR UHMHFW EDSWLVP UHMHFW WKH FRXQVHO RI *RG $ *RVSHO SUHDFKHU PXVW SUHDFK WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI *RG DQG H[SHFW D ERXQWLIXO KDUYHVW RI VDYHG VRXOV $FWV = = ( &ODXGH *DUGQHU LV 3UHVLGHQW (PHULWXV RI )UHHG +DUGHPDQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ +HQGHUVRQ 7HQQHVVHH 86$
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The Fat is Mine
-DVRQ =XHKONH $V ZH JR WKURXJK OLIH KRZ GR ZH ORRN DW ZKDW ZH KDYH" ,V LW $// PLQH EHFDXVH , HDUQHG RU DFFXPXODWHG LW" 'R , VKDUH LW EHFDXVH , FDQ" +RZ DP , WR XVH LW" $ TXHVWLRQ DV D &KULVWLDQ LV ³:KDW GR , JLYH WR *RG"´ ,¶YH VWDUWHG UHYLHZLQJ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW WR JHW D EHWWHU XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI KLVWRU\ DQG *RG¶V QDWXUH VR , FDQ EHWWHU XQGHUVWDQG DQG DSSO\ WKH WHDFKLQJV LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ,Q WKLV UHYLHZ , QRWLFHG WKDW LQ WKH DQLPDO VDFULILFHV GHVFULEHG LQ /HYLWLFXV FKDSWHUV DQG DOO WKH IDW ZDV WR EH RIIHUHG WR *RG /HYLWLFXV UHDGV “and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat is the Lord’s.” , VWDUWHG WKLQNLQJ DERXW WKLV “all the fat is the Lord’s.” , KDG MXVW ILQLVKHG UHDGLQJ ([RGXV EHIRUH FRPLQJ WR /HYLWLFXV DQG , VDZ WKDW *RG FRQWLQXDOO\ SURYLGHG IRU +LV SHRSOH 1RZ WKDW +H KDG GHOLYHUHG WKHP +H DVNHG IRU WKH IDW +H DOORZHG $DURQ DQG +LV VRQV WR KDYH IRRG IURP FHUWDLQ RIIHULQJV EXW RQO\ WKH VXEVWDQFHV QHHGHG DQG QRW WKH ³H[WUD ´ , OHDUQHG IURP WKLV WKDW *RG SURYLGHV IRU WKH QHHGV RI +LV SHRSOH DQG DVNV IRU XV WR JLYH
Worship IURP WKH DEXQGDQFH ,Q WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ZH VHH LQ &RULQWKLDQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.â&#x20AC;? 3DXO LQVWUXFWHG &KULVWLDQV WR â&#x20AC;&#x153;lay by in storeâ&#x20AC;? DV WKH\ KDG SURVSHUHG QRW WR GHSULYH WKHPVHOYHV RI ZKDW ZH needed EXW WR JLYH RI WKH H[FHVV +RZ KDUG LV LW WR JLYH RI RXU H[WUD" +RZ PXFK GR ZH FRQVLGHU WR EH ÂłH[WUD´ DQG DYDLODEOH WR WKH /RUG" &KULVW JDYH XV ZDUQLQJ RI QRW FRQVLGHULQJ *RG LQ RXU SODQV ,Q /XNH +H WROG D SDUDEOH RI D ULFK PDQ ZKR KDG D ERXQWLIXO KDUYHVW EXW FRXOGQÂśW ILW LW DOO LQWR KLV FXUUHQW VWRUDJH VR KH GHFLGHG WR EXLOG PRUH VWRUDJH VSDFH 6R IDU LQ WKH DFFRXQW WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ QHJDWLYH VDLG DERXW KDYLQJ PXFK EXW ZH VHH WKH GDQJHUV LQ WKH QH[W YHUVHV 7KH ULFK PDQ GHFLGHG KH ZRXOG VWRUH XS DOO RI KLV ZHDOWK IRU KLV RZQ EHQHILW $FFRUGLQJ WR /XNH KH SODQQHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I will say to my soul, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? :KHUH ZDV WKLV PDQÂśV WKDQNIXOQHVV WR *RG" :KDW GLG KH ZDQW WR JLYH WR *RG LQ JUDWLWXGH IRU KLV LPPHDVXUDEOH EOHVVLQJV" :KHUH ZDV KLV FRQFHUQ IRU WKH KXUWLQJ SHRSOH DURXQG KLP" +H KDG D JUHDW DEXQGDQFH IDU PRUH WKDQ KH ZRXOG HYHU QHHG EXW KLV IRFXV ZDV QRW RQ *RG DV WKH *LYHU RI DOO EOHVVLQJV +H ZDV RQO\ ORRNLQJ LQZDUGO\ WRZDUG KLPVHOI )RU WKLV UHDVRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;God said to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? /XNH :H DOO QHHG WKH QHFHVVLWLHV RI OLIH EXW GR ZH NHHS *RG LQ RXU KHDUWV DQG JLYH D SRUWLRQ RI WKDW ZLWK ZKLFK ZH DUH EOHVVHG EDFN WR +LP" :H PXVW UHPHPEHU *RG NQRZV ZKDW ZH QHHG DQG DV +LV FKLOGUHQ +H ZLOO ORRN DIWHU XV /XNH VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.â&#x20AC;? :KDW ZLOO \RX VHHN DIWHU" 7KH ULFKHV RI WKLV ZRUOG RU WKH WUHDVXUHV LQ +HDYHQ" 'RQÂśW IRUJHW WR JLYH WKH ÂłIDW´ WR *RG 8VH ZKDW \RX KDYH DV D WRRO WR VHUYH WKH *RG :KR FUHDWHG XV DQG DOO WKDW ZH KDYH = = -DVRQ =XHKONH <RXWK %LEOH 6WXG\ 7HDFKHU LQ ,QGLDQROD 0LVVLVVLSSL 86$
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;H e W h o Is No t Aga inst Us Is o n O u r Sid eâ&#x20AC;? .HYLQ / 0RRUH 7KH DSRVWOHV KDG IRUELGGHQ D PDQ ZKR GLG QRW IROORZ WKHP IURP FDVWLQJ RXW GHPRQV LQ -H VXVÂś QDPH ,Q UH VSRQVH WKH /RUG VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not forbid himâ&#x20AC;Ś for he who is not against us is on our sideâ&#x20AC;? 0DUN :KDW GLG -HVXV PHDQ E\ WKLV VWDWH PHQW DQG ZKDW L P S O L F D W L R Q V GRHV LW KDYH IRU XV WRGD\" 7KH DELOLW\ WR ZRUN PLUDFOHV FRXOG KDYH RQO\ FRPH IURP RQH RI WZR VRXUFHV IURP *RG -RKQ RU IURP WKH
T extual Studies GHYLO 7KHVVDORQLDQV 7KH PDQ ZKRP WKH DSRVWOHV KDG IRUELGGHQ FRXOG QRW KDYH UHFHLYHG KLV SRZHU IURP WKH GHYLO EHFDXVH “if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself” 0DWWKHZ 7KLV PDQ¶V DELOLW\ WR FDVW RXW GHPRQV WKHUHIRUH PXVW KDYH FRPH IURP *RG -HVXV KDG RWKHU GLVFLSOHV EHVLGHV WKH WZHOYH ZKR ZHUH JLYHQ WKH SRZHU WR FDVW RXW GHPRQV FI /XNH :KDW WKHQ GLG WKH DSRVWOHV PHDQ ZKHQ WKH\ VDLG KH “does not follow us”" ,Q /XNH¶V DFFRXQW WKH\ DUH UHFRUGHG DV VD\LQJ “he does not follow with us” /XNH 7KDW LV WR VD\ KH ZDV QRW LQ WKH ³LQQHU FLUFOH´ RI WKH DSRVWOHV DOWKRXJK KH ZDV VWLOO D IDLWKIXO GLVFLSOH RI -HVXV :KLOH VRPH KDG LPSURSHU PRWLYHV DQG VRXJKW WR XVH PLUDFOHV IRU WKH ZURQJ UHDVRQV 0DWWKHZ $FWV WKLV PDQ ZDV HYLGHQWO\ QRW DQ HQHP\ RI WKH WUXWK ,Q FRQWH[W WKH DSRVWOHV KDG EHHQ GLVSXWLQJ RYHU “who would be the greatest” 0DUN 7KHLU DUURJDQFH ZDV IXUWKHU H[KLELWHG LQ WU\LQJ WR IRUELG VRPHRQH IURP GRLQJ JRRG GHHGV LQ &KULVW¶V QDPH VLPSO\ EHFDXVH KH ZDV QRW DQ HPLQHQW DSRVWOH -HVXV DVVXUHG WKHP WKDW WKH PDQ LV “on our side.” 7KLV VLWXDWLRQ LV VLPLODU WR WKDW UHFRUGHG LQ 1XPEHUV 7ZR RI ,VUDHO¶V HOGHUV ZHUH SURSKHV\LQJ LQ WKH FDPS UDWKHU WKDQ DW WKH WDEHUQDFOH -RVKXD WROG 0RVHV WR “forbid them,” EXW 0RVHV DIILUPHG WKDW WKHVH PHQ ZHUH RI *RG DQG ZHUH QRW WR EH IRUELGGHQ )URP WKH SHUVSHFWLYH RI WUXWK YHUVXV HUURU WKH /RUG¶V MXGJPHQW LV FOHDU “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” 0DWWKHZ <HW IURP WKH VWDQGSRLQW RI MHDORXV DSRVWOHV ZKR ZRXOG IRUELG WKH JRRG ZRUNV RI D IHOORZ GLVFLSOH -HVXV VDLG “he who is not against us is on our side.” ,Q WKH FRQIOLFW EHWZHHQ WKH NLQJGRP RI *RG DQG WKH NLQJGRP RI 6DWDQ WKHUH LV QR QHXWUDO SRVLWLRQ 2QH LV HLWKHU RQ WKH /RUG¶V VLGH RU RQ WKH GHYLO¶V VLGH 2Q ZKRVH VLGH GR \RX VWDQG" = = .HYLQ / 0RRUH WHDFKHV %LEOH DQG 0LVVLRQV DW )UHHG +DUGHPDQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ +HQGHU VRQ 7HQQHVVHH 86$
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It’s More Than a Fish Story 'DYLG 6KDQQRQ -RQDK¶V SUHMXGLFH FDXVHG KLP WR UXQ IURP 1LQHYHK LQVWHDG RI WRZDUG LW ZKHQ *RG FRPPDQGHG KLP WR SUHDFK WR WKH 1LQHYLWHV +H ILQDOO\ GLG SUHDFK WR WKHP EXW UHPHPEHU WKDW WKH PHVVDJH ZDV WR WHOO WKHP RI WKHLU GHVWUXFWLRQ XQOHVV WKH\ UHSHQWHG 7KH\ UHSHQWHG :KHQ *RG¶V PHUF\ ZDV H[WHQGHG WR 1LQHYHK -RQDK ZDV DOO RI D VXGGHQ VR VRUURZIXO KH ZRXOG KDYH UDWKHU GLHG ,Q DQJHU DQG GLVJXVW KH H[SODLQHG “I knew that thou art a gracious God.” - R Q D K ¶V 3 UH M X G L F H 3 UR G X F H G 3 UR E O H P V & K D S W H U V
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0 L VXVL Q J 0DWWKHZ ³³:KHUH 7Z :KHUH 7Z R RU R R U 7 KUH H $ UH * DWK H UH G ´ 7KUHH $UH *DWKHUHG´ :HV 0F$GDPV ,¶YH RIWHQ KHDUG -HVXV¶ ZRUGV “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” 0DWWKHZ TXRWHG FRXQWOHVV WLPHV EXW , GRQ¶W WKLQN ,¶YH HYHU KHDUG DQ\RQH XVH WKHVH ZRUGV ZLWK WKHLU RULJLQDO PHDQLQJ 0RVW SHRSOH DSSO\ WKLV SDVVDJH WR %LEOH VWXGLHV RU ZRUVKLS DVVHPEOLHV EXW WKDW¶V QRW UHDOO\ ZKDW WKH /RUG ZDV WDONLQJ DERXW +HUH DUH D IHZ WKRXJKWV RQ KRZ WKLV SDVVDJH JHWV PLVXVHG DQG ZKDW LW¶V UHDOO\ DERXW
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Âł 7Z R R U 7 K U H H ´ 2 5 Âł 7Z R R U 0 R U H ´ " :H XVXDOO\ LQWHUSUHW -HVXVÂś ZRUGV â&#x20AC;&#x153;two or threeâ&#x20AC;? WR PHDQ ÂłWZR RU PRUH ´ ,WÂśV IXQQ\ ZKHQ D JURXS RI ILYH SHRSOH VD\ Âł:H GRQÂśW KDYH WR PHHW ZLWK WKH FKXUFK WKHUH DUH ILYH XV DQG \RX NQRZ ZKDW -HVXV VDLG´ :DLW -HVXV VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two or three,â&#x20AC;? EXW ÂłILYH´ LV QRW â&#x20AC;&#x153;two or three.â&#x20AC;? ,I ZH ZRXOG SD\ DWWHQWLRQ ZH ZRXOG VHH WKDW YHUVH LV QRW WKH RQO\ WLPH WKH ZRUGV â&#x20AC;&#x153;two or threeâ&#x20AC;? DSSHDU LQ WKH FRQWH[W 0DWWKHZ VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.â&#x20AC;? ,Q IDFW QHDUO\ HYHU\ WLPH 6FULSWXUH WDONV DERXW ÂłWZR RU WKUHH´ SHRSOH LW LV WDONLQJ DERXW KDYLQJ WZR RU WKUHH ZLWQHVVHV WR HVWDEOLVK D FKDUJH DJDLQVW VRPHRQH ,Q ERWK WKH 2OG DQG 1HZ WHVWDPHQWV WKH /RUG LV YHU\ FOHDU WKDW +LV SHRSOH VKRXOG QRW HQWHUWDLQ D FKDUJH DJDLQVW VRPHRQH LI LW LV MXVW RQH SHUVRQÂśV ZRUG DJDLQVW DQRWKHUÂśV ZRUG 7KHUH PXVW EH WZR RU WKUHH ZLWQHVVHV WR ÂłFRQYLFW´ VRPHRQH RI ZURQJGRLQJ 'HXWHURQRP\ &RULQWKLDQV 7LPRWK\ 7KLV LV SUHFLVHO\ WKH FRQWH[W RI 0DWWKHZ
: K D W :D V - H V X V 7D O N L Q J $ E R X W " 7KH FRQWH[W RI -HVXVÂś VWDWHPHQW LV DERXW KDQGOLQJ VLWXDWLRQV LQ WKH FKXUFK ZKHUH RQH EURWKHU KDV VLQQHG DJDLQVW DQRWKHU -HVXV VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.â&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ
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Formerly a Blasphemer and a Persecutor $QG\ 5RELVRQ 7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO GHFODUHG KLV WKDQNIXOQHVV WR *RG LQ VHYHUDO SODFHV :LWK WKHVH ZRUGV LQ 7LPRWK\ KH IRFXVHG KLV JUDWLWXGH RQ WKH WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ *RG DOORZHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbeliefâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ 3DXOÂś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â&#x20AC;&#x153;consenting to his deathâ&#x20AC;? $FWV +H â&#x20AC;&#x153;made havoc of the churchâ&#x20AC;? GXULQJ WKH SHUVHFXWLRQ WKDW HQVXHG $FWV $IWHU D ZKLOH KH â&#x20AC;&#x153;was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lordâ&#x20AC;? $FWV +LV OLIH ZDV FRQVXPHG ZLWK VQXIILQJ RXW WKLV XSVWDUW UHOLJLRQ NQRZQ DV &KULVWLDQLW\ +H ZDV IXHOHG E\ UDJH EXW KH ZDV DOZD\V FDUHIXO WR VKRZ WKH DSSHDUDQFH RI OHJDOLW\ $FWV 7KRXJK KH DFWHG LQ JRRG FRQVFLHQFH DW WKH WLPH $FWV KH ODWHU DFNQRZOHGJHG KLV UROH DV D â&#x20AC;&#x153;blasphemer, persecutor, and an insolent manâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ +H FDPH WR H[SHULHQFH WKH IRUFHV RI &KULVW WKDW ZRXOG RYHUZKHOP KLV
Bib le Characters GLVWXUEHG HUURU²JUDFH IDLWK DQG ORYH 7LPRWK\ +H ZRXOG ODWHU ZULWH DERXW KRZ ZH â&#x20AC;&#x153;have access by faith into this grace in which we standâ&#x20AC;? DQG WKHUHIRUH H[SHULHQFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;peace with Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV 7KHVH IRUFHV RI JRRG ZHUH TXLWH VXIILFLHQW WR RYHUFRPH KLV HYLO ZD\V 5RPDQV +H SRLQWHG RXW WKH PDJQLWXGH RI *RGÂśV JUDFH LQ WKH QH[W YHUVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chiefâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ +H PRXUQHG KLV SDVW EXW KH UHOLVKHG WKH IRUJLYHQHVV LQ &KULVW +LV H[DPSOH WXUQV RXW WR EH LQVWUXFWLYH â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting lifeâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ 6DXO RI 7DUVXV EHLQJ WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR 3DXO WKH DSRVWOH ZDV TXLWH DQ H[WUHPH FDVH 1R RQH LV DEOH WR GRXEW MXVW KRZ IDU WKH /RUGÂśV PHUF\ ZLOO H[WHQG &DQ D PXUGHUHU EH IRUJLYHQ" $EVROXWHO\ $Q\ FULPLQDO" 2I FRXUVH 7KHUH ZHUH D ORW RI SHRSOH LQ WKH &RULQWKLDQ FKXUFK ZKR KDG FRPH RXW RI VRUGLG OLIHVW\OHV EXW WKH\ ZHUH IRUJLYHQ &RULQWKLDQV 1RWH WKDW KLV HUURU ZDV IRUJLYHQ EHFDXVH KH â&#x20AC;&#x153;did it ignorantly in unbeliefâ&#x20AC;? 7LPRWK\ +H ZDV WU\LQJ WR KROG RQ WR KLV IRUPHU OLIHVW\OH EHFDXVH LW ZDV DOO WKDW KH NQHZ 6WLOO LW ZDV VLQIXO $FWV (YHQ VR LW LV GLIIHUHQW WKDQ WKRVH ZKR UHYHUW WR D EDG OLIHVW\OH DIWHU NQRZLQJ EHWWHU +HEUHZV 3UHVXPSWXRXV DV RSSRVHG WR XQLQWHQWLRQDO VLQV XQGHU WKH 2OG /DZ KDG GLUH FRQVHTXHQFHV 1XPEHUV 7KH OLIH RI 3DXO DQG WKLV SDVVDJH RI UHIOHFWLRQ LQ 7LPRWK\ WKHUHIRUH WHDFKH *RGÂśV PHUF\ LV ELJ HQRXJK WR IRUJLYH DQ\RQH QR PDWWHU KRZ YLOH WKH ZRUOG PD\ YLHZ KLV RU KHU VLQV $W WKH VDPH WLPH GR QRW SUHVXPH XSRQ WKH JUDFH RI *RG :KHQ ZDUQHG REH\ 3URFUDVWLQDWLRQ RU UHYHUVLRQ IRU VHOILVKQHVVÂś VDNH LV TXLWH XQFRPIRUWDEO\ SUHVXPSWLYH 3HWHU &RULQWKLDQV = $QG\ 5RELQVRQ LV D SUHDFKHU DQG WKH 'LUHFWRU RI WKH :HVW 9LUJLQLD 6FKRRO RI 3UHDFKLQJ LQ 0RXQGVYLOOH :HVW 9LUJLQLD 86$
Bib le Characters
Practicing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paulâ&#x20AC;? *OHQQ &ROOH\ ,Q &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO ZURWH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wherefore I exhort you to be imitators of meâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? DQG LQ &KDSWHU KH SHQQHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.â&#x20AC;? 7KDW LV JRRG DGYLFH IRU XV :DON WKURXJK &RULQWKLDQV ZLWK PH DQG FRQVLGHU VRPH WUDLWV RI 3DXO ZH RXJKW WR SUDFWLFH ,Q KLV PHVVDJH DQG KLV PRWLYHV KH ZDV WRWDOO\ OR\DO WR -HVXV &KULVW â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him crucifiedâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV &OHDUO\ D PDQ PD\ KDYH ULJKW PRWLYHV DQG D ZURQJ PHVVDJH RU WKH ULJKW PHVVDJH DQG D ZURQJ PRWLYH 3DXO ZDV OR\DO RQ ERWK FRXQWV +H SUDFWLFHG VHOI GHQLDO RXW RI D ORYH IRU ORVW VRXOV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with youâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV 3DXO GLG QRW VXJJHVW KHUH WKDW ZH VKRXOG FRPSURPLVH SULQFLSOHV RI IDLWK LQ RUGHU WR FRQYHUW SHRSOH EXW UDWKHU PDWWHUV RI LQGLIIHUHQFH +H SXW RWKHUV DERYH KLPVHOI DQG KLV SUHIHUHQFHV +H SUDFWLFHG VHOI GLVFLSOLQH RXW RI D ORYH IRU KLV RZQ VRXO â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castawayâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV
Bib le Characters 6RPH EHFRPH WKHLU RZQ ZRUVW HQHP\ :H FDQ QHYHU H[SHFW WR KDYH *RGÂśV DSSURYDO DV &KULVWLDQV ZLWKRXW VHOI UHVWUDLQW -XVW EHFDXVH ,ÂśP WHPSWHG WR VLQ GRHVQÂśW PHDQ , KDYH D OLFHQVH WR FRPPLW WKH VLQ 5RPDQV +H SUDFWLFHG VHOI UHVWUDLQW LQ WKH FKXUFK RXW RI D ORYH IRU WHDFKLQJ WUXWK DQG WKH ZHOIDUH RI WKH ZKROH FKXUFK â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongueâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV :KLOH VSHDNLQJ WKH ÂłWHQ WKRXVDQG ZRUGV´ PLJKW KDYH VKRZQ SHRSOH 3DXOÂśV LPSUHVVLYH DELOLWLHV 3DXO GLGQÂśW FDUH DERXW WKDW 7KH SUDLVH RI PHQ ZDV QRWKLQJ ZKHQ FRPSDUHG WR WKH WHDFKLQJ RI WKH ORVW DQG WKH VWDELOLW\ RI WKH FKXUFK 3ULGH LV ZKDW PDNHV PHQ LQHIIHFWLYH WRGD\ 7KH\ VLPSO\ ORVH WUDFN RI ZKDW LV UHDOO\ LPSRUWDQW +H SUDFWLFHG KXPLOLW\ RXW RI D ORYH IRU *RGÂśV JUDFH â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with meâ&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV = = *OHQQ &ROOH\ LV WKH SUHDFKHU IRU WKH :HVW +XQWVYLOOH FKXUFK LQ +XQWVYLOOH $ODEDPD 86$
B ib le Q uestion s
-HVXV DQG WKH 6DEEDWK 'D\ 5XVVHOO * %HOO 4XHVWLRQ Âł,VQÂśW LW WUXH WKDW -HVXV NHSW WKH 6DEEDWK GD\" ,VQÂśW LW DOVR 4XHVWLRQ WUXH WKDW +H LV RXU H[DPSOH DQG LI +H NHSW LW ZH VKRXOG NHHS LW WRR"´ $QVZHU ÂłBut when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his $QVZHU Son, born of a woman, born under the lawâ&#x20AC;? *DODWLDQV &HUWDLQO\ -HVXV ZRXOG NHHS WKH 6DEEDWK DV ZHOO DV NHHS WKH RWKHU SRLQWV RI WKH ODZ LQFOXGLQJ DQLPDO VDFULILFHV EHFDXVH KH ZDV â&#x20AC;&#x153;born under the lawâ&#x20AC;? 2OG 7HVWDPHQW DQG WKHUHIRUH +H ZDV VXEMHFW WR LW 7KH %LEOH VWXGHQW ZLOO UHFDOO WKDW WKLV LV ZKDW PDGH -HVXV D ZRUWK\ VDFULILFH IRU WKH VLQV RI WKH ZRUOG EHFDXVH KH ZDV WKH SHUIHFW /DPE²QR VLQ QRW RQH YLRODWLRQ RI *RGÂśV ROG ZLOO WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW /HW XV UHYLHZ ZKHQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW RU WKH ROG ZLOO HQGHG DQG DW ZKDW SRLQW WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW RU WKH QHZ ZLOO VWDUWHG E\ ORRNLQJ DW D FRXSOH RI 6FULSWXUHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law >2OG 7HVWDPHQW@, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a treeâ&#x20AC;? *HQHVLV 7KHUHIRUH ZH VHH &KULVW UHGHHPHG XV IURP WKH /DZ 2OG 7HVWDPHQW :KHQ" :KHQ +H KXQJ RQ WKH WUHH ,Q SODLQ (QJOLVK ZKHQ +H ZDV FUXFLILHG +H UHPRYHG WKH 2OG /DZ ,I \RX KDG D ODVW ZLOO DQG WHVWDPHQW ZKHQ ZRXOG LWV WHUPV JR LQWR HIIHFW" 2I FRXUVH ZKHQ \RX GLHG 7KH VDPH ZDV WUXH ZLWK -HVXVÂś ZLOO WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ,WV WHUPV EHFDPH HIIHFWLYH ZKHQ +H ZDV FUXFLILHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wherefore my brethren, we also were made dead to the Law >2OG 7HVWDPHQW@ through the body of Christ that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV = = 5XVVHOO * %HOO OLYHV LQ 7RSHND .DQVDV 86$ DQG LV LQYROYHG LQ IXOO WLPH PLVVLRQ ZRUN LQ ,QGLD
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:KDW 'RHV WKH %LEOH 6D\" 'HQQLV *XOOHGJH 4 XHV W LRQ ³3OHDVH GLVFXVV WKH QHHG WR µSUD\ ZLWK WKH XQGHUVWDQGLQJ¶ DQG WKH RYHUXVH RI FHUWDLQ H[SUHVVLRQV DQG SKUDVHV LQ SXEOLF SUD\HUV ´ $ QV ZHU 7KH SKUDVH “pray with the understanding” LV IRXQG LQ &RULQWKLDQV ,W LV LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI 3DXO¶V WHDFKLQJ DERXW PLUDFXORXV JLIWV LQ WKH VW FHQWXU\ FKXUFK DW &RULQWK 3DXO WDXJKW WKHP WKDW WKH\ VKRXOG VSHDN LQ D ODQJXDJH WKDW WKHLU KHDUHUV FRXOG XQGHUVWDQG YV 7KH SRLQW EHLQJ DV IDU DV 3DXO ZDV FRQFHUQHG KH ZRXOG QRW VLQJ RU SUD\ LQ D WRQJXH ODQJXDJH XQOHVV KH FRXOG LQWHUSUHW VR DV WR EH XQGHUVWRRG E\ DOO 7KH SULQFLSOH KHUH DSSOLHV LQ WKDW ZKHQ PHQ OHDG LQ SXEOLF SUD\HU WKH\ QHHG WR VSHDN VR WKDW WKRVH ZKR KHDU PD\ VD\ ³$PHQ ´ $ VKRZ RI HORTXHQFH LV QRW ZKDW LV QHHGHG 3HUKDSV PRUH LPSRUWDQWO\ WKH\ QHHG WR VSHDN ORXGO\ HQRXJK WR EH KHDUG $V WR WKH RYHUXVH RI FHUWDLQ H[SUHVVLRQV LQ SXEOLF SUD\HUV LW LV RIWHQ D PDWWHU RI KDELW FRQGLWLRQLQJ RU SHUKDSV HYHQ QHUYHV , NQRZ RI QR ULJKW RU ZURQJ DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK LW , NQRZ PHQ ZKR XVH WKH ZRUGV ³JUDFLRXV *RG´ UHSHDWHGO\ LQ WKHLU SXEOLF SUD\HUV ,W LV QRWLFHDEOH WR WKH KHDUHU EXW
B ib le Q uestion s LV FHUWDLQO\ QRW ZURQJ -HVXVÂś ZRUGV RI â&#x20AC;&#x153;vain repetitionâ&#x20AC;? 0DWWKHZ GRQÂśW DSSO\ KHUH 7KH *HQWLOHV WULHG WR ZHDU RXW WKHLU JRGV ZLWK UHSHDWHG H[SUHVVLRQV 7KH -HZV KDG VXFK SUD\HU IRUPXODV DV GR WKH &DWKROLFV 4 XHV W LRQ Âł:K\ ZDV &DLQÂśV RIIHULQJ XQDFFHSWDEOH"´ $ QV ZHU 7KH %LEOH VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fellâ&#x20AC;? *HQHVLV 7KH WH[W FRQWLQXHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;So the Lord said to Cain, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? YV 7KH SRLQW EHLQJ /HW &DLQ JDLQ WKH PDVWHU\ RYHU KLV VLQ DQG WKHQ KLV VDFULILFH ZRXOG EH DFFHSWHG DV UHDGLO\ DV $EHOÂśV 7KDW LV &DLQÂśV VDFULILFH ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ DFFHSWDEOH WR *RG LI LW KDG EHHQ WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI D GHYRWHG DQG REHGLHQW KHDUW 6LQFH &DLQ ZDV WROG WKDW KH ZRXOG EH DFFHSWHG E\ *RG LI KH GLG ZHOO LW IROORZV WKDW $EHO ZDV DFFHSWHG EHFDXVH KH GLG ZHOO ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV EHFDXVH KH ZDV ULJKWHRXV ,Q 0DWWKHZ -HVXV VDLG WKDW $EHO ZDV LQGHHG ULJKWHRXV -RKQ VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s righteousâ&#x20AC;? -RKQ ,Q +HEUHZV WKH ZULWHU VD\V â&#x20AC;&#x153;By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.â&#x20AC;? 7KDW LV $EHO ZDV DWWHVWHG D ULJKWHRXV PDQ +RZ" %HFDXVH â&#x20AC;&#x153;God testifying of his giftsâ&#x20AC;? RIIHULQJ VDLG WKDW KH ZDV ULJKWHRXV 7KH XQGHUO\LQJ SULQFLSOH RI 6FULSWXUH LQ WKLV PDWWHU LV VXPPHG XS LQ WKLV â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delightâ&#x20AC;? 3URYHUEV )RU XV WRGD\ LW LV ZHOO WR UHPHPEHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Godâ&#x20AC;? 5RPDQV = = 'HQQLV *XOOHGJH SUHDFKHV IRU WKH FKXUFK RI &KULVW LQ 0DEHOYDOH $UNDQVDV 86$
Charts & Outlin e s
Signs of Being Born of God -HUU\ %DWHV ,QWURGXFWLRQ ,Q RXU PRGHUQ UHOLJLRXV ZRUOG ZH KHDU D ORW DERXW being born again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³ERUQ RI *RG´ LQ -RKQ 7KLV SKUDVH LV XVHG LQ VL[ YHUVHV LQ WKLV ERRN 2Q RQH RFFDVLRQ WKH SURQRXQ ³KLP´ LV XVHG LQ SODFH RI *RG 7KH %RRN RI -RKQ ZDV ZULWWHQ WR D FKXUFK WKDW ZDV H[SHULHQFLQJ SUREOHPV EHFDXVH RI IDOVH WHDFKHUV ZLWKLQ WKH FKXUFK 6RPH RI WKH HUURU EHLQJ WDXJKW E\ WKHVH SHRSOH VHHPV WR KDYH EHHQ D 7KH\ KDG IHOORZVKLS ZLWK *RG DQG ZHUH VLQOHVV E 7KH\ NQHZ *RG \HW UHIXVHG WR NHHS -HVXV¶ FRPPDQGV F 7KH\ GHQLHG WKDW -HVXV ZDV WKH 6RQ RI *RG
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Charts & Outlin e s
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Church History
Do You Know Church History? Histor y? - & &KRDWH z :KDW LV WKH FKXUFK" :KDW LV WKH FKXUFK" “[God]… gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body” (SKHVLDQV z +RZ PDQ\ KHDGV GRHV D ERG\ KDYH" +RZ PDQ\ KHDGV GRHV D ERG\ KDYH" +RZ PDQ\ ERGLHV GRHV D KHDG KDYH" “There is one body” (SKHVLDQV z :KDW UHODWLRQVKLS GR &KULVWLDQV KDYH ZLWK &KULVW" :KDW UHODWLRQVKLS GR &KULVWLDQV KDYH ZLWK &KULVW" “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” &RULQWKLDQV )URP WKHVH TXHVWLRQV DQG ELEOLFDO DQVZHUV ZH FDQ VHH WKDW MXVW DV *RG KDV RQO\ RQH EHJRWWHQ 6RQ WKH 6RQ KDV RQO\ RQH ERG\ RQH FKXUFK RQH EULGH RQH NLQJGRP RU RQH IDPLO\ +H LV QRW D PRQVWHU ZLWK PDQ\ ERGLHV QHLWKHU LV +H D SRO\JDPLVW ZLWK PDQ\ EULGHV 5HDGLQJ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW IURP 0DWWKHZ WR 5HYHODWLRQ \RX ZLOO ILQG RQO\ 21( %2'< *RG¶V SODQ IRU WKH FKXUFK ZDV FOHDU +LV SODQ IRU ELUWK LQWR WKH IDPLO\ ZDV FOHDU ZKDW +H GHVLUHG LQ ZRUVKLS WR +LP ZDV ZULWWHQ FOHDUO\ WKH NLQG RI IHOORZVKLS ZRUN DQG OLIH +H ZDQWHG IRU WKH FKXUFK DV D ZKROH DQG IRU LQGLYLGXDO &KULVWLDQV ZDV FOHDU 7KHUH DUH QR FRQWUDGLFWLRQV DERXW WKHVH WKLQJV LQ +LV PHVVDJH WR XV z ,I *RG GHVLUHG RQHQHVV LQ DOO RI WKHVH WKLQJV ZKDW KDV KDSSHQHG WKDW WKHUH LV GLYLVLRQ HYHU\ZKHUH ZH ORRN DPRQJ WKRVH ZKR FODLP WR EH EHOLHYHUV LQ &KULVW" &KULVW" :K\ DUH WKHUH VR PDQ\ FKXUFKHV WHDFKLQJ VR PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW GRFWULQHV DQG FDOOHG E\ VR PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW QDPHV" 6RPH LQYROYHG LQ WKH GLYLVLRQ KROG D PDNH EHOLHYH ³XPEUHOOD´ RYHU DOO WKH GLYLVLRQ VD\LQJ WKDW DOO WKH ³EHOLHYHUV´ PDNH XS WKH ³FKXUFK RI &KULVW ´ +RZHYHU QR ³XPEUHOOD´ ZLOO KLGH WKH GLYLVLRQ (LWKHU ZH DUH ³RQH LQ &KULVW -HVXV´ RU ZH DUH FRQGHPQHG IRU FUHDWLQJ GLYLVLYH QDPHV DQG GRFWULQHV *RG LV QRW GHFHLYHG 6DWDQ LV WKH HYHU SUHVHQW DGYHUVDU\ RI *RG +H WULHG WR WKZDUW WKH SODQ IRU VDYLQJ PDQ E\ EULQJLQJ DERXW WKH GHDWK RI &KULVW $OWKRXJK WR KLV VXUSULVH WKDW GHDWK LWVHOI SURYLGHG WKH PHDQV IRU VDOYDWLRQ 6R ZKDW ZDV 6DWDQ¶V QH[W SODQ" :KHQ KH UHDOL]HG WKDW KH FRXOG QRW SUHYHQW &KULVW IURP EHJLQQLQJ +LV FKXUFK D VFKHPH RI FRQIXVLRQ ZDV GHYLVHG 6DWDQ GHWHUPLQHG WR ZRUN WKURXJK PHQ ZLWK WKHLU SULGH WKHLU RSLQLRQV WKHLU GLYLVLYHQHVV DQG WKHLU ZLOOLQJQHVV WR SOHDVH VHOI PRUH WKDQ *RG DQG WKH UHVXOW
Church History ZDV GLYLVLRQ DPRQJ WKRVH ZKR FDOOHG WKHPVHOYHV &KULVWLDQV ,Q WKH ILUVW FHQWXU\ 3DXO ZURWH WR WKH &RULQWKLDQ FKXUFK VFROGLQJ WKHP IRU FDOOLQJ WKHPVHOYHV DIWHU WKH QDPHV RI PHQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I plead with
you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am of Paul,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am of Apollos,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am of Cephas,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am of Christ.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?â&#x20AC;? &RULQWKLDQV $UH WKHUH FKXUFKHV WRGD\ WKDW
DUH QDPHG DIWHU WKH PHQ ZKR VWDUWHG WKHP" 7KHUH ZHUH RWKHU GLYLVLRQV LQ WKH ILUVW FHQWXU\ EHFDXVH RI GRFWULQDO GLIIHUHQFHV 6RPH ZHUH PHPEHUV RI WKH *QRVWLF &KXUFK VRPH ZHUH 0DUFLRQLWHV RWKHUV EHFDPH 0RQWDQLVWV WKH $ULDQLVWV KDG RWKHU GRFWULQDO GLIIHUHQFHV ,W KDV DOZD\V EHHQ D FKDOOHQJH IRU KXPDQV WR SXW *RGÂśV ZLOO DERYH WKHLU RZQ RSLQLRQV DQG GLYLVLYHQHVV 7KHUH DUH QXPHURXV ZDUQLQJV LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW WKDW DQ DSRVWDV\ ZRXOG FRPH ZKLFK ZRXOG WDNH DZD\ PXFK RI WKH FKXUFK QRW DOO RI LW EHFDXVH WKH SURPLVH KDG EHHQ PDGH E\ &KULVW DQG WKURXJK SURSKHF\ WKDW WKH FKXUFK ZRXOG QHYHU EH GHVWUR\HG 0DWWKHZ 'DQLHO ,Q 7LPRWK\ 3DXO OLVWHG VRPH RI WKH HUURUV WKDW ZRXOG EH WDXJKW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meatsâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?
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Church History
What Challenges did the First Century Church Face in Becoming a Potent Force? Part 1
-HUHP\ : %DUULHU ,Q WKH 6SULQJ RI , KDG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR WUDYHO DORQJ ZLWK VHYHUDO RWKHU FRZRUNHUV WR %DQJDORUH ,QGLD ZKHUH IURP $SULO ZH SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO VHPLQDU WKDW GHDOW ZLWK WKH WRSLF Building Up the Church (Body of Christ) into a Potent Force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They Lacked Vision â&#x20AC;&#x153;So when they had come together, they asked him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He replied, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? $FWV ,Q WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI WKH ERRN HQWLWOHG The Acts of the Apostles WKH
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EVERY LIFE IS IMPORTANT TO GOD. 7KURXJKRXW WKH %RRN RI 3VDOPV *RGÂśV UROH LQ FUHDWLQJ DQG VXVWDLQLQJ OLIH LV D FRQVLVWHQW WKHPH ,Q 3VDOP WKH SVDOPLVW VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet You
are He who brought me forth from the womb. You made me trust when upon my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breasts. Upon You I was cast from birth. You have been my God from my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb.â&#x20AC;? ,Q 3VDOP ZH UHDG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.â&#x20AC;? 3VDOP VWDWHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.â&#x20AC;?
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From the Heart Of EVERY LIFE IS A PLAN OF GOD. ,Q -HUHPLDK *RG VSRNH WR -HUHPLDK “Before I formed you in
the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” :KR LV WKH ³,´ LQ WKLV
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EVERY LIFE IS A PRODUCT OF CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES. 1RQH RI XV DUH KHUH E\ ³LPPDFXODWH FRQFHSWLRQ ´ 2XU FRQFHSWLRQ SUHQDWDO GHYHORSPHQW DQG ELUWK ZHUH WKH UHVXOW RI D SODQ GHVLJQHG E\ *RG ZKHQ +H FUHDWHG PDOH DQG IHPDOH *HQHVLV *RG¶V SODQ JDYH PDQ WKH DELOLW\ WR PDNH FKRLFHV ,Q *HQHVLV ZH UHDG KRZ +H FUHDWHG $GDP DQG SODFHG KLP LQ WKH *DUGHQ ZLWK D YDULHW\ RI FKRLFHV 7KHUH ZHUH PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW WUHHV IURP ZKLFK WR HDW EXW WKHUH ZDV DOVR RQH WKDW ZDV WR EH VWULFWO\ DYRLGHG 7KH FRQVHTXHQFH RI WRXFKLQJ RU HDWLQJ WKH IUXLW RI WKDW WUHH ZDV FOHDUO\ VWDWHG “for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” *HQHVLV 7KH PDQ DQG KLV ZLIH PDGH D GHDGO\ FKRLFH 7KH FRQVHTXHQFH ZDV VWDWHG E\ 3DXO LQ 5RPDQV “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
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Let us not deceive ourselves: GOD will demand payment for this evil.
Volume 92
During a suction abortion procedure, the doctor or nurse will use a small, hand-held suction device or suction machine to suck the pregnancy tissue out of the uterus. They may also use a small Abortion tools surgical tool called a curette to cut and remove any tissue thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left in the uterus, or check to make sure the uterus is totally empty. This type of abortion only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. How are dilation and extraction performed? The fetus is rotated and â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś a pair of forceps is inserted into the womb to grasp part of the fetus. The teeth of the forceps twist and tear the bones of the unborn child. This process is repeated until the fetus is totally dismembered and removed. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.â&#x20AC;? (from Priests for Life) Salt Poisoning: a salt solution is injected through the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abdomen so as to reach the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sac. The baby is not merely poisoned when he swallows the solution; rather, his outer layer of skin is burned off. The baby will also not die right away, as it usually takes over an hour for him to die. If such measures were used to drag a reluctant dog from his kennel, PETA would sue for 100 years in prison or the death sentence for the perpetrators. If these methodss were used to execute the worst criminal on death row, angry citizens would rise up in arms against such cruelty. Yet, not only in the USA but WKURXJRXW WKH ZRUOG WKLV KRUULÂżF PXUGHU RI KHOSOHVV innocent babies takes place by the millions each year, with the consent of the legal systems. Where is the outrage? When will honesty demand that the procedure be called what it is: the cruel and inhumane murder of millions of humans?
The Voice of Truth International
What is an Abortion?
V
Volume Ninety-Two
The
oice of Truth
International
Since Roe vs. Wade there have been approximately 1,600,000 babies aborted every year in the United States. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4,383 per day. We have aborted more babies than the total number of American soldiers killed in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined!
These six things the Lord hates... Hands that shed innocent blood....