Volume Ninety-Three Volume The
oice of Truth of oice International V
The Voice of Truth International Volume 93 Guyana, Guyana, America South Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, though additional languages languages additional though America, South country in English-speaking is the only Guyana has two It equator. the above and near sits as it environment humid hot, tropical, a has Guyana population The nation’s Ocean. Atlantic and the Venezuela Suriname, Brazil, to Guyana is adjacent sugarcane, shrimp and fish. bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, The country is rich in are within of the 106 airports within Guyana are paved. Most of the paved roads (367 miles) Only 11 Adventist (22.8%), Pentecostal known for many varying offerings: Guyana is a religious country, to reach (Matthew 16:26). Christians have an obligation The souls of Guyana are valuable Guyana is a parliamentary republic. The May 2015 national vote in Guyana resulted in the first change in the in Guyana resulted vote 2015 national The May republic. is a parliamentary Guyana Cover photograph by Louis Rushmore. Cover design by Betty Burton Choate. Cover photograph by Louis Rushmore. Cover of ruling party, with the election of David Granger, since the country gained its independence from Great its independence country gained since the of David Granger, the election with party, of ruling dollars (GYD). Guyanese $206.6 approximately (USD) equals The US $1 in 1966. Britain Though and Chinese. Amerindian dialects India, Guyanese Creole, include languages of spoken there in the languages resort to tribal commonly villages remote, isolated especially by all, English is spoken absence of English-speakers. forested of the country is Most January. and November through August May through rainy seasons, (77.4%). servants of indentured Indians (39.8%)—descendants of East is comprised of 735,909 (July 2016) (10.5%)—the Amerindians races (19.9%), mixed Africans (29.3%), from India to British colonists, live abroad greater number of Guyanese A (.05%). other ethnicities indigenous population—and of economic pursuit in often nations, Caribbean and Britain Great USA, the Canada, in (55%), chiefly below “the poverty line,” and of the population is considered to be living One third improvement. have citizens advantaged and economically Over 80% of well-educated is rampant. unemployment benefit of wealth does not the distribution resources, rich in natural Though from Guyana. emigrated the general populace. timber—chiefly to alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum and gold, bauxite, exports sugar, it Subsequently, (4%). It imports manufactured UK (6.7%), Ukraine (4.3%) and Jamaica (33%), Canada (17.9%), the USA China (24.3%), Tobago and Trinidad (24.7%), from the USA oil and food—chiefly products, machinery, American. and everything America (10.8%) and Suriname (9.5%). Guyanese love Atlantic coastal area, and the balance of the roads (4,952 miles) are unpaved—many drive of the an hour’s waterways are a primary means of navigable of which are nearly impassible logging roads. Consequently, freighters far upstream. Guyana has seaports as welltransportation—many able to accommodate ocean and the Essequibo—the last being rivers are the Berbice, the Demerara Three of the largest as river ports. Ocean, and there are hundreds of islands in it, manyAtlantic 20-miles wide at its mouth where it meets the many waters. of which that are habitable. Guyana is a land of Methodist (1.4%), Hindu (24.8%), Catholic (7.1%), Muslim (6.8%), Anglican (5.2%), (5.4%), (20.8%), claims Christian additional (.5%), miscellaneous (1.3%), Rastafarian Witnesses Jehovah’s Christ of churches the of congregations of number The (3.1%). non-religious (.9%) and religions other churches over 100 are there of new churches; establishment as with the closures as well with fluctuate of our Lord in Guyana. are Guyanese 16:15-16). (Mark Guyana in Gospel—including the with everywhere lost the to out in the anywhere, including uncommon sin (Acts 17:22-23)—not widespread despite overall religious for God’s thirsty and hungry are many and 17:11), (Acts Scriptures the study will USA. Guyanese to ought from abroad people Lord’s in which the 5:6). Guyana is a worthy land (Matthew Word of God within Word the growth of that and watering seed among non-Christians sowing the continue 3:6; John 4:35). Given harvest (1 Corinthians to a bumper crop of spiritual honest hearts—leading in the to participate occasion to the arise will Christians tools, Guyanese and the encouragement the evangelization of their own country. Betty Burton Choate )DWKHU ,VWDQGKHUHLQP\VPDOOQHVVDVDKXPDQ ORRNLQJXSDQGXS LQWRWKHYDVWQHVVRI ,DPVWULFNHQ)DWKHU KXPEOHG E\WKHDZHVRPHJXOI EHWZHHQWKHPLJKWRI ,DPDZHG %URXJKWWRP\NQHHVLQZRQGHU DW The Voice of Truth International Staff: Editor: Louis Rushmore Staff Writers: Associate Editor: Jerry Bates Editor Emeritus: Byron Nichols Founding Editor: J.C. Choate George Akpabli Jack Harriman Layout: Betty Burton Choate Felix O. Aniamalu Parker Henderson Barbara Ann Oliver Rex Banks Gordon Hogan Of¿ ce Manager: Paula Bates Wayne Barrier Wayne Jackson Subscriptions: Barbara Wright Paula Bates Ancil Jenkins Computer Consultants: Bradley S. Choate Roy Beasley Jeff Jenkins Dennis Larson Mike Benson John Kachelman, Jr. English Edition in India Ron Bryant Dayton Keesee and Braille Edition: Charles Burch Dalton Key Managing Editors, Philemon Rajah Kyle Butt Michael L. King and Kingsly Rajah Frank Chesser J. Randal Matheny English Edition in Nigeria: Managing Editor, Makinde Olefumi Betty B. Choate Cecil May, Jr. English Edition in Ghana: Glenn Colley Wes McAdams Managing Editor, Seth Larbi Lance Cordle Colin McKee Spanish Edition: Sunny David Stan Mitchell Managing Editor: Efrain Aranda Hans Dederscheck Kevin L. Moore Telugu Edition: Managing Editor, Translator: David Deffenbaugh Owen D. Olbricht Joshua Gootam Clarence DeLoach, Jr. David Pharr Tamil Edition: Bill Dillon Neal Pollard Managing Editor, Translators: Bobby G. Dockery Mark Posey Benny Martin, S. Rajanayagam Hershel Dyer Steve Reeves Hindi Edition: Earl Edwards Martha Rushmore Managing Editor, Earnest Gill Demar Elam Rebecca Rushmore Paite Edition: Raymond Elliott David A. Sargent Managing Editor, Thang Lien David Tarbet Marathi Edition: Reuben Emperado Managing Editor, Amul Bansod David Everson J.J. Turner Royce Frederick Ken Tyler &RVWV IRUVLQJOHLVVXHV Allen Webster IRUIRXULVVXHV IRUHLJKWLVVXHV E. Claude Gardner %XQGOH UDWHV DYDLODEOH 3OHDVH PDNH Gary C. Hampton R.H. Tex Williams FKHFNVSD\DEOHWR:RUOG(YDQJHOLVP 6XEPLWDUWLFOHVWR/RXLV5XVKPRUHDWHGLWRU#JRVSHOJD]HWWHFRP 3OHDVH VHQG VXEVFULSWLRQV DQG DGGUHVV FKDQJHV WR :RUOG (YDQJHOLVP DW WKH DGGUHVVEHORZ3OHDVHLQFOXGHERWKROGDQGQHZDGGUHVVHVIRUDGGUHVVFKDQJHV The Voice of Truth International LVSXEOLVKHGE\FKXUFKHVRI&KULVWDV DQRQSUR¿WHIIRUW:ULWHWRXVDW:RUOG(YDQJHOLVP32%R[:LQRQD0LVVLVVLSSL 86$3KRQH (PDLODGGUHVV &KRDWH#:RUOG(YDQJHOLVPRUJ The churches of Christ salute you (Romans 16:16). Editor Deacons Serve /RXLV5XVKPRUH 'HDFRQV DUH ³VHUYDQWV´ RI WKH ORFDO FRQJUHJDWLRQ UDWKHU WKDQ ³OHDGHUV´ RI WKH FKXUFK ,QVWHDG *RG GHWHUPLQHG WKDW IXOO\ RUJDQL]HG ORFDO FRQJUHJDWLRQV RI WKH /RUG¶V FKXUFKDUHWREHOHGE\³HOGHUV´RU³ELVKRSV´ ZKR KDYH EHHQ DSSRLQWHG LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK GLYLQHO\ VWLSXODWHG ELEOLFDOO\ UHFRUGHG TXDOLILFDWLRQV 7LPRWK\ 7LWXV 2QO\ LQGLUHFWO\ WKHQ GR GHDFRQV OHDG FRPSDUDEOHWRWKHGLVWLQFWLRQLQUROHVWKDW*RG RUGDLQHGEHWZHHQPHQDQGZRPHQIRUWKHKRPHDQGIRUUHOLJLRQ²WRGD\ WKHFKXUFK &RULQWKLDQV 7LPRWK\ +HQFHWKH TXDOLILFDWLRQV IRU ³GHDFRQV´ SHUWDLQ WR PDOHV UDWKHU WKDQ WR IHPDOHV 7LPRWK\ 7KHUHIRUHGHDFRQVGRQRWKDYHDOHDGHUVKLSUROHLQWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKDERYH WKDWRIDQ\RWKHUIDLWKIXOPDOHPHPEHU'HDFRQVDUHQRW³MXQLRUHOGHUV´DQG EHLQJDGHDFRQGRHVQRWQHFHVVDULO\PHDQWKDWVRPHGD\KHZLOOEHSURPRWHG WREHLQJDQHOGHU$GHDFRQLVDVHUYDQWDQGDQ\GHFLVLRQVWKDWKHPD\PDNH LQNHHSLQJZLWKKLVVSHFLDODVVLJQPHQWIURPWKHHOGHUVDUHOLNHZLVHZLWKWKH JHQHUDOSHUPLVVLRQRIWKHHOGHUV7KRVHGHFLVLRQVDUHH[SHFWHGDQGQHFHVVDU\ IRU FDUU\LQJ RXW KLV DVVLJQHG UHVSRQVLELOLW\ LQ VHUYLFH WR WKH FRQJUHJDWLRQ 1HYHUWKHOHVV IROORZLQJ ZH SXUSRVH WR H[DPLQH ZKDW WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW UHYHDOVFRQFHUQLQJWKHTXDOLILFDWLRQVDSSRLQWPHQWZRUNDQGRIILFHRIGHDFRQV 7KH(QJOLVKZRUGV³GHDFRQ´DQG³GHDFRQV´DSSHDURQO\ILYHWLPHV LQWKH%LEOH ³GHDFRQ´7LPRWK\ ³GHDFRQV´3KLOLSSLDQV 7LPRWK\ 7KH WZR UHODWHG *UHHN ZRUGV WUDQVODWHG ³GHDFRQ´ DQG ³GHDFRQV´ WRJHWKHU DSSHDU DERXW WLPHV7KH *UHHN diakonos LV WUDQVODWHG ³PLQLVWHU´ ³VHUYDQW´ DQG ³GHDFRQ´ 7KH *UHHN diakoneoLVWUDQVODWHG³PLQLVWHUXQWR´ ³VHUYH´ ³PLQLVWHU´ DQG PLVF *UHHN GHILQLWLRQV RI WKHVH WZR ZRUGV DVVLJQ SHUVRQV VR GHVFULEHGWRVHUYLFHDFWLYLWLHV7KH*UHHNdiakonosPHDQVWRUXQHUUDQGV WRSHUIRUPPHQLDOGXWLHVWDEOHVHUYHUVXSSOLHURIPDWHULDOQHHGVDVHUYDQW RIVRPHRQHRUDKHOSHU7KH*UHHNdiakoneoPHDQVWRZDLWXSRQWRFDUH IRUDQGVKDUHVPDQ\RIWKHVDPHGHILQLWLRQVRIdiakonos 7KHUHLVVXIILFLHQWLQIRUPDWLRQZLWKLQWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWWRDVFHUWDLQWKH TXDOLILFDWLRQVDSSRLQWPHQWZRUNDQGRIILFHRIGHDFRQV1XPHURXVSDVVDJHV XVHWKH*UHHNZRUGVVRPHWLPHVWUDQVODWHG³GHDFRQ´WRGHVFULEHVHUYLFHDFWLYLW\ ZKHQWKH\GRQRWUHIHUWRVSHFLDOVHUYDQWVFDOOHGGHDFRQV4XDOLILFDWLRQVIRU VSHFLDOVHUYDQWVFDOOHGGHDFRQVDSSHDULQ7LPRWK\ 'HDFRQV6HUYH $OORIWKHRULJLQDOODQJXDJHGHILQLWLRQVIRURXU(QJOLVKZRUG³GHDFRQ´ SHUWDLQ WR DFWLYHO\ ZRUNLQJ WR UXQ HUUDQGV WR SHUIRUP PHQLDO GXWLHV WDEOHVHUYHUVXSSOLHURIPDWHULDOQHHGVDVHUYDQWRIVRPHRQHDKHOSHUWR ZDLWXSRQRUWRFDUHIRU&RQVHTXHQWO\WKHZRUGV³PLQLVWHU´DQG³VHUYDQW´ RUVRPHIRUPRIWKHVHZRUGVLVXVHGWRFRQYH\ZKDWWKH\GR Diakonos GLIIHUV IURP doulos VODYH Doulos HPSKDVL]HV RQH¶V UHODWLRQVKLSWRKLVPDVWHUZKHUHDVdiakonosHPSKDVL]HVRQH¶VDFWLYLW\ LQKLVZRUN(DFKRIILFHLQWKHFKXUFKLVDQRIILFHRIUHVSRQVLELOLW\UDWKHU WKDQDSRVLWLRQRIKRQRU3UHDFKHUVSUHDFK7HDFKHUVWHDFK(OGHUVUXOH +HEUHZV RURYHUVHH $FWV 'HDFRQVVHUYH 'HDFRQVKDYHZRUNWRGRLQWKHFKXUFK,WZRXOGEHDVXVHOHVVDQG XQELEOLFDOIRUGHDFRQVQRWWRVHUYHLQVRPHSDUWLFXODUDFWLYLW\DVLWZRXOG EHIRUDSUHDFKHUQRWWRDFWXDOO\SUHDFKRUIRUDWHDFKHUQRWWRDFWXDOO\ WHDFK7KHQDWXUHRIWKHZRUNRIDGHDFRQLVSULPDULO\VHUYLFHRULHQWDWHG 2WKHU XVDJHV RI WKH *UHHN ZRUGV IRU ³GHDFRQ´ LQ WKH 1HZ7HVWDPHQW GHPRQVWUDWH WKH ELEOLFDO PHDQLQJ RI WKH ³GHDFRQ´ 1RWH WKDW WKH ZRUG WUDQVODWHGVRPHWLPHVDV³GHDFRQ´LVRWKHUZLVHDVVRFLDWHGLQ6FULSWXUHZLWK GRPHVWLFVHUYDQWV -RKQ FLYLOPLQLVWHUV 5RPDQV -HVXV&KULVWDV DPLQLVWHU 5RPDQV *DODWLDQV &KULVWLDQVDVVHUYDQWVWRHDFKRWKHU 0DWWKHZ *RVSHOPLQLVWHUV (SKHVLDQV &RORVVLDQV &RULQWKLDQV &RULQWKLDQV 7KHVVDORQLDQV 7LPRWK\ VHUYDQWVRIWKHFKXUFK 5RPDQV DQGVHUYDQWVWR D NLQJ 0DWWKHZ >7KH 569 WUDQVODWHV WUDQVOLWHUDWHV diakonosDV ³GHDFRQHVV´7KRXJKLWLVDSSDUHQWWKDW3KHEHZDVDVSHFLDOVHUYDQWRIWKH FKXUFKQRZRPDQFDQPHHWWKHPDULWDOVSHFLILFDWLRQRI7LPRWK\ @ 4XDOLILFDWLRQVRI'HDFRQV 6WULFWO\ VSHDNLQJ ELEOLFDO TXDOLILFDWLRQV IRU GHDFRQV RQO\ DSSHDU LQ 7LPRWK\ 7KH FDQGLGDWH IRU EHFRPLQJ D GHDFRQ LQFOXGHV EHLQJ ³JUDYH´ .-9 RU³UHYHUHQW´ 1.-9 ZKLFKLVVHULRXVDQGGLJQLILHGVREHU PLQGHGDQGFRQGXFWFRPPDQGLQJUHVSHFW+HPXVW³1RWGRXEOHWRQJXHG´ ZKLFKLVQRWWDONLQJWZRZD\VWRVXLWWKHSHUVRQZLWKZKRPRQHLVDWWKH WLPHVSHDNLQJRQHWKLQJDQGPHDQLQJDQRWKHURUQRWXVLQJZRUGVGHFHLWIXOO\ ,QDGGLWLRQWKHGHDFRQPXVW³QRWJLYHQWRPXFKZLQH´RUQRWWRHQJDJH LQDOFRKRORUDFWLQJDVWKRXJKXQGHUWKHLQIOXHQFHRILW,WLVHUURQHRXVWR FRQFOXGH IURP 7LPRWK\ WKDW HOGHUV PXVW DEVWDLQ IURP DOO DOFRKRO EXWWKDWGHDFRQVFDQKDYHVRPHDOFRKRODQGWKDWRWKHU&KULVWLDQVKDYHQR UHVWULFWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ DOFRKRO 5DWKHU WKHVH DQG RWKHU SDVVDJHV IRUELG WKH SOHDVXUDEOHFRQVXPSWLRQRIDOFRKRO VRFDOOHGVRFLDOGULQNLQJ 4XDOLILFDWLRQVFRQWLQXHZLWK³QRWJUHHG\RIILOWK\OXFUH´7KHGHDFRQ PXVWEHRQHZKRLVQRWVHHNLQJLOOJRWWHQJDLQLVWKHW\SHRIFKDUDFWHU ZKRFDQIDLWKIXOO\PDQDJHPRQH\DQGZKRSRVVHVVHVDQRSSRVLWHWUDLWRI -XGDV -RKQ )XUWKHUKHFDQEHGHVFULEHGDV³KROGLQJWKHP\VWHU\ RI WKH IDLWK LQ D SXUH FRQVFLHQFH´ 7KDW PHDQV WKH GHDFRQ KDV D FOHDU XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI *RG¶V :RUG DQG FRQGXFWV KLPVHOI DFFRUGLQJO\ KH LV GHSHQGDEOH WR IDLWKIXOO\ SUDFWLFH &KULVWLDQLW\7KH *RVSHO ZDV FDOOHG D ³P\VWHU\´ (SKHVLDQV EHIRUHLWZDVIXOO\UHYHDOHG2WKHUZULWHUV UHIHUWRD³SXUHFRQVFLHQFH´ 3HWHU +HEUHZV 3ULRUWRDSSRLQWPHQWDVDGHDFRQDPDQPXVWEH³ILUVWSURYHG´RU ³WHVWHG´E\H[SHULHQFHLQ&KULVWLDQVHUYLFH KHKDVDKLVWRU\RIEHLQJD JRRGZRUNHUIRU-HVXV&KULVW$SSRLQWPHQWDVDGHDFRQLVQRWDQKRQRUDU\ SRVLWLRQ ,Q DGGLWLRQ D GHDFRQ PXVW EH ³EODPHOHVV´ QRW GHVHUYLQJ RI SXEOLFUHEXNHXQLPSHDFKDEOHDQGLUUHSURDFKDEOH$OO&KULVWLDQVDUHWREH EODPHOHVV &RULQWKLDQV &RORVVLDQV 7KHFDQGLGDWHIRUDSSRLQWPHQWDVDGHDFRQLVPDUULHGWKH³KXVEDQG RIRQHZLIH´+HLVQRWDSRO\JDPLVW,WLVHUURQHRXVWRFRQFOXGHIURP WKLVYHUVHWKDWDELEOLFDOO\UHPDUULHGZLGRZHURUGLYRUFHGSHUVRQGRHVQRW TXDOLI\WREHDGHDFRQ7KHYHUVHPHUHO\WHDFKHVWKDWDPDQZKRZRXOG EHDGHDFRQFRXOGRQO\KDYHKDGRQHZLIHDWDWLPH²QRWDSRO\JDPLVW )XUWKHUPRUHWKRVHZKRZRXOGEHDSSRLQWHGDVGHDFRQVPXVWEHNQRZQ WR EH ³UXOLQJ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ DQG WKHLU RZQ KRXVHV ZHOO´ WKDW LV ULJKWO\ JRYHUQLQJWKHLUIDPLOLHVLQFOXVLYHRIRQHRUPRUHFKLOGUHQ 6HUYDQWVRI$FWV 2QHRIWKHWZR*UHHNZRUGVWUDQVODWHG³GHDFRQ´DSSHDUVLQWKLVDFFRXQW ³VHUYH WDEOHV´ IURP diakoneo 7KH PHQ LQ$FWV ZHUH VHOHFWHG WR EH VSHFLDOVHUYDQWVRIWKH-HUXVDOHPFKXUFKFRPSDUDEOHLQVHUYLFHDFWLYLW\XVXDOO\ DVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKDWRIGHDFRQV+RZHYHUWKHTXDOLILFDWLRQVIRUVHOHFWLRQRI WKRVHFKRVHQLQ$FWVGLIIHUVIURPWKHTXDOLILFDWLRQVIRUGHDFRQVLQ7LPRWK\ 6LPSO\WKH\ZHUHWREHKRQHVWDQGIXOORIWKH+RO\6SLULW ,WLVFOHDUIURP$FWVUHJDUGLQJWKHFDOLEHURIPHQWREHFKRVHQWRVHUYH WKHFKXUFKLQDQRIILFLDOFDSDFLW\WKDWWKH\PXVWEHJXLGHGE\*RG¶V:RUG7KH QDWXUHRIWKHZRUNRIVSHFLDOVHUYDQWVRUGHDFRQVSHUWDLQVWRSK\VLFDODFWLYLW\ LUUHVSHFWLYHRIZKDWHOVHWKH\PD\GRHJWHDFKLQJRUSUHDFKLQJ3KLOLSLQ $FWV 7KHFRQJUHJDWLRQLVWRFKRRVHPHQIURPDPRQJLWVHOIWRVHUYH 6XE4XDOLILFDWLRQVRI'HDFRQV ,QRUGHUIRUDPDQWREHTXDOLILHGWREHDSSRLQWHGDVDGHDFRQKLV ZLIHPXVWSRVVHVVJRGO\TXDOLWLHVWRR$PDQ¶VZLIHPD\KHOSKLPTXDOLI\ RUGLVTXDOLI\KLPIURPEHLQJDELEOLFDOO\DFFHSWDEOHGHDFRQ 7LPRWK\ 7KLVSULQFLSOHLVDOVRWUXHUHJDUGLQJRWKHUVHUYDQWVRIWKHFKXUFK)RU LQVWDQFHHOGHUVDQGSUHDFKHUVFDQEHJUHDWO\KLQGHUHGLQWKHLUUHVSHFWLYH ZRUNVLIWKHLUZLYHVSURYHWREHGHWULPHQWVWRWKHLUODERUVIRUWKH/RUG 7KHTXDOLILFDWLRQVIRUZLYHVRISRWHQWLDOGHDFRQVDUHIHZHUWKDQWKH QXPEHURITXDOLILFDWLRQVIRUGHDFRQV³*UDYH´PHDQVWKHVDPHDVIRUWKH GHDFRQ²VHULRXVDQGGLJQLILHGVREHUPLQGHGDQGFRQGXFWFRPPDQGLQJ UHVSHFW $OVR 6FULSWXUH VD\V RI KHU ³QRW D VODQGHUHU´ VKH GRHV QRW VODQGHU7KHGHDFRQ¶VZLIHPXVWEH³VREHU´QRWLQWR[LFDWHGPRGHUDWHLQ WHPSHUDPHQWDQGDEVWDLQVIURPDOFRKRO7KHGHDFRQ¶VZLIHLV³IDLWKIXOLQ DOOWKLQJV´WUXVWZRUWK\QRWDUHYHDOHURIFRQILGHQFHV &RQFOXVLRQ 'HDFRQV PXVW VHUYH 2QH FDQQRW EH D GHDFRQ XQOHVV KH PHHWV WKH TXDOLILFDWLRQVRI7LPRWK\ +LVZLIHDOVRPHHWVVSHFLILFTXDOLILFDWLRQV +HLVWKHKHDGRIKLVZLIHDQGFKLOGUHQ+HKDVDKLVWRU\RI&KULVWLDQVHUYLFH 7KHUHLVDZRUNIRUKLPWRGRDQGKHLVZLOOLQJDQGDEOHWRSHUIRUPLW $VSHFLDOUHZDUGLVUHVHUYHGIRUIDLWKIXOGHDFRQV 7LPRWK\ ² ³DJRRGGHJUHH´³JRRGVWDQGLQJ´RUGLJQLW\,QDGGLWLRQIDLWKIXOGHDFRQV KDYH ³EROGQHVV´ FRQILGHQFH RU FKHHUIXO FRXUDJH$OO DFFRXQWDEOH VRXOV RXJKWWRFRPPLWWKHPVHOYHVWRIDLWKIXO&KULVWLDQVHUYLFHEXWHVSHFLDOO\ GHDFRQVPXVWVWULYHZHOOLQ&KULVWLDQVHUYLFH = Associate Editor 7KH&KULVWLDQDQG$QJHOV -HUU\%DWHV ,QWRGD\¶VPRGHUQZRUOGZHKHDUDJUHDW GHDO RI WDON DERXW DQJHOV DQG LW VHHPV WKDW PXFKRILWLVZLWKRXWDQ\UHDOELEOLFDOEDVLV 3DUW RI WKH UHDVRQ LV WKDW WKH %LEOH DFWXDOO\ VSHDNV YHU\ OLWWOH DERXW DQJHOV 7KH\ DUH PHQWLRQHGTXLWHRIWHQEXWQRWH[WVSHFLILFDOO\ WHDFKHV DERXW DQJHOV DQG OLWWOH LV DFWXDOO\ VDLGDERXWWKHLUUROHLQ*RG¶VSODQ:HKHDU IHZOHVVRQVRQDQJHOVLQWKHFKXUFK&RQVLGHU WKHIROORZLQJWKRXJKWVRQWKLVVXEMHFW )LUVWRIDOOZHPXVWUHDOL]HWKDWWKH\DUHFUHDWHGEHLQJV WKXVWKH\DUH QRWOLNH*RG1HKHPLDKZURWH“You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host” 1HKHPLDK 7KHKRVWRIKHDYHQPXVW LQFOXGHWKHDQJHOV WKXVWKH\DUHFUHDWHGEHLQJV:HDOVRUHDGRIWKHVRQV RI*RGVKRXWLQJIRUMR\ZKHQ*RGODLGWKHIRXQGDWLRQVRIWKHHDUWK -RE 7KHVRQVRI*RGPXVWEHDUHIHUHQFHWRDQJHOVVLQFHWKH\ZHUH WKHUHZKHQWKHHDUWKDQGDOOLWVKRVW LQFOXGLQJPDQ ZDVFUHDWHG$QJHOV DUHWKHVHUYDQWVRI*RGZLWKWKHSRZHUWRGRZKDWHYHU*RGVHQGVWKHPWR GR:KHQ'DQLHOZDVWKURZQLQWRWKHOLRQ¶VGHQDQDQJHOVKXWWKHPRXWKV RIWKHOLRQV 'DQLHO $QJHOVDUHQRWJORULILHGKXPDQEHLQJV1RWKLQJ LQGLFDWHVWKDWZKHQIDLWKIXOFKLOGUHQRI*RGGLHWKH\EHFRPHDQJHOV 7KHUHLVDQXQNQRZQPXOWLWXGHRIDQJHOVLQH[LVWHQFH-HVXVVWDWHGLQ 0DWWKHZ WKDW+HFRXOGKDYHFDOOHGWZHOYHOHJLRQVRIDQJHOVWR+LV DLG$5RPDQOHJLRQFRQVLVWHGRIPHQ WKXV-HVXVVDLG+HFRXOG KDYH FDOOHG DQJHOV :KLOH WKDW QXPEHU SUREDEO\ VKRXOG QRW EH WDNHQOLWHUDOO\LWGRHVLQGLFDWHWKDWDYDVWQXPEHURIDQJHOVDUHSHUIRUPLQJ *RG¶VVHUYLFH7KHZULWHURI+HEUHZVVDLGWKDW&KULVWLDQVKDYHFRPHWRWKH KHDYHQO\-HUXVDOHPWRDQ“innumerable multitude of angels” +HEUHZV ,Q-RKQ¶VYLVLRQKHVDLGWKDWWKHDQJHOVDURXQGWKHWKURQHRI*RG QXPEHUHG “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” 5HYHODWLRQ ,W VHHPV WKDW DQJHOV DUH KLJKHU WKDQ PDQ EHFDXVH WKH ZULWHU RI +HEUHZV ZULWHV WKDW ZKHQ -HVXV EHFDPH PDQ +H ZDV PDGH “a little lower than the angels” +HEUHZV 2QH FRPPRQ PLVFRQFHSWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ DQJHOV LV WKDW WKH\ DUH IHPDOHVIO\LQJDURXQGZLWKZLQJV7KLVLVOLNHO\GXHWRWKHIDFWZHJHQHUDOO\ FRQVLGHU ZRPHQ WR EH NLQGHU DQG PRUH FRPSDVVLRQDWH WKDQ PHQ WKXV DQJHOVPXVWEHIHPDOH,QDFWXDOLW\DQJHOVDUHVSLULWEHLQJVDQGWKHUHIRUH DUHVH[OHVV-HVXVVSRNHUHJDUGLQJWKHUHVXUUHFWLRQLQ0DWWKHZ “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” $QRWKHUPLVFRQFHSWLRQLVWKDWDQJHOVDUHDOZD\VJRRGEXWWKDWLVQRW WUXH HLWKHU 6RPH ZHUH QRW VDWLVILHG ZLWK WKHLU SURSHU GXW\ DQG VWDWLRQ DQG*RGUHVHUYHVJUHDWSXQLVKPHQWIRUWKHPDWWKH-XGJPHQW'D\ -XGH :HILQGWKDW6DWDQDOVRKDVKLVDQJHOVDQGKHOOILUHLVUHVHUYHGIRU WKHP 0DWWKHZ ,QWKH2OG7HVWDPHQWWKHUHDUHVHYHUDOH[DPSOHV RIDQJHOVSXQLVKLQJWKHGLVREHGLHQW 6DPXHO .LQJV 1XPEHUV (]HNLHO :KLOHWKH\DUHH[FHHGLQJO\SRZHUIXOWKH\DUH XQGHUWKHFRQWURORI*RG,Q6DPXHO DQDQJHOVWUHWFKHGRXWKLV KDQGRYHU-HUXVDOHPWRGHVWUR\LWEXW*RGVSRNHDQGVDLG“It is enough; now restrain your hand.”3DXOZURWHLQ7KHVVDORQLDQV WKDW-HVXV ZLOOFRPHDJDLQ“with His mighty angels”DQGWDNH“vengeance on those who do not know God.”7KHZULWHURI+HEUHZVVDLGWKDW*RGXVHGDQJHOV DV +LV PLQLVWHUV WR FOHDQVH OLNH ILUH +HEUHZV 7KXV WKH FRPPRQ SHUFHSWLRQRINLQGORYLQJDQJHOVRQO\KHOSLQJSHRSOHLVQRWWUXO\ELEOLFDO $QJHOVDOVRKDYHDORYHIRUORVWVRXOV7KHDQJHOVLQ+HDYHQUHMRLFH RYHU RQH VLQQHU ZKR UHSHQWV /XNH $W WKH ELUWK RI -HVXV WKH PXOWLWXGHRIWKHKHDYHQO\KRVWSUDLVHG*RGDQGVDLG“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” /XNH 2QO\ DGHHSORYHIRUWKHVDOYDWLRQRIPDQNLQGZRXOGSURGXFHVXFKDUHVSRQVH $SSDUHQWO\DQJHOVVHUYHDIXQFWLRQIRU*RG¶VFKLOGUHQZKRGLH:KHQWKH EHJJDUGLHGLQ/XNH WKHDQJHOVFDUULHGKLPWR$EUDKDP¶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“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” +HEUHZV )XUWKHUPRUH -HVXV VDLG UHJDUGLQJOLWWOHFKLOGUHQ“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” 0DWWKHZ 6RZHFDQVDIHO\VD\ WKDWDQJHOVGRSURYLGHDVHUYLFHIRUXVDV*RG¶VFKLOGUHQEXWZHVLPSO\ FDQQRWEHFHUWDLQDVWRZKDWWKDWVHUYLFHHQWDLOV 7KH\DOVRVWDQGEHIRUH*RGDQGZRUVKLS KRZHYHUWKH\DUHQRWWR EHZRUVKLSSHGE\PDQ$WWKHHQGRIWKH5HYHODWLRQ-RKQIHOOGRZQWR ZRUVKLS WKH DQJHO ZKR KDG UHYHDOHG DOO WKH WKLQJV ZLWKLQ WKH %RRN RI 5HYHODWLRQWRKLP7KHDQJHOLPPHGLDWHO\DGPRQLVKHGKLP“See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God” 5HYHODWLRQ 7KXVZHVHHWKDWDVJUHDWDVDQJHOVDUHWKH\DUHVLPSO\ VHUYDQWVRI*RGMXVWDVZHDUH2QO\*RGLVZRUWK\WREHZRUVKLSSHG :KLOHZHPD\EHVRPHZKDWIDVFLQDWHGE\DQJHOVOHWXVQRWEHGLVWUDFWHG IURPRXUVHUYLFHWR&KULVW:HVKRXOGQHYHUEHWHPSWHGWRZRUVKLSDQJHOVRU PDJQLI\WKHLUJUHDWQHVVDVLIWKH\DUHVRPHKRZVLPLODUWR*RG1HYHUWKHOHVV WKLVVKRXOGVHUYHDVDVREHULQJUHPLQGHUWRXVWKDW“if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” 3HWHU KRZPXFK PRUHZLOO*RGSXQLVKXVLIZHOLYHLQUHEHOOLRQWR+LVZLOO" = Founding Editor The Doctrines of Calvinism -&&KRDWH $PDQE\WKHQDPHRI-RKQ&DOYLQZDVERUQ LQ1R\RQ)UDQFHLQ WRSDUHQWVZKRZHUH &DWKROLF$VKHJUHZLQWRPDQKRRG&DOYLQZDV FRQYHUWHGIURP&DWKROLFLVPDQGGHYHORSHGKLV RZQLGHDVRIVDOYDWLRQLQUHDFWLRQWRWKHGRFWULQHV PRVWSUHYDOHQWLQ(XURSHDWWKDWWLPH7KRXJK &DOYLQKLPVHOIGLGQRWVWDUWDVHSDUDWHUHOLJLRXV 1932—2008 JURXSSHRSOHZKRDFFHSWHGKLVGRFWULQHVFDPH WREHNQRZQDV³&DOYLQLVWV´DQGYDULRXVGHQRPLQDWLRQVWRGD\LQFOXGHWKRVH EHOLHIVLQWKHLUPDQXDOVRIIDLWK 7KHDFURQ\PIRU&DOYLQ¶VEDVLFEHOLHIV\VWHPLV78/,3)RUZKDWGR WKHVHOHWWHUVVWDQGDQGKRZGRWKHVHGRFWULQHVFRPSDUHZLWK*RG¶V:RUG" 7Total Depravity WHDFKHVWKDWDOOKXPDQVDUHWRWDOO\GHSUDYHGIURPELUWK LQKHULWLQJWKHJXLOWRI$GDP¶VVLQDQGWKDWLWLVLPSRVVLEOHIRUDQ\RQHWR FKRRVH*RGRQKLVRZQ RQO\*RGFDQFKRRVHWKHKXPDQVWKDWZLOOEHVDYHG *RG¶V:RUG “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him- self.” (]HNLHO “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” 0DWWKHZ “…each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and en- ticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” -DPHV 3VDOP UHDGV“…in sin did my mother conceive me…”DQGLV ZURQJO\XVHGWRWHDFKWKDWDFKLOGLVERUQ:,7+VLQEXWWKHZULWHU ZDVWDONLQJDERXWWKHVLQRIKLVDGXOWPRWKHUQRWKLVRZQ 8 Unconditional Election PHDQV WKDW *RG FKRRVHV ZKR ZLOO EH VDYHGDQGZKRZLOOEHORVWDQGWKHLQGLYLGXDOKDVQRFKRLFHLQWKHPDW WHU KHLVSUHGHVWLQHGWREHVDYHGRUWREHORVWIURPWKHEHJLQQLQJDQG KLVIDWHFDQQRWEHFKDQJHG *RG¶V:RUG “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” 0DUN “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 0DWWKHZ “Come now, and let us REASON together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ,VDLDK “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 5R PDQV “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 5RPDQV “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have COMMITTED unto him against that day.” 7LPRWK\ “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set be- fore you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live.” 'HXWHURQRP\ ,IKXPDQVKDYHQRFKRLFHWRUHVSRQGWRWKHSUHDFKLQJRI*RG¶V :RUGDQGWR+LVLQYLWDWLRQLVQRW*RGEHLQJGHFHLWIXOWRLQYLWHDOOZKR KHDUWRFRPHWR+LP" /Limited Grace WHDFKHVKDW&KULVWGLHGRQO\IRUWKRVH+HSUHGHWHU PLQHGZRXOGEHVDYHG *RG¶V:RUG “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD.” -RKQ “Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth.” 7LPRWK\ “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who- ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” -RKQ 5HSHDWHGO\LQ6FULSWXUH*RGVD\VWKDWWKHDWRQHPHQWLVIRU$// ZKRZLOOFRPHWR+LP ,Irresistible Grace PHDQVWKDWWKH³FKRVHQ´FDQQRWVXFFHVVIXOO\UH VLVWWKHJUDFHRI*RGEHVWRZHGRQWKHPWKURXJK*RG¶VSUHGHWHUPLQLQJ WKDWWKH\ZRXOGEHVDYHG *RG¶V:RUG “But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” 5RPDQV “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: me, and they are they which testify of me. And YE WILL NOT come to Me that ye might have life.” -RKQ *RGSODLQO\VD\VWKDW+HJULHYHVRYHUWKHRQHVZKRwill not come WR+LPWRKDYHOLIH 3 Perseverance of the Saints WHDFKHV WKDW WKRVH ZKR DUH WKH ³FKRVHQ´FDQQRWEHORVWDQGWKDWLIDSHUVRQOHDYHVWKHIDLWKKHZDVQRW VDYHGLQWKHEHJLQQLQJ *RG¶V:RUG ³)RULIDIWHUWKH\KDYHHVFDSHGWKHSROOXWLRQVRIWKHZRUOGWKURXJKWKH NQRZOHGJHRIWKH/RUGDQG6DYLRXU-HVXV&KULVWWKH\DUHDJDLQHQWDQ JOHGWKHUHLQDQGRYHUFRPHWKHODWWHUHQGLVZRUVHZLWKWKHPWKDQWKH EHJLQQLQJ´ 3HWHU /HW*RG¶VZRUGEHWUXHDQGUHIXVHWKHGRFWULQHVRIPHQ= “Whoever”DSSHDUVQHDUO\WLPHVLQWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWDQG LQPDQ\RIWKRVHYHUVHV“whoever”EROGO\DQGORXGO\VKRXWVIRUWKWKH IDOVLW\RI&DOYLQLVP²78/,3 “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved” $FWV 1.-9 “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” $FWV “As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” 5RPDQV “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” 5RPDQV “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” -RKQ “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him” -RKQ “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” -RKQ “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” 5HYHODWLRQ 5-Minute Bible Study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¿UH+H EUHZV 7KHQDYRLFHFDPHIURPWKHWKURQHVD\LQJ³3UDLVHRXU*RGDOO\RX +LVBBBBBBBBDQGWKRVHZKRIHDUKLPERWKBBBBBBBDQGBBBBBBBBB´ 5HYHODWLRQ *RGQDWLRQDFFHSWHG 0HUF\JHQHUDWLRQJHQHUDWLRQ 6HUYDQWVVPDOOJUHDW :DONV 6KDNHQUHYHUHQFH $QVZHUV )HDUWUHPEOLQJSOHDVXUH Table of Contents God *RG,V*RRG$XWKRU8QNQRZQ *RG8VHV7URXEOH*DU\&+DPSWRQ &KULVWWKH&UHDWRU.HLWK.DVDUMLDQ +DYH God A bit of Interesting “stuff” One thing is for sure GOD IS GOOD! $XWKRU8QNQRZQ This is really interesting—enjoy! D :KHQ*2'VROYHVRXUSUREOHPVZHKDYHIDLWKLQ+,6DELOLWLHV :KHQ*2'GRHVQ¶WVROYHRXUSUREOHPV+(KDVIDLWKLQRXUDELOLWLHV D 2QHPD\REVHUYH*RG¶VDFFXUDF\LQWKHKDWFKLQJRIHJJV²WKRVH RIWKHFDQDU\LQGD\V WKRVHRIWKHEDUQ\DUGKHQLQGD\V HJJVRI GXFNVDQGJHHVHLQGD\V WKRVHRIWKHPDOODUGLQGD\V WKHHJJVRI WKHSDUURWDQGWKHRVWULFKKDWFKLQGD\V 1RWLFHWKH\DUHDOOGLYLVLEOHE\VHYHQWKHQXPEHURIGD\VLQDZHHN D 6HH*RG¶VZLVGRPLQWKHPDNLQJRIDQHOHSKDQW7KHIRXUOHJVRI WKLVJUHDWEHDVWDOOEHQGIRUZDUGLQWKHVDPHGLUHFWLRQ1RRWKHUTXDGUXSHG LVVRPDGH*RGSODQQHGWKDWWKLVDQLPDOZRXOGKDYHDKXJHERG\²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¶VPRUH D 7KHZDYHVRIWKHVHDUROOLQRQVKRUHWZHQW\VL[WRWKHPLQXWHLQ God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¶WKXUW\RX'LG\RXDOVR NQRZ« D /LIHZLWKRXW*RGLVOLNHDQXQVKDUSHQHGSHQFLO²LWKDVQRSRLQW= God God Uses Trouble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³7KHRQHUHGHHPLQJQRWHLQWKLVRWKHUZLVHXQKDSS\DQGUHJUHWWDEOH HSLVRGHLVWKDWQHLWKHUSDUW\WRWKHGLVSXWHSHUPLWWHGLWWRKLQGHUWKHZRUN RI*RG´ -DPHV%XUWRQ&RIIPDQCommentary on Acts 3DXOODWHU UHIHUUHGWR%DUQDEDVDVDJRRGH[DPSOHRIRQHZKRZRUNHGWRVXSSRUW KLPVHOIZKLOHSUHDFKLQJ+HDOVRGHVFULEHG-RKQ0DUNDVRQHZKRZDV XVHIXOLQPLQLVWU\ &RULQWKLDQV 7LPRWK\ 'LVDJUHHPHQWVEHWZHHQEUHWKUHQFDQEHWKHGHYLO¶VWRROWREULQJJRRG ZRUNVWRDVWDQGVWLOO7KH&KULVWLDQZKRDOORZVVRPHSDLQIXOLQFLGHQWWR EHFRPHKLVRUKHUH[FXVHIRUVLWWLQJRQWKHVWRRORIGRQRWKLQJJLYHV6DWDQ WKHYLFWRU\7KHRQHZKRSUHVVHVRQLQVHUYLFHWRWKH.LQJFDQVHHEDG VLWXDWLRQVZRUNRXWWRWKHIXUWKHUDQFHRIWKH*RVSHO 3KLOLSSLDQV 7KHUHDUHWZRPRWLYDWLRQVIRUSUHDFKLQJWKH*RVSHO²VHOILVKDPELWLRQ RU ORYH 2XU MRE LV QRW WR EH KHDUW LQVSHFWRUV VHHNLQJ WR FRUUHFW HYHU\ LPSURSHUPRWLYH,QVWHDGOLNH3DXOZHVKRXOGVD\“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” 3KLOLSSLDQV = *DU\&+DPSWRQSUHDFKHVIRUWKH6LZHOO5RDGFRQJUHJDWLRQLQ-DFNVRQ0LVVLVVLSSL 86$ God Christ the Creator .HLWK.DVDUMLDQ $OLWWOHJLUODQGKHUPRWKHUZHUHGLVFXVVLQJWKHFKLOG¶V6XQGD\6FKRRO &ODVVOHVVRQDQGKRZWKDW-HVXVKDGJRQHXSWR+HDYHQDQGLVQRZVLWWLQJ EHVLGH WKH )DWKHU$ OLWWOH ZKLOH ODWHU WKH PRWKHU QRWLFHG D UDLQERZ DQG QRWZDQWLQJWRZDVWHDQRSSRUWXQLW\WRPHQWLRQ*RGVDLGWRKHUGDXJKWHU ³/RRNDWWKHSUHWW\UDLQERZ*RGKDVSDLQWHGIRUXV´7KHOLWWOHJLUODJUHHG DQGWKHQVDLG³$QGMXVWWKLQN+HGLGLWDOOZLWK+LVOHIWKDQG´&RQIXVHG WKHPRWKHUDVNHG³&DQ¶W*RGXVHERWK+LVKDQGV"´7RZKLFKWKHJLUOUHSOLHG ³2IFRXUVHQRW-HVXVLVVLWWLQJRQ+LVULJKWKDQG´7KHOLWWOHJLUOZDVDELW PLVJXLGHGEXWKDYH\RXHYHUFRQVLGHUHGWKHFUHDWLYHSRZHUVRI-HVXV" &KULVWLVWKH&UHDWRURIRXUZRUOG:HNQRZWKDW“by Him were all things made” &RORVVLDQV DQGWKDW“apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” -RKQ $GGWRWKDW“in Him all things hold together” &RORVVLDQV -HVXVLVERWK&UHDWRUDQG 6XVWDLQHURIRXUZRUOG &KULVWLVWKH&UHDWRURIRXUQHZOLIH%\WKDWZHPHDQWKDW+HLVWKH 2QHZKRPDNHVWKH1HZ/LIHSRVVLEOH“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” &RULQWKLDQV :LWKRXW-HVXVZHDUHGHDGLQRXUVLQVKDYHJLYHQ RXUVHOYHVRYHUWRWKHOXVWVRIWKHIOHVKDQGDUHFKLOGUHQRIZUDWK (SKHVLDQV +RZHYHUEHFDXVHRI-HVXVRXUOLIHFDQEHUDGLFDOO\GLIIHUHQW7KDQNVWR &KULVWZHFDQOLYHDQHZOLIHFKDUDFWHUL]HGE\ORYHMR\IRUJLYHQHVVDQGKRSH &KULVWLVWKH&UHDWRURIRXUHWHUQDOUHZDUG-HVXVKDVVDLGWKDW+H LVSUHSDULQJIRUXVDSODFHLQ+LV)DWKHU¶VKRXVHDQGWKDWRQHGD\+HZLOO UHFHLYHXVWKHUH -RKQ 2XUOLIHKHUHRQ(DUWKLVQRWDOZD\VHDV\,W LVVRPHWLPHVILOOHGZLWKFDUHVWURXEOHVDQGGLIILFXOWLHV,QIDFW-HVXVVSRNH WKHDIRUHPHQWLRQHGZRUGVIRUWKHSXUSRVHRIFRPIRUWLQJWURXEOHGGLVFLSOHV .HLWK.DVDUMLDQLVWKH([WHQVLRQ6FKRRO'LUHFWRURIWKH%HDU9DOOH\%LEOH,QVWLWXWHLQ 'HQYHU&RORUDGR86$ God Have You Grown Tired of God? 7KHUPDQ+RGJH $VLWZDVLQ0DODFKL¶VGD\VRLWLVVWLOOWKHFDVHWRGD\WKDWPDQ\DUH ZLOOLQJ WR SXW SHUVRQDOLW\ RYHU SULQFLSOH DQG EHFDXVH RI LJQRUDQFH RI WKH6FULSWXUHVWKH\DUHDSWWRJRLQDQ\GLUHFWLRQ)UDQNOLQ&DPSRQFH REVHUYHG³:KHQ\RXOHDYHWKHSULQFLSOHRIWKHQHHGIRU%LEOHDXWKRULW\ WKHUHLVQRHQGWRZKHUH\RXZLOOZLQGXS´ &DQ ZH QRW VHH WKDW WKLV LV WUXH":RUVKLSDQG PRUDO LVVXHV ZRXOG WKHQEHVHWWOHGE\ZKDWPHQZDQWLQVWHDGRIZKDW*RGZDQWV 3URYHUEV -HUHPLDK /HYLWLFXV -RKQ *RG¶VSHRSOHKDG FRPHWRHPEUDFHWKHVLQVRIWKHGD\DQGZDQWHGWRILQGDFFHSWDQFHDQG SRSXODULW\ ZLWK WKH ZRUOG7KH\ GHFLGHG WR RIIHU D WUXFH RI SHDFH ZLWK WKH IDOVH UHOLJLRQV RI WKH GD\ ,W LV QR VXUSULVH WKHQ WKDW *RG¶V SHRSOH UHDGLO\DFFHSWHGLGRODWU\1RZRQGHU*RGZRXOGDVN+LVSHRSOH“Have you grown tired of me?” :H FDQ VHH WKH SURJUHVVLRQ 7ROHUDQFH OHG WR DFFHSWDQFH DQG WKDW DFFHSWDQFHHYHQWXDOO\OHGWRMRLQWSDUWLFLSDWLRQ0\IULHQGVWKHVHWKUHH WKLQJVKDYHQRWRQO\LQIOXHQFHGUHOLJLRQGRZQWKURXJKWKHDJHVEXWWKH\ KDYHDOVRKDGDQXQVHWWOLQJHIIHFWRQWKLQJVSHUWDLQLQJWRPRUDOLVVXHV :H ZLOO MXVW PHQWLRQ WZR KRPRVH[XDOLW\ DQG DERUWLRQ :KHQ SHRSOH RIRXUGD\DUHZLOOLQJWRIROORZWKHIDOVHSKLORVRSKLHVRIWKHZRUOGDQG WKXVSOXQJHKHDGORQJLQWRLPPRUDOLW\DQGLQWRUHOLJLRXVHUURUWKHQLVQ¶W LW REYLRXV WKDW WKH\ DOVR KDYH JURZQ WLUHG RI *RG 5RPDQV 3URYHUEV 0LFDKOLNH+RVHDEHFDPHGLVWXUEHGRYHUWKHK\SRFULV\ RI-HKRYDK¶VEULGH,VUDHO+HEROGO\SUHDFKHGWRWKHP:HQHHGWKDWEROG SUHDFKLQJWRGD\ 7LPRWK\ &DQZHVHHWKUHHVLPLODULWLHVEHWZHHQZKDWKDGWDNHQSODFHLQ0LFDK¶V GD\DQGRXUGD\"%HFDXVHRIWKHLJQRUDQFHRIWKH:RUGRI*RG*RG¶V SHRSOHZHUHLQIOXHQFHGE\WKHZRUOGDURXQGWKHPDQGDOVRE\WKHIDOVH God UHOLJLRQVRIWKDWGD\DQGWLPH:HUHFDOOWKHLUVWURQJGHVLUHIRUDFFHSWDQFH RIWKHZRUOG:HUHJUHWWKDW*RG¶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¶V SDWWHUQOHGWRORQJGLVWDQFHVRIDSRVWDV\ :KDW DERXW ZRUVKLS WRGD\" +DV LW EHFRPH D ULWXDO RU KDELW"$UH ZH DFWLYH SDUWLFLSDQWV LQ ZRUVKLS RU MXVW REVHUYHUV"$UH RXU KHDUWV ERZHG LQ KXPLOLW\EHIRUHWKHRQHWUXHDQGOLYLQJ*RG"$P,VWLOOFRQFHUQHGDERXWZKDW LVDXWKRUL]HGLQZRUVKLS -RKQ 5RPDQV &RORVVLDQV "'RZH UHFRJQL]HWKH*RGKHDGDVWKHDXGLHQFHDQGWKDWZHDUHWRRIIHULQZRUVKLS RQO\ZKDWSOHDVHV*RG"'RZHQHHGWREHUHPLQGHGWKDWWKHRQO\ZD\ZHFDQ NQRZZKDWSOHDVHV+LPLVWKURXJKZKDW+HKDVUHYHDOHGLQ+LV:RUG$JRRG TXHVWLRQIRUPDQ\WRGD\VWLOOLV“Have you grown tired of God?” = 7KHUPDQ+RGJHLVD*RVSHOSUHDFKHUDQGDVKRUWWHUPPLVVLRQDU\WRVHYHUDOFRXQ WULHV+HUHVLGHVLQ0HULGLDQ0LVVLVVLSSL86$ Evidences Will the Earth Last Forever? .HYLQ/0RRUH 7KH (QJOLVK ZRUG ³IRUHYHU´ HVVHQWLDOO\ PHDQV ³ZLWKRXW HQG HYHU FRQWLQXLQJ´ +RZHYHU WKH +HEUHZ ZRUG ³‘olam´ IURP ZKLFK LW LV WUDQVODWHGKDVYDULRXVVKDGHVRIPHDQLQJDQGPXVWWKHUHIRUHEHXQGHUVWRRG LQOLJKWRIWKHFRQWH[WLQZKLFKLWLVXVHG6RPHWLPHVLWFDUULHVWKHVDPH VHQVHDVWKH(QJOLVKZRUG 3VDOP ,QWKHODUJHVWQXPEHURI LWVRFFXUUHQFHVKRZHYHU³‘olam”PHUHO\GHQRWHVVLPSOHGXUDWLRQ,QWKLV VHQVHLWFDQPHDQ³GD\E\GD\´RU³FRQWLQXDOO\´DVLQ3VDOP “So I will sing praise to Your name forever>‘olam@that I may daily perform my vows” 1.-9 ,WFDQDOVRPHDQ³LQROGHQWLPHV´DVLQ*HQHVLV “the mighty men who were of old>‘olam@…”,WFDQEHXVHGWRVLJQLI\ ³IRUDORQJWLPH´VXFKDV,VDLDK “I have held my peace a long time>‘olam@…” ,W FDQ FDUU\ WKH LGHD RI ³LQWR WKH LQGHILQLWH IXWXUH´ DV LQ'HXWHURQRP\ “to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever>‘olam@.” ,W VRPHWLPHV PHDQV³DVORQJDVRQHOLYHV´VXFKDVLQ6DPXHO “then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever >‘olam@…as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” FI([RGXV 'HXWHURQRP\ 6DPXHO :KHQ³‘olam”LVXVHGZLWKUHIHUHQFHWRWHPSRUDU\WKLQJVLWFOHDUO\ FDUULHVWKHLGHDRIWKDWZKLFKODVWVLWVDOORWWHGDPRXQWRIWLPH)RUH[DPSOH WKH/HYLWLFDOSULHVWKRRGZDVWRDELGH“forever” 'HXWHURQRP\ \HW WKHSULHVWKRRGZDVVXEVHTXHQWO\FKDQJHG +HEUHZV 7KHVDPHLGHD LV IRXQG ZLWK UHIHUHQFH WR WKH ,VUDHOLWH ODQG SURPLVH DQG FLUFXPFLVLRQ *HQHVLV ([RGXV WKH 3DVVRYHU ([RGXV WKH WDEHUQDFOH¶V ODPSVWDQG ([RGXV /HYLWLFXV WKH SULHVWV¶ WURXVHUV ([RGXV KHDYHRIIHULQJV ([RGXV ULWXDOZDVKLQJV Evidences ([RGXV WKH 6DEEDWK ([RGXV JUDLQ DQG GULQN RIIHULQJV /HYLWLFXV 1XPEHUV RIIHULQJV WR WKH SULHVWV /HYLWLFXV DQQXDO'D\RI$WRQHPHQW /HYLWLFXV IHDVWVDQGRIIHULQJVRIILUVWIUXLWV3HQWHFRVWDQGERRWKV /HYLWLFXV FHUHPRQLDOEUHDG /HYLWLFXV WUXPSHWEORZLQJ 1XPEHUV VDFULILFH RI SXULILFDWLRQ 1XPEHUV WKH PHPRULDO VWRQHV -RVKXD &DOHE¶V LQKHULWDQFH -RVKXD ,VUDHO DV *RG¶V SHRSOH 6DPXHO WKH7HPSOH .LQJV -HUXVDOHP 3VDOP HW DO6LQFHWKHHDUWKLVQRWSHUPDQHQW 3VDOP 0DWWKHZ 3HWHU ZKHQHYHUWKH%LEOHVSHDNVRIWKHHDUWKDELGLQJ³‘olam” ³IRUHYHU´ LWVLPSO\PHDQVWKDWLWZLOOODVWDVORQJDVLWZDVLQWHQGHGWR ODVW±XQWLO&KULVWUHWXUQV= .HYLQ/0RRUHVHUYHVDVGLUHFWRURIPLVVLRQVVWXGLHVDW)UHHG+DUGHPDQ8QLYHUVLW\ LQ+HQGHUVRQ7HQQHVVHH86$ Robison’s Rubies 0DQ\ SHRSOH DUH IDVFLQDWHG ZLWK WKHLU KLVWRULFDO URRWV WUDFLQJ WKHLU JHQHDORJLHV EDFN DV IDU DV WKH FRXUWKRXVH UHFRUGERRNV DQG RQOLQHVHUYLFHVZLOOWDNHWKHP,WLV IDVFLQDWLQJWRNQRZIURPZKHUHZHFDPH 'LG \RX NQRZ WKDW RQH RI WKH JUHDW HYLGHQFHV IRU -HVXV &KULVW¶V KLVWRULFDOQDWXUHLVWKHH[WHQVLYHJHQHDORJLFDOUHFRUGRIWKH%LEOH"0DWWKHZ¶V *RVSHO WUDFHV LW WKURXJK RQH EUDQFK RI +LV IDPLO\ DQG /XNH¶V WUDFHV LW WKURXJKDQRWKHU7KH2OG7HVWDPHQWUHFRUGVRI*HQHVLVDQGWKHERRNVRI &KURQLFOHVJLYHDORWPRUHGHWDLO&KULVWZDVQRP\WKRUILJPHQWRISHRSOH¶V LPDJLQDWLRQV+HZDVZHOODWWHVWHGE\FRPPRQKLVWRULFDOPHWKRGV $QG\5RELVRQLVWKHPLQLVWHUIRUWKH+LOOYLHZ7HUUDFH&KXUFKRI&KULVWDQGWKH 'LUHFWRURIWKH:HVW9LUJLQLD6FKRRORI3UHDFKLQJLQ0RXQGVYLOOH:HVW9LUJLQLD 86$ Evidences Instant Fish 'DYLG(YHUVRQ -XVWDGGZDWHUWRGLUWDQGYRLODLQVWDQWILVKLQDVOLWWOHDVPLQXWHV 6RXQGOLNHDFRPPHUFLDOIRUVRPHNLQGRIQHZIUHH]HGULHGIRRGSURGXFW" :HOOLW¶VQRW,WLVRQHRIWKHPRVWXQXVXDOFUHDWXUHVWKDW*RGKDVFUHDWHG /HW¶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vidences PHWDEROLVPDQGWKHUHIRUHLWVQHHGIRUODUJHTXDQWLWLHVRIR[\JHQ$VZDWHU UHWXUQVWRVRDNWKHKDUGGU\JURXQGWKH6DODPDQGHUILVKZLJJOHVXSRXWRI WKHPXGQRQHWKHZRUVHIRUWKHH[SHULHQFH 6FLHQWLVWVVWXG\LQJWKLVLQFUHGLEOHFUHDWXUHKDYHDOVRIRXQGWKDWQRWRQO\ LVLWVDELOLW\WRVXUYLYHRXWRIZDWHUWRWDOO\XQLTXHEXWLWLVSDUWLFXODUO\KDUG\ LQVHYHUDORWKHUDUHDVWKDWPRVWILVKDUHQ¶W'XULQJWKHFRXUVHRIDQRUPDO GD\LQ$XVWUDOLDWKHWHPSHUDWXUHLQWKHSRQGVZKHUHLWOLYHVYDULHVDVPXFK DVGHJUHHV7KLVZLGHUDQJHRIWHPSHUDWXUHWROHUDQFHLVYHU\XQXVXDO LQ ILVK DQG LW LV XQFOHDU KRZWKH6DO DPDQGHUILVK FDQ VXUYLYH LQ LW ,W DOVR FDQ WROHUDWH DQH[WUHPHO\ ODUJHDPRXQW RI DFLG LQ LWV HQYLURQ PHQW ZKLFK LV DOVR XQ XVXDO 6RDVWKHVFLHQWLVWVDQGHYROXWLRQLVWVWU\WRILJXUHKRZWKLVORZO\ILVK FDPHWRKDYHVXFKXQXVXDODELOLWLHVZHZLOODJUHHZLWKWKHSVDOPLVW“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” 3VDOP 1.-9 = 'DYLG(YHUVRQLVDUHWLUHGELRORJ\WHDFKHUDQGFRQGXFWVFUHDWLRQVFLHQFHVHPLQDUV +HLVDOVRDQHOGHULQWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ%HOLQJWRQ:HVW9LUJLQLD86$ >(GLWRU¶V1RWH 7KH6DODPDQGHUILVKFRXOGQRWKDYHVXUYLYHGORQJHQRXJKWRGHYHORS LWVLQFUHGLEOHDQGH[FHSWLRQDOFKDUDFWHULVWLFV²HYHQLIHYROXWLRQZHUHWUXHZKLFKLW LVQRW7KLVOLWWOHFUHDWXUHDQGLWVHQYLURQPHQWZHUHFUHDWHGIRUHDFKRWKHUa/RXLV 5XVKPRUH@ the word of god Renewing Our Zeal for God’s Word 'DQ52ZHQ +RZ GR \RX IHHO DERXW *RG¶V :RUG" +RZ GR\RXIHHODERXWUHDGLQJ LWPHGLWDWLQJRQLWRUKHDU LQJ LW SURFODLPHG" $UH \RX H[FLWHG DSDWKHWLF QXPEHDJHURSHQFORVHG LQWHUHVWHGRUERUHG":KDW LV \RXU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK WKHZRUGRI*RG"+RZGR \RXDSSURDFKWKH:RUGLQ WLPHVRISXEOLFDQGSULYDWH GHYRWLRQ" %HLQJ SDVVLRQDWH DERXW *RG¶V :RUG UH TXLUHV D FHUWDLQ DWWLWXGH DERXWLW:HPXVWDSSUH FLDWH ZKDW 6FULSWXUH UH DOO\LV,WLV*RGEUHDWKHG ,W LV WKH SURGXFW RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW 7KH ZRUGV RI6FULSWXUHDUHWKHZRUGV RI HWHUQDO OLIH 7KH\ DUH GLYLQHZRUGVWKDWOHDGXV WR*RGDQGVDOYDWLRQ'R \RX XQGHUVWDQG WKLV":H VKRXOGDOVRDSSUHFLDWHWKHZRQGHUIXOEHQHILWVWKDW6FULSWXUHEULQJVWRXV7KH :RUGRI*RGOHDGVXVWRVDOYDWLRQNHHSVXVIURPVLQVWUHQJWKHQVXVZKHQZH DUHVDGOLJKWVDQGGLUHFWVRXUVWHSVEULQJVXVMR\WKURXJK*RG¶VSURPLVHVDQG FRPIRUWVXVLQRXUVXIIHULQJV.QRZLQJZKDW6FULSWXUHUHDOO\LVDQGZKDWLWFDQ the word of god GRIRUXVKHOSVXVWRKDYHWKHULJKWDWWLWXGHWRZDUGLW 3DVVLRQIRUWKH:RUGUHTXLUHVDSHUVRQDODFTXDLQWDQFHZLWKLW:HGRQ¶W JHWH[FLWHGDERXWDQRWKHUSHUVRQXQWLOZHJHWWRNQRZKLPSHUVRQDOO\,WLVWKH VDPHZD\ZLWK*RG¶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¶V :RUGLVDFKRLFHWKDWHDFKRIXVPXVWPDNHWREHSOHDVLQJWR*RG = 'DQ52ZHQZRUNVZLWKWKH%URDGZD\FRQJUHJDWLRQLQ3DGXFDK.HQWXFN\86$ the word of god God’s Word &HFLO0D\-U 7KH:RUGRI*RGLVWKHPHDQVE\ZKLFK*RGERWKFRPPXQLFDWHV DQGDFWV,QWKHEHJLQQLQJ“God said and it was”GHVFULEHV+LVFUHDWLYH DFWLYLW\ *HQ “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” 3VDOP :KHQ-HVXVZDVDFFXVHGRI“making himself equal with God” -RKQ +HUHVSRQGHGQRWE\GHQ\LQJWKHFODLPEXWE\GHPRQVWUDWLQJ WKDWWKH)DWKHUJDYH+LPWZRWKLQJVWRGRWKDWRQO\*RGFDQGR JLYH OLIHDQGH[HFXWHMXGJPHQW -RKQ -HVXVDFFRPSOLVKHGERWKE\ WKHSRZHURI+LVZRUG)RU+LPDVZHOODVIRUWKH)DWKHU+HDFWHG E\ VSHDNLQJ +H FDXVHG WKLQJV WR EH E\ WHOOLQJ WKHPWREH -HVXV GHFODUHG“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” -RKQ +HVSRNH RIWKHSRZHURI+LV:RUG²WKHSRZHURIWKH*RVSHO²WRWUDQVIRUPWKH VSLULWXDOO\GHDGDQGWRJLYHWKHPVSLULWXDOOLIH +HEDFNHGWKDWXSWKDWE\DGGLQJ“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” :HNQRZWKHSRZHURI+LVZRUGWRUDLVHWKHGHDG+LVFRPPDQG the word of god “Lazarus, come out,”SXWOLIHEDFNLQWRDGHFD\LQJFRUSVHDQGEURXJKW /D]DUXVDOLYHIURPWKHJUDYH$V0DUVKDOO.HHEOHVDLG³,I-HVXVKDGQRW FDOOHG/D]DUXVE\QDPHHYHU\ERG\LQWKDWFHPHWHU\ZRXOGKDYHFRPH RXWRIWKHJUDYH´7KHZRUGRIWKDWVDPH-HVXVZKRLV*RGZLOODWWKH ODVWGD\LQGHHGUDLVHHYHU\SHUVRQZKRKDVHYHUGLHGRXWRIZKDWHYHU JUDYHRUVWDWHWKH\PD\EHLQWRDUHQHZDORIFRQVFLRXVH[LVWHQFH $ UHIRUPHG FRQYHUWHG DOFRKROLF ZDV WDXQWHG E\ ROG GULQNLQJ IULHQGV³'R\RXUHDOO\EHOLHYH\RXU-HVXVWXUQHGSODLQZDWHULQWRJRRG ZLQHDW&DQDLQ*DOLOHH"´³,EHOLHYH+HGLG´WKHPDQVDLG³EHFDXVH WKH %LEOH VD\V VR %HVLGHV , VDZ KLP WXUQ EHHU ZLQH DQG ZKLVNH\ LQWRIRRGIXUQLWXUHDQGFORWKHVDWP\KRXVH´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enney’s Pennies “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” &RULQWKLDQV 1.-9 ,I\RXDUHVWUXFNE\WKHZRQGHULQJRIZK\+H ZRXOGGRWKLVWKHQ\RXDUHSUHSDUHGWRZRUVKLS WKH2QHZKRGLGVR,WLVQRWDERXWZKDW\RXJHW RXWRIZRUVKLS,WLVDERXWZKDW\RXEULQJWRWKH SUHVHQFHRI*RGWRJLYHWR+LP+RZVDGZKHQ VRPHVHHPWRIRUJHW the word of god “Is There Any Word From the Lord?” -RKQ*LSVRQ *RG¶V SURSKHW -HUHPLDK KDG EHHQ EHDWHQ DQG WKUXVW LQWR SULVRQ ZKHUHKHUHPDLQHGPDQ\GD\V)LQDOO\.LQJ=HGHNLDKVHQWIRU-HUHPLDK DQGTXHVWLRQHGKLPVHFUHWO\LQKLVKRXVH7KHRQHWKLQJWKHNLQJZDQWHG WRNQRZZDV“Is there any word from the Lord?”:LWKRXWKHVLWDWLRQ -HUHPLDKUHSOLHG“There is” -HUHPLDK $W WLPHV LQ YLHZLQJ YDULRXV SUHDFKHUV RQ WHOHYLVLRQ LW DSSHDUV WKDWPDQ\RIWKHPGRQ¶WUHDOO\NQRZZKHWKHUWKHUHLVDZRUGIURPWKH /RUGRUQRW7KH\PD\OHDGWKHLUFRQJUHJDWLRQVLQUHFLWLQJDFUHHGWKDW GHFODUHVIXOOIDLWKLQWKHYLUJLQELUWKRI-HVXVDQG+LVERGLO\UHVXUUHFWLRQ IURPWKHGHDGDQGWKHQDK\PQRUWZRODWHUWKH\PD\SUHDFKDVHUPRQ H[SODLQLQJWKDW-HVXVZDVQRWUHDOO\ERUQRIDYLUJLQRUHOVHWKDW+LV UHVXUUHFWLRQZDVQRWDERGLO\UHVXUUHFWLRQ([FXVHPHLI,EHFRPHD OLWWOHFRQIXVHGRYHUWKHLUGHFODUDWLRQVDQGGHQLDOV :K\LVLWWKDWDIWHUUHDGLQJWKHLUWH[WWRWKHFRQJUHJDWLRQVRPH SUHDFKHUVVSHQGPRVWRIWKHLUWLPHH[SODLQLQJZK\6FULSWXUHGRHVQ¶W UHDOO\PHDQZKDWLWVD\V"%\WKHWLPHWKHVHUPRQLVILQLVKHG*RG¶V :RUGLVVRGLVJXLVHGDQGGLVILJXUHGWKDWLWLVKDUGWRUHFRJQL]H 2OLYHU :HQGHOO +ROPHV RQFH ZRQGHUHG ZKDW ZRXOG KDSSHQ WR PDWKHPDWLFVLIWZRPHDQWWZRWRKLPEXWWZHQW\WZRWRDQRWKHUDQG WZRKXQGUHGWRDQRWKHU%DVHGRQVRPHRIWKHWKLQJV,¶PKHDULQJLQWKH QDPHRI&KULVWLDQLW\,WKLQN,FRXOGWHOOKLP +RZUHIUHVKLQJLWZRXOGEHWRDVNWKHTXHVWLRQ“Is there any word from the Lord?”DQGKHDUWKHDQVZHU“There is.” ,I,XQGHUVWDQGWKH DSRVWOH3DXOFRUUHFWO\DSUHDFKHU¶VMRELVWR³SUHDFKWKH:RUG´= -RKQ*LSVRQZRUNVZLWKWKH:LQGVRQJFRQJUHJDWLRQRIWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKLQ/LWWOH 5RFN$UNDQVDV86$ the word of god Why Live by the Bible? /DUU\0XUGRFN :K\ VKRXOG \RX DOORZ WKH %LEOH WR GLUHFW \RXU OLIH" 7KHUH DUH FULWLFVZKRULGLFXOHSHRSOHZKROLYHE\SULQFLSOHVIRXQGLQWKH%LEOH 7KHFULWLFVPRFN%LEOHEHOLHYHUVFDOOLQJWKHPE\SUHMXGLFLDOQDPHV² QDPHVOLNH³%LEOHWKXPSHUV´³VWXSLG´³LJQRUDQW´³MXGJPHQWDO´DQG SHUKDSVWKHPRVWGHVSLVHGQDPHRIDOO³LQWROHUDQW´:KHQ,FKRRVH WREHOLHYHLQWKH%LEOHDVDJXLGLQJSULQFLSOHRIP\OLIHWKHQ,ULVN EHLQJFDOOHGE\WKHVHQDPHV%XWZK\VKRXOG,DOORZDQDQFLHQWERRN WRGLUHFWP\OLIH":K\VKRXOG\RX" 3HRSOHZKRJHQXLQHO\EHOLHYHLQWKH%LEOHDV*RG¶V:RUGZDQW WR OLYH E\ WKH %LEOH¶V SULQFLSOHV 7KHVH SHRSOH EHOLHYH WKH %LEOH¶V SULQFLSOHVKDYHFRPHIURP*RG:KHQSHRSOHSUDFWLFH%LEOHSULQFLSOHV WKH\EHFRPHWKHILQHVWH[DPSOHVRIKXPDQEHKDYLRUDQ\ZKHUHLQWKH ZRUOG7KDW¶VULJKW7KDWLVDJRRGUHDVRQWRIROORZWKHWHDFKLQJVRIWKH %LEOHEHFDXVHWKH\DUHWKHEHVWSULQFLSOHVLQWKHZRUOGE\ZKLFKWROLYH -HVXV¶KDOIEURWKHU-DPHVSXWLWWKLVZD\ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wis- dom. But if you have bitter jealousy and sel¿ sh ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earth- ly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and sel¿ sh ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile prac- tice. But the wisdom from above is ¿ rst pure, then peace- able, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. -DPHV 7KLVLVDQH[FHOOHQWGHVFULSWLRQRID&KULVWLDQZKRLVEDVLQJKLVRU KHUOLIHRQ-HVXV&KULVWDQG+LVELEOLFDOSULQFLSOHVIRUOLYLQJ'RHVWKDW the word of god PHDQ WKDW HYHU\ EHOLHYHU LQ &KULVW LV OLYLQJ E\ -HVXV¶ SULQFLSOHV" 1R 8QIRUWXQDWHO\QRWHYHU\VRFDOOHG&KULVWLDQEHOLHYHVLQOLYLQJE\WKH%LEOH -DPHVVKRZVXVWKDWWKHUHDUHWZRNLQGVRIFRQYHQWLRQDOZLVGRPLQ WKHZRUOG-DPHVFDOOVRQHRIWKHPHDUWKO\ZKHUHDVWKHRWKHULVKHDYHQO\ KHDYHQO\ ZLVGRP FRPHV IURP *RG 7KH HDUWKO\ ZLVGRP LV EDVHG RQ getting aheadLQOLIH,W¶VDOODERXWPH0\EHKDYLRUZLOOEHXQVSLULWXDO DQGHYHQGHYLOLVKZKHQ,OLYHRXWRIMHDORXV\DQGVHOILVKDPELWLRQ2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG LI , OLYH E\ KHDYHQO\ SULQFLSOHV WKHQ WKRVH SULQFLSOHV ZLOOILUVWEHSXUH7KDWLVKHDYHQO\SULQFLSOHVDUHOLYHGwithoutVHOILVK XOWHULRUPRWLYHV,QVWHDGRIFODVKLQJZLWKWKHDPELWLRQVRIRWKHUSHRSOH P\DFWLRQVZLOOEH“peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”'RQ¶W\RXOLNHWRGHDOZLWKVRPHRQH ZLWKWKRVHFKDUDFWHULVWLFV")ULHQGLI\RXDUHQRWD&KULVWLDQDQG\HW\RX EHKDYHDFFRUGLQJWRWKRVHheavenly principlesWKHQE\VRPHPHDQV\RX KDYHOHDUQHGWKDWWKLVLVWKHEHVWZD\WROLYHOLIH,QIDFWE\WUHDWLQJRWKHU SHRSOHWKLVZD\\RXDUHSUDFWLFLQJ-HVXV¶*ROGHQ5XOHE\WUHDWLQJRWKHUV WKHZD\\RXZLVKWREHWUHDWHG 0DWWKHZ -HVXV¶DSRVWOH3HWHUKDGWKLVWRVD\WR&KULVWLDQV Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the À esh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be sub- ject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the broth- erhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” 3HWHU )ULHQGV3HWHU¶VDGYLFHFDPHIURPWKH/RUG-HVXV&KULVW&KULVWLDQV ZHUHULGLFXOHGLQWKHILUVWFHQWXU\MXVWOLNHWKH\DUHWRGD\&KULVWLDQV ZHUHOLYLQJOLYHVWKDWWKHPDMRULW\WKRXJKWZDVFRPSOHWHO\ULGLFXORXV the word of god /DUU\0XUGRFNZULWHVUHFRUGVDQGSURGXFHV*RVSHOPHVVDJHVIRUORFDODQGLQ WHUQDWLRQDOUDGLR+HSUHDFKHVDWWKH*DQG\&KXUFKRI&KULVWLQ/DZUHQFHEXUJ 7HQQHVVHH86$ Verse Search 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -HUU\%DWHV :KDWGRHVNQRZOHGJHGRWRDSHUVRQDQGZKDWGRHVORYHGRWRDSHU VRQ" :KDWLVWKHZRUWKRIDQLGRO" +RZPDQ\WUXH*RGVDUHWKHUH" &RQFHUQLQJ-HVXV3DXOVDLG³WKURXJKZKRPBBBBBBBBDOOWKLQJVDQG WKURXJKZKRPZHBBBBBBBBBBBB´ 3DXOVD\VWKDWWKHFRQVFLHQFHVRIWKRVHZKRWKLQNLWLVZURQJWRHDW PHDWVRIIHUHGWRLGROVDUHBBBBBBBBBBBB :KDWKDSSHQVWRWKHLUFRQVFLHQFHVLIWKH\HDWRIWKRVHPHDWVWKDWWKH\ WKLQNWKH\VKRXOGQ¶W" 'RHVIRRGPDNHDSHUVRQPRUHSOHDVLQJWR*RG" $ SHUVRQ PXVW EHZDUH EHFDXVH RQH¶V OLEHUW\ PLJKW EHFRPH D BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBWRWKRVHZKRDUHZHDN ,IVRPHRQHZKRWKLQNVLWLVZURQJWRHDWWKRVHPHDWVVHHV\RXHDWLQJ ZKDWPLJKWWKH\EHWHPSWHGWRGR" ,IWKH\JRDKHDGDQGHDWZKDWZLOOKDSSHQWRWKHP" :KDWKDSSHQVWRWKHVSLULWXDOO\VWURQJSHUVRQZKRJRHVDKHDGDQGHDWV LQVSLWHRINQRZLQJZKDWPLJKWKDSSHQWRWKHZHDNEURWKHU" :KDWGLG3DXOVD\KHZRXOGQHYHUGRLILWZRXOGPDNHKLVEURWKHU VWXPEOH" 6HHWKHEDFNFRYHUIRUDQVZHUV Verse Search 1RZFRQFHUQLQJWKLQJVRIIHUHGWRLGROV :HNQRZWKDWZHDOOKDYHNQRZOHGJH .QRZOHGJHSXIIVXSEXWORYHHGLILHV$QGLIDQ\RQHWKLQNVWKDWKHNQRZVDQ\WKLQJ KHNQRZVQRWKLQJ\HWDVKHRXJKWWRNQRZ%XWLIDQ\RQHORYHV*RGWKLVRQHLV NQRZQE\+LP 7KHUHIRUHFRQFHUQLQJWKHHDWLQJRIWKLQJVRIIHUHGWRLGROVZHNQRZWKDWDQ LGROLVQRWKLQJLQWKHZRUOGDQGWKDWWKHUHLVQRRWKHU*RGEXWRQH)RUHYHQLIWKHUH DUHVRFDOOHGJRGVZKHWKHULQKHDYHQRURQHDUWK DVWKHUHDUHPDQ\JRGVDQGPDQ\ ORUGV \HWIRUXVWKHUHLVRQH*RGWKH)DWKHURIZKRPDUHDOOWKLQJVDQGZHIRU KLP DQGRQH/RUG-HVXV&KULVWWKURXJKZKRPDUHDOOWKLQJVDQGWKURXJKZKRPZH OLYH +RZHYHUWKHUHLVQRWLQHYHU\RQHWKDWNQRZOHGJH IRUVRPHZLWKFRQVFLRXVQHVV RIWKHLGROXQWLOQRZHDWLWDVDWKLQJRIIHUHGWRDQLGRO DQGWKHLUFRQVFLHQFHEHLQJ ZHDNLVGHILOHG%XWIRRGGRHVQRWFRPPHQGXVWR*RG IRUQHLWKHULIZHHDWDUHZH WKHEHWWHUQRULIZHGRQRWHDWDUHZHWKHZRUVH %XWEHZDUHOHVWVRPHKRZWKLVOLEHUW\RI\RXUVEHFRPHDVWXPEOLQJEORFNWR WKRVHZKRDUHZHDN)RULIDQ\RQHVHHV\RXZKRKDYHNQRZOHGJHHDWLQJLQDQ LGRO¶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¶VVSLULWXDOLW\ 7KHUHDOSUREOHPZDVQRWZKHWKHURQHVKRXOGHDW5DWKHUWKHSUREOHP ZDVWKHVWURQJ¶VODFNRIFRQFHUQRUFRPSDVVLRQIRUWKHZHDN7KH\GLVSOD\HG DODFNRIORYHIRUWKHLUEUHWKUHQDQGFDUHGOLWWOHWKDWWKHLUDFWLRQVPLJKWFDXVH WKHLUZHDNHUEUHWKUHQWRVWXPEOH,IRQHYLRODWHVKLVFRQVFLHQFHKHFRPPLWV VLQ+RZHYHU3DXODOVRVDLGWKDWLIRXUDFWLRQVHQFRXUDJHVDQRWKHUWRYLRODWH KLVFRQVFLHQFHWKHQZHVLQDJDLQVWKLPDQGDJDLQVW&KULVWHYHQWKRXJKRXU DFWLRQVWKHPVHOYHVPLJKWQRWEHZURQJ7KXVWKHTXHVWLRQRQHPXVWFRQVLGHU LVQRWPHUHO\³,VWKLVDFWLRQULJKWRUZURQJ"´,QVWHDGZHPXVWDOVRDVN³:KDW HIIHFWZLOOP\DFWLRQKDYHXSRQDIHOORZ&KULVWLDQ"´,IDQDFWLRQPLJKWFDXVH DQRWKHUWRVWXPEOHWKHQZHPXVWRXWRIORYHUHIUDLQIURPGRLQJLW Salvation Five Groups at the Judgment (&ODXGH*DUGQHU ³7KHPRVWVHULRXVWKRXJKWWKDWHYHUHQWHUHGP\PLQGLVWKDW,PXVW IDFH*RGLQWKH-XGJPHQW´ZDVVSRNHQVRVREHUO\E\'DQLHO:HEVWHUD SRSXODU$PHULFDQVWDWHVPDQ7KDWVHQWLPHQWVKRXOGH[SUHVVWKHVLQFHULW\ RIHYHU\KHDUW Salvation Never Professed to Be a Christian 0XOWLWXGHVGRQRWDQGKDYHQHYHUSURIHVVHGWREH&KULVWLDQV:KDWLV WKHLUFRQGLWLRQDQGZKDWZLOOEHWKHLUHWHUQDODERGH" “…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in À aming ¿ re taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” 7KHVVDORQLDQV :K\GRWKHVHQHYHUDFFHSW%LEOHWHDFKLQJ"7KH\PD\QRWWKLQNWKH\DUH UHTXLUHGWREHVXEMHFWWRWKH%LEOH7KH\PD\QRWUHDOL]HWKDWWKH\DUHVXEMHFWWR WKH*RVSHO+RZHYHUDOORIKXPDQLW\LVDFFRXQWDEOH“All men” HYHU\ZKHUH DUHUHTXLUHGWRUHSHQW“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” $FWV :K\DUHSHRSOHORVW"$UHWKH\ORVWEHFDXVHWKH\KDYHUHMHFWHGWKH*RVSHO WKDWWKH\KDYHKHDUG",WLVWUXHWKH\ZLOOEHORVWIRUUHIXVLQJWRREH\WKH*RVSHO EXWWKHEDVLFUHDVRQWKH\DUHORVWLVEHFDXVHWKH\KDYHVLQQHG7KH*RVSHOZDV QRWJLYHQWRPDNHSHRSOHORVW7KH\DUHORVWLQVLQEHFDXVHWKH\DUHVLQQHUV :KHQZHJRWR³GDUN$IULFD´RUVRPHRWKHUEOLJKWHGQDWLRQLWLVQRWWR PDNHSHRSOHORVWEXWLWLVWRH[WHQGWKH³*RVSHOURSH´KRSLQJWKH\ZLOOWDNH KROGRILW7KH\DUHLQDGURZQLQJFRQGLWLRQ GURZQLQJLQVLQ ZKRQHHG GHOLYHUDQFH,IRQHGURZQVLWLVEHFDXVHKHLVLQDGURZQLQJFRQGLWLRQ7KH *RVSHOFDQUHVFXHPDQ7KH*RVSHOLVUHPHGLDO7KLVDQVZHUVWKHTXHVWLRQ ZK\WKHKHDWKHQDUHORVWDQGQHHGWKH*RVSHO7KH\DUHLQVLQDQGLQD GURZQLQJFRQGLWLRQ:HPXVW³WKURZRXWWKHOLIHOLQH´WRWKHP Professed Christians 7KLVLVDUHOLJLRXVQRWLRQRIPDQ\ZKRFODLPWREH&KULVWLDQV5HJUHWWDEO\ PDQ\VXFKGHYRXWDQGVLQFHUHSHRSOHKDYHQRWREH\HGWKH*RVSHO7KH\PD\ ZDQWWR³H[SODLQDZD\´WHDFKLQJRIWKH%LEOHWKDWUHTXLUHVWKHPWRREH\WKH *RVSHO 0DUN $FWV 3HWHU -RKQ -HVXVVDLGWKHUHZLOO EHUHOLJLRXVSHUVRQVZKRFODLPWKH\KDYHGRQHWKLQJVLQ+LVQDPH Salvation Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” 0DWWKHZ +H VDLG “I never knew you.” ,W LV LPSHUDWLYH WKDW ZH FRQWLQXH WR WHDFK 0DWWKHZ :HDUHQRWWKHMXGJH EXWUDWKHUWKH-XGJHLV&KULVW“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” -RKQ Have Been Christians $WRQHWLPHWKH\WUXO\REH\HGWKH*RVSHODQGOLYHGIDLWKIXOO\IRUDWLPH 7KHVHSHUVRQVVLQFHUHO\UHSHQWHGDQGPDGHWKHULJKWFRQIHVVLRQRI&KULVW DQGZHUHEDSWL]HGEHOLHYHUV7KH\GLGDV3DXOVWDWHG“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” 5RPDQV 7KH\WXUQHGIURP WKHLUWUXHFRQIHVVLRQEDFNWRWKHKRSHOHVVZRUOG“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” 3HWHU :KHQRQH VWDUWVWKH&KULVWLDQZDONLWLVXUJHQWWRFRQWLQXHWRZRUNIRUWKH/RUG0DQ\ QHHGWRFRPHEDFNWRUHQHZWKHLUSOHGJHVRIDOOHJLDQFHWR&KULVW *RGKDVSURYLGHGDODZRISDUGRQIRUWKHZD\ZDUGDQGWKHFDUHOHVV “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” -RKQ 2QHVKRXOGUHSHQWDQGSUD\“Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” $FWV Remained Faithful 7KHVHDUHWKRVHZKRIROORZHGWKHH[DPSOHRIWKHWKUHHWKRXVDQGRQ Salvation WKHGD\WKHFKXUFKEHJDQ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you cruci¿ ed, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the re- mission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” …praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:36-39, 47) 7KHVHZLOOKHDU&KULVW¶VJODGZHOFRPHDWWKH-XGJPHQW“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’” 0DWWKHZ Which Group 2I WKH ILYH JURXSV WKDW ZLOO EH DW WKH -XGJPHQW LW LV ZRUWKZKLOH WRWKLQNDERXWWKHJURXSLQZKLFK\RXZLOOEHIRXQG0D\ZHWDNHRXU SRVLWLRQZLWKIDLWKIXO&KULVWLDQV = (&ODXGH*DUGQHULV3UHVLGHQW(PHULWXVRI)UHHG+DUGHPDQ8QLYHUVLW\LQ+HQGHUVRQ Salvation Bent by God 'HQQ\3HWULOOR “Consider the work of God. For who is able to strengthen what He has bent?” (FFOHVLDVWHV 6RORPRQ FDOOV RQ XV WR “consider” WKH ZRUNRI*RG:KDW*RGKDVGRQHLQFUHDWLRQLVZRUWK\RIFRQWHPSODWLRQ EHFDXVH WKHUH LV VR PXFK WR OHDUQ 7KH ZLVH PDQ PRVW FHUWDLQO\ GLG “consider the work of God.”:KHQKHGLGKHQRWHGWKHIROORZLQJWUXWKV )LUVWWKHUHDUHWKLQJVWKDW*RGKDVEHQW:KHQ*RGFUHDWHG+LV ZRUOG +H HVWDEOLVKHG VRPH LPPXWDEOH SULQFLSOHV %LUGV QHHG DLU ILVK QHHGZDWHU0DQQHHGVIRRG6XUYLYDOLVFRQWLQJHQWXSRQWKHVHHOHPHQWV +RZHYHUZKDWGRHVLWPHDQWKDW+H“bent”VRPHWKLQJV",WPHDQV WKDWWKHUHDUHDVSHFWVRI*RG¶VGLYLQHSODQWKDWDUHZURQJ EHQW DQGZLOO DOZD\VEHZURQJ(DUOLHU6RORPRQKDGQRWHG“what is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted” 0HQPD\ IRROLVKO\EHOLHYHWKDWWKH\KDYHWKHULJKWRUSRZHUWRFKDQJH*RG¶VODZV 6XFKLVQRWWKHFDVH 3DXOWROG7LPRWK\WKDWKHQHHGHGWR“handle accurately the word of truth” 7LPRWK\ 3HRSOHRI*RGWRGD\UHFRJQL]HWKDWWKH\QHHGWR VWXG\*RG¶V:RUGWRGLVFRYHU*RG¶VLPPXWDEOHVSLULWXDOWUXWKV,Q5RPDQV 3DXOVDLGWKDWKHGLGQ¶WNQRZFRYHWLQJZDVZURQJXQWLOKHFDPHWR UHDOL]HWKHFRPPDQGPHQWRI*RG*RGGHFODUHGFRYHWRXVQHVVDV“bent.” 2QO\ ZKHQ ZH VHULRXVO\ FRQVLGHU WKH %LEOH ZLOO ZH FRPSUHKHQG DOO RI WKRVHWKLQJV*RGKDVEHQW 6HFRQGWKHUHDUHWKLQJVWKDWPDQWULHVWRVWUDLJKWHQ'HVSLWHWKH IDFW WKDW *RG VHW LQ SODFH LPPXWDEOH VSLULWXDO ODZV PHQ VWLOO IRROLVKO\ WU\ WR FKDQJH RU XQGR WKHVH ODZV 7KH\ GR WKLV EHFDXVH WKH\ GR QRW OLNH OLYLQJ XQGHU WKH OHJLVODWLRQ RI *RG -HVXV VSRNH RI WKHVH W\SHV RI SHRSOH“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed” -RKQ Salvation KDG“exposed”WKHVHGHHGV7KH\¶UHEHQW7KH\¶UHHYLO7KH\¶UHZURQJ 5HJDUGOHVVRIZKDWPHQPD\GRUHJDUGOHVVRIKRZPDQ\PHQPD\GR LW²WKH\DUHVWLOOZURQJ)XUWKHUPRUH*RGGRHVQRWORRNNLQGO\RQWKRVH ZKRWU\WRVWUDLJKWHQZKDW+HKDVEHQW*RGVDLGWKURXJK,VDLDK“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” ,VDLDK +RPRVH[XDOLW\DQG DERUWLRQDUHZURQJUHJDUGOHVVRIWKRVHZKRVD\WKH\DUHJRRG3UHPDULWDO VH[LVHYLOSHULRG,WGRHVQ¶WPDWWHUWKDWPHQKDYHVDLGWKDWLWLVJRRG ,QYLHZRIWKHIDFWWKDWDOOPHQZLOOIDFH*RGLQWKH-XGJPHQW 5HYHODWLRQ DQGZLOOEHMXGJHGRQKRZWKH\KDYHIROORZHG+LVLQVWUXFWLRQV ZH¶GEHWWHUVWD\RXWRIWKHEHQGLQJDQGVWUDLJKWHQLQJEXVLQHVV7KLVEHORQJV WR*RGDQGWR+LPDORQH6RORPRQDVNHG“who is able”WRVWUDLJKWHQZKDW +HKDVEHQW"7KHDQVZHU"1RRQH:RHWRKLPZKRWULHV = 'HQQ\3HWULOORLVWKH3UHVLGHQWRI%HDU9DOOH\%LEOH,QVWLWXWHLQ'HQYHU&RORUDGR86$ Building on a Firm Foundation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alvation Some Things That Will Not Be at the Judgment 1HDO3ROODUG :KDW ZLOO WKH WKURQH RI MXGJPHQW ORRN OLNH":KDW ZLOO &KULVW WKH -XGJHORRNOLNH":LOOWKH-XGJPHQWEHH[SHULHQFHGWKURXJKWKHVHQVHRI VLJKW":KDWZLOOEHGLIIHUHQWWKHUHIURPWKLVOLIH":KDWZLOOEHFKDQJHG" 7KH%LEOHVSHDNVRIWHQDERXWWKHPRPHQWRIUHFNRQLQJZKHQWKHULJKWHRXV DQGZLFNHGGHDG -RKQ DQGDOOOLYLQJ 0DWWKHZ ZLOOVWDQG EHIRUH WKH .LQJ RI NLQJV WR JLYH DFFRXQW IRU WKHLU FRQGXFW LQ WKH ERG\ &RULQWKLDQV $VZHDWWHPSWWRSDLQWDPHQWDOSLFWXUHRIWKH-XGJPHQW 'D\VRPHWKLQJVVKRXOGQ¶WEHHQYLVLRQHGEHFDXVHWKH\ZRQ¶WEHWKHUH 7KHUHZLOOQRWEHDQXQEHOLHYHUDWWKH-XGJPHQW 3KLOLSSLDQV :LWKDQLQWURGXFWLRQRQO\+HDYHQFRXOGSURGXFH-RKQVDLGWKDW-HVXVZLOO FRPHZLWKFORXGVHYHU\H\HVKDOOVHH+LPDQGDOOQDWLRQVRIWKHHDUWKZLOO ZDLOEHFDXVHRI+LP 5HYHODWLRQ 1RSHUVRQZLOOEHDEOHWRFRQWLQXH LQXQEHOLHI)DLWKZLOOEHSHUPDQHQWO\SDVWWHQVH(YLGHQFHRI*RG¶VSRZHU DQGWKHSRZHURI+LVSURPLVHVZLOOEHEH\RQGWKHUHDOPRIWKHKRSHVIRU DQGLQWKHDUHQDRIWKHILQDOO\VHHQ +HEUHZV -RNHVVFRIILQJWKH 'LYLQHZLOOQRWVOLSRIIWKHVLQGDUNHQHGKHDUWVRIWKHGHILDQW1RVNHSWLFV QRDJQRVWLFVQRGRXEWHUVDQGQRLQILGHOVZLOOEHDWWKH-XGJPHQW 7KHUHZLOOQRWEHDPDWHULDOSRVVHVVLRQDWWKH-XGJPHQW 3HWHU 7KHLQKDELWDQWVRIWKLVSODQHWVHHPWREHPRUHHQJURVVHGGDLO\ZLWKWKLQJV 7KH/RUGFDOOVWKLQJV“corruptible” 3HWHU DQGLQIHULRUWUHDVXUH 0DWWKHZ 3HRSOH VHHN PDWHULDO WKLQJV WR SURYLGH WKHP D OLIH RI MR\SHDFHDQGFRPIRUW:HZLOOJLYHDQDFFRXQWIRURXUVWHZDUGVKLSRI PDWHULDOWKLQJV:HZLOODQVZHU³\HV´RU³QR´ZKHQDVNHGLIZHUREEHG *RG 0DODFKL EXWQRSHUVRQZLOOEULQJKLVSRVVHVVLRQVRUDPDVVHG ZHDOWKLQWRWKHYHQHUDEOHFRXUWRIMXVWLFH 7KHUHZLOOQRWEHDPLVWULDODWWKH-XGJPHQW $FWV (DFKRIXVZLOO DSSHDUEHIRUHWKH-XGJPHQW6HDWRI&KULVW 5RPDQV :HZLOOHDFK ³VWDQGWULDO´ &RULQWKLDQV &KULVWWKH³WUXH´ -RKQ XQLYHUVDO Salvation $FWV ULJKWHRXV $FWV *RGRUGDLQHG 5RPDQV DQG UHDG\ 3HWHU -XGJH ZLOO VLW WR KHDU WKH FDVH RI HYHU\ PHQWDOO\ DFFRXQWDEOHSHUVRQWRKDYHOLYHG-HVXVZLOOMXGJHZLWKRXWELDV (SKHVLDQV E\ UHO\LQJ RQ +HDYHQ¶V XQDEULGJHG UHFRUG RI WKH LQGLYLGXDO¶V OLIH 5HYHODWLRQ +HZLOOMXGJHDFFRUGLQJWR“the perfect law of liberty” -DPHV 1RRQHZLOOEHDEOHWROHJLWLPDWHO\FU\³IRXO´:KHQWKHODZ ERRNLVFORVHGDQGWKHODVWMXGJPHQWLVKDQGHGGRZQQRRQHZLOOEHDEOH WRILQGDORRSKROHRUPLVWDNHLQWKHSURFHHGLQJVWKDWZLOODOORZKLPRUKHU WRJRIUHHRUEHUHWULHG7KHUHZLOOQRWEHDQ\PLVFXHVRURYHUVLJKWV 7KHUHZLOOEHQRVHFUHWVDWWKH-XGJPHQW 5RPDQV *RGQRZNQRZV HYHU\PDQ¶VVHFUHWVLQV 3VDOP DQG+HVKDOOEULQJVXFKWKLQJVWRWKH -XGJPHQW (FFOHVLDVWHV *RGVHHVHYHU\VHFUHWSODFH -HUHPLDK +HUHYHDOVWKHGHHSHVWGDUNHVWVHFUHWV 'DQLHO $WWKH-XGJPHQWVXFK WKLQJVZLOOMXGJHG 5RPDQV “…All things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” +HEUHZV E 7KHUHZLOOEHQREDSWLVWHU\DWWKH-XGJPHQW0RVWSHRSOHZLOOJRLQWR HWHUQLW\QRWKDYLQJEHHQZDVKHGVDQFWLILHGDQGMXVWLILHG &RULQWKLDQV $V&KULVWGLYLGHVWKHVKHHSIURPWKHJRDWVLWZLOOPDWWHUZKHWKHUD SHUVRQKDVIXOO\REH\HGWKH*RVSHO 3HWHU 5RPDQV &RORVVLDQV an outdoor baptistry in Guyana, South America Salvation $FWV *DODWLDQV $FWV 0DUN 3HUKDSVSHRSOH ZLOOFU\RXWIRUDQRWKHUSHUVRQWREDSWL]HWKHP7KHDQJVWRIPDQ\ZKR EDUJDLQHGIRUDODWHUGDWHWREHEDSWL]HGZLOOEHUHDOL]HGZKHQWKH\VWDQG EHIRUH&KULVWZLWKRXW+LVEORRGFRYHULQJWKHLUVLQV 7KHUH ZLOO EH QR LQYLWDWLRQ VRQJ DW WKH -XGJPHQW :KHQ WKH WUXPSHW VRXQGVQRVHUPRQZLOOEHSUHDFKHGWRFRQYLQFHWKHORVWWRREH\WKH*RVSHO 7KHUH¶OOEHQRSOHDGLQJZLWKWKHOXNHZDUPDQGXQIDLWKIXO&KULVWLDQV1R VRQJOHDGHUZLOOVWDQGEHIRUHWKDWQXPEHUOHVVFURZGWRDSSHDOWRWKHORVW DQGHUULQJ/HJLRQVRIKHDUWVZLOOEHPHOWHGE\WKHSRZHURI*RG)HDUIXO UHDOL]DWLRQZLOOILOOWKRVHXQUHDG\WRPHHW&KULVW3HUKDSVPDQ\ZLOOFU\ RXWIRUDQRWKHUFKDQFHEXWWKHODVWRSSRUWXQLW\ZLOOKDYHSDVVHG 7KHUHZLOOEHDULJKWHRXV-XGJHZKRZLOOJLYHDIDLUWULDOWRHYHU\LQGLYLGXDO $OOZLOOJLYHDQDFFRXQW$QHWHUQDOVHQWHQFHZLOOEHKDQGHGGRZQEDVHGXSRQ RQH¶VOLIHDQGDFFHSWDQFHRUUHMHFWLRQRI&KULVW¶VVDFULILFH7KHUHZLOOEHQR SDUROHVWD\RIH[HFXWLRQRUSDUGRQIRUWKHORVW:HDOOZLOOQHHGDEXQGDQW JUDFHWREHDEOHWRVWDQGDW+LVULJKWKDQGVLGHEXW6FULSWXUHWHOOVXVKRZWKDW LVH[WHQGHG:HPXVWSUHSDUHIRUWKDWLQWKLVOLIH +HEUHZV = 1HDO3ROODUGLVWKHSUHDFKHUIRUWKH%HDU9DOOH\FKXUFKLQ'HQYHU&RORUDGR86$ Robison’s Rubies ,WKDVIRUHYHUEHHQDSUREOHPWKDWVRFLHWLHV FDQ JHW WKLQJV XSVLGH GRZQ (YHQ *RG¶V SHRSOH GLG WKLV 7KH\ JRW WR D SRLQW WKDW WKH\ HYHQ RIIHUHG LQIDQW VDFULILFHV LQ WKH GD\V RI -HUHPLDK ,Q ,VDLDK¶V GD\ DERXW \HDUV EHIRUH &KULVW,VDLDKVDLG“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” ,VDLDK 6RPHWLPHVZHIDLOWRFRQWHPSODWHMXVWKRZORZ PDQNLQGFDQVLQNZKHQJRGO\SULQFLSOHVDUHIRUJRWWHQ:KDWGR\RXWKLQN"$UH ZHDWDWLPHZKHQSHRSOHFDOOHYLOJRRGDQGJRRGHYLO" $QG\5RELVRQLVWKHPLQLVWHUIRUWKH+LOOYLHZ7HUUDFH&KXUFKRI&KULVWDQGWKH'LUHFWRURIWKH :HVW9LUJLQLD6FKRRORI3UHDFKLQJLQ0RXQGVYLOOH:HVW9LUJLQLD86$ Bible Find 0DUWKD5XVKPRUH Life of Christ $FURVV -RVHSK¶VWUDGH 0DUN -HVXV¶PRWKHU 0DWWKHZ 0RGHOLQ0DWWKHZ &LW\ZKHUH-HVXV JUHZXS /XNH &LW\ZKHUH -HVXVZDVERUQ 0DWWKHZ 0RQWKVEHWZHHQ -HVXVDQG-RKQ /XNH -RVHSKWRRN-HVXV DWELUWKZKHUH" 0DWWKHZ 'RZQ 3UHSDUHGWKHZD\ IRU-HVXV 0DWWKHZ 7LPHV-HVXVWHPSWHGLQWKHZLOGHUQHVV 0DWWKHZ -RKQ¶VIDWKHU /XNH 'D\V-HVXVZDVLQWKHZLOGHUQHVV 0DWWKHZ -RKQ¶VPRWKHU /XNH -HVXV¶HDUWKO\IDWKHU 0DWWKHZ The Church The Church at Corinth 'HQQLV*XOOHGJH 7KH FKXUFK DW &RULQWK EHJDQ WKH VDPH ZD\ DOO FKXUFKHV RI &KULVW EHJLQ$FWV VD\V“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”:KDWGRZHOHDUQ":HNQRZWKH DXGLHQFH²FLWL]HQVRIWKHFLW\RI&RULQWK:HNQRZWKHLUPHWKRGRIFRQWDFW ZLWKWKH*RVSHO²³KHDULQJ´ 5RPDQV :HNQRZWKHLUUHDFWLRQWR WKH PHVVDJH²WKH\ ³EHOLHYHG´ LW:H NQRZ KRZ WKH\ UHVSRQGHG WR WKH PHVVDJH²³DQG ZHUH EDSWL]HG´ 0DUN :H NQRZ WKH UHVXOW 7KHVH&KULVWLDQVDVVHPEOHGDW&RULQWKWKXVEHFRPLQJD³FKXUFKRI*RG´ &RULQWKLDQV 7KH\ZHUH“called>E\WKH*RVSHO@ 7KHVVDORQLDQV to be saints” &RULQWKLDQV 7KH\ZHUHLQWKHJUDFHRI*RGJLYHQ WKHPE\-HVXV&KULVW &RULQWKLDQV 7KH\ZHUHLQWKHIHOORZVKLSRI -HVXV&KULVW &RULQWKLDQV The Church 'RHVDOOWKLVPHDQWKDWWKHFKXUFKDW&RULQWKZDVSHUIHFW")DUIURP LW-XVWOLNHVRPHFRQJUHJDWLRQVWRGD\WKHFKXUFKDW&RULQWKKDGPDQ\ SUREOHPV7KH\ZHUHVRSUREOHPDWLFWKDWZHPLJKWZRQGHUZK\3DXODQG WKH/RUGZHUHVRSDWLHQWZLWKWKHP3DXOORYHGWKHPDVDPLQLVWHUDQGDV DQDSRVWOHDQGKHVRXJKWWRFRUUHFWWKHLUSUREOHPV*RVSHOSUHDFKLQJGRHV QRWDYRLGFKXUFKSUREOHPVEXWLWRIIHUV%LEOHVROXWLRQV 7LPRWK\ 6RPHSUHDFKHUVPXVWORYHWRFDSLWDOL]HRQWKHWURXEOHULGGHQFKXUFK DW&RULQWK$QREMHFWLRQWRWKHUHVWRUDWLRQSOHDLVXVXDOO\WRDVN³:KLFK FKXUFKGRZHZDQWWRUHVWRUH"7KH-HUXVDOHPFKXUFKZLWKLWVSUHMXGLFH DJDLQVW*HQWLOHV"7KH&RULQWKLDQFKXUFKZLWKLWVSUREOHPV"´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“all that in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus” &RULQWKLDQV 7KDWLVWKHOHVVRQVIURP WKHFKXUFKDW&RULQWKDUHLPSRUWDQWIRUXVWRGD\ = 'HQQLV*XOOHGJHSUHDFKHVIRUWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ0DEHOYDOH$UNDQVDV86$ The Church What Is the Church? 'ZLJKW)XTXD “And I say also to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” 0DWWKHZ 7KHZRUG“church”DSSHDUVPRUHWKDQWLPHVLQWKH 1HZ7HVWDPHQW,WLVVSRNHQDERXWZLWKVXFKGLVWLQFWLRQWKDWWKHUHLVUHDOO\ QRUHDVRQIRUPLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJ 7KHZRUG“church” HNNOHVLDLQWKH*UHHN PHDQV³WKHFDOOHGRXW´ 7KHFKXUFKFRQVLVWVRIWKRVHZKRKDYHEHHQFDOOHGRXWRIWKHZRUOGE\ WKH*RVSHO 7KHVVDORQLDQV 7KH\KDYHEHHQ“translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love” &RORVVLDQV 7KH\KDYHEHHQ “sancti¿ ed”RUVHWDSDUWE\*RG &RULQWKLDQV 7KH FKXUFK FRQVLVWV RI WKRVH ZKR DUH VDYHG 7KH /RUG DGGV WKHVDYHGWRWKHFKXUFK $FWV +RZDERXWWKHFRQWHQWLRQWKDW RQHFDQEHVDYHGRXWRIWKHFKXUFK"5LGLFXORXV7KHFKXUFKLVWKH VDYHG7KLVFRQWHQWLRQRQO\VHUYHVWRLOOXVWUDWHWKHJUHDWDPRXQWRI PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJWKDWH[LVWVDERXWWKHFKXUFK ,Q WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW WKH ZRUG ³FKXUFK´ LV QHYHU XVHG LQ UHIHUHQFHWRDGHQRPLQDWLRQ:K\")LUVWEHFDXVHWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFK H[LVWHGKXQGUHGVRI\HDUVEHIRUHGHQRPLQDWLRQVFDPHLQWRH[LVWHQFH 6HFRQGEHFDXVHRQHFDQ DQGVKRXOG EHDPHPEHURIWKH/RUG¶V FKXUFKZLWKRXWEHLQJDPHPEHURIDQ\GHQRPLQDWLRQ 1RWH DOVR WKDW WKH ZRUG ³FKXUFK´ LV QHYHU XVHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW LQ UHIHUHQFH WR D SK\VLFDO EXLOGLQJ 0HQ FDQ EXLOG PHHWLQJKRXVHVEXW&KULVWEXLOWWKHFKXUFK 0DWWKHZ 7KH FKXUFKLVDVSLULWXDOKRXVHFRPSRVHGRI&KULVWLDQV 3HWHU +RZGRHVRQHEHFRPHDPHPEHURIWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVW":KHQ WKHSHRSOHRQ3HQWHFRVWKHDUGDQGEHOLHYHGWKH*RVSHOWKH\DVNHG The Church ZKDWWRGRWREHVDYHG $FWV 7KH\ZHUHWROGWRUHSHQWDQGWREH EDSWL]HGIRUWKHUHPLVVLRQRIVLQV $FWV :KHQWKH\FRPSOLHG ZLWK*RG¶VZLOOWKHLUVLQVZHUHIRUJLYHQDQGWKH/RUGDGGHGWKHPWR +LVFKXUFK $FWV 'R\RXZDQWWREHFRPHDPHPEHURIWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFK" +XJR 0F&RUG KDG EHHQ D ORQJWLPH SURIHVVRU RI %LEOH DW 2NODKRPD &KULVWLDQ8QLYHUVLW\LQ(GPRQG2NODKRPD86$ The Church New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century 5REHUW-RKQVRQ ,Q UHFHQW \HDUV ZH KDYH VHHQYDULRXVUH OLJLRXV JURXSV LJQRUH GRFWULQH WR XQLWH LQ IHO ORZVKLS DQG SXUSRVH,QDSR OLWLFDOO\ FRUUHFW VRFLHW\ ZKHUH DFFHSWDQFH LV WKH ZDWFKZRUG GRFWULQHGRHVQ¶W PDWWHU DQ\PRUH WR PRVW SHRSOH ,QIDFWRQHQRWHGGHQRPLQDWLRQDOSUHDFKHUSXWLWEOXQWO\ ³:H¶YHJRWWRJHW SDVWWKLVWKLQJDERXWGRFWULQH´7RPDQ\DOOWKDWPDWWHUVDQ\PRUHLVDFFHSW LQJ*RGDV)DWKHUDQG-HVXVDVWKH6RQRI*RG WRWKHPHYHU\WKLQJHOVHLV VLPSO\H[WUDQHRXVDQGRSWLRQDO 7KLV LV DOO ILQH IRU GHQRPLQDWLRQV ZKR GR QRW DFNQRZOHGJH WKH DXWKRULW\RI6FULSWXUHDQ\PRUHDQ\KRZ+RZHYHUWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKZLOO QRWSDUWLFLSDWHLQVXFKLILWKROGVWUXHWRLWVFDOOLQJ-XGHFDQGLGO\SRLQWHG RXWWKDWZHDUHWR“contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” -XGH 7KHUHLVRQO\RQHIDLWKWKDW*RGKDV JLYHQZKLFKOHDGVWRVDOYDWLRQ (SKHVLDQV QRWPDQ\YDULDWLRQVRILW 7RDEDQGRQLWLVWRSHUYHUWWKH*RVSHORI&KULVWDQGWRVXEYHUWWKHZRUN *RGDFFRPSOLVKHVWKURXJKLW *DODWLDQV 2EHGLHQFHWKURXJKIDLWKWR WKHUHYHDOHGZLOORI*RGLVZKDW+HGHVLUHV 0DWWKHZ The Church 7REHFDQGLGEXWKRQHVWGHQRPLQDWLRQDOLVPLVQRWRI*RGEXWLWLVRIKX PDQLW\DQGLWZLOOQRWFRPPHQGRQHWR*RG7KHUHLVRQO\RQHFKXUFK (SKH VLDQV :KLOHZHPD\VKDUHFHUWDLQWHQHWVZLWKGHQRPLQDWLRQV WKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKLVQRWDGHQRPLQDWLRQEXWLWLV&KULVW¶VEORRGERXJKW FKXUFKZKLFKDORQHLVWREH“the pillar and ground of the truth” 7LPR WK\ 2XU UHVSRQVLELOLW\ LV QRW WR MRLQ WKHP EXW WR EULQJ WKHP WR WKH NQRZO HGJH RI WKH WUXWK WR IDLWK LQ WKH WUXWK DQG WR REHGL HQFH WR WKH WUXWK VR WKDW *RGPD\DGG WKHP WR +LV FKXUFKLQWUXWK7KLVLVZKDWLVXQLTXHDERXWWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWFKXUFK,WLV QRWWKHLQYHQWLRQRIKXPDQZLOOEXWWKDWHVWDEOLVKHGE\*RGWKURXJK&KULVW 0DWWKHZ UHYHDOHGLQ6FULSWXUHDQGLGHQWLILHGE\LWVVXEPLVVLRQWR *RG¶VDXWKRULW\ $QRWHGSUHDFKHULQRXUEURWKHUKRRGWROGPHVHYHUDO\HDUVDJR³7KH FKXUFKRI&KULVWZLOOEHWKHODVWGHQRPLQDWLRQ´%\WKDWKHZDVODPHQWLQJ RXUODFNRIIHOORZVKLSZLWKWKHGHQRPLQDWLRQDOZRUOG,ZRXOGDPHQGKLV FRPPHQWV WR VD\ ³&KULVW¶V FKXUFK DORQH LV +LV FKXUFK DQG ZLOO QHYHU FRPSURPLVH+LVWUXWKWREHFRPHDGHQRPLQDWLRQ´,IZHIROORZWKHWHDFKLQJ RI&KULVWUHYHDOHGLQ6FULSWXUHZHDUHZKDWZHVD\WKHFKXUFKRI&KULVW DQGE\UHPDLQLQJIDLWKIXOWRWKLVFDOOLQJZHFDQKDYHHYHU\FRQILGHQFH LQWKHVDOYDWLRQWKDWZHKROGGHDU$V3HWHUH[KRUWHGZHOLNHZLVHXUJH “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” 3HWHU = 5REHUW-RKQVRQSUHDFKHVIRUWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKLQ/RQJYLHZ7H[DV86$ Doctrine To Live By Convert to What? 2ZHQ'2OEULFKW 7R ZKDW RU WR ZKRP VKRXOG ZH FRQYHUW RWKHUV" -HVXV FRQGHPQHG VFULEHV DQG 3KDULVHHV EHFDXVH WKHLU SURVHO\WHV²WKHLU FRQYHUWV²ZHUH ZRUVHWKDQWKH\ZHUHEHIRUHWKH\ZHUHFRQYHUWHGWR-XGDLVP 0DWWKHZ 7KH\ ZHUH FRQYHUWLQJ WKHP WR EH IDLWKIXO IROORZHUV RI -HZLVK WUDGLWLRQVLQVWHDGRIEHLQJVHUYDQWVRI*RG Wrong Conversions ³&RQYHUW´LVWUDQVODWHGIURPepistrephoDZRUGWKDWPHDQV³WXUQ´3HWHU DQG3DXOVWDWHGWKDWSHRSOHVKRXOGUHSHQWDQG“turn” $FWV 7KHZURQJEDVLVRIFRQYHUVLRQFDQLQFOXGHFRQYHUWLQJWRDGRFWULQDO YLHZSRLQWDFKXUFKDSUHDFKHURUPDQ\RWKHUWKLQJV7KHVHPLJKWDWWUDFW SHRSOHEXWWKH\VKRXOGQRWEHWKHSULPDU\EDVLVIRUFRQYHUVLRQ $FRQYHUVLRQWRVRPHWKLQJWKDWLVVHFRQGDU\LVQRWZURQJLQLWVHOIEXW LVZURQJLILWLVWKHRQO\EDVLVRIWKHFRQYHUVLRQDQGGRHVQRWOHDGWRZKDW LVSULPDU\6HFRQGDU\DWWUDFWLRQVPD\PDNHSRVVLEOHWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WR WHDFKVRPHWKLQJWKDWLVSULPDU\EXWREHGLHQFHWRZKDWLVSULPDU\PXVWEH WKHEDVLVIRUDFRQYHUVLRQ Primary Basis -HVXV DQG WKH HDUO\ FKXUFK WDXJKW WKDW WKH SULPDU\ JRDO IRU -HVXV¶ IROORZHUVVKRXOGEHWRFRQYHUWSHRSOHWR-HVXV,ISHRSOHDUHFRQYHUWHGWR +LPDV/RUGDQG&KULVWWKHQWKHUHVXOWVKRXOGEHDZLOOLQJQHVVWRREH\ +LPDV/RUG /XNH What Jesus Taught -HVXVVWDWHGWKDW+HKDGEHHQJLYHQDOODXWKRULW\LQKHDYHQDQGLQHDUWK WKHUHIRUH+LVGLVFLSOHVZHUHWRJRWRDOOQDWLRQVWRPDNHGLVFLSOHVIROORZHUV RI+LPDIWHUZKLFKWKH\ZHUHWRWHDFKWKHPWRREVHUYHDOO-HVXVFRPPDQGHG 0DWWKHZ -HVXVH[SHFWHG+LVIROORZHUVWRSHUVXDGHSHRSOHWREH +LVGLVFLSOHVEDSWL]HWKHPDQGWKHQWHDFKWKHPKRZWRREH\+LP What Peter Taught ,QWKHILUVWVHUPRQLQZKLFKIRUJLYHQHVVZDVSUHDFKHGLQ-HVXV¶QDPH Doctrine To Live By DV-HVXVKDGSUHGLFWHG /XNH 3HWHUJDYHDQLQWURGXFWLRQ $FWV DQGWKHQSUHVHQWHGDPHVVDJHDERXW-HVXVWKDWHQGHGZLWKWKH FRQFOXVLRQWKDW-HVXVLVERWK/RUGDQG&KULVW $FW 7KRVHZKR ZHUH FRQYHUWHG WR -HVXV DV /RUG DQG &KULVW ZHUH FXW WR WKH KHDUW DQG ZDQWHGWRNQRZZKDWWRGR3HWHUWROGWKHPWRUHSHQWDQGWREHEDSWL]HG IRUWKHIRUJLYHQHVVRIWKHLUVLQV $FWV 7KH KHDUW RI 3HWHU¶V PHVVDJH WR WKH -HZLVK OHDGHUV $FWV DQGWR&RUQHOLXVZDV-HVXV $FW 3HWHU¶VEHJLQQLQJSRLQWLQKLV VHUPRQVZDV-HVXV KLVPHVVDJHZDV-HVXVDQGKLVFRQFOXVLRQZDV-HVXV What Philip and Paul Taught 3KLOLSZHQWWR6DPDULDDQGSUHDFKHG&KULVWWRWKHP $FWV 7KH\ KHDUGEHOLHYHGDQGZHUHEDSWL]HG $FWV 3KLOLSEHJDQDW,VDLDKWKHSDVVDJHDQ(WKLRSLDQZDVUHDGLQJDQG SUHDFKHG &KULVW WR +LP :KHQ WKH (WKLRSLDQ OHDUQHG DERXW -HVXV KH UHTXHVWHGEDSWLVP $FWV 3DXO¶VREHGLHQFHWR-HVXVDIWHU+HDSSHDUHGWRKLPRQWKHURDGWR 'DPDVFXVLVWHVWLPRQ\WKDWDWWKDWPRPHQW3DXOZDVIXOO\FRQYHUWHGWR -HVXV $FWV +DYLQJEHHQFRQYHUWHG3DXOZDVWKUHHGD\VODWHU EDSWL]HGWRZDVKDZD\KLVVLQV $FWV +HEHFDPHGHDGWRVHOIEXW DOLYHWR-HVXVDIWHUKHZDVEDSWL]HG *DODWLDQV 5RPDQV 7KH KHDUW RI 3DXO¶V SUHDFKLQJ ZDV -HVXV DQG +LP FUXFLILHG &RULQWKLDQV +LVJRDOLQSUHDFKLQJZDVWREULQJHYHU\WKRXJKWRIKLV KHDUHUV“into captivity to the obedience of Christ” &RULQWKLDQV Conclusion :H FDQ FRQYHUW SHRSOH WR PDQ\ JRRG WKLQJV LQ &KULVWLDQLW\ EXW WKH SULPDU\FRQYHUVLRQPXVWEHWR-HVXVDVERWK/RUGDQG&KULVWDIWHUZKLFKDOO RWKHUVWKLQJVWRZKLFKWKH\PD\EHFRQYHUWHGZLOOKDYHPHDQLQJDQGYDOXH &RQYHUWLQJSHRSOHWR-HVXVDVWKH&KULVWPXVWEHWKHKHDUWVRXODQGFHQWHU RIRXUHIIRUW,IFRQYHUWLQJSHRSOHWR&KULVWLVQRWRXUJRDOZHKDYHPLVVHG ZKDWVKRXOGEHWKHSULPDU\JRDORIRXUPLVVLRQDVIROORZHUVRI-HVXV< 2ZHQ'2OEULFKWLVDSUHDFKHUDQGZULWHUOLYLQJLQ6KHUZRRG$UNDQVDV86$ (GLWRUV¶ 1RWH 7KH ZD\ LQ ZKLFK WKH ZRUG ³FRQYHUW´ LV XVHG LQ WKLV DUWLFOH LV not HTXLYDOHQWWRVDOYDWLRQEXWUHIHUVWRWXUQLQJZKLFKLQELEOLFDODFFRXQWVOHGWRVDOYDWLRQ Doctrine To Live By Conformity With the World *UHJ7LGZHOO “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” 0DWWKHZ ³7KH6HUPRQRQWKH0RXQW´QRWHVWKH%ULWLVKZULWHU-5:6WRWW³LV SUREDEO\WKHEHVWNQRZQSDUWRIWKHWHDFKLQJRI-HVXVWKRXJKDUJXDEO\LW LVWKHOHDVWXQGHUVWRRGDQGFHUWDLQO\LWLVWKHOHDVWREH\HG´ 3HUKDSVWKHNH\WRWKLVVHUPRQFDQEHVHHQLQ*RG¶VFRQWLQXDOGHPDQG IRUKROLQHVV,QDOORI6FULSWXUH*RGFDOOV+LVSHRSOHWREHVHWDSDUWIURP WKHZRUOG 7KLVFRPPLWPHQWWRKROLQHVVXQGHUJLUGVWKH0RVDLF/DZDVZHUHDG LQ/HYLWLFXV “I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall do my ordinance and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.” 7KLVFKDUJHEHJLQVDQGHQGVZLWKWKHUHPLQGHU “I am the Lord your God.” :KR*RGLVRXWOLQHVZKDW+LVSHRSOHVKRXOGEH2XUKROLQHVVLVD UHIOHFWLRQRIWKHDZHVRPHKROLQHVVRI*RG+LPVHOI *RG¶V SHRSOH KRZHYHU VRRQ FRPSURPLVHG WKHLU GLVWLQFWLYHQHVV 5HMHFWLQJ*RG¶VUXOHWKH\DVNHGIRUDQGUHFHLYHGDNLQJVRDVWR“be like all the nations” 6DPXHO 7KHGRZQZDUGVSLUDOFRQWLQXHGZLWKWKH DGGLWLRQRILGRODWU\“Let us be like the nations,”WKHSHRSOHVDLG “like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone” (]HNLHO $JDLQVWWKLVEDFNGURSRIGLVREHGLHQFH*RGVHQWJUDFLRXVZDUQLQJV WKURXJK+LVSURSKHWVDQGWKURXJKGLYLQHFKDVWLVHPHQW)LQDOO\*RGVSRNH WKURXJK+LV6RQ-HVXV&KULVW “Do not be like them,” -HVXVZDUQHGDJDLQVW DFFHSWLQJWKHZRUOG¶VDSSURDFKWRSUD\HU“for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” 8OWLPDWHO\WKHSRLQWRI+LVPHVVDJHZDV WROLYHE\IDLWKDQGQRWLQFRQIRUPLW\ZLWKWKHZRUOG< *UHJ7LGZHOOLVWKHSUHDFKHUIRUWKH)LVKLQJHUDQG.HQQ\&KXUFKRI&KULVWLQ&ROXP EXV2KLR86$DVZHOODVVHUYHVDVWKH(GLWRURIWKH Gospel Advocate. Doctrine To Live By Living the Resurrection %REE\'RFNHU\ $WGDZQRQDGLVWDQW6XQGD\PRUQLQJJULHYLQJZRPHQRQWKHLUZD\ WR YLVLW WKH JUDYH RI -HVXV FDPH XSRQ DQ LQFUHGLEOH VLJKW7KH\ IRXQG WKH VWRQHUROOHGDZD\IURPWKHPRXWKRIDGHVHUWHGWRPE6XGGHQO\WKH\ZHUH FRQIURQWHGE\WZRPHQLQGD]]OLQJDSSDUHOZKRDVNHG“Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here but is risen” /XNH +H LV QRW KHUH« 7KHVH ZRUGV VXP XS WKH KRSH DQG JORU\ RI WKH &KULVWLDQIDLWK 3HWHU &KULVWLDQLW\FHQWHUVRQDEORRGVWDLQHG FURVVDQGDQHPSW\WRPE7KHUHVXUUHFWLRQOLHVDWWKHYHU\KHDUWRIZKDW ZHEHOLHYHSUDFWLFHDQGOLYHDVIROORZHUVRI&KULVW 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ VRPH ZRXOGEH &KULVWLDQV ILQG WKH GRFWULQH RI WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQPRUHRIDQHPEDUUDVVPHQWWKDQDFDXVHRIFHOHEUDWLRQ7KH DSRVWOH 3DXO IRXQG WKLV WR EH WUXH LQ KLV GD\ +LV SURFODPDWLRQ RI WKH Doctrine To Live By UHVXUUHFWLRQZDVPHWZLWKMHHUV $FWV ZLWKVQHHUV $FWV DQG ZLWKDQJU\IHDUV $FWV ,WLVVWLOOVRWRGD\,Q%ULWDLQWKH$QJOLFDQ &KXUFKZDVUHFHQWO\SOXQJHGLQWRFRQWURYHUV\E\WKHDSSRLQWPHQWRID ELVKRSZKRRSHQO\GHQLHVWKHKLVWRULFDOWUXWKRI&KULVW¶VUHVXUUHFWLRQ,Q $PHULFD WKH ³-HVXV 6HPLQDU´ KDV H[SHQGHG D JUHDW GHDO RI HIIRUW DQG LQJHQXLW\WRVKRZWKDWWKHUHVXUUHFWLRQFRXOGQRWDFWXDOO\KDYHKDSSHQHG $VHPLQDU\SURIHVVRUYRLFHGWKHGRXEWVRIPDQ\ZKHQKHVDLG³,QRORQJHU EHOLHYHLWLVSRVVLEOHWRWDNHWKHUHVXUUHFWLRQP\WKVHULRXVO\´ %REE\'RFNHU\LVDZULWHUDQGSUHDFKHULQ)D\HWWHYLOOH$UNDQVDV86$ Quick Commentary on Crucial Verses [Leviticus 10:3] ³*RWRWKHSHRSOHDQGFRQVH 7KHUHLVJURZLQJFDVXDOQHVV FUDWH WKHP WRGD\ DQG WRPRU LQWKHGUHVVDPRQJ&KULVWLDQVDV URZ DQG OHW WKHP ZDVK WKHLU WKH\HQWHUWKHSUHVHQFHRI*RGLQ FORWKHV$QGOHWWKHPEHUHDG\ ZRUVKLS:KLOHLWLVWUXHWKDWZHOLYH IRUWKHWKLUGGD\´ ([RGXV XQGHUWKH³1HZ&RYHQDQW´QRWWKH ³%\WKRVHZKRFRPHQHDU0H, ³2OG&RYHQDQW´ZHRZHQROHVVUHY PXVWEHUHJDUGHGDVKRO\ $QG HUHQFHDQGUHVSHFWWRWKH*RGRIWKH EHIRUHDOOWKHSHRSOH,PXVWEH XQLYHUVHWKDQZDVGXHLQWKHSDVW JORULILHG´ /HYLWLFXV ,QVWHDGRIZHDULQJWKH³GUHVV´ ³$QG GR QRW EH FRQIRUPHG WR FORWKHVWKDWZRXOGEHW\SLFDORIDW WKLVZRUOGEXWEHWUDQVIRUPHGE\ WLUHIRUDZHGGLQJRUDIXQHUDORF WKHUHQHZLQJRI\RXUPLQGWKDW FDVLRQDOO\DPDQZLOOZHDUVKRUWV \RXPD\SURYHZKDWLVWKDWJRRG WRZRUVKLS WKHUHKDYHHYHQEHHQ DQG DFFHSWDEOH DQG SHUIHFW ZLOO LQVWDQFHVRI³ZDLWLQJRQWKH/RUG¶V RI*RG´ 5RPDQV WDEOH´LQVXFKFDVXDODWWLUH ³ 3DXOZDVLQD5RPDQSULVRQNQRZLQJKLVGHDWKZDVSUREDEO\QHDU DQG E\ LQVSLUDWLRQ KH ZURWH WR \RXQJ7LPRWK\ ,Q 7LPRWK\ KH FRPSDUHGWKHSUHDFKHU¶VZRUNWRWKUHHFRPPRQRFFXSDWLRQVRIWKHWLPH² VROGLHUDWKOHWHDQGIDUPHU6RKHUHLVWKHTXHVWLRQ ³+RZDUHSUHDFKHUV² RU&KULVWLDQVLQJHQHUDOIRUWKDWPDWWHU²VLPLODUWRWKHVHSHRSOH" “You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 1RVROGLHUZKRJLYHVXSZKHQWKHJRLQJLVWRXJKLVJRLQJWREHRIDQ\XVH WRKLVFRPPDQGLQJRIILFHU,QIDFWWKHFRPPDQGHUQHHGVWRNQRZWKDWKLV VROGLHUVZLOOGRWKHLUGXW\HYHQLILWFRVWVWKHPWKHLUOLYHV7KLVZDVQRW PHUHUKHWRULF3DXOZDVDERXWWRVXIIHUPDUW\UGRPIRURXU/RUG/RUG KHOSXVQHYHUFRPSODLQZKHQZHIDFHRXUKDUGGD\VDV&KULVWLDQVDQGRXU IDLWKLVFKDOOHQJHGDQGKHOSXVWRQHYHUJLYHXS “No man who wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”7KHVROGLHU QHHGVWREHIUHHIURPDQ\GLVWUDFWLRQWKDWZRXOGNHHSKLPIURPKLVDVVLJQHG GXW\7KH&KULVWLDQLVWKHVDPH+RZPDQ\WKURXJKWKH\HDUVKDYHEHHQ VRDWWDFKHGWRWKHWKLQJVRIWKLVZRUOGWKDWWKH\VLPSO\GLGQ¶WKDYHHQRXJK WLPHIRUWKHLUGXW\WRWKHQH[WZRUOG"5HPHPEHU'HPDV 7LPRWK\ “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”7KLVUHIHUVWRWKH*UHFLDQJDPHVPXFKOLNHWKH2O\PSLFV WRGD\$PDQZKRPDNHVLWWRWKHILQLVKOLQHILUVWWRWKHURDURIDSSODXVHVWLOO Christianity In Action GRHVQ¶WJHWWKHDZDUGXQOHVVKHFRPSHWHVDFFRUGLQJWRWKHUXOHV7RFKHDW IRUIHLWVWKHKRSHRIZLQQLQJ$SUHDFKHUZKRZLVKHVWRJURZDFKXUFKEXW FRPSURPLVHVWKHWHDFKLQJRIWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWPD\ZLQDSSODXVHEXWKH ZLOOIRUIHLW*RG¶VDSSURYDOLQWKHSURFHVV5HPHPEHUZHDUHVDQFWLILHGE\ WKH7UXWK -RKQ DQGLWLVWKH7UXWKWKDWPDNHVXVIUHH -RKQ 7KH FKXUFKLVWKH³SLOODUDQGJURXQGRIWKHWUXWK´ 7LPRWK\ “The husbandman who labors must be first partaker of the fruits” 7LPRWK\ 7KLVDSSHDUVWREHDFRPPHQWRQZKDW3DXOKDGHDUOLHUWDXJKWLQ &RULQWKLDQV “Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”7LPRWK\ZDVWRVWULYHZHOOKROGWRKLV GXW\WRWHDFK&KULVW¶V*RVSHODQGEHVXSSRUWHGE\WKHFKXUFKLQKLVZRUN= *OHQQ&ROOH\LVWKHSUHDFKHUIRUWKH:HVW+XQWVYLOOHFKXUFKLQ+XQWVYLOOH$ODEDPD86$ How are preachers or Christians similar to soldiers, athletes and farmers? Christianity In Action Winning Souls for Christ 'DOH*ULVVRP “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”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“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” 0DWWKHZ 7KHZRUOGEHJLQVMXVWRXWVLGHWKHGRRU = 'DOH*ULVVRP ZDVGHGLFDWHGWRSHUVRQDOHYDQJHOLVPDQGZRUNHGZLWKWKH FKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ'H[WHU0LVVRXUL86$ Christianity In Action Called to Lead or to Serve? &ODXGH7KRPSVRQ 7KHZRUGV³/HDGHU´DQG ³/HDGHUVKLS´ DUH RYHUXVHG DQGWRRRIWHQPLVDSSOLHGLQ WKHFKXUFKWRGD\7KHUHIRUH WKH\ DUH YHU\ OLNHO\ PLVXQGHUVWRRG 7RR RIWHQ ZH LGHQWLI\ RQO\ WKH HOGHUV RU SUHDFKHU DV ³OHDGHUV´ RI RXU FRQJUHJDWLRQV RU ZH PD\ VD\ D EURWKHU ³OHDGV´ XVLQZRUVKLSDWFRPPXQLRQ RU LQ SUD\HU :H QRUPDOO\ GHILQH ³OHDGHUVKLS´ DV DGPLQLVWHULQJ RU GLUHFWLQJ DQG WKH ³OHDGHU´ DV WKH ERVV RU RQH LQ FRPPDQG +RZHYHUWKH%LEOHSUHVHQWV D FRPSOHWHO\ GLIIHUHQW SLFWXUH RI WUXH VSLULWXDO OHDGHUVKLS 7KH *UHHN ZRUG WUDQVODWHG ³OHDG´ hodegeo PHDQV OLWHUDOO\ ³WR WUDYHO ZLWK´RU³WRJXLGH´VRPHRQH,WPD\EHFRUUHFWO\DSSOLHGPHWDSKRULFDOO\ WRWHDFKLQJDQGWHDFKHUVZKHWKHURIWUXWK +HEUHZV RURIHUURU 3HWHU Christianity In Action WKHVSLULWXDOWHDFKHUVRI+LVGD\“blind leaders of the blind” 0DWWKHZ 2XU/RUGVSHFLILFDOO\DGYLVHGXVQRWWRLGHQWLI\RXUVHOYHVQRUDQ\ RWKHUVDVRXUOHDGHUVRU³PDVWHUV´EHFDXVH+HWKH&KULVWLVRXURQO\0DVWHU 0DWWKHZ :KHQLQLWLDOO\FDOOLQJPHQWRVWDUWDQGOHDG+LVFKXUFK -HVXVVHOHFWHGILVKHUPHQUDWKHUWKDQVHDFDSWDLQVDQGZRUNHUVUDWKHUWKDQ DGPLQLVWUDWRUV 0DWWKHZ +HQHHGVDQGGHVLUHVODERUHUVLQVWHDG RIIRUHPHQIRU+LVNLQJGRP /XNH PHQDQGZRPHQTXDOLILHGDQG ZLOOLQJ WR VHUYH RWKHUV 6XFK DUH WKH WUXH OHDGHUV RI WKH FKXUFK²“the leader is as one who serves”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orship :RUVKLSWKDW5HDOO\0DWWHUV 5RGQH\1XOSK )RUIDLWKIXOGHYRWHGFKLOGUHQRI*RGZRUVKLSLVFHUWDLQO\WKHKLJKOLJKW RIHDFKZHHN,WLVDEOHVVHGSULYLOHJHDQGDQKRQRUWRERZEHIRUHWKH *UHDW,$P-HVXVSODFHGZRUVKLSDVDKLJKSULRULW\ /XNH 6DGO\ IDUWRRRIWHQZRUVKLSKDVEHHQGHFUHDVHGWRPHUHO\D³ULWXDO´RUDQHPSW\ URXWLQH 0DWWKHZ *RGLVWKH$XGLHQFHLQZRUVKLSDQGDVVXFK+H QRWRQO\GHVHUYHVEXW+HGHPDQGVRXUIXOODWWHQWLRQDQGGHYRWLRQ+RZ WUDJLFZKHQLQGLYLGXDOVIDLOWRUHDOO\ZRUVKLSWKH*RGRI+HDYHQ0DQ\ SURIHVVLQJ&KULVWLDQVPHUHO\JRWKURXJKDVHULHVRIUHKHDUVHGDFWLRQVRQO\ WRZDONDZD\ZLWKRXWHYHUELEOLFDOO\ZRUVKLSSLQJ-HVXVVSRNHUHJDUGLQJ ZRUVKLSWKDWUHDOO\PDWWHUVDV+HVDWE\-DFRE¶VZHOODQGFRQYHUVHGZLWK D6DPDULWDQZRPDQ “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” -RKQ Worship )LUVWO\ZRUVKLSLVDLPHGDWWKHSURSHUSHUVRQ “God is a Spirit…” :KDW LV RIWHQ SDVVHG RII DV ZRUVKLS LQ WKH VW FHQWXU\ LV VLPSO\ HQWHUWDLQLQJWKHDWWHQGHHV0DQKDVEHFRPH³FHQWHUVWDJH´DQGKHPXVW EHGD]]OHGDQGDVWRQLVKHG:HUDWHWKHSUHDFKHU¶VSHUIRUPDQFHWKHVRQJ OHDGHU¶VDELOLWLHVDQGWKH³IHHO´RIWKHEXLOGLQJWKDWVXUURXQGVXV:HJLYH WKHZRUVKLSDJUDGHPXFKOLNHZHZRXOGJUDGHDPRYLHDWWKHbig screen $OOWKHZKLOHZHPLVVWKHVFULSWXUDOIDFWWKDWLWLV*RG:KRLVFHQWHUVWDJH LWLV+H:KRZHPXVWDLPWRSOHDVHDQGQRWRXUVHOYHV 6HFRQGO\ ZRUVKLS LQYROYHV SDUWLFLSDQWV “…and they that worship him…”:RUVKLSLVKDUGZRUN:HKDYHEHFRPHDFFXVWRPHGWRSDGGHGSHZV DQGWHPSHUDWXUHFRQWUROOHGEXLOGLQJVWRWKHSRLQWWKDWPDQ\YLHZZRUVKLSDVD UHOD[LQJWLPH²DWLPHWRJHWFRPIRUWDEOHDQGXQZLQG+RZHYHUZRUVKLSWKDW UHDOO\PDWWHUVWHVWVRXUPLQGVRXUFRQFHQWUDWLRQOHYHOVDQGHYHQRXUSK\VLFDO VWDPLQD 6LQJLQJ VWXG\LQJ SUD\LQJ JLYLQJ DQG UHPHPEHULQJ RXU /RUG UHTXLUHVHIIRUWDQGHQHUJ\:HPXVWEHUHVWHGERWKPHQWDOO\DQGSK\VLFDOO\LQ RUGHUWRUHDOO\SDUWLFLSDWHDV*RGGHPDQGV7KHYHU\ZRUG³ZRUVKLS´GHQRWHV SURVWUDWLQJRQH¶VVHOIDVDSHDVDQWIDOOVEHIRUHDNLQJ7KDWLVTXLWHDGLIIHUHQW SLFWXUHWKDQVRPHRQHUHOD[LQJLQDSDGGHGSHZ 7KLUGO\ZRUVKLSLQFOXGHVDSUHVFULEHGSDWWHUQ “must worship him in spirit and truth.”“Spirit”LQYROYHVWKHHPRWLRQVDQGZLOORIWKHZRUVKLSSHU :RUVKLSWKDWGRHVQRWSULFNWKHHPRWLRQVLVQRWZRUVKLSLQVSLULW+RZFDQ DWUXHZRUVKLSSHUQRWEHDIIHFWHGZKHQKHRUVKHFRQVLGHUVZKDWJUHDWORYH DQGVDFULILFHZDVJLYHQRQEHKDOIRIHDFKRIXV"“Truth”LQYROYHVWKDW ZKLFK*RGGHPDQGVDVIDUDVWKHDFWVRIZRUVKLS%RWKWUXWKDQGVSLULW PXVWEHSUHVHQWLQRUGHUIRUZRUVKLSWREHELEOLFDOO\FRUUHFW :RUVKLSLVVHULRXV*RGLVRXWUDJHGZKHQSHRSOHDWWHPSWWRZRUVKLS DQGIDLOWRGRLWSURSHUO\ /HYLWLFXV 1HYHUDUHZHFORVHUWRRXU &UHDWRUWKDQZKHQZHIDOOEHIRUH+LPDQGZRUVKLS+RZHYHUWKHRSSRVLWH LVWUXHDVZHOO0D\ZRUVKLSWKDWUHDOO\PDWWHUVHYHUEHRXUSULRULW\DQG PD\ZHGDLO\“enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise…” 3VDOP D = 5RGQH\1XOSKLVD*RVSHOSUHDFKHUDQGWKH$VVRFLDWH(GLWRURIGospel Gazette Online PDJD]LQH+HUHVLGHVLQ6SHQFHU:LVFRQVLQ86$ Worship 'DOWRQ.H\ :RUVKLSLVIRUWKHVRXOZKDWJRRGIRRGLVIRUWKHERG\,WLVYLWDOWR RXU VSLULWXDO JURZWK DQG ZHOOEHLQJ$V ZH OLIW RXU KHDUWV WR +HDYHQ LQ SUD\HUEOHQGRXUYRLFHVWRJHWKHULQVRQJUHYHUHQWO\UHPHPEHUWKHFURVVRI &DOYDU\LQSDUWDNLQJRIWKH/RUG¶V6XSSHUJLYHRIRXUPHDQVDQGOHDUQRI *RG¶VZLOOZHDUHERWKIXOILOOHGDQGILOOHGIXOORIUHQHZHGKRSHVWUHQJWK DQGJRGO\FRQVHFUDWLRQ 'DYLGZDVKDSS\WRKHDUWKHZRUGV“Let us go into the house of the Lord” 3VDOP 3DXOWDUULHGLQ7URDVVHYHQGD\VXQWLOWKH/RUG¶V 'D\LQRUGHUWKDWKHPLJKWFRPHWRJHWKHUZLWKWKHGLVFLSOHVLQZRUVKLS $FWV (DUOLHU LQ 3KLOLSSL 3DXO DQG 6LODV FRQILQHG ZLWKLQ WKH “inner prison”ZLWKWKHLUIHHWIDVWLQVWRFNVKDGPDGHJRRGXVHRIWKHLU WLPHDVWKH\³SUD\HGDQGVDQJSUDLVHVWR*RG´ $FWV 7KHVSLULWVRIWKHULJKWHRXVKDYHDOZD\VEHHQPDGHVWURQJHUE\PHDQV RISXUHDQGKHDUWIHOWZRUVKLS:RUVKLSLVJRRGIRUWKHVRXO ,QOLJKWRIWKLVWUXWKZHDUHQRWVXUSULVHGWRUHDGWKLVVWHUQLQVSLUHG DGPRQLWLRQ “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” +HEUHZV :KHUHZLOO\RXEHWKLVFRPLQJ/RUG¶V'D\":LOO\RXEHPHHWLQJZLWK WKHVDLQWVLQZRUVKLS",IQRWZK\QRW" = 'DOWRQ.H\LVWKH(GLWRURI2OG3DWKVDQGSUHDFKHVIRUWKHWKDQG5RFNIRUGFRQJUH JDWLRQLQ7XOVD2NODKRPD86$ Did You Know? 7KH7HPSOHEXLOWE\.LQJ6RORPRQZDVFXELWV IW ORQJ FXELWV IW ZLGHDQGFXELWV IW WDOO .LQJV 7KH7HPSOHEXLOWE\=HUXEEDEHO +DJJDL (]UD ZDVFXELWV IW WDOODQGFXELWV IW ZLGH 5HEHFFD5XVKPRUHLVD6WDII:ULWHUIRUThe Voice of Truth InternationalDQGUHVLGHV LQ&ROOLHUYLOOH7HQQHVVHH86$ Worship Ten Commandments for Improving the Worship Service $XWKRU8QNQRZQ +DYH \RX HYHU KHDUG VRPHRQH VD\ ³, MXVW GRQ¶W JHW PXFK RXW RI WKH ZRUVKLSVHUYLFH´"6RPHWLPHVWKLVLVPRUHRIDFRPPHQWDU\RQWKHSHUVRQ WKDQRQWKHVHUYLFH+HUHDUHVRPHVXJJHVWLRQVWKDWPD\KHOS\RXLPSURYHWKH TXDOLW\RI\RXUZRUVKLSZKHQ\RXJDWKHUZLWKWKHVDLQWVRQWKH/RUG¶V'D\ 1. Make Sunday a priority. ,WLVWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWFRPPLWPHQWRIWKH ZHHN,WLVQRWKLQJOHVVWKDQDPHHWLQJZLWK*RG 2. Don’t bring God leftovers.*RGKDVDOZD\VGHPDQGHGWKH³¿UVWIUXLWV´ +HFDQQRWEHVDWLV¿HGZLWKVFUDSV*HWSOHQW\RIVOHHSRQ6DWXUGD\ QLJKWDQGFRPHWRZRUVKLSZLWKDQDOHUWDQGUHIUHVKHGPLQG 3. Prepare your mind. 'LVFLSOLQHEHJLQVLQWKHPLQG6RGRHVGLVFLSOH VKLS7UDLQ\RXUPLQGWRFRQFHQWUDWHRQWKLQJVRIWKHVSLULW 4. Be on time. 5XVKLQJ LQ ODWH PDNHV LW GLI¿FXOW IRU \RX WR VHWWOH LQWR PHGLWDWLRQ DQG GLVWXUEV RWKHU ZRUVKLSSHUV*HW XS D OLWWOH HDUOLHU LI QHFHVVDU\ 5. Bring your Bible.&RPLQJWRZRUVKLSZLWKRXW\RXU%LEOHLVOLNHJRLQJ RXWWRGULYH\RXUFDUZLWKRXWNH\V 6. Open your mouth and sing.6LQJLQJLVQRWDQRSWLRQ,WLVDFRPPDQG 7KRVHZKRYLRODWHWKLVFRPPDQGDUHMXVWDVJXLOW\DVLIWKH\QHJOHFWHG WKHDVVHPEO\LQWKH¿UVWSODFH 7. Sit close to the front.([SHULHQFHKDVVKRZQWKDWVRPHPDUJLQDOFKXUFK PHPEHUVZRXOGUDWKHUVZLWFKFRQJUHJDWLRQVWKDQFKDQJHSHZV5H VHDUFKLQGLFDWHVWKDWWKHOHYHORIHPRWLRQDQGPHQWDOSDUWLFLSDWLRQGH FUHDVHVDVRQHPRYHVFORVHUWRWKHEDFN 8. Before and after service—be friendly. :RUVKLS LV HQKDQFHG ZKHQ GRQHDVDIDPLO\)DPLO\PHPEHUVVKRXOGNQRZDQGORYHHDFKRWKHU Worship 9. Listen carefully to the sermon. 7DNLQJQRWHVPD\KHOS)ROORZDORQJ LQ\RXU%LEOH7DNHWKHPHVVDJHVHULRXVO\,WZLOOKHOS\RX,WZLOOHQ FRXUDJHWKHVSHDNHU,WZLOOVKRZQRQ&KULVWLDQVWKDW\RXDUHVHULRXV 10. Make your worship God-centered, not man-centered. :RUVKLSLVSUL PDULO\DJLYLQJVLWXDWLRQ7KRVHZKRVD\³,GRQ¶WJHWPXFKRXWRI ZRUVKLS´DUHZURQJO\IRFXVHG,WLVLQWKHJLYLQJRIRXUVHOYHVWKDWZH JHW1R*LYLQJ²1R*HWWLQJ = proverbs 17:22 $OLFH¶VFDUZDVIUHTXHQWO\XQUHOLDEOH DQGVKHFDOOHGKHUKXVEDQG$OIRU DULGHHYHU\WLPHLWEURNHGRZQ 2QHGD\$OJRW\HWDQRWKHURQHRI WKRVHFDOOV $O ³:KDWKDSSHQHGWKLVWLPH"´ $ ZLIH VD\V WR KHU KXVEDQG RQH $OLFH ³0\ EUDNHV ZHQW RXW &DQ PRUQLQJ ³:H¶YH JRW VXFK D \RXFRPHDQGJHWPH"´ FOHYHUGRJ+HEULQJVLQWKHGDLO\ $O ³:KHUHDUH\RX"´ QHZVSDSHUVHYHU\PRUQLQJ´ $OLFH ³,¶PLQWKHGUXJVWRUH´ +HUKXVEDQGUHSOLHG³:HOOORWVRI $O ³$QGZKHUH¶VWKHFDU"´ GRJVFDQGRWKDW´ $OLFH ³,W¶VLQKHUHZLWKPH´ 7KH ZLIH DQVZHUHG ³%XW ZH¶YH QHYHUVXEVFULEHGWRDQ\SDSHUV´ $ MXQLRU KLJK VWXGHQW ZDV VWXG\LQJ DVWURQRP\ DQG HQMR\LQJ $RQHGROODUELOOPHWDWZHQW\GROODU LWJUHDWO\2QHPRUQLQJDWEUHDNIDVW ELOO DQG VDLG ³+H\ ZKHUH¶YH VKH PHQWLRQHG ³2Q )ULGD\ ZH¶UH \RX EHHQ" , KDYHQ¶W VHHQ \RX KDYLQJ D TXL] RQ WKH PRRQ´ +HU DURXQGKHUHPXFK´ OLWWOH EURWKHU SLSHG XS ³$UH \RX 7KH WZHQW\ DQVZHUHG ³,¶YH EHHQ JRQQDOHWKHUJR0RP"´ KDQJLQJRXWDWWKHFDVLQRVZHQW RQDFUXLVHDQGGLGWKHURXQGV RI WKH VKLS EDFN WR WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV IRU D ZKLOH ZHQW WR D /LWWOH -RKQQ\ DVNHG KLV FRXSOH RI EDVHEDOO JDPHV WR JUDQGPRWKHUKRZROGVKHZDV WKHPDOOWKDWNLQGRIVWXII+RZ *UDQGPD DQVZHUHG ³7KLUW\ DERXW\RX"´ QLQHDQGKROGLQJ´ 7KHRQHGROODUELOOVDLG³ :HV0F$GDPV 5DGLFDOO\&KULVWLDQ &URVVWDON3RGFDVW Daily Christian Living THE SAD DILEMMA (A woman’s perspective) 6DPXHO0DWWKHZV How times have changed! Once there was a time when society expected a woman to be a faithful wife and a good mother. Once there was a time when infidelity was cause for disgrace. Women were expected to be virgins at marriage, and women who lived with a man out of wedlock were labeled and shunned. How far from reality these standards and expectations are in America today! One morning, I happened to catch a portion of a talk show in which the person being interviewed was a woman who was wanting to have a child. So far, so good. The only problem was that the man with whom she had been living for seven years (out of wedlock) did NOT want to have children. The solution she had come up with was to have artificial insemination and have a child. The man declared that if she did, that he would move out. She said that was fine with her; she didn’t need him anyway! The audience berated him for wanting to leave. What an ungodly situation! Out of the entire audience, one woman dared to stand up and suggest that the woman should first find a man she loves, marry him, and then, after a suitable period of adjustment, have a child with him. Yes, I thought. Good for you for saying that! However, what followed was typical, sad and unbelievable. Immediately, many in the audience verbally disagreed. The host of the show then made a statement something to the effect: “Where did this woman come from? Is she living in the twentieth century?” Of course, everyone laughed and agreed. Her suggestion of the proper, godly formation of a home was laughed out of the auditorium! These are the sad times in which we are living. The abnormal has become the normal. No wonder women have become so confused about their role in society! God’s role for woman has been deliberately obliterated in the minds of people. Satan has been at work! What are we going to do about it? Will we sit with folded hands, saying Daily Christian Living nothing for fear of the ridicule that we will surely receive if we speak up? Will we adjust our own lives to “fit in,” to blend with society? Sadly, many so-called Christian women do just that. I believe that “setting a good example” alone is not enough. As I see it, women must have the stamina and the courage to stand up and be counted—counted as being for God and for the role He has given them. Just as there will always be “wars and rumors of wars” in this world (Mark 13:7), the same is true in the Lord’s church. There are those who love power, desire control and seek change. The church is Satan’s favorite target. During the years that I have been a New Testament Christian, I have wept many tears over outbreaks such as “the man, not the plan”; the charismatic movement; the Crossroads controversy; the marriage, divorce and remarriage issue; “unity in diversity”; the New Hermeneutic and now—the woman’s role. “THE BOOK” (the Bible) is the only book that will keep us from altering God’s Word and His plan for both men and women. It is the only Book to follow in our God-given roles, roles that date back to the beginning of time and which will last until the end of time! Beloved sister in Christ, I plead with you: don’t let Satan have his way with you as he did with Eve. Let us not lead God’s people into additional sin by promoting a “new way,” a false way, as suggested by Satan. As I read of “new truth” (?) as expounded by some, it is as though the devil were saying concerning women, “Has God really said you cannot be elders and preachers? Do you think God still wants you Daily Christian Living to follow an old, outdated commandment in today’s progressive world—to actually be in subjection to your husbands? Surely you are intelligent and educated enough in this enlightened age to know better than that! Why, every real scholar knows a woman can do anything a man can do! Why should a female be restricted from leadership positions in worship when she has so much ability? How can you consider wasting your talents by remaining in your old-fashioned, traditional role from the dark ages? If you will just listen to me, I will make you wise and liberated.” Yes, Satan wants women to believe that! He still wants to win the victory as much as he ever did. He loves power and position and he is attempting to cause Christians to question God and His way. Women, please do NOT let Satan deceive you as he did Eve in the Garden of Eden. Let us all recommit ourselves to our God-given roles. They are valuable ones—precious and fulfilling. May we cherish the wisdom of God, His love for us and the spiritual blessings He gives to all women who truly love Him. My fervent prayer is for the safe deliverance of all of God’s people when, at the end of time, our battle with Satan will at last be over! We shall celebrate the victory and enter into that unspeakable joy that God has prepared for those who love Him. God’s woman should praise Him for His wonderful Word and His unchangeable plan. = 6DPXHO0DWWKHZVLVDPLVVLRQDU\LQWKH/RUG¶VFKXUFKLQ6W7KRPDV9LUJLQ,VODQGV God’s perfect plan from Creation: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help- er comparable to him.” (18) And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. (21-22) Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (24) Daily Christian Living What a Disciple Is 'RQQ\:HLPDU 6XPPDULO\ -HVXV¶ *UHDW &RPPLVVLRQ LV “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” 0DWWKHZ 6XFKFRQYHUWHGVRXOVDVWKHVHDUH PRUHWKDQFRQYHUWVDQGWKH\DUHPRUHWKDQVWXGHQWV3XSLOVVLWEHIRUHWKHLU WHDFKHUPHUHO\WROHDUQZKDWWKHLQVWUXFWRUKDVWRVD\EXWGLVFLSOHVDUHPXFK PRUH2K\HVWKH\DUHFHUWDLQO\WKH0DVWHU¶VOHDUQHUVEXWPRUHWKDQWKDWWKH\ DSSUHQWLFH+LVH[DPSOHDQGEHFRPHWHDFKHUVWKHPVHOYHV“A disciple is not above his teacher,”-HVXVWROGWKHP“but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” /XNH (69 /LNH KLV WHDFKHU²OLNH -HVXV &KULVW²LVWREHSHUIHFWO\WUDLQHGWRHPXODWH+LVYHU\FKDUDFWHU+LVOLIHPRGHO 'LVFLSOHV DUH three things, DV GHVFULEHG LQ -RKQ¶V DFFRXQW RI WKH HYHUODVWLQJ*RVSHO2QHWKH\DELGHLQWKH&KULVW¶VWHDFKLQJV-HVXVVDLGWR EHOLHYHUV“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” -RKQ $SHUVRQYRLGRIELEOLFDOXQGHUVWDQGLQJLVHPSW\RIJHQXLQHIDLWK EHFDXVHLW“comes from hearing the word of Christ” 5RPDQV 'LVFLSOHV ORYH RQH DQRWKHU 7KH 0DVWHU WDXJKW “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” -RKQ $&KULVWLDQDEVHQWRIORYHLVQRWDWUXHGLVFLSOH -RKQ *RG¶VFKLOGUHQFRPSUHKHQGELEOLFDOORYHIRU“God is love” -RKQ “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” -RKQ 'LVFLSOHVRI&KULVWEHDUIUXLW“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” -RKQ )UXLWEHDULQJ LQWKH%LEOHKDVWRGRZLWKDSURGXFWLYHIDLWK6XFKIDLWK\LHOGVWZREDVLFNLQGV RIIUXLW the fruit of righteousness -DPHV DQGthe producing of more disciplesIRUWKH0DVWHU 3KLOLSSLDQV (YHU\OLYLQJFUHDWXUHPXOWLSOLHV *HQHVLV %HDULQJIUXLWLVWKHOLWPXVIRUGHWHUPLQLQJUHDOGLVFLSOHV %HLQJGLVFLSOHVRI&KULVWWDNHVOHDUQLQJ+LPHPXODWLQJ+LPDQGVKDULQJ +LV*RVSHO'LVFLSOHVPDNHGLVFLSOHVZKRPDNHGLVFLSOHV“…Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you” 0DWWKHZ = 'RQQ\:HLPHUZRUNVZLWKWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ9DOOH\0LOOV7H[DV86$ The Christian Home Semper Fidelis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¶VPDUULDJHDVNLQJWKDWWKHLUXQLRQEHVWURQJHQRXJK WRVHUYHDVDQH[DPSOHIRU\RXQJFRXSOHV0DJJLHZDVWU\LQJWRKROGEDFN KHUWHDUV³,WEURNHPHGRZQ´0DJJLHVDLG³WRNQRZWKDWZHIHOWWKHVDPH ZD\DERXW*RG,WMXVWPDGHPHKDSS\´ ³:HZHUHDERXWWRWDNHRXUILUVWVWHSVLQOLIHWRJHWKHUDQGZHGLGQ¶W ZDQWWRWDNHDVWHSZLWKRXWLWEHLQJLQ*RG¶VZLOO´&DOHE(DUZRRG WROG72'$<FRP 7RDVNIRU*RG¶VEOHVVLQJVDQGWREXLOGRQH¶VPDUULDJHXSRQ*RGDQG +LV :RUG LV WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW IDFWRU LQ D VWURQJ DQG ODVWLQJ PDUULDJH $FWXDOO\LWLVWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWWKLQJIRU$1<21(²PDUULHGRUVLQJOH \RXQJRUROG²WREXLOGWKHLUOLYHVRQWKH5RFNRI-HVXV&KULVW“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 floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” 0DWWKHZ 2XUVLQFRQGHPQVXV 5RPDQV EXW*RGLV“not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” 3HWHU +HJDYH+LV6RQWRGLHIRUXVVRWKDWZHFDQEHVDYHGDQGUHFHLYHWKHJLIW RIHWHUQDOOLIH -RKQ The Christian Home $V &DOHE SUD\HG GRQ¶W WDNH D VWHS ZLWKRXW LW EHLQJ LQ *RG¶V ZLOO -HVXVVDLG“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” -RKQ ,WLVWKHZLOORI*RGWKDWHDFKRIXV“look to the Son” DQGSODFHRXU IDLWK DQG WUXVW LQ +LP $FWV WXUQ IURP RXU VLQV LQ UHSHQWDQFH $FWV FRQIHVV+LPEHIRUHPHQ 5RPDQV DQGEHEDSWL]HG LPPHUVHG LQWR&KULVWIRUWKHIRUJLYHQHVVRIRXUVLQV $FWV 7KRVHZKR FKRRVHWRIROORZ+LVZLOODQGDFFHSW+LVRIIHURIVDOYDWLRQRQ+LVWHUPVZLOO UHFHLYH*RG¶VIRUJLYHQHVVDQGWKHJLIWRIHWHUQDOOLIH 5RPDQV 7KRVH ZKRFRQWLQXHWRIROORZ+LVZLOOZLWKWKHDWWLWXGHRI³VHPSHUILGHOLV´ DOZD\V IDLWKIXO ZLOOEHFRQWLQXDOO\FOHDQVHGE\WKHEORRGRI-HVXV -RKQ :RQ¶W<28IROORZ*RG¶VZLOO" = 'DYLG$6DUJHQW0LQLVWHU&KXUFKRI&KULVWDW&UHHNZRRG0RELOH$ODEDPD86$ ,QIRUPDWLRQJOHDQHGIURP³6HPSHU)LGHOLV´E\%LOO\$OH[DQGHULQ6WDUW)LQLVK KWWS VWDUWILQLVKRUJVHPSHUILGHOLV ZZZDEFFRPDQGZZZXVDWRGD\FRP Robison’s Rubies The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah lived in the years leading up to the ruin of Jerusalem by Babylonian armies in 586 B.C. He was sent by God to prophesy to the people who were steeped in wickedness, bringing this judgment upon themselves. In Jeremiah 2:13, he painted a poetic picture, “For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” People in many cultures reject the morals and instructions of God, not realizing those points of guidance bring life and joy—as they are fountains of living water. At the same time, they invent for themselves their own standards, which lead to despair and degradation—cisterns that can’t even hold water! Only God’s way provides life, peace, and hope! $QG\5RELVRQLVWKHPLQLVWHUIRUWKH+LOOYLHZ7HUUDFH&KXUFKRI&KULVWDQGWKH'LUHFWRURIWKH :HVW9LUJLQLD6FKRRORI3UHDFKLQJLQ0RXQGVYLOOH:HVW9LUJLQLD86$ The Christian Home Living for Christ Modestly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he Christian Home WKDWDUHVRVNLQWLJKWWKDWWKHUHLVQRWKLQJOHIWIRUER\VDQGPHQWRLPDJLQH 8QIRUWXQDWHO\WKLVDSSOLHVWRODGLHVRIDOODJHVZKHWKHUWKLQRUKHDY\7KLV NLQGRIGUHVVLVVLQIXOEHFDXVHLWLVLPPRGHVW ,Q7LPRWK\ 3DXOZURWHWRWKH\RXQJ“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 0DUWKD/\QQ5XVKPRUHLVD6WDII:ULWHUIRUThe Voice of Truth InternationalDQGGos- pel Gazette Online 6KH DQG KHU KXVEDQG WHDFK H[WHQVLYHO\ VWDWHVLGH DQG DEURDG 7KH\UHVLGHLQ:LQRQD0LVVLVVLSSL86$ The Christian Home “Alas Master, For It Is Borrowed!” 0LFKDHO/.LQJ 7KHUH LV D SRZHUIXO 2OG 7HVWDPHQW OHVVRQ WKDW WHDFKHV VRPH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQWWUXWKV7KHVRQVRIWKHSURSKHWVZHUHIHHOLQJFURZGHGLQWKHLU TXDUWHUVDVWKH\ZHUHEHLQJWUDLQHGWREHFRPHSURSKHWV7KH\FDPHWR(OLVKD WKH³PDQRI*RG´ UHTXHVWLQJSHUPLVVLRQWRJRWRWKH-RUGRQ5LYHUDQGFXW EHDPVDQGH[WHQGWKHLUTXDUWHUVWREHWWHUDFFRPPRGDWHWKHPHQ3HUPLVVLRQ ZDVJUDQWHGDQGDVRQHRIWKHPHQZDVFXWWLQJGRZQDWUHHWKHD[KHDGIOHZ RIIDQGVDQNWRWKHERWWRPRIWKH-RUGRQ7KH\RXQJPDQZDVFRQFHUQHGDQG GHFODUHG“Alas, master! For it was borrowed” .LQJV 7KHUHZDV VRPHXQXVXDOFRQFHUQIRULWZDVQRWKLVD[EXWLWKDGEHHQERUURZHGIURP VRPHRQHHOVH+DGLWEHHQKLVKHZRXOGKDYHKDGWRDQVZHUWRQRRQHRWKHU The Christian Home WKDQKLPVHOI:KHQZKDWKDGKDSSHQHGZDVUHSRUWHGWR(OLVKDKHDVNHG ZKHUHLWKDGIDOOHQ7KH\RXQJPDQZDVLQVWUXFWHGWRFXWDVWLFNDQGFDVWLW LQWRWKHZDWHU:KHQKHGLGWKHD[VXUIDFHGDQGIORDWHG :HVKRXOGIHHOVRPHRIWKHVDPHFRQVWHUQDWLRQWRGD\ZKHQSRQGHULQJ WKH UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV WKDW ZH KDYH IRU “…bringing our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (SKHVLDQV 0DNH VXUH ZHDUHQRWGHUHOLFWOLNH(OLE\UHIXVLQJWRUHVWUDLQKLVHYLOYLOHVRQV 6DPXHO $VLPLODUEXUGHQVKRXOGEHIHOWZKHQUHUHDGLQJWKH³*UHDW &RPPLVVLRQ´ DFFRXQWV LQ 0DWWKHZ 0DUN DQG 3DXO VWUHVVLQJWKDWLWLVWKHUHVSRQVLELOLW\RIWKHFKXUFKWRGHFODUHWKHPDQLIROG ZLVGRPRI*RGWRWKHZRUOG (SKHVLDQV ,QHDFKRIWKHVHSDVVDJHV WKHLQKHUHQWUHVSRQVLELOLW\WKDWZHKDYHLVWKHVDYLQJRIWKHVRXOVRIPHQ :HKDYHRQO\WHPSRUDU\FDUHDQGFXVWRG\IRUUHDG\LQJWKHPIRUHWHUQLW\ 7KHVHVRXOVDUHPHUHO\³ERUURZHG´DQGPXVWEHUHWXUQHGWRWKH/RUG LQDEHWWHUFRQGLWLRQWKDQZKHQZHIRXQGWKHP,WKDVDOZD\VEHHQVWUHVVHG WR WKLV ZULWHU WKDW ZKHQ ZH ERUURZ VRPHWKLQJ ZH FOHDQ LW RU UHSDLU LW EHIRUHLWLVUHWXUQHGE\ZKLFKZHH[SUHVVRXUDSSUHFLDWLRQIRULWVXVDJH DQGHVWDEOLVKWUXVWLQWKHRZQHUWRZDUGXV:KRNQRZVZHPD\QHHGKLV VHUYLFHDJDLQLQWKHIXWXUH 2XU FKLOGUHQ DUH PHUHO\ ORDQHG WR XV DQG HYHQWXDOO\ WKH\ PXVW EH UHWXUQHGWR*RG&DUHQHHGVWREHH[HUFLVHGWRSUHYHQWWKHPIURPEHLQJ ³ORVW´ :H DUH KHOSLQJ WR HVWDEOLVK D UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG WKURXJK RXU WHDFKLQJ PHQWRULQJ DQG SURYLGLQJ DQ H[DPSOH IRU WKHP :H KDYH EHHQ LQVWUXFWHGWR“train them up” 3URYHUEV 3DXOH[SDQGHGRQWKLVWKRXJKW E\TXDOLI\LQJWKLVWUDLQLQJZKHQVD\LQJ“…in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (SKHVLDQV $SDUWRIWKLVWUDLQLQJLVWRVWHHUWKHPIURP EHLQJ “conformed to the world” 5RPDQV 7KH UHDO REMHFWLYH IRU HYHU\HIIRUWH[KLELWHGLVWRKHOSWKHPWR“overcome the wicked one” -RKQ 3DXOFDXWLRQHG\RXQJ7LPRWK\WRSUHSDUHDQGGLVFLSOLQHKLPVHOIWR PDNHVXUHWKDWKLV“…progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” 7LPRWK\ 7KRVHYDOXDEOHVRXOVDQGWKH\DUHYDOXDEOH 0DUN QHHGWREH The Christian Home H[SRVHGWRORYHUHVSHFWIRUDXWKRULW\VXEPLVVLRQ ZKHWKHUWR*RGPDQ KXVEDQGZLIHIHOORZ&KULVWLDQHWF MR\KRSHGLVFLSOLQHIDLWKDQGVR PXFKPRUH$OORIWKHVHDWWULEXWHVZLOOEHQHHGHGLQ+HDYHQDQGMXVWWKLQN KRZPXFKVZHHWHUWKH\FRXOGPDNHOLIHKHUHDVZHOO $SULQFLSOHZHPXVWNHHSLQPLQGDVZHZLHOGRXU³D[´EHDULQJDOOWKH DFFRXQWDELOLW\ZKHQXVLQJVRPHWKLQJERUURZHGLVWRUHDOL]HWKDWWKHSULQFLSOH RI VRZLQJ DQG UHDSLQJ FRPHV LQWR SOD\ :H FDQ RQO\ SURGXFH RU UHFHLYH DFFRUGLQJWRVHHGRUJHUPLQDWLQJLQIOXHQFHWKDWKDVEHHQVFDWWHUHG7KH:RUG RI*RGLVWKDWVHHGDQGLWVJURZWKLVHQKDQFHGZKHQVFDWWHUHGE\DGLVFHUQLQJ VRZHU 0DWWKHZ 7KHTXRWHKDVEHHQXWWHUHG³,FDQQRWKHDUZKDW \RXDUHVD\LQJEHFDXVHZKDW\RXDUHGRLQJLVGHDIHQLQJPH´7RRVRPHRQH PDGHDQLQWHUHVWLQJVWDWHPHQWWRVWUHVVWKHLPSRUWDQFHRIH[DPSOH ³3UHDFK WKHZRUGWRWKHZKROHZRUOGLIDEVROXWHO\QHFHVVDU\XVHZRUGV´ -XVWDV*RGHPSRZHUHG(OLVKDWRUDLVHDQGUHVWRUHWKHD[KHDGWRD ³VDYHG´DQGVHUYLFHDEOHVWDWXV+HFDQSURYLGHUHQHZHGOLIHWRWKHKHDUWV RIPHQDQGRIZRPHQWRGD\ZKRZRXOGRWKHUZLVHEHORVWDQGZRUWKOHVV .HHSLQPLQGWKDWZHZLOOEHDQVZHUDEOHIRUWKDWZKLFKKDVEHHQHQWUXVWHG WRRXUFDUHDQGIRUZKLFKZHDUHUHVSRQVLEOH,IZHWHDFKDQGLWLVUHMHFWHG WKH EXUGHQ ZLOO EH RQ WKH KHDUHU LI ZH IDLO WR WHDFK D “soul will be required and his blood will be on our hands” (]HNLHO :HDUH ³ZDWFKPHQ´LQVXULQJWKDWQRWKLQJERUURZHGZLOOEHORVW J J = Textual Studies Precious Possessions &KDUOHV3XJK,,, 7KH%LEOHLVDERRNRIJUHDWZRUGV2QHRIWKHVHZRUGVLVWKHZRUG WKDW LV WUDQVODWHG ZLWK RXU (QJOLVK ZRUG DV ³SUHFLRXV´ 3HWHU XVHG WKLV ZRUGVHYHUDOWLPHVLQKLVWZRHSLVWOHV,WLVWKH*UHHNZRUG³WLPLRV´DQG KDVUHIHUHQFHWRWKDWZKLFKLV³KHOGDVRIJUHDWSULFHKHOGLQKLJKKRQRU HVWHHPHGHVSHFLDOO\GHDU´ 7KD\HU 3HWHUXVHGWKLVZRUGWRUHIHUWR VRPHRIWKHSUHFLRXVYDOXDEOHGHDUSRVVHVVLRQVRIWKH&KULVWLDQ&RQVLGHU WKHIROORZLQJ 3UHFLRXV)DLWK 3HWHU 3HWHU 3HWHUVDLGWKLVIDLWKLVPRUH SUHFLRXVWKDQJROG7KLVLVQRWMXVWDQ\IDLWKEXWLWLV“the faith.”,WLV SUHFLRXVEHFDXVHRIWKH3HUVRQLQZKRPLWLVFHQWHUHG 3HWHU WKH SOHDVXUHLQZKLFKLWOLYHV 3HWHU DQGWKHSURVSHFWLQZKLFKLWUHVXOWV 3HWHU ,I\RXKDYHWKLVIDLWKLQ*RG-HVXVDQGWKH%LEOHWKHQJXDUG LWIHHGLWILJKWIRULWDQGGLHIRULW+RZWUDJLFZKHQVRPHRQHOHWVJRRI SUHFLRXVIDLWKLQWKHSUHFLRXVIDLWK 3UHFLRXV %ORRG 3HWHU 7KLV LV D SUHFLRXV SRVVHVVLRQ EHFDXVH RI ZKDW LW LV²EORRG /LIH LV LQ WKH EORRG ERWK SK\VLFDOO\ DQG VSLULWXDOO\ /HYLWLFXV +HEUHZV ,WLVSUHFLRXVEHFDXVHRIZKDW NLQG RI EORRG LW LV²LPSHULVKDEOH QRW VXEMHFW WR GHFD\ ,W LV SUHFLRXV EHFDXVHRIZKRVHEORRGLWLV²WKHEORRGRI&KULVWDVRIDODPEZLWKRXW EOHPLVKRUVSRW2KSUHFLRXVLVWKHIORZWKDWPDNHVPHZKLWHDVVQRZ 3UHFLRXV 3URPLVHV 3HWHU ³6WDQGLQJ RQ WKH SURPLVHV WKDW FDQQRWIDLOZKHQWKHKRZOLQJVWRUPVRIGRXEWDQGIHDUDVVDLO %\WKHOLYLQJ :RUGRI*RG,VKDOOSUHYDLOVWDQGLQJRQWKHSURPLVHVRI*RG´ 3UHFLRXV IDLWK²SUHFLRXV EORRG²SUHFLRXV SURPLVHV 7UXO\ SUHFLRXVSRVVHVVLRQV = &KDUOHV3XJKKDVDZULWLQJPLQLVWU\DQGUHVLGHVLQ9LHQQD:HVW9LUJLQLD86$ Textual Studies The Appearance of Evil 73LHUFH%URZQ 6LQFH,ZDVDVPDOOFKLOG,KDYHKHDUGP\PRWKHUDQGDOOVRUWVRI RWKHUZRQGHUIXOSHUVRQVDGPRQLVK“Abstain from the very appearance of evil.”,QDJRRGQXPEHURIWKRVHRFFDVLRQVLILWZHUHDSUHDFKHUZKR JDYHWKHDGPRQLWLRQKHZRXOGXVXDOO\DGG³7KHVVDORQLDQV ´0\ PHPRU\HYHQWHOOVPHWKDW,KDYHUHDGPDQ\WLPHVIURPWKH%LEOH³6KXQ WKHYHU\DSSHDUDQFHRIHYLO´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³ Textual Studies esteemeth anything unclean, to him it is unclean,”DQGLQYHUVH“He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith,”,KDYH QRKHVLWDQF\LQWHDFKLQJWKDWIURP(YHRQGRZQLWZRXOGKDYHEHHQEHWWHU QRWWRHYHQIDFHWRZDUGVLQ“pitch the tent toward Sodom,” “walk in the counsel of the ungodly,” “stand in the way of sinners”RU“sit in the seat of the scoffer.” 73LHUFH%URZQ OLYHGDQGSUHDFKHGLQ&RRNHYLOOH7HQQHVVHH86$ >(GLWRU¶V1RWH 7KHYDULHW\RI%LEOHWUDQVODWLRQVIURPZKLFKFLWDWLRQVRI6FULSWXUHZHUH QRWHGLQWKHDERYHDUWLFOHIRUWKHSXUSRVHRIFRPSDULVRQWRPDNHDSRLQWGRHVQRW FRQVWLWXWHDJHQHUDOHQGRUVHPHQWRIDOORIWKRVH%LEOHYHUVLRQVa/RXLV5XVKPRUH@ Scavenger Hunt WKURXJK(]UD 5HEHFFD5XVKPRUH $QVZHUVLQVLGHEDFNFRYHU ,QZKDW\HDURIWKHUHLJQRI&\UXVGLGKHVHQGWKH-HZVEDFNWR -HUXVDOHPWRUHEXLOGWKHWHPSOH" :KLFKNLQJRI%DE\ORQWRRN-XGDKLQWRFDSWLYLW\" +RZODUJHZDVWKHFRQJUHJDWLRQWKDWUHWXUQHGWR-HUXVDOHP" +RZPDQ\VHUYDQWVDQGVLQJHUVDOVRUHWXUQHG" :KDWGLGWKHPHQZKRKDGVHHQWKH¿UVWWHPSOHGRZKHQWKH IRXQGDWLRQZDVODLGIRUWKHQHZWHPSOH" :KDWGLG'DULXVGHFUHHVKRXOGKDSSHQWRDQ\RQHZKRFKDQJHG KLVHGLFWUHJDUGLQJWKHEXLOGLQJRIWKHWHPSOH" ,QZKDW\HDURIWKHUHLJQRI'DULXVZDVWKHWHPSOHFRPSOHWHG" :KDWZDV(]UD¶VRFFXSDWLRQ" %\WKHGHFUHHRIZKLFKNLQJGLG(]UDJRWR-HUXVDOHP" :KDWZDVFRPPDQGHGRIWKHPHQZKRKDGWDNHQVWUDQJH IRU HLJQ ZRPHQDVZLYHV" Bible Characters The Thief on the Cross 6WHYH+LJJLQERWKDP 7KH GD\ -HVXV GLHG ZDV D GD\ LQ ZKLFK WKH FUHDWLRQ FUXFLILHG WKH &UHDWRU :HOOPD\ , VXJJHVW WKDW WKH GHDWK RI WKH WKLHI LV QRW DQ LUUHOHYDQW SHULSKHUDOHYHQWEXWKHLVDQLPSRUWDQWSDUWRIWKHELJJHUVWRU\" 6WHYH+LJJLQERWKDPSUHDFKHVIRUWKH.DUQV&KXUFKRI&KULVWLQ.QR[YLOOH7HQQHVVHH 86$ Bible Characters Forgotten Men of the Bible: Joseph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³IRUJRWWHQ´PHQDQGZRPHQRIWKH%LEOHFDQWHDFKXV YDOXDEOHOHVVRQVWRGD\ :KHQ PRVW SHRSOH WKLQN RI WKH -RVHSK RI WKH %LEOH WKH\ SUREDEO\ WKLQNRIWKH-RVHSKLQWKH2OG7HVWDPHQW+RZHYHUWKHUHDUHWZRRWKHU PHQLQWKH%LEOHQDPHG-RVHSK7KHILUVWLVWKHIRVWHUIDWKHURIRXU/RUG 7KHVHFRQGSURYLGHGDWRPEIRURXU/RUG The Father of Jesus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ible Characters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¶VSUHVHQFHZKHQWKHVKHSKHUGVFRPHWRYLVLWWKH6DYLRU /XNH GHVFULEHV-RVHSKDQG0DU\PDNLQJWKHUHTXLUHGSUHVHQWDWLRQV RIWKHFKLOGDQGVDFULILFHVDWWKH7HPSOH /HYLWLFXV $JDLQZHUHDGRI -RVHSKLQ/XNH PDNLQJKLVDQQXDOWULSWR-HUXVDOHPIRUWKH3DVVRYHU ZKHQ-HVXVZDVWZHOYH-RVHSKLVRQO\PHQWLRQHGE\QDPHWKUHHRWKHUWLPHV LQWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQW /XNH -RKQ (DFKRIWKHVHWLPHVLVD UHIHUHQFHWR-HVXVEHLQJWKH“son of Joseph.” 2YHUDOO QRW PXFK LV ZULWWHQ DERXW D PDQ ZKR SOD\HG VXFK DQ LPSRUWDQWUROHLQ*RG¶VSODQIRURXUVDOYDWLRQWKURXJK&KULVW&RQVLGHU IRUDPRPHQWWKHOHVVRQVZHFDQOHDUQIURPWKLV³IRUJRWWHQ´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ible Characters IDLWKIXOQHVVE\KLV\HDUO\WULSVWR-HUXVDOHPWRREVHUYHWKH3DVVRYHU:H OLNH-RVHSKQHHGWREHIDLWKIXOWR*RG¶VFRPPDQGV+XVEDQGVQHHGWRPDNH VXUHWKH\OLNH-RVHSKDUHWKHVSLULWXDOOHDGHUVLQWKHLUKRPHV $OVROLNH-RVHSKZHVKRXOGEHUHDGLO\REHGLHQWWR*RG¶VFRPPDQGV 7KUHHWLPHV*RGDSSHDUHGWR-RVHSKLQDGUHDPZLWKDMREIRUKLP(DFK WLPH-RVHSKLPPHGLDWHO\DFFHSWHGWKHFRPPDQGDQGREH\HG-RVHSKLV DOVRVDLGWREHD“just”PDQ 0DWWKHZ +HZDVULJKWHRXVDQGGHDOW IDLUO\ZLWKHYHU\RQH,WLVWKLVFKDUDFWHULVWLFWKDWPRYHGKLPWRGHVLUHD SULYDWHDQGPHUFLIXOSXQLVKPHQWIRU0DU\+HGLGQRWZLVKWREULQJDERXW DSXQLVKPHQWRIGHDWKZKHQKHUFKDUDFWHUZDVVXFKWKDWLWZDVSRVVLEOH KHUFKLOGZDVWKHUHVXOWQRWRIKHUXQIDLWKIXOQHVVEXWUDSH 'HXWHURQRP\ $V&KULVWLDQVZHDOVRVKRXOGEHNQRZQIRURXUULJKWHRXVQHVV DQGIDLUGHDOLQJVZLWKRWKHUV/LNH-RVHSKZHVKRXOGEHZLOOLQJWRIRUJLYH DQGEHPHUFLIXOWRRWKHUV Joseph of Arimathaea :KLOHQRWPXFKLVUHFRUGHGDERXWWKHIRVWHUIDWKHURI-HVXVHYHQOHVVLV NQRZQDERXWWKHWKLUG-RVHSKRIWKH%LEOH²WKHPDQZKRSURYLGHGDWRPE IRURXU/RUG$IWHUWKHGHDWKRI-HVXVRQWKHFURVVRQHPDQVRXJKWWKHERG\ IRUEXULDO7KLVPDQ-RVHSKIURPWKHFLW\RI$ULPDWKDHDLVPHQWLRQHGLQ Bible Characters RQO\IRXUSODFHVLQWKH%LEOH 0DWWKHZ 0DUN /XNH -RKQ (DFKRIWKHVHSDVVDJHVLVWKHDFFRXQWRIWKH EXULDO RI RXU /RUG -RVHSK ZDV D ZHDOWK\ PDQ7KH WRPE LQ ZKLFK KH EXULHGRXU/RUGZDVKLVDQGLWZDVQHZ -RKQ 0DWWKHZ 7KH ERG\RIRXU/RUGZDVZUDSSHGZLWKQHZILQHOLQHQWKDWZDVERXJKWIRU WKDWSXUSRVHE\-RVHSK 0DUN -RVHSKVDFULILFHGKLVPRQH\WLPH DQGSURSHUW\IRUWKH/RUG+HGLGWKLVEHIRUHKHUHDOO\NQHZIRUVXUHWKDW -HVXVZDV*RG¶V6RQDQGZRXOGULVHIURPWKHGHDG:HVKRXOGEHZLOOLQJ WRGRWKHVDPHHVSHFLDOO\NQRZLQJWKDW&KULVWLV/RUGDQG6DYLRU -RVHSKZDVDOVRDPHPEHURIWKH6DQKHGULQ7KLVZDVDJRYHUQLQJ ERG\RIWKH-HZV,WZDVWKLVFRXQFLOWKDWVRXJKWWRSXW&KULVWWRGHDWK DQGWULHG+LPIRUFODLPLQJWREHWKH0HVVLDK/XNH UHFRUGVWKDW DOWKRXJK-RVHSKZDVDSDUWRIWKH6DQKHGULQKHGLGQRWDJUHHZLWKWKH GHFLVLRQWRPXUGHU&KULVW,QIDFWKHZDVRQH“who also himself waited for the kingdom of God” /XNH -RVHSKEHOLHYHGWKH2OG7HVWDPHQW SURPLVHVRIDFRPLQJ6DYLRUDQG0HVVLDK+HOHWLWEHNQRZQKHGLGQRW DJUHHZLWKWKHFRXQFLOFRQFHUQLQJ-HVXV(YHQWKRXJK-RKQ WHOOVXV WKDW-RVHSKZDVDGLVFLSOHRI-HVXVLQVHFUHWEHFDXVHKHIHDUHGWKHUHVWRI WKH-HZVZKHQQRRQHHOVHZDVDURXQGWRWDNHFDUHRIRXU/RUG¶VERG\ -RVHSKVWHSSHGIRUZDUGWRGRWKHMREQRPDWWHUZKDWLWPLJKWFRVWKLP:H DOVRPXVWQHYHUIRUJHWWRVWDQGXSIRUZKDWLVULJKW %RWKRIWKHVHIRUJRWWHQ-RVHSKVRIWKH%LEOHFDQWHDFKXVDERXWRXU OLYHVIRU&KULVW7KHIRVWHUIDWKHURI-HVXVDQGWKHSURYLGHURI&KULVW¶VWRPE DUHGHVFULEHGDV“just”PHQ 0DWWKHZ /XNH 7KH\VDFULILFHG RIWKHPVHOYHV7KHIRVWHUIDWKHUVDFULILFHGKLVUHSXWDWLRQE\PDUU\LQJD ZRPDQFRQVLGHUHGXQIDLWKIXOE\PDQ\RIKHUGD\+HDOVRJDYHRIKLVWLPH DQGDWWHQWLRQWRDFKLOGWKDWZDVQRWKLV-RVHSKRI$ULPDWKDHDVDFULILFHG KLVWLPHPRQH\SURSHUW\DQGSRWHQWLDOO\KLVSRVLWLRQDQGOLIHE\FDULQJ IRUWKHERG\RI-HVXV$V&KULVWLDQVZHZRXOGGRZHOOWRIROORZLQWKH H[DPSOHRIWKHVHIRUJRWWHQPHQRIWKH%LEOH = 5HEHFFD5XVKPRUHLVD6WDII:ULWHUIRUThe Voice of Truth InternationalDQGVFKRRO WHDFKHU6KHUHVLGHVLQ&ROOLHUYLOOH7HQQHVVHH86$ Bible Questions What About Paul and the Sabbath Day? 5XVVHOO*%HOO 4XHVWLRQ 'LGQ¶W WKH DSRVWOH 3DXO DQG KLV DVVRFLDWHV REVHUYH WKH 6DEEDWK PDQ\ WLPHV" $V WKHVH DUH UHFRUGHG LQ WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW VKRXOGQ¶WZHREVHUYHWKH6DEEDWKDOVR" $QVZHU 7KHUHDUHVHYHUDOSDVVDJHVLQWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWWKDWWHOORI WKHDSRVWOH3DXODQGKLVSUHDFKLQJSDUWQHUVJRLQJWR6DEEDWKPHHWLQJV VHH $FWV 7KHTXHVWLRQLV³:K\ZHUHWKH\JRLQJWRWKHPHHWLQJV"´ $OLWWOHEDFNJURXQGLVQHFHVVDU\KHUH7KHDSRVWOH3DXOKDGEHHQD GHYRXW-HZDQGSHUVHFXWRURIWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVWXQWLOKHVDZ-HVXV&KULVW RQWKHURDGWR'DPDVFXV)URPWKLVWLPHIRUZDUGKHZHQWDERXWSUHDFKLQJ -HVXV&KULVWDVWKH6RQRI*RG7KH%RRNRI$FWVLQFKDSWHUVUHFRUGV WKHZRUNRI3DXOSUHDFKLQJ&KULVWWKURXJKRXWWKHZRUOG 1RWLFHILUVWRIDOOWKDW3DXOZDVORRNLQJIRUSHRSOHZKRZHUHLQWHUHVWHG LQWKHWUXH*RG VRQDWXUDOO\KHZHQWLQWRWKH-HZLVKV\QDJRJXHRQWKH 6DEEDWKZKHUHSHRSOHJDWKHUHGWRZRUVKLS*RG 7KHUHZDVDQRWKHUUHDVRQ,WZDVWKHFXVWRPLQWKRVHGD\VWKDWLID VWUDQJHUZKRZDVD-HZDSSHDUHGLQV\QDJRJXHZRUVKLSDIWHUWKHUHDGLQJ RIWKH/DZDQGWKHSURSKHWV 2OG7HVWDPHQW WKHUXOHURIWKHV\QDJRJXH ZRXOGDVNWKHVWUDQJHUVLIWKH\KDGDQ\ZRUGRIH[KRUWDWLRQ2IFRXUVH 3DXODOZD\VGLGKDYHVRPHWKLQJWRVD\+HZRXOGDOZD\VSUHDFKDERXW -HVXV&KULVWDQG+LVZLOOWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQW ,I \RX ZLOO VWXG\ WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH WK FKDSWHU RI $FWV DQG WKH IROORZLQJFKDSWHUV\RXZLOOILQGWKDW3DXODQGKLVFRPSDQ\ZHUHSHUVHFXWHG DQGGULYHQIURPWRZQDIWHUWRZQEHFDXVHRIWKHMHDORXV\RIWKHVH-HZV :K\" %HFDXVH 3DXO WDXJKW WKHP WKDW WKH ROG ODZ 2OG7HVWDPHQW ZDV ILQLVKHGDQGQRZWKH\VKRXOGIROORZWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWRI-HVXV&KULVW 7KLVLQFOXGHGWKHFKDQJHLQWKHGD\RIZRUVKLS7KLVLVREYLRXVIURP$FWV Bible Questions ZKLFKUHDGV“But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” 1RWLFH3DXODQGFRPSDQ\WDUULHGDW7URDVVHYHQGD\VDQGQRPHQWLRQ LVPDGHRIDQ\WKLQJKDSSHQLQJRQWKH6DEEDWK 5XVVHOO*%HOOOLYHVLQ7RSHND.DQVDV86$DQGLVLQYROYHGLQIXOOWLPHPLVVLRQZRUN LQ,QGLD Contemporary, Informal Praise Service? (UQHVW68QGHUZRRG ,I\RXZHUHWRKDYHDQDXGLHQFHZLWKWKH4XHHQRI(QJODQGRUVRPHZRUOG OHDGHUZRXOG\RXZHDUDEDOOFDSMHDQVDQGIOLSIORSV"6RPHPLJKWVD\³ Bible Questions What is True Worship? .HQ7\OHU -HVXV VDLG LQ -RKQ “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ,QWKLVSDVVDJH-HVXV JDYHWZRFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIWUXHZRUVKLS In spirit VLQFHUHO\IURPWKHKHDUW In truth DFFRUGLQJWR*RG¶VLQVWUXFWLRQV-RKQ ,ZDQWWRHPSKDVL]HWKDW-HVXVVDLGRXUZRUVKLSPXVWEH“in spirit and in truth.”7KHQDQGRQO\WKHQZLOOZHEHWUXHZRUVKLSSHUV$FFRUGLQJWR WKHWHDFKLQJRIWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQWWUXHZRUVKLSRQ6XQGD\WKHILUVWGD\ RIWKHZHHNFRQVLVWVRISDUWDNLQJRIWKH/RUG¶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harts & Outlines Sermon Starters 0DUN13RVH\ 6HUPRQ $OOWKLQJV1HZ 7H[W 3HWHU 7KHUHLVWKH1HZ&UHDWXUH &RULQWKLDQV 7KHUHLV1HZQHVVRI/LIH 5RPDQV 7KHUHLVWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQW 0DWWKHZ 7KHUHLVWKH1HZ&RPPDQG -RKQ 7KHUHLVWKH1HZ0DQ (SKHVLDQV &RQFOXVLRQ :KHQRQHLV³ERUQDJDLQ´ -RKQ LWLVD1HZ%LUWK 6HUPRQ &RPH5HVWZLWK8V 7H[W 7KHVVDORQLDQV “rest with us.” *RG5HVWHGRQWKHWK'D\ *HQHVLV -HZV5HVWHGRQWKH6DEEDWK ([RGXV ,VUDHO5HVWHGLQ&DQDDQ -RVKXD 6LQQHUV5HVWZKHQWKH\FRPHWR-HVXV 0DWWKHZ 6DYHG5HVWLQ+HDYHQ +HEUHZV FI5HYHODWLRQ &RQFOXVLRQ )RURQHWRH[SHULHQFHUHVWLQHWHUQLW\KHPXVWHQWHUUHVWKHUH RQHDUWK 0DWWKHZ 6HUPRQ +HDYHQZLOOVXUHO\EHZRUWKLWDOO 7H[W 3KLOLSSLDQV 3HWHU “new heavens and new earth” ,Q+HDYHQWKHUHZLOOEHD1HZ5HVW +HEUHZV ,Q+HDYHQWKHUHZLOOEHD1HZ5HODWLRQVKLS 7KHVVDORQLDQV ,Q+HDYHQWKHUHZLOOEHD1HZ5HZDUG 0DWWKHZ &RQFOXVLRQ :LOO+HDYHQEH\RXU1HZ+RPH" 6HUPRQ 2XU*RG+HLV$/,9( 7H[W 3VDOP ,QWURGXFWLRQ 7UXVWLQWKH/RUGZLWKDOO\RXUPLJKW *RGLV(/<21 “The Most High.” Charts & Outlines *RGLV6+$''$, “Almighty.” *RGLV<$+:(+ “The LORD.” *RGLV(/2+,0 “My God.” &RQFOXVLRQ 7UXVW*RG Y “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” 6HUPRQ 0DMRU&KDQJHLQD0DQLDF 7H[W 0DUN -HVXVFKDQJHGKLP -HVXVSXUJHGKLPRIWRUPHQWLQJGHPRQV -HVXVFORWKHGKLP KHZDVQRORQJHUQDNHGEXWFORWKHG -HVXVFDOPHGKLP KLVPLQGZDVQRZFOHDU -HVXVFKDUJHGKLP -HVXVVHQWKLPWRKLVIULHQGVDQGQHLJKERUV -HVXVFRPPLVVLRQHGKLP -HVXVJDYHKLPDPHVVDJHWRVKDUH 6HUPRQ &KULVWLDQV$OZD\V$ERXQGLQJ 7H[W 3HWHU $ERXQGLQ)DLWK &RULQWKLDQV $ERXQGLQ+RSH 5RPDQV $ERXQGLQ/RYH 3KLOLSSLDQV $ERXQGLQ*RRG:RUNV &RULQWKLDQV $ERXQGLQWKH/RUG¶V:RUN &RULQWKLDQV 6HUPRQ *RGLV$%/( 7H[W (SKHVLDQV *RG¶V5,&+(6DUHXQVHDUFKDEOH (SKHVLDQV *RG¶V-2<LVXQVSHDNDEOH 3HWHU *RG¶V3($&(LVSDVWXQGHUVWDQGLQJ 3KLOLSSLDQV *RG¶V/29(LVSDVWNQRZOHGJH (SKHVLDQV *RG¶V:$<6DUHSDVWILQGLQJRXW 5RPDQV 6HUPRQ 7KUHH/HYHOVRI*LYLQJ 7H[W &RULQWKLDQV ,KDYHWR²/$: ,QHHGWR²2%/,*$7,21 ,ZDQWWR²/29( Charts & Outlines &RQFOXVLRQ *LYLQJRXWRIORYHLVJLYLQJIURPWKHKHDUW 6HUPRQ 7KH,QFDUQDWLRQRI&KULVW 7H[W &RULQWKLDQV “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” /RUG²,GHQWLILHV+LV'HLW\ -HVXV²,GHQWLILHV+LV+XPDQLW\ &KULVW²,GHQWLILHV+LV'LYLQH0LVVLRQ &RQFOXVLRQ 7KDQN*RGIRU&KULVW &RULQWKLDQV 6HUPRQ :KDW3KLOLS3UHDFKHG 7H[W $FWV “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” &+85&+ 3KLOLSSUHDFKHG“the kingdom of God” FI$FWV $87+25,7< 3KLOLS SUHDFKHG ³WKH QDPH RI -HVXV &KULVW´ FI 3KLOLSSLDQV 6$/9$7,21 3KLOLSSUHDFKHG“baptism” FI$FWV &RQFOXVLRQ $FWV “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” 6HUPRQ &KULVWLQ)RXU' :H6HH-HVXV 7H[W +HEUHZV :HVHH&KULVWDVWKH6RQRI*RG -RKQ :HVHH&KULVWDVWKH6RQRI0DQ /XNH :HVHH&KULVWDVWKH6DFULILFHIRU6LQ +HE :HVHH&KULVWDVWKH6DYLRURI6LQQHUV 7LPRWK\ 5RPDQV = 0DUN13RVH\LVWKHSUHDFKHUIRUWKH$XVWLQYLOOHFKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ'HFDWXU$ODEDPD 86$ Did You Know? Archaeology confirms the biblical account of the walls of Jericho falling outward (Joshua 6:1-21). History The Summer Is (almost) Ended 3DWULFN0RUULVRQ /RQJDJRGXULQJWKHGD\VRI-HUHPLDK*RG¶VSHRSOHLQ-XGDKKDGJURZQ UHEHOOLRXVDQGGLVREHGLHQW,QVSLWHRIZDUQLQJVDQGSOHDGLQJV-XGDKFRQWLQXHG GRZQWKHSDWKRIXQIDLWKIXOQHVVDQGZRXOGKDYHWRVXIIHUWKHFRQVHTXHQFHV -HKRYDK XVHG %DE\ORQ DV DQ LQVWUXPHQW RI GLYLQH MXGJPHQW WR FDXVH +LV SHRSOHWRVHHWKHLUQHHGIRUUHSHQWDQFH1HEXFKDGQH]]DUEHVLHJHGWKH&LW\ RI-HUXVDOHPIRURYHUWZR\HDUV,WZDVGXULQJWKLVVLHJHWKDWWKHSHRSOHRI -XGDKODPHQWHG“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” -HUHPLDK 7KH\ZHUHXQZLOOLQJWRDFFHSWUHVSRQVLELOLW\IRUWKHLU ZLFNHGQHVVDQGWKH\ZHUHORRNLQJIRU*RGWRGHOLYHUWKHPDWDQ\PRPHQWLQ VSLWHRIWKHLUXQZLOOLQJQHVVWRKXPEOHWKHLUKHDUWVDQGUHSHQW 6XPPHU KDG FRPH DQG JRQH DQG WKH\ ZHUH VWLOO EHVLHJHG E\ WKH HQHP\$QRWKHUVXPPHUKDGOLNHZLVHFRPHDQGJRQHDQGVWLOOWKH\ZHUH LQWKHVDPHFRQGLWLRQ7KH\DVVXPHGWKDW*RGKDGDEDQGRQHGWKHPEXW ZKDWWKH\IDLOHGWRUHDOL]HZDVWKDWWKH\KDGORQJDJRDEDQGRQHG+LPDQG VRZHUHQRZIDFLQJWKHUHVXOWVRIWKHLULQILGHOLW\-XGDKZRXOGJRRQWRDVN “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”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istory ZDQWWRWDNHDGYDQWDJHRIWKHORQJVXIIHULQJRI*RGQRWNQRZLQJWKDW+LV ORQJVXIIHULQJZLOORQHGD\EHH[KDXVWHG*RG¶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enney’s Pennies “>-HVXV@who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” +HEUHZV 1.-9 7KHZRUG³EULJKWQHVV´KDVWKHLGHDRIUDGLDWLQJUD\VOLNHIURPWKHVXQ-XVW DVWKHUHDUHQRUD\VZLWKRXWWKHVXQRUQRVXQZLWKRXWUD\VQHLWKHULVWKHUHQR 6RQZLWKRXWWKH)DWKHUQRU)DWKHUZLWKRXWWKH6RQ%RWKDUHHWHUQDODQGGLYLQH 'DYLG5.HQQH\SUHDFKHVIRUWKHFKXUFKRI&KULVWLQ:DGVZRUWK2KLR86$ History The Faith of the Remnant 5HEHFFD5XVKPRUH 7KH HOHYHQWK FKDSWHU RI +HEUHZV LV ZHOONQRZQ IRU LWV GLVFXVVLRQ RIIDLWK7KHILUVWYHUVHRIWKLVJUHDWFKDSWHUUHDGV“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”7KHZRUG³IDLWK´GHVFULEHVRXUFRQYLFWLRQLQWKHWUXWKRI*RG¶V :RUG7KLVIDLWKLVSURGXFHGLQXVZKHQZHKHDU*RG¶V:RUG 5RPDQV 0DQ\ IDLWKIXO VHUYDQWV RI *RG DUH SUHVHQWHG LQ +HEUHZV DV H[DPSOHVIRUWKH&KULVWLDQ &RQVLGHUIRUDPRPHQWDQRWKHUH[DPSOHRIIDLWKIRXQGLQWKH%RRNRI (]UD 7KH %DE\ORQLDQV FRQTXHUHG -XGDK DV GLYLQH SXQLVKPHQW IRU WKHLU UHMHFWLRQRI*RG-HUHPLDKSURSKHVLHGWKDWWKHFDSWLYLW\ZRXOGODVWIRUVHYHQW\ \HDUV EHIRUH D UHPQDQW ZRXOG UHWXUQ WR WKH 3URPLVHG /DQG 'HXWHURQRP\ $VWKH%RRNRI(]UDRSHQV.LQJ&\UXVVHQGVRYHU -HZVEDFNWR-HUXVDOHPWRUHEXLOGWKH7HPSOHDQGWDNHXSUHVLGHQFH LQWKHODQG*RG¶VSHRSOHKDGEHHQDZD\IURPKRPHIRUVHYHQW\\HDUV0DQ\ RIWKRVHUHORFDWLQJWR-HUXVDOHPKDGQHYHUEHHQWKHUHEHIRUH7KH\KDGQHYHU VHHQWKHJUDQGWHPSOHEXLOWE\6RORPRQ 5RELVRQ¶V5XELHV 7KHDSRVWOH3DXOZDVDUUHVWHGLQ-HUXVDOHPDQGZRUNHG KLV ZD\ XS WKURXJK WKH 5RPDQ FRXUW V\VWHP GHIHQGLQJ &KULVWLDQLW\ DQG QHYHU EHLQJ IRXQG JXLOW\ RI DQ\ FULPHDVUHFRUGHGLQWKH%RRNRI$FWV1HYHUWKHOHVV KHZDVRIWHQIDOVHO\DFFXVHG2QH5RPDQJRYHUQRU FULHG RXW “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 3DXOFDOPO\UHVSRQGHG“I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason” $FWV &KULVWLDQLW\LQGHHGLVDUHOLJLRQRIWUXWKDQGUHDVRQ,WLVQRWDUHOLJLRQRIEOLQGIDLWK7KH HYLGHQFHIRULWLVWKHUHWKRXJKPDQ\ZLOOIXOO\VXSSUHVVLW3HRSOHZLOODOZD\VDFFXVH&KULVWLDQV RIEHLQJFUD]\EXWWKHUHVSRQVHPXVWEHWRHYHUWU\WRNLQGO\UHDVRQZLWKRXUDFFXVHUV $QG\5RELVRQLVWKHPLQLVWHUIRUWKH+LOOYLHZ7HUUDFH&KXUFKRI&KULVWDQGWKH'LUHFWRU RIWKH:HVW9LUJLQLD6FKRRORI3UHDFKLQJLQ0RXQGVYLOOH:HVW9LUJLQLD86$ 100’s of Books Over 100 Tracts Nearly 100 issues of The Voice of Truth International West Virginia ChristianLVDQH[FHOOHQWPRQWKO\SDJHWDEORLGQHZVSULQW PDJD]LQH(DFKLVVXHFRQWDLQVLQVLJKWIXOXSOLIWLQJDQGHGLI\LQJUHOLJLRXVDUWLFOHV E\ IDLWKIXO &KULVWLDQ PHQ DQG ZRPHQ ,Q DGGLWLRQ RQH FDQ ILQG LQ LWV SDJHV SHUWLQHQW QHZV DQG LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW HYHQWV RI LQWHUHVW WR EUHWKUHQ LQ :HVW 9LUJLQLDDQGQDWLRQZLGH6LQJOHVXEVFULSWLRQVDUHSHU\HDUDQGEXQGOH UDWHVDUHDYDLODEOH5HDGHUVPD\ZULWHRUHPDLOIRULQIRUPDWLRQ :HVW9LUJLQLD &KULVWLDQ:DWHU6W6DOHP:9RU:9D&KULVWLDQ#DROFRP Magnolia MessengerLVDVXSHUETXDUWHUO\SDJHIXOOFRORUWDEORLG QHZVSULQWUHOLJLRXVMRXUQDO,WVOD\RXWLVPRGHUQDQGDSSHDOLQJWRWKHH\H,QVLGH WKHMagnolia Messenger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¶VDGGUHVVDQGQHZV3KRQH HPDLO LQIR#MYLOOHFRFRUJ :HEVLWH ZZZ+RXVHWR+RXVHFRP Are you lookingIRU DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR EH D EUDQFK EHDU LQJ IUXLW WR *RG" World Bible School teachers KDYHWKDWRSSRUWXQLW\ :K\ QRW FDOO WKH :%6 RIILFH RU HPDLOZEVLQIR#ZEVFKRRORUJIRUIXOOLQIRUPDWLRQ 0DNH\RXUWLPHFRXQWIRUVRXOV 3KLO 6DQGHU¶V 6HDUFK 79 SUR JUDPVDUHRQEURDGFDVW79VWD WLRQVEURDGFDVWUDGLRVWDWLRQV SXEOLF DQG FDEOH DFFHVV V\V WHPVDQGVDWHOOLWHV\VWHPV 'LVKDQG'LUHF79 %HQH¿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¶V :RUGLVDYDLODEOHRQOLQHDQGPXFKRILWFDQEH GRZQORDGHGIUHHRIFKDUJH'DYH0LOOHUKDVSUR GXFHGH[FHOOHQW'9'VRQ7KH6LOHQFLQJRI*RG LQ$PHULFDDQG7KH4XUDQ3KRQH :HEVLWH ZZZ$SRORJHWLFV3UHVVRUJ :KDW&DQ 5HWXUQ WKLV IRUP LQ DQ HQYHORSH DORQJ ZLWK \RXU FKHFNWRWKHIROORZLQJDGGUHVVVWDWLQJ\RXUZLVKHV The Voice of Truth Intetnatiional 32%R[ :LQRQD06 1$0(BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 675((7BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB &,7<BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB67$7(BBBBBBBB=,3BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 3+21(180%(5BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB Answers to Puzzles Verse Search (Page 38) 3XIIVXSHGL¿HV 1RWKLQJ Bible Find (page 50) 2QH $UHOLYH :HDN 'H¿OHG 1R 6WXPEOLQJEORFN (DWWKRVHPHDWV 3HULVK 6LQVDJDLQVWWKHEURWKHU DQGDJDLQVW&KULVW (DWPHDW 6FDYHQJHU+XQW(page 93) $QVZHUV WLPEHUIURPKLVKRXVHVKRXOGEH XVHGWRKDQJKLPKLVKRXVHZRXOG WKH¿UVW\HDU EHFRPHDGXQJKLOO 1HEXFKDGQH]]DU VL[WK\HDU VFULEH VHUYDQWVVLQJHUV $UWD[HU[HV SXWWKHPDZD\ ZHSW For Further Information, Please Contact: Volume Ninety-Three Volume The oice of Truth of oice International V The Voice of Truth International Volume 93 Guyana, Guyana, America South Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, though additional languages languages though additional America, country in South the only English-speaking Guyana is has two It equator. the above and near sits as it environment humid hot, tropical, a has Guyana population The nation’s Ocean. Atlantic and the Venezuela Suriname, Brazil, to Guyana is adjacent sugarcane, shrimp and fish. bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, The country is rich in are within of the 106 airports within Guyana are paved. Most of the paved roads (367 miles) Only 11 Adventist (22.8%), Pentecostal known for many varying offerings: Guyana is a religious country, to reach (Matthew 16:26). Christians have an obligation The souls of Guyana are valuable Guyana is a parliamentary republic. The May 2015 national vote in Guyana resulted in the first change in the in Guyana resulted vote 2015 national The May republic. is a parliamentary Guyana Cover photograph by Louis Rushmore. Cover design by Betty Burton Choate. Cover photograph by Louis Rushmore. Cover of ruling party, with the election of David Granger, since the country gained its independence from Great its independence country gained since the of David Granger, the election with party, of ruling dollars (GYD). Guyanese $206.6 approximately (USD) equals The US $1 in 1966. Britain Though and Chinese. Amerindian dialects India, Guyanese Creole, include languages of spoken there in the languages resort to tribal commonly villages remote, isolated especially by all, English is spoken absence of English-speakers. forested of the country is Most January. and November through August May through rainy seasons, (77.4%). servants of indentured Indians (39.8%)—descendants of East is comprised of 735,909 (July 2016) (10.5%)—the Amerindians races (19.9%), mixed Africans (29.3%), from India to British colonists, live abroad greater number of Guyanese A (.05%). other ethnicities indigenous population—and of economic pursuit in often nations, Caribbean and Britain Great USA, the Canada, in (55%), chiefly below “the poverty line,” and of the population is considered to be living One third improvement. have citizens advantaged and economically Over 80% of well-educated is rampant. unemployment benefit of wealth does not the distribution resources, rich in natural Though from Guyana. emigrated the general populace. timber—chiefly to alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum and gold, bauxite, exports sugar, it Subsequently, (4%). It imports manufactured UK (6.7%), Ukraine (4.3%) and Jamaica (33%), Canada (17.9%), the USA China (24.3%), Tobago and Trinidad (24.7%), from the USA oil and food—chiefly products, machinery, American. and everything America (10.8%) and Suriname (9.5%). Guyanese love Atlantic coastal area, and the balance of the roads (4,952 miles) are unpaved—many drive of the an hour’s waterways are a primary means of navigable of which are nearly impassible logging roads. Consequently, freighters far upstream. Guyana has seaports as welltransportation—many able to accommodate ocean and the Essequibo—the last being rivers are the Berbice, the Demerara Three of the largest as river ports. Ocean, and there are hundreds of islands in it, manyAtlantic 20-miles wide at its mouth where it meets the many waters. of which that are habitable. Guyana is a land of Methodist (1.4%), Hindu (24.8%), Catholic (7.1%), Muslim (6.8%), Anglican (5.2%), (5.4%), (20.8%), claims Christian additional (.5%), miscellaneous (1.3%), Rastafarian Witnesses Jehovah’s Christ of churches the of congregations of number The (3.1%). non-religious (.9%) and religions other churches over 100 are there of new churches; establishment as with the closures as well with fluctuate of our Lord in Guyana. are Guyanese 16:15-16). (Mark Guyana in Gospel—including the with everywhere lost the to out in the anywhere, including uncommon sin (Acts 17:22-23)—not widespread despite overall religious for God’s thirsty and hungry are many and 17:11), (Acts Scriptures the study will USA. Guyanese to ought from abroad people Lord’s in which the 5:6). Guyana is a worthy land (Matthew Word of God within Word the growth of that and watering seed among non-Christians sowing the continue 3:6; John 4:35). Given harvest (1 Corinthians to a bumper crop of spiritual honest hearts—leading in the to participate occasion to the arise will Christians tools, Guyanese and the encouragement the evangelization of their own country.