Who We Are

We are a group of loving, friendly Bible believing people, ready to be a friend to you and your family. We want you to experience this same warm spirit of love and friendship. The following are participating congregations in this ministry.

This Same Jesus

He is coming! tell the story,
He is coming! read the Word, He is coming! once rejected, Jesus, Saviour, King, and Lord, He is coming! what a wonder When He bursts upon our view, With His saints, the tried and faithful, Marshalled for that Great Review. He is coming! swell the anthem, Sing aloud the glad refrain, He is coming, surely coming, Over all mankind to reign.

ILLINOIS
Ripley Church of God
(Abrahamic Faith) Rt. 3, Box 47 Mt.Sterling, IL 62353 Phone: (217) 773-2665 or (217) 322-4526

SOUTH CAROLINA
Bethel Church of God
(Abrahamic Faith) 420 Old Brickyard Road Pelzer, SC 29669 Jeff Fletcher, Pastor Phone: (864) 947-9555 E-Mail:revjeff@charter.net Web: trivergent.net/~bethelcog

NORTH CAROLINA

Greenville Church of God Hendersonville (Anderson Chapel) (Abrahamic Faith)

Block E off Blue RidgeMall Hendersonville, NC 28793 Daniel Fyfe, Pastor Phone: (828) 692-0440 Web: geocities.com/anderson_chapel 217 White Oak Road Greenville, SC 29605 Terry Ferrell, Pastor Phone: (864) 859-7129

Some will bow in adoration,

Some upon the earth lie prone, Some will call the rocks to hide them, When He sits upon His Throne.

Church of the Resurrection Hope

311 Walt Arney Road Lenoir, NC 28645 James D. Ritch, Pastor Phone: (828) 728-2307 E-Mail: reshope@msn.com Web: resurrectionhope.org

Guthrie Grove Church of God

(Abrahamic Faith) 403 Guthrie Grove Church Road Pelzer, SC 29669 Mike Montgomery, Pastor Phone: (864) 947-9717 E-Mail:mymimont@charter.net Web: guthriegrove.org

Would you be found ready, waiting,

Watching for your glorious Lord, Having on your wedding garments, Spoken of within the Word? Do not tarry till the morrow, Follow Jesus while you may, Say: Dear Saviour, I surrender, Gladly will I Thee obey, Ever foIlow in Thy footsteps, Ever feed upon the Word, Till caught up with all the faithful, By my Saviour, King, and Lord.

GEORGIA
Restoration Church of God
meeting at Southern Oaks, 240 N Jeff Davis Dr, Fayetteville, GA 30214 Ph 770-460-0890 E-Mail: anthonybuzzard@mindspring.com

Joy Fellowship Church of God

(Abrahamic Faith) 492 Bessie Road Piedmont, SC 29673 Wally Winner, Pastor Phone: (864) 845-8038 Web: theupsidedownchurch.com E-Mail: WTWJ@aol.com

To preserve, publish, proclaim, plant, protect and propagate the Abrahamic Faith. A publication of the Carolina Conference of the Churches of God of the Abahamic Faith. Find us on the web at www.thesoundofthetrumpet.info Address correspondence to: The Sound of the Trumpet 492 Bessie Road Piedmont, SC 29673

He is coming! tell the story,

He is coming! read the Word, He is coming! once rejected, Jesus, Saviour, King, and Lord,

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The Bible on Resurrection

By Kenneth Milne THE BIBLE teaches that God has promised immortality as a reward for all who have met the Bible conditions for salvation, and who have patterned their lives according to the Word. And how do we know? How can we be sure that the dead in Christ shall rise? Have we any human Paul was pondering such a situation in 1 Corinthians testimony? 15:13-18: If there be no resurrection of the deadthen is our preaching vain, and your faith is The veil of darkness has been parted. One has also vainFor if the dead rise not, then is not Christ passed through the door and returned to tell us of raised: and ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that mysterious road. And we have His living which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. To testimony: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, this great apostle, the resurrection was not a fanciful behold, I am alive forevermore (Rev. 1:18). These dream; it was a vital and fundamental factor in the are the words of Jesus Christ, and can we not believe plan of salvation which Christ had revealed to him, them with confidence? Through a physical the reality and experience of which was to be his in resurrection, He personally experienced release from due time. It was an absolute necessity. Knowing that the chains of death. And should He not be qualified he could not possibly survive until the returning of to give us information concerning this vitally important Christ, and that a person in death is insensitive and subject? unconscious, he placed all his hope in the resurrection If by any means I might attain unto the The Bible offers only one means of escape from the resurrection of the dead (Phil. 3:11). realm of death; that is, through the resurrection-a The Bible hope of life beyond death hinges upon the resurrection of the dead, and not on a continuity of life in the form of a disembodied spirit, so often referred to as the immortal soul. The resurrection was the hope of the Patriarch Job. It was the expectation of the Prophet Isaiah. It was the anticipation of Daniel among the captives in Babylon. It was the assurance of Martha, sister of Lazarus. Lazarus had died and, upon meeting his sorrowing sister, Jesus said: Thy brother shall rise again. To this Martha replied: I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day (John 11:23, 24). The hope of the resurrection of the dead was the hope of the Jewish nation which they had inherited from their noble progenitor, Abraham. Some of the Jews were still holding to this hope after the birth of the Messiah. Paul testified before Governor Felix that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust (Acts 24:15). physical restoration of the mortal body to an immortal body. All hope of future life and immortality depends on the resurrection. If there be no resurrection of the dead, the most righteous man will have lived in vain. For if the dead rise notthen they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished (1 Cor. 15:18). If the apostle believed that the souls of the dead are immortal and living with God, as is widely taught, why is the state of death without a resurrection so hopeless? Why are they which are fallen asleep in Christ said to be perished? We might ask, when does the resurrection take place? Listen to the Word of God: I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (1 Thess. 4:13, 14).

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The Day AFTER Jesus Comes

By Scott Ross THE BIBLE tells us a great deal about the day before Jesus comes. We know that in the church there will be a falling away, iniquity shall abound, and the love of many will wax cold. At the same time the gospel will be going out throughout the world. Among the nations we know that in the day before Jesus comes Israel will be returning, nations will be gathering against Israel, knowledge will be increasing, and people will be running to and fro. Moral conditions will be deplorable the day before Jesus returns, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, proud, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. It will be as in the days of Noah when every man followed after the evil imagination of his heart. (Joel 3:1, 2; Dan. 12:4; Matt. 24:37-39; 2 Tim. 3:1-5.) be perfect love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, meekness, temperance. Twenty-four hours after Jesus comes, well be immortal. At the return of Jesus will be the resurrection of the saints. First Thessalonians 4 tells us that the Lord will return with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, and the dead will be raised. Revelation 20:6 promises: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.

Not only will dead Christians be raised immortal, but living Christians will also be changed. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:5153). The day after Jesus comes, Christians will be But what about the day AFTER Jesus comes? What immortal-never to die again. kind of changes will be made? How will things be different? What will it be like for Christians and for The day after Jesus comes, well be healed of our those outside of Christ 24 hours after Jesus comes? physical ailments. Paul said: We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our The first great promise that comes to mind for vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his Christians twenty-four hours after Jesus comes is that glorious body (Phil. 3:20, 21). Then will the promises well be with Jesus. First Thessalonians 4:17, of Isaiah 35:5, 6 be a reality: The eyes of the blind speaking of the return of Jesus Christ gives this shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be blessed promise: So shall we ever be with the Lord. unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, What a blessing it will be to actually be in the presence and the tongue of the dumb sing. The seed that was of Jesus; to fall at his feet, to hear him say, Well done, sown in weakness shall then be raised in power. The thou good and faithful servant; and to hear him teach. painful backs, the feeble minds, the missing limbs, Twenty-four hours after Jesus comes Christians will the blinded eyes shall all be restored for Christians be with Jesus. the day after Jesus comes. Not only will we be with Jesus, but well be like Jesus. First John 3:2 tells us: We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Christians will then have the perfect mind of Christ in the fullest sense. Then there will be no anger, bitterness, and evil thoughts. But, instead, there will Twenty-four hours after Jesus comes well be rejoined with loved ones. What a shouting on that shore when we meet to part no more! What joy the Christian has that he can truly say, Ill meet you in the morning. Christians can never say good-bye for the last time. Twenty-four hours after Jesus comes well not only Page 4

The day after Jesus comes, those outside of Christ will be lonely. Jesus said: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left (Luke 17:34-36). The day after Jesus comes those left behind will have a loneliness and emptiness unmatched by any such feeling today, The day after Jesus comes, those outside of Christ will be terribly afraid. Revelation 6:15-17 describes how the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? When all the influence of Christians has been removed, the forces of evil will run rampant. Is it any wonder that for those outside of Christ the day after he returns will be a time of great fear?

be with Jesus, but well be with those Christian fathers and mothers, that Christian husband or wife, those children death has snatched way. Well be with brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, grandfathers and grandmothers, and dear and beloved friends. What a grand reunion that will be the day after Jesus comes.

Twenty-four hours after Jesus comes well have insight and understanding. Paul said: Now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor. 13:12). Someday hell make it plain to me, someday when I his face shall see. We dont On the day after Jesus comes, for those outside of understand everything that happens to us today, but Christ there will be no place to hide. Amos 5:18-20 says that day will be darkness, not light. It will be very the day after Jesus comes well understand. dark, with no brightness in it. It will be as if a man The day after Jesus comes well have a crown of were fleeing from a lion and ran into a bear. It will be righteousness. Second Timothy 4:8 states Pauls as a man running into his house for refuge, leaning confidence for himself and other Christians: his hand upon the wall only to be bitten by a serpent. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of For those left behind, there will be no escape in that righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, day when Jesus comes for his own. shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto Where will you be the day after Jesus comes? Will all them also that love his appearing. you be Christs, enjoying all the blessings he has in But what will the day after Jesus comes be like for store for those who are his? Or, will you be with those those outside of Christ. Twenty-four hours after Jesus who are calling for the rocks to fall upon them? The comes, those outside of Christ will not be with Jesus. decision is yours to make. Where you will be the day Those outside of Christ will not enjoy the blessings after Jesus comes depends upon what you decide of being with Jesus. They will not be caught up to to do with Jesus before he comes. The decision is meet the Lord in the air. Those outside of Christ will yours! not be changed from mortal to immoral. Page 5

THE BEGINNINGS
By Z. B. Duncan BEFORE the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Psa. 90:2). From this we know that God in truth existed ages before he brought forth the mountains or formed the earth. This being true, he existed before Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. When we study the beginnings, we may be surprised to find that there are more beginnings than one. Mankind in all of his dealings with the beginning tries to make all beginnings one and the same. When we take Genesis 1:1 and rightly divide it, we will understand this was a beginning of the heavens and earth upon which we dwell, and that God existed long before this, yea, even for all ages past. This was not the beginning of God, but of his creation of the earth and heavens. Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female? (Matt. 19:4). Is this the same beginning as Genesis 1:1? No. We find the creation of male and female came after a period of five days of Gods time and on the sixth day God created the man and the woman. He made the man first, even before he made the woman. The beginning referred to here, then, is the beginning of the human race after Genesis 1:1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). This beginning of the gospel of Jesus was good news which had its beginning after the preaching of John the Baptist (about 26 A.D.). This beginning could not be the same beginning as was Genesis 1:1, but was the absolute beginning of the Gospel Dispensation. Had Jesus lived in heaven before and had He given any message of hope to mankind for deliverance, then He would have begun His ministry at a time long before this. The truth is that Jesus began His gospel at this point in time, which was the beginning of the Gospel Dispensation. At the Genesis beginning there was no fallen race to whom the gospel could be preached. Each year we have a new beginning. A birthday marks the beginning of another year of life. We find many beginnings in our lives. We have a beginning of going to school, a beginning of high school, a beginning of college, and a beginning of our teenage, a beginning of our courting, and a beginning of our marriage, the beginning of our family, and many other beginnings. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (Luke 1:2). Note, Luke was an eyewitness of the Word from the beginning. If he spoke of Genesis 1:1, then we are in for a shocking surprise. How could Luke be an eyewitness before he was created, born, or had eyes? We have a similar thought conveyed in 1 John 1:1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. Putting the testimony of both Luke and John together we can be sure that from the beginning they were eyewitnesses and hearers, and they looked upon and their hands handled the Word of life. But if this beginning is the same as Genesis 1:1, then they did these things before they were born or had any physical being. The beginning in this scripture is the beginning of the Word of Life-eternal life by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This was the beginning of the firstborn of the new creation, a glorious new beginning. Thus, Christ is the firstborn of this new creation, a glorious new beginning to all who will believe. Surely, no one would believe that these disciples pre-existed and were with God in the creation of Genesis 1:1. Then why should trial be made to make Jesus be with God in the same beginning?

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This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory (John 2:11). If this was the beginning of the miracles of Jesus, then whose miracles were those in the creation of the earth, the exodus from Egypt, and the miracles prior to this miracle in Cana? This had to be the first miracle Jesus performed since this was the beginning of his miracles. To believe the Scripture in its simplicity is to be sure you rightly divide the Word of God. Thus we conclude that one thing is certain; Christ didnt perform any miracles before this time. Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him (John 6:64). Was this beginning the beginning of Genesis 1:1? the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ? or of what beginning was he speaking? We know that he is speaking of the Gospel Dispensation beginning. Any other beginning would be out of order. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus said unto them, even the same that I said unto you from the beginning (John 8:25). Speaking to those Jews who were present with Him, we find He was making this clear that He was the same that He said He was at the beginning. It would be unreasonable to assume He was talking of Genesis 1:1. In that case, these Jews, too, would have been with Him and they also would have existed when the earth and the heavens were made. But it would do them no good to tell anything of the beginning of Genesis 1:1, since they had not yet been created. This was the beginning of the gospel: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Ye shall also bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning (John 15:27). Jesus made it very plain that His disciples had been with

Him from the beginning. Which beginning? Now if Jesus had been with God from Genesis 1:1 and His disciples had been with him from that beginning; then all of the disciples and Christ preexisted. The truth can be known when we realize that these disciples had been with Him from the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Again we have: These things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you (John 16:4). Same truth! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). This has been paraphrased to read: In the beginning was Jesus Christ. This is error. Word here comes from the Greek word logos. It is translated: account, intent, matter, reason, speech, utterance, and word. Let us take some of the ways this was translated and look at the outcome. In the beginning was the account, the intent, the matter, the reason, the speech, the utterance, the word. The same was in the beginning with God. What was with God in the beginning? The account, intent, matter, reason, speech, utterance, and word. And the account, intent, matter, utterance, reason, speech or word was God. It is very simple that the reason everything is here existing is that God is the reason. The primary meaning of the word logos is reason. In the beginning was the reason, and the reason was God. The same (reason) was in the beginning with God. To try to make this reason a person, or something it is not, is error. Ye men of Israel hear these words (Acts 2:22). Plural! Does this mean there are many gods, each one being a god when it comes out of the mouth of a man? To this agree the words (logoi, plural) of prophets (Acts 15:15). We can attain wisdom as

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we see that the logos is to us the intent, reason, or utterance. Logos is best described as the outward expression of the inward thought. At the beginning God expressed himself (John 1:1 Phillips). We must conclude that there are many beginnings taught in the Bible. We find that Christ is the beginning (Col. 1:18), and yet He is not the beginning spoken of in Genesis 1:1. If this were the case, there would be no need of the new creation. To understand the Word of Truth we must consider that Jesus Christ made it plain in Revelation 22:13: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. What does he mean? Jesus is the beginning of the new creation and the end of the old. He is the first Redeemer who died to put away sins, and the last one. If we put all things in their respective beginnings, we will at once come to a more perfect understanding of the truth of Scripture and will find a greater blessing in store for us as the reason, intent, and utterance of God become plain before us.

What We Believe

1. There is One God, Who is the Creator and Father of all mankind. Isa. 44:6-8; Eph. 4:6; I Cor. 8:6 2. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died for our sins, was buried and rose again from the dead. John 20:31; Acts 8:37; I John 5:5 3. The Holy Spirit is the power of God working in believers through Jesus Christ. Rom. 8:9,14 4. The Bible is Gods inspired Word which shall be the guide and practice of the Christian. I Pet. 1:21; II Tim. 3:16,17 5. Man is wholly mortal and only through Christ can man receive the gift of immortality. I John 5:12; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 6:23 6. Gods love and grace offers to man a plan of salvation through Jesus Christ including complete forgiveness of sin and immortality at the return of Jesus Christ. John 3:16; Phil. 3:20,21; John 1:7-9 7. Mans response to God through Jesus Christ will be: believe the gospel, confession of faith, baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, growth in Christian life. Rom. 6:4-6; Acts 2:38 8. Jesus Christ is coming again to resurrect the dead, bestow the gift of immortality upon all believers, and establish the Kingdom of God. I Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:5157; Rev. 11:15

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Belief of the Truth

By Arlen Rankin How important is truth? What is the relationship between truth and life eternal? between doctrine and salvation? Does it ultimately make any difference what one believes? We believe truth to be important, having a vital connection with the life that now is and that which is to come. Jesus, speaking to believing Jews, said, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31, 32). The context explains this freedom to be from the bondage of sin (vv. 33, 34.) That truth which leads to Jesus leads to liberty from sin and its consequences. Jesus, praying to His Father, whom He addresses as the only true God, petitioned in behalf of His disciples, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17). IN A DAY of ecumenical fervor, with its merging of religious bodies in interdenominational cooperation, it is relevant to ask, What is truth? In our time of vast scientific research and increase of knowledge it is relevant to ask, Is there such a thing as absolute truth? If so, can we in our finite minds arrive at the truth or comprehend it? Accurate Knowledge of Truth It is the expressed will of God that all men be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4, Diag.). Elsewhere he speaks of them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thess. 2:10). Deluded to believe a lie, some will be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (v. 12). The first parents of mankind accepted in all sincerity the false hope of natural immortality, and came under the condemnation of death through disobedience (Gen. 3:1-19.) The Apostle James indicated that to convert one who has erred from the truth to falsehood is to save a soul from death (Jas. 5:19,20.)

Secular society, with its philosophers, psychologists, and educators, feels that truth is relative and transient. Religious leaders follow to the same conclusion, questioning the concept of absolutes regarding theology, revelation, and morality. Ecumenical minimizing of doctrinal differences and the teachings of the proponents of situation ethics bear record to this. Paul addressed the Thessalonian Christians as those whom God hath from the beginning chosen ... to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and Absolute Nature of Truth Many indeed deny the absolute nature of truth; we, BELIEF OF THE TRUTH: whereunto he called you with faith in God as the Revealer of truth, declare it! by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord As God demands a diligent searching for truth (2 Tim. Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 2:13, 14). Salvation cannot 2:15), we desire that our readers make candid inquiry be separated from belief of the truth of the gospel. (1 into the Scriptures, incorporating into their lives and Cor. 15:1, 2.) Does it make any difference what one believes? Indeed it does! thinking those things shown to be true. Page 9

Facts to Believe There are some facts which MUST be believed in order to attain to saving faith and life eternal. Note the following statements, carefully reading the Scripture references cited. We must know and believe in the only true GodJohn 17:3; Hebrews 11:6. We must acknowledge that Jesus is who he claimed to be, the Messiah and Son of God-Matthew 16:1318. We must keep in memory the fact and significance of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection1 Corinthians 15:1-4. We must believe that God raised His Son from the dead-Romans 10:9, 10. We must accept Jesus as the Mediator between God and men1 Timothy 2:5. We must in faith look for the second coming of JesusHebrews 9:28. We must believe the ancient gospel, which was preached to the patriarch Abraham by covenant promise - Galatians 3:6-9, 14, 26-29. We must believe the gospel preached by Jesus and the apostles, even the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ - Acts 8:5, 12; Mark 1:14, 15. We must acknowledge ourselves to be sinners through confession and repentance - 1 John 1:7-10. We must in faith submit to baptism (immersion), rising to walk in newness of life - Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3, 4. A Way to Live The Holy Scriptures are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15). The parabolic seed is the Word of God that can save us upon belief and obedience. (Luke 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:21-25.) The Book of God provides absolute guidelines for the present life, assisting us to overcome sin, and to cultivate right living. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17.) The benefits of the search for truth are abundant and eternal, and can be ours IF we apply our heart and mind to it. Its up to us!

An Oyster Lesson
There once was an oyster Whose story Ill tell, Who found that some sand Had got into his shell. It was only a grain, But it gave him great pain. For oysters have feelings Although theyre so plain. Now, did he berate The harsh workings of fate, That had brought him to such A deplorable state? Did he rail at the government And cry for election, And claim that the sea should Have given him protection? No, he said to himself As he lay in his shell, Since I cannot remove it, I shall try to improve it. Now the years have rolled around, As the years always do. And he came to his ultimate Destiny... stew. And the small grain of sand That had bothered him so Was a beautiful pearl All richly aglow. Now the tale has a moral, For isnt it grand What an oyster can do With a morsel of sand? And what couldnt we do If wed only begin With some of the things That get under our skin!

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SPIRITUAL GROWTH SPIRITUAL GRO

Memorize 1 Peter 2:5.

In John 14, where Christ speaks of preparing a place, where is the preparing going on and what is being prepared? What is the Fathers house (1 Tim. 3:15)? This lesson will be studied under three subdivisions: self-examination; consciousness of Gods watching eye; and humility. Self-Examination. In what way does Paul intend that one shall examine self (1 Cor. 11:28)? Do you think it is an examination as to ones faithfulness? Should we be less severe in examining ourselves than we are with others? Consciousness of Gods Watching Eye. 1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 5:21; 15:3; Psa. 139:4; 139:7-12 (it is well to read the whole); Heb. 4:13; Jer. 23:24. Does it help in the spiritual growth to know that the all-seeing eye is watching us? Yes, it is power and strength for you to know the fear of the Lord is clean (Psa. 19:9), and it will keep you clean and pure in proportion to the extent you come under its influence. Humility. Humility is a condition of mind in which one senses his own weakness of understanding and wisdom and is manifested by and accompanied with contentment, peace, and submission to the Fathers will. It is a most excellent grace and evidence of the Spirit of God. It is the opposite of pride (Jas. 4:6, 10; Matt. 11:29). In order that we may better understand humility, give some examples of pride. Are we humbled by God or do we humble ourselves (2 Cor. 12:21; Jas. 4:10; Prov. 6:3; 2 Cor. 7:14; 2 Chron. 12:6; Deut. 8:2)? How, if by God? How, if by ourselves? Jesus humbled Himself by obedience to the Fathers will (Phil. 2:8). David humbled himself by fasting (Psa. 35:11- 14). What is the value of self-examination? Define spirituality by the dictionary; in your own words. Does humility demand that we not recognize our own talents and their results?

*THIS IS LESSON TWELVE FROM THE BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR SERIES BOOK THREE (GODS KINGDOM). BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR BOOK NUMBER ONE (THE GOSPEL PLAN) AND BOOK NUMBER TWO (LIFE AND IMMORTALITY) ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR $5 EACH. EACH BOOK CONTAINS A YEARS WORTH OF WEEKLY LESSONS. THEY MAY BE ORDERED FROM: THE CAROLINA CONFERENCE, 492 BESSIE RD., PIEDMONT, SC 29673.

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