Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Three Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 February 22, 2015 Newsletter Number 505 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor Brother Ronnie Henderson, Song Director Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com

Our Prayer Request: All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry, Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Doris Hammock, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Wendell Henderson, Judy Dunn, Martha Gray, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Bro. & Sister Bob Keller, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan & Claire Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, James and Lynn Tomlin, Pat Abercrombie, Donna Jones, Dale Trahan, Ricky and Margaret McCoy, Brother David O’Neal, James, Diane & Brooke Thomas, Gina Peel, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Megan Whitaker, Manual Seymour, Sr., Brother Jerry and Sister Jean Dodson, Mr. Hedges, Danny Hammond, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From Our Pastor:: Understanding the Bible Is For Believers Only.John 8:43 “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.” It may be of a surprise to some but not everyone has the ability to understand the bible. It’s not a simply book to understand, it is not an average book written by an average author. In fact it’s not a book; it’s the word of God. The bible was not written to the world it was written to believers as we are told in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The lost person doesn’t need any of this teachings, all they need is Jesus Christ preached to them. Until they understand in their hearts who Jesus Christ is they do not need very much of a biblical education. Jesus asked these folks “Why do ye not understand my speech…” We must understand as Christians that people don’t understand us because they are lost and therefore cannot understand the things of God. God declared in 1 Cor. 1:23 that the scriptures were foolishness to the lost and a stumbling block to the Jews. I know that people are smart, in fact probably 99.9% of the people on this earth are smarter than I am, however, unless they are saved they will never understand the word of God. While school smarts in life are wonderful and most needed to get through life they have nothing much to do with a biblical education. For example a person can have the greatest of educations and never understand the basics of Gods word. Therefore, please do not ever judge a pastor or biblical teacher on their worldly education. Remember God did not choose the strong of the word but rather the weak. 1 Corinthians 1:20 "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" Even those who are well educated in this world God tore down their education in order to teach them His word. This is done so that we can properly understand the scriptures. The teachings of this world will keep us from understanding Gods word. 1 Corinthians 2:12 - 13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13.) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Jesus went on to say in John 8:43“…because ye cannot hear my word.” That is because they are spiritually deaf to His words. If one is dead spiritually then they will never hear the scriptures no matter how smart they are. In fact they will never hear the simply truth of salvation until the Holy Spirit makes their spirit alive. This is why we have so much disagreement in teaching Gods word. Man not understanding, attempting to teach a book they have no truthful understand of it. Jesus went on to say in John 8:45 “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” Because they simply did not understand it. It confounded them and did not set in as reality to them. Man cannot understand what does not fit the worldly education. This is why T.V. programs such as the History and Discovery Channels are so confounded in trying to prove the bible. What they need is men of God explaining the bible and not a bunch of professors with only worldly educations. Man kind will never understand the bible without the Holy Spirit teaching it. “…we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God…” 1 Corinthians 2:12 and in Luke 21:15 "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." So the next time someone just doesn’t get it, just remember, only the saved does get it. Now please remember man is smart and doctrine can be learned even by the lost, but never understood by the lost.

A Though For Your Bible Study: He cannot love you more! "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 The Lord cares for His children! He knows our needs—and has promised to supply them. He knows our foes—and will deliver us from them. He knows our fears—and will make us ashamed of them. All creatures and things are in His hand, and at His disposal; all circumstances are under His absolute control. He . . . directs the angel, feeds the sparrow, curbs the devil, and manages the tempest! He is your Father—and His love to you is infinite. You are His delight—His dear child. Will He neglect you? Impossible! Cast then your cares upon Him. Tell out all your desires, fears, and troubles to Him; let Him know everything; keep nothing back. And then in the confidence of faith, expect Him to fulfill His Word, and act a Parent's part. Bless Him for all He has given, for all He has promised. Plead with Him for all you may need. But never for one moment, or under any circumstances, distrust Him! He cannot love you more! He is your ever present help. He will rejoice over you to do you good, with His whole heart, and with His whole soul. "Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares about you!" 1 Peter 5:7 By James Smith, from his "The Pastor's Morning Visit"

Church Notices: Pastor Johnson will be absent from the pulpit on Sunday March 22 due to he will be speaking in Oakdale, La. at the Northside Baptist Church for their Annul Bible Conference. Someone will be speaking in his place. We will announce what services will be continued in the Pastors absence later. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday March 08 please spring your clocks forward one hour on Saturday before going to bed.