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 June 28, 2015 Newsletter Number 522 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, Mark Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan 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, James, Diane & Brooke Thomas, Trent and Tiffanie Thomas, Gina Peel, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Megan Whitaker, Tammy Hairston and family, Manual Seymour, Sr., Brother Jerry and Sister Jean Dodson, James Hedges, Sister Corene Thomas, 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: “Gay Marriage” "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27.) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet." Romans 1:26– 27 As most, if not all know by now the nine black robe judges called the Supreme Court change the law on Gay marriage. Personally I am totally against this decision. I believe the majority of the citizens of the United Stated are also against it. God has not changed, He is also against it. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of it. Personally I put the gay marriage ruling right up there with abortion. For people to say that it is harmless is to change the word of God into a lie. Romans 1:24 - 25 "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25.) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." The truth is God does not change; He will always hate the sin of homosexuality, just as He will always hate abortions. There are some Gays who say they are Christians, I am not the judge of who Christians are and who are not, therefore their salvation is in the hands of God. Christians can be out of serving God and sinning against God, however sin is sin and God does not draw close to a willing sinner. 1 John 1:6 - 7 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (7.) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." We as Christians and churches are not judges and therefore it is not up us to condemn anyone for their lifestyles or life choices. This world is at enmity with God and will serve the rule of lawlessness over the law of God every time and with every opportunity. I believe the gospel and the word of God is to be preached to every person and with endless love. The Lord told us in Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." It is only right that we live peaceably among them “If it be possible”. It cannot be possible if this is forced upon the churches and Pastor. Personally I have no power to stop abortion or gay marriage; however I do have the right and power to refuse to be a part of either one. I will never officiate a marriage between two same sex people or be a part in it in any way just as I would not attend an abortion. Our church will never be forced to allow gay couples to be married in our church or on church owned property. This is not being mean, it is being godly. I know that this fight is not over; the laws created by the State of Texas protecting Pastors will someday be in the court systems being challenged and nine lost souls in black robes will once again rule against God and the churches. However, it will not change my thoughts on this subject because I believe God told me “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." My service to God means more to me than any carnal law. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7.) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8.) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:6 – 8 I may not be perfect but I do seek to please God and obey God over man. Peter preached "...We ought to obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29 and that we will do. I have no issues with the world being the world and if some Christians want to ignore Gods word and fight for peoples rights to disobey God then fine, but please exclude me and Christians like me from you disobedience. Personally I will go to jail before I am made to officiate a same sex couples wedding. Millions of Christians before me went to jail and/or died standing on Gods truths.

A Though For Your Bible Study: If we spend our time on the newspaper, or sit hour after hour reading trashy novels! "Take a mirror and turn it toward Heaven — and there you shall see the reflection of Heaven, the clouds and things above. Turn it downward toward the earth, you shall see the reflection of the earth, trees, meadows, men. Just so does the soul receive a reflection from the things to which it is set. If the heart is set toward Heaven — that puts you into a heavenly frame. If you set your heart on earthly objects — you are a man of the earth!" Are our thoughts and our affections full of worldliness? Let us make good use of the above figure, and turn the mirror the other way. Our mind will readily enough reflect divine things, if we turn it in that direction. Let us see if it is not so. Prayerfully read your Bible, or some lively devotional book — and see if the heart is not immediately filled with holy and heavenly reflections. At any rate, if we spend our time on the newspaper, or sit hour after hour reading trashy novels — we have no reason to wonder that thought and heart go after vanity! The turning of the mind upward is half the battle. We cannot expect it to reflect that toward which it does not turn. Those who mind earthly things — are earthly. Those who set their affections upon things above — are heavenly. Paul shows how practically useful it is to turn the mind Godward, when he says that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." We may well cry concerning this matter, "Turn us, O Lord, and we shall be turned!" If we cannot see divine truth to our enjoyment — let us nevertheless look that way; for that eye is blessed which looks in the direction of the light. He who would behold the sun at its rising — must look to the east. Just so, he who would see God as his delight — must look Godward. If the mirror of the soul is resolutely set toward the Lord, we shall with open face behold, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory! O, my blessed Master, help me I beseech you, to keep the mirror of my mind in the right position — that evermore I may see You! True, it will be but as in a dark mirror, but even that will be a marvelous preparation for beholding You face to face in glory! "Those who live according to the sinful nature — have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit — have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 8:5 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2 By Charles Spurgeon, from his "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883