Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Five Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 October 22, 2017            Newsletter Number 642 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother James Thomas, Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                          Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Prayer, Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

Please Join Us As We Pray For: 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, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Adcock, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family, Lee & Mary Mollette, Wendell Henderson, 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, Vickie Adkins, Archie Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Linda Hughes, Donna Jones, Gina, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, The Harris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister Ann McSwain, Elaine Sparks, James daughter’s mother-in-law, David Leman, Danny Hammond,  Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor: What Is Truth. John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” This is the most absolute question man must ask themselves, especially if they are a Christian. The bible says a lot about the word TRUTH, but we need to seek and find the truth. We must first understand that man are liars, Satan is a liar, the father of lies, and man gets their lying form him. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44 Therefore as Christians we must decide what truth is, however, in our search for it we must understand that the truth does not come from man. Unless a person is saved and taught of the Holy Spirit they will never know nor understand truth. Mankind teaches lies all the time as truth, but it is only lies. They confuse the truth in their own misunderstanding and believe it as truth. Mankind is always seeking truth to glorify themselves, so God said, “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.” Romans 1:25 And God made sure there was an astounding “Amen” in there. If you look at the vast majority of what is called “Christianity” you will find they glorify man while belittling God to make their doctrine support their works rather than God’s grace. They even declare that Paul and James were not in context with each other to prove their lie. So, as we seek to hear, read, and understand truth, let us first understand where truth comes from. First, it is not from man, God said “…let God be true, but every man a liar...” Romans 3:4 Second, we must understand that God is truth, Jesus is truth “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 And we know that the Holy Spirit is truth “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13 and also note that “HE” will guide you into ALL truth. It is not man that is truth, except that the Holy Spirit is leading them to teach the truth. Is your teacher reading scriptures and teaching them, or is he out in left field teaching with man’s wisdom? Does he truly stay with the teaching of the scriptures or does he teach with his philosophy? Personally speaking, I see a lot of churches failing to use God’s word, especially on their signs. I see a lot of manmade slogans and not scripture. Now I’m not saying some of the slogans are “ok” at best, however why not God’s word? What saves sinners, slogans, hell houses, hell films, or the gospel? Jesus said, “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” Mark 13:10 He does not mean first and then the philosophy of man but first and foremost. It is the Gospel that must be taught not man’s philosophy which includes everything other than the gospel, works, baptism, church membership, and etc. etc. etc. Churches must understand that their pastor’s wisdom and slogans might sound good and slick, but the gospel is what God saved sinned with. The gospel is truth, and only the gospel. "...how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures...And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 not “the key to heaven is hanging on a nail” which is a total lie. Folks, it is truth, and as wise as slogans are God’s word is always truth no matter what. Also Jesus is the light, life, way, and everything you need to be saved, you do not need anything else. Everything else is changing the truth into a lie. Seek the truth, but it is only found in God’s Holy Word.

Idols are at once cast away:By Archibald Alexander When the mind is freed from the blindness of nature, and the eyes of the understanding opened, the light of the glorious gospel will shine into such a regenerated mind, revealing to it the beauties of holiness, and causing it to rejoice in the glory of God. To such a one Christ appears lovely--the chief among ten thousand, and He becomes the jewel of their hearts. Idols are at once cast away, and He as their rightful King is enthroned in their affections. Believers do not and cannot doubt of Christ's excellency and suitableness. His doctrines they humbly receive, and found their hopes of salvation on His faithful word alone.

Soul satisfaction... by Jonathan Edwards The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here on earth. Earthly fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children and earthly friends, are all 'shadows'. But God is the 'substance'. All earthly delights are but 'scattered beams'. But God is the sun. All earthly delights are but 'streams'. But God is the ocean.

A hard, proud, hollow religion.By Horatius Bonar Intimacy with God is the very essence of religion. The understanding of doctrine is one thing, and intimacy with God is another.  They ought always to go together; but they are often seen asunder; and, when there is the former without the latter, there is a hard, proud, hollow religion. Beware of mere opinions and speculations. They become idols. They nourish pride of intellect. They furnish no food to the soul. They make you sapless and heartless. Intimacy with God is the very essence of religion.

Church News: Last week I was in error, it was not Sister Dawana Reigel’s Birthday it was Brother Frank & Sister Dawana Reigel’s Anniversary. Sorry for the error. October 18th