Wm^BMm
ANNUAL BAPTISMAL SERVICE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2004
6:00 PM
SHOW PLACE ARENA
UPPER MARLBORO, MD
"And the gospel must first be published among all nations" (St. Mark 13:10).
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL SPREADING CHURCH OF GOD
Vol. LXX, No. 8
Washington, DC
July 2004
Price: CONTRIBUTION
Whether it is on the books or
not, if it is right, it is on the
conscience of men.
*****
Sometimes worship is a mere
formality in the church, but
usually   it   is   sincere   when
practiced at home.
*****
You will have to practice down
here how to behave, if you are
going to Heaven.
*****
People who are loved don't
want to be a burden; and those
! who love don't consider them
a burden.
*****
When I think of the goodness
of God, I am ashamed of the
meanness of men.
*****
You have to talk so much to
make a lie sound like the truth,
that I find it easier to tell the
truth.
*****
The life you live is what makes
you a child of God, not the
dothes   you   wear   or   the
position you hold.
*****
It    is   important   that   you
understand that you are not
going to Heaven with any sin in
your life.
*****
It makes no difference how you
feel, if you don't live above sin,
you are not a child of God.
******
It is better to have life than to
have everything that life brings.
*****
God will not pay you for the
service if He did not employ
you for the job.
*****
In the Church of God we are
going to set you straight for
Heaven or for hell.
*****
"Sparks from the Anvil" are
now available in hard copy. If
you desire a copy, write to
Happy News Publishing
Company, 2030 Georgia
Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20001 -3027. Contributions are
$7.00.
THE LIGHT DIMMED
The Holy Spirit alone can rekindle the flame necessary to keep the Church a brilliant influence for God
in the world.
My precious ones, it is a wonderful thing to be able to say you are a private in the Army of the Lord.
Of course a good many people want to be the General, or a Major, or even a Captain — just anything
above the ordinary soldier. But in God's Army, nobody is as important as the private. Righteousness
exalts a person, not the position he holds. It is not what people say or think of you that makes you
anything worthwhile. It is what you do in this way of righteousness that exalts you. And to be exalted is
not to be made important in the eyes of men, but to be given an important assignment by God. To be
exalted by God is to have grave responsibility, I am glad to be a private in the Army ofthe Lord.
The world is in an awful condition tonight because the Church has lost its light. The awful condition I
refer to is sin that is so commonly practiced. The standard of morality has been reduced to a low level by
modem society to the extent that women boldly indulge in pleasures ofthe flesh, and men have no restraint
in their lusts. It is the duty of the Church to lift up a light so as to expose sin and show people how to
escape. The gospel has the power to constrain sinners, and set up strong opposition to the works of the
devil. When it is preached effectively, the reflection in the community is that sin is reduced and
righteousness exalted. Since this is not the case, I say the Church has lost its light.
The Church is the light ofthe world. When you see people stumbling and falling and feeling their way,
not knowing what to do, it is a sure sign that the light is out and they cannot see the way. The world is in
such a condition because the Church has allowed its influence to die. There would be no war if the Church-
still retained its influence. Churches and organized bodies are holding up one another instead of holding
up the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. You may say, Elder, how could you think upon it in that light?
My reply is that the Lord doesn't hold you responsible for being a sinner. But He has made arrangements
whereby when you find out it doesn't pay to live in sin, you might be bom again. He condemns you when
you come to a knowledge that sin doesn't pay and yet you continue in your own way. But the moment you
are willing to turn from your sin, the Lord God of all the earth is willing to forgive you and remember it
against you no more.
Don't expect the world to be like God in forgetting your sins. The world doesn't forget even though
you have forsaken them and turned from that which has brought shame upon you. We are thankful that
when people turn and begin to walk with God, their very life will bear witness to their deed, and cause
them to be able to sow the seed that will eventually grow to the glory of God and strengthen them. God
doesn't remember against you the sin that brought you to shame (provided you go in peace and sin no
more). Before the Holy Ghost is received, people, though converted, still remain under the influence of
the world. Being undo* the influence ofthe world, you have no power to deliver yourself from sin, though
you may have a heart that yearns for the truth and the light. When you are converted you must be taught
that you are still under the influence of the world, and your conversion will be meaningless unless you
quickly seek the filling ofthe Holy Spirit. To escape the influence ofthe world, you must accept this gift
from God as soon as you accept the gospel and take a stand to live above sin. (Continued on page 5)
IN THIS ISSUE
I Sought the Holy Spirit Page 2
The Holy Bible Word Puzzle Page 3
Ten Day Fast Page 4
Camp Lightfoot    Page 6
Calling All Youth Page 8
Sunday School Lessons Page10
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