Since we have looked at Sharing the Gospel, Using the Law and Tracts in previous posts. Let's now look at some easy conversation starters.
Almost everyone loves to talk about their background. Ask a stranger this question, "If you don't mind, can I ask where you are from?" Most people are glad to share their story. This leads to a simple transitional question. "Did you grow up with any type of spiritual background?" The most common answer is "Yes." No matter what their background is you can give them the Good Person Test by asking, "Do you think those spiritual teachings have made you a better person?" Most will say "Yes." "Do you consider yourself a good person?" Continue with the rest of the Good Person Test. If the person is not a Christian and not from the United States, welcome them to America and ask them, "Have you ever heard why Christians say Jesus died on a cross?" Many will say "No", which gives you the perfect opportunity to share the Gospel. It's important to ask "...why Christians say Jesus died on a cross" to avoid them telling you their misconception of Jesus. It's amazing how many people living here in the Bible belt have never heard the Gospel. If you happen to know someone is not a Christian, just say to them, "I'm a Christian and love learning about other peoples beliefs. Can I ask you a few questions?" MY FAVORITE QUESTION: Here's what I believe to be one of the best questions you can ask someone. "If you died tonight and God asked you, "Why should I let you into My kingdom?" What would your answer be?" Most people's response will focus on their good deeds, which will give you the perfect opportunity to share about God's grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 I like to share with people this illustration of God's grace by Ray Comfort. A criminal, standing before a judge, has been given a choice of 'life in jail' or a 'million dollar fine'. The criminal doesn't have the money so his only option is prison. Unexpectedly, a stranger walks into the courtroom, hands a million dollars to the judge and says I love this person and will pay the price for his crime. The judge is satisfied with the payment and the criminal is set free. This is a picture of what Jesus has done for us, by paying the price for all the ways we have broken God's law. If you know that the person has an alternative view of the afterlife, rephrase the question based on their view. For example, If you died tonight and Jehovah asked you, "Why should I let you live on paradise earth?" If you died tonight and Allah asked you, "Why should I let you into my paradise?" If you died tonight and God asked you, "Why should I let you be a god and have your own planet?" Again, most people's response will relate in some way to their own works. More conversation starters: People wear and promote many of their beliefs with Jewelry, tattoos, t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers. Ask, "I see you are wearing a cross. What does that mean to you?" "You have a very interesting tattoo. What does it mean?" "I saw your 'Coexist' bumper sticker. What does that mean?" Discussions about major news events can very easily be transitioned into spiritual conversations. "That was a terrible plane crash in Asia. What do think happens the moment someone dies?" While having a yard sale, my neighbor informed me that his friend's father had passed away unexpectedly. I asked him, "where do you think that person is at now?" and that was the beginning of a very fruitful discussion. To hear about more conversation starters like these go to http://markcahill.org/home/
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Are you a good person?
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? Proverbs 20:6 In the last Adventures in Witnessing we looked at the usefulness of Gospel tracts. Now let's look at the Good Person Test. People need to know they’re lost before they can be saved, they need to see their sin problem so they will understand their need for a savior. Just like Proverbs 20:6 states, most men will proclaim their own goodness, they believe that they're a good person and that’s all God requires. As Way of the Master ministries demonstrates so well, taking someone through just a few of the Ten Commandments quickly reveals their position before a Holy God. Here’s a summary of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus chapter 20. 1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image (idols). 3. You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain. 4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 5. Honor your father and your mother. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness. 10. You shall not covet. God's law acts as a mirror reflecting His standards back to us. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; Psalms 19:7 By His own example Jesus shows us how useful the law is when speaking to others about spiritual matters. And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? None is good except One, God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother. And he said, I have kept all these from my youth up. And when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, Yet you lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, follow Me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18-23 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28 So how do we use the Law when witnessing? Just give someone the Good Person Test. Here's an example: Do you consider yourself a good person? "Yes" (Most people will answer "Yes") Have you ever told a lie? "Yes" What do you call someone who tells lies? "A liar" Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how big or small? "Yes" What do you call someone who steals? "A thief" Have you ever looked at a woman with lust? "Yes" Jesus said if you look at a woman to lust for her you have committed adultery in your heart. Have you ever hated someone? "Yes" According to God hatred is the same as murder. By your own admission you are a liar, thief, adulterer and murderer at heart and that’s just a few of God’s commandments. If God judged you right now would you be innocent or guilty for breaking His laws? "I guess guilty" Would you go to heaven or hell? "I guess hell" Does that concern you? "Yes" Do you know what God did so you don’t have to go to hell? "No" God sent His son Jesus to come and die on the cross to pay the price for your sins. He was raised from the dead on the third day so that who ever believes in Him will have eternal life with God and escape hell. The most common objection when asked if they would go to heaven or hell for breaking God’s law is that they would still go to heaven because nobody is perfect and God forgives. Here’s a good place to explain God’s justice. We expect earthly judges to be upright and prompt when executing judgment on law breakers so why should we expect anything less than perfect justice from God. A good question to ask is, “Do judges let criminals off the hook just because they say their sorry?” No, and God doesn’t either. Explain that forgiveness is available but only to those who have put their faith in what Jesus has done on the cross. He paid the price and gave His life as a ransom. We see in Romans 3:19-20, that the Law of God brings the knowledge of sin, reveals guilt and stops the mouth of a sinner. Using the Good Person Test is a powerful way to bypass intellectual arguments and go directly to a persons conscience. When you give this test, often you will see someone's demeanor change. I've seen people literally stop talking during this test as they fell under conviction. One man said to me, "I'll just stop talking now." On one occasion, the hands of the gentleman I was speaking with started shaking as we went through just a few of the commandments. This technique is Biblical and an extremely helpful way to reach the lost. Click on the link below to see video clips of this in action.
Welcome to Adventures in Witnessing Volume Two. In our first post, we looked at how easy it is to communicate the simple but powerful message of the Gospel. Now let's look at some more ways to engage people.
Evangelist Mark Cahill has a great book called One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven. What is the one thing? It is the opportunity to witness to a lost person. Now is the time for us to reach the lost. Gospel tracts are great conversation starters. These small flyers or leaflets are easy to carry and pass out during your everyday routine. In some circles, the distribution of tracts is criticized for being old fashion. However, we live in a unique time of multiculturalism where many people have never seen a Gospel tract or heard the Gospel. Acts 8:27-30 gives us an example of how useful it is to get God's word into the hands of others. Philip was sent to witness to and then baptized the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the book of Isaiah as he traveled. As I go to the grocery store, gas station, restaurant or anywhere else I will hand out a tract to someone and say "Here's something for you to read in your spare time today." Almost everyone will take it. Many times people will actually read it on the spot. So I'll wait for them to finish reading and ask them "What do you think?" and often that's the start of a great spiritual conversation. Once, while getting gas, I handed a tract to the man filling up next to me. He read it on the spot and immediately fell under heavy conviction. As I spoke with this young man from India, he confessed that he had done something terrible. I shared the Gospel, the mercy of God and how God will forgive us if we turn to Him. He was new to America and had never heard the Gospel message before. If you want to impact someone's day, give a tract along with a five or ten dollar bill. This really gets their attention. On the rare occasion that someone refuses to accept a tract, just leave them with one question, "Are you 100% sure you would go to heaven if you died tonight?" This question has haunted many until they turned to the Lord. You never know what can happen by just handing out a tract and saying “Here's something for you to read in your spare time.” Get tracts from Living Waters or Pinpoint Gospel Tracts. Click on links below. Contact Scott@shofarouteach.org for the custom tracts pictured above.
God created man in His own image.
Man disobeys God bringing sin and death into the world separating man from God. God sends His Son Jesus into the world. Jesus walks among us without breaking any of God's commandments, teaching us the Truth. Jesus dies on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, paying the price for our disobedience. He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. By turning away from sin and following Jesus man can be reconciled back to God for eternity. By rejecting God's gift of mercy found in Jesus, man is eternally separated from God, going to a place of anguish. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 We have all broken God's commandments but thankfully, in His mercy He provided a way for us to be forgiven. Admit you have sinned against Him and turn away from sin. Believe what Jesus did for you and commit your life to Him. Confess Jesus as Lord and get baptized. Read the Bible and believe God's words above all else. In the spirit of gentleness and humility I feel the need to express my position on these issues with love and respect.
First let me say that I love all people and love diversity. It has been wonderful living in Gwinnett County with its multitude of immigrants from around the world. I have made great friends with many diverse backgrounds. Over the years I have had many homosexual friends who I love and care deeply about. It’s not out of hate or the traditions of men that I stand opposed to the agenda of redefining marriage. Please let me explain my position… As many of you know, in 2003, I had a life changing event occur when I made my profession of faith in Jesus, got baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. The words of the Bible became alive and its instructions brought on radical transformation in my life such as no longer being held captive to ungodly behavior. I’ve been set free from the sin of not forgiving and bitterness toward others, pornography, southern pride and a long list of other sins. So knowing firsthand the transforming power of God’s word I must hold to its teaching above all else. There are many misconceptions regarding the Bible and its teaching on same sex relationships and unfortunately there have been many in the church community with the wrong attitudes and approach to this subject. The following is my attempt to bring some clarity and understanding from a Biblical prospective on the issue. The overall message of the Bible is one of liberation and freedom. The children of Israel were held in bondage, as slaves in Egypt. God frees them and brings them out but they had to walk in the wilderness 40 years with many trials and temptations before they could enter into the promise land. Jesus comes into the world to set people free from the bondage of sin. After being set free from sin people still have to live their lives with many trials and temptations before entering into Heaven. If someone struggles with the temptation of same sex attraction it is not a sin. Just like any other temptation, it is only sin when acted upon. I know that many people who struggle with same sex attraction believe that they were born that way. The fact is that we were all born into a fallen world where we have within us from birth or have develop over time thought patterns that lead to sinful actions. In my own life, I practiced a long list of sinful behavior before coming to Christ. Now with God’s help I’ve been set free from practicing those sins over and over again. I still have temptations but with God’s grace He helps me overcome them. Whenever the Bible addresses the subject of homosexuality it is always negative. There is not a single example of a homosexual relationship in the Bible that is viewed as acceptable. Jesus confirmed the definition of marriage in Mark 10:6-8 ‘But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.’ Heterosexual relationships are actually secondary to the fact that God requires holiness above all. We see examples in the Bible of those who remain celibate because of their devotion to God. Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it." Jesus never affirmed people in their sin but He came to save us from our sin. As Dr. Michael Brown has stated, "He practiced transformational inclusion not affirmational inclusion". The message is 'come as you are and be transformed by the love of God and be set free from sin, no longer a slave to sin.' Jesus said to the women caught in adultery ..."Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."John 8:11 The following verses show the seriousness and the eternal consequences of living a lifestyle out of God’s will. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1Corinthians 6:9-11 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 Jesus Said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:21-23 These verses address the issue of continuing with actions that are outside of God’s will. The consequence for this is exclusion from the kingdom of God. Thankfully, He doesn’t leave us without help. There are countless numbers of heterosexuals and homosexuals alike that have been able to turn their backs on lifestyles that were outside of God’s will. His promise to those who fully commit themselves to Him is that He will always provide a way of escape from any temptation that comes (1Corinthians 10:13). His grace that brings salvation will teach us to deny ungodliness and live righteously (Titus 2:11). He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him and it leads and guides us into all truth (Acts 5:32, John 16:13). There is a common misunderstanding regarding God’s laws. God chose the Jewish people to be his special people set apart from all the other nations. He gave them unique ceremonial laws related to the way they should eat, dress and do business as well as many other traditions. Most of these laws are not for all people for all times. God’s moral laws, like the ones related to sexual behavior are upheld in the New Testament and in some cases elevated to a higher standard by Jesus. So to criticize a Christian for being against the breaking of a moral law while he eats shellfish or has a shirt of mixed linen is a misunderstanding of the biblical text and teaching. God never commands us to do something that we are not able to do. Change is possible with God’s help. This is my biblical understanding of this subject after much study. I know you can find all kinds of support and affirmation for same sex relationships from our society, media and even many churches. However, is it ok with God? It’s not out of hate that I stand in opposition to same sex marriage but out of love for the homosexual and heterosexual alike. God offers a better way and is willing to help anyone who calls upon his name. We have all sinned and have not lived up to God’s standard but He forgives and transforms when you are committed to Jesus. If you truly believe in diversity and equality for all than you must be willing to include Christians otherwise you are not showing love and inclusion but doing exactly what you stand against. Jesus died for homosexual and heterosexual alike and He grants eternal life to all who commit their life to Him. Sincerely, Scott Myers Before devoting my life to Jesus I was an avid music lover. By the age of 18 I was a heavy metal bass guitarist playing in Atlanta night clubs. After surrendering my life to Jesus, getting baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, God made it clear to me that I had made music an idol in my life. I looked at my wall full of CD’s and knew that I had loved listening and making music more than I had loved Him. Within a few days of wrestling with this issue I did what I knew had to be done with idols and I threw away about 500 music CD’s. Then I started to sell or give away my musical equipment. It was a wonderful and freeing experience and another important act of obedience for me. Almost as soon as He told me to lay aside music He gave me a passion for evangelism. I started out by telling just about anyone who would listen to me that I was now a follower of Jesus and how great the Bible is. Then I started sharing my written testimony with people. After getting on Facebook I realized it was the perfect place to share my testimony with as many friends as possible. Since getting on Facebook God has given me many ideas for Gospel tracts to share in person or electronically.
Which brings me to the story of the Shofar. As my family started getting interested in the Jewish roots of our faith we decided to go visit a local messianic congregation. These Jewish believers in Jesus were on fire for God and were blowing Shofars during praise and worship. We loved the service and they invited us to stay for lunch. My son Rex discovered that we could purchase Shofars there and Tina was prompted by the Lord to buy one for me that day as a gift for my birthday. After hearing stories of American missionaries sharing the Gospel in other countries by using musical instruments to gather crowds in public settings I felt that God was telling me that the Shofar is unique enough to get the attention of people and would be a great conversation starter. I don’t use the Shofar as a musical instrument but as a call for people to turn to God. Since blowing the Shofar in public God has allowed the Gospel to be shared with a multitude of people. It’s my prayer to know God’s truth, walk in His truth and share His truth with others. Please pray about how God can use your unique personality or abilities to reach the lost with the good news of Jesus. Scott Myers Shofar Outreach is an evangelical ministry led by Scott & Tina Myers to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus in the public arena. After hearing reports of American missionaries sharing the Gospel in other countries by using musical instruments to gather crowds in public settings, Scott Myers was prompted by the Lord to combine his love for the Jewish roots of Christianity with evangelism. By blowing the Shofar in public places, Scott & Tina have been able to share the Gospel with a multitude of people with diverse backgrounds. Shofar Outreach exists to encourage believers and above all share the goodness of God with the lost. The Shofar is an ancient Jewish instrument made from the horns of various animals. There are many accounts of ram's horns being used in the Bible. After the destruction of the 2nd Temple many Jewish people were relocated to other lands and the Kudu horn became a popular Shofar. It's traditionally blown during the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah along with the reading of how God provided a ram as a substitute for the sacrifice of Isaac, which foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice for sin that was coming. Just as God provided a substitute for Isaac, He also provided a substitute for us. In the book of Genesis, chapter 22, God tells Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Being a faithful servant of the Lord, Abraham takes his son on a journey to the place that God instructed. As they traveled Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replies, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” He builds an altar, binds his son and lays him there. He takes a knife to slay his son but the Angel of the Lord appeared and said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son from Me.” Abraham looks behind him and sees a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham offers the ram as a burnt offering instead of his son. This wonderful story of God's provision is retold yearly on Rosh Hashanah, The Feast of Trumpets, a day for sounding the shofar. The historical event known as the 'Binding of Isaac' foreshadowed another sacrifice to come. When Abraham told his son that “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” it was a profoundly prophetic statement. Yeshua was given to us as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world just as it was proclaimed to us by John the Immerser.(John 1:29) Jesus, Yeshua came and lived a perfect life. He never broke any of God’s commandments, which allowed Him to be the perfect sacrifice for us. He was crucified, buried and rose from the dead on the third day. Just as God provided a substitute for Isaac He also provided Jesus as a substitute for us. Over 500 years before the birth of Yeshua the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote about His coming, the suffering servant who was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6 Jesus came the first time lowly and riding on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) He died on passover as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Rose from the dead on the feast of firstfruits. (Luke 24:46) Now He sits at the right hand of the Father. (Psalm 110:1) With the sound of the trumpet He will return with the clouds of heaven. (Zechariah 9:14, Daniel 7:13 & Matthew 24:31) The trumpet sound of the Shofar was heard from heaven just before God handed down the 10 commandments and will be heard again before the return of the Jewish Messiah Jesus, Savior of the world. Then the Lord will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, And go with whirlwinds from the south. (Zechariah 9:14) ...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8) We have all broken His commandments. Thankfully, God in His mercy provided a way for us to be forgiven. Admit you have sinned against Him and ask for forgiveness. Turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. Believe that God sent His son Jesus to die as a sacrifice for your sins and raised Him from the dead. Whoever believes in Him, follows Him and confesses Him will have eternal life with God and escape the judgment awaiting those who don't accept His gift of mercy found in Jesus the Messiah, Savior of the world. He is the most influential Jew in the history of the world. More people have come to know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because of Him than any other Jew. He is a light to the nations. (Ref. Isaiah 49:6) Because of Him former atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Hindus, and all types of God haters from around the world have come to love the God of Israel and the Jewish people. Through Him Gentiles from around the world cherish the Hebrew Scriptures and are able to keep the ethical requirements of the Law. The reason we have a “Common Era- CE” and a “Before Common Era- BCE” is because of Him. (Ref. Isaiah 42:6) What did the prophets say? He was born where the prophets said... Out of Bethlehem shall come the One to be Ruler in Israel. (Ref. Micah 5:2) He suffered, died and rose from the dead just as the prophets said... His hands and feet where pierced. They divided His garments among them. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. He was cut off from the land of the living but His soul was not left in Sheol nor was He allowed to see corruption. (Ref. Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 53:1-12, & Psalm 16:10) He lived the way the prophets said... He preached good tidings to the poor, healed the brokenhearted and proclaimed liberty to the captives. (Ref. Isaiah 61:1-2) He had to come before the destruction of the 2nd Temple The Lord, suddenly came to the 2nd Temple to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousness before its destruction. Haggai states that the glory of the 2nd Temple would be greater than the glory of the 1st Temple. The scriptures reveal that the Messiah had to come before the demise of 2nd Temple. ( Ref. Malachi 3:1, Daniel 9:24-26 & Haggai 2:7-9) Yoma 39b The Talmud states that during the Yom Kippur service in the Temple, a red thread would be tied to the doorway of the sanctuary. If the sacrifice was acceptable and Israel’s sins forgiven, then the thread would turn white. The Talmud shows that during the last 40 years of the 2nd Temple, this miracle ceased to occur and the thread would remain red. Yeshua died and rose from the dead 40 years before the destruction of the 2nd Temple; this signifies that the sacrificial system was no longer effective and that another system for atonement had been established. The Forever Commandments The priest shall make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year. It's an everlasting statute. (Ref. Leviticus 16:32-34) If Yeshua is not the Messiah then God gave Israel commandments and left them without a way to keep them since there’s no standing temple. Yeshua is the Messiah and the Torah commandments are fulfilled in Him. Yeshua said: "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Ref.Matthew 5:17) Yeshua is Jesus Yeshua took care of the sin problem by going to the cross and dying as the perfect sacrifice, paying the price for our disobedience. He rose from the dead so that whoever follows and confesses Him will have his name written in the Book of Life. He will return again to fulfill the remaining messianic prophecies, establish His kingdom and then be recognized by all the world as the Messiah. Jesus came the first time lowly and riding on a donkey. Died on Passover as the Lamb of God. Rose from the dead on the feast of firstfruits. He sits at the right hand of the Father and will return with the clouds of heaven as the trumpet sounds. (Ref. Zechariah 9:9, John 1:29, Luke 24:46,Psalm 110:1, Daniel 7:13 & Zechariah 9:14) Yeshua the Messiah said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Ref. John 14:6) |
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