Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
January 29, 2017

Hope Is to Be Found in Christ
by Bill Hall
“I wish I could think that I have come just a short distance toward being as prepared as he was,” a woman said to me recently concerning a man who had died. Her statement was intended to be an expression of confidence in the deceased, and I shared her confidence, but the truth is: if that lady is living a faithful life in Christ, she is fully as prepared as any other person in Christ.
Entrance into heaven will not be based upon a long list of credentials built up accumulatively through the years (so many new converts, so many passages memorized, so many lives influenced, so many years in the service of the Lord, so many sermons preached, etc.), the person's chances of going to heaven being enhanced with each new credential. Entrance into heaven will be based on the merit of Christ's blood. One prepares for heaven by entering into Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3); living a faithful life in Christ; and dying in Christ. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13). This is the true basis for one's hope, whether he has been a faithful Christian for fifty years or is just rising from baptism in newness of life.
Now if the lady had said, “I wish I could think that I have come just a short distance toward being as Godlike as I believe he was,” that would have been different. Here is the prevailing purpose of every Christian, to become more like God every day. “And every man who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Regular worship, liberal giving, unceasing prayer, concerned benevolence, unfeigned love of the brethren, self-control, etc.—all of which are commanded of God—are a means to the end of becoming like Him, or as stated by Jesus, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:45). One who ignores these commands shows his contempt for God, becomes unfaithful, ceases to be like God, and loses his hope of heaven. On the other hand, one who does conscientiously obey the commands of God becomes more Godlike, and the person who has done so for fifty years will obviously have attained a greater degree of Godlikeness than one who has just begun the Christian life. But while we recognize different levels in attainment toward becoming like God, all who are faithful, and are thus purifying themselves as He is pure, share equally the hope of heaven. None has earned his way to heaven. All are dependent on God's grace, and His grace is extended to all the faithful.
Let not the young in the faith, then, be intimidated by the attainments of the more mature in the faith. Let not the mature become proud and over-confident. All must be faithful. All must be growing. All must become more and more like God. And all must die in the Lord. And to all who do so, the Lord will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).
John Humphries, from the Southeast Church of Christ in Montgomery, will give a report on his recent trip to India this afternoon at 2:00. That report will be given at the County Line church building (1686 County Rd. 39, Deatsville, AL 36022).
All are invited to a singing hosted by the Vestavia Church of Christ, February 3, 7 p.m. (2325 Old Columbiana Rd., Vestavia Hills, AL).
Our gospel meeting begins two weeks from today. Let’s make sure to distribute as many postcards as we can, and for those of you on Facebook, please give maximum exposure to this event.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@knology.net / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

Phone Numbers

E-Mail Address
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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.