Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
November 14, 2021

A Christian’s Daily Walk
(From Ephesians)
by Bryan Gibson
Quite a bit is said in Ephesians about the walk (conduct) of a Christian. Let’s see if we can pull all that together in one article, at least in summary fashion.
WALK “no longer…as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (4:17), or even the way YOU “once” walked (2:1-3; 4:22). Now that you’ve “learned Christ” (4:20-21), you know better; you know how you’re supposed to behave. “Put off...the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts...and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (4:22, 24).
WALK in the “good works which God prepared beforehand” (2:10). This is the very purpose for which you were “created in Christ Jesus,” so don’t mess with the design—by not walking in these good works, or by trying to substitute your works for His.
“WALK worthy of the calling with which you were called” (4:1). God’s call includes several demands: to be united with all believers in one body (1:10; 2:14-16); to be holy and without blame (1:4); to show to others the riches of God’s grace and wisdom (2:7; 3:10). Answer that call, because you sure don’t want to miss out on the “hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4; 1:18).
“WALK in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (5:2). Love the Lord “in sincerity” (6:24), and show “love for all the saints” (1:15). To show the love of Christ to your brethren, “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (4:31). On the positive side, or the “new man” side, be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (4:32). This kind of love applies in the home, too, especially to you husbands: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (5:25). And, it also applies when you go out to teach the lost. Speak the truth “boldly” (6:19), but speak it “in love” (4:15). Do it the way Christ did it.
“WALK as children of light” (5:8). You were “once darkness” (5:8), but not any longer, so “have no fellowship with the fruits of darkness, but rather expose them” (5:11). Take the light you’ve received from Christ (5:14), and shine it on others. It will “make manifest” (5:13), or obvious, their sins, and yes, it may make them mad, but it may also bring them to Christ.
“WALK circumspectly,” or carefully (5:15). Your window of opportunity to make a difference in the world doesn’t last very long, so don’t waste it—“making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (5:16). Don’t waste your time by acting like a fool (5:15), by being “unwise” or ignorant of God’s will (5:17), by being “drunk with wine” (5:18). Spend your time understanding “what the will of the Lord is” (5:17); in other words, “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18), not with wine.
A Lesson from the House of Mourning (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4)
by Bryan Gibson
The house of mourning CAN become a house of rejoicing—if the deceased was a faithful Christian, if from all indications this person died in the Lord. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…that they may rest from their labors” (Revelation 14:13). “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This explains how the day of one’s death can be better than the day of one’s birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). It also explains how those left behind can be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10), why they don’t “sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57); thanks be to Him that “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

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

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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 Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.