Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
April 15, 2022

Sin Is “Against God’’
by Robert F. Turner
If you steal my rifle, you will do me a grave injustice. Realizing this, you may decide to return the rifle and ask my forgiveness. You may throw in a new scope to make me happy, but you have not paid your just dues. Perhaps you think I mean your debt to society. Well, we have obligations to our fellowmen, and the courts may exact a fine, or place you in jail for stealing the rifle. But you could completely satisfy me, wipe clean the records of the court, and still fail the obligations of justice. In fact, we have not yet given consideration to the primary matter. In the initial act of stealing the rifle you not only did me an injustice, you not only sinned against our society, but also—far more important—you failed your intended purpose and rejected the authority of your Maker. You have sinned against God! This is the fundamental factor in sin, yet it is the part very often ignored—both in recognizing sin, and in “making things right.’’ God existed prior to society and deserves the prior consideration. All sin is against God!
David got right to the point when he prayed, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight’’ (Psa. 51:4). On this basis God was just in condemning, and David looked to God for forgiveness. We need to be more like David.
Christ has the prodigal son confess, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight’’ (Luke 15:21). The order is significant. Twice this statement is made in the parable and always, “against heaven” first. How differently we might look upon our sins if this order would prevail. Paul says “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death’’ (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is not enough that we “regret’’ (see ASV) our sins. Such regrets may stem from getting caught. Our sorrow must be in recognition of our failure before God, and our turning in keeping with His will. It is this concept of sin that makes us aware of its depth, and of our complete dependence upon God for forgiveness. Next time you sin don’t “look out’’—“LOOK UP.’’

Passionless Brethren?
by Bryan Gibson
Disappointed in your brethren? Think they’re not passionate enough, that they don’t love as much as they should? You may be thinking, “Why can’t they pay as much attention to these things as they do to other “doctrinal” matters? Seems like a lot of this sort of judgment going around, with all the popular writing about the radical, passionate Christian. Tread lightly, because you’re talking about things you don’t really know for sure. You don’t follow them to work every day. You don’t see what all they may be doing in their homes. You don’t know how many people they may have reached out to with the gospel. You don’t know how many deeds of kindness they may have done. Don’t confuse their quietness (1 Thessalonians 4:11) with lack of zeal. If your assessment IS correct, criticizing them for strict adherence to truth on other matters is NOT the way to stir them to action. Commend them for that, and then let’s encourage each other to obey the truth in all things. “Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you” (Acts 3:22). “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). “For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things” (2 Corinthians 2:9). “…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

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.