Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
October 17, 2021

Lingering in the Dark
by Steve Klein
Can I lure you out of the darkness to read this? I know that people in the dark typically don’t do a lot of reading — especially when the subject matter is spiritual. I am aware that those who could use this article the most are the least likely to read it. Christians who are not really dedicated to serving Christ but would rather play at their pleasures and dally with distractions, don’t read articles like this. Those who like to live life on their own terms and occasionally enjoy the passing pleasures of sin don’t read articles like this. Those who know that they are not really right with God, but ease their consciences by telling themselves that they’ll straighten up one of these days, don’t read articles like this. But they are the ones I’m writing to. Can you step out of the darkness for a minute?
I want to ask you four questions:
1. How much time do you think you have to straighten up? God has not promised you tomorrow. “You do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). “It is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans13:11). “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Don’t kid yourself by thinking that you have all the time in the world. The truth is that the things we think we can do at any time often wind up being done at no time because time runs out.
2. Do you realize the longer you wait, the harder it will be to straighten up? If tomorrow comes, you may be so hardened by your sin that you will no longer desire to do right. The Bible warns believers about “departing from the living God” and being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). It has been said, “Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible.”
3. Do you realize you’re wasting your life in sin when you could be making good use of your life in service to God? Please DO NOT waste the rest of your life following worldly lusts and living selfishly when you could be doing God’s will (cf. 1 Peter 4:2). “We have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).
4. Do you realize you are testing God’s patience? God “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But there is an end to God’s patience and it is very unwise to test it. The longer we keep God waiting, the more His wrath builds. Paul puts it like this in Romans 2:4-5: “Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” Why keep Him waiting?
Today, you have an opportunity to get right with God. Tomorrow may not come. Stop wasting your life! Stop trying God’s patience! Resolve “no longer to linger!”
I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world’s delight, Things that are higher, things that are nobler, These have allured my sight. I will hasten to Him!

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.