Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
December 10, 2023

Does It Make Any Difference?
by Paul Earnhart
Some few years back at a meeting of preachers gathered to discuss differences over the work and relationship of local churches, I was asked by two brothers of the contrary persuasion if I really thought they would be lost just because they taught and practiced the uniting of the work of several churches by the voluntary combining of their funds under the management and direction of a single sponsoring church.
It was apparent from the way they asked the question that they thought an affirmative answer unthinkable. My answer clearly dismayed them. I told them that though I was not inclined to take up God’s task of deciding the eternal destiny of men’s souls, my presence at the meeting would have made no sense unless I thought there was a real possibility that their practice could cost them their souls. Otherwise, why all this agonizing investment? After all, if a thing makes no difference, it is a waste of time even to discuss it—a meaningless strife over words (2 Timothy 2:14).
These same two men had already been at pains to dissociate themselves from the extremely liberal positions of others who happened to share their view of the work of the churches; and I was grateful to them for it. But it made me wonder if they felt that those attitudes from which they had so strenuously distanced themselves were also a matter of indifference; and if so, why the concern. In Christ it makes no sense to exercise ourselves over matters which will have no influence over whether people are saved or lost. Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and all concerns which do not touch on that issue would seem to have no part in His kingdom.
In all of this, right attitudes make a critical difference. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). He abominates haughtiness, smugness, self-conceit (Proverbs 6:16). They are at the heart of the anti-God mentality (Romans 1:28–30).
A vital part of the right attitude toward God is reverence for His word (Psalm 119). Those who take God’s word lightly could never in this world take Him seriously. It is in Scripture that the Lord has revealed His gracious will for us. Because the wisdom of God is in those words, we dare not treat lightly a single one of them (Matthew 5:19). I am always leery of those who admit the Bible deals with a certain subject and then dismiss it as one of “the lesser matters” not at the “heart” of things. Whatever comes out of the mind of the Almighty demands my careful attention. Let it be admitted that some things in the Scriptures are not as weighty as others, but even these, Jesus said, are to be observed (Matthew 23:23).
What we need to understand is that it really doesn’t matter where we decide to resist or treat negligently the will of God, the irreverent attitude expressed toward the One who has spoken remains the same (James 2:10, 11). We live by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) because we live by Him (1 John 5:11, 12).
I realize some think church order is a rather lightweight issue and undeserving of great concern. Be that as it may, men have been powerfully rebuked in Scripture, even lost their lives, for refusing to pay careful enough attention to God’s order for doing His business. Moses’ sister Miriam thought it should not matter to God who spoke for Him. It did. She was stricken with leprosy (Numbers 12). Korah, Dathan, and Abiram judged that who offered incense in the worship of God was of no consequence to Him. It was. They and those who shared their presumption all died (Numbers 16). Uzziah, king of Judah, felt strongly he had as much right to officiate in the temple as the priests. He didn’t. He died a leper (2 Chronicles 26:16–21). Even David thought that it was immaterial to God how and by whom the ark of the covenant was transported. It wasn’t. Uzzah died as a consequence (1 Chronicles 13, 15).
The failure in all these cases, which are recorded for our learning (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11), was in not realizing that God’s arrangements are designed in His great wisdom to perfectly accomplish some very weighty ends. We, from our place of ignorance, are in no position to judge those arrangements inconsequential to His overarching purposes. Now, in all this there is plenty of need for God’s mercy and patience. Like David, none of us is immune from veering off the track the Lord has laid for us. Yet what hope is there if, unlike David, we simply refuse to learn or to care about those blunders? Where there is a true heart to know and to do the will of God, I believe there is assurance of achieving that goal (John 7:17), but what shall be the end of those who simply do not care?

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(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.