Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
April 7, 2024

What’s In a Name?
by Bryan Gibson
Everything, especially when it comes to the names God uses to describe me. He uses these names to teach me different things about myself—about my privileges and responsibilities, about my relation to Him and to others, about my character and life. Here are some names He calls me, and a few things I’ve learned from each one.
I am a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), which means I belong to Christ, or that I live in Christ (think about the suffix “ian”). My job then is to “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21), to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6), “to be conformed” to His image (Romans 8:29). When in Christ, do as Christ does.
I am a disciple of Christ (Acts 6:7; 9:1, 19, and many others), which makes me both His student (Matthew 11:28-30; 28:19-20; John 8:31-32) and His devoted follower (Luke 14:25-33). This name challenges me to study more, and to follow Him no matter the cost.
I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1, 15, 18, and many others), a name that tells me I’ve been sanctified or set apart from the world (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), a name that calls me to a life of holiness (Ephesians 5:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:13-16).
I am a believer (2 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:2), and so I can say with Paul, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Because I believe in the Lord, I will speak for Him (2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Peter 3:15), and I will live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; James 2:14-26).
I am a servant or slave of God, which means I’m obligated to obey my Master (Romans 6:15-23), and service to Him is anything but burdensome (Matthew 11:28-30; 1 John 5:3). He owns me, because He paid for me, with the precious blood of His Son (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:17-19). It’s impossible to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), and since any other would be vastly inferior, I don’t intend to try.
Because I am a servant of God, I am also a servant of others, and so I must follow the example of Jesus (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:5-11) and look out, not only for my own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:1-4). I want to be great, at least in the eyes of God, and this is the way to do it—“whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
I am a child of God, yet another demonstration of His love (1 John 3:1). It’s a blessing to be His child, because among other things it puts me in line for a wonderful inheritance (Romans 8:16-17). But it’s also a great responsibility, because a child should bear some likeness to his Father, not to mention honor and obey Him (1 Peter 1:13-14; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 3:9-10).
I am a brother in Christ (Romans 14:10, 13, 15, 21; Philippians 1:14; Colossians 1:2), which means, of course, I have other brethren, and that together we belong to the family or household of God (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15). There’s only one way to treat brothers, and that’s to show them brotherly love (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; Hebrews 13:1; Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 1 John 3:16-18).
I am a member of Christ’s body (Romans 12:3-8), an obvious analogy to the human body, where Jesus is the Head (Colossians 1:18), and individual Christians the different body parts (1 Corinthians 12:27). I’m no more essential than the other members (other body parts), because it takes us all working together to keep the body healthy and growing (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:11-16).
I am a soldier in the Lord’s army (Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:2), willing to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3), and willing to fight—for the faith, and against sin and Satan (Jude 1:3; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). The Lord provides all the armor and weaponry I need (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Like every other Christian, I am a priest in the temple of God (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:10; 20:6; Ephesians 2:21), with complete access to the throne of God, through my High Priest and Mediator, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). My role in this spiritual temple is to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5; see also Hebrews 13:16; Philippians 4:18;). If I offer anything less than my entire self (Romans 12:1-2), I have robbed God (see Malachi 3:8).
I am one of the elect, or chosen of God (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:10), because I am in Christ, and He has “chosen us in Him” (Ephesians 1:4). The fact I’m among His elect doesn’t guarantee I’ll always be—“be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). God’s chosen people have an important mission to fulfill—to glorify Him (1 Peter 2:9), and the best way to do that is to model His character before the people of this world (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 3:12-14).
On this earth, I’m just a sojourner, a stranger, a pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13). “This world is not my home,, I’m just a passing thru…” So I know better than to get too attached to this world (1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 John 2:15-17). I may have a place of residence, but I’m not home yet, not until I’m finally and forever in the presence of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

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.