What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 7 / No. 19”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. VII - No. 19 January 19, 2025
CONTENTMENT
In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul states that "godliness with contentment is great gain". I think that this statement may be more important to our perception of contentment than we sometimes realize. Contentment, that is, being satisfied with your life, is prized in the Bible. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with what we have, and not to love money. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul speaks about being content with suffering and persecution if it is for Christ's sake and in Philippians 4:11-13 Paul speaks about learning to be content no matter the situation, that he (and we) can do "all things through him who strengthens me”.
The important thing I want to pull out from 1 Timothy 6:6 is the fact that contentment alone is not sufficient. Godliness must be present with our contentment for it to be "great gain". If you live in contentment but that contentment leaves out God or God's instructions, that is laziness, unrighteousness, or a similar sin. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12 warns against the danger of being a busybody instead of working. Hebrews 13:16 tells us not to neglect in doing good. Romans 12:11 says "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord". In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul talks about the Christian's life as an athlete training and performing in their sport. A lazy athlete may be content, but they will not be successful; they will receive no reward. Likewise, those who wish to receive God’s reward must train, must "run", must "climb", must do whatever work God requires of us. The contentment of a Christian should not be that of laziness but that of an athlete, content with the results of their pain, perseverance, and persistent efforts. —Jake Pack
THE GIFT OF OUR SALVATION
When I consider my early years, say when I was between the ages of 4 and 8, I still get a chuckle. Why might you ask? Well, like most kids my age, I was fooled by the magic of television. There was no cable or any of the modern gadgetry back then. We had a black and white TV with three channels on a good day. We would crack the window to talk to the one who volunteered to go outside and turn the antenna. On Saturday mornings we would certainly try and catch some cartoons. After this, the TV would normally be turned off. If the weather outside was suitable for children to play, we were off and running.
I always looked forward to Saturday or Sunday matinee times when Shirley Temple or The Little Rascals would be on. I could see myself in their adventures whether they were at school or on the playground. It might be they’re in class or after school activities. I could imagine myself doing the things they were doing. They were just like me. In my mind they were just one town over from me. I had no knowledge of syndications or re-runs. I thought it was real. I did know that Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges were acts, but they seemed to me like older versions of myself.
Contemporary means living or occurring at the same time. As a noun, it means a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another. So now you understand the chuckle. These visions I had been seeing on television were not real. Most were prior recordings that were being replayed for my entertainment. I had been fooled by this modern trickery.
As we look ahead, there's a day coming when all of mankind will for the first time be contemporary. I do mean all of mankind. In 2 Cor. 5:10 the writer describes this as an appearance, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. Everyone will be there. Every man, woman and child ever conceived will be present on that day. We will at last be contemporaries and will remain contemporaries for eternity. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah will be there. Pharaoh and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, yes, he will be there. Samson and all he slew; they will be in attendance. Your grandparents will be there, your mom, your dad, your siblings and your children also. All the loved ones past and present on this day will be required to stand. Jephthah and his daughter will be there. Caleb has always been of interest to me, his attendance will be required, just like yours and mine. The list you might think goes on and on but that's not true. The list ends when all are accounted for. Lists will no longer be needed because there is a book, “The Lamb’s book of life” Rev. 21:27.
We will all be standing before the first born from the dead, Jesus Col. 1:18. He will separate all as sheep and goats Matt. 25:32. He will execute righteous judgment Acts 17:31. His decision will be final. This separation will determine which of our contemporaries we will live with through eternity. The ones separated for condemnation; the goats, will be cast into eternal punishment. The ones separated for rest; the sheep, will be granted entrance into “The kingdom prepared from the foundations of the world” Matt. 25:34. With these considerations in the forefront of our minds, let us not go about our lives as little children, being fooled by the trickery of the devil and men. Syndications will be no more. There will be no re-runs of life Eccl. 9:10. Eternity begins with your contemporaries having been selected and eternal dwelling places having been assigned. Who will your contemporaries be? Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting... —Blind Bartimaeus 23
SENTENCE SERMONS
Speaking the truth often requires more courage than some possess.
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“Criticism is easy; achievement is more difficult.” - Winston Churchill
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Hell will be a truth that many will realize too late.
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Proper use of today is the best preparation for tomorrow.
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There is a tendency for people to credit themselves with their successes, but to blame God for their failures.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
