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Nile
Street Notes
Anna Church of
Christ 104 Nile Street,
Anna, Illinois 62906 833-5815 |
Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com
Vol 24. Issue
3 Jan.
17, 2010
A LOT
of Verses
For many years, preachers in churches of Christ were known for using a lot
(and I mean, a lot)
of verses of Scripture. Whether the sermon was basically textual or topical,
many passages were used to show the truth of the matter being presented.
Of course, passages can be taken out of context, but, as I read and listen
to many of these sermons, I am touched by the faithfulness to the text in using
verse after verse.
A few weeks ago, we were visiting where my parents worship and the young
men led the evening services. One young man presented a good sermon on baptism.
His lesson was basic in its message (nothing wrong with that), but I was
impressed with something else: he used tons
of Scripture. This young man said almost nothing in the sermon that was not
“backed up” with the Bible.
Some would listen to a sermon like that and think, “That’s just prooftexting. I can’t believe we’re raising more prooftexters.” However, I thought something else as I
listened. I was thinking, “Here’s a young man who knows that the proof is in the text!”
Preachers, Bible class teachers, elders, parents–anyone who has an
influence on our young people–please encourage them to seek the Bible for all
they do. Encourage them to find their proof from the text.
There’s nothing wrong with using a lot of verses. In fact, may we
faithfully use as many as possible when we preach and teach, so that people
will be hearing from God, and not from man. -
Adam Faughn
SERMON TOPICS
A.M. – “What Color Is Racism?”
(Gal. 3:28)
P.M. – Song Service – 5
p.m.
Those For
Whom We Are Praying:
Kathleen Ritchey
Rodney & Nikki Lingle
Bill Whitnel
Mitchell Shock – Grandson of
Rosemary’s cousin.
Bonnie Mangum
Virginia McIntyre
Rose Wright –
Home, recovering from abdominal surgery.
Michelle Ashby
(friend of the Driskills) – Has inflammatory breast
cancer that has spread to her ribs, liver, lower spine, & right pelvis. Is
being treated w/chemotherapy and radiation.
Margaret
Yates passed away Wednesday evening in Marion.
Friends may call at the Mitchell & Hughes Funeral Home in Marion on Monday,
Jan. 18th from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the funeral hour. Gerald Cowan
officiating. She was 92.
Quotable Quote: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” –Japanese proverb
Wisdom From Proverbs: “The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But
the mouth of the upright will deliver them.” (Prov. 12:6).
Welcome! If you're visiting with us, we extend you a
special welcome and invite you to come back at every opportunity. If our
worship seems unusual to you, please let us know what you find different. We
endeavor to worship "in Spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24) and do only
what scripture authorizes (Col. 3:17, Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).
UPCOMING
ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS
* Please remember to mute or turn off cell
phones.
* Correction: The elders
decided to suspend our 3rd Sunday evening gatherings until Spring,
so we’ll not be meeting tonight.
Sorry for any confusion. - RW
* Freed-Hardeman Bible Lectures begin Feb. 7.
* Ladies’ Class, Tue.
night at Sherry’s. 7 p.m.
* Mark your
calendars and watch for more info about Inspiration 2010—the Dexter Youth
Rally. Dates have been set for March
5-6 and Joe Wells will be speaking.
* The month of
September is open if you'd like to prepare communion. The sign-up sheet is on
the bulletin board.
* Please clip
“Box Tops For Education” & put them in the box in the Preacher’s office.
* Please
continue to drop any Bible questions in the Question & Answer box in the
foyer.
* Please continue
boycotting Pepsi & Frito-Lay
products as they support the homosexual agenda..
*
Congratulations to Renee McAlister. She has worked part-time at Kent Library at
SEMO University for the last 4 years and
has just been hired for a new full-time position
there. She begins Jan. 4, 2010.
* 2010 is just
around the corner! Be careful as you travel these next few days.
* Hearing assistance available
upon request.
BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:
Last week’s
answer: Reuben (Gen.
37:20-21).
New question: When Bela,
King of Edom died, who replaced him?
Sentence Sermon: “A lot of kneeling keeps you in good standing.”
Birthdays &Anniversaries
Wyatt Jones – 1/21
Some Points From Today’s Sermon: What Color Is Racism?
Introduction:
*
Tomorrow set aside to honor civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
*
Past century full of great accomplishments. Also contains many failures. Racial
prejudice a great
failure.
- Racism
played great role in WWII. * Prejudice – to
pre-judge.
* “Racist” a great insult. Likely began after flood
when mankind dispersed (Gen. 11:6ff).
1. Some history of racism.
* Israel God’s chosen people. Disdain for others
developed. New word emerged: “strangers” (non-
Hebrews –
Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4).
* Law of Moses designed to show kindness to
strangers (Ex. 23:9, Lev. 19:33-34; Ex. 22:21-24;
Acts 2:10b;
Num. 15:14-16).
2. How
do we recognize racism?
*
Exists in all segments of society.
*Racist will resist hiring another race,
or will hire a less
qualified person to accommodate his own race.
* A
racist cringes to see people of different color in marriage (Num. 12).
*
Racists focus on skin color, not character content.
3.
Why is racism a continuing problem?
*
Parents teach children (sadly). Remember song from “South Pacific” – “You’ve
Got To Be
Carefully Taught.”
- You've got to be taught to hate and fear, You've
got to be taught from year to year.
It's
got to be drummed in your dear little ear, You've got to be carefully
taught,
You've got
to be taught to be afraid, Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a
different shade. You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be
taught before it's too late Before you are six or seven or eight,
To
hate all the people your relatives hate. You've
got to be carefully taught,
* Racism’s ultimate source: Satan.
4.What does the Bible
say about racism?
* I Samuel 16:7, “God sees not as a man sees, for man
looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”
* Matt. 7:12: “...all
things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them...”
* Eph. 2:11-16 – Christ tore the barrier down. We’re
to be one in Him.
* Jas. 2:1-4 – Stern warning against showing
partiality.
* What can we do? Preach the Gospel! Teach the
Gospel! Only it can soften the heart and tear down
the sinful
barrier of racism.
*We must stop feeding stereotypes!
It’s Not Our Fault!
Senior citizens are
constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or
imaginary. We take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.
HOWEVER, upon
reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the
senior citizens who took:
The melody out
of music,
The pride out
of appearance,
The courtesy out
of driving,
The romance out
of love,
The commitment out
of marriage,
The responsibility out
of parenthood,
The togetherness out
of the family,
The learning out
of education,
The service out
of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from
rulers,
The civility out
of behavior,
The refinement out
of language,
The dedication out
of employment,
The prudence out
of spending,
The ambition out
of achievement, or,
God out of government and
school.
And we certainly are NOT the
ones who
eliminated
patience and tolerance from
personal relationships and interactions with others!!
And, we do understand the
meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for
our country.
- Selected