Nile Street Notes Anna Church of Christ 104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906 833-5815

Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com

Vol 24. Issue 7 Feb. 14, 2010

EATING WITH IMPUNITY

While watching the late news the other night we saw one of those world class chefs being interviewed about the different kinds of foods people eat on Super Bowl Sunday. By the way, did you know that more food is eaten by Americans on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year other than Thanksgiving? How’s that for a free fun fact!!...So, back to the chef. At one point during the interview he was talking about how much he loves to eat. He made the statement, “My one goal in life is to eat with impunity.”  

I started thinking about that statement and how I had never heard of or thought of the idea of impunity associated with eating  I pulled up dictionary.com, (you know, the modern day Webster’s) to make sure I was right about what impunity means.  It told me that impunity comes from a Latin word meaning to be exempt from punishment or immune from detrimental effects.  Now wouldn’t that be super? To be able to spend your life eating without any detrimental effects.  In our day it seems that this is impossible. It seems that there are some detrimental effects tied to everything we eat (at least those things that we really enjoy eating)!  

While that may be a worthy physical goal, albeit a very difficult (if not impossible) one to achieve there is something we can do in this life without impunity We can make decisions and choices that will exempt us from punishment.  We can choose to follow Jesus in everything we do and we will not be punished, rather ultimately we will be rewarded.

When we are in Christ we receive the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). That is what it means to live life with impunity. Paul also declares that for those who are in Christ there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).That’s what it means to live life with impunity.  Does it mean, as some would have us to believe, that we will never sin again? No, John reminds Christians that if we claim that we have no sin we are only deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8). We will continue to sin, however “if we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9) It is when we are walking in the light that His blood cleanses us (1 John 1:7).  That is what it means to live life with impunity.

There are too many Christians who are walking in the light and who are continually being cleansed by the blood of Jesus living a life of guilt. They are wondering if they are lost or saved.  They question whether or not God is willing to forgive their sin. They allow some sin in the past to keep them from living for God now. They are bound by some present sin, not knowing if they can really receive God's forgiveness.  An old preacher in Alabama used to say living the Christian life is not like being on a yoyo. We are not lost one minute and saved the next.  Jesus came to bring us the abundant life (John 10:10). When we walk with Him we can live that abundant life with impunity and we can know that eternal salvation is ours (1 John 5:13).

Dear God, help us to know that if we are walking with the Savior that we can live the abundant life with impunity. Father, help us to know that we have an abundant entrance into the eternal home of the soul, where there is rest, sweet rest.  Thank You for saving us and allowing us to partake of Your righteousness.

- Jeff Jenkins

(content edited for Nile Street Notes)

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Christian Courage”

(Luke 9:51-56)

P.M. – Singing Service

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Bonnie Mangum

Virginia McIntyre

Michelle Ashby (friend of the Driskills) – Has inflammatory breast cancer that has spread to her ribs, liver, lower spine, & right pelvis.

Carroll McCommons

Ivis Wright

Quotable Quote: “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” – Dave Ramsey

Wisdom From Proverbs: “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.” Or, “A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects” (Prov. 12:11).

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).

NEWS & UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

* Please remember to mute or turn off cell

phones.

* Our Sunday evening services will be at 5 p.m. at least through March 14^th

* Our Gospel Meeting w/Gary Colley Mar. 18-21.

* Mark your calendars for Inspiration 2010—the Dexter Youth Rally. Theme: "Absolutely: Nothing More - Nothing Less."

Dates are March 5-6 and Joe Wells will be speaking.

* 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.

* 4^th Sunday Singing at Metropolis at 2:30; 2/28.

* American Family Association (AFA) has suspended its boycott of PepsiCo. Pepsi owns Frito-Lay. Campbell Soup has not

discontinued support for the homosexual agenda. Please continue boycotting them.

* Hearing assistance available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: The mother of Zebedee’s children (Mt. 20:20). The children are James & John (Mk. 10:35).

New question: How many “perils” does Paul mention he has endured in II Cor. 11?

Sentence Sermon: “Those who never retract opinions love themselves more than the truth.”

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Rose Wright - 2/21

Larry Yates - 2/21

Sherry Ward - 2/22

Raymond Hartline - 2/27

Christian Courage – Notes/Study Sheet

(Luke 9:51-62)

1. Introduction

* We’re all called upon to demonstrate courage from time to time.

- What about courage in facing a Grizzly Bear?

- I Peter 5:8 – Satan like a lion, not a bear. Requires more courage to face him.

2. Jesus had courage.

* Luke 9:51 – He knew the Cross awaited. He didn’t shy away from it.

* Luke 9:52-56 – He & His disciples weren’t welcome in Samaria.

* Vv. 57-62 – 3 people consider following Christ.

3. 1^st Person, vv. 57-58:

* Which comes first: Christ or material possessions?

* Would we give up our home for Christ – or anything that keeps us from worship or His

service in any way?

* Lord doesn’t need “fair-weather followers.” He doesn’t need half-hearted followers.

* Many churches today make it all too easy to belong to them, disregarding the Bible.

* We can’t hold Christ in one hand and the world in the other.

4. 2^nd Person, vv. 59-60:

* Wanted to bury his father first, then would follow Jesus.

* Father probably wasn’t dead yet, but death was likely approaching.

* Don’t let relatives or loved ones come before God. This takes courage!

* Unbelieving spouses can come between us & God. Our duty? God first! (Acts 5:29)

5. 3^rd Person, vv. 61-62:

* “Let me say goodbye to my loved ones.” Even social obligations come second to Christ.

* Go back to your family – your peers, & you may be dissuaded from following Christ.

* Great pressure today to deny Christ. Sunday no longer regarded as the Lord’s Day.

* Christianity requires courage!

* No one who has held the plow but turns back is fit for the kingdom.

- When you hold something powerful, you must look ahead & stay focused.

* Don’t look back – don’t return to the old way of life or compromise w/the world.

* Keep your eyes on the mark (Phil. 3:13-14).

* Your continuing courage unto death will be rewarded (II Tim. 4:7-8).

R.W. McAlister

2/21/10 a.m.