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

Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com

Vol 24. Issue 11 Mar. 14, 2010

Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

Sometimes, when I’m trying to correct an answer a student in class put on a test or homework assignment, and they perceive it’s going to be “too much work” to go back and change it, they’ll wave a hand and say, “Aw, close enough.”

There have been times when I’ve been working on a small building project and a measurement ended up being an eighth of an inch off, and I’ve said the same thing – provided it wouldn’t make a noticeable difference in the end product. Maybe you’ve done the same or something similar. I’m sure you’ve heard the old expression, “‘Close’ only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” I believe there’s a lot of truth in that, and it should remind us that “close enough” often isn’t in most situations.

One area wherein “close enough” just won’t do it is our spiritual life. Think about Felix. Felix had a lot of problems. We don’t know much about him other than what we find in Acts 24, but from history, we learn that he was a man who was filled with a lot of anger. Drusilla is mentioned in this passage and what many of you may not know is that he stole Drusilla from King Aretas. Here we have a man with many problems, and when Paul preached to him, he preached to him of righteousness, temperance (or self-control), and the coming Judgment and Felix needed to hear those things, because he was not a righteous man. Sadly, after having heard the words of the Lord, he sent Paul away and wouldn’t respond. After hearing Paul preach, he was closer to the kingdom than ever before, but he still wasn’t in the kingdom.

Festus sent Paul to King Agrippa and after he had preached Christ to Agrippa, the king’s response was, “Almost, thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). There is some speculation as to whether or not Agrippa was being sincere or sarcastic, but regardless, “almost” becoming a Christian is not the same as becoming a Christian. Consider: during the days of Noah, who among humanity was saved? Was being a foot away from the ark enough to be saved? Was touching the ark enough to gain salvation? Of course not. Salvation was found only in the ark.

Today, the “ark of safety” is the Lord’s church. Can you be saved by knowing a Christian? Can you be saved by only coming to the services of the Lord’s church week after week? Can you hear the word preached and then be saved? Can you hear the word preached, repent of your sins, confess your faith in Jesus Christ, and then be saved? No. All of these things put one closer to salvation, but they don’t put one into a saved condition. Doing these things, but failing to be baptized for the remission of past sins (I Peter 3:20-21), will put one in the company of the scribe of Mark 12, whom Jesus told, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”

Dear Reader, please understand that salvation isn’t the same as horseshoes and hand grenades – “close enough” won’t save you! “Not far from the kingdom” is miles away from “in the kingdom.” If you’ve heard the word preached and believe it, and have come to the point of repenting of your sins, then why not confess your faith in Christ and put Him on in baptism? Do it today before it’s eternally too late.

- R.W.

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “A Scribe Who Wasn’t Far From the Kingdom”

(Mark 12:28-34)

P.M. – “The Law of Burden Bearing”

(Gal. 6:1-2)

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 – home and doing better.

Ivis Wright

Quotable Quote: “Accomplishment is easiest when we work the hardest, and it is hardest when we work the easiest.” – Anonymous

Wisdom From Proverbs: “A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him” or, “We are rewarded or punished for what we say and do” (Prov. 12:13).

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 Gospel Meeting w/Gary Colley Mar. 18-21. Potluck will be moved to next Sunday to coincide with our meeting.

* 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.

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

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

* 4^th Sunday Singing at Dongola, 3/28, 2:30-3:30.

* Hearing assistance available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (Lev. 10:1,16).

New question: Which mountain did Moses ascend to receive the 10 commandments?

Sentence Sermon: “To be almost saved is to be totally lost.”

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Adrianna Bradley - 3/17

Deborah Yates - 3/20

Church Shopping

I am trying to find a car right now. Since we are totally committed to having no more debt payments (except our mortgage), and since we haven’t had time to save up a lot of cash, the pickings are slim. I check websites and have some other “feelers” out, but it is hard to find something that is reliable and safe that I can afford (that doesn’t have 300,000 miles on it)!

As I go through this process, I am reminded of people who “shop” for a church. Many treat the processes in basically the same way.

• When one car starts giving them a little trouble, they get rid of it. When a congregation starts to ask a little too much of them (not doctrinally, but with work), they are through.
• We talk about our car in glowing terms when it’s new, but as it gets older we get more negative and start looking for a newer model. Many do the same with churches. When we first begin attending, everything is great! However, over time, we not only see the negative, we begin to dwell on it. For many, it’s time to start looking for a “better” place.
• Some can’t decide on a car. They kick tires, take test drives, and go through the process for a protracted period of time before they finally decide on a vehicle. While it’s important to find a congregation where you can use your talents, many take years doing that, simply because they don’t want to be “tied down” if something isn’t “just right.”
• When it’s time to buy, we bargain and plead for a better price, or a few “extras” if we are buying from a dealer. Some, when they think they have found a couple of congregations that might “suit” them, try to negotiate and see which will do more for them.

Choosing a congregation to attend is extremely important. It should be handled with prayer and great thought. But you aren’t buying a car! The work of the Church is to seek the lost, save them, encourage others, glorify God, teach, aid, help, and be a community. You can’t do those things if you are constantly shopping.

Understand that no congregation–from the human standpoint–is perfect. Some teach error, and that’s a different issue. All congregations, though, have little quirks and tiffs that cause a little uproar from time-to-time. Don’t start shopping when these arise; instead, be the peacemaker! Know that, should you leave, it won’t be long before the congregation you go to will also have a little “issue,” and you’ll be looking again.

I’m thankful that Lebanon Road, while not perfect, has peacemakers! I’m thankful that we are a place that stands on God’s Word, not only in our teaching, but in our attitude and how we handle those “little” things that often break apart congregations and lead to shopping. I’m also thankful that we don’t “steal sheep.” While we have many who place membership here, we don’t seek that. We want people to be saved first and foremost.

Stop shopping, and start serving!

- Adam Faughn