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Nile
Street Notes
Anna Church of
Christ 104 Nile Street,
Anna, Illinois 62906 833-5815 |
Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com
Vol 23. Issue
45 Nov.
8, 2009
Some Important Thoughts
About Jesus
Some time ago, a friend forwarded me an e-mail with a few of the
following points in it. I thought these were worthy of consideration and added
a few of my own and the scriptures that support each. Spend a few moments and
consider these thoughts as you think about the majesty of Jesus.
* Jesus had
no servants, yet they called Him Master.
(Matthew 19:16)
* Had no
degree, yet they called Him Teacher. (John
1:38)
* Had no
medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
(Matthew 8:7)
* Had no
army, yet kings feared Him. (Matthew 2:13).
* He won no
military battles, yet He conquered the
world. (John 16:33)
* He
committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
(Mark 15:24)
* He was
buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. (Mark
9:31)
* Feel
honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.
(John 3:16)
Jesus
died for you to cleanse you of your sins (Rom. 5:8-9). Have you taken advantage
of His great gift? If not, do so by being immersed for the remission of your
sins today! (I Peter 3:20-21).
- R.W.
SERMON TOPICS
A.M. – “What Do I Owe My Home
Congregation?”
(Eph. 2:13-21)
P.M. – “To Speak
Thy Word With All
Boldness” (Acts 4:23-30).
Those For
Whom We Are Praying:
Kathleen Ritchey – broke hip
last week.
Rodney & Nikki Lingle
Bill Whitnel
Mitchell Shock – Grandson of
Rosemary’s cousin.
Paul Etherton - Sara Wilkins’ father. Cancer in lymph nodes.
Wes Boie family– Wes passed away last week.
Bonnie Mangum
Jeannie Britt
- diagnosed with kidney cancer. Her address is:
212 West Ash Street, Cobden, IL 62920 if you'd like to send
a card or letter.
Ivis
Wright – Heart problem.
Josh Cheek – Heart surgery
last Thursday
Wisdom From Proverbs: “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” (Prov. 11:27).
Quotable Quote: “Never give in… never, never, never, never, in
nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force.. never yield
to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” – Winston Churchill
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
* Today is Flower Fund Sunday.
* Thanks to all
who attended/provided meals for brother Tatum last week. We had an outstanding Gospel
meeting and we thank
our sister congregations for supporting it,
especially Dongola, who canceled their own Bible
study to be with us last
Wednesday night.
* 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.
* Thanks to all
who took part in the devotional & hayride Friday night. Everyone had a good
time.
* Please
continue boycotting Pepsi & Frito-Lay products as they support the
homosexual agenda..
BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:
Last week’s
answer: Shittim, or acacia (Ex. 27:1).
New question: Noah’s
ark was built of what kind of wood?
Sentence Sermon: “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
Birthdays &Anniversaries
Rosanna Dillow – 11/14
Gridlock
A term that has entered our vocabulary in recent years
is the word “gridlock.” Today it has a political connotation to it. When
neither Republicans nor Democrats will budge on an issue, “gridlock” results. Gridlock
results when neither part will budge for the good of the other . Politics is
not the only place where there is “gridlock.” It is in the church and in the
home.
In the church gridlock occurs when there are divisions
between the members of a particular congregation (1 Cor. 1:10). This may be
over matters of personality, indifference, or opinion. Yet it results in
neither side yielding to the other. Some will eventually leave if they don’t
get their way. The way to stop “gridlock” is with humility. When brethren fuss
and fight, someone has to give or the church will suffer. We need to have the
attitude expressed by Paul to the Christians at Philippi. He told them: “Doing
nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each
counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things,
but each of your also to the things of others “( Phil. 2:3,4 ASV). With
this kind of attitude, brethren will go closer together. Unfortunately many are
busy trying to maneuver for a position of authority
in the church. They want the pre-eminence like Diotrophes
(3 John 9). Some who want control will be surprised if they get it. Let us
always remember Christianity involves a group. When we are looking only to
benefit ourselves we are in the same camp as some of the Pharisees in Jesus
day.
There is also “gridlock” in marriages. Both husband
and wife want to go in opposite directions. This can occur in everything from
where to live to how to raise the children, and all points in between. Husband
and wife are to work together. When the Bible says “the two shall become one
flesh” (Eph. 5:31) it denotes unity. There are going to be disagreements. No
two people under the same roof will agree on all issues’ 100% of the time. The
key is how to handle the disagreements. If there is gridlock, and neither is
willing to yield to the other the marriage will eventually wind up in trouble,
and if there are children, they will suffer.
In all the above areas “gridlock” will not be overcome
by a stubborn, unyielding attitude. Someone is going to have to make a step to
solve the problem and benefit the country, church or the home. If there is
gridlock in your life, take care of it before the whole unit suffers.
- Bill
Brandstatter__________________________________________________________________
Great Preaching!
A mechanic went to hear a
visiting evangelist in a little town. The preacher preached that night on money
and presented the sermon under three points.
First point: "Make all
you can." The mechanic nudged his wife and said, "That man is the
best I've ever heard. He is no nitwit. He knows what it's all about. He is one
smart man."
Second point: "Save all
you can." This excited the mechanic and he whispered again, "This
beats anything I've ever heard. He's smart enough to be President. This town
has never had a preacher that could hold a candle to him." The preacher
commended hard work and thrift, denouncing laziness and waste. The mechanic
could not keep quiet. He whispered, "I've believed this all my life."
Third point: "Give all
you can." "Oh, my," exclaimed the mechanic, "now he's gone
crazy. He has quit preaching and gone to meddling."
Thought: Is it not strange that some people's conception of great
preaching is a sermon that compliments them and rebukes other? Remember-your
preacher did not write the Bible. He is not responsible for any word in it, but
he is definitely responsible for preaching every word in it. And when it is
preached, people judge themselves by their reaction to it. -Leroy Brownlow, deceased.
The following has appeared in Nile Street Notes
before, but with football season approaching, now might be a good time to
“re-run” it.
Church Football
Quarterback Sneak - Church members quietly leaving during the
invitation.
Draw Play - What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime - The period between Sunday school and worship when many choose
to leave.
Benchwarmer - Those who do not sing, pray, work, or do anything but sit.
Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water
fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money during the
offering.
Two-minute Warning - The point at which you realize the sermon is
almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's
illustrations.
Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the
preacher goes "overtime."
Trap - You're called on to pray and are asleep.
End Run - Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or
fellow member.
Flex Defense - The ability to allow absolutely nothing in the sermon to affect
your life.
Halfback Option - When 50% of the congregation decides not to
return for the evening service.
Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing
prayer.