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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
51 Dec.
20, 2009
What Amazes Jesus?
Apparently,
we like to be amazed. I draw that conclusion from the myriad of
television shows such as, "Amazing Rescues," "Amazing Car
Chases," "Amazing Animal Stories," and do you remember from a
generation ago, "That's Incredible." But now, have you ever
wondered what amazes Jesus? What turns his head? If you haven't,
I'll tell you... "When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and
turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, 'I say to you, I have
not found such great faith, not even in Israel!'" (Luke 7:9).
Faith!
That's what amazes Jesus. The kind of faith possessed by a Roman
solider. Jesus marveled! He was amazed! He said he had never
seen anything like it, not even in Israel, among God's people.
Friends,
you may never make it on some "Amazing" television show. In
fact, your life may seem quite ordinary to your friends and neighbors, but if
you have faith; faith like this Roman soldier, you too will turn the Savior's
head, cause Him to marvel at you, and say, "Why, have you ever seen such a
thing?"
P.S. - For those who are interested, here's some additional information that
helps to explain what was so amazing about this Roman soldier's faith.
It crossed
barriers.
He was a Gentile, but he had come to have faith in God.
It involved
him in the work of God. He put his faith in action and built the Jews a synagogue.
It worked
for the good of others. He was concerned about a servant, who under Roman laws was
simply viewed as a living tool.
It was
humble.
He felt unworthy before Jesus.
It
acknowledged that nothing was too hard for God. He believed Jesus
could do what he was unable to do.
- Steve Higginbotham via MercEmail
SERMON TOPICS
A.M. – “The Singular Church”
(Dan. 7:13-14)
P.M. – “The Mystery of
Godliness”
(I Tim. 3:16)
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 –
In Herrin hospital.
Quotable Quote: “People who try to do something and fail are
infinitely better than those who do nothing and succeed.”
– Unknown
Wisdom From Proverbs: “A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the
righteous shall not be moved”
(Prov. 12:3)
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.
* 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: It’s actually the
other way around (Eph. 5:22).
New question: Jesus
is the author and ___________ of our faith. Where is it found?
Sentence Sermon: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Christ
Birthdays &Anniversaries
None this week.
A Few Points from
Today’s Sermons:
A.M. - The Singular
Church
* God’s kingdom will
be around forever (Heb. 12:28).
- Was purposed from the beginning
(Eph. 3:10-11).
- Isaiah & Micah promised its coming (Isa.
2:1-4; Micah 4:1-3).
- Daniel prophesied its coming (Dan.
2:44).
- John the Baptizer announced it was “at
hand” (Matt. 3:2) – prepared man for it.
- It was finally perfected (I Pet. 1:10-12;
Acts 2, II Cor. 5:20).
*
The Lord’s Kingdom/Church wears the name of its head – Christ (Dan. 7:14; Matt.
16:18; Eph.
1:23; 4:12; Rev. 11:15;
Rom. 16:16).
* Jesus is head, elders oversee individual congregations where
they attend, deacons are workers,
ministers preach the word
(Acts 6:1-3; 14:23; 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb.
13:17; I Peter 5:1-4).
* Her mission is to glorify God (I Cor. 6:20).
* Her admission requirements are singular and unique (Mark 16:16;
Heb. 11:6; Acts 2:38,47; Rom.
6:1-6; 10:9-10).
* Her instruction manual is singular – the Bible and it alone
(Gal. 1:6-9; I Thess. 2:13; II Tim. 2:15;
Acts 17:11; II Pet. 3:16).
Bible is inerrant & all-sufficient (II Sam. 23:2; I Cor. 2:9-13; II Tim.
3:16-17; I Pet.1:10-12; II
Pet. 1:20-21).
* We must stand firm against sinful, divisive denominationalism.
The Bible is our guide (I Kings
18:17-40; Num. 25:1-15;
Ex. 32:25-28; II Kings 22 & 23).
P.M.
– The Mystery of Godliness
*
In Scripture, “mystery” means that which used to be obscured, but now has been
revealed.
*
Godliness means piety or devotion.
* 6 points from I Tim. 3:16:
- Christ was manifested in
the flesh (John 1:14).
- He was justified (I Pet.
3:18; Rom. 1:4).
- Christ was seen of
angels (Jn. 1:1&14; Gen. 19:1; Mt.1:20; Luke 1:26; Luke 2:13; Mt. 4:11;
Luke 22:43; Mt. 26:53;
Mt. 28:2ff; Mk. 16:5; Lk. 24:4; Jn. 20:12; I Pet.
3:22; Rev.5:11, 12).
- Preached among the
Gentiles/nations (Isa. 2:2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47).
- Believed on in the world
(Acts 2:44; 4:4; 5:14; 9:42; John 3:36; Acts 6:7; Acts 16:31-33).
- Christ was received up
in glory (Luke 24:26; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:2).
Year-End Thoughts...
It’s so hard to believe that 2009 is nearly at its
end. With that thought in mind, consider this poem (author unknown)...
HURRY, HURRY...
This is the age
Of the half-read page,
The quick hash
And the mad dash,
The bright night
And the nerves up tight,
The plane hop
And the brief stop,
The lamp tan
In a short span,
The big shot
In a good spot,
The brain strain
And the heart pain,
And the cat naps
Till the spring snaps
And the fun’s
Done.
As we make our resolutions for the new year, let’s
resolve to slow down in 2010. Let’s put God first in our lives and give more
time to Him. Let’s decide that if we don’t get everything done on our “to do”
list today, it will keep until tomorrow and we don’t have to be stressed over
it. Let’s do the best we can with what we have today and let tomorrow take care
of itself (Mt. 6:33-34). My wish for us all is that our best day in 2009 will
be our worst day in 2010. Happy New Year!
- R.W.