Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 8 Feb. 22, 2009

ABILITY PLUS . . .

What is a talent? How many do you have? According to the dictionary, a talent is a special ability, and no doubt this is the way most people use the word today. Whenever they read or hear the word talent, they assume it means ability. That often leads them to make an improper application of “the parable of the talents” that Jesus told (Mt. 25:14-30).
The talents in that parable are not abilities but rather sums of money entrusted to servants whose abilities were known and appreciated by their master (just read verse 15 for the point about ability, and then read verse 27 to notice that the talent here was money). The talents in the parable amounted to opportunities to use one’s abilities in the service of the master. The point for us: God knows our abilities and gives each of us opportunities to use them in His service. The money and other resources one has constitute only one of the opportunities God gives him for service in the kingdom of Christ. The principle “Ability Plus Opportunity Equals Responsibility” applies to service of any and every kind.

For the moment let us put aside the parable (do not forget the principle) and talk about talents as abilities, and ask the question again: How many do you have, and how are you using them? Ability alone does not make one acceptable in the Lord’s service. Nor does opportunity alone mean one is approved by the Lord. Only when ability is applied to opportunity and results in service can one really expect approval from God. If you want to be sure you are using your talents properly, you will need to develop some other important characteristics. Here is a list of five abilities: the first four are optional or elective. The last one is mandatory; it cannot be rejected or avoided. Do not jump down the page to number 5. Read and think about the others, in the order listed.

AVAILABILITY. It doesn’t really matter how “talented” you are if you are not available. There are people who could do many things, but you can’t get them to do much. So, are you available to do whatever you can, whenever you are called upon?
DEPENDABILITY. Some accept assignments but you never know if they will actually follow through and do what they agree to do. Are you reliable? Can you be depended upon to do what you say you will do?
DURABILITY. Someone has said that it isn’t just how well you start but how long you last that really counts. How long will you last? How long can you be depended upon? Will you give up when the going gets tough, or will your see the job through to the end, as long as you are able?
EXCITABILITY. Enthusiasm! How enthusiastic are you? Is service a burden or a joy?
Be sure that you develop all these qualities, because – remember the principle – ability plus opportunity adds up to ACCOUNTABILITY. We are responsible, whether we accept it or not. When the Master returns, every one of us will have to give an account of our service, and the Master will respond appropriately to each one. And that is what the parable of the talents is all about.
Perhaps we should ask about one more. What is the PROBABILITY that you are going to apply this lesson to yourself and receive any personal benefit from it?

– Gerald Cowan via The Encourager

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Flesh and Blood Hath Not

Revealed It” (Matt. 16:16-17)

P.M. – “Speaking In Tongues”

(Acts 2:1-4)

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Loren Eddleman

Rosemary Dillow’s mother & Son–in-law

Jerry & Betty Ward

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell – Ken is having trouble with his knees.

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering – Baby battling a number of birth defects.

Carlos Wright

Holly Miller (Wetaug congregation) - Her mother is in Lourdes Hospital recovering from a stroke.

Veda Pryor – In a nursing home in Dexter, MO. Her address and phone number is on the bulletin board.

Virginia McIntyre – Recovering from back surgery.

Wisdom From Proverbs: “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom” (Prov. 10:22).

Quotable Quote: “The best remedy for a short temper is a long walk.”

Sentence Sermon: “We cannot avoid growing old, but we can avoid growing cold.”

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Our Spring Gospel Meeting will be March 20-22 with Garland Elkins.

* Potluck for next Sunday has been postponed until the 4^th Sunday.

* Gospel Meeting in Jackson Apr. 3-5 with Phil Sanders.

* Mar. 6&7 – “Inspiration 2009” youth rally at Dexter congregation. Kyle Butt speaking.

Group studies for 5^th -12^th grades. All ages invited to attend Kyle Butt's lessons in the

auditorium. Adult class will also be available at the group study times. Lodging will be

provided on Friday evening for those wishing to spend the night. More info on the bulletin

board.

* Phone Calls and Letters are needed for those in

hospitals and who are shut-in.

* Also, let’s remember to contact those that we

Haven’t see in a few weeks.

* We have invitation letters to our services to mail

out. If you’d like to be a part of this, see R.W.

* Feel free to drop any Bible questions in the

Question & Answer box in the foyer.

* Food Pantry needs canned fruit.

* 4^th Sunday singing will be at Vienna today

and here in March, coinciding with our meeting.

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Jeroboam. 1 Kings 13:4

New question: Which king had children of Bethlehem killed?

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Sherry Ward - 2/22

Raymond Hartline - 2/27

Wilma Hartline - 2/28

Is It Really That Important?

I’ll never understand why some so-called Christians think they can stay home because of a stubbed toe, mild headache, fatigue, or some illness that seems to show up frequently on Wednesday or Sunday nights, possibly for weeks in a row. Likewise, I just can’t understand how some people will put a civic meeting ahead of studying God’s word.

There are a lot of barometers of spirituality, but one of the most prominent is that of attendance. It’s easy to tell how important worshipping God and studying His word is to people by how often they’re in worship and how they feel about missing a service.

Skipping church services demonstrates disregard and a lack of respect for the Bible. Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Unfortunately, the manner of some is to forsake that assembly on Sunday or Wednesday nights for some pretty flimsy reasons. Somebody will say, “Why, you don’t have to come on Sunday or Wednesday night – the Bible doesn’t say so!” Would you be surprised to learn that there’s just as much Biblical authority for daily assembling as there is for Sunday assembling?

Acts 2:46 says, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” We have an authoritative, approved example here: the very first Christians met daily! In Acts 20:7, the Bible says, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Here again, we have an approved example – they met on the first day of the week to break bread and hear preaching! We have no express command for either of these, but we have authority for both! We could meet seven days a week if the elders deemed it wise and we’d have God’s approval. To wantonly miss a church service demonstrates weak faith and a lack of respect for God’s Word.

To carelessly miss a church service also indicates a sinful attitude. Anyone who’ll offer a lame excuse for not being here doesn’t have the love for God that he ought to have. Refusing to meet with the saints shows that a person isn’t as concerned about spiritual growth as he ought to be. In II Peter 3:18, Peter writes, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Personal study is important, but that alone is not enough. We need to study with other Christians, we need to have the word of God proclaimed to us. Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The eunuch replied, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:30-31). Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” We can read a passage for ourselves many times over and see a truth that we need to pay more attention to, but it often becomes clearer and carries more weight if we hear it from someone else – hence the idea of “getting your toes stepped on” by the preacher. How shall they hear about the Lord without a preacher? How are we going to grow in grace if we seldom hear a sound preacher, or only hear one “hit and miss?” If we’re going to be what God wants us to be and if we’re going to grow spiritually, we need frequent, regular exposure to the word of God that we can’t get at home in front of the computer, or in the fishing boat on the lake, or in the grandstand at the race track: we need to be assembling with the saints.

Skipping church services indicates a lack of respect for the elders and their God-given authority. They have the responsibility to feed the flock (Acts 20:28) and they determine how much feeding goes on and when. Furthermore, we have the responsibility to obey them (Heb. 13:7&17). If we can’t be here on a regular basis (barring some serious illness or insurmountable hindrance), then we have a serious spiritual illness. May we make every effort to put study and worship in their proper places.

- R.W.