Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 22. Issue 17 April 27, 2008

A “Moron?”
by Steve Higginbotham

        The blog title read, “Moron turns in $140,000.00.” What this title has reference to is the news story that broke last month. Eli Estrada, a 40 year-old Palm Beach resident found a bag containing $140,000.00 in unmarked $20.00 bills.
         Mr. Estrada certainly could have used the money. About six months ago, he opened a landscaping and artificial-grass business and is in debt; he says his child support payments are tough to make; and he supports his mother, who moved in with him last year after she lost her house to a fumbled refinancing plan. Yet, Mr. Estrada went straight to the police and turned in all $140,000.00.
         Apparently, a Brinks armored truck somehow lost the money. Brinks rewarded Mr. Estrada for his good deed by giving him $2,000.00.
          So now, was Mr. Estrada a really a “moron?” Only if one views such values as honesty, integrity, and the “golden rule” as foolish. But what about the cheap reward that was offered? Some on this blog said that if they knew the reward for turning in the money would have been so small, they would have kept it. But do we have to be financially rewarded for doing the right thing? Are our values so degraded that we feel we deserve a “reward” for doing what we’re supposed to do?
          A moron? Hardly. Here’s a man who has demonstrated that he had sufficient intelligence to know that some things are more valuable than money…things like integrity, honesty, and doing the right thing. Thank you, Mr. Estrada, for your example. May your tribe increase!
        Now then, truthfully, what would you do if you found the money? Give it some thought.

Is It Entertainment, or Worship?

I read about a fellow who had been a member of a denominational church for a short time where shouting, hand-clapping, and foot-stomping was practiced. He wasn’t accustomed to such and he asked the preacher about it. The preacher's reply was, “If Calvin Hill made a touchdown for the Cowboys, would you shout and whistle and clap your hands?” The fellow answered that he probably would. The preacher then replied, “If you can do it for the Cowboys, why can't you do it for the Lord?” This seemed to satisfy the man, because so much in the denominational religious world has degenerated into entertainment. This being the reason for choirs and special groups performing in their “worship(?)” period. One denomination had a magician show. Another put on a “Jude demonstration.”

Let’s go a step further. Ever hear of the Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas? Pay attention to this excerpt from Feb. 15, 2003 edition of the Dallas Morning News: “The church, which draws 16,000 people or more, has a sanctuary with comfortable, theater-style seating. The stage can be changed, even moved around to suit any message the Rev. Ed Young, Jr., senior pastor, is delivering. (Once, while preaching about God’s armor, he sat in an Army tank). The stage also has a ramp, so Mr. Young can walk down among the congregation while preaching... “Most people think church is boring, that it’s something they have to suffer through and don’t really want to be a part of,” said the Rev. Rob Johnson, Fellowship’s worship pastor. “We’re trying to tell them we’re excited that we live in our faith. God is the author of all creativity. He gives us all these wonderful things, so use them” ... “Media Ministry” members, working in a control room decked out with $800,000 worth of electronic equipment, also roll video onto the giant screens.

Craig Janssen, co-founder of Addison-based Acoustic Dimensions, called the technology trend in the church “a steamroller.” His company says a basic system runs around $500,000. A system to accommodate concerts and other productions costs about $1 million. But many churches spend way beyond that. “It’s not a luxury anymore, it’s expected,” he said.” We need to spend $1,000,000 on electronic equipment in order to preach because it’s expected? We’re worshipping God aren’t we? Does He expect it? He’s omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent! He can see and hear how we worship without a million-dollar sound system! Are we spending this money for Him or for us?

Church is boring? When we assemble to worship, we’re in the very presence of God! How can any rational mind think that’s boring??

If you think that’s amazing, in 1980 there was an article in the Arkansas Gazette reporting that the First Unitarian Church of Richardson, Texas had a stripper. Their “pastor,” Bill Nichols, said, “But I can't promise this every Sunday.” I should hope not! According to the newspaper report, exotic dancer Diana King danced for the congregation on Sunday morning, and when she was through there was nothing left but her G-string and the congregation's imagination. The churches’ 200 adult members and their children (their children!) watched in fascinated silence as Miss King removed her clothing and did the same dance she performed nightly at a night spot in Dallas.
Friends, when we abandon the authority of the New Testament in any way - whether something like the aforementioned disgrace or something else - we have done wrong! Of equal importance is the fact that we have the command to “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Cor. 14:40). Christians must be careful lest they fall into the error of substituting entertainment for worship. Do we determine the success of the worship period by an entertainment standard? If the song leader is a little off key - if the preacher’s sermon is not entertaining - many are going to be disappointed in worship because they expect to be “entertained.”

Christians don’t assemble to be entertained. Christians come together to worship the Lord our God and bring glory and honor to His name through His son Jesus Christ.
Remember John 4:24: "God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" We should stop “going to church” and begin “going to worship!” When we worship God “in spirit and in truth” then we will be well pleasing to the Lord. This should be our primary concern.
Let’s cultivate an appreciation for what God has taught us to do in worship according to His Holy Word. Then worship will be given a priority in our lives that supersedes any kind of entertainment.

It is obvious that modern, man-made worship is designed to appeal to one’s emotions and feelings rather than one’s reasoning and intellect. The statement that “most people think church is boring, that it’s something they have to suffer through and don’t really want to be a part of” is indicative of man’s distorted view of worship.
        The Bible makes it clear that God is to be the object of one’s worship. The Scriptures declare, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4:10). What is sad it that denominational ideals and innovations have more influence over men than the Holy Scriptures!
    Friends, it is not whether I am pleased with worship, but whether God is pleased with worship! God is only pleased when one worships “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Christ has made clear His disdain for those who give lip-service while their heart is far from Him. He says, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9).
    Most people today believe that if they are happy with their worship that God is happy with their worship. Not so! The Creator has the right to demand how His creatures worship Him (Col. 3:17). Scriptural worship will never be “boring” to those who truly love and appreciate God.

R.W

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “John 3:16 – The Golden Text”

(John 3:14-16)

P.M. – “Paul’s Noble Character Traits”

(II Cor. 12:6-10)

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Loren Eddleman

Josh Furlow (Friend of Rosemary)

Rosemary Dillow’s mother

Jerry & Betty Ward

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Paul Frailey

Bill Whitnel

Sheilah Whittington

Gene Ballance (Kittie’s brother) – Battling pneumonia & not doing well.

Angie Dasher (Aimee’s sister) Improving.

Jared Toler – Recovering from broken ankle.

*Our sympathy goes out to the family of Virginia McIntyre at the passing of her husband. He was laid to rest this past Wednesday.

Wisdom From Proverbs:

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

(9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov. 9:8-10)

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS

*Gospel meeting at Vienna church of Christ w/Adam Faughn Apr. 27-30

*Gospel Meeting at Dongola, with Bro. Philip Jones May 11-14.

*Remember, if you have a Bible question you’d like answered or hear preached about, write it

down and put it in the Question and Answer box in the foyer.

*Our food pantry needs canned meat and beans.

*Next Sunday will be the 1^st Sunday in May.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Foxes w/firebrands tied between their tails (Judges 15:4-5).

New question: What animals were the responsibility of the Prodigal Son to feed?

Sentence Sermon:

As much as those of us who are on the Internet love to receive E-mail, God loves to receive “knee-mail” even more.

Quotable Quote:  “The reason so many people become lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory.”  –  Paul Fix

Anniversary

Ron and Sue Schultz – 4/29

You are always welcome at the Anna church of Christ!

Elders

Jamie Driskill 833-6245

Wayne Schultz 833-6487

John Shelton 833-5090

Deacons

R.W. McAlister

Robert McAlister

Ryan Thornsberry

Preacher

R.W. McAlister

618-697-0351

Email: rwmcalister@hotmail.com

Office

618-833-5815

Services

Sunday

Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Television Program

In Search Of The Lord’s Way

Ch 49 Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Newspaper Ministry

The Preaching Pen

Gazette Democrat