Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 21 May 24, 2009

LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE

Hebrews 13:1 is made up of only four words -- the four that serve as the title and theme of this article. Perhaps you have heard someone jokingly misquote the verse to read, “Let brotherly love begin.” It is true that brotherly love must begin to exist before it can “continue,” but the absence of such love is no joking matter.
Is it not a huge plus for the Lord’s Cause when His people have a genuine brotherly love among them? Here are a few pluses or positive things that take place when brotherly love continues to abound among the members of God’s church.
Brotherly love sends a message. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
Brotherly love hides a multitude of sins. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8).
Brotherly love takes action, rather than just sit on the sideline and just talk or simply offer suggestions. “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:17,18).
Brotherly love helps provide a healthy atmosphere because love “is kind,” “envieth not,” “vaunteth not itself,” and “is not puffed up” (I Cor. 13:4).
Brotherly love presents an attractive picture to small kids and teens that observe it, including our own children and grandchildren. How can brotherly love not make a good impression on them when it can honestly be said that “the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (II Thess. 1:3)?

        Brotherly love binds Christians together. Since we, as members of the church, have the same Father, we are family (Gal. 3:26-27). That means because we are “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love” (Rom. 12:10), we hurt when our spiritual family members hurt. We share in their joys. We seek to comfort one another (Rom. 12:15; I Thess. 4:18). 

        Brotherly love causes us to be determined to handle personal conflicts properly (in the way the Lord instructs us). Jesus says for us to “go and tell” the brother that has offended us (Matt. 18:15-17). 

        Brotherly love reminds us of just how wonderful heaven will be. “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face...” (I Thess. 3:10). Just as the apostle Paul longed to see his brethren in this life, so we look forward to being reunited with the saints of God in heaven, where we will worship Him forever and never again be separated from our faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

        Surely every disciple of Jesus enjoys being on the receiving end of brotherly love. But are you and I also on the giving side of such love? Do we really demonstrate genuine love toward our brethren in the Christ? “Let brotherly love continue.” It pays huge dividends.

Roger D. Campbell

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “One Of Our Three Greatest Needs

- Love” - (I Cor. 13:13)

P.M. – "What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

(Acts 16:29-30) Ron Schultz speaking.

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering

Carlos Wright

Veda Pryor

Charles Dillow – Freda’s brother-in-law

Paul Etherton - Sara Wilkins' father. Cancer in lymph nodes.

Jean Brown – Kris’s aunt.

Tommy Schultz

Wisdom From Proverbs: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death..” (Prov. 11:4).

Sentence Sermon: If prayer does not drive sin out of your life sin will drive prayer out!

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

* Mark your calendars! "Friends & Family Day" will be the 2^nd Sunday in June. Invite your friends

and family!

* Ladies’ Bible class will meet June 2 at 7.

* Thanks to all who attended yesterday’s prayer breakfast. Many heartfelt prayers were offered

and great fellowship was enjoyed.

* Let’s remember to contact those we haven’t seen in a few weeks.

* Feel free to drop any Bible questions in the Question & Answer box in the foyer.

* Food Pantry needs canned fruit.

* Please read the information on the bulletin board concerning Pepsi’s support of the homosexual agenda. Their products are

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, 7Up, Sierra Mist, and others. Please read the label to see who produced the soda and avoid

purchasing it. Should a Christian financially support suchsin?

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: A Raven. 1 Kings 17:1-6

New question: Who was Nebuchadnezzar’s son?

Quotable Quote: “The years teach much that the days never know.” -- Emerson.

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Ann Toler - 5/26

Wayne & Sandy Schultz - 5/26

Donna Bell - 5/29

Rodney & Nickie Lingle - 5/29

Advice from Deuteronomy

In Chapter 34 of Deuteronomy, the Bible narrates the end of Moses’ life. Throughout his 120 years, Moses fulfilled the roles that God entrusted to him, but like all mankind, he was not perfect. In a time of weakness (or error as some versions note) at Kadesh, Numbers 20:11, Moses disobeyed God. However, in all, Deuteronomy 34 smiles upon Moses, his leadership of God’s people, and his great influence that continues to teach God’s saints. Let us notice 3 lessons from the ending of Moses’ life.

First, God’s people must be serviceable unto death. Verse 7 of this chapter tells us that Moses was 120 years old when his days ended. There is a huge difference in being faithful and being faithful unto death Revelation 2:10. Just as with Moses, we are called today to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Ephesians 4:1. Walking worthy requires us to walk “circumspectly” or diligently Ephesians 5:15 each day of our lives. Moses made a mistake, and we will from time to time 1 John 1:8 but that is not an allowance to sin. The Bible’s use of the term “walk” means a continual striving to maintain our focus and fulfill the duties that God has assigned us. Notice how 1 Kings 15:3 refers to King Abijam’s life; now, compare that with 1 Kings 22:43. With the exception of Jesus, there never has been, is not, will never be a life that makes the perfect walk, hence, the need for Christ. Deuteronomy 34:10 speaks well of Moses and tells us that he died in the Lord.

Second, God can and does sometimes to refuse our prayers. This can be a hard concept for a child of God’s to understand. It is easy to reconcile why God would not answer the prayers of those who are unfaithful, but why me? After his sin, Moses prayed that God would release him from that mistake Deuteronomy 3:25-26. God did forgive Moses, but Moses still had to bear the consequence for his mistake. Would God be a just God if he gave a commandment with its consequence and did nothing when it was disobeyed? Earthly parents have no trouble seeing the difference when raising their children. I’m sure that we have even heard it said to us before, “I’m doing it (holding to discipline) because I love you.” Why can’t we understand that God has done the same? Several great men also learned that God refuses prayers –David 2 Samuel 12:16 and even Christ in Luke 22:42. Today, we have the luxury of having God help us in prayer Matthew 6:8 as well as Romans 8:26-27. Regardless of what we feel that is best for us, it may not be what God knows is best. We must make sure that we ask in the right way James 4:3 and for the right thing Matthew 6:33.

Third, God will take care of us. After Moses died, God buried him v.5. God’s close intimacy with Moses is shown in the figurative language in v. 10, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,” What a marvelous compliment for a mortal man to have cast upon his life! We know that God cares for us just the same. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reports to us that God cares enough about us to make ways out of our temptations. God also provides us access to the mercy, grace, and help we need in this life Hebrews 4:15-16. Psalms 21 is a wonderful commentary on God’s sustaining power to care for us. In each instance of HIS care, obedience must be present. Are still yoked with Christ? Matthew 11:22-30 or have you decided to join yourself with something else? Dear Friend, please examine yourself and make sure that you are on the right pathway, moving in the right direction, and working for the right cause.

- Ryan Thornsberry