Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

 

 

Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com

 

Vol 23.                                                   Issue 22                                      May 31, 2009

 

AFTER BAPTISM

Trusting that God's word means exactly what it says, you have obeyed the gospel by being baptized into Christ to gain salvation (Mark 16:16; 1Pet. 3:21). Now what?

REJOICE. After Philip the evangelist baptized the treasurer of Ethiopia, “he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:35-39), and after Paul and Silas “spoke the word of the Lord to him”, the prison keeper in Philippi “and all his family were baptized...and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:32-34). Joy is the most appropriate reaction to one’s baptism because baptism brings about salvation, and there can be no greater event in any person's life than to be saved from the condemnation of hell. Neither material success, nor marriage, not even the birth of one’s own children or grandchildren merit as much delight as the knowledge that God’s grace has spared you from the consequences of sin. Even the angels of heaven thrill at the news of one repentant sinner (Luke 15:7,10).

ENJOY THE COMPANY OF OTHER DISCIPLES. After appearing to him on the road to Damascus, the Lord sent Ananias to Saul, who “arose and was baptized...then Saul spent some days with the disciples”(Acts 9:18-19). Peter went to the household of Cornelius in Caesarea, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days" (Acts 10:48). In Philippi, the merchant Lydia believed the gospel when she heard Paul preach it, “And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us" (Acts 16:15). After the Philippian jailor was baptized with his family, he “brought them”, that is Paul and Silas, “into his house” (Acts 16:33-34). “Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized”, whereafter Paul “continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:8, 11).  Although baptism is the culmination of several steps leading to salvation, it is merely the beginning of one's life as a Christian. Those formative days, weeks, and months following baptism require nurturing from other disciples. The scriptures teach that Christians are and ought to be dependent on one another, “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Rom. 12:5; cf. 1 Cor. 12:13-27).

CONTINUE STEADFASTLY. On the day of Pentecost following Christ's ascension, Peter preached repentance and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), adjuring his audience to be saved (Acts 2:40). “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). We reiterate: although baptism is the culmination of several steps leading to salvation, it is merely the beginning of one’s life as a Christian. With baptism, the new Christian commits to a life of faithfulness thereafter. Paul exhorted, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST. After Saul “arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18), and “spent some days with the disciples” (Acts 9:19), “Immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). Don’t be satisfied with your own salvation while others perish! Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).

What have you been doing since you were baptized?

 

- Bryan Matthew Dockens

 

 

 

 

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “The Realm Where God Doesn’t

 Dwell” - (Luke 15:11-16)

P.M. – “Questions & Bible Answers”

            (Luke 11:9-10)

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: “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness” (Prov. 11:5).

Sentence Sermon: There is never a right way to do wrong.

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 2nd Sunday in June. Invite your friends and family June 14th!

* Potluck will be on the 2nd Sunday w/Family Day.

* Food Pantry is in need of canned meats and soups.

* Men’s Bible class will meet tomorrow night.

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

* 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.

* Please continue boycotting Pepsi products as they support  homosexual agenda.

* Congratulations to our young graduates! Jared Toler & Nick Ward graduated from 8th grade at Anna Jr. High May 29th and

   Heidi Jones graduated from Kindergarten on Thursday, May 28th. Congratulations!

 

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

 

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer:  Belshazzar. Dan. 5:2

 

New question: What did David do because he feared the king of Gath? What was the king’s name?

 

 

Quotable Quote: “Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future.”  - William Wordsworth

 

 

Birthdays &Anniversaries

None this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Habakkuk’s Perspective on Life

 

              The book of Habakkuk consists of 3 short chapters that discuss one of the frequent dilemmas faced by men.  There is very little known about this prophet of God, about the actual date of when this book was written, and about the sacred location in which it was penned.  So the question becomes, “How can a minor prophet like Habakkuk make a difference in my life today?”  You may be surprised. 

            Habakkuk is a unique book because it contains a “theodicy.”  A theodicy is a vindication of the divine attributes, particularly holiness and justice, in establishing or allowing the existence of physical and moral evil.  In this short book, one can see 1) Habakkuk’s problem, 2) God’s answer, and 3) Triumph in the Lord.  Often called “a condensed theme on Job,” Habakkuk stands the test of time by encouraging us that the just shall live by faith- Habakkuk 2:4.

            In Chapter 1, Habakkuk poses the question (v 2-3), “How can God tolerate the sins of his people?”  Even in the days of old, this was not a new concern, and today, it continues to find its way into men’s hearts.  Habakkuk, troubled by the people’s lack of desire to quit sinning, had prayed to God to punish their evil ways.  Peter describes God as being “longsuffering to us-ward.” 2 Peter 3:9 The reason that HE is such, even in the days of Habakkuk, is because “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  Scripture tells us that God does not see as man sees (1 Samuel 16:7), God’s time and man’s concept of time are different (2 Peter 3:8), and God uses all things for HIS purpose (Romans 8:28).  With all our questions, let us never lose heart that God has our best in his providence. 

In Chapter 2, Habakkuk receives an answer from God (v 2).  “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”   Rather than the quick and immediate solution (punishment) that Habakkuk asked, God, instead, puts Habakkuk in service.  This service will, later on, answer Habakkuk’s question.  It is important to notice that God’s call to Habakkuk will not only correct those that have sinned, but it will also benefit Habakkuk.  As we question what happens to us in this life, it is always necessary to remember that God is Just (Matthew 5:45), Righteous (Hebrews 6:10), and Fair (Romans 2:11).  We must not try to take matters in our own hands and do what we want, but we MUST trust in HIM who is in control of all matters. (Proverbs 3:5)

In Chapter 3, Habakkuk celebrates God’s decision and declares his faith in God (v 19).  The figurative language in this last chapter is reminiscent of the language used by Habakkuk’s contemporaries like Joel.  This hymn of faith demonstrates Habakkuk’s gratitude and trust in God.  This perspective was so powerful that Paul referenced it when speaking to his audiences (Romans 1:17).  “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (v 18).  What a wonderful lesson to learn!   By having this type of confidence and trust, Habakkuk provides us a great perspective that we must have in life.  Dear Friend, remember that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but there is only one way to get the perspective discussed this morning (Acts 4:12).  If you are troubled by the trials of life, why not turn to God?

 

- Ryan Thornsberry