Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 22. Issue 22 June 1, 2008

Why I Still Wear a Tie to Church

In an age when shorts, sweatpants, and bare midriff (sometimes all at the same time) are considered acceptable attire for most churches, I stand out like a wooly mammoth. In this day of extreme casual, more and more men are throwing away their ties when they go to church. Like some newly awakened Rip Van Winkle, I still wear mine. I thought I would tell you why.

Nothing in the nature of a necktie either compels us to wear it or condemns it though some have tried to connect it to an evil beginning. Those who use it practice the tradition of giving honor to our Lord by dressing up a bit when they go to meet with His people to worship Him. So I ask: Is this practice encouraged or discouraged in scripture?

In the parable told by Christ in Matthew 22:11-12, the king expected each of his guests to come with the proper “wedding garment.” Not to do so was to show disrespect for the king and for the occasion. In like manner, our forefathers felt it important to come to church with clothing that showed proper respect to the Lord and to the occasion. In different times and places, that proper respect was shown in different ways. But it was shown. Even the Saturday night bath was established for the purpose of being physically clean and properly trim on the Lord’s Day.

Today we swerve boldly in the other direction. We energetically oppose dressing especially for church. Many even consider it hypocritical to do so. We should come as we are and avoid any pretense. But do the dress patterns of today prove that we have a greater sincerity and are more genuine than our predecessors? I think not.

The slouchy dress that we see in worship services directly corresponds to our flippant attitude toward meeting with our Maker and Saviour. We have lost our respect for the spiritual dimension of God meeting with His people. Now, we want to dress like we would at a backyard barbecue. God is everywhere. Why approach His house with any more formality than we would enter the neighborhood grocery store?

The key word for today is comfort. “Why shouldn’t I feel comfortable? After all, my comfort is the main thing. I’m not going to go out of my way for anyone--even God.” We exult in our come-as-you-are philosophy. Our services have become user-friendly for everyone except God. More and more, He seems to be left out in the cold. O how we love ourselves unto death!

The Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes may be a tradition that is quickly fading away. But it was a good tradition and one whose parting is just another sign of the times—the last times. Where is our sense of awe in the presence of God? He says He dwells in the midst of us when we meet with Him (Matthew 18:20). The church is the people, not the building. When the people of the church meet, they become the “house of God” (1Timothy 3:15); they become His dwelling place. What a special privilege to enter into His presence!

Psalm 96:8-9 “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.”

When I meet with the congregation of the Lord, I count it not a burden, but an honor to give extra pains in preparation, in physical cleanliness, and in dressing up. I count it a privilege to wear my Sunday best. Any discomfort I may feel from a tie about my neck, from a coat about my body, or from clothes too good for playing kickball is offset by the

solemnity and wonder of the occasion.

It is seldom that we in America get to suffer anything for the Savior who suffered so much for us. The least I can do (and I mean the least) is to honor Him by dressing more formally when I come to His church than I do for other events. Certainly, I can suffer a necktie for Him.

- David F. Reagan

The Laws of God and Caesar

If you were wondering why my family was late last Sunday and you don’t read the Gazette, read on (and learn from my mistake!)...

How many of us have been driving along, late for an important appointment and decided that we would just ignore the speed limit in order to be on time? I would guess virtually every one of us who can drive has been in this situation before (myself included). Some people speed as a matter of course and think nothing of it, and others try to obey the speed limit but fail to pay attention and may end up paying a fine.

What about the mandatory seatbelt law? I don’t personally favor this and other mandatory “personal conduct” laws that have been passed, but I have a responsibility to obey them. Regarding the seatbelt law, I’m very conscious of putting on my seatbelt if I’m traveling out of town, but am frequently remiss when driving from Jonesboro to Anna. I failed in my responsibility to observe this requirement of the state last Sunday morning on my way to church and ended up being ticketed for my carelessness (you may have seen me pulled over in front of the Anna Fire Department...).

The things we may consider to be trivial are actually just as important as anything else. We find in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” We recognize that God is the source of all authority, and He designed human government for the welfare of man. Since God instituted human governments, anyone who opposes their regulatory power is fighting the ordinance of God and shall be subject to punishment (Rom. 13:2&4).

First Peter 2:13 & 14 reinforce this idea, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.” “Every ordinance” includes speed limits and seat belt laws. If the speed limit is 55, we are supposed to drive 55 miles per hour, not more than that. If we live in an area that has a seat belt law in effect, we should “buckle up,” even for that short trip to the store (or church!). The only time we would ignore a law of human origin would be if it contradicts a law of God’s (Acts 5:29).

Something that many of us overlook, or just don’t realize, is that anytime we break a law that doesn’t violate one of God’s, we sin – “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). May we all be more conscious of our obligations to “Caesar” and to God.

R.W.

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Homosexuality – A Grievous Sin

That’s Alive and Well”

(Rom. 1:26-27)

P.M. – “Me First, Me First!”

(Matt. 8:18-22)

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Kathleen Ritchey

Loren Eddleman

Josh Furlow (Friend of Rosemary)

Rosemary Dillow’s mother & Son –in-law

Jerry & Betty Ward

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Sheilah Whittington

Gene Ballance (Kittie’s brother) – Battling pneumonia.

Rachel Thornsberry – Broken left arm. Not a serious break and is healing.

Breanna Dillow – Also broke her arm recently and has suffered occasional fever.

Rose Wright – Had outpatient back surgery recently. Doing well.

Deborah and Ben are in Waco, TX with Kittie and Larry. Pray for their safe return.

Wisdom From Proverbs: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch” (Prov. 11:28).

Quotable Quote: “Learn to see things as they really are, not as we imagine they are.” – Vernon Howard

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS

*Today is the first Sunday in June and time for our monthly Potluck and quarterly Men’s

business meeting.

* Next week will be Flower Fund Sunday. To contribute, see Kristie.

*Men’s Bible class tomorrow night at 7. We’re in Matt. 18.

*Our food pantry needs canned meat and beans.

*Parents: If you care to, feel free to post any pictures or information relating to your

children’s activities on the bulletin board above the fountains.

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

In order to hear the Bible class and sermons better, we have hearing assistance available. Please take advantage of it! Let one of us know and we’ll get you a receiver. If you don’t want a receiver, feel free to move closer to the front of the auditorium.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: Barnabas (Acts 4:36).

New question: Who tried to tempt Joseph to commit adultery?

Sentence Sermon: No God, no peace. Know God, Know peace.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

None this week!

You are always welcome at the Anna church of Christ!