Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 27 July 19, 2009

Vacation Bible School 2009

Last Thursday was the final night of our Vacation Bible School. In many ways, it was a great success. Our youth made noticeable efforts to invite their friends and many young people were taught about their Lord and some even received recognition for perfect attendance. It’s encouraging to see that young people have an interest in spiritual things.

Five great lessons were taught around the theme “Fishing With the Master.” Anyone who missed out, be they nursery age or adult, really missed something worthwhile and rewarding. There was a general feeling of excitement and interest that I wish we felt every time we assemble to worship God or study more of His word.

The only thing that could have made things even better would have been some more of our own adults making the effort to be present. Now, we did pretty well for the most part, and I realize that Bible School is commonly thought of as something we put on for the children – but for many years, the Anna church of Christ has offered an adult class as part of the program. Sadly, too few congregations of the church still do. We too can invite our friends to come hear the Word taught. Moreover, we can be here whenever the Bible is being studied. There’s not a one of us who doesn’t need more time studying the scriptures.

Overall, though, our attendance was encouraging. There have been years when attendance was high one night, but low the next. Fortunately, we started with sixty-five and never varied from that number by more than 2 or 3. We had support from our sister congregations (especially Wetaug) and we pray that many people grew spiritually as a result of this Vacation Bible School effort.

In the future, let’s try to harness some of the enthusiasm our kids show in being part of what the church is doing, be it VBS, a Gospel Meeting, or Lectureship. We’ll grow in faith and our Lord will be honored. - - R.W.

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Some Challenges We Face”

(Phil. 2:15-16)

P.M. – 3^rd Sunday Song Service

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering

Carlos Wright - Cancer has spread.

Charles Dillow – Freda’s brother-in-law

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

Jean Brown – Kris’s aunt.

Wisdom From Proverbs: He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (Prov. 11:12).

Sentence Sermon: “Everybody is liable to make mistakes, but fools practice them.”

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

* Thanks to brother Ryan for preaching last week and to all who worked to make our VBS such a

success. – R.W.

* Ladies’ Day will be September 19. Shelley Hazel will be the speaker and the theme will be, “Women Teaching Women.”

* Today is the 3^rd Sunday. We'll meet at 5 p.m. for our singing service and then in the Fellowship Hall for homemade ice cream.

We welcome our brethren from Wetaug who are joining us.

* Ladies' Bible class 7/21 at Renee's - 7 p.m.

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

* Please continue to drop any Bible questions in the Question & Answer box in the foyer.

* Also continue boycotting Pepsi products as they support the homosexual agenda. If you haven’t signed the boycott, why not?

Is it right for a Christian to financially support sin?

* Carlos Wright is needing a wheelchair (presumably electric) or scooter if anyone has one they’d like to part with. Call him

(833-6103) or let R.W. know if you have one.

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

Last week’s answer: The Red Sea (Ex. 13:18) and the Jordan River. Josh. 3:17

New question: What is the meaning of the name Emmanuel?

Quotable Quote: “Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” -- Helen Keller.

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Jamie Driskill - 6/21

Carolos/Rose Wright - 6/23

INTO YOUR HANDS

After Jesus said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit, he breathed His last (Luke 23:46.).This is a significant statement from our Lord.

Notice Jesus addressed this statement to “Father.” The Muslims cannot address Allah in such a personal way. Jesus often referred to God as “Father.” In the book of Matthew, chapters five through seven, the term “Father” is used 17 times by Jesus. In John chapters 14 and 15 the word “Father” appears 45 times. In the Lord’s Prayer in John 17:1-21 Jesus uses “Father” 6 times.

Jesus understood that all spirits come from God. Solomon wrote many years before Christ, “the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7). The Hebrews writer agrees by writing, “Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Heb. 12:9). We, too should desire a close communion with our Heavenly Father.

Jesus was willing to commit his spirit to God. The word “commit” in this passage might better be translated “entrust.” When something is entrusted to another, confidence is present.

Jesus had confidence that God would do with His soul was right. There are many things in life that we might not entrust to another. But, our souls are God’s. (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). If we commit sin while on earth, and don’t repent of it, our soul will die (Ezek. 18:20).

There is a great contrast in this statement by Jesus. For fifteen hours Christ was in the hands of men. Jesus said, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, (Matt. 17:22).

Peter acknowledged also that Jesus was in the hands of men. On the Day of Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection Peter stated, “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; (Act 2:23). After man was finished crucifying Christ, God took His spirit. What great assurance this gives us today! Paul stated,” now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor. 15:20).

In this cry of Jesus, we can see a place of eternal security. Jesus committed Himself to the Father in life and in death. The apostle Paul did the same thing. He stated,” I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who life, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”(Gal. 2:20). Peter did the same: Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Pet. 4:19). Stephen had the same attitude. At his impending death he stated, “Lord receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). If Christians today commit their lives to Jesus, they have the promise of eternal life. (1 John 5:13).

Finally, let us notice the humanity of Christ. Jesus left heaven and took the form of man (Phil. 2:5-11). After this cry He is leaving earth and taking the form of God again. Jesus was indeed human and divine at the same time. He was “God with us.”(Matt. 1:23). Because He was human He is able “to save to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25). Jesus can sympathize with us in our temptation (Heb.4:15.).

These last words of Jesus help us to understand who Christ was. We are able to see His commitment to the Father. We are given the comfort of knowing we have someone who understands us, because He was one of us. How thankful we are that Jesus delivered these last words!

- Bill Brandstatter, Minister. Marion, IL church of Christ

The Emerging Church Movement

Brian McLaren, an emerging church leader said, “I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu or Jewish contexts … rather than resolving the paradox via pronouncements on the eternal destiny of people more convinced by or loyal to other religions than ours, we simply move on … To help Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and everyone else experience life to the full in the way of Jesus (while learning it better myself), I would gladly become one of them (whoever they are, to whatever degree I can, to embrace them, to join them, to enter into their world without judgment but with saving love as mine has been entered by the Lord” (A Generous Orthodoxy, 260, 262, 264).

If McLaren believed that Buddhists, Hindus, and Jews were lost, he would lead them to Christ and not just try to improve their present religion. But you see, he doesn't think that what Jesus said in Scripture (Jn 14:6) is true or should be pressed on anyone. Emergents don't criticize, they connect. And how do they connect? By compromise, by disbelief in the one true way, and by accommodation to the world. There is "one faith" and only one faith. There is one Savior and only one Savior. To leave others in the domain of darkness is neither faithful to Christ nor loving to people.

Luke 9:23-24 says: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses himself?"

Christians who expect to be saved follow Christ and teach others to follow Christ. He is the way the truth and the life. There is no other way to heaven. Making a Buddhist a better Buddhist grants no access to the blood of Jesus. Jesus died for all, but he did not sacrifice himself to leave people in error.

                Now, having said that, I must wonder why a Christian University associated with our brethren would invite Bruce McLaren to their campus to lecture to their students?

Amazed at how far some have drifted,
Phil Sanders