Nile Street Notes

Anna Church of Christ

104 Nile Street, Anna, Illinois 62906

833-5815

Vol 23. Issue 35 Aug. 30, 2009

If you are a member of the church, you can fill in the blank, can’t you. Nearly every congregation has heard someone say, “We need more young folks.” Usually, that person then lists one (or more) of the following “reasons” why more young folks are needed:

· They provide a needed energy to the congregation.

· They show a strength for future leadership.

· They often have children, which helps strengthen the future even more.

· They are creative.

· They will, then, reach out to more young folks.

First, let me say that none of these things is wrong in itself. Those statements are usually true, and the desire for more young folks in a congregation isn’t wrong in itself. Often, it’s an older member saying these things, and wanting the future of that congregation to be secure.

May I challenge the statement a bit, though?

How about taking out the “blank.” How about simply stating, “We need more folks!” Young folks, older folks, children, educated, uneducated, rich, poor, tall, short… we just need more folks!

Often, we only seek out the young when we are trying to lay down our plans for the future. Why don’t congregations seek more older folks, too?

God seemed to place a heavy emphasis on older people in the pages of the Bible. Their wisdom, experience, skill, time, and care are needed assets in any congregation.

My challenge is two-fold.

1. Don’t just focus on the young folks when you plan for the future. Make sure you seek the input of older members and make sure you truly have a desire to see all people (young and old) to be saved!

2. Older members, don’t just leave everything to those who are younger. You have so much to give! Sure, the younger generation may have a bit more energy (and that can be argued!), but they also are often raising smaller children and facing challenges that you have overcome. They need your input and wisdom! You are important to the church; in fact, you are a vital part.

We need more folks!

Adam Faughn via web log Faughn Family of Four

SERMON TOPICS

A.M. – “Be Sure Of Your Salvation!” #1

(I John 1:1-4)

P.M. – “Be Sure Of Your Salvation!” #2

(I John 2:28)

Those For Whom We Are Praying:

Bob Whittaker - Medical missionary in Nigeria & friend of Gerald Cowan.

Kathleen Ritchey

Rodney & Nikki Lingle

Bill Whitnel

Ken and Gilda Snell

Lowell Karraker

Mitchell Shock – Grandson of Rosemary’s cousin.

Austin Detering

Carlos Wright – Dr. says cancer is currently “dormant.”

Charles Dillow – Freda’s brother-in-law

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

Jean Brown – Kris’s aunt.

Diana Schultz - Recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash.

John Bradley - Broken finger is healing.

Wisdom From Proverbs: “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward” (Prov. 11:18).

Sentence Sermon: “Give God what's right, not what's left!”

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

* Ladies’ Day will be September 19. Shelley Hazel will be the speaker and the theme will be, “Women Teaching Women.” Italian food and salads have been decided on for the luncheon. Sherry will post a sign-up sheet before Sept. 19. We plan to feed 60.

* Men’s Bible class will meet Aug. 31 instead of the 1^st Mon. in September.

* 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. PepsiCo companies: Pepsi-Cola,

Gatorade, Quaker, Frito Lay, Tropicana.

Hearing assistance for any service is available upon request.

BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:

The shadow went backward ten degrees on the sundial (requested by Hezekiah). Isa. 38:8.

New question: Was Abel a shepherd?

Quotable Quote: “The difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows what to say and a wise person knows whether or not to say it.” – Quote found on the wall of a recreation center office in Berkeley, California.

Birthdays &Anniversaries

Larry & Rosemary Dillow – 8/30

Larry & Kittie Yates – 8/30

Holly McAlister – 8/30

I BELIEVE IN POSITIVE PREACHING!

Throughout this great brotherhood, there seems to be a renewed emphasis on positive preaching, i.e., preaching upbuilding, non-critical sermons on the good and, indeed, wonderful things in the Bible. And I, for one, would like to announce to the brotherhood that I believe in positive preaching!
What splendor we behold as the preacher preaches on the beauty and the glories of that eternally wonderful place called Heaven! What happiness fills and overflows our hearts with joy when we hear the speaker describe how we should love one another. How happy yet humble we feel when we listen to the minister tell of the grace of God that He bestows upon us, his undeserving, usually unappreciative creatures. Oh yes! Let it be known...I believe in positive preaching! May it continue! May it increase!
Yet, never let it be said that I believe in positive preaching only. On the contrary, there is a place, and furthermore, a need for negative preaching, i.e., preaching rebuking, reproving sermons on the darker things in the Bible.
We need to hear of the miserable consequences of sin. We have to be reminded constantly that it is possible to become lackadaisical (lazy) in our work and worship and thus slip into apostasy. We must be told what God’s Holy Word teaches on adultery, false teachers, and the horrors of Hell.
Apparently, God approves of both positive and negative preaching. Hear His admonition unto Jeremiah: “Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, [negative] to build, and to plant” [positive] (Jer. 1:9-10).
Jesus believed in both types of preaching. He taught that whosoever believes in Him shall be resurrected, never again to die (John 11:25,26). He said that we should always do good unto our neighbor (Luke 10:30-37). He admonished that his people should be a forgiving folk (Matt. 6:14). Yet he also spoke of the torments of Hell and that it is the eternal destiny of most (Matt. 7:13,14,21-23). He also talked of hypocrisy and publicly pinpointed the Pharisees (Matt. 23, entire chapter).
Paul preached God’s grace (Eph. 2:8) and the greatness of love (Rom. 5:8); yet he also warned of God’s wrath (Rom. 1:18; 2:4-6) and the danger of apostasy (Heb. 3:12).
John taught that we should love and fellowship one another (I John 3:11,14); yet he also said that we should not bid God speed to the false teacher (II John 9-11).
During my years in the church, I have been in congregations that seldom touched the negative. Sin and Hell hardly mentioned. On the other hand, I’ve seen churches with almost no positive. The members seemed to be afraid. Grace and love were hardly spoken of.
Positive sermons? Yes. But completely? No.
Negative sermons? Indeed. But exclusively? By no means.
We may not like preaching negatively. I for one, have no pleasure in preaching eternal torment, apostasy, etc. But Paul told Timothy to “preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2). He never told Timothy that he had to like what he preached, be it positive or negative.
Yes, we must preach the positive AND we must also preach the negative.
However, let us make every endeavor to have a proper balance in our preaching, ie., both positive and negative sermons, and by so doing, be pleasing to the Master, for both types have a positive goal, i.e., to usher us into Heaven!

- Steven D. Cline, Waynesboro, VA