Sweden Church - The Layman's Pen

What's Wrong with the Ten Commandments, Anyway?

4/5/2019

"What's wrong with the commandments that the world doesn't want them?" Pastor Josh litters his sermons with quotes that, oftentimes, awakens the drowsy spirit. This is one of those. A good question and deserving of an answer. What is wrong with the commandments that people are wanting them out of the public square? The only honest answer that comes to mind is one that Jesus himself gave. It's in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." It's a good guess that in the push toward multiculturalism, Jesus is not welcome. And it's well known that Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17).
This is not a new story. Toward the close of his days here on earth, people were clamoring to crucify the very one who "...made the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." (Luke 7:22) It's a hard scene to take in. Even Pilate had serious reservations about Jesus. Pilate states that he can find no fault in Jesus. But the accusers of Jesus become even more fierce. Pilate knows that Jesus is from Galilee and falls under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Trying his best to avoid crucifying Jesus, he sends him on to Herod.
Unfortunately for Pilate, Herod's only interest in Jesus is to see miracles (this is the Herod that beheaded John the Baptist). When Jesus does nothing, Herod promptly sends him back to Pilate. Pilate stills tries to wiggle out of condemning Jesus to death. But the crowd will have nothing to do with releasing Jesus and Barabbas the murderer is released in his place. This tragedy unfolds in Luke 23.
Pilate turns out to be an unwitting key player in this drama. His wife sends him a message (Matthew 27:19) to have nothing to do with "that just man". Apparently her words did carry some weight with him because twice he tries to keep from pronouncing a death sentence on Jesus. It is only when the mob appears to be turning into a riot that he condemns Jesus to crucifixion. And so, he folded in the face of adversity. He pronounced Jesus a man without fault, not worthy of being crucified and then condemned him.
And so it goes with life here on planet earth. People who know what is right fail to carry it out. And old professor once told his class that "Wrong prevails when good men do nothing." There's been an awful lot in this old world that has gone amiss. The once highly regarded Ten Commandments are being brought down in states all across the country. What's wrong with the Ten Commandments that people hate them? They hate what they stand for: Jesus.

Two Thieves

3/26/2019

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine." (Psalm 50:10-11)
A thousand hills, just imagine a thousand hills with cattle. Almost too much to comprehend. That's how God is. He's larger and more magnificent than the mind can conceive. Try as hard as you might and it's impossible to wrap the mind around just how all-encompassing God is.
     And, yet, his son, the Son of man, hung on a cross and died the death to save all who would come to him. What it means is that Jesus was the sacrifice (the blood sacrifice) for everyone on this earth--past, present, and future. That's a gazillion people. Wrap your mind around that one. If everyone believed that God sent his Son to save us, we would all be spending eternity in heaven. If only the Earth and it's population was one hundred percent sold out to Jesus. Everyone.
E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E.
     The downside is that the day will come when everyone will believe but it will be too late for some. Philippians 2:10-11 says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The day has already come and gone for many to make their profession of faith in Jesus. But there are many others who are on the sidelines. It's important that we pray for their souls.
     It's like the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Two thieves hung on crosses on either side of him. The story is in Luke 23:34-43. The thief on one side cried out against Jesus and complained bitterly that if he was really the Christ why didn't he save them (the thieves) and himself. This was at the same time that the soldiers and others were mocking Jesus and shouting out similar jeering. Hanging on the cross, spikes driven through his hands and another in his feet. The crowd had turned on him. He was dying but he was also carrying out the will of his Father in heaven. This had to be a moment of heartbreak for God.
     And yet, in a moment such as this, Jesus answers the request of the thief on the other side of him. The thief, the one on the other side, knew that he was getting what he deserved. He was guilty. He didn't believe that this man, Jesus, next to him was guilty of anything. Surely he was who he said he was, the Son of God sent from heaven to save mankind. Who else would go to such a horrific death and not be yelling at the top of his voice that he was innocent?
     And, so, in these last moments of breath, he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Verily I say unto you, today you will be with me in paradise." They hung there for three more hours and then it was over. Jesus gave up his life here on earth. And the thief and Jesus walked hand in hand to paradise. Thank you God for such blessings.

Bread of Life

3/18/2019

George Soros is a billionaire. He is Hungarian-American. He is an atheist. And he wants to establish a New World Order. He has been upset that Trump has succeeded in "...presiding over the return of Christian morals, ethics, and values in American society..." (from an article by Andrew Korybko. He is an American Moscow-based political analyst.) The attack on Jesus continues. Will Satan ever give up? No, of course not. He didn't give up over 2000 years ago. And he's not going to start now.
     Jesus spelled it out for us in John 6:51-65. He was frank, brutally so, and very direct. There was no mistaking his message. Pastor Josh made His points quite eloquently. Jesus is the bread of eternal life. Verse 51 also says that the bread that he gives is his flesh. Just prior to this Jesus had fed the Five Thousand with five barley loaves and two fish.(John 6:1-14) It was a miracle.
     Jesus left them but they followed and wanted to know why he left. He answers that they are not paying attention (in my own words). He performed miracles and they missed it. Don't follow him just to eat, but realize that you're tagging along after the Son of man who can give you everlasting life. Ignorantly they continue and want to know what they can do. Jesus says it real simple, "believe on him whom he (God) hath sent. Now they want a sign.
      Okay. It's beginning to look like Jesus could talk to these folks until he's blue in the face and they won't get it. There's a little discourse on the manna in the wilderness. Jesus is trying to get them to see with their spiritual eyes. He says it. "I am the bread of life:" (John 6:35) He repeats himself "I am that bread of life." (John 6:48) The bread that came down in the wilderness was not living bread. The ones who ate that bread are long gone. Jesus is offering them living bread. If they eat of this bread, they will not die.
     This is living bread. Jesus is giving his life (flesh) for the sake of the world. By now, they're getting peevish. Jesus had fed them earlier just like Moses fed their forefathers in the wilderness. Now he was offering them the bread of life and all they could focus on was eating flesh. How repugnant.
     Jesus was not asking them to be cannibals. He was asking them to believe on him. Back up to John 6:27. Jesus warns against working for the meat of this world because it will perish. Instead work for the meat that endures forever. Their response: what can they do to work the works of God? He answered, "This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent."
     All of that discourse from John 6:24 to 60 was a pointed talk to open the spiritual eyes of those following Jesus. Even the twelve disciples grumbled among themselves. But when Jesus confronted them, Simon Peter spoke up and said that Jesus had the words of eternal life. (John 6:68-69) He got it along with others of the twelve. So, there it is. Jesus is still in the soul-saving business. Today the adversaries are no different now as then. One billionaire is an atheist and the other is a Christian. One believes that Jesus is the bread of life and the other one doesn't. It's a story that has yet to come to a conclusion. But it will. It's in John 6:40. It's called the last day.

To Inherit Eternal Life

3/10/2019

The young man pursued Jesus. We know he's rich because Jesus says that he is in Matthew 19:23. This takes place right after Jesus blesses the little children. It's a story worth reflecting on time and time again. The story of the rich young ruler is what it's usually referred to and can be found in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18.
     This man has all the attributes of a fine, upstanding young man. He more than likely has some position of authority among the Jews. It's obvious upon reading the excerpt that he was probably brought up in a fine family that followed the law of Moses. He was also a fine person who possessed a good moral character. All-in-all, he was an upright human being.
     It's apparent that he has heard Jesus and he values the opinions of this Rabbi that many are beginning to believe is the Messiah. He's not one to test Jesus to try and find fault with him. He sincerely wants to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. And he believes that Jesus is the one to tell him.
     So he pursues him and asks him the question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Now, remember, Jesus knows the heart of everyone. He tells this young man to keep the commandments. Interestingly, the man wants to know which ones. An odd question. However, Jesus continues and lists them. He must be young because the next thing he says is that he has kept all of them.
     This is where it gets interesting. Jesus looks at him and his heart goes out to him. He loves him (Mark 10:21). It probably grieves Jesus that he must tell this young man that to inherit eternal life he should sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. He already knows the man will turn away in dismay. It must have been sad for Jesus as well.
     Now jump ahead to John 11. Lazarus is sick. His sister Mary, who is the woman who anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, sends for Jesus. She says that her brother whom Jesus loves is sick. Could this be the rich young ruler? Who knows, but think about it. Jesus wept (John 11:35). Perhaps Lazarus has died and is destined for eternal death--not eternal life. Jesus speaks a prayer to God the Father and raises Lazarus from the dead. There are others that suppose that Lazarus and the young man are one and the same. Charles J. Ellicott who authored Ellicott's Bible Commentary is one such person. But, it is only conjecture.
    The sermon text was Matthew 19:16-22 but one needs to read the other accounts to really appreciate the significance of the story. Jesus in all of his glory really has no need to save any of us. It is only God's love which is deep and merciful that will save us. Divine love in incomprehensible. Thank God for it every day.

Right and Wrong

2/11/2019

Poster in a high school hallway reads: Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it and right is right even if no one is doing it. A good beginning to a good sermon. The quote on the poster is one of St. Augustine's who lived from 354-430 A.D. He was a formidable defender of Christianity. It's interesting that truth is ageless. Somehow, many of those in today's world are missing this very important point.
     In the time of Moses: the parting of the Red Sea, leading the people of Israel to the promised land, and stopping to commune with God on Mount Sinai; even then people troubled themselves with disbelief. In Exodus 32 while Moses was on Mount Sinai preparing to come down with the tablets written with God's own finger, the people were nagging Aaron to make them idols to worship gods. And so he did.
     They worshiped the golden calf. It wasn't that they were uninformed, Aaron included. Three months after they left Egypt, God had spoken to them, "...if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant..." (Exodus 19:5). And the people had responded, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." (Exodus 19:8) One of the things was not to have gods or idols before Him. (Exodus 20:3,4) But, as soon as they thought Moses had been gone too long on Mount Sinai, their covenant with God went sideways. Wrong is still wrong even if everyone is doing it.
     What a lesson to learn. They spent 40 years in the wilderness, most of them died there. Only their children, along with Joshua and Caleb entered the promised land. There is a cost. For them, it was wandering aimlessly and then dying. For today's generation there is still a cost.
     St. Augustine also said, "The cost of obedience is small compared with the cost of disobedience." He also said, "Mankind is divided into two sorts: such as live according to man, and such as live according to God. These we call the two cities...The Heavenly City outshines Rome. There, instead of victory, is truth."
"In America, people are free to believe whatever they want to believe. But, in judgment, it'll be whether you believed in Jesus and his gospel." Pointed words from a pastor who understands and feels the same urgency of the many who have carried the word of truth to a dying world.
     There's a common phrase among the young people of today. It's "You do you and I'll do me." Sounds not much different from the "Me Generation of not too many years ago. With this mindset many are headed straight for a devil's hell. Paul suffered from the same anguish as today's preachers. He says it quite eloquently in Romans 10. Verse 14 is the cry of the midnight rider, the charge of the preacher from the pulpit. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
     Like Paul, Christians must endure to the end. God will give us the grace to do it. It is up to believers to step up and stand up for God. Get the message of salvation to all who will hear it--friends, family, strangers. The challenge is finding ways, praying, and inviting a disbelieving world to come to God's love while it is still available to them. Would that all could be saved. Second Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not lack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Three Stories

2/8/2019

Story one. A dog trainer in Alaska had two dogs he trained to fight. Now, there's not much to do on those long winter nights, so the trainer would put on dog fights for entertainment, but the same dog did not always win. Sometimes the white one would win and sometimes the black one would.
     Story two. A hiker got lost in the North Carolina Mountains. He wandered for several days trying to find his way out. Finally he came across a shack. When he got to the door, an old man came out. The hiker asked for help to find his way out.
     Story three. Luke 23:39-43, two thieves hanging on crosses, one doubted and said, "If thou be Christ...". The other had no doubt and asked to be remembered.
     Conclusions. The dog that won was the one that was fed. The dog that lost didn't think he would be fed. He doubted it. He lost.
     The old man told the hiker to go to the top of the mountain to see where he was. The hiker went to the top because he doubted he would find his way out by staying in the valleys.
     The thief that doubted was the one that lost his soul.
     "For he that hath (faith), to him shall be given: and he that hath not (faith), from him shall be taken even that which he hath." Mark 4:25. ("Faith" in parentheses is writer's word choice.)

Know Your Enemy and Gear Up for Battle

1/31/2019

Character is what defines a person. Jesus speaks of Satan as being a liar and a murderer and the father of it because he hates the truth. (John 8:44) This is one of the things known about Satan. It's a consistent part of his character and is called a trait, an identifying part of his character. He has other traits, too. Another is found in Genesis 3:1, "Now the serpent was more subtle than any other beast...". Subtle is the same as being shrewd. It is another character trait of Satan's.
     Some may wonder whether the serpent spoken of here in Genesis really is Satan. To clear that up, one goes to Revelation 12:9, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan...". Satan is also able to disguise himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) He is a schemer (wily). (Ephesians 6:11) There is no doubt he is the tempter. In Matthew 4:3 he is called this when he is tempting Jesus. Jesus referred to Satan as a thief in John 10:10.
     So here we have it. This is probably not a complete list but it gives us something to work with. He's a liar, murderer, shrewd, a schemer, a tempter, a thief, and he can transform himself into an angel of light (disguise himself). Now, what is he not? Satan has real power but he is not God. He cannot be everywhere like God, he has to roam the earth to find his prey. He is not all-knowing or all-powerful like God. He will come to an end, too, because it says that he'll be cast into the lake of fire. He is not a creator; he was created (Ezekiel 28:14-16) perfect and his iniquity was of his own doing.
     All believers know that Satan is our enemy. His goal is to destroy as many of God's children as he can. There is a reference in Numbers 21:14 to a book of the wars of the Lord. It's the only place it's mentioned. Perhaps the book isn't finished yet. Perhaps, carrying the war to Satan has been left to New Testament believers of Jesus Christ.
     Paul the Apostle speaks of the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). He gives us the call to battle and how to be prepared for it. Our enemy, Satan, lies in wait and wishes to be victorious. At the very least, take as many of this world's population both past and present to the lake of fire with him.
     It is up to believers to be prepared and lead the charge. We serve the Creator God of the Universe. He sent his Son to save us for eternity. "...we are partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:14) "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil (Satan), and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

He Is Coming Again

1/20/2019

The sermon was taken from Philippians 2:5-11. The book of Philippians is a wonderful book to read. Paul wrote it while he was in prison and, even then, he was reaching out to those who are in Christ. He is looking to build the best Christian people he can. And so he begins verse 5 with, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." It was a worthy sermon and one worth hearing again.
     Following along and listening to our preacher spell out the challenges Jesus faced, one of his statements leapt out and grabbed the attention. "When you know the truth you're not so much challenged by others' accusations. It matters what they think but it doesn't change the truth." was what he said. Taking the remainder of the sermon in that context made one understand why Jesus didn't get all worked up over accusations. He already knew the truth.
     And it seems like truth is what this world needs. Toward the tail-end of the sermon, he went on to say that one day Jesus will come again but this time as King of Kings. Then, right at the end, almost as an afterthought, he said, "Maybe we should put on more plays about the second coming of Christ." This is what sent the writer of this article into a week of thinking and struggles. It was one of those, "Gee, I wish I'd thought of that."
     Our lives are so full of today's and tomorrow's activities that our focus is out of whack. We've forgotten that there is a day coming that it'll all be over except for the "...gnashing of teeth..." (Luke 13:28) Our world, our country, our government does little to encourage spiritual growth. If anything, our politics has gone to the extreme and wants to remove anything regarding Jesus from the public arena.
     How to change this? It seems like it has to be an individual thing. Jesus was one individual and he changed the whole world. But, if one individual changes, then that one can help another and so on. Maybe, just maybe, when Jesus returns, there'll be a big celebration and no "gnashing of teeth."
     So, back to how to change things. One, our calendars are so loaded down that we leave Jesus out. He's not even a priority on the Sabbath. Got groceries to get? that's comes first. Ephesians 5:15-17 speaks about making wise use of time and not being foolish with it and using your time according to the will of the Lord. Two, what one can have on this earth doesn't really matter. Death and many other things can separate one from their things. Mark 8:36 asks what profit is in gaining the whole world and losing your own soul. Three, sin is like a parasite. It will destroy it's host. And the world we live in is rife with sins and opportunities to sin.There is a remedy and it's in I John 1:7-9. Three things, not such a big mountain to climb. Why not climb it? You'll be eternally glad you did.

Be Like Joseph

1/13/2019

Not much is really known about Joseph, the husband of Mary who is the mother of Jesus. He is a carpenter (Matthew 13:55) by trade. When Caesar Augustus sent out a tax, it says in Luke 2:4 that Joseph "went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth..." so he belonged to the city of Nazareth. His lineage can be traced back to King David. The certainty seems to be that he is descended from David. The account in Matthew (1:1-16) traces him back through Solomon. And, the account in Luke (3:23-38) traces him back through Nathan. Thought has it that Mary's lineage is the one in Luke. However one looks at it, there are established lines of descendants.
     The important thing to know about Joseph is that he is a just man. (Matthew 1:19) The dictionary meaning is doing what is morally fair and right. Joseph is a man who takes the moral high ground. God picked a good husband for Mary and a good earthly father for His Son, Jesus. This would be a better world to live in if everyone was raised by a father who was just.
     And it was a good thing that he was just. When he was betrothed to Mary, he got word that she was expecting and was prepared to quietly end the engagement. Joseph, after an angel appeared to him in a dream, married Mary as the angel had bidden him. (Matthew 1:24) Joseph's character is so important to the birth and childhood of our Savior, Jesus. An angel visited Joseph three more times after this. The second time to escape into Egypt (Matthew 2:13). The third time when Herod had died (Matthew 2:19-20). And the fourth time when he was warned not to go to Judea (Matthew 2:22). Every time God's angel spoke to him, Joseph obeyed.
     Joseph, not mentioned much in the Bible, turns out to be the determining factor in the survival of Jesus. He is living proof that God doesn't make mistakes. Herod the Great was the King of the Jews at this time. He had been in power for the better part of 40 years. No one, no one was going to replace him. A cursory reading of his biography tells one to what extremes he was willing to go to maintain his power. Herod was so consumed with his power that he ordered all the male children in and around Bethlehem under two to be murdered.
This is the reason for the second visit from the angel.
    Joseph was told to take Mary and the child and go to Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14 leaves no doubt that Joseph got up in the middle of the night and they left. After the threat of Herod had passed the angel came again and told him to take his family and go back into Israel. Once there Joseph learned that Herod's son, Archelaus, was in power and had been warned in this, the final dream to go into Galilee. He did so and settled in Nazareth. There he raised his family and worked as a carpenter.

     Joseph, not a notable human being, was chosen by God for his character. He was a just man. Had it not been for this man of character, our world would be as lost as a "golf ball in high weeds". That's a phrase that our beloved pastor uses from time to time.

Wise Men Hunger and Thirst

1/2/2019

Cold? Indifferent? Unconcerned? Things going good for you? Feel God's blessings and just want to lay back and relax? Spread the love. There were some strangers who spent several years looking for the King of the Jews. All they had to go on was a star. Apparently nothing else mattered to them but finding this king so they could worship him. (It's in Matthew 2.) How do people of today compare to these men who were searching, searching, searching?
     The wise men were men of some position. The trip from the east couldn't have been cheap. They brought expensive gifts so they weren't poor. They weren't Jews and yet they knew the story of the Christ who was King of the Jews. And they saw the sign, the star that led them. And they weren't willing to give up and go back home. Their quest was to find HIM. How is it that so many then and so many now don't mount their own quest to find HIM? Surely these men who were not among the chosen of God, and yet they believed, was and is a sign in itself.
     Have the blessed of God become "pew warmers" or don't even show up in church at all? The prophet Amos warns in Amos 6:1, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion...". It's not good for God's people to be preoccupied and unconcerned about spiritual matters. God won't wait forever. Each day is one day closer. Those that are unconverted know the story of God's promises for those that believe on Him. We are finite people. Our days will come to an end. None of us are guaranteed the next year, the next month, week, hour or minute. Where will the soul spend eternity? The question that should take the forefront of our minds.
     The passage for the service was taken from Proverbs 3:5-10, It's a well-known passage that speaks of not leaning on your own understanding and not to be wise in your own eyes. The Sunday School class discussed the wise men. After reciting the passage, our beloved pastor said, "How can we be wise men today?" After some length he took one of those pauses. It's just a short interlude where he looks at you and you sit up a little straighter. He picked a verse from the beatitudes, Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Then he said, "The world is not righteous because they don't want it." It's the kind of statement that sucks the air out of your lungs because you know he's right. It's just that nobody ever says it.
     So, what's to happen to us? Luke 18:10-14 is a little story about two men who go to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee prays and talks about how he's doing everything that he should. He even goes on to say that he's not like other folks. Blah, blah, blah. Off in the corner is the publican. He is so covered in shame that he looks down, pounds his chest and begs for mercy because of the sinner that he is. It's a good reminder of how to approach a just, holy, and righteous God.
     There are plenty of things to learn in the Bible. It's a roadmap for anyone to follow who wants to find their way to God and his Son, Jesus. Start today. Don't wait until tomorrow. It may never come.

Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 11 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church. She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald.

Andrea Strong

Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

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