Sweden Church - The Layman's Pen

Abide

8/31/2023

  “…He that abideth in me, and I in him…”  It’s part of John 15:5.  In verse 4 Jesus also makes the imperative statement, “Abide in me, and I in you.”  This is important enough that he is emphasizing it.  Abide, to remain or stay, Jesus says ‘you’ abide in me and ‘I’ will abide in you.  It’s a two-way street.
          So, what does it mean?  It certainly means a lot more than just thinking that because you’re a good person, you’re abiding in him.  Remain, stay, and abide means something more than just shelving Jesus on weekdays and showing up for church on Sundays.
          There’s a constancy required in those words.  Jesus is saying “Stay in touch with me 24-7 and I’ll be there, too.”  Quid pro quo, tit for tat, this for that—of course, that’s the sound of it.  Not one that people would like to hear, but…it would seem to make sense.  After all, Jesus can only be with the ones who choose to remain.  He’s not going to force himself on anyone.
          Remaining in Christ would be like having the same mind and will that he has.  Sounds like a process and not a one-time thing.  It requires a beginning and then a time for deepening the relationship.  Praying, reading the Word of God and learning from it, praying some more, being around others who are like minded, and praying.
          Jesus, in John 5:19, offers insight.  While he was here on earth in human form he relied on the Father and says, “…The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do..”  He was abiding in the Father and the Father in him.  How did he do that?  We know he spent a lot of time in prayer.  He actually had a prayer life not prayer time.  We should do the same.
          The remainder of John 15 is a good place to begin the journey of abiding in Christ.  He has much to say in this chapter.  It’s a good place to begin writing God’s words on your heart (Psalm 119:11).

Strive

7/16/2023

   Jesus is on his last trip to Jerusalem.  He’s going through the cities and villages teaching and journeying (Luke 13:22). Keep in mind that there are many people following him.  It says in John 6:60-70 that he had many disciples besides the Twelve and that many walked with him no more (verse 66).  That’s what makes the question and answer so compelling in Luke 13:23-24.
          “Lord, are there few that be saved?”  It’s true that the Jews believed they would be saved because they’re God’s chosen people and only them would be.  This would probably give someone pause and would want to know it what the Jews believe is true.  This may be the situation that prompted the question since he didn’t ask a personal question like “What must I do to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16)?”
          I believe that Jesus turned and faced him.  He’s a personal savior and connects with all who seek him.  The verse says that he directed his response to “them” which would mean everyone in hearing distance.  The first word he speaks is “Strive” which means a diligent search.  With all of the tugs and thoughts on people’s lives then and even now, “strive” would instantly make one understand that this is more than just a casual endeavor.
          Work at it.  Find out what is true and what isn’t.  There are some who believe that just saying they believe in God is enough.  Presto!  Fast track to heaven.  Not so.  Jesus makes it clear when he says “Strive”.  Make it The Mission in life to find out what it takes to be saved.  Don’t leave it to others’ ideas or opinions.  Life in eternity depends on it.
          Verse 25 puts a time stamp on how much time is available.  “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door…”  it’s too late.  To those who bang on the door to get in and plead like the rich man did in Luke 16:19-31, it’s too late.  No one knows when their time comes to an end, only God does.  “Strive” is the warning.  Eternal life with Christ depends on it.

All...

7/9/2023

   There’s a verse in the Bible that begins and ends with the word “all”.  “All have sinned…laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  It’s Isaiah 53:6 and there’s a lot to cover between those two ‘alls’.  All means all, no one left out, not the neighbor next door, the associates at work, those who work for the city, the state or the country, not even the President.   And last of all, not even you or me.
          “All we like sheep have gone astray…”  How often do we take a look at ourselves and see us for what we are?”  We’re prone to want what we want and taking an honest look at ourselves in the mirror might be disturbing to say the least.  “Is it possible that we can be indifferent, scheming, callous, ruthless, or cowardly?  After all, the worst people in history started out as children (such as Hitler, Nero, Jim Jones, Bonnie and Clyde, Ivan the Terrible, and Pope Alexander VI (he was a Borgia).  They started out just like everyone else—as kids.
          “We have turned everyone to his own way…”  All of us, whether individually or collectively have taken the crooked path, sin.  That’s the way of man.  It’s an inherent tendency, we just have it.  No matter how much we would like to deny it, any of us could have taken a path to destruction just as some of those mentioned above.
          “And the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  God the Father, had a plan.  He was well acquainted with the wiles of Satan.  Were it not for the love of God for his creation there would be no redemption.  There would be no way to eternal life with Him.  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).”
          “All…all.”  It says a lot between those two uses of the one word.  The problem is that we’re all born with the ability to sin.  And we do.  The only solution is God’s free gift of grace.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

Watch and Pray

7/7/2023

   “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 16:41).”  Jesus said it.  To whom?  To Peter, James, and John.  It was a full evening.  Jesus and his disciples had shared the Passover meal.  Afterward, Jesus and the disciples went to the Mount of Olives because Jesus wanted to pray.  Of the disciples, he asked the three named above to go further with him to the garden of Gethsemane (verse 37).  In verse 38 Jesus asks them to watch with him.
          Watch.  Twice he says Watch (verse 38, 40).  Then he says Watch and Pray.   He took all the disciples with him but selected the three he thought would Watch.  Aren’t we all supposed to be watchful as followers of Christ?  Isaiah 62:6-7, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem…and give no rest till Jerusalem is a praise in the earth.”  A message to be watchful.  The devil would like nothing better than to break up the Church.
          Stand as watchmen for your life, family, church, and nation.  Paul said it all in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Our nation needs watchmen, the watchmen God set in place.  The Church is the watchmen.
          The disciples were caught sleeping.  We need to be alert to who and what comes into our lives, our family, our church, and our nation.  Also, be spiritually alert to what is coming into our lives, our family, our church, our nation.  If it isn’t of God, say “no” it can’t come in here.  Otherwise, the risk of being bombarded by evil and ungodly ideas, unhealthy relationships and perplexing calamities will take root.
          Pray.  Not just individual prayers, group prayers, entire congregations praying in unison.  Unrelenting prayer to uproot evil where it is.  “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (II Corinthians 2:11).”
          Watch and Pray.

Take Up Your Cross

6/30/2023

  “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”  Jesus said it.  It’s in Matthew 16:24. Pastor Josh expounded on this verse which was part of the sermon text of Matthew 16:24-27. Those who are saved recognize that Jesus has a claim on their lives.  Sometimes, though, just like some who are mentioned in the Bible, they use their physical eyes to make choices rather than the spiritual eyes given them.
          Eve, in the garden, looked at the tree and saw that it was good for food (Genesis 3:6).  Now she was aware of God’s warning because she recited it to the serpent (verse 3).  She traded what was pleasing to the eye for death and banishment from the garden.
          And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the plain of Jordan was well watered and chose it when Abram and Lot split up (Genesis 13:10).  He knew it was close to Sodom and Gomorrah and soon discovered how wicked they were.  Yes, his cows had it good.  But, Lot and his family’s outcome was devastating.
          Judas who betrayed Jesus saw what he had done and attempted to right a wrong and return the 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3-5).  It was too late.  The deed was done.  He had thought the 30 pieces of silver was a good bargain.  It wasn’t.
          Satan led Jesus to a high place and offered him all the kingdoms of the world if he would worship him (Satan).  It’s in Luke 4:5-7.  Jesus denied Satan and took up his cross.  The one that he was to carry to redeem mankind.  “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26).
          Deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus.  Make a cross and tape it where you see it many times every day.  Stop and pray, “Lord, use me to win one person to you this year.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”  Jesus has a claim on our lives.  He died for all of us.  Give your life for something that will count for all of eternity.

Bring the Oil

6/19/2023

  A farmer joke:  Two farmers, one from the U.S.A. and one from the U.S.S.R.  The USA farmer said, “I am so glad I live in this country.  I can go to the White House, walk into President Reagan’s (it’s an old joke), bang my fist on the table and say that I don’t like the way things are being run.  I have First Amendment rights and can speak my mind.  Don’t you wish you could do that?”  To which the farmer from the USSR said, “I can do that, too.”
          The USA farmer replied, “How is that possible?”  The USSR farmer said I can go to the Kremlin, walk into President Gorbachev’s, bang my fist on the table and say that I don’t like the way things are being run by President Reagan in the USA, too.” The point here, as Pastor Josh said, is to reflect on how many changes are taking place in our country since the 1980s.
          Sermon text is from Matthew 25:1-13.  It’s about ten virgins, five wise and five foolish.  All were there for the same purpose.  They were waiting on the arrival of the bridegroom to accompany him into the marriage and celebration.  Jesus is the bridegroom and he’s coming for the bride which is the church.  Christians are aware that this is the church age that we live in.
          There is a day coming when Jesus will come for his church (the bridegroom and the bride).  When he comes for the church, there will be a period of tribulation.  Many will suffer but others will be protected.  There will be Christians, both Jews and Gentiles just as there are today.,
          No one knows when that day will come.  Only God knows (Matthew 24:36).  Corruption, lawlessness, murders, displays of vanity that would make the most broad-minded people blush can be viewed on television as part of the evening news.  If ever there’s a time to prepare for the coming of the bridegroom, now is a good time to start.
          Five wise virgins prepared.  Five foolish virgins unprepared.  All ten fell asleep.  Christians be warned.  Be wise and be spiritually prepared for what is coming.  Keep your spiritual oil trimmed in your lamps and ready to go.  Five foolish virgins.  They were believers, too, but they were unprepared.  They didn’t have enough spiritual oil to see them through.

Betrayed

4/2/2023

  If you haven’t read it lately, now is a good time.  It’s Matthew 21:42,43.  Of course, when it was issued, it was to put the Jewish people on notice that the kingdom of God was going to be taken away from them and given to another nation.  We, here in America, think of ourselves as being that other nation.  If it is true, the Christians here in America need to be sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes that were made by God’s chosen people.
          The betrayal of the Messiah was recorded in some of the Old Testament books (Psalms and Zechariah are two that I know of).  Zechariah 11:10-14 was the text for this week’s sermon.  Verse 10 speaks of cutting up the staff to break the covenant that was made with the people.  “And it was broken in that day…(verse 11).”  This is speaking of prophecy.  The same verse continues that the poor of the flock, that would be his disciples, waited upon him because they knew his words were that of the Lord.
          The next two verses of prophesy speak of the interaction that Judas Iscariot had with the chief priests.  Matthew 26:14-16 sets the price of the betrayal of Jesus at 30 pieces of silver which is the price also set in Zechariah 11:12.  Of course Judas repented of what he had done and took the 30 pieces of silver back to the priests.  He didn’t want it and the priests called it “blood money” so they used it to buy a potter’s field to bury strangers in (Matthew 27:3-7).  The prophesy for this is in Zechariah 11:13.
          Now Jesus spoke of the stone that the builders rejected in Matthew 21:42 and we know who that is.  The cornerstone (Jesus) that was rejected by the builders (Israel) is prophesied in Psalms 118:22.  The next verse (Matthew 21:43) says that the kingdom of God will be given to a nation bringing forth fruits.  Fruits you ask.  We have Colossians 1:5,6: “…whereof you heard before in the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.”  Bringing forth fruit, the fruit of the gospel of Christ.  Spreading the good news (gospel) and leading others to Christ (the door to heaven).

One Lost Sheep

3/26/2023

  “All we like sheep have gone astray…”.  It’s the first part of Isaiah 53:6. It popped into mind while Pastor Josh was reading from the Bible.  He was reciting Matthew 18:12-14.  It’s funny how the mind focuses on things.  He emphasized the words, “How think ye?”  “What do you think?”  “How’s your take on what I’m going to tell you?”
          This is the parable that Jesus posed to his disciples about half-way through his response to their question of who the biggest deal in the kingdom of heaven was.  It’s apparent that Jesus was intent on making his point.  In verse 12 he begins the parable of the lost sheep.  All of them are where they’re supposed to be but one who is lost.
          Lost can be many things.  Here, though, Jesus is talking about a shepherd who is missing one of his sheep.  Our pastors are often referred to as shepherds.  The parallel here is unmistakable.  Jesus is the shepherd of all.  This parable can lend itself to more than one inference.
          “Which sheep do you want to be?  The one that is in the back of the pasture or the one that is in the shepherd’s arms?” asked Pastor Josh.  He also said, “Stay where you’re supposed to be.  Be an honest Christian.”
          Then Pastor Josh related the story of Elijah (I Kings 19) when Jezebel threatened to kill him.  He ran for his life, thought there was no one left in God’s corner but him and wanted to die.  Or, the story of Jonah who objected to warning the Ninevites of their evil ways and wound up in the belly of a fish (Jonah 1-2).  God, the shepherd, found them when they went astray.
          Now to modern days.  Don’t the same things happen.  Really good people who go to church suddenly exit.  They’re there and then, they’re not.  Like Jesus said, “What think ye?”  The ninety-nine are still where they’re supposed to be.  But for whatever reason, the one has been led astray.  For sure, the devil has a hand in it and works tirelessly.  “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Bring Your Best Sacrifice. God Did.

3/19/2023

  Moses is credited with writing Deuteronomy.  Those who know about this book say that it’s three of his last sermons and a few of his prophetic poems.  In it Moses is urging Israel to not repeat its’ past mistakes.  Deuteronomy 17:1 is just such a verse.  Basically it says not to sacrifice bullock or sheep that are blemished.  Why?  Because to God it is detestable.
          It makes sense.  Who wants a gift (sacrifice) that has been spoiled, no one.  When I was a first-year teacher (a long time ago) the Home Ec teacher kind of took me under her wing.  Sometimes at the end of a long day, she would bring me a small plate of something they had prepared in class that day.  After a few times, I thought I would congratulate my students on how delicious the previous days’ fare was.  There was an awkward moment as the students looked at each other.  Then, one of them asked, “Did she bring it to you on a blue saucer?”  I nodded and said, “Yes.”  It turned out that was the dish that the students emptied their plates onto.  I actually thought I would get ill.
          I imagine God would feel the same way with sacrifices.  Especially since he sacrificed his only Son for us.  He gave the best.  We shouldn’t do any less.
          People may think that sacrifices are over and done with.  But, Romans 12:1 will clear that up.  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  As Christians, we’re the living sacrifice.  We’re to do as much serving God as he has equipped us to do.
          What it boils down to is how much you love God.  There are probably those that don’t really know what God is like and may not even know where to look to find out about him.  Ephesians 1, 2, and 3 is a good place to begin.  In those three chapters are the provisions God has made for us in Christ.  Second Corinthians 5 is Paul’s testimony of his motivation to press on because of what God did for him (Paul) in Christ.  Look for God’s attributes.  They’re sprinkled throughout the Bible.

For God So Loved...

3/12/2023

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”  The most amazing verse in the Bible and probably the most under-appreciated.  This planet has close to what? 8 or 9 billion people.  Something like that.

There’s a second verse that should give everyone a pause if they even half-way believe the Bible, the Word of God.  It’s Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”  Now that’s a plan that God gave directly to Jeremiah.  Long before Jeremiah came into existence, there was a plan.  Think about it.  If God has a plan for Jeremiah, then he’s got plans for us, too.

There’s more to this story.  God does have a plan for us.  But, there’s always a but, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 lets us know that God has set before us life and good, and death and evil.  We can go either way.  We can follow God and his plans or we can choose not to. If it sounds pretty simple, that's because it is.  Whatever you choose is going to be what you’ll live with in eternity.

Time for a recap.  Before we are ever born, God has a plan.  He knows what his plans are for us.  As we grow and mature there is an opportunity to make choices—either for good or evil.  As humans we make those choices.

But God did not leave us with no hope.  That’s where John 3:16 comes in.  “For God so loved the world”—not just the specially selected but the world and all of us in it.  “That he gave his only begotten Son”—God gave us his most loved gift, his Son, Jesus.  This is living proof of God’s love for us.  “That whosoever believeth on him should not perish”—all that accept Jesus as their savior will not die into a world that waits for the wrath to come (John 3:36).  “But have everlasting life”—eternal and permanent and no separation from God.