Sweden Church - The Layman's Pen

Obey God Rather Than Men

8/6/2020

The book of Acts is a history book. In it, Luke gives a factual account of the progression of the Christian faith after Christ’s ascension. From these early beginnings a small group of scared believers committed themselves to spreading the gospel of Christ to an empire. What a story!
History is a continual struggle between God and man and this present day is no exception. For example, just recently (July 24) our supreme court voted to uphold a Nevada ruling that put a cap of 50 persons to attend church but allowed 50% capacity of casinos, gyms, restaurants, and other businesses. The gaming industry of Nevada obviously has a lot of power. So much so, that it reaches all the way to the supreme court of the land. The devil is alive and well.
Let’s go back, though, to Acts 5:17-32. It’s another story of a small group before a high court. This time it’s the apostles. They’ve been thrown into prison. An angel of the Lord releases them and tells them to go back to the temple and preach. In the meantime, the high priest sees them and notifies the high court.
The high court notifies the prison and wants to know what has happened. The officers of the prison report that the place is locked up tight but that there were no men inside. The court immediately rounds up the apostles and tells them they’ve already been warned not to preach in the name of Christ and spread their doctrine that the blood of this man is on the court’s heads. (Acts 5:28)
Peter steps forward and makes a simple statement, “We ought to obey God rather than man.” He also says that God raised up Jesus and the court hanged him. The court was angry and got ready to kill them. There’s more to the story but it wasn’t part of the sermon. Those interested can find the outcome in Acts 5:33-42.
“Be for Jesus and against sin. Today we’re protesting sin. Don’t let man tell you what to do in matters of religion.” said Pastor Josh early in the sermon. “Be careful if you get filled with indignation. There is righteous indignation but this (Acts 5:18, 33) is plain old hatred—that won’t get your feet off the ground.”
“If we say ‘obey God’ then go do it. They (the apostles) obeyed God. They didn’t wait, they went right now. Our days are appointed, serve God now.” continued our pastor. We are reminded that we will all stand in judgment someday. “When push comes to shove, you obey God.”

God's Plan for Sin

7/26/2020

There are folks out there that will object to the idea of sin. Why wouldn’t they? They’re not bad people, in fact, they’re good. But, these same people will go home, sit down in front of the TV and watch programs that everyone will say are definitely not in the category of ‘G’ or ‘wholesome.’ The question is, “How it is possible to watch this stuff and not be influenced by it?”

Those who are honest with themselves will admit that sin finds its way into our lives. It’s like the worm in Job 24:20 that feeds ‘sweetly on him.’ Sin is a result of wrong-headed thinking. The first example in the Bible is in Genesis 3 when Eve believed Satan and ate the fruit. Something happened to Eve in verse 6. She looked at the tree through new eyes but it was the eyes of lust. Sinning starts in the mind and then moves like a worm to the heart. What are some of the other things that trigger wrong-headed thinking? Pride, envy, anger, laziness, greed, gluttony, and lust are called the seven deadly sins.

People go in all sorts of directions to rid themselves of bad (sinful) behavior. The world is full of writings on the subject. God’s plan is this: Jesus died for all. (II Corinthians 5:15) All means everyone, no one is left out. He died and arose the third day and was seen by many. (I Corinthians 5:4-8) Believing God is foremost. (John 3:18, Acts 16:30-31) Those who believe will have everlasting life. (I Timothy 1:13-16)

Paul the Apostle tells how he was the worst of the worst sinners. But that it was because of unbelief. The grace of God saved him from who he was. His story begins on the road to Damascus. He was chosen by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles. And beginning with the road to Damascus until he was beheaded by order of Nero, he was tireless in his efforts to spread the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to all. Thank God that Paul fought the good fight. (II Timothy 4:7)

Another Dose of God's Grace

7/19/2020

Grace is probably the most important word in the Bible and possibly the least understood. Ask anyone on the street if they know about God’s grace and they would say, “Grace who?” Most think of grace as a woman’s name. Sadly, this may be true for some Christians, too.

Grace, the word, is in the Bible around 170 times depending on which resource is used. The definition according to Christianity is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. The first time grace is used in the Bible is Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God looked on Noah and Noah found favor with God. God’s grace saved him. Noah didn’t save himself.

God was set to destroy mankind and decided to save Noah and his family. That’s grace. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh to plead the case for God’s people, the Israelites, it was God’s grace that was going to lead them out of Egypt to the promised land. It was God who was going to save them. Exodus 19:4-6 is a recap of what God did for his people.

Once God saved them, though, there was something the Israelites needed to do. It was to “...obey my voice, and keep my covenant...” (Exodus 19:5) This was a teachable moment for the people and it took a while for them to get it. Like Pastor Josh has stated more than once, “God doesn’t want tire kickers. He wants people who will get up out of the pews and carry God’s grace to others.”

This brings us to Titus 2:11-15. It’s around 1500 years later. Jesus has been crucified, buried and arose the third day. He’s ascended to heaven and the Apostle Paul is on the scene. What does Paul have to say? Titus 2: 11 starts off, “For the grace of God...”. All men are now aware that God operates from a position of grace. It’s God’s grace that saves us just like he did Noah and the people of Israel. But, remember, God doesn’t save us to just sit back and do nothing.

The next verse says that God teaches us. Grace then salvation then “...live soberly, righteously, and godly...”, this is the teaching part. Why do all this? Verse 13 says it all, “Looking for that blessed hope...”. Jesus will come again. For those who aren’t sure about that, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 teaches a worthy lesson. It’s one about being prepared.
God’s grace. It’s the way He operates. What happens that someone finds favor in His eyes. Nothing really. He sees all and He knows all. Hearts are touched. It’s that indefinable tug that pulls us toward Him. Some hang on to that tug wanting more and discover a better way. Wanting more leads us closer to a relationship with the Creator. The promise of an eternal life with the One who saved you. What more could anyone want.

God's Grace

7/5/2020

Why does God save sinners? For by grace are you saved. It’s the opening words of Ephesians 2:8. Not by works...,but according to his mercy. This is taken from part of a verse, Titus 3:5, which was contained in the text for Sunday’s sermon from verses 1 through 7.
As Pastor Josh pointed out to us, “If that’s the case, being saved through grace, then what’s the purpose of verses 1-4? Verses One through Three tells us how we ought to be with one another. That’s important.” Let me digress.
Verse One is about doing what those in power over you tell you to do. Don’t fight with them and don’t argue your point. If you think you’ve been wronged, get them in a court of law not on the side of the road. Settle your grievances in court. Above all, try to do what you are supposed to do.
Verse Two tells us not to fight with people. It doesn’t always have to be our way. It can be somebody else’s for a change. Pastor Josh cited an example from an old Andy Griffith episode. Aunt Bee said to Andy, “Silence is my game, Mum’s my name, tick-a-lock.” For those who are unfamiliar with ‘tick-a-lock', it much the same thing as ‘zip my lip’.
Verse Three is a reminder that we are also guilty of acting in ways that would get us in trouble. Pastor Josh even went so far as to say the root of the world’s problems can go back to this verse.
If it wasn’t by his mercy, then we could be hateful. We don’t save ourselves, it’s God’s mercy and that’s why we are to show love and kindness. He saved us. The Holy Spirit lives in us. Remember the old song?: Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. God gave His love to us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
There’s no chance God forgets us but we forget God. We forget who God is and what He has done. If we are able on our own, then we wouldn’t need Him. The thief on the cross who said, “Remember me” knew that he couldn’t have eternal life on his own. It’s an impossibility. Verse Seven says, That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. If you believe in eternal life, then all seven verses matter. How we are matters. It all goes together.

Camp Joy

6/30/2020

June is coming to a close. This is the last Sunday of the month and, like clockwork, we are blessed to have Van Kelly as the guest speaker. Camp Joy opens on July 6 and it’s time for the area churches to get behind Camp Joy and support a wonderful ministry. Camp Joy is open to youths from 7 to college age. It’s a great experience for everyone involved: preachers, Bible Study teachers, camp counselors, the staff, and for the kids that go. Pray for all of them.
Van opened with a story that is funny and worth repeating. It seems that mom can hear Johnny outside talking. She looks out and sees Johnny preaching to the cat. The cat is sitting quietly and listens to Johnny. Mom returns to her chores and before long she hears the cat wailing and carrying on. She goes and looks out the window and sees Johnny dousing the cat. “Johnny, you know the cat doesn’t like that.” Mom says out the window. “He should have thought of that before he joined my church.” responded Johnny.
Mr. Kelly selected Joshua 6:1-5 for the sermon text. It’s about Joshua and the instructions given to him about the walls of Jericho. The people of Israel had been in the wilderness forty years but the Lord was with them. They were now outside the walls of Jericho and Joshua was in need of guidance. This was a critical part of his life. He needed a specific strategy. Anyone who has read the story knows that the strategy is a bit off the wall (pardon the pun). Imagine the people inside the city watching the Israelites walk around the city day after day. Imagine what went through the minds of the soldiers.
We need three things to carry out God’s plan. First the faith to believe in the plan. Second, the courage to carry out the plan. And, third, the patience to wait for His timing. Victory is for those who act on His instructions. Submit to the Lord’s timing.
God doesn’t ask about your abilities, inabilities but your availability. The Bible is filled with examples of those who felt unfit for God’s plan. Moses is a good example. Pew sitters won’t get the work of the Lord accomplished. Like Mr. Kelly said, “You don’t stub your toe sitting down. Move.”
Wait for the timing. It’s an essential part of obedience. God gives precise instructions. The world will make fun of you. Remember what He has done for you. How often do we ask God for direction? We hesitate to obey. Living by faith is a huge risk. Strengthen your resolve to obey.

Set Things in Order

6/30/2020

Titus is on the island of Crete. He’s there to organize the new churches of that century. Crete itself doesn’t appear to have a very good reputation. Paul says in Titus 1:12 that one of their own calls them liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. He even goes so far as to say that the Jews there are just as bad. Verse 10 says that those of the circumcision, especially, are unruly, vain and deceivers. Titus has his work cut out for him.
Titus must be strong in his faith. Paul has entrusted him with a daunting task for sure. He is to put things in order. (Titus 1:5) And God is a God of order. In the book of Exodus Moses makes eight different ascents up Mount Sinai. Each ascent was to set everything in order to present the ten commandments to Israel. (Exodus 19, 20, 24, 32, 34) Neither was this an easy task but doing the right thing is sometimes challenging.
“If Christ is going to be your Savior then He’s got to be the Lord of your life.” stated Pastor Josh. “God sends Titus to set things in order “the things that are wanting.” (verse 5). “God called me to be here. Verse 11 speaks of filthy lucre, people doing the things of God for the money. Yes, I’m paid but if it ever comes to a point that I’m not, I would do it for free. I’ll not get to heaven any way but God’s way. Why is this necessary? Because God has sanctified us, set us apart. He changes who we are. If he hasn’t changed us, then He’s not God.” as he pressed on in the sermon.
Why is it important we live for God? Because our kids and grandkids know the truth. Verse 10 says to hold fast the faithful word. Why should we hold fast? Ask Adam and Eve. The devil is a very real adversary. Don’t let him in your house. A lot of evil is in the world. A lot of bad stuff out there. Live for God. Follow God’s orders. Follow the rules, they’ll keep you safe. If you drove on the left side of the road, what would happen? You could get hurt. You didn’t follow the rule. Stay on your side of the road.
I wonder what God thinks of us. He hears the words but what we do speaks louder than words. Walk the walk, talk the talk. Be a hearer and a doer of the Word. Professing your faith is not enough. You have to do something beyond professing. God has given us much: a great country to live in, freedom to read the Bible and attend church where we like, raise our children in a Christian home. Luke 12:48 says, “...For unto whomsoever much is given, or him shall be much required.” John 3:16 says that God gave his only begotten Son. He gave much. He still commends His love toward us. Do what is required, follow the doctrine of doing, serve your God.

Titus

6/14/2020

Paul, the apostle, wrote a letter to Titus which is part of the New Testament. It’s a short book in the Bible but is packed with instructions for Titus as the head of the churches in Crete. Titus is not a well-known figure in the Bible but we do know a few things about him.
First, he was born Greek. That makes him a Gentile. Thus, he is a convert of Paul’s. He must have been a very dedicated Christian because he accompanied Paul to Jerusalem to meet with the Jerusalem Council. (Galatians 2:1-4) This was the dispute over whether the Gentiles should be circumcised and held accountable to the Mosaic Law and can be found in Acts 15. Titus, once converted, played a part in the First Century Church and its’ development. Paul even refers to him as his “own son after the common faith.” (Titus 1:4)
The first four verses of Titus 1 at first glance don’t seem to be much more than a salutation for a letter. But, as our pastor pointed out to us in today’s sermon, they are power packed with doctrinal truths. It was a good sermon.
Paul opens with “a servant of God.” He could have said things like, “I’m a Pharisee of the Pharisees. I was a persecutor of the Christian Church.” There are many things he could have said about himself but he didn’t. Matthew 25:23, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Whatever it is, be a servant of God.
“An apostle of Jesus Christ”, Paul has the authority of an apostle. The Canon of the Bible is complete. There is nothing more to be added. As believers we can all come and worship as we see fit.
“According to the faith of God’s elect”, God’s elect is the Church, the people who have been born again. Being born again there is a desire to serve God. Head knowledge is not enough. “Thou believeth that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) Pastor Josh said, “Have the kind of faith that has legs on it.”
“In hope of eternal life”, that’s the goal. It’s not wishing but a sure and steadfast hope. There is a very real heaven and a very real hell. An immortal world lies ahead. Pastor Josh said, “There’s no coyotes in heaven, if you like’em get your fill of ‘em here. And there will be no coffins in Gloryland.”
“Which God, that cannot lie”, God cannot lie and He cannot fail. Other than that, all things are possible. God is true. “...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Corinthians 1:21) Don’t discount what you can do. We have a website on the computer, a radio program on Sunday mornings, a phone to leave messages. At some point send somebody the gospel. Let all that we have be used to spread the gospel.
“After the common faith”, things that are shared together. Our talents are God’s talents to give. Use what He gives you. At the end of the book of John, Peter sees the disciple that Jesus loved and asks Jesus what he is going to do. Jesus said to him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Just follow Jesus. He died for all of us.

In Remembrance

6/7/2020

          Hebrews 4:12 tells us this:  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  In short, God knows.  Today, Sunday, June 7, is the new quarter for our church.  On this day at the end of the sermon we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  The passage is I Corinthians 11:24-26.  For our pastor’s purposes, though, he included verses 18 through 29.
          The Lord’s Supper is familiar to most of us.  It is the time that Jesus spent breaking bread with his disciples before he was arrested and crucified.  The bread was symbolic of the bread of life (John 6:57,58) and the wine was symbolic of Jesus’ shed blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:27,28).  When Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper, it is a time to spend discerning just how much of Jesus have we eaten and drunk.
          Pastor Josh backed up the story to give his listeners some more to take in and consider.  The story begins in I Corinthians 11:18.  “The Corinth church has problems, divisions over things that really don’t matter.  Don’t get bogged down and distracted over little things.” said Pastor Josh.  “Who is happier when you do this, the devil or God?  If the devil had his way, he would have killed me and taken me to hell with him long ago.  But God was rich in grace towards me and saved me.”,
          The big problem with the Corinth church, they weren’t coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper and discern their spiritual situation.  They just came to eat and drink.  They could go home for that.  Yes, Paul is giving them their comeuppance.  The time of the Lord’s Supper is not a ritual but a time of showing the world, “I choose Jesus.”  We show the purpose of the Lord’s death until he comes.

Universal

5/31/2020

  A lot of things happened this week.  It’s hard to take it all in:  a pandemic that is ongoing, efforts to reopen businesses, disbelief that there really is a pandemic, police actions that lead to another death, riots popping up across the country, wholesale mob destruction of cities, and the U. S. Supreme Court ruling enforcing punitive restrictions on the number of persons attending churches in California.  Yes, punitive is the proper word for it.  Courthousenews.com reported the late-Friday night (May 29th) ruling.  As Pastor Josh put it, “We are seeing things go the wrong way.  The devil is working overtime.  But, God is in charge.  Don’t forget that.”
          “Several hundred years ago God saw fit to allow man to write an incredible document called the Constitution.  Now we are seeing restrictions on the number of people who can come to church.  Yet, this same U. S. Supreme Court does not put restrictions on the number of abortions.  I have a problem with that.” spoke our pastor at the opening of this Sunday’s sermon.
          “You have to live like Christ to go to heaven.  Regardless of how much I do, I cannot save myself.  Thank God there’s a universal savior and he’s coming again.”  First Timothy 4:10 tells us “…we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”  Why a universal savior?  It’s because of universal sin.  “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)  None of us are worthy to stand before God.
          Once sin is acknowledged, universal guilt it shared with all mankind.  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)  We all share in what was once called the Doctrine of Depravity which basically states that after the fall man is inclined to serve his own will and desires rather than serve God.  Sin, guilt, and then the offering of universal forgiveness which is available for all.  “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I John 2:1)  Which leads to universal redemption:  Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only but also for the whole world (I John 2:2).  God’s plan includes the whole human race.
          But it doesn’t end there.  Sin acknowledged, guilt confessed, forgiveness administered, and redemption bestowed.  The old, corrupt self is renewed in the spirit of the mind and the new man is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).  And the universal call is set into motion.  It’s what sets us apart from other organizations out there.  Telling and sharing the old, old story of Jesus and his love.  “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.  Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalms 117)
          God so loved the world that He has offered a universal plan that is open to everyone, no exemptions, no one left out.  A day of reckoning is coming, a day when the books will be tallied, a day of universal judgment, a day when everyone will stand before God and make an accounting.  It’s in Acts 17:30 and 31.  God has winked at ignorance but now the command to repent has come to all men every where.  A day has been appointed that God will judge the world.  Be prepared for it.

Alive Again

5/28/2020

Memorial Day Weekend:  It’s a time to remember military personnel who died in service to their country.  As Pastor Josh pointed out, we have a lot to be thankful for.  Because of others, we live in a country that still puts in God we trust on our money and has one nation under God in the pledge.  It’s undeniable we have a lot to be thankful for.  “As Americans we need to live worthy of the sacrifices of men and Jesus.” Pastor Josh uttered as he opened our memorial day service.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, is broken hearted.  Her brother has died and is buried.  It’s been four days and then, Jesus arrives.  Mary meets Jesus and after four days of grieving the first thing she says, “Lord, if thou had been here, my brother had not died.” (John 11:32) She’s weeping in verse 33 and it moves Jesus to the core.  So much so that he wept. (verse 35)
Yes, our Lord did, knowing full well he was going to call him back to life.  We live in a sin-cursed world but God has a plan and he has a way.  Jesus could have healed Lazarus.  After all, he caused the blind to see and the lame to walk.  Even though he could have, he didn’t.  His purposes were to raise Lazarus.  It was the plan.
Even so, Jesus groaned again. (verse 38)  The sadness of death touched him.  He knows and feels the pain of our infirmities.  It’s in Hebrews 4:15.  Imagine the scene:  Martha ran to meet him and they share a conversation, “If you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”  Jesus responds, “Your brother will rise.”  She assures Jesus that she believes in the resurrection.  And they continue.  Then Mary, the other sister comes and is deeply grieved.  Jesus feels the pain of both of them.  He cares.
Approaching the cemetery Jesus bids them to remove the stone.  Martha cautions Jesus, “He stinks.  He’s been dead four days.”  Jesus basically says, “Do it anyway.”  They do and Jesus calls for Lazarus and out he comes all wrapped up like a mummy.  Lazarus was raised from the dead that day.
Our day is coming too.  Unless we’re alive at Jesus’s return, we’ll die and be buried.  The great thing to remember is that we have a savior who will return to get those who believe.  Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25,26)

Linda Johnson

Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 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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