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Sardis

5/22/2021

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         John is addressing the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 1:4.  He sends a message from him “which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne.”  ‘Him’ and ‘his throne’ are the same person.  This is a biggie.  It’s obviously Jesus Christ and he speaks of the seven Spirits there, too.  Although there is some dispute (there are plenty out there who have opinions) about the seven Spirits, it’s plain that what Jesus is about to say to the seven churches is of paramount importance.  After all, Christ is the head of the Church.
          Again, when Jesus is addressing the church at Sardis, he says in Revelation 3:1 “saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God…”.  Jesus is making a point and he wants to get Sardis’s attention.  He as much as says that the church at Sardis is dead.  Even though they are dead he hasn’t given up on them.  They can remedy their situation.  And he continues to tell them what they can do.
          Imagine sitting in the congregation on Sunday morning.  John, the apostle, has sent a letter from Jesus to your church.  He says he knows what we’ve been doing, and it isn’t good.  We need to make changes.  As believers it has to matter to us what we’re being told.  We started out so good, and now we’re being called out about what has happened since then.
          Sin has crept in.  Pastor Josh said, “They need to take inventory and get a true and accurate look at themselves.”  Hard to do but necessary.  Figure out what’s missing, what needs to be done.  Pray for guidance.  Be active about what needs fixing.  I Peter 2:9 says that we are to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
          Spread the truth of God’s Word.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).  Remember what it was like when you first heard the good news.  How you were quickened in the spirit.  Repent.  If not, “I will come on you like a thief in the night.” (Revelation 3:3)
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The Lamb of God

5/11/2021

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          “What we need more than anything else in America, more than we need another stimulus check, more than we need more judges on the Supreme Court, more than we need another state added to the union, more than we need an infrastructure bill, more than we need Donald Trump to be president; what we need in America is Jesus Christ.”  Yes, a long-winded statement that packed a wallop at the beginning of Pastor Josh’s sermon.  He continued, “The revelation of Jesus Christ that people could understand who Jesus is and that they might turn to him with their whole heart.”
          The sermon was taken from Revelation Chapter 1.  Jesus introduces himself in this chapter.  Jesus in the flesh has been crucified.  He has paid the price of redemption with his life.  And, he has risen from the grave and taken his rightful place with God in heaven.  Jesus Christ impresses us that he is the first and the last, the beginning and the end.  He’s here to give to John this revelation of himself.
          Up until now Jesus was the promise that believers had been looking for through the centuries.  Now he’s been here and he’s coming back.  But he’s coming back with a purpose, his revelation.  Jesus states in verse 18 he has the keys of hell and death.  He tells John to write about what he has seen, the things that are and the things that shall be. This is a preparation chapter.
          Jesus stated while he was still on this earth that he didn’t know exactly when the end times would come, only God knew that (Mark 13:32).  Jesus knows it all now, hence, his revelation.  That is why it is important to know where you stand in terms of eternity.  Where will each of us spend it—heaven or hell?
          Who are we apart from Jesus?  Jeremiah 17:9-10 say “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”  It’s a warning.  Eternity is real.  Hear and keep the Word of God.
          “You can’t hear the voice of God and understand what it is if you don’t know who Jesus is.” said Pastor Josh.  “A lot of people say ‘I heard this voice or that voice, I feel this of I feel that, I was led this way of that way.’  Listen, if you’re not a Christian, I can promise you how you’re led.  You’re being led of the devil.  My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)”
          John 18:13, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”  God bless you, today, is my prayer.

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Smyrna

5/2/2021

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          “When I decided to follow Christ, I wanted to be a professional follower.  I wasn’t going to be a tire kicker.” said Pastor Josh.  He continued on and said that he wasn’t content to just listen to the sermons.  He wanted to know the Bible and study it.  He wanted to know how to be a follower and what he was to do.  In short, he was pursuing Christ, his Savior.  Here he is more than two decades later and still holding firm to Jesus Christ.
          It’s been over two thousand years since Jesus was here.  Yet, there are millions upon millions who have followed Jesus as Pastor Josh does now.  Jesus left behind a legacy.  He told those who believed on him they would have everlasting life.  True followers get in and dig into the Bible as though they were mining for something precious.  And they are.  It’s called salvation, grace, being more like Christ, witnessing to others, and loving and being loved by God.
          Jesus is the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive (Revelation 2:8).  This is the opening of the letter to the church at Smyrna.  So interesting.  Smyrna was destroyed around 600 B.C. and then rebuilt in 200 B.C.  Smyrna had once been dead and was alive again.  The name of the town itself is from the perfume myrrh.  It’s a perfume used for burials.  The wise men brought myrrh to baby Jesus.  Myrrh was the spice brought by Nicodemus to the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-40).
          The church in Smyrna had endured tribulation and poverty but Jesus tells them they are rich, rich spiritually, poor by the world’s standards.  He tells them to hang on.  He knows they have troubles coming.  They’ll be persecuted.  Some will be thrown into prison.  “Fear none of those things which you shall suffer…you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
          Pastor Josh dubbed Smyrna with the 4 T’s—tribulation, testing, tempting, and trials.  The church was being attacked by the devil.  It’s a message that was good then and is still good for today.  Verse 11 tells the churches to listen, if you have an ear, then hear with it.  The message is for all.  Those who overcome will not take part in the second death—eternal separation from God.
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    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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