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God's Plan for Sin

7/26/2020

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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) 
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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) 

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Another Dose of God's Grace

7/19/2020

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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. 
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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. 


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God's Grace

7/5/2020

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​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. 


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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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