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No Guarantees

8/28/2019

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​     Sometimes, trying to imagine the circumstances of a verse helps to bring it to life.  Luke 13:1 is just such a verse.  The setting is obviously an informal occasion that people are gathered around and just talking about the news of the day.  Probably much like today.  The news is that Pilate has sacrificed some Galileans in their synagogue and mingled their blood with the blood of their sacrifices.  It's not so much that these Galileans have been murdered but that Pilate was bold enough to desecrate their holy place where they carried out their own sacrifices.
     Jesus must have read something in their speech because he responds with a question that seems odd.  It's "Do you think those Galileans were the worst of the worst because of the way they suffered?"  It seems strange but the next verse straightens out the conundrum.  Jesus, aware that they may be trying to score some points by talking about mingling of the sacrifices, turns the occasion into one of reflecting on one's own repentance.  Verse 3, "If you don't all repent, you'll all perish."
     Pastor Josh went on to say, "Dying without God is an awful thing.  Repent.  Try Jesus, if you don't like him, I'm sure the devil will take you  back.  Hell is full of those with good intentions because none of us knows when the last second might be."
     Jesus goes on in verse 4 and cites another example.  There was another tragic event that he refers to.  The tower in Siloam fell and killed 18 people.  Jesus supposed again, "Do you think they were the most terrible people in Jerusalem because the tower fell on them?  Not hardly.  The same thing can happen to you.  Repent." (verse 5)  His concern was for those standing around sharing the news with him.  Not the ones already dead.
     There are no guarantees in this world.  We live on an earth that can be the scene of earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and disasters of all kinds--both natural and manmade.  "Boast not of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)
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Delayed Gratification

8/22/2019

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     Pastor Josh holds up a one-dollar bill in one hand.  In the other hand is a one hundred-dollar bill.  "Now," says the pastor, "if I was to hold up this one-dollar bill and the one hundred-dollar bill and ask my four-year-old son which he would rather have, the one-dollar bill today or the one hundred-dollar bill next week, which one do you think he would take?"  His son was paying attention and he immediately responded, "I want the dollar bill for today."
     Of course he would.  He's four and doesn't really understand the concept of money.  But, he does know whether he wants something today or have to wait a week.  Right now wins.  Pastor's older daughter, who is 12, would wait for the $100.  She understands the value of money.
     The story of Moses is unique.  The people of Israel are slaves in Egypt.  The Pharaoh has seen them multiply even under terrible conditions and hardship.  He ordered the midwives to kill all boy infants of the Israeli people at birth.  The midwives feared God and didn't do it.  Instead, the Pharaoh ordered all boys that were born to be cast into the river.  The woman that bore Moses hides him for three months.  When she could not hide him any longer, she made a little ark and set him on the river.
     Pharaoh's daughter  spotted the little ark and the infant boy.  Moses became her son.  It states in Hebrews 11:24, though, as Moses grew, he refused to be called her son.  Verses 25 and 26 go on to state that he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."  
     As Pastor Josh put it so eloquently, "Pharaoh made today's offer of one dollar and Moses refused.  He chose to esteem Christ and wait for all that Christ offers." 

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Plain Talk

8/13/2019

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     Once upon a time everyone knew who the Andy Griffith Show was and that Mayberry was the town that Andy was the sheriff of.  Reruns of the old episodes can still be watched even today.  Opie was the sheriff's young son.  Our pastor quotes from these episodes from time to time during his sermons.  He did so in this particular sermon.
     Andy told Opie, "Plain talk is easy understood."  "Let's get it straight," said Pastor Josh, "today, it's still the same."  That was the opening of the sermon from John 16:29-33.  
     The scripture takes place shortly before Jesus is apprehended and crucified.  These are his last moments with his beloved disciples.  He is preparing them for what is to come and in verse 29 they reply that what he has said is plain.  And they are convinced that he is who he said he is--the Messiah who came from God.
     His final warning is that they will be scattered and suffer many tribulations.  But, not to worry, his peace will be with them.  Jesus knew how important it was for his followers to understand that peace is not a result of no problems or tribulations.  It's a result of having faith that he will be with them in the midst of problems and tribulations.  His final words to them, "In the world you will have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."   ​
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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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