Blog Posts - Sweden Church

February 11th, 2024

2/11/2024

Ever been asked to do something at church and really didn’t want to do it?  Think about Jonah.  He really didn’t want to go to Nineveh either.  He was opposed to it so much that he was willing to go to the ends of the earth to not go to Nineveh.  It would be like saying you had to go somewhere and couldn’t possibly be there to participate.

Now God wanted to make a point.  When Jonah got on that ship, God wasn’t done using him.  These hardened sailors were fighting a mighty storm like nothing they had ever seen before.  It was a supernatural event.  Immediately they began praying to their gods for relief.  The storm raged on.

The shipmaster went below and awakened Jonah and wanted to know why he wasn’t praying to his god for relief.  Then they drew lots to see who brought this evil on them (Jonah 1:7).  Sure enough, Jonah drew the short stick.  Now he had to ‘fess up’.  They asked him, “What have you done?”  Really, it was what he didn’t do.

Jonah confessed, told them to throw him overboard and they would have peace.  The storm would stop.  Even then, they didn’t want to take a life to save their own.  So they tried harder to overcome their dilemma.  They prayed to Jonah’s God, the God of creation, to not shed innocent blood.  To no avail, though, and they threw him, Jonah, overboard.

As soon as they did, the storm ceased.  These men, seasoned sailors, were so moved that they made sacrifices to the Lord (God) and vows.  Did they become believers?  This was about eight hundred years before Jesus.  At that time mostly Jews believed in their God.  But, who’s to say if others believed, too?

God’s love extends to everyone.  “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:18).”  Jonah did go to Nineveh and witnessed as God wanted him to.  Before that Jonah’s escape plan was used to open the eyes of those sailors.

Jonah’s story is in chapter 1 of the book by his name.  Jonah spent three days in the belly of the whale.  Three days of convincing before he was delivered to the shores of Nineveh.  Would to God that today’s believers won’t need that kind of convincing to carry out God’s will.

Stay Filled With Jesus

2/4/2024

  Jesus is the accused, as usual.  The accusers are the religious community again.  The observers are the ones that follow Jesus around, his audience.  The victim is a man possessed of a devil.  Jesus commits an act of mercy and the fireworks begin.
          The story is in Luke 11:12-26 but can also be found in Matthew 12.  Jesus stopped and cast out a devil from a man who was mute (could not speak).  After that the man could speak and the audience wondered.  Why wonder?  Why not marvel?
This was another opportunity for the religious leaders to jump Jesus and make accusations.  “He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.”  Then they get a little ugly and say something about showing them a sign from heaven.  Jesus answers and says that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  He goes one step further and says that if he casts out devils by the devil, then who are their sons casting them out by?
          In verse 21 Jesus is pointing out that a strong man who is armed (the devil) is at peace in his palace (the man who is possessed).  But when one who is stronger (Jesus) comes along and takes all that he has (the man is no longer possessed) the devil is evicted from his spoils (verse 21,22).

            Then Jesus speaks to the observers, the audience.  Remember it said ‘wondered’ in verse 14?  Jesus says that they are either for him or against him.  No fence sitting allowed.  Then Jesus addresses the man.  He warns him that he is a vacuum right now and must fill it with something or else, the devil will return and bring more spirits with him.

Reaching Out

1/28/2024

   Imagine loving your child so much and he has disobeyed you.  You know if you let it slide, it will lead to only worse behavior.  The only thing is punishment.  Your child believes you’re being harsh but has to obey.  He grows, has children, and his children have children, and so on.  Each generation finds new and clever ways to disobey and, or course, there’s punishment.
          There are some, a few, who yearn for a more fulfilling way of life.  A plan is put in place.  A savior is sent to save all who will be saved.  He comes and carries out the will of his Father and is crucified for the sins of all the people.  When he rises from the dead, he sends a comforter to take his place, the Holy Spirit.  He, Jesus, has planted the seeds of Christianity.  Now it’s up to the believers to complete the task.
          Outreach is one of the ways to carry out the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20).  “…Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…”  Outreach involves the Holy Spirit (which also includes the Father and the Son), the Church (the people in it, the ones being sent), and the ones outside the church.
          Jesus sums it up in Matthew 25:31-40 which was the text of Pastor Josh’s sermon.  Take heed, though, this is the passage that Jesus tells us what to expect when he returns and his angels with him.  The sheep will be on the right and the goats on the left.  The sheep carried out the commission.  In this passage he speaks of physical needs.
          Beyond this are spiritual needs which is what the great commission is.  There are eleven verses in Isaiah 61.  Each verse is beauty to the soul.  We, as believers, bring good news to the oppressed, comfort those who mourn, and have freedom in God for those who will accept it.
          Outreach is reaching out to those in need, both physically and spiritually.  It’s carrying the joy and peace of our savior to those who need it, who may even yearn for it.  Like Pastor Josh said, “People are hurting.  We really don’t know what they’re thinking or going through.  Look someone in the face and say, “God loves you.”

One Message, Many Languages

1/21/2024

  Each page of most bibles give the date of the events for that page.  A look at Genesis 9 which is the end of the flood, God is blessing Noah and his sons, the date is 2348 BC.  The building of the Babel is 2247, about one hundred years later.  Keep in mind that God flooded the earth because man had become wicked (Genesis 6:5).  God blesses Noah and his family and makes a covenant not to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:9-13).
          God says in Genesis 9:2, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”  Approximately four generations later, for whatever reason, all the people decided to go east.  They found a place all of them liked and decided to live there, a place called Shinar.  Rather than ‘replenishing the earth’ the people decide to build a city and tower that reaches to heaven.  They do this thinking they won’t be scattered upon the face of the earth (Genesis 9:4).  This is totally counter to what God said for them to do.
          What happens is that God comes down, sees what is going on, confuses their language and scatters them (Genesis 11:9).  End of story.  Really it isn’t because something marvelous happens in Act 2:1-12.  It’s the day of Pentecost, Peter and the eleven are gathered at Jerusalem, the Holy Ghost fills them.  Suddenly these men speak so that all that are present hear these men in their own language and understand the message.
          Christianity speak in every language, in every country.  It’s a message that is spread to anyone who will hear it.  Jews have Hebrew, Muslims have Arabic, Buddhists have Pali, and Hindus have Sanskrit.  That’s their sacred language.  In every nation where Christians meet, there is only one message that speaks in many languages.  One Savior, one God, one faith, one baptism, one message, and one communion.

Never Look Back

1/7/2024

  Jesus is speaking, “Even thus shall it be in the day…”  It will seem like any other day.  People will be going about all their activities.  Just another ho-hum day.  Wait, Jesus isn’t through, “…when the Son of man is revealed.”  Another day, another dollar here on earth.  But then, just like a flash of lightning Jesus will be here—here on Earth.  That’s verse 30 of Luke 17.
          We already know from John 14:2-3 that Jesus is going to prepare a place for those who are prepared.  These verses in Luke are a wake-up call, a precaution of sorts, a warning to be ready.  Back in Noah’s day, no one paid any attention to what Noah was doing until it was too late.  Once the door is shut, that’s it.  The entire earth was flooded and only a few survived.
          Now Jesus is saying in verse 32 of Luke 17, “Remember Lot’s wife.”  That should generate a gasp of air from the lungs.  Don’t look back!  Jesus said it in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Lot’s wife looked back.  The angels who came to get them and set them outside the city told them not to look behind them (Genesis 19:17).  But Lot’s wife for whatever reason couldn’t resist looking back (verse 26) and she turned into a pillar of salt.
          It doesn’t take a stretch to understand that there is just nothing to look back for.  This world is so filled with evil.  Looking forward to the day of Jesus’ coming is the only thing to look for.  The prince of this world (Satan) has been lurking about seeking who he can destroy for quite some time (I Peter 5:8).  Just a cursory review of the evils of this world are enough to set anyone on their heels.
          Our time on this earth can be better spent laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven.  “Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ (Matthew 19:21).”

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.