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Reaching Out

1/28/2024

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         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.”  

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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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