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Bob Wriedt 11/21/21 Bob Wriedt 11/21/21

I'm Thankful For You (Philemon 1-7)

Before we start Advent next week, I'd like to spend a week with you in one of the shortest books in the Bible, Philemon.

Philemon is a short, personal letter from Paul asking a wealthy and influential Christian (Philemon) to use his resources for the benefit of someone who had no power of his own (an escaped slave named Onesimus).
The whole letter is fascinating, but we're going to spend the majority of our time on the opening, where Paul described his thankfulness to God for Philemon. His language in this letter drips with genuine affection, care, and trust in Philemon's faith. And he also calls Philemon to exercise that faith in broader and deeper ways than he has before.

Paul is thankful for who Philemon is. And Paul tells Philemon he's asking God to help him grow beyond where he is now.

Thankfulness includes appreciation for what is and hope for what changes can come.

I pray that this section of Scripture can help you express your gratitude for Philemon's in your life - those who are both models of faith and need to grow and expand that faith into other areas of their life.

Look forward to seeing you Sunday!

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

-Philemon 1-7

Amanda Buda 11/14/21 Amanda Buda 11/14/21

Solomon: Success or Failure? (1 Kings 11:1-13)

This week at Grace, we're going to finish our series on King Solomon by looking at the end of his life.

Despite Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and power, his final years are not a happy ending. His trust in God wavers, he embraces the worship of other gods next to Yahweh, and his legacy is shaken.

Why would someone who had experienced such profound blessing and favor from God have his faith fall apart at the end?

To address these questions, Pastor Steve Williams will be teaching from 1 Kings 11, helping us see how to learn from Solomon's failures and point our attention to Jesus.

Look forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.”

-1 Kings 11:1-13

Bob Wriedt 11/7/21 Bob Wriedt 11/7/21

The Fame of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-9)

This week at Grace, we'll be talking about the fame and glory of Solomon.

Within his lifetime, Solomon was so famous for his wisdom that people travelled from around the world just to hear how wise he was.

That's exemplified in 1 Kings 10, when the Queen of Sheba makes a 1,000 mile trek to Jerusalem and finds Solomon able to respond well to every question she can throw at him. The passage concludes with the Queen so impressed with Solomon that she entrusts her kingdom's resources to his care.

For many in our culture, Solomon's life is the dream - having everything together so well that people come to praise you and give you things.

But in an age of constant comparison, self-promoting deception, and unrealistic expectations, is this sort of narrative helpful for us?

How on earth does knowing Solomon impressed everyone help us live a meaningful Christian life? Are we supposed to have it together in a similar way? How can the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the meek...") be in the same Bible as this story?

Let's get into it together on Sunday.

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”

-1 Kings 10:1-9

Bob Wriedt 10/31/21 Bob Wriedt 10/31/21

Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 5-8)

The Bible begins and ends with the description of God's presence with his people. Before the fall, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Revelation 21 tells us that one day, the dwelling place of God will be with man.

But in between Eden and the New Jerusalem, the presence of God is more complicated. And in many ways, that is what the Bible is about: How can a holy God be with people?

This week at Grace, we're looking at Solomon's most enduring physical accomplishment - the building of the temple.

Why Solomon built the temple, what it was like, and what it pointed to - all these teach us about what it means for God to dwell with us today.

Looking forward to opening the Scriptures with you on Sunday!

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

PS. If you're curious what an artistic recreation of Solomon's temple looks like, here's a helpful video.

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

-1 Kings 8:1, 10-13, 22-23, 27-30

Tim Culling 10/24/21 Tim Culling 10/24/21

Solomon the Rich (1 Kings 4)

Let’s play a game.

I’ll name a biblical character and you say the first thing that comes to mind.

Adam…(your response)

Noah…(your response)

Solomon…if you said “wise,” well done. We learned last week, in 1 Kings 3, that Solomon asked for and was given wisdom from God.

But there’s another “w” that is often associated with Solomon. Can you guess it?

If you said “women,” you’re also right. Read 1 Kings 11 for more on that.

But let me press you for one final answer that begins with “w.” It’s what we learn about in 1 Kings 4:20-28. It’s a synonym for riches or money. And if you still need help, it rhymes with “stealth.”

You probably guessed it - Wealth!

Solomon was wealthy; incredibly wealthy. And it was God who made him so.

Having wealth is not a problem. In fact, it’s a gift from God. What we do with what we’ve been given is where the problems sometimes surface.

Maybe you can relate.

To hear more about Christians and money and God and idols and wisdom join us this Sunday!

- Pastor Tim

Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

-Proverbs 30:1-9

Bob Wriedt 10/17/21 Bob Wriedt 10/17/21

Solomon the Wise ( 1 Kings 3:1-15)

Have you ever felt you were in over your head?

Maybe it was a leadership role you were asked to take on at work or doing something new at church. Maybe it was the first time you became a parent.

God help me, I don't have any idea what I'm doing here!

That was Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 3. He is trying to figure out how to be a king, acutely aware of his lack of experience. And as the first few verses of chapter 3 make clear, he was making some key blunders.

So Solomon cries out to God, "I need wisdom!"

This week at Grace, we'll talk about Solomon's prayer for wisdom and God's response to it, and what it teaches us about how we relate to God today.

Look forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

-1 Kings 3:1-15

Bob Wriedt 10/10/21 Bob Wriedt 10/10/21

Becoming a King (1 Kings 2)

This week at Grace, we're continuing our series on King Solomon.

On his deathbed, David pulls his son aside and tells him that to establish his kingdom he will need to wisely deal with his political enemies. What do you do with people who have betrayed you and work to undercut you?

For those of us who are familiar with Jesus' commands to love our enemies and be generous with forgiveness, this chapter can read as a bit harsh. Frankly, Solomon seems more like a mob boss consolidating power than a godly example of leadership.

How can we learn about God through a passage like this?

Let's talk about it Sunday.

In Christ,
Pastor Bob

When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

1 Kings 2:1-4

Bob Wriedt 10/3/21 Bob Wriedt 10/3/21

The Problem With Kings (1 Kings 1; Deuteronomy 17:14-20)

1 Kings 1; Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Have you ever wanted to shout, "This is not what it's supposed to be like!"

Maybe it's when a friend gave up on your favorite show after 10 minutes without giving it a real chance.

Or maybe someone has told you that they tried sushi but said, "Oh, that tastes awful," simply because they tried it from a gas station.

"This isn't what it's supposed to be like!"

This week at Grace we're beginning a new series on King Solomon from the book of 1 Kings. Solomon represents the best points and worst points of the kings of Israel. He is famously wise, powerful, and experienced God's blessing in amazing ways. And yet Solomon's tantalizing potential as a king still leaves us wondering, "Is this the best it can be? Is the best king always going to be at least a bit self-centered, exploitive, and eventually wayward?"

I'm eager to go into this study of Solomon with you in order to understand why we long for a King, how Solomon's story is a warning to each of us, and why we can hope in the Kingdom of God.

"King David said, "And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint (Solomon) king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

-Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Kings 1:34–37