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Joshua 7-8:Achan’s Sin

In the sermon, Pastor Walker spoke about Achan’s sin, as narrated in the book of Joshua, and serves as a stark reminder of how our personal actions, however minor they may seem, can have far-reaching effects on our community, particularly the Church. Achan’s transgression was in the wake of the Israelites’ victory at Jericho. It’s important for us to reflect on our actions and their potential influence on the wider body of believers. We must also remember to surrender our missteps to God, opening ourselves up to the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ.

Achan’s sin was committed amidst the euphoria of victory, a moment when the Israelites had just experienced a significant triumph at Jericho. Achan, swayed by temptation, went against God’s command not to take spoils from Jericho, hiding some for himself. This seemingly minor disobedience resulted in a surprising defeat at Ai, the next battleground, shaking the Israelites’ confidence. God’s revelation to Joshua about Achan’s sin and the resulting consequences for the entire community highlights the significant impact of individual transgressions. Even when we bask in the glow of blessings and victory, we remain susceptible to pride, greed, and sin, which can cause harm beyond our immediate understanding. The tale of Achan urges us to maintain a constant, sincere alignment with God, particularly during good times.

The confession of Achan illuminates how a minor personal sin can drastically affect an entire community. Despite the relative insignificance of what Achan stole from Jericho, his actions led to the devastating defeat at Ai. His story serves as a sobering reminder that no sin is inconsequential in God’s eyes, and our actions can deeply affect those around us. This lesson is reiterated in the New Testament story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) whose deception led to their immediate death. These narratives call us to a life of transparency, obedience, and generosity, continually self-evaluating and seeking God’s grace. As we move forward, let us remember that we are not isolated believers, but part of a larger body – God’s family. Our actions and behaviors can have significant implications for this community.

Let’s strive to live transparently, always seeking forgiveness when we falter, and endeavoring to move forward in God’s grace.

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Gratia Sunday Service: The Parable of the Sower

On August 27, 2023, Gratia Church held a graceful Sunday service, full of God’s word, praise, worship, and fellowship. The sermon delivered by Pastor Walker Tzeng, was on Matthew 13:1-9 entitled “The Parable of the Sower”.

In the sermon, Pastor Peter spoke about the Parable of the Sower, which serves as a deeply spiritual guide on how to listen to the Word of God. More than mere knowledge that can become stale over time, the Word should be viewed as a deep well of living water, where one can always find fresher insights by going deeper.

The parable starts with seeds that were scattered and fell outside the soil, perhaps onto a path. Jesus explains in verses 18-19 that the seeds represent the Word and the field symbolizes the heart. When we find the Word foreign or irrelevant, it’s because it’s not entering our hearts but landing somewhere else in our minds. This often happens when we go to church for the first time; the Bible may seem like a collection of myths or mere moral lessons. The key to overcoming this is opening our hearts and accepting with the heart of faith.

The parable then talks about seeds falling on rocky soil, where the roots couldn’t take hold, resulting in weak plants that get scorched. Jesus clarifies that this represents those who listen to the Word with initial joy but without forming strong roots, leading to a fleeting faith. The Word might seem exhilarating at first, but if we don’t allow it to take root in our lives, we are setting ourselves up for failure when difficulties arise. The solution to this issue is right in the parable itself, it is addressing the “rocks” in our hearts. Sometimes it’s a difficult upbringing, experiences of bullying, or emotional wounds that form these rocks. We need to address these issues, speak about them, and allow God’s Word to heal us. It’s not just about preaching but also about listening and sharing, creating a deep-rooted relationship with God and each other.

Next, there are the seeds that took root but were choked by thorns before they could bear fruit. Jesus interprets these thorns as the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth that consume us. Many of us, including myself, have lost sleep over such worries. But as Matthew 6:25 advises, worrying doesn’t help solve our problems. It’s a deceit that draws us away from what is meaningful. The key to overcoming this is faith in Christ and a focus on seeking righteousness and God’s Kingdom.

Finally, the parable ends on a faithful note, describing seeds that fall on good soil and yield an abundant harvest. This serves as a reminder that the Word of God has the power to transform our lives and guide us toward something much more meaningful and eternal. It challenges our worldly measures of success—money, fame, power—and urges us to seek a deeper, more eternal sense of value in God’s Kingdom. In this way, the Word of God is not just a set of teachings but a transformative force that brings vibrancy and movement into our lives.

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