The Affliction of Joseph
The Affliction of Joseph Amos 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Sunday, September 25, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction: I once was on a cruise with Jeanne to the Bahamas and when we arrived at port, I was startled at the size of the cruise ship. It was massive. In fact, I don’t think I had ever seen a ship that big before, at least not in person. Then I saw some of the other, newer…
A Call to Contemplation
A Call to Contemplation8:00 a.m. Worship on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, IowaRevelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Introduction: Contemplative prayer is vital“The story is told of Mother Theresa that when an interviewer asked her. “What do you say when you pray?” she answered, “I listen.” The…
Building A Life
Building a LifeLuke 14:25-33; Deuteronomy 30:15-20Sunday, September 4, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa • Introduction-Years ago, I had a friend back in the days when we lived in Boston who always played Monopoly with a distinctly capitalistic flair. He bought as many properties as he could and then would offer to sell them, but never at list price. He always wanted the buyer to “sweeten the pot.” I thought of him and his style of playing…
False Spiritual Leaders
False Spiritual LeadersIsaiah 57:2-21; Jude 1:12-15Sunday, August 28, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa • Introduction:One of the classics we read in high school was Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, a series of medieval character studies involving a group of people on a pilgrimage. Several characters are people of authority in the church who are depicted as selfish and corrupt. God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the souls of women and men; those are matters of little importance. They…
A Permanent Kingdom
A Permanent Kingdom Hebrews 12:25-27 Sunday, August 21, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Today’s sermon is called “A Permanent Kingdom” because one of the purposes of church is not only to point us toward what will never change but in gathering as church, we participate in it. What you do with regards for Christ never ceases to be relevant. Business endeavors, social mores, political intrigues and all the rest will become dusty relics of…
Pilgrims
PilgrimsHebrews 11:8-16; Genesis 15:1-6Sunday, August 7, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa • IntroductionWay back in 16th century England, the original Congregationalists were meeting in people’s homes and calling themselves “pilgrims”. It had a special connotation back then. The Church of England, or Anglican Church (Episcopalian is the US version of the same) was the official state church and refusal to attend left one in danger of the charge of treason, or of at least insulting the…
He Kept the Scars
He Kept the ScarsJohn 20:19-22; Genesis 2:7Sunday, July 31, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa • IntroductionThere was once a famed football player named Ray Nitschke, who was a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He was famous for his tough and aggressive play and eventually ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nitschke once lost several teeth in a very physical football game. Afterward he was found wandering around the field, looking for his…
He Partook of Flesh And Blood
He Partook of Flesh and Blood Hebrews 2:14-18 Sunday, July 24, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction Today, in this series of worship services that involves Christmas in July, I wanted to reflect on the participation of Jesus in terms of what He did for us. Now, before I say anything more, let me apologize for the clumsy title of this message. In seminary we were taught to try to make the sermon titles clever…
He Emptied Himself
He Emptied Himself Sunday, July 17, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Philippians 2:5-7 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Introduction: The Bishop in Les Misérables. What he did. Some years ago I read…