From Every Nation
Hebrews 8:4-5; Revelation 7:9–10 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,… IntroductionEvery year, except this year, we have a Rally Sunday worship service that is prepared and led by the children and the Youth Groups. It is not spontaneous, but designed and rehearsed in order to…
With All Your Heart
Jeremiah 17:7-10; Matthew 22:36-40 IntroductionI remember listening to the story of a professor who led a student short term missions trip to a hostile country. He and his group had a wealthy benefactor who promised them all the financial support that they would need, only to abandon them once they arrived in the country. They managed to finish their goals and make it back to the United States, but it was a very difficult and nerve-wracking experience. They were not…
Chosen
1 Peter 2:9 IntroductionLast Sunday I spent a few minutes speaking on the parable of Jesus that ended with the phrase, “many are called, but few are chosen.” In common use, it referred to a selection process in which many were invited to compete, but few would be selected in the end. In the Kingdom of God it is different, in that many are invited but few bother to respond to the invitation. The idea that, as followers of Jesus…
The Wedding Feast People Tried to Avoid
Matthew 22:1-14 IntroductionI don’t know about poorly attended wedding feasts. As a young minister I once lead a funeral for a man who died of alcoholism. He sister was there, his wife wanted to come but she had too much to drink and took the wrong train. The funeral home staff sat with the sister so she would not be the only one there to say goodbye to her brother. Today, we look at an odd parable that Jesus told…
The Chief Cornerstone
Matthew 21:42-44 IntroductionI remember a year of hospital chaplaincy training led by a former Catholic priest from Ireland named Steven. He was a wonderful guy and did a great job as our leader and teach in this program. One of his projects was a sort of group therapy in which the chaplaincy residents sat in a circle in silence until we all had “gotten in touch with tour feelings”. The feelings were often negative; irritation, sorrow, despair, anger (lots of…
Many are Called Few are Chosen
Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” • IntroductionOne of the teachings of Scripture is that, in addition to natural skills, the Holy Spirit gives people gifts to be used for the benefit of others. They include gifts such as healing and prophecy, and also hospitality and service. Some gifts are more fun and dramatic than others, and it can be tempting to envy people who have gifts…
Some Thoughts on Forgiveness
Scriptures: Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 18:21-35 IntroductionI remember several visits with Mr. Jones, some years ago. He was an amazing conversationalist. I literally could step into his living room, sit down, check my watch and say, “hello, Mr. Jones, how are you?” Those would be the last words I would say for the next two hours. He was in his nineties and he had several decade’s worth of stories about the oil industry, and life in Ohio when he was just…
Taking Vengeance
Taking Vengeance2 Thessalonians 1Sunday, September 6, 2020 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction: If justice is denied you, don’t stoop to vengeance (Romans 12:19 “beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for is it written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” [quote from Deuteronomy 32:35])One of the more difficult commands of Scripture is that if justice is denied us, we are not to stoop to vengeance. The Old Testament instruction…
God’s Timing is Always Perfect
Isaiah 11: 1-10 Matthew 3:1-12 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Take Up Your Cross
There’s a Cost to Following ChristTake Up Your CrossMatthew 16:24-28Sunday, August 9, 2020 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, IowaMatthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Introduction: He’s nearly 80 now, but an evangelist named Arthur Blessitt made a career out of carrying his cross. A full cross, with a wheel attached at the base for ease of transport,…
More Thoughts on Intercession
Some More Thoughts on IntercessionDaniel 9:2-7; 1 John 5:16-17Sunday, August 2, 2020 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa IntroductionLast week I spent some time talking about intercession and felt it warranted a few more thoughts on the subject. Whole books have been written about what Scripture teaches about how to pray and how to pray for other people. We are told specifically to pray for people in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) that we have peace in our lives.…