Sermons on Matthew

Sermons on Matthew

Why We Do VBS

Why We Do VBS Sunday, July 23, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 24:32-35 Introduction: VBS is hard.  Why is it worth it? Every year, the biggest and hardest project takes place in the Summer, usually near the end of July or the beginning of August.  It is Vacation Bible School.  Starting tonight, and going through Thursday night, upwards of 60 children from the church and neighborhood will gather for skits, music, games, snacks…

The Greatness of God

The Greatness of God Matthew 14:22-33; 1 Kings 19:9-18 Sunday, July 9, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction: A husband and wife were having a bad day. They were arguing a lot until the wife got fed up and said to just write her a note if he really wanted to talk to her. He agreed, so for the rest of the day they passed notes here and there.  At night the husband left a note…

Every Word

Every Word Matthew 4:1-11 Sunday, February 26, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa   Matthew 4:44  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “   We are dependent on a trustworthy God   Introduction Perhaps one way to look at this passage before us today is to consider the value of authority.  No one should be placed in…

Up on a Mountain

Up On a Mountain Sunday, February 19, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Matthew 17:1-9   Introduction: Climbing the hill beside the high school in Kellogg, Idaho to get a bird’s eye view of the village below. During the years that I lived in Idaho, I made use of a trail by the high school that went up into the foothills of the surrounding mountains.  There was a place at the top of one hill that afforded…

Cherish Relationships

Cherish Relationships Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:23-24 Sunday, February 12, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Matthew 5:23-24  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.   Introduction: relationships The Lord Jesus seemed to place a higher value on relationship than some people. …

The Least in the Kingdom

The Least in the Kingdom Matthew 11:11 Sunday, December 11, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa   Introduction C.S. Lewis is alleged to have written that if we were to mee the simplest, humbled most ordinary soul in the Kingdom of Heaven they would be so august and radiant that we would be tempted to worship him.  The heavenly destiny of a disciple of Jesus is to be even greater than the angels and we know that…

Preparation for the Kingdom

Preparation for the Kingdom Matthew 3:1-12 Sunday, December 4, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa   Intro: John the Baptist Prepares the Way One of the highest, dearest goals for a Christian is to grow spiritually, to learn more, to engage God in prayer on a deeper level, to become more like the Savior whose Name we claim.  We want to grow in our awareness that there is a Kingdom of God that is yet to come,…

Gifts For Jesus

Gifts for Jesus Sunday, January 9, 2022 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, IowaMatthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 3:1-7 Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child  with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. • Introduction: I am a bad gift giver. Every year the Christmas season reminds me that some people are good gift-givers.…

The Easy Yoke

The Easy YokeMatthew 11:25-30Sunday, May 16, 2021 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction:A former Marine started a new career as a teacher. Just before the school year started, he injured his back. He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable. On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the most challenging students in the school. The students,…