Sermons from October 2023
What Was Denied Moses…
Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hebrews 12:18-24 Sunday, October 29, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa I wept when I saw Jerusalem for the first time. What are some things that you have yearned to see for your whole life? It takes roughly one hour to drive from Jericho to Jerusalem, and the drive is mostly uphill the whole way. As we came close to the crest of the mountain, the tour guide, per instructions, played “Jerusalem” on the sound…
The Presence and the Purpose
Romans 8:28; Genesis 29:31-32 Sunday, October 22, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa For some time there was a movement among Christian men in the United States called “Promise Keepers”. Some of their books are still in our church library. Founded by a former college football coach, Promise Keepers was devoted to encouraging the Christian faith among men in our nation and to develop integrity among them. Conferences across the country were held, attracting thousands upon thousands. …
The End of Death
The End of Death Revelation 21:3-4 Sunday, October 15, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Introduction I remember visiting a woman who was in hospice and knew that she did not have long to live. Well into her 90’s, her heart had become weak and all medical science could do was keep her comfortable as she lived her last days. Strong in Christ, she referred to her impending death as her home-going and looked forward to…
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments (Sabbath variation) Exodus 20:11; Deuteronomy 5:15 Sunday, October 8, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa Intoduction Friedrich Nietzsche I remember being in a meeting about spiritual care in a hospital setting and the presenter spoke of “making meaning,” which I took to mean that reflection on life, or a life situation, can bring meaning to a difficult situation and thus making it easier to manage. Reflecting on life, its joys and its challenges,…
Authority To Judge
Authority to Judge Ezekiel 19:29-30 Sunday, October 1, 2023, at The First Congregational Church of Marshalltown, Iowa One of the most unpopular theological topics is that of judgement; the idea that we must stand before God as God judges our lives. The Book of Revelation depicts an awesome and grim scene in which the people of the ages stand before God and books are opened and those whose name is found in the book are admitted into heaven and those…