Isaiah 6:1-8 In the World War II movie Fury, Shia LaBeouf’s character, appropriately nicknamed as “Bible,” because of his penchant for quoting biblical verses, sits at the gunner position of a Sherman tank during the final weeks of World War II.1 As the crew awaits near-certain death from an approaching German battalion, “Bible” quotes to the …
Tag: First Congregational Church
Nov 08
When God is too Gracious
Jonah 3 This is the third sermon dealing with God’s acceptance of those beyond Israel. Human conflict is often fueled by a fear of “the other.” And it was easy for the ancient Israelites to assume that God approved only of them. Yet, over and over again, God breaks the barriers down that keep God’s …
Oct 31
Jesus Shows God Does Not Fit in a Box
“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. [Luke 4:25-26 …
Oct 25
Promise for All Nations
1 Kings 8:27-30, 41-43 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27) This question, asked by Solomon in his prayer of the dedication of the Temple, pushes our human understanding of God. In early 1 …
