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 …
Tag: First Congregational Church
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 …
Oct 17
Perpetuity’s Promise
2 Samuel 7:1-17 Although David made a promise to God, God had other plans and made a much bigger promise to David: David’s descendants would forever be on the throne of Israel, and they would be the ones to build the temple for God. God’s promises and plans are so much bigger than we could …
