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Iowa City Church Podcast


Welcome to the Iowa City Church sermon and teaching page.  We know that life can be confusing, and sometime just plain hard.  We believe the best way to live life comes through following Jesus.  These lessons and sermons are designed to be a resource to help you on that journey.  We hope you find them helpful!

Sep 13, 2021

In North America, we have this amazing and unique animal that is found found nowhere else in the world, it's the bison (not buffalo).  If you have a few minutes, do some research on these amazing creatures!  One of the things that quickly stands out when you look at a bison is it's body appears to be disproportionate.  The bison's head, neck and shoulders are so massive, thick with muscle.  However, to look at their hind quarters it appears there is hardly anything there.  They look like a body builder that skipped leg day!  Why do you think God created them with such fascinating characteristics?  Here are a few reasons why:  

"Bison are naturally hardy. The modern bison, and the grasses native to the North American ecosystem, evolved in tandem over eons. The American bison is at home in a wide variety of climates across the continent. The biological makeup of the animal equips it to thrive in winter storms and summer heat.  While bison are similar in some ways to cattle, there are significant differences. For example, bison will turn into a snow storm rather than drifting with the wind because they instinctively know that walking into the storm will get them out of the weather quicker. Their massive heads serve as a type of snowplow; by swinging their head to and fro, the animal can sweep away deep snow to find forage below."

Did you catch that part about walking into the storm?  Bison are built to take things head on!  They instinctively know that when a storm comes, the best strategy is to walk right into it.  It makes one wonder, maybe followers of Jesus can learn a thing or two from the bison.

The human default position is to always move towards comfort and safety.  The problem is that the "storms of life" are always headed our way; financial, health, family or work related issues always have a way of getting into the "weather pattern" and disrupting our lives.  We can't run and hide.

On top of life's regular "storms", following Jesus adds in another "wave of storms".  Jesus makes it very clear that "in this world you will have trouble".  So as a Christian, what do you do when the clouds start to gather on the horizon?

In Matthew's gospel, Jesus leads his disciples into two frightening storms to teach them that when he is with them they don't have to hide or flee for cover.  Instead, he wants them to know that because he is God, they can walk with confidence...into the storm.  Do you want to learn more?  Then check out this sermon, we know that you will find it to be very helpful!