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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!

Jan 19, 2021

Every year, most people chart out a course for the New Year.  There are goals to be set, resolutions to write down and of course changes that need to be made.  Why do people do this?  Is it just the thing to do?  There's no rule or law that says we need to set goals or make changes...so why do we do it?

We do it because there is something inside of us that says: You can be better.
Deep in our hearts we know that we need to be better at being good.  Not surprisingly there is an almost universal pull in all humans to strive to be better at being good.  A quick internet search will reveal a plethora of articles, studies, and theories on not only the desire to be good, but also strategies on how to be better at being good.  People genuinely want to be better at being good!
Here is a question worth consideringCan a person really become better at being good?   

Most people fall short of reaching goals and resolutions because their focus is primarily on changing actions.  The same can be said for our efforts to be a good person.  All of the action and energy is put on changing behaviors.  What if there was a different strategy, one that focused on motives?

As Jesus begins his ministry his focus is on helping people live a new life, a life of righteousness.  However, instead of giving new disciplines, rules and laws to help change people's behaviors he reveals a new approach.  This approach is focused not on actions but motives.  Jesus knew that for people to be better at being good they didn't need more laws, they needed better motives and to help provide those motives he had to get into people's hearts.

Do you want to know more about what Jesus has to say about changing your motives?  Check out part two of our sermon series, Apex.  We know that you will find it to be very helpful!