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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 26, 2022

If you live in America, you probably consider yourself free.  In many ways, you are correct.  When compared with other political regimes around the world, the protected rights you have in this country are unlike any other country on the planet.  

However, technically you're not free.  You see, everyone has a master.  So you may be free to do whatever you want today, yet at some point your master is going to come calling, whether it's your boss at work, the pile of bills on your table, or the IRS from that "free" country you live in.  Everyone has a master.  

Maybe your master is the TV show you binge, or the food you crave, or the caffeine/sugar you must consume.  You will do whatever it takes to have it, whether it means rearranging your schedule or spending money you don't have. 

There are some masters you serve that are destructive.  They may not feel that way initially, however once hooked they have a way of enslaving you; alcohol, a wide variety of drugs, pornography, even abusive relationships.  Here's the point: We all have masters.  We need to choose our masters well.

Psalm 123 is a Psalm that reflects back on all of the masters Israel has had in their past; Pharaoh, Assyria, and Babylon just to name a few.  These masters oppressed God's people, were arrogant and contemptuous towards them.  Yet, despite their struggle, they chose to "lift up their eyes" to the Lord.  In other words, they chose to seek and serve Him, why?  They  chose to serve God because he was merciful towards them.  

How are we to break free from our "masters"?  We must choose everyday to serve God and live in the mercy He provides.  Do you want to learn more?  Give a listen to part four on our journey of Long Obedience in the Same Direction.