In the summer of 1981, a Hollywood film was released that originally was not expected to be a “blockbuster” but turned out to be the biggest money-maker for that year. It was so successful that it has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. as an official classic film worthy of special preservation for future generations! It spawned a series of sequels, and I understand that a further installment of that series is due to be released next year.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” surely drew some of its thematic material from the biblical text that forms the basis for this Sunday’s sermon: 1 Samuel 4:1-22. The idea that the Ark of God represented the awesome power and holiness of God, and the reality that whatever happened to the Ark is a real historical mystery lent appeal to the film. The biblical story is much better than the film!

A “classic film” from a generation ago might be a summer evening’s escapist entertainment, but the Word of God is living and alive today and ready to change lives for all eternity. The imagination of a film script writer is no comparison to the inspiration of God’s Word.

The author of Samuel wrote the original “blockbuster” story thousands of years ago, and it is still read, cherished, and changing lives. Together let’s dig into the text this Sunday. See you then!

Treasure Seekers

This week the children have their sixth lesson in the book of Exodus, seeing how God provides for his saved people.

In the coming Sundays ICFD will be able to offer Treasure Seekers:
24 July, 31 July, 07 Aug and 28 Aug

At this time, there will be no in-person groups on 31 Jul or 14 Aug.

Lesson Title: God Feeds His People

Text: Exodus 16:1–36

Big Idea: God responds to the grumbling of his people by miraculously providing meat and bread for them in the wilderness.

Teaching Aim: To teach that God will always provide his people with their daily needs. We must trust him to do this in hard times.

The memory verse for the Exodus series is:
“Now you have been set free from sin, and you are God’s slaves. This will make you holy and will lead you to eternal life” (Romans 6:22, CEV)