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"Gratitude Attitude Adjustment"
Exodus 16: 1-3
Philippians 2: 14-18
In just a few days, we’ll be celebrating as a nation yet another Thanksgiving. It affords most of us
a day off work, and some of us a four-day weekend. We’ll gather at table with family and friends on
Thursday, enjoying our Thanksgiving Day favorites. After dinner, the men folk will fall asleep in front
of the TV watching the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. While the men sleep, the women folk will
develop some Black Friday shopping strategies. All that is groovy! But frankly, those are the superficialities of the day.
The true purpose of Thanksgiving Day – and our response on Thanksgiving Day -- is to do what? To give thanks!
Of course! How precisely do you and your family do that?
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"Wouldn't That Be Wonderful"
1 Corinthians 1: 10-17
Psalm 133
Early in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he makes an appeal to that congregation “…that
all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in
the same mind and the same purpose.” Wouldn’t that be wonderful, that all Christians would
come together and land on the same page; maybe the page that says in Jesus’ own words: “I
give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also
should love one another.” Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
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"Finally Got a Piece of the Rock"
Isaiah 51:1-3
Matthew 16:13-20
This morning’s sermon title is “Finally Got a Piece of the Rock.” What image comes to your
mind when you hear those words?.... No, it shouldn’t be the theme song from a sitcom called
“The Jeffersons.” That was: “Movin’ on up to the East Side; we finally got a piece of the pie.”
Some of us may not be old enough to remember those TV commercials for Prudential Insurance
which featured an image of the Rock of Gibralter dubbed over with a deep masculine voice
stating: “See your Prudential agent for all your insurance needs, and get a piece of the rock.”
Today’s message has nothing to do with your insurance needs, but has everything to do with a
piece of the rock.
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"A Church Taboo"
Philippians 4: 10-14
Psalm 145: 10-21
There are some things we tend to be reluctant to talk about in church. One of those things is
giving money to the church. That’s a private matter; a personal matter; a matter fundamentally between
us and the Lord. My parents never told me how much they gave to Mt. Calvary. I do
remember that mysterious box of envelopes always sitting in the same spot on the desk where my
mom used to pay bills. And I remember my mother faithfully taking one of those envelopes to
church each and every Sunday. What I also recall are those occasions when we’d get home after
church, sit down for lunch, and my dad grousing, “Rev. so and so, asking for money, again.” Money
is one of those somewhat taboo issues which we know is of vital importance in the Christian life,
and to the work of the Christian church. But when it’s time to talk about money in church, the facial
expressions of finance committee members can grow grim. Preachers tend to become apologetic.
Church treasurers begin to sweat. Church members may become tense and restless.
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“DON’T BE A TESTA DURO”
Text: Luke 5:27-32
Psalm 103:1-5
This morning, we join Jesus early in His ministry as He’s in the process of calling those who would
become His inner-circle of disciples. The first days of Jesus’ ministry were marked by growing, if not
explosive popularity, with the exception of the incident at the synagogue in His hometown of Naza-
reth, when they were ready to throw Him off a cliff when he dared suggest He was fulfilling Jewish
prophecy. By and large, His early reception was akin to the initial months of a new pastorate in a new
town. Everyone says, “You should meet our new pastor. She’s awesome! What a sermon she
preached a few weeks ago on the second coming. And the baptism she did last week. She had half the
congregation in tears.” So it was with Jesus.
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"Connected"
Text: John 15:1-11
Psalm 133
It occurs to me that what we consider one of the greatest advancements of human civilization
may, in time, be regarded as one of human civilization’s greatest ironies, and greatest pitfalls. We
live in an era in which the technology of internet, cyberspace, social media have made communi-
cation and exchange of information lightning fast; widespread, bridging every nation on earth; as
if we’re in one another’s living rooms. What comes forth from my mouth (or from my fingers) can
be in the ear (or on the screen) of anyone on earth within seconds. That quickly, I can spread a
good word, or a word that’s not so good. This is a technology which was only a dream in the
minds of NASA scientists a few generations ago. Now it’s a reality in the hands of just about
every man, woman and child on this globe.
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"Instantitis"
Mark 4: 26-29
2 Peter 3: 8-9, 14-15a
There is a widespread malady which is afflicting a large percentage of people in today’s society.
The range of symptoms are broad and varied, but pretty predictable. It’s an affliction, the signs of
which are first observed at a very young age, and only worsen over time. This disease would be
classified as congenital, chronic and progressive. It’s most dangerous, not only in its own right, but
also because of its many complications; associated with everything from migraine headaches, to
elevated blood pressure, to heart attacks, to digestive disorders. This malady, in indirect ways,
probably sends many to an early grave. There is no argument that this disease robs life of much of its
joy. And it is likely that seven out of ten of us sitting here this morning are in its grip.