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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.
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"A Sacred Deposit"
Acts 20:25-28, 32 (NLT)
2nd Timothy 1:13-14 (NIV)
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"Still In The Storm"
Text: Mark 4:35-41
1 Kings 19:9-15a
This morning, we begin with the question which is asked at the end of the story: “Who then is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” At first blush, the story seems to center on a
power which is so great that it controls even the very forces of nature. And the climax of the story
rises upon the swell of Jesus’ command to the turbulent sea: “Peace! Be still!” This is a common
translation of the Greek words piopa pephimoso which literally mean: “Stop speaking, and be
muzzled!” In the Greek language of the day, this term was often used in exorcism when evil
spirits were bound by the healer’s word of authority. Here, Jesus wields the same verbal auth-
ority over the wind that He rebukes and the sea that He calms. How Jesus pulled this off, we do
not know. What we do know is that the power Jesus possesses is beyond any and all explanation.
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“HOLDING FAST TO THE IMAGE OF ZION”
Hebrews 12:18-24
Exodus 19:16-22
When I was in 7th grade, I had a woodshop teacher by the name of Mr. Klim. [Anyone
remember when classes like woodshop, mechanical drawing, and home economics were a part
of every junior high curriculum?] Mr. Klim was the biggest, scariest beast of a man I’d ever
seen. To my twelve year-old eyes, he seemed to be about seven foot tall; must have weighed
at least three hundred pounds; his shoulders every bit of four feet across. Even his muscles had
muscles. To top it off, Mr. Klim had a marine drill sergeant-styled crew cut. When he got saw-
dust in that crew cut, he would just run a wire brush over his head. Then he would do the same
to the thick fur which covered his forearms. Rumor among the seventh graders was that he
once stopped a table-mounted circular saw with his teeth. Now I don’t know about that, but
no one in Coraopolis Junior High School would deny that Mr. Klim was one tough, scary dude!
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"A Christian View of Work"
2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13
Genesis 2: 15
For most of us, the beginning of September marks the ending of so-called “vacation season.” The
kids are back in school. The family outing to the beachfront condo is beginning to seem an ancient
memory. It’s back to the grind for that long haul between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. And as we
settle back into our daily routines, many of us in the workplace may begin to feel like: Isn’t there
anything more to life than to get up, get dressed, go to work, come home, then rest for the demands
of tomorrow’s work, all the while thanking God that Friday’s coming.
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“THE HEAVENLY HUMOR OF BALAAM AND THE BEAST”
Text: Numbers 22:21-31
Proverbs 3:3-8
One Sunday morning, a twelve year-old boy was still adjusting to being too old to attend children’s
church anymore. He was now forced to endure the entire big people’s service. On the way home
following worship, junior had a question: “Mom, is it okay to laugh in church?” to which his father
answered with a snicker, “Just as long as Mrs. Gillie and the McCabe sisters don’t see you.” “But dad,
what if God sees me?” His mother replied reassuringly: “That’s okay. God will probably be laughing
right along with you.”