Munger Place Church - Dallas, Texas

Jonah is a story we think we know. As a child, MAYBE, we heard of Jonah being swallowed by a whale only to be burped out on a beach later. The truth is the deepest meanings (no pun intended) of Jonah have little to do with the large fish. Jonah is a story about providence, holiness, repentance, and loving our enemy. Come meet this prophet with a message that goes beyond what we think we know. Scripture: Jonah 1:1-10, 17 Preacher: Courtney Bond

We all know what what it is like to make a decision in the moment. Do I go left or right? Do I speed up or slow down? Making a decision in the moment is tough because it means we have a very short period of time in which to make a call that matters. The thief on the cross that asks Jesus to remember him makes a great call in a moment of crisis. Would you do the same? Let’s talk about what it takes to be faithful in moments that matter.

Deborah and I are fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things. In fact, I bought Deborah a stuffed animal version of one of the monsters in the show! If unfamiliar with it, Stranger Things the series is about two worlds - ours and demonic underworld that is trying to break in. While an imperfect comparison, Jesus brought a Kingdom that is trying to break into our world, but in order for that to happen we are going to need to turn our world upside down and the question is, ‘Are we willing to make a change?’.

Jesus delighted in turning images upside down. A widow was coming to make her offering at the Temple in Jerusalem. Her offering is meager, certainly nothing compared to the grandeur and size of the stones that formed the walls of the Temple. And yet, one of these lasted the test of time and one did not, and the survivor was the widow. She is remembered for her faith, while a building which became a symbol of pride would eventually be torn down. Scripture: Luke 21:1-9 Preacher: Rev. Andy Nixon

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus paints a picture of two people; one, a rich egotistical Pharisee and the other a humble tax collector. One has status, wealth, and power and the other a humble heart. Jesus obviously, prefers the latter but a hidden question in the parable is what if the two were combined? What would a blessed, gifted, generous woman or man with a humble heart open to God look like? In my mind, that’s you! Try it on - blessed, grateful, humble - it is a combination Jesus would have us find to be a stronger disciple. Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

We all know what it is to either be lost or to be looking for someone or something dear to us. The feeling is not good. Urgency, anxiety, fear, and other emotions take us over until the moment where what we are looking for is found. Jesus, as uncomfortable as it sounds, started the Church to be a place of church and rescue. So we bring these emotions and more with us to worship, and when someone is found, like Jesus and the Good Shepherd in Luke 15, we rejoice! Scripture: Luke 15:4-7

Sometimes we are so accustomed to being worried that we worry about being at peace when we are not worried. It is almost as if we are addicted to being frantic. Jesus teaches us the value of calm. Be at peace. Know the Lord is with you. All will be well. It may sound too easy, but for Jesus pursuing calm is truly the only way to live. 

Do the right thing. It sounds so easy, and it should be - but the truth is we often talk ourselves out of doing the right thing and sometimes for ‘religious’ reasons. The Priest and Levite ‘know’ you help your neighbor in need but they don’t. This week we focus on what it takes to stay focused - to do the next right thing. Scripture, prayer, humility, awareness - these and more all play a role. Before worship ask yourself, ‘What would my life look like if I did the next right thing and how might this world change?”

In the Bible, taking matters into our own hands is a bad idea. When we ‘do life our way’ there is a temptation to be filled with ego, pride, arrogance, and a host of other toxic forces that catapult us into believing in our own importance. In the Luke 8:42-48, however, a woman takes matters into her own hands and Jesus blesses her. Take a look at the passage and ask, ‘Why????’. See you Sunday :) Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

In life, we occasionally receive something from someone we do not expect. We might get a call, a text, a gift, an invitation from someone who is a little off our radar and it blesses us by surprise. While it’s hard to imagine Jesus being ‘surprised’, Jesus clearly comes across something he likes in the Roman Centurion in Luke 7. All of us would do well to model the example the Centurion sets!

We all know that sinking feeling. We are in over are head. We have taken on too much. We realize that the job at hand is going to take more than we thought, and now we are getting a real glimpse of what is required. Simon (later called Peter) is right there with us, and to be honest he would feel that sinking feeling more than once. Come find out how Simon makes it through, and how we can learn from his example. Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

If you were asked, 'Would you tell me about your family?' My guess is you would begin to talk about a spouse, children, parents and/or maybe grandparents. When we think of 'family' we think those physically closest to us. When Jesus thought about family the circle expanded. God the Father is family to Jesus, Mary and Joseph are as well as brothers and sisters, and Jesus would even say ``Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”, Matthew 12:50. This Sunday, Munger takes a look at why Jesus saw family in a larger way. Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

The truth is the mission chooses us. As we step into the Gospel of Luke we meet Mary and Joseph who have no idea what is about to happen. God chooses Mary and Joseph.  Christians are people on a mission, but the mission is the one Jesus has in mind for us, not ours. Come see why putting ourselves in God's plan benefits not just us, but everyone. Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

Jesus asks us to give our best, and then helps us achieve it together. Preacher: Rev Andy Nixon

My time at Munger has been life changing and a ton of fun. I'm not perfect and haven't always done the best job. Despite all of that, I only have one regret as I look back on the last ten years. Scripture: James 4:1-10

Two people walk into church: one wearing a Rolex, the other in rags. Who do you say hello to first?   James warns us of the danger lurking behind our hidden bias for the powerful and put together. Here at Munger, where a real estate developer from University Park and a homeless man from Garrett Park grab donuts from the same box, this isn’t a hypothetical question. It’s real life.   “East Dallas Love” is part of our DNA.    But which part of East Dallas will we continue committing to love, and why?

What do you do when life gets hard, when you're put to the test? James, the half-brother of Jesus, urged the people of God, scattered around the world, to consider it pure JOY when they are tested. Joy? Seriously?! That's the paradox of the Gospel: life from death, joy in trials; but how? Hidden inside each test is the seed for something great. Do you know what it is? Will you pass the Test?

For my last sermon at Munger, I want us to look at the last chapter in the Gospel of John—my favorite chapter in scripture. It’s funny, poignant, earthy, and very very moving. And I think what John has to tell us is just perfect. See, each of us has a different mission from God. And, what matters is not what someone else’s call is, what matters is what I do with what the Lord is calling me to do. And the same for you. In The End, everything is going to be okay; If it’s not okay, then it’s not The End; And if it’s not The End, Then the Lord still has work for us to do. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: John 21

The verse to always remember

The most important habit you can have: Never Miss a Sunday. Preacher: Andrew Forrest Scripture: John 12:1-9 References: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/does-an-unknown-extraordinarily-ancient-civilisation-lie-buried-under-eastern-turkey-?utm_source=ayjay&utm_medium=email