MTP Sermon Resources

“An Attitude of Gratitude” Sermon Study Guide for November 19, 2017 Scripture: Psalm 100 1. Ingratitude is Hard to Take Jesus and the ten lepers… Parable of the forgiven debt… 2. God is Pleased When We’re _____________________ Jesus thanks the Father… Paul thanks God… 3. Gratitude Is a ________________________ We need to keep a Godly _____________________ …a faith perspective… Hindrances & How-to’s Questions to Discuss or Ponder: 1. When have you experienced “ingratitude”? How did such an attitude affect you and others around you? 2. How does your attitude change depending on what you have focused on during the day or week? 3. If others were to describe you, would they say you are a grateful person or a disgruntled person? Why? Which do you aspire to be? 4. What reason(s) have you had to be grateful this week? 5. What do you need to do this week to develop an attitude of gratitude? How can you keep your focus on gratitude during this coming week? Scripture for the Week: Mo...

1 Timothy 6:17-19 November 12, 2017 • Mount Pleasant UMC I don’t know if you heard or not, but a couple of weeks ago Apple released the new iPhone X—what they are calling the “future of smartphones.” I don’t have one to show you this morning because, for one, I’m recording this sermon before it’s released and for two, I don’t have one anyway. But it was interesting to watch the reactions after the announcement back in September, especially from those who are investors. Routinely, whenever Apple and other companies make announcements that aren’t exactly what investors think they should be, they punish the company by selling off their stock. Earnings can go up, but if they’re not up enough, the investors sell. Now, I’ll admit I don’t understand the stock market; I just observe the trends that I see. So the reactions after the announcement of the iPhone X were mixed, as expected. “Well, it has this stuff, but it doesn’t have this stuff that we think they should have done.” So ...

“Life That Really Is Life” Sermon Study Guide for November 12, 2017 Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Stuff, things, purchases… Ephesus Main Street & Apartments… “wealth” 2. Live _____________________________ a. Uncertainty of _____________________ (6:17) Luke 12:13-21 b. Hope in _________________________ (6:17) A matter of trust c. Rich in _______________________ (6:18) Making the world more _________________ zoe… The wrong question… The right question… Matthew 6:21 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why do we believe that material things will meet our deepest needs? When have you seen that belief control a person’s life?  What does it mean to live in a culture of dissatisfaction?  In what way(s) have you experienced the uncertainty of wealth? How does that affect your attitudes toward money?  What does it mean to you to put your trust in someone or something? How do you learn to trust?  What doe...

Proverbs 6:6-8 November 5, 2017 • Mount Pleasant UMC It’s called “Failure to Launch Syndrome,” and it’s a growing concern for educators and parents across the nation—and maybe across the world, though it does seem to be somewhat a uniquely American issue. It’s an issue that has grown out of the creation of a new phase of life: adolescence. While puberty has always been a thing, adolescence and the idea of a “teenager” is an American invention, unknown until the 1940’s. But even that idea has changed in the last few years; adolescence used to extend from 12 to 18. Now, in some cases, it can extend to age 30, as record numbers of young people today find themselves somehow stuck in the transition between childhood and adulthood. One report puts it this way: “Despite attending college in record numbers, millennials seem to struggle to move on to the next phase of life. Just a decade ago, a healthy majority of young adults were able to successfully fledge. Now, those who’ve mana...

“Go To The Ant” Sermon Study Guide for November 5, 2017 Scripture: Proverbs 6:6-8 “Failure to Launch” Syndrome Proverbs The ant… 2. Save ________________________ a. An act of ________________________ 2 Thessalonians 3:10 - idleness b. Store for times of ____________________ How much? c. Persistence This should lead us to ____________________ Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How did your family of origin prepare you to handle financial matters in your adult life? How have you prepared your own children (or grandchildren)?  What does it mean to “save wisely,” considering the state of your finances today?  What did Paul mean when he said “the one who won’t work should not eat”?  What plan(s) do you have for the inevitable “times of scarcity”?  What does it mean to be “persistent” when we’re talking about saving wisely?  How can saving wisely become part of your life? What first step(s) do you need to take?  Scripture for the Week: Monday - 2 Th...