MTP Sermon Resources

“Too Good To Be True?” Sermon Study Guide for Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore…” - the pure Gospel A True Story Telling better stories… Stories Jesus told… Luke 19:10 - “seek and save” John 3:16-17 - “God so loved” 2. Shrunken Stories “social gospel” “good works gospel” “shaming and scary gospel” Ephesians 2:8-10 Is it too good to be true? 3. Do or done? Galatians 1:8-9 2 Corinthians 5:21 “The Great Exchange” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Have you accepted the pure Gospel? What kinds of stories do you most enjoy? Why? What is it about a story that engages our hearts and minds? Why is a clear theme important to a good story? In what way(s) does Jesus have a clear theme in his stories? Which of the “shrunken stories” have you heard most often? How have either or both of those impacted your thinking and believing? When have you experienced something that was “too good to be true”? What is the di...

Luke 1:46-55 July 22, 2018 • Mount Pleasant UMC Video Opener: Rachel Greenlee When we filmed that video, I couldn’t help but think of the old story about a little boy in Sunday School who, the teacher noticed, was furiously coloring at the table. She walked over to him and asked what he was drawing. “I’m drawing a picture of God,” the little boy said. The teacher smiled and told him that was great, but no one knows what God looks like. And without missing a beat, the little boy said, “They will when I’m done.” Sermon Study Guide This morning, we’re beginning a new series that will take us into the fall, focused on story. Who doesn’t love a good story? When my kids were little, our bedtime routine always involved stories. Cathy or I or sometimes both of us would help them get tucked into bed, and before nighttime prayers, we would read a book or two. I noticed that, at a certain age, they wanted the same three books read every night; those books we could probabl...

“Magnificent” Sermon Study Guide for July 22, 2018 Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 Stories… Magnificat “magnify” a. God _______________ the proud b. God _______________ the humble c. God _______________ the hungry 2. A Vision of Who God Is “Beauty will save the world” (Dostoevsky) http://bit.ly/2zELp86 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Who in your life do you consider the best storyteller? What about their stories captivates you? Have you ever thought of the Bible as a story? If not, why not? What is it about a story that stays with you? What is the earliest story you remember being told? Why has it stayed with you so long? What words would you use to describe yourself if you found yourself in Mary’s situation in Luke 1? How is Mary different from you? What does it mean to “magnify” God? Which of Mary’s three images of God means the most to you? Which image challenges you the most? Why? In what way(s) do we confus...

Luke 18:9-14 July 15, 2018 • Mount Pleasant UMC This afternoon, I will be joining the team from Mount Pleasant that is headed to St. Louis for a week-long mission experience. Our plans have changed a bit from the original agenda, so we’re going to be working with an organization called Gateway180, whose mission statement is “to empower adults and families to become independent and permanently housed.” In other words, they are combatting the homelessness that exists in the greater St. Louis area, not just by providing shelter, but by working on the symptoms and the causes of homelessness. We will be doing some community gardening, helping with some children and many other things as we learn about homelessness and about St. Louis. We would appreciate your prayers, especially for Jess and for Ginger who will be leading us through this week, and we are appreciative of all those who have found various ways to support this trip, financially and otherwise. For twenty-five yea...

“Outward” Sermon Study Guide for July 15, 2018 Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 Jesus’ Parable Prayer… Pharisee… Matthew 6:16-18 Tax Collector… 2. Outward “To some who were confident…” (18:9) Matthew 5:28 “A legacy of calling…” The Wesley Challenge: Sunday: Do I thank God that I am not like others? Monday: Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? Tuesday: Do I confidentially pass on to others what was told to me in confidence? Wednesday: Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful? Thursday: Am I honest in all my actions and words, or do I exaggerate? Friday: Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward, or disregard? Saturday: When did I last speak to someone about my faith? Scripture for the Week: Monday - 2 Timothy 1:6-10 Tuesday - Proverbs 11:11-13 Wedn...