MTP Sermon Resources

  “Trusting a Good God” Sermon Study Guide for April 25, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12 Words of instruction… Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7 1. Prayer (7:7-8) attitude P.R.A.Y. - asking, seeking, knocking perseverance & persistence 2. God as Heavenly Father (7:9-11) “good gifts” 3. Golden Rule (7:12) “God’s standard" Spirit’s enablement Ephesians 4:31-32 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Who in your early life had much influence? What words or phrases of instruction do you most remember? How do your expectations get in the way of seeing how God is actually working? How do the Beatitudes reveal what God is like? What should be our attitude when we approach prayer? What is most important when we come to God in prayer? What does perseverance and persistence in prayer look like? Recall someone in your life who modeled that for you. How have you experienced God as a good Father? Imagine what the world would be like if we all lived by “the Golde

Genesis 40:20-23 April 18, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC Last Sunday, after worship, I received a text from a friend who had been watching online, and she said, “Poor Barney! He wasn’t able to defend himself!!!” So, I thought I would give him a chance today to respond to what I said last week about him not being very obedient. Barnabas? VIDEO: Barnabas Okay, that’s enough of that. Do you see what I mean? This is why I’m so tired these days! So, yeah, there’s no good or easy way to transition from that into Joseph, so I’m just going to jump right in. This morning, we’re in the midst of a series called “Finding Favor,” and we’re exploring what the Bible has to say about, well, finding God’s favor. Last week I gave you a working definition of the word “favor,” a definition I hope we can keep in the forefront of our minds as we work our way through this series. Here it is again: favor is “God’s…supernatural intervention to bring a blessing into your life” (Jones, Finding Favor , pg. 14).

  “Hidden” Sermon Study Guide for April 18, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Genesis 40:20-23 1. Joseph Slavery Prison “Remember me…” 2. Hidden Saul Galatians 1:11-2:5 Hidden Heroes Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Trace the story of Joseph’s rise and fall and rise and fall. What emotions do you think he went through? How would you have felt? Even in the midst of prison, how would Joseph have known “the Lord was with him”? What are we fascinated with celebrity and “bigger”? Have you ever felt forgotten or ignored? Share as much of that experience as possible. What is the difference between being forgotten and being hidden for a time? How does God use hiddenness in our lives? When have you experienced the truth of “God never wastes anything”? Who are the “hidden people” in your life who have helped you experience God’s favor? From this Biblical story, what have you learned about favor? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Genesis 37:1-24 Tuesday - Genesis 37:25-36 Wed

Numbers 12:1-16 April 11, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC Over the last several years, I have noticed that a certain word has become more and more prominent in Christian circles, and when I hear people use this word, I want to quote Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride : “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”  The word, as you can probably guess from the video and the series title, is “favor,” and I’ve heard people use it to describe all sorts of things. I got a parking spot close to the building—God gave me favor! They had my favorite ice cream flavor on the menu—God gave me favor! I didn’t get a speeding ticket when the officer stopped me—God gave me favor! Or, even darker: other people died in the disaster that killed others—God gave me favor (and then you have to ask—but God ignored them?). I could go on and on, but most often I hear people using “favor” to describe “getting my way” or “getting special attention from God.” In everyday conversation

  “Do Me a Favor” Sermon Study Guide for April 11, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16 “Favor” 1. Moses and his family Racism - “a Cushite woman” “God speaks to us too” Hard - John 6:41-66 2. Favor in the Afflictions “the most humble” 3. Finding God’s Favor & Will a. ______________________________ b. Christian _____________________________ c. Discernment by _________________________ Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When you hear the word “favor,” what comes to mind? List as many Biblical characters as you can who experienced challenging times while being loved by God. What do their lives have to teach us about being “favored” by God? Moses experienced racism in his life. What are the ways we make racism “respectable” today? How can we become more aware of when it shows up? Moses experienced jealousy from his family. Recall a similar experience in your life. How did you respond? How does Moses demonstrate “humility”? Have you ever felt like Moses when h