MTP Sermon Resources

  “The Only Way to Live” Sermon Study Guide for September 26, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Psalm 96 “Hallelujah” - phrases of praise 1. Worship in Spirit and Truth John 4:23-24 music & “the worship wars” Monday… 2. Unceasing Worship “love languages” like childhood “be the hallelujah” / life in the Spirit Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What language do you use to praise God? When you hear “worship,” what images come to mind? How do you understand worship as “more than music” and a way to the abundant life? Is God as real to you on Monday as he is on Sunday? How can you make every day a “holy-day”? What do you do to demonstrate your love of God? What is your spiritual “love language”? Which of God’s “love languages” is most meaningful to you? In what way does that “language” inspire you to worship? What habit or practice will you begin this week to enable you to become a “hallelujah” even in the mundane moments of living? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Ps...

Romans 12:1-8 September 19, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC So, most of us have a morning routine. We do it every morning and probably rarely think about it, let alone vary from it. At some point in that routine, most of us look in the mirror. I know I put it off for as long as I can. When I get up, I let Barnabas out, then we hit the couch for devotions and prayer. Then it’s breakfast time; he’s always happy about that. And then, and only then, do I venture a look in the mirror. I’m always amazed at the guy who looks back at me. He doesn't look a thing like I think he does. Anyone else have that experience, or is it just me? I mean, in my mind I’m still the guy I was in my twenties. But the mirror shows me…this old guy. Not only am I willing to bet you look in the mirror every morning, I’m also willing to bet you don’t leave things like you find them first thing in the morning. I mean, I know it may be hard to believe, but I don’t look this good when I first get up. No, there are cert...

  “Who God Sees” Sermon Study Guide for September 19, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Romans 12:1-8 1. Living Sacrifice Rome and the church God’s mercy “living” “holy” “pleasing” 2. Transformed “Do not conform…” Practices 3. Offering “The Real Me” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What is your morning routine like? What do you see when you look in the mirror? What is the difference between “pagan worship” and true Christian worship? In what way(s) do we stray into “pagan worship”? Respond to this statement: “False gods never fail to fail.” Why do we often fail to offer our whole selves to God? What part(s) of yourself are you most likely to hold back? How do we become a “holy” sacrifice? Are there areas of your life that are well-conformed to the culture around you? Which ones? What do you need to do to reshape them so they conform to God’s kingdom? Why do we think we can hide parts of ourselves from God? In what ways do you do that? Who does God see when he looks ...

1 Kings 19:11-13 September 12, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC “What are you doing here?” It’s a question maybe you’ve been asked when you show up somewhere you’re not expected. Or maybe—more likely, in my case—it’s a question you ask yourself when you feel uncomfortable or when you’re in a new place—or a place you don’t recognize. Maybe some of us have asked that question of ourselves repeatedly over the last twenty years. Yesterday was, almost unbelievably, the twentieth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on US soil, and while there are some of you here who weren’t yet born then, for many of us it’s a “where were you when” moment. And it changed the world into something different, something new, something that is sometimes hard to recognize. I heard someone say yesterday that they don’t recognize the place they are anymore. The world has changed; what are you doing here? And if 9/11 hadn’t been enough, the last eighteen months has turned our world over yet again. The pandemic,...

  “Falling On My Face” Sermon Study Guide for September 12, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13 What are you doing here? 1. Elijah a prophet… an angry queen… a run for the soul… an encounter with God…   “The Lord was not in them…” God speaks… 2. Getting Past “I” Worship Revelation 4:11 Romans 12:3 The importance of community Other-centered Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What is the difference between “going to church” and “going to worship”? Why does the difference matter? What is worship? Why do you take part in corporate worship? What is the task of a prophet, Biblically speaking? How is that different from what most people think? Why does God ask Elijah the question he does? Take a moment to examine your spiritual life. How much “I” is there in the requests you make of God? Why does God choose a “still, small voice” over something spectacular when he’s speaking to Elijah? How does God most often speak to you? Why is community so import...