MTP Sermon Resources

Hebrews 1:1-4 November 28, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC Maxie Dunnam tells of being in China about two years after the death of Mao Tse-Tung, the architect of China’s conversion to communism. Chairman Mao led China for over three decades and was the symbol for millions of people for a system of thought and the communist revolution. Shortly after Mao’s death, an admirer wrote these words: he “conceived of the Chinese Revolution, and then helped cause it to happen, and in the process, the thought of Chairman Mao became the primary thought of every Chinese. The word almost literally became flesh.” The word almost became flesh. Dr. Dunnam says when he visited, Mao’s likeness and statues were still everywhere, but the mausoleum that had been built to keep his body was closed to visitors. The official word was that they were doing repair work, but the guide whispered to Dr. Dunnam that in reality the government was trying to play down the influence of Mao in the thought and culture of China.

  “Gracious Descent” Sermon Study Guide for November 28, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4 1. Incarnation John 1:1-14 Isaiah 6:9-10 Jeremiah 20:7-9 Last Days Mark 13:32 Radiate Exodus 33:11, 20-23 Represent - “character” John 14:9 2. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism 3. God With Us He became God With Us so that he could be God   _____________ Us. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What other people, things or events do people tend to substitute for “the word became flesh” today? What word do you think a prophet would speak to the church today? What does it mean to represent someone? Whom do you represent in your day to day life? In what way do you understand Jesus to “represent” the Father? What is the problem with moralism? Why is it incompatible with Christian faith? Why is our faith not about “what makes me feel good”? Is it wrong to pursue “good feelings”? Why or why not? Respond to this statement: “My faith is not working for me; it is working

  “Keep Calm and Carry On” Sermon Study Guide for November 21, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Acts 27:13-26 1. The Storm the storms of life… John 16:33 - not “if” but “when” 2. What We Learn in the Storms What matters… God is with us… Mark 4:38-40 God’s plans and purposes… Psalm 57:2 Genesis 50:20 “But God…” - Romans 8:28 Galatians 6:9 Psalm 37:4 - delight Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Recall a storm in your life. What were the circumstances? What was most helpful in getting through it? How do you evaluate what is important and what is not in calm times? In times of storm? What helps you experience God’s presence in the midst of a storm? Who do you need to help find assurance in the midst of the storm? When will you do that? What one thing will you do this week to help you “delight in the Lord”? In what way is the story of Acts continuing today? In your life? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Psalm 57 Tuesday - Mark 4:35-41 Wednesday - Psa

Acts 17:16-23 November 14, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC As you know, we’ve moved around a bit—more than some, less than others—and there comes a point every time we have moved when it feels like home. That “point” usually involves the moment when we know our way around town. I remember early on in our move to Muncie having trouble with that. I served at a church in downtown Muncie, and back then, maybe still, Muncie’s downtown was like a lot of other older downtowns, including Terre Haute—it has a lot of one-way streets. When we first moved there, it seemed like every street I turned down was one way, going the other way. It took a long time for me to learn which ones went north and which ones went south and how I could get to the church without running into anyone! Wherever you are, it’s important to learn the way. On the last walk Jesus took with his disciples, from the Upper Room to Gethsemane, Jesus began to talk to them about his departure. And in that talk, he told them, “You kn

  “The Way” Sermon Study Guide for November 14, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Acts 17:16-23 John 14:4-6 1. Paul on Mars Hill Athens and idols “I am going to proclaim…” (17:23) Paul’s converts 2. A Community of Mission Our mission… Sower’s Creed Finding The Way Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How do you learn your way around a new area or new community? How do you react when you hear Jesus say, “I am the way”? What are the “idols” that populate our culture or our city today? In what way(s) do people “bow down” to those idols? Was Paul a success in Athens? How do you measure that? What is the mission of Mount Pleasant? How do you see us living that out and fulfilling it? In what way(s) do you experience a hunger for spiritual meaning in the world around you? How do you respond when you see that hunger? What is it worth to you to be able to fulfill, in some small part, our mission? How much is it worth for people to be able to find The Way? Scripture for the Week: Mon

Acts 15:36-41 November 7, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC So I was thinking about nicknames this week—and why I headed down this particular rabbit trail will become evident shortly. I realized that the word “nickname” actually makes no sense. That sent me back in history to learn that the word originally was “eke-name.” “Eke” meant “other” or “also,” so originally it meant “also-name.” Somehow along the way, “eke” turned to “nick.” So there you go: your history lesson for the day. Just a little peek into the things I think about, because that got to me thinking about how we end up with the “also-names” that we have. Early in my life, I had trouble pronouncing the soft “g” or “j” sound, so I substituted the “n” sound in those cases. My Uncle Gene was, for a time, “Uncle Nene” and our neighbor Jennie became “Nennie.” Eventually, Uncle Gene got his name back but Nennie was Nennie until she died, even to my kids. At one church, I had two men who both went by the name “Bud.” It was embarrassing