MTP Sermon Resources

Acts 8:26-40 July 24, 2022 • Mount Pleasant UMC So as you probably know, today we are wrapping up this series of sermons drawn out of this year’s Vacation Bible School themes; tomorrow night, our annual VBS begins and it’s going to be a great week. As we say, it’s the very best week of the summer. For the past few weeks here in worship, we have been focusing on making waves, on how what we do now can and will have a ripple effect for eternity. We’ve been reading the same stories they are going to be hearing this week during VBS. Now, I’ve never written curriculum for children’s ministry or for VBS, but I find it curious that the curriculum writers at Orange chose today’s story as one to feature for VBS. Personally, I can’t wait until the kids start asking their group leaders, “What’s a eunuch?” That should be a fun Bible lesson. I think I might be mysteriously unavailable that evening. Anyway, this morning we’re focusing on a disciple of Jesus that we don’t hear a whole lot abo...

  “Make a Splash” Sermon Study Guide for July 24, 2022 Downloadable Version Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 1. Philip the Ethiopian Isaiah 53:7-8…do you understand? 2. What Can Stand in the Way? John 8:11 - “go and sin no more” James 2:6-7 - favoritism Mark 12:30-31 Bottom line: Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How do you know when God is calling you to do something? How do you tell the difference between God’s call and your own desire? Who would be the modern-day equivalent of the “Ethiopian” today? In what way(s) do we take having a personal copy of the Scriptures for granted? What would it be like to not have a copy we can read any time? What are some passages or stories in the Bible that you struggle to understand? Have you ever been an outsider? Describe that experience. What does it feel like to finally be “included” or “welcomed”? What is the difference between welcoming and approving? How does the church hold those two things in tension? How will you “make a splash” this...

  “Life Saver” Sermon Study Guide for July 17, 2022 Downloadable Version Scripture: John 21:1-14 1. Failures & Do-Overs Psalm 40:1-2 Psalm 33:4 Jesus is the life-saver Hebrews 6:18 facing the past Romans 8:1 Philippians 3:13-14 2. God’s Recycling Program “Dying moments” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When you hear the word “failure,” what incidents or images come to mind? Justification, Sanctification, Glorification What does it mean to you that God promises never to leave you or forsake you? How does that shape your daily life? Is there any way failure is shaping or controlling your life? What in your life needs to die for you to fully experience the life that Jesus offers? What one step will you take toward that end this week? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Psalm 40:1-17 Tuesday - Psalm 33:1-22 Wednesday - Hebrews 6:13-20 Thursday - Philippians 3:1-14 Friday - Romans 8:1-11 Saturday - Acts 8:26-40 In response to this Scripture, how will yo...

Matthew 14:22-33 July 10, 2022 • Mount Pleasant UMC It's very tempting to turn today’s sermon into a travelogue. We arrived home Friday night and I’m just a little bit tired this morning. It was a good trip, and we experienced a lot of things, most of which you probably saw if you followed my Facebook posts. But, I have to say, every time we go on one of these trips, I am always glad for those who go with me. I’m glad for the bus driver who gets us from place to place. But I am most thankful for the guide. Without the guide, I wouldn’t know where to go next or, for that matter, where we are in the present moment. The guide has the plan. The guide knows the path. And most importantly, the guide has the tickets to get us into all of the places—especially, on this trip, into the passion play! Whenever I travel out of the country, I want to make sure to take good care of the guide, because the success of the trip rises and falls on that one person. If you don’t see the comparison y...

  “Catch the Wave” Sermon Study Guide for July 10, 2022 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 1. Disciples in the Boat Jesus’ stressful day - Matthew 14 the storms… 2. Peter “the most fully-formed character aside from Jesus” Jesus’ invitation: “Come” Peter’s walk on the Sea of Galilee “Lord, save me!” Fear and faith “Truly you are the Son of God” (14:33) Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Recall a situation in your life where a guide made a difference. How did they help? Jesus went through a very stressful time in Matthew 14. What causes you the most stress? Name something that causes you to remember that Jesus is watching over you always. Are you facing a storm currently? Can you share what it is? Where are you finding Jesus’ presence in it? What difference does it make that Jesus is the one who invites, not us? Recall a time when you tried to fix “it” rather than turning it over to the One who can. When have you experienced the tension between fear and fai...