MTP Sermon Resources

Mark 13:5-13 March 26, 2023 • Mount Pleasant UMC This past Tuesday was a really long day. I told some folks that any day that starts in the dentist chair can only get better, but it was a day packed with meetings, appointments, working on this sermon, a Zoom meeting, and ending with Pie with the Pastors. It was a long day, but it did get better after the dentist! Yes, I know—it actually was the same length as the day before. There are only 24 hours in each and every day, but there are days that feel longer than others. And some weeks feel longer than others. So I think Jesus got to the end of Tuesday during Holy Week and at least thought to himself, “What a long day!” Maybe you kind of feel that, too, as we’re now on our third (and final) Sunday of looking at the events of Tuesday of Holy Week. So far on this day, Jesus has spoken some hard truth to the religious leaders, has answered a question that was really a trap in disguise, and now he is headed out of town for the evening...

  “Planting Seeds” Sermon Study Guide for March 26, 2023 Downloadable Version Scripture: Mark 13:5-13 1. Look at the Big Stones! The Temple… an “edifice complex” two questions…two events one you can run away from “abomination” one you can’t apocalyptic 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 2. A Response Matthew 24-25 planting seeds… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What causes some days to feel longer than others for you? Why are we impressed with “big stones” like the disciples were? Why are we impressed with things we think we have accomplished? What is our “temple”—that is, what, if it were destroyed, would seem to us like the end of the world? What accounts for the popularity of apocalyptic language, films, etc. in our culture today? How have you experienced the truth of the statement, “Beauty will change the world”? What one act can you engage in this week that will promote peace rather than violence? What “small thing” will you do to change the world? Scriptu...

  “Kingdom-Minded” Sermon Study Guide for March 19, 2023 Downloadable Version Scripture: Mark 12:13-17 “ransom” 1. Tuesday Traps taxes…then and now “buttering up” Galatians 6:7 - don’t be deceived “give to Caesar…” 2. Being Kingdom-Minded Colossians 3:1 the kingdom focus three levels of involvement Romans 12:21 - overcome evil Matthew 6:33 - seek first… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When you think of a “ransom,” what images come to mind? What challenges do you have when you think about paying taxes? What should we be giving to Caesar? to God? Why the difference? What are your priorities for serving the kingdom of God? How and why do most people get focused on their own kingdom? What are some practical steps you need to take this week to focus on seeking first the kingdom of God? What level of involvement are you at on this day? Where do you want to be? How will you get there? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Galatians 6:7-10 Tuesday - Colossians 3:1-17...

Matthew 23:13-32 March 12, 2023 • Mount Pleasant UMC You often hear people say that the COVID pandemic changed everything, and that may be more true than we think it is. I’ve noticed how people don’t stand next to each other anymore; we’ve learned how to social distance and when you end up in a line, you probably still do it without thinking about it. I know I do! People wear masks a whole lot more than they ever did before the spring of 2020. And the online life has taken a prominent place in our culture. We all pretty much had to learn how to do a Zoom meeting, and we got used to looking at people in little boxes rather than in person. Online meetings, online conversations, online interviews, even online church—I’ll take “things we never thought about before COVID” for 500, Alex. And all of that screen time led to other things—like an increased awareness of how we look to other people. Or how we think we look to other people. So, for instance, the United States is the world’s l...