MTP Sermon Resources

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 October 20, 2024 (Generosity Sunday) • Mount Pleasant UMC I grew up going to church. I don’t ever remember asking why we went to church because that was just what we did. It was important to my parents so my brother and I weren’t given an option. It wasn’t until I was older, probably not really until I was in college, that I began asking questions like that—questions like, “Why is church important to me?” When I got out on my own, I had to decide if being part of a church was important to me or if it was just something I had been made to do. I think it’s pretty clear what I decided, since I answered a call to spend my whole life in the church, and even now, I still believe the church is vital to the community and to the world. Even with all of its flaws and brokenness, the church is still Jesus’ plan for the world. You may have lots of thoughts or reasons why you come here, and maybe some of you wandered in here today for the first time and have no idea wh...

  “All Circumstances” Sermon Study Guide for October 20, 2024 Downloadable Version Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Why is church important? 1. All Circumstances Rejoicing Praying Thanking Romans 8:28 2. Practices for Gratitude a. _________________________ Luke 22:19 b. _________________________ Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12 c. Look ______________ Acts 9:1-6 d. Look ____________________ 2 Corinthians 9:7 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why is church important to you? What would you tell someone who asks you that? How does rejoicing lead to praying? How does praying lead to thanking? How does this progression work out in your own life What is the difference between “all things are good” and “God works good in all things”? How have you experienced the latter? Respond to this statement: “Our primary challenge is simply to remember what we know.” Why is it easier to remember certain things we would do better to forget? What moves you to worship on days ...

Isaiah 57:14-15 October 13, 2024 • Mount Pleasant UMC So our quest for “A Thousand Thank Yous” goes on. If you haven’t yet stopped by the wall in the foyer yet, here are a few of the things people shared last week: “Thankful for my sobriety, changing my life than my family’s life.” “Thankful for laughter.” “Thank you for my village. I could not raise [my daughter] by myself.” And there are lots more out there; you should stop by and read some. I hope it has been enjoyable and maybe even a bit thought-provoking as you looked for ways to express gratitude this past week. Maybe you even did more than you were asked to do and now you can’t stop yourself from giving thanks. That’s a great problem to have! But this morning we’re going to have a different focus, suggested by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah in this morning’s passage. Isaiah says, “Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people” (57:14). Obstacles are inevitable in anything in life, but you might not think of that in t...

  “Before Destruction” Sermon Study Guide for October 13, 2024 Downloadable Version Scripture: Isaiah 57:14-15 1. Isaiah Exile… Who God is… 2. Pride Proverbs 16:18 “anti-God state of mind” James 1:17 3. Conquering Pride a. Practice __________________________ b. __________________________ c. _____________ to a cause ________________ leads to life Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What would be a modern equivalent of exile? Who in our world experiences being “far from home”? How might they relate to Isaiah’s message? What part of Isaiah’s description of God do you most relate to? Which part do you most need to be true in your life right now? How do you understand pride? Why is pride so threatening to the Christian life? What ways do you need God to “un-dragon” you? Why does thankfulness help us overcome our prideful ways? In what way(s) are you serving others? How does service challenge your sinful pride? How have you found gratitude leading to life? Scripture for the W...