MTP Sermon Resources

Luke 8:40-46 April 27, 2025 • Mount Pleasant UMC We live in a lonely world, a world that is literally dying for connection. Now that’s a great way to start out a new series, isn’t it? Really uplifting and encouraging. But it’s true. We were already headed in this direction, but the pandemic accelerated our disconnection with each other when we were mandated to stay home or wear masks and stand six feet apart. People continue to debate the merits of those directive, but we do know it became a problem not only for our mental health, but also for our physical health. The Surgeon General’s study from a couple of years ago found that “lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day” ( https://www.npr.org/2023/05/02/1173418268/loneliness-connection-mental-health-dementia-surgeon-general ). The Surgeon General goes on to say that “poor connection” with others results in “a 29% increased risk of heart disease; a 32% increas...

  “Commitment Issues” Sermon Study Guide for April 27, 2025 Downloadable Version Scripture: Luke 8:40-46 a lonely world… 1. A Woman in Need bleeding disease… uncleanness 2. Community Requires _______________________ a. Connect with ______________________ “the hem of his cloak” b. Connect with ______________________ top 2 regrets… “Daughter” Matthew 4:19 Luke 19:5 John 19:26-27 c. Prioritize _________________________ Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How have you seen the challenges of a lonely world played out in the real world? How have you experienced them? Are you able to call to mind people in each of the “levels” of relationships: inner circle, good friends, friends, meaningful contacts & acquaintances? What distractions (options) pull for your attention every day? What is the biggest distraction currently in your life? Why do you think this woman was so confident that the “hem of his cloak” would bring healing? What are the top regrets of...

John 20:1-18 April 20, 2025 (Easter) • Mount Pleasant UMC The Sabbath had been over for only a few hours. Jesus had been buried on Friday before sundown, and that began the long wait. By the time sunrise on Sunday came, Mary was desperate to get out of the house and over to the tomb. The burial had been left unfinished, and she and the other women needed to complete it. The men were still snoring—typical! But this morning, the women didn’t care. They had a job to finish. In the early morning hours, while it was still dark, they made their way to the tomb. Not too long after the sunrise, Mary will be standing in the garden, weeping, alone. She has lost literally everything at this point (cf. Card, John: The Gospel of Wisdom , pg. 206). Jesus had changed her life; he had removed seven demons from her (Luke 8:2) and she had given her life to his service. She was one of several women who had followed Jesus for some time now, all the way to the cross. She had watched his burial (Ma...