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Rights and Wrongs

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Matthew 3:13-17 April 12, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC I cannot think of the Jordan River without getting a chill up and down my spine. I had never been to Israel during January, and while it is warmer there than it is here, it’s not exactly shorts weather. Still, we had promised that our group would have the chance to renew their baptism near the place where Jesus was baptized, in the Jordan River. So we all changed into our swimsuits, wrapped towels around us, and made our way to the edge of the river. You know how sometimes, when you get into a pool or a body of water that is a little chilly, it will seem warm to you after you’ve been in there a while? That did not happen this time. The water was cold—something like 47 degrees when I looked it up later. And I was in there a long time, but, you know, after about 10 minutes you no longer feel your extremities, so it’s all good. I left that day convinced that Jesus would have been baptized in this river in the summer. This morning...
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Rights and Wrongs (Study Guide)

“Rights and Wrongs” Sermon Study Guide for April 12, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17 “Load-bearing concepts…” 1. Righteousness in the Old Testament tzadik 2. “To Fulfill All Righteousness” Jesus’ baptism by John John 1:29; Luke 1:44 Matthew 5:6 - hunger and thirst Matthew 6:10 - your will be done Matthew 6:33 - seek first 3. To Be Righteous west vs. east What does ____________ require? Questions to Discuss or Ponder: If someone is described as being “righteous,” what do you think is meant? What is the difference between that and being “self-righteous”? Why did both John and Jesus preach about the kingdom of heaven being “near”? What did they mean? In what way does Jesus’ baptism “fulfill” all righteousness? Who is someone you know of who you would say “hungers and thirsts” for true righteousness? How do they demonstrate that? What does it mean to you to pray, “Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? How do we, practically...
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When Your Hope Has No Pulse

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Matthew 28:1-10 April 5, 2026 (Easter) • Mount Pleasant UMC Jesus was dead. Everyone knew it. Many people had seen him die horribly on a Roman cross just days before. Some of them had stayed long enough to see a soldier stuck a spear in his side and they saw the blood and water flow out. Jesus was dead and his followers were in hiding. The world had finally beat mercy and righteousness to death (cf. McKnight, Matthew, pg. 410). Jesus was dead and whatever hopes anyone had for him being their savior, their rescuer, had died on the cross along with him. Sometime late on Sunday, two former followers of Jesus were walking on the road from Jerusalem to a village 7 miles away called Emmaus when another traveler joined them. The newcomer wanted to know what the two were talking about, and they are amazed that this person hasn’t heard about what had happened to Jesus in the city. They tell the traveler all about Jesus, then come the devastating words: “We had hoped that he was the one ...
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When Your Hope Has No Pulse (Study Guide)

“When Your Hope Has No Pulse” Sermon Study Guide for April 5, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 1. Jesus Was Dead waiting through the night… 2. Signs of Resurrection a. ___________________________ Matthew 16:13-22 b. ___________________________ “come and see” c. ___________________________ 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 3. “Go and Tell.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What are some of the emotions the disciples would have experienced in the wake of Jesus’ death? Why do you think the men disciples stayed home on Sunday morning? Recall a time when you have “waited through the night.” What happened? What helped you get through? Which one of the “signs” that God gave the women would have helped you the most? Why that one? Why do you think the disciples didn’t believe Jesus’ words about dying and rising again? Would you have believed them? Why or why not? What hope does Jesus’ resurrection give you in your current state of life? How is h...
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