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Opinion Poll

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Matthew 16:13-20 July 5, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC The story is told of a family who took a cave tour and it was one of those that twisted and turned underground until you got to what the guide said was the lowest spot in the cave. The guide gathered everyone close together and said, “Now I’m going to turn off the lights so you can see just what darkness looks like.” And after giving a moment for parents to grab little ones’ hands, the guide did just that. Maybe you’ve been on one of those tours and it is truly as dark as dark can be. You can hold your hand up in front of your face and the only way you know it’s there is that it’s attached to your body. In this particular instance, one of the little girls was scared of the dark, and when the lights went out, she began to sob. And as the sobbing began to get louder, her brother, standing nearby, said, “Don’t worry, sissy, someone here knows how to turn on the lights!” Darkness is not something we are comfortable with or in...
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Opinion Poll (Study Guide)

“Opinion Poll” Sermon Study Guide for July 5, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 Darkness… Caesarea Philippi religious shopping mall… Who do others say that I am? Who do you say I am? 2. The Promised Son of God promised from the beginning - Genesis 3 promised throughout the Old Testament promised by the prophets Luke 2 - the promised fulfilled 3. The Messiah Shhh! Liar, lunatic or Lord (C. S. Lewis) Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why does darkness scare some people? What about it is intimidating? What would be the equivalent of Caesarea Philippi today, a place where all religions are offered? If Jesus asked today who people say he is, what would be the answers? Why is it significant that Jesus was promised from the beginning of time? Why do we sometimes doubt God will keep his promises? Why does Jesus want the disciples to keep quiet about who he is? Does that apply to us today? Why or why not? If Jesus is L...
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Unveiling

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Revelation 1:1-3 June 28, 2026 • Mount Pleasant UMC Video Opener Sermon Study Guide I spent a good part of my early life scared to death of the book of Revelation. I won’t ask for a show of hands, but I’m willing to bet I’m not alone. Some of you might still avoid this book altogether. I get it. The best estimates out there today say that somewhere between 50-75% of churchgoing Christians refuse to read it, and maybe some of you are in that category. When it came up as part of our New Testament reading this last week, you just quit at Jude. My fear started when I was a kid and the pastor showed a movie that was based on one interpretation of the book of Revelation and the movie scared the living daylights out of me. I wish I had known then what I know now: that movie was based mostly on a Hollywood thriller idea of the book of Revelation and, honestly, didn’t deal seriously with the text itself. This morning, I hope to take away maybe a little of the fear you might have and help you ...
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