Posts

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unveiling

Image
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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unveiling (Study Guide)

“Unveiling” Sermon Study Guide for June 28, 2026 Downloadable Version Scripture: Revelation 1:1-3 1. Revelation a. letter b. prophecy c. apocalypse 2. Witness a. “Lord” b. marturia Matthew 10:32-33 c. “faithful witness” d. Amen e. “blessed” Matthew 5:1-12 f. “The time is near” “Come, Lord Jesus!” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What has been your experience with the book of Revelation? Fear? Obsession? Excitement? Why do we get more focused on figuring out the symbols than we do on seeing Jesus in this book? What people or things claim to be “lord” over our lives today? In what way(s) do you find yourself pulled between those things and Jesus? What does it mean to you that the word for “witness” and “martyr” are the same word? In what way does your life point to Jesus? How do your words, actions, choices, etc. witness to him? In what way(s) has your life been blessed (in the way Jesus defined that word)?   How does your life bear witness to your own antici...
Post a Comment
Read more

Light Living

Image
1 Peter 2:4-10 June 21, 2026 (Father’s Day) • Mount Pleasant UMC “I’ll know it when I see it!” I bet you’ve said that phrase a time or two. Maybe you’ve been out shopping for the perfect gift for a family member—or that thing for the person who has everything—and you tell someone, “I don’t know what I’m looking for but I’ll know it when I see it!” Or you head into the kitchen, craving a snack, and when someone asks what you’re looking for, you say, “I don’t know but I’ll know it when I see it! Or my stomach will!” Or you’re looking to hire a new person, and when you’re asked what kind of person you want for the job, you might even say, “I don’t quite know yet, but I’ll know them when I see them.” Our “word of life” today is kind of like that in that it’s a hard word to define or to give a good description of (cf. Gupta, 15 New Testament Words of Life , pg. 162). That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try, of course, because the word that comes from 1 Peter is a vitally important word, es...
Post a Comment
Read more