MTP Sermon Resources

Matthew 1:18-19 December 10, 2017 • Mount Pleasant UMC You can’t open a newspaper, turn on the TV, or check your social media newsfeed without running into yet another scandal these days. In the last few weeks, names like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, Roy Moore, Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer and Garrison Keillor (among MANY others) have had allegations and accusations made against them for varying forms of sexual harassment. Some have admitted indiscretions, and others have denied the allegations against them, but it seems, at least in the online community, we now live in a “guilty until proven innocent” world. Now, let me be as clear as I can: sexual harassment is real and it is ugly and horrible. It is something no one should ever have to endure. When it happens, it needs to be dealt with in a serious manner and the victim or victims need to be cared for. We cannot let perpetrators of such harassment continue to “get away” with their actions. But we also have to r...

“Scandal” Sermon Study Guide for December 10, 2017 Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19 Scandals in the news… Joseph…and Mary Wedding planning… “She was found…” Joseph as faithful Israelite Deuteronomy 22:23-24 2. Genealogy Tamar - Genesis 38 Rahab - Joshua 2 Ruth - Ruth 1-4 Bathsheba - 2 Samuel 11 3. Our Difficult Times Struggles… …And scandals… John 4 John 8 Luke 7 1 Corinthians 1:23 - skandalon John 8:41; Isaiah 8:14 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How have you responded to the rash of modern-day scandals? How do you think the 21st century news media would cover the story of Joseph and Mary? Before the dream that came to him, what did “faithfulness” mean and look like to Joseph? How did the dream change his plans? What does it mean to say that “God called Joseph to scandal”? How do you react to that statement? Why, do you think, did Matthew include these four women in the genealogy of Jesus? What example did...

Matthew 13:53-58 December 3, 2017 • Mount Pleasant UMC First of all this morning, let me say how glad I am to be back in the pulpit today. It’s been a long road, and if you’ve read any of the blogs I wrote while I was recovering, you know that this time was so much different than the last time I had this heart surgery. It was not at all what I expected! I hope you also know how much I have appreciated the cards, notes, prayers and the food—oh my goodness, the food—that you have sent our way. It was certainly your love and prayers that sustained me in the hospital and in the days after, especially on those days when I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on. So “thank you” seems inadequate, but those are the only words I have to express how me and my family feels. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s entirely appropriate, though, that I am standing here this morning with a renewed heart, starting, in many ways, a new season in my life and in my ministry. Today is the first S...

“Man in the Shadows” Sermon Study Guide for December 3, 2017 Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58 Advent is here! Who was Joseph? Matthew 1:25 How old was Joseph? tekton Sepphoris 2. Father Figures The influence of a Dad… Choosing to be a Dad… John 1:13 John 5:17 Fathers who aren’t How can it be? Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What did you learn about Joseph this morning that was new or that challenges preconceived notions you had? When you think of the word “father,” what images come to mind? Are those mostly positive or negative? Why? What impact did your father have on you? Who is a father figure you look up to (or looked up to in your childhood)? What difference did that person make in your life? What does it mean to you that God is called “father” in the Bible? If that is a negative image for you, how can you reclaim that image? Scripture for the Week: Monday - John 1:1-14 Tuesday - John 5:16-18 ...

“An Attitude of Gratitude” Sermon Study Guide for November 19, 2017 Scripture: Psalm 100 1. Ingratitude is Hard to Take Jesus and the ten lepers… Parable of the forgiven debt… 2. God is Pleased When We’re _____________________ Jesus thanks the Father… Paul thanks God… 3. Gratitude Is a ________________________ We need to keep a Godly _____________________ …a faith perspective… Hindrances & How-to’s Questions to Discuss or Ponder: 1. When have you experienced “ingratitude”? How did such an attitude affect you and others around you? 2. How does your attitude change depending on what you have focused on during the day or week? 3. If others were to describe you, would they say you are a grateful person or a disgruntled person? Why? Which do you aspire to be? 4. What reason(s) have you had to be grateful this week? 5. What do you need to do this week to develop an attitude of gratitude? How can you keep your focus on gratitude during this coming week? Scripture for the Week: Mo...

1 Timothy 6:17-19 November 12, 2017 • Mount Pleasant UMC I don’t know if you heard or not, but a couple of weeks ago Apple released the new iPhone X—what they are calling the “future of smartphones.” I don’t have one to show you this morning because, for one, I’m recording this sermon before it’s released and for two, I don’t have one anyway. But it was interesting to watch the reactions after the announcement back in September, especially from those who are investors. Routinely, whenever Apple and other companies make announcements that aren’t exactly what investors think they should be, they punish the company by selling off their stock. Earnings can go up, but if they’re not up enough, the investors sell. Now, I’ll admit I don’t understand the stock market; I just observe the trends that I see. So the reactions after the announcement of the iPhone X were mixed, as expected. “Well, it has this stuff, but it doesn’t have this stuff that we think they should have done.” So ...