MTP Sermon Resources

John 8:48-59 March 11, 2018 • Mount Pleasant UMC It wasn’t until he died that I learned his real name was James. He had always been “Bud,” for much longer than I had known him. He had been “Bud” so long that no one in the family remembered why he had picked up that nickname; it was just who he was. I imagine some of his friends and family might have even missed his obituary because they were looking for “Bud” and not “James.” In almost twenty-five years of active pastoral ministry, I’ve learned a lot about names and the way we use them. It’s always interesting to try to go visit someone in the hospital if you don’t know their “real” name, their given name. Because of the laws, and HIPPA in particular, the hospitals usually won’t help you out, though I did have one desk attendant that tried. I knew the man as Dwayne, but when I asked for him by that name at the hospital front desk, I was told he wasn’t there. I said I knew that he was, so the desk worker asked if he, perhaps...

Scripture: John 8:48-59 What’s in a name? 1. “The Name” Exodus 3 - YHWH A Samaritan and a demon… “Before Abraham was born, ______________” ego eimi Leviticus 24:16 2. The “I Am” Statements John 6:35 John 8:12; John 1:5; Isaiah 9:2 John 10: 7, 11 John 11:25 John 14:6 John 15:1 3. Truths for Today Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Do you know what your name means? Why did your parents give you the name they gave you? Why do the religious leaders get so upset with Jesus in John 8? What did they understand Jesus to be saying? Which of the “I Am” statements speaks to you the most today? Why? How do you respond to people who want there to be another “way” other than Jesus? What is it you find yourself needing from Jesus today? How do you respond to C. S. Lewis’ choice about Jesus: liar, lunatic, Lord? Scripture for the Week: Monday - John 12:1-50 Tuesday - John 13:1-38 Wednesday - John 14:1-31 Thursday - John 15:1-27 Friday - John 16:1-33 Saturday - John 17:1-26 Resources...

John 5:1-15 March 4, 2018 • Mount Pleasant UMC Tom Wright tells the story of two boys who discovered a tennis court in the backyard of an elderly neighbor. The neighbor was sick and the court was rather overgrown, so the boys, not knowing what tennis was, developed their own game to play on the court since the markings on the court indicated it was meant for some sort of game. The net hung slack in the middle of the court, and the only ball they had was a soccer ball, so they began kicking the ball back and forth over the net, trying to land it within the boundary lines. It worked, but they had to admit it was not the most exciting game ever invented. One day, the neighbor’s son was visiting, and he happened to see the boys playing on the court as he looked out the window. Smiling, he gathered up tennis balls, rackets and other equipment from a cupboard and headed out to meet the boys. At first, they were a little frightened to see the man coming toward them, since they did...

“House of Mercy” Sermon Study Guide for March 4, 2018 Scripture: John 5:1-15 Settling for less… “Mr. Excuses” Bethesda… “Do you want to get well?” “Get up!” How the man repays Jesus… Stop sinning… (5:14) 2 Corinthians 12:9 The real miracle: ___________________________ James 5:15 2. Our Calling a. Signature Ministry Psalm 34:18 b. Do you want to be well? Isaiah 53:5 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When have you “settled for less”? When have you experienced the difference between “less” and “the real thing”? Recall a time when you made excuses rather than doing what you knew God had called you to do? What happened? Name a place that has become a “house of mercy” for you? What about it makes it a place of mercy? Into what part of your life would Jesus ask the question, “Do you want to get well?” Is all sickness caused by sin? What does the Scripture teach? How have you experienced Jesus giving you what...

John 1:1-18 February 25, 2018 • Mount Pleasant UMC There’s something powerful about touch. A 2013 article in Psychology Today put it, “Touch is the first sense we acquire and the secret weapon in many a successful relationship” ( https://goo.gl/dcZvJE ). The article went on to discuss how babies especially receive messages from the touch of a parent, and how researchers have found that touch even mitigates pain when we are stuck with a needle. So, having someone hold your hand during that shot really does help; it’s not all in your head! We, however, have become a touch-phobic society. We fear spreading germs, or we fear being sued for what has become an ever-enlarging list of “inappropriate” touches. By the time we’re elderly, often the only times we’re touched is when someone gives us medical treatment. I’ve had people in nursing homes and hospitals tell me that very thing. It’s ironic; we know there is a bond, a connection that is made through the power of touch, and ye...