MTP Sermon Resources

“For Us and Our Salvation” Sermon Study Guide for December 12, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Luke 2:1-5 1. The World Jesus Came To Caesar Augustus 2. Other Versions of Jesus a. Fully human - “adopted” Luke 3:22 b. Fully God c. Wise man & philosopher 3. For Us and For Our Salvation James 2:17-18: faith without works redemption of the whole world Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why do we want to restrict Christmas to “only good news”? How do we try to shut out the “bad news”? Which of the “other versions of Jesus” have you heard? Are there any you have believed? Respond to this statement: “To get Christ wrong is to get God wrong.” Why do the “songs of Christmas” in Luke 1 not refer so much to “personal salvation”? What is the emphasis of these songs? How do our deeds give witness to our faith? Share a personal example. In what way(s) will you participate in the redemption of the whole world this Christmas? How will you live out your incarnational faith? Scriptu...

Isaiah 64:1-5 December 5, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC Do you have all your Christmas shopping done yet? Too soon to ask? I was thinking this week about how, when my brother and I were kids, we would pour over the catalogs that the stores put out (and yes, I know that I am really dating myself here!). We would circle the things we thought we just had to have and then we waited until Christmas to see if Santa or anyone else came through. When I was a kid, I thought the best gift was the one I really wanted (or thought I just had to have), but to tell you the truth, now I remember very few of those gifts. The gifts I remember now are the ones that were unexpected, the ones I never saw coming. I think of the cross that hangs in our dining room that was given to me when I was ordained. To look at it, you’d never think it was anything special. Most people who come to our house probably don’t even notice it. But it’s the cross that hung in the sanctuary of the Sedalia Methodist Episcopal...

  “Unexpected” Sermon Study Guide for December 5, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-5 1. Isaiah’s Complaint “Come down!” (verse 1) What we need saving from… (64:6-7) 2. “The Fullness of Time” (Galatians 4:4) John 1:14 materialism of the season “It’s true!” “the one who came still comes to us” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Recall a gift you received that was unexpected. What made it special? Do you agree that we most often blame God for things we do or cause? Why or why not? Recall stories from the Bible when God showed up and did something unexpected. What common themes or patterns do you see? What is God coming to save us from? How do you see that showing up in our world today? Do we still need saving? Considering the ways you celebrate during Advent, where is Jesus in those celebrations? In what way can you share and show the love of Jesus in tangible ways this week? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Isaiah 64:1-9 Tuesday - Joshua 10:1-15 Wednesd...

Hebrews 1:1-4 November 28, 2021 • Mount Pleasant UMC Maxie Dunnam tells of being in China about two years after the death of Mao Tse-Tung, the architect of China’s conversion to communism. Chairman Mao led China for over three decades and was the symbol for millions of people for a system of thought and the communist revolution. Shortly after Mao’s death, an admirer wrote these words: he “conceived of the Chinese Revolution, and then helped cause it to happen, and in the process, the thought of Chairman Mao became the primary thought of every Chinese. The word almost literally became flesh.” The word almost became flesh. Dr. Dunnam says when he visited, Mao’s likeness and statues were still everywhere, but the mausoleum that had been built to keep his body was closed to visitors. The official word was that they were doing repair work, but the guide whispered to Dr. Dunnam that in reality the government was trying to play down the influence of Mao in the thought and culture of Chi...

  “Gracious Descent” Sermon Study Guide for November 28, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4 1. Incarnation John 1:1-14 Isaiah 6:9-10 Jeremiah 20:7-9 Last Days Mark 13:32 Radiate Exodus 33:11, 20-23 Represent - “character” John 14:9 2. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism 3. God With Us He became God With Us so that he could be God   _____________ Us. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What other people, things or events do people tend to substitute for “the word became flesh” today? What word do you think a prophet would speak to the church today? What does it mean to represent someone? Whom do you represent in your day to day life? In what way do you understand Jesus to “represent” the Father? What is the problem with moralism? Why is it incompatible with Christian faith? Why is our faith not about “what makes me feel good”? Is it wrong to pursue “good feelings”? Why or why not? Respond to this statement: “My faith is not working for me; it is...

  “Keep Calm and Carry On” Sermon Study Guide for November 21, 2021 Downloadable Version Scripture: Acts 27:13-26 1. The Storm the storms of life… John 16:33 - not “if” but “when” 2. What We Learn in the Storms What matters… God is with us… Mark 4:38-40 God’s plans and purposes… Psalm 57:2 Genesis 50:20 “But God…” - Romans 8:28 Galatians 6:9 Psalm 37:4 - delight Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Recall a storm in your life. What were the circumstances? What was most helpful in getting through it? How do you evaluate what is important and what is not in calm times? In times of storm? What helps you experience God’s presence in the midst of a storm? Who do you need to help find assurance in the midst of the storm? When will you do that? What one thing will you do this week to help you “delight in the Lord”? In what way is the story of Acts continuing today? In your life? Scripture for the Week: Monday - Psalm 57 Tuesday - Mark 4:35-41 Wednesday -...