MTP Sermon Resources

  “Whose Will?” Sermon Study Guide for May 14, 2023 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 1. “Your” “mine” “magic prayer” 2. Two Words a. Kingdom Mark 1:15 b. Will Genesis 3 submitting to God’s will a vision for the world Isaiah 11:6, 9 Psalm 115:1 - “Not to us” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why do we naturally focus on “me and mine”? How does the Lord’s Prayer challenge us to change our focus? What’s the difference between real prayer and “magic prayer”? Why do we tend to gravitate toward “magic prayer”? When you think of a “kingdom,” what comes to mind? How does that differ from the idea of “God’s kingdom”? Human beings have been in rebellion against God since the beginning. Where do you find traces of that rebellion in your life and heart? How does it challenge your thinking to hear that God’s will is not always done on earth? Where do you feel the stress between doing your will and doing God’s will? How do you handle that stress? Have yo...

Matthew 6:9-13 May 7, 2023 • Mount Pleasant UMC So for the last three weeks, we’ve been talking a lot about these six words—words I hope you know by now and might even be wearing around town on your t-shirt! Love God, Love People, Love Life. As I hope you know by now, doing these things are the way, we believe, we are going to accomplish our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. But there is something else we need to do before we do any of that, because without this action, the other actions are done in our own strength and we won’t get very far. That first action, that first step is prayer. Bishop Trimble is fond of saying, “No prayer, no power. Much prayer, much power.” Prayer is and must be the basis of everything we do. And I can feel some of you rolling your eyes, at least internally. Prayer is hard. I’ve tried it, I’m not very good at it, and I’m not sure my prayers have ever gotten through the ceiling. Will it ruin your image of...

  “Our Father” Sermon Study Guide for May 7, 2023 Downloadable Version Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 “No ________________, no ___________________. Much ________________, much _________________.” 1. “Teach Us to Pray” Luke 11:1-4 2. “Our Father” names for God… “Father” “Our” 3. “Hallowed Be Your Name” In our _________________________ Proverbs 22:6 In our _________________________ In our _________________________ 1 Timothy 2:1-2 In our _________________________ Philippians 2:10-11 Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Where did you learn to pray? What or who have been the biggest influences in your prayer life? What names of God are you most familiar with? How d you normally address God when you pray? How do you react to God as Father? Is that a positive or a negative? Why? What does it mean to you that God is personal? How do you respond to the idea that we are not orphans? Why is community so important to Christian/Biblical faith? How have you experienced or witne...

  “Love Life” Sermon Study Guide for April 30, 2023 Downloadable Version Scripture: John 10:7-10 Religion & relationship 1. Abundantly selfishness… Ecclesiastes - King Solomon “chasing the wind” 2. Because Jesus… Galatians 5:22-23 - fruit of the Spirit random acts of kindness 1 Peter 4:8-10 - “deep love” eternal life a future filled with hope… Questions to Discuss or Ponder: Why do so many embrace man-made religion rather than a relationship with Jesus? What’s the difference between the two? When you hear the world “abundant,” what picture comes to mind? How does that compare with your life? How do we overcome our natural tendency toward selfishness? What does selfishness lead to? Respond to this statement: “The life of love causes us to love life.” How have you experienced life’s disappointments? What or who helped you in those times? How does the presence of Jesus change your approach toward life? What gifts has God given you to use to serve others? How will...