St. John's United Methodist Church - Edwardsville, IL

Good Question, Jesus: Do you believe I am able?

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Matthew 9:27-30
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SERMON NOTES 
I. We may not hear the important question if we’re not following.
II. Faith is ready when the opportunity comes.
III. Jesus’ question gave them a chance for joy.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Name something you almost always over-prepare for, and describe why. Name something you almost always under-prepare for, and why.
- Describe some obstacles the blind men might have faced in following Jesus?
- What sorts of responses do people offer when Jesus asks if they believe He can heal or save them?
- What are you doing to build your faith so that it’s ready for the opportunity Jesus may present to you?
- What does the church need to do to build faith to be ready for the opportunity Jesus presents to us?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Good Question, Jesus: Why are you afraid?

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Matthew 8:23-27
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SERMON NOTES

I. Jesus cares deeply. He’s just not stressed about it.

II. Let Christ’s peace be more contagious than our anxiety.

III. Perfect love casts out all fear.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Tell about a time when you got caught in a bad storm. What were you thinking? What were you feeling?

- Look at the scripture that follows this passage in Matthew 8. Why was Jesus crossing the lake?

- Imagine if the disciples would have allowed Jesus to sleep instead of waking Him in their fear. What are some possible outcomes to that story?

- What are the storms that people face with fear today? Where can Jesus introduce calm into those situations?

- Why are you afraid? How can the peace of Jesus counter that fear?

- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Good Question, Jesus: Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Matthew 6:24-27
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SERMON NOTES 
I. We’re trapped when we make anything other than God our master.
II. Walking in trust undoes our worries. Dwelling in our worries multiplies them.
III. Worry is a thief and a murderer.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What is your favorite place to get ice cream or custard, and what do you order?
- What are the ways people would have had money as their master in Jesus’ day? What are ways people have money as their master today?
- How does God’s kindness towards other creatures help you trust in God’s kindness and provision for you?
- Where have you witnessed worry take away from life?
- What is the major source of worry for you? How would God have you walk in trust?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Good Question, Jesus: Which one obeyed?

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Matthew 21:28-32
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SERMON NOTES

I. Jesus will answer your question with a question.

II. Obedience is not just knowing, but doing right things.

III. It’s more about being on the right path than having a perfect pedigree.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Have you made a public profession of faith (like becoming a church member)? Tell about that experience.

- What are the benefits of challenging people’s thinking with questions instead of answers? What are the drawbacks?

- Jesus used this parable to challenge people who were outwardly religious. Who would be challenged by His story of obedience today?

- What of your life looks like the “right path” of faithfulness right now? What of your life might need some course correction?

- What will you do this week to live more fully into a commitment you’ve made to God?

- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Passing the Torch: A Double Portion

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, May 30, 2021
2 Kings 2:5-15
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SERMON NOTES 
I. The friendships we forge in the faith become an enduring part of our legacy.
II. Witnessing true godliness causes us to hunger for a deeper faith in our own lives.
III. It’s up to us to take up the cloak. It’s up to God to provide the power.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Has the "Memorial" part of Memorial Day worked into your plans for this long weekend? If so, how?
- Read 1 Kings 19:19-21 to learn about how Elisha was called to be a prophet. How is that similar to our calling to follow Jesus?
- Who has inspired you to pursue a deeper faith? How might your life be inspiring others towards a deeper faith?
- What is a calling God has invited you to pick-up? Do you have worries about taking on that responsibility?
- What is one way you can make certain the torch of faith is passed on through your life this week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Passing the Torch: Don't Neglect the Gift

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, May 23, 2021
1 Timothy 4:7-16
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SERMON NOTES 
I. To pass on hope, we can't major in the minors.
II. Young disciples are called to exemplary love, faith, and purity.
III. Youthful boldness is a great tool when guided by the Holy Spirit.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you were invited to give a commencement speech, what would be the title?
- Paul talks about the risk of "wasting time" when it comes to training for godliness. What is at stake when churches bicker over non-essentials? 
- Where do you witness exemplary love, faith, and purity at work in disciples who are maybe a generation or two younger than you are?
- How does the church nurture some of the risk-taking and questioning nature of youth? How does the church stifle that?
- Name a young person you know who you lean on to help mentor you into the future? How has that relationship blessed your life?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Passing the Torch: A Generational Relay

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Psalm 78:1-8
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SERMON NOTES 
I. To be a part of the relay, we have to put ourselves into the race.
II. We’ll be held responsible for hiding Jesus from future generations.
III. God’s salvation stories are filled with warnings and wonders.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What's a song you learned to help teach you something (besides the alphabet)? Do you still know the tune?
- What does "apply the instructions of scripture to my life" mean to you?
- What are some ways we hide Jesus from future generations, whether intentionally or unintentionally?
- Why do you suppose it's important that the stories of scripture contain both wonders and warnings?
- What specific thing can you do this week to take your place in the generational relay? What would keep you from doing that?  
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Passing the Torch: The Nurturing Community

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Exodus 2:1-10
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SERMON NOTES

I. Not everything is working in favor of the nurturing community.

II. Nurturing community requires a great deal of trust in God.

III. Personal compassion can have an impact well beyond helping an individual.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- If you had a comfort item (like a blanket or stuffed animal) as a child, what was it? Do you know what became of it?

- Where do you see examples of the mighty Pharaoh being made to look like a fool in these stories? Why would the Hebrew people find those stories funny?

- When is showing trust to others a way to show trust in God? Can you share an example of that kind of trust in your life?

- The ways that the women helped each other in today's stories involved risk for them. What did they risk in their show of courage?

- What is a nurturing community that you're a part of? How do you benefit? How do you contribute?

- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Passing the Torch: What We're Given

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Genesis 1:26-32
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CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

Please feel free to use these notes for personal devotion and reflection, as well as spiritual conversation with your small group and family.

 

SERMON NOTES

I. We’ve been given the image of our Creator.

II. We’ve been given responsibility and authority.

III. We’ve been handed goodness that Jesus restores and we pass on.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What's your favorite family heirloom, or what do you think will be something you'd like to pass on to a future generation?

- In a passage that's filled with words that bring honor to humanity, which verse or section in today's scripture helps you feel most beloved? Why?

- Do you see your relationship with the rest of creation like a "reign?" What kind of responsibility would come with that sort of reign?

- This is the first instance in this telling of creation where God observed the work of the day and declared it "very good." Why do you suppose that is?

- Where do you see the restorative work of Jesus at work in creation?

- Is God nudging you to more fully acknowledge that you are created in the divine image, or that someone else in your life is created in the divine image? Which is harder for you?

- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Beyond United: Stance

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Galatians 5:13-26
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SERMON NOTES

I. Our freedom in Christ leads us to serve and not destroy one another.

II. The Spirit sets us free from legalism, and free from the sin that separates us from God.

III. In all circumstances, the faith of disciples can be exhibited through the fruits of the Spirit.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Are you a garage sale fanatic? Why or why not?

- Paul saw the Galatian church being undermined by internal strife and division. What do you think he meant when he cautioned against "biting and devouring one another?"

- How does the Spirit set us free from sin, and not just punishment?

- The church of Paul's time was persecuted, so he listed characteristics of faithful living that couldn't be outlawed. How can that be important to us today?

- Where would you put yourself on the quadrants of "Affirming <=> Traditional" or "Activist <=> Nice-maker?" Where do you think God would have you be?

- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?