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

Beyond United: Reach

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, April 18, 2021
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
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SERMON NOTES

I. If we let it, our identity in Christ has the power to break down any barriers that would separate us as believers.

II. The question for Christians isn’t “Are we connected?,” but “How are we connected?”

III. The body of Christ shares in suffering and honor, and we grieve our division.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- If you could visit any one city in the world (safely, of course), where would you go and why?

- What do people in Corinth seem to be divided about in 1 Corinthians 12? Is that something that you believe divides the church today?

- How have you seen Jesus act independently in scripture? How have you seen Jesus act interdependently?

- Why do think some believers seem to enjoy when other Christians fall or suffer? What does Jesus offer us to help us overcome that temptation?

- Where do you land on the axis of "Connectional" vs. "Autonomous?" What about on the axis of "Local" vs. "Global?"

- Where do you believe God would have you be on today's quadrants?

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

Beyond United: Foundation

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, April 11, 2021
John 3:1-20
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SERMON NOTES

I. The kingdom of God doesn’t advance unless people experience new birth through Jesus Christ.

II. Religion and reconciliation are not synonymous.

III. To endure, the church has to live in and reflect the light of Christ.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Besides Jesus, if you could go visit with someone some evening just to ask some burning questions, who would you go to? Why?

- What do you think of when you hear the term "born again?" How does Jesus use the term in today's passage?

- Is it possible for people to practice religion without having faith? Is it possible to have faith without practicing religion? Describe examples of each.

- Why are churches focused on things other than discipleship likely to expire?

- On your own chart, where would you place yourself in the quadrants of "cultural club" vs. "Christian discipleship" and "Invitation" vs. "Wishin' and Hopin'?" Why?

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

Easter Sunday: The Death of Death

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Luke 24:1-12
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SERMON NOTES

I. We still have a hard time believing that death lost.

II. Believing this unbelievably Good News robs death of its power.

III. God has grace for the wonderers who wandered.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Besides Jesus’ tomb, name something else you’re excited to see empty.

- Why do you think Jesus’ friends had such a hard time believing His promise to rise from the grave?

- Why was it so important for Peter to run to the tomb?

- Jesus restored Peter by giving him a responsibility in and to the kingdom of God. How does God do that when He redeems our lives?

- When did you know that trusting in Jesus would save you from death? If you don’t yet trust Jesus’ power to give eternal life, what’s holding you back?

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

Maundy Thursday: On Repeat

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Thursday, April 1, 2021
1 John 3:11-24
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Deadly: Wrath

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Luke 23:32:46
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SERMON NOTES

I. Anger is the clearest pathway to death.

II. Wrath spills venom on everything.

III. Anger refuses to see its own need for grace.

IV. Forgiveness is the death of wrath.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What is something you do that someone has described as “annoying?” (nail biting, tooth grinding, etc.)

- Where do you see anger lining Jesus’ path to the cross?

- When do you experience anger spilling over and poisoning your life?

- What is your practice for reminding yourself of your own need for grace and forgiveness?

- Name one specific way that you will overcome wrath through forgiveness this week.

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

Deadly: Pride

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Luke 22:54-65
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SERMON NOTES

I. Pride wants to stay in control of the situation.

II. Pride clings to its own life, and loses it in the process.

III. Jesus sees right through us.

IV. Humility is the death of pride.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Tell about a time when your pride got puffed up, and then deflated.

- What do you think was the biggest problem with Simon Peter’s hypocrisy between what he said he’d do, and what he actually did?

- Where does our culture teach us to cling to our own lives instead of living fully for Jesus Christ? Why is it effective?

- If Jesus were looking into your eyes right now, what’s the thing He sees that makes you break into tears?

- Where does God want you to think of yourself less? How will you live into that this coming week?

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

Deadly: Sloth

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Luke 22:39-46
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SERMON NOTES

I. Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work.

II. Surrender to God doesn’t mean giving up. It means giving all.

III. When Jesus says it’s time to wake up, it’s time to wake up.

IV. Readiness is the death of sloth.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Describe a time when you were just too tired to do anything.

- Jesus told the disciples in the garden to pray that they will not give in to temptation. What temptations may overtake them in that time?

- What challenges does the prayer, “I want Your will to be done, not mine” present for people who pray that sincerely?

- What do you think Jesus would be addressing if He were to approach you with the words, “Why are you sleeping?” What comes to mind?

- Which of the following does God want you to focus on this week? Readiness in answering for your hope? Readiness in preaching God’s word? Or readiness for Christ’s return?

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

Deadly: Gluttony

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Luke 22:21-27
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SERMON NOTES

I. A failure to self-manage will often spill over.

II. Gluttony is concerned with its own cravings, and little else.

III. Intentional living is the death of gluttony.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What food is most tempting to you when it comes to overindulgence?

- Have you experienced some discipline "creep" over the course of sheltering? Where do you see that happening?

- In what ways does our culture celebrate gluttony? Why do you think we find some indulgences more agreeable than others?

- Intentional living involves living with a mission. If you were to write a one sentence mission statement for your life, what would it be?

- What is one thing you can do this week to make certain that God's abundant blessing doesn't stop with you, but becomes a blessing to others, as well?

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

Deadly: Greed / Envy

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Luke 19:45-48
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SERMON NOTES

I. Greed cheapens what’s most precious to God.

II. Envy wants what it doesn’t have, and nobody else can have it.

III. Gratitude and contentedness are the death of greed and envy.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Describe a time when you really wanted what someone else had.

- In Luke’s version, Jesus responds to the people selling sacrifices by quoting scripture. In other Gospels, He’s flipping tables and driving them out with a whip. How is it helpful for Jesus to show anger in this situation? How is it unhelpful?

- Jesus often quoted part of a scripture, and those who knew the rest would catch on to what He was saying. How has your knowledge of scripture helped you better understand Jesus?

- The religious elite were jealous that Jesus was stealing their thunder. How do we experience that kind of envy today?

- In conversation with someone else, spend some time listing your reasons to be grateful to God. Start with basics like life, breath, clothing and shelter, then get more specific.

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

Deadly: Vanity

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Luke 19:28-40
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Vanity won’t let you take the risk.
II. Vanity wants the accolade and attention.
III. Vanity is concerned about how this makes us look.
IV. Modesty is the death of vanity.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Are you giving up or taking on anything for Lent? What is it?
- What are risks Christians seem reluctant to take because of how we might be perceived?
- Do you think Jesus wanted the parade? Why or why not?
- Jesus said, "If my followers are quiet, the stones would shout praise!" How would that shame the Pharisees? What does that mean to you today?
- Where do you need to let vanity die and modesty grow in your life? How will you guard yourself against being overly concerned about appearances?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?