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

Take Aim - Ash Wednesday

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
John 10:1-10
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Love Story: Ruth and Boaz

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Ruth 2:1-12
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SERMON NOTES

I. Love acts as a care network for people in times of need.

II. We honor God’s love story through respect and responsibility.

III. Our loving actions can have an impact beyond what we can imagine.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Do you prefer your box of Valentine's chocolates a) clearly labeled, b) an adventure of surprises or c) stay at the store?

- Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi gave her every chance to return to her own people. Why do you suppose Ruth chose to remain with Naomi, instead?

- How did Boaz use the power of his position to show Ruth respect? Is there a cultural equivalent to that kind of gesture today? What might it be?

- How do you think Ruth and Naomi would have responded if someone told them that God was incorporating them into His plan of salvation? How do you react when you hear God wants to incorporate you into that plan?

- What simple act of love will you perform this week that might have a chance to impact eternity?

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

Love Story: Isaac and Rebekah

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Genesis 24:50-67
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SERMON NOTES

I. God will align circumstances to advance His love story.

II. God’s love story is generous with blessing.

III. God’s love wraps our stories into His big story.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What is the best way for your Valentine to let you know you're loved? A card with a personal note, an act of service, candy & a gift, snuggle time, or a deep conversation?

- Is it reasonable to ask God to line up so many specifics like Laban did? Why or why not?

- In what ways do we pronounce God's blessing on those we love? Are there specific events or rites of passage where we intentionally pour out prayers of blessing?

- What difference does it make to know that you're a part of the love story God is telling to the world? What changes if we acknowledge that God is the main character of our story?

- Who needs to receive the benefit of your prayers for blessing this week? Is anything keeping you from praying with that person?

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

Skeptical: Your Christians

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Philippians 2:12-18
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Our willing obedience becomes proof of the goodness of God.
II. Our willful rebellion is a testimony against the light of God.
III. When under the microscope, Christians should reflect the light.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you could ask God to give you one sign proving that He's real, what would you ask for and why?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very important and 1 being unimportant, where does "the behavior of Christians" rank when it comes to forming people's opinions about faith? Why?
- Can we rebel against God without knowing it? How would that be possible?
- What are the "microscopes" that people of faith are under today? How can Christ followers reflect the light of Jesus in those situations?
- What is one way you can point to God instead of yourself over the course of this coming week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Skeptical: Just Some Old Book

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, January 24, 2021
John 20:30-31; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
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SERMON NOTES

I. The Bible can be abused, but that doesn't make it abusive.

II. The primary purpose of the word of God is to point us to the Son of God.

III. Inspiration means that God inspires the readers as much as God inspired the writers.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What is your favorite book and why? If your answer is the Bible, what is your second favorite book?

- If the Bible can have such a history of misuse or abusive interpretation, why do people of faith continue to consider it so valuable?

- Methodist founder John Wesley stated, “If there be one falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth,” but focused a lot more of his ministry on the Bible's usefulness. Does that distinction between inerrancy and usefulness matter? Why?

- Christ followers believe that the same Holy Spirit that inspired people to write passages of scripture also inspires the people who read those same scriptures. How does that encounter with God impact the ways we might read the Bible?

- Where is God nudging you to live into a promise of the Bible to show that it's reliable?

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

Skeptical: An Invisible Man in the Sky

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Colossians 1:15-22
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SERMON NOTES 
I. God wants to be seen in both creation and Christ.
II. One calling of the church is to make God visible.
III. When broken lives are restored, God is visible.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you could be invisible for one hour, what kind thing would you do for someone else without being seen?
- Name some aspects of creation that might point to an intelligence or order at work.
- What is the value of God becoming known through the life of Jesus? What parts of God's character may become more visible through Jesus?
- Where can we celebrate the global church making the love of God apparent in the world? Where should we grieve how the church has not effectively shared God's love?
- Have you ever met someone whose life has been radically changed by a relationship with Jesus? What change did you see?
- Where might someone see that the transformational love of Jesus is at work in your life because you've been changed by God?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Skeptical: Why Do Bad Things Happen?

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, January 10, 2021
John 9:1-11
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Evil is risk built into a creation with the freedom to make choices.
II. Pain is real. Love is still more powerful.
III. God’s answer to pain and wrong is compassion.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What's the toughest question you've been asked in an interview?
- How would you define good? What is the foundation for that definition?
- Describe a situation where you know the right thing to do, but you're tempted to do something else.
- How did the life of Jesus acknowledge the reality of human suffering? Why is that important?
- How is God's call to compassion a better option than God simply preventing all evil? How can that be disappointing?
- What act of compassion is the Holy Spirit inviting you to engage this week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Rearranged Furniture

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Exodus 40
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Remembering God’s faithfulness bolsters our faith.
II. God may introduce some things to our lives for a season and reason.
III. We remember for the purpose of living into a faithful future.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you could somehow go back in time and relive a single hour of your life, which hour would you choose and why?
- God used the start of a new year to introduce a new experience of God's presence to His people. Name some times or situations when we might be uniquely open to new experiences of God's presence in our lives.
- What are some temporary things that we hold on to like they're God, instead of clinging to the eternal God?
- How does God equip us to step faithfully into an unknown future? What are some gifts God has given disciples and the church to face the future courageously?
- Name an example of God's faithfulness in your past that encourages you to face an unknown future with hope. How does that compel you to act today?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Come Holy Spirit

by Bishop Frank Beard
Sunday, December 27, 2020
John 14:15-17
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FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What do you think will be your favorite Christmas memory from this year?

- Why do you believe Jesus instructed his disciples to be prepared for the arrival of the Holy Spirit?

- Why do you believe a specific directional ministry plan was provided in Acts 1:8?

- How is the "Fruit of the Spirit" evidence of a “spirit-filled” life? How is that list incomplete?

- Where does your life have need for some Holy Spirit renewal today?

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

Chains Shall He Break: Evermore Proclaim - Christmas Eve

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Luke 2:21-35
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