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

With A Little Help from My Friends: Friends Protect

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, October 11, 2020
1 Samuel 20:28-42
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SERMON NOTES
I. Friendship may mean putting God’s plans over selfish ambition.
II. Protecting our friends means we may face attacks intended for them.
III. If we vow to resist evil, injustice and oppression, our actions must reflect that.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Describe a time when someone stood up for you. How did that make you feel?
- Four chapters earlier, God chose David to be the successor to Saul's throne instead of someone from Saul's bloodline. By the time we reach this morning's story, what is Saul feeling and thinking at this point of his reign?
- Jonathan could have betrayed his friend and ascended to be king. What are some reasons why Jonathan protected David, instead?
- Where do you see instances where the people protecting others face harsh treatment intended for someone else? Why do protectors endure that?
- What is an evil, injustice, or oppression that God has put on your heart to resist? What is one concrete step you can take to be a protector this week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

With A Little Help from My Friends: Friends Sacrifice

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, October 4, 2020
John 15:9-17
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Abiding in Jesus’ love is the source of the love and joy we share.
II. God’s kind of friendship is shown through self-giving love.
III. Living for Christ is a sacrifice, but one willingly offered in love.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What's the kindest thing you've ever experienced from a stranger?
- Since they weren't anticipating Jesus' arrest and execution, what may have been going through the disciples' minds when Jesus was telling them about this kind of friendship?
- What does it mean to abide in Jesus? Short of becoming a monk, how do we live that out today?
- In what ways has our community shown a spirit of sacrifice through COVID-19 so far? In what ways have we resisted a call to self-giving?
- Think of an area in your life where God may be nudging you to sacrifice something as an act of love. Why is it hard? Why may it be worth it?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Homecoming: Extravagant Dad

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Luke 15:11-32
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SERMON NOTES 
I. This is a story about the Father.
II. Our worship life reveals our role in the Homecoming story.
III. We align with God’s story when we share the Father’s joy.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you could be a background character or extra in any TV show, what would it be, and why?
- Why is it helpful to remember that we're not the main character in God's story?
- What about our life in Christian community can magnify our shortcomings? How can that become a beneficial experience?
- Are you more inclined towards the cultural pull of extravagant living or the cultural pull of burying in busyness? What can you do to fight that pull?
- What is one thing you can do to connect with God's heart this week to share in the Lord's joy? 
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Homecoming: Older Brother

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Luke 15:11-32
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SERMON NOTES

I. It’s the distance of the heart, not just the body, that makes someone lost.

II. Older brothers keep away from the celebration and pretend they’re being excluded.

III. Jesus makes it clear that the Father’s love is not earned, but given freely.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- Where are you in your family's birth order: oldest, middle, youngest or only child?

- What would make someone want to stay busy in service instead of joining the celebrations? How can those be used as excuses?

- Describe a time when you felt hurt when someone received a kindness you felt you deserved. Was your hurt justified?

- Both brothers wanted their father's gifts and favor, but neglected the relationship. How can the church behave like the older brother?

- Where do you need to accept and celebrate God's generosity for others today? What's holding you back?

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

Homecoming: Runaway Son

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Luke 15:11-32
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SERMON NOTES

I. Jesus is committed to finding what’s been lost.

II. Some become lost by desiring gifts without the Giver.

III. It’s the welcome more than the walk that restores what was lost.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What's the last thing you looked everywhere to find?

- In Luke 15, Jesus tells stories of lost items of increasingly greater value. Does the order matter for the listener? Why?

- In what ways might we desire the gifts of God without a connection to the Giver?

- The younger son's restoration moved forward with his decision that he was worth more than what he had become. Why is that such an important step?

- The robe and accessories were marks of being a part of a family. Do we have anything that marks us as part of a family today? Explain.

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

What's Wrong With Me?

by Rev. Bultemeier
Sunday, September 6, 2020
Romans 7:15-25
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SERMON NOTES

I. Death always follows close behind sin.

II. It's not our DO, it's our WHO.

III. We have a new self. Not just trying harder, but to live out what is already true of you.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- In your life right now, do you identify more with a caterpillar, chrysalis, or butterfly? Why?

- Romans 5:18-19 describes how the sin of one man infected us all. What does it describe as God's solution?

- How does the life of Jesus disprove the notion that if we just do good things, then good things will happen to us?

- Why is "Who will rescue me?" a good question to ask when we're struggling?

- Where are you most tempted to believe the lie that God wants you to perform for Him?

- What is one aspect in your life where Jesus is putting an arm around you and saying, "Let's work on that together?"

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

Dinner Time: Clean Plate

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Luke 11:37-44
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Jesus will break human traditions for the sake of the lesson.
II. Just because we look polished doesn’t mean we’re clean.
III. Obedience is complete when it’s also in our hearts.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Are you a paper plate, everyday dish, or fine china sort of person? Describe why.
- What was the importance of the tradition Jesus broke? What was the importance of breaking it?
- In Matthew 23:27, Jesus also refers to the religious hypocrites as “whitewashed tombs.” Where do you see  Jesus still directing the church away from a focus on outward appearances?
- Jesus spoke about the sorrows that await the Pharisees. Why were the professionally religious and religious hypocrites facing sorrow?
- If Jesus were describing your “cup and dish,” how might He describe it?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Dinner Time: Feeding 5000

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Luke 9:10-17
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SERMON NOTES 
I. Hungry and hurt people will find where folks get fed and healed.
II. Following Jesus means He’ll put more than food on your plate.
III. Jesus is in the business of multiplication.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What’s the biggest crowd you’ve been a part of? What was the event / occasion?
- In several of the Gospels, we learn Jesus’ friend and cousin John was executed right before this event. What do you think Jesus was feeling when He didn’t get the quiet time away? How might that be a part of His response to His disciples?
- Could Jesus have simply created enough food out of nothing? What was the significance of first finding out what food was available? 
- Jesus placed people in groups larger than their families, but small enough to form communities. Where else do you get to experience that kind of expanding connection around a table?
- Where do you see God trusting you with more responsibility right now?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Dinner Time: The Great Banquet

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Luke 14:15-24
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SERMON NOTES
I. The invitation is about God’s generosity, not our deserving.
II. Our excuses don’t excuse as well as we hope they do.
III. We get to choose our part in this banquet parable.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Complete this sentence: At an all you-can-eat buffet, you'll find me rushing for the: 1) entrees, 2) salad bar, 3) desserts, 4) exit.
- This parable is Jesus' effort to correct some bad behavior He's witnessing at a dinner part where He is an honored guest. What types of unhelpful posturing can you identify in Luke 14:1-14?
- The master in this parable gives no specific occasion for the feast he's hosting. Would it matter to the guests if it were for a specific reason? Should it matter?
- What are some ways we try to excuse ourselves from accepting the Lord's invitation today? Are these acceptable excuses?
- What's one way you can be more like the servant of the parable this week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Dinner Time: Three Visitors

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Genesis 18:1-15
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SERMON NOTES 
I. You never know when God is going to stop by (but God may just stop by)
II. Which comes first: The presence of God, or the willingness to show radical hospitality?
III. Blessing God can open new doors for God to bless our lives.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Tell about a time when you’ve been surprised by a guest or guests and you’ve had to scramble up some hospitality.
- Abraham gave greater hospitality than what he described to his guests. Why would he overdeliver on his offer?
- How do you think Abraham knew that the visiting strangers were his Lord?
- Do you believe it is always easy to recognize when the stranger among us is God paying us a visit? How can you tell?
- Where are you likely to encounter Christ in the face of a stranger or guest this week? How can you show remarkable hospitality?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?