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

The God We Can Know: I AM the True Vine

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 29, 2020
John 15:1-8 
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SERMON NOTES
I. What does Jesus desire to prune from my life right now?
II. What is the fruit Jesus hopes to grow in my life right now?
III. What step can I take to abide more closely with God right now?

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Besides Jesus, what's been a handy comfort for you while sheltering-in-place?
- What is the purpose of pruning when gardening? How does this relate to the way that Jesus calls us to live?
- What kinds of things have been cut away from you that were painful at the time but brought about a beneficial change?
- Have you ever felt “called” to a certain place or activity?
- What kind of fruit are you bearing in this unique circumstance?
- How might God use this time of seclusion to help you grow closer to Himself?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

The God We Can Know: I AM the Good Shepherd

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 22, 2020
John 10:1-15 
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SERMON NOTES
I. We benefit from learning the voice of our caring Shepherd.
II. Jesus intends for us to experience true and abundant life.
III. Jesus is a faithful Shepherd when others inevitably fall short.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What voice could you listen to for a long time and not grow tired of it?
- How long do you think it would take for a shepherd to train the flock to know his voice? How does the shepherd know which sheep are part of his or her flock?
- If Jesus is the good shepherd and we are the sheep, what does this relationship tell us about our relationship to Jesus and God?
- What does it mean that the good shepherd would “lay down his life” for the sheep? What do you think Jesus is talking about here?
- Read Psalm 23. It’s a familiar passage of scripture in which David calls God his shepherd. What do you hear in both texts that further illustrate what Jesus meant when he called himself “the good shepherd”?
- What is Jesus protecting us from, as the gate and as the good shepherd? What are the thieves and robbers in our lives today?
- How have you experienced God’s care and protection in your life?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

The God We Can Know: I AM the Light of the World

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 15, 2020
John 7:2-14; 8:12 
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SERMON NOTES
I. Christian faith is a lifelong journey.
II. Jesus embodies courage through difficult paths.
III. Jesus gives light to lead our faithful steps.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- Tell about a time when you had to navigate in the dark.
- How does thinking of faith as a journey rather than a destination help us in the spiritual life?
- What are the spiritual dangers in thinking we have “arrived”? What helps us to avoid them?
-How has God’s presence brought light to you in a way that helped you see a situation or problem differently?
- Why are humans tempted to make “stopping places” into “staying places?”
- How does God’s guidance come to you? Has that changed over time?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

The God We Can Know: I AM the Bread of Life

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 8, 2020
John 6:27-59 
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SERMON NOTES

I. Temporary things will never satisfy us like an eternal God can.

II. The temporary gifts of this life are meant to point us to the foundational gift of Jesus.

III. To find satisfaction, the Bread of Life is meant to be sought and enjoyed every day.

 

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

- What is your favorite kind of bread?

- When you think of the Hebrews’ complaining about the manna God provided in the wilderness, what reaction do you have? How do we compare to them when we complain?

- What gives you satisfaction in life? How do you connect this source of satisfaction with God’s activity in your life? with God’s work in the world?

- How can always seeking what's newer and better carry over into the spiritual life? Where do you see this attitude in yourself?

- How would you answer Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) How would your answer to that question today differ from your answer ten years ago? Last month?

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

The God We Can Know: Knowing the Great IAM

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Exodus 3:1-14 
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SERMON NOTES
I. God rarely uses burning bushes to make an introduction.
II. God will use familiar connections to help us understand who God is.
III. We are empowered by intimacy with our God.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you had to pick a different name, what would you be called?
- What would you do if a burning bush (or any inanimate object) began speaking to you as God?
- Do you think God wants to talk to us and tries to? What makes you say this?
- How does this story about God and Moses connect with Jesus?
- What do you think of God’s response of “I AM who I AM”? What is God saying?
- Do you think we learn more about God from this cryptic answer than we would have learned if the answer had just been “God”? Why? What is the difference between these two types of answers?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

We Played Songs - Ash Wednesday

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Matthew 11:16-24 
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Spiritual Love Languages: Time

by Rev. Allynn Walker - Mississippi River District Superintendent
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Luke 5:12-16 
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SERMON NOTES
1. A God-shaped vacuum dwells inside each of us.
2. “But He would withdraw to deserted places and pray.” (Lk 5:16)
3. Excuses Why Christians Don’t Pray:
4. God created us to be in relationship with Him. He loves us. Prayer is about getting closer to God.
5. A - adoration
C - confession
T - thanksgiving
S – supplication
6. “Put out into deep water.” (Lk 5:4)

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What is your earliest memory concerning prayer? When did you first learn about having a personal prayer life?
- Which of the top 10 excuses hit closest to home for you?
- How can we recalibrate our thinking to stop expecting God to join our team and instead focus on joining His team when we pray?
- Read Psalm 139:1-18. What did you learn about God’s love for you?
- Have you ever used the acronym ACTS to guide your prayers? If yes, how has it been helpful? Have you ever used any other aid or practice in your prayer life?
- What might “going deep” look like in your life?

Spiritual Love Languages: Touch

by Amy Armstrong
Sunday, February 16, 2020
James 5:13-20 
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SERMON NOTES:
I. We are called to live in Christian Community.
II. We are called to pray in times of trouble, sing praises, pray over the sick, and confess sins in community.
III. Together we more completely reflect God.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION:
- What is a favorite Valentine's gift you've gotten?
- How is living in Christian community being doers of the word and not just hearers?
- What are some challenges you face in living in Christian community?
- What are some steps we can take to remain in healthy Christian relationships?
- How have you experienced growth in your relationship with Christ through Christian Community?-
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Spiritual Love Languages: Gifts / Service

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Acts 20:28-35 
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SERMON NOTES:
I. Some of us access the heart of God most powerfully through giving and serving.
II. Generosity has more to do with our heart’s inclination than our balance sheet.
III. Christ calls us all to each love language, but uniquely to the language of service.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- If you could take a week-long mission trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go to serve?
- At what point does an act of generosity become sacrificial giving?
- Read Philippians 2:1-11. What is the role of humility in this understanding of who Jesus is and what He did?
- Who taught you service and generosity? Who are you teaching?
- What does it look like to grow in these love languages from whatever your current starting point might be?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?

Spiritual Love Languages: Words

by Rev. Grant Armstrong
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Psalm 119:105-112 
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SERMON NOTES:
I. Some of us access the heart of God most powerfully through worship and scripture.
II. Our relationship matures and deepens when we pour ourselves into that practice of love.
III. Allow yourself to delight in God’s expression of love, even when it’s not your primary language.

FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION
- What's the nicest compliment you've received?
- What do you think of when you read the terms "spiritual disciplines" or "attending to the ordinances of God?"
- How does the act of worship involve giving and receiving God's love? What about reading scripture?
- Read Revelation chapter 4. How do you respond to that description of worship in heaven?
- Why is the description of scripture in Hebrews 4:12-13 important to our growth as followers of Jesus?
- How can you connect more fully with God's love language of worship and scripture this week?
- What is God saying to you through today's scripture?