Rev. Paul J. Miller

Grace is Already in Place

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 2, 2025

Series Title: “Chosen to be Included”

Today’s Title: “Grace is Already in Place!”

Today’s Text: Ephesians 2:1-10

Key Verse: 2:6

WITHOUT CHRIST, WE’RE AS GOOD AS DEAD – 2:1-2

WE’RE ALL BAD KIDS HEADED FOR TROUBLE – 2:3

ONLY GREAT LOVE CAN CONQUER GREAT SIN – 2:4-5

Motivated by Love

Rich in Mercy

Saved by Grace

WE’LL HANG OUT WITH JESUS IN HEAVEN! – 2:6-7

“Seated” with Christ 

Do you know your “place”?

WHEN DID GOD GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? 2:8-9

NOT from you, by works, & no right to brag

If grace is earned or bought, it’s not grace! – Rom. 11:6

You have BEEN saved – So when did this happen?  

Salvation is past tense

Matthew 5:20 & 48 – The standard of the law is perfection

John 19:28-30 – Jesus “finished” what the law could not

Romans 3:21-24 – apart from the law

Galatians 2:19-21 – you WERE crucified with Christ

2 Timothy 1:9-10 – before time began

SO, WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR? – 2:10

Created for good – Genesis 1:31

Created to be like God - Ephesians 4:24

Created to be Fruitful - James 1:18

The Enlightened Heart

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 1/26/25

Series Title: “Chosen to be Included”

Today’s Title: “The Enlightened Heart”

Today’s Text: Ephesians 1:15-23

Key Verse: 1:18

IN CHRIST we are Blessed, Chosen, Destined, Adopted, & Included (v3-14)

THE ENLIGHTENED HEART

BEGINS WITH GRATITUDE FOR OTHERS (v15-16)

“thank” in Bible 133x

SEEKS THE WISDOM & REVELATION OF CHRIST (v17)

Proverbs 2:1:20-23

SEES, HEARS, & KNOWS HOPE (v18)

VALUES OTHERS (v18)

IS STRONG (v19)

THE ENLIGHTENED HEART IS STRONG!

STRONG ENOUGH TO CONQUER DEATH (v19-20)

Philippians 3:10-11

STRONG ENOUGH TO SIT WITH GOD (v20)

Ephesians 2:6

STRONGER THAN ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES (v21)

STRONGER THAN ANY NAME YOU CAN NAME (v21)

Philippians 2:9-11

STRONGER THAN ANY ERA (v21)

STRONG ENOUGH TO BE FILLED BY CHRIST WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED (v22-23)

YOU Are Included!

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 19, 2025

Series Title: “Ephesians; Chosen to be Included”

Today’s Title: “Blessed, Chosen, Destined, Adopted, & Included”

Today’s Text: Ephesians 1:1-14

I BELONG! Because, IN CHRIST….

I am blessed in the heavenly realms (v3) – Ephesians 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12

I am already chosen! (v4) – Colossians 3:12

I am holy (v4) – Matthew 5:48

I am blameless (v4) – Colossians 1:22

I am loved (v5) – Romans 8:38-39

I am predestined for adoption (v5) – Romans 8:15

I am a recipient of His grace (v6) – John 1:14

I am redeemed (v7) – Galatians 3:13-14

I am forgiven (v7) – 1 John 1:5-7

I am lavished with grace (v8) – Romans 5:20-21

I am in the know about the will of God (v8-10) – Romans 12:1-2

• God’s good pleasure
• The purpose of Christ
• The fulfillment of time
• The unity of heaven & earth under Christ

I am chosen (v11) – 1 Peter 2:9

I am predestined within God’s plan (v11) – Romans 8:28

I am the praise of his glory (v12) – Philippians 1:9-11

I am included (v13) – Romans 11:11-12

I am saved (v13) – 1 Peter 1:8-9

I am marked & sealed by the Holy Spirit (v13) – Ephesians 4:30

I am guaranteed an inheritance (v14) – Colossians 1:9-12

I am God’s possession (v14) – 1 Peter 2:9

I am part of His glory (v14) - Philippians 1:9-11

When the Gospel First came to Ephesus....

The Apostle Paul arrived in Ephesus at a very key time for this vast city. The result was a church that possessed the spiritual depth and humility to receive the very deep teachings found in Paul's epistle to the Ephesians. Every church can learn from the elements in place that made this church strong. (Main text: Acts 19)

It's About Time

Time is a beautiful burden. We spend our lives grappling with the extremes of war & peace, love & hate, mourning & dancing, and so on. The key to discovering a balanced life is a healthy fear of God and a humble attitude about who we are, and who we are not. Life is a fragile gift from God. Live this moment well.

Nativity in Revelation

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline December 22, 2024

“The Incarnation: Viewed from Heaven”– Rev. 12

CONTEXT OF THE REVELATION - Revelation 4:1-2

John’s vision of heaven & earth from the throne of heaven.

HEAVEN IS TIMELESS

IMMEDIATE CONTEXT - Revelation 11:15 & 19

THE MESSIAH’S REIGN, THE NEW TEMPLE, THE NEW COVENANT - When and how did all that happen?

A GREAT SIGN IN HEAVEN (Rev. 12:1-9)

A “Woman”

A Male Child

A Dragon (Satan)

A War

NOW HAVE COME…. (Rev. 12:10)

                Salvation – Acts 4:12

                Power – Ephesians 1:18-23

                Authority – Colossians 2:9-10

                OF HIS MESSIAH

THE “ACCUSER” HAS BEEN HURLED DOWN!!   (Rev. 12:10-12)

                NO LONGER CONDEMNED ! - Romans 8:1

                CHARGES DISMISSED! - Romans 8:33-34

                CONFIDENT BEFORE GOD! - Ephesians 3:10-12

NOW HAS COME! – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Our Relational, Incarnate, God

The eternal God is Father, Son, and Spirit. They have forever been in loving relationship with each other and have welcomed us into that union through Jesus Christ. Through love, He became one of us so we can be forever connected to the triune God. This is deep stuff. This is good stuff. This is the best stuff ever!

The Incarnation Viewed from the Earth

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 12/8/24

“The Incarnation: The View from the Earth”  – Luke 1:46-55

Mary, Zechariah, the shepherds, & Simeon

WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

                THEY STRUGGLE

                THEY WAIT

                THEY HOPE

WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR?

MARY - Waiting to know that God sees her struggle.                           - Luke 1:46-55

 

ZECHARIAH - Waiting for salvation to come for his people             - Luke 1:67-79

 

SHEPHERDS - Waiting to be favored - Luke 2:14

 

SIMEON - Waiting for salvation for all  - Luke 2:29-32

 

THE WAIT IS OVER!

God sees our struggles

God has brought salvation for all who “struggle with God”

God favors the oppressed

God has provided salvation for all people

Christ Himself is our Peace – Ephesians 2:14-18

Got Patience?

James 5:7-12

Time & Money

We spend time. We try to save both time and money. Some say that time is money. The tie-ins and crossovers between these two most valuable of all commodities are endless. In the end of James chapter 4 into the first part of chapter 5, we are given advice, cautions, and warnings about how best to manage time and money. We can't stop time, and if we don't don't control money it can take over our heart.