Rev. Paul J. Miller

One Mountain at a Time

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 3/30/25

Ephesians 5:3-20 – “One Mountain at a Time”

WHAT DO WE NEED FOR THIS JOURNEY?

 

FELLOWSHIP - Don’t go it alone

- 1 John 1:5-7

 

 

THE RIGHT GUIDE

- John 16:13

 

 

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

- Ephesians 4:11-13 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

 

THE RIGHT STRIDE - Walk in the steps of Love

- 2 John 1:6

 

 

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE - Expect difficulty

- James 1:2-4

 

 

TIMES OF REFRESHING

- Acts 3:19

 

 

WHERE DOES THE LIGHT LEAD US TO?

 

WE HAVE A MAP!

Ephesians 5:8-20           Romans 8:1-17 Romans 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 13             Galatians 5:19-26          Philippians 4:4-9
Colossians 3:5-17          1 Thess. 4:3-8                   1 Timothy 4:1-16

Titus 3:3-11                       James 4:1-12                    1 Peter 1:13-2:3

1 Peter 4:1-11                   2 Peter 1:3-10                   1 John 1:5-2:2

1 John 2:15-17                  1 John 4:7-21

Speaking the Truth with Love Brings Growth

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 3/23/25

Series Title: “Chosen to be Included!”

Today’s Title: “Speaking Truth with Love Brings Growth”

Today’s Text: Ephesians 4:17-5:2

 

“…speaking the truth in love, we will grow…” - Ephesians 4:15

Ephesians 4:17-19

we won’t grow if we’re not thinking right

 

Ephesians 4:20-24

only the truth in Jesus enables us to put off the old self

the truth in Jesus helps you discover your true self

– Psalm 139:13-14

 

Ephesians 4:25-28

truth spoken without love builds up anger

 

Ephesians 4:29-31

destructive words grieve the Holy Spirit

 

Ephesians 4:32

kindness, compassion, and forgiveness grow community

The Light of Love is Deep within Everyone

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 9, 2025

Series Title: “Chosen to be Included”

Today’s Title: “The Light of Love is Deep within Everyone” - Ephesians 3:14-21

 

INTRO: Proverbs 20:27

“YOUR INNER BEING”

The Father provision, the Spirit’s power, and Son’s presence

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

• Out of the riches of the Father (v14)
• Empowered by his Spirit IN YOUR INNER BEING
• So the Son may dwell in your heart
• “inner being”
  • Genesis 1:27 – Every human “being” is created in the image of God
  • Psalm 63:1 – The deepest desire of our “being” is to know our creator
  • Psalm 103:1 – True worship comes from my inmost “being”
  • Psalm 130:5 – Truth is worth waiting for
  • Psalm 139:13-14 – I am God’s wonderful work of art (see also Ephesians 2:10)
  • Proverbs 20:27 – WOW! – Light lives within me!
  • Acts 17:26-28 – Even Greek philosophers know this!
  • Romans 7:21-23 – The desire for God is in us all (but so are other desires)

 

“ESTABLISHED IN LOVE”

God does not possess love, He is love.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

• Romans 8:38-39
• 1 John 4:8
• 1 John 4:16

“LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE”

You can’t think your way to God, but He wants you to know He has already loved His way to you.

¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

• “love surpasses knowledge”!!!
• 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 13:2
• 1 Corinthians 13:8

“IMMEASURABLY MORE”!

If we place limitations on love, we are placing limits on God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Go Ahead, Approach God; You Belong!

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 3/2/25

“Go Ahead, Approach God-You Belong!” - Eph. 3:1-13

PAUL, THE PRISONER -  Ephesians 3:1

Acts 21-23 - Paul’s legal battle from Jerusalem to Rome

Acts 22:21-22

THE MYSTERY UNDERSTOOD? - Ephesians 3:4

THIS MYSTERY IS... - Ephesians 3:6

In the gospel ….

• All people can be members
• All people are one body
• All people share equally in Christ

PAUL’S CALLING - Ephesians 3:9

GOD’S INTENT – Ephesians 3:10

• rulers & authorities – Ephesians 6:12
• heavenly realms – 1 Peter 1:10-12

FREEDOM & CONFIDENCE! – Ephesians 3:12

“freedom”!                                      “confidence”!

Luke 4:18-19                                     Hebrews 3:6

Romans 8:20-21                             Hebrews 4:16

2 Corinthians 3:17                         Hebrews 10:19

Galatians 5:1                                    Hebrews 10:35

Galatians 5:13                                 Hebrews 11:1

James 1:25                                        Hebrews 13:6

1 John 3:21

1 John 4:17

1 John 5:14

Peace is a Person

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 2/23/25

Series Title: “Ephesians: Chosen to be Included”

Today’s Title: “Peace is a Person”

Today’s Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

Key: Verse: 2:14

 

“Therefore…” – saved by grace, we are His workmanship (2:8-10)

LEFT OUTSIDE (v11-12)                                                                                                      

– The condition of the Gentile world before Christ

 

WELCOMED IN! (v13) – ALL are included – Romans 5:18

 

CHRIST “IS” OUR PEACE (v14-15)

                PEACE IN CHRIST FOR ALL – John 14:27

                PEACE IN CHRIST IN ME – Romans 6:14

 

DEATH OF “INS & OUTS” THINKING (v15-16)

                PEACE IN CHRIST BETWEEN ALL PEOPLE GROUPS

– Galatians 3:26-28 – THE RULES ARE WHAT DIVIDE US

 

IN CHRIST, WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO TRINITY (v17-18)

 

IN CHRIST, I FOUND MY HOME (v19-20)

 

IN CHRIST, WE ARE HIS DWELLING (v21-22)

                HOW DID CHRIST DO THIS?

                      BY HIS BLOOD (v13) & IN HIS FLESH (v15) – 1 Cor. 15:50

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.