Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 20, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: “who gave you authority to do this?”

Today’s Text: Mark 11:27-12:12

Gospel Parallels: Matthew 21:23-27 & 33-46, Luke 20:1-19

“who gave you authority to do this?”

Mark 11-16 - Jesus, the Christ - The New Temple

The Power Struggle for the Temple

“while Jesus was walking in the temple courts” (11:27)

11:27 –  chief priests, teachers of the law & elders” – authority

12:13 – Pharisees and Herodians” – taxes

12:18 – Sadducees – the afterlife

12:28 – One of the teachers of the law – the greatest command

Mark 11:28

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.

“And who gave you authority to do this?”

WHO’S TEMPLE IS THIS?

Mark 11:29-33 - John’s Baptism?

IS REPENTANCE A GOD THING?

Mark 12:1-12 - Parable of the Tenants

VINEYARD = ISRAEL

WATCHTOWER = TEMPLE?

WINEPRESS = THE ALTAR?

(Isaiah 5:1-7)

DOES GOD BELONG TO US, OR DO WE BELONG TO GOD?

DOES GOD BELONG TO ME, OR DO I BELONG TO GOD?

AM I AN AUTHORITY ON GOD, OR IS GOD IN AUTHORITY OVER ME?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When the Master returns, what has your life produced that will honor Him?

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 13, 2020

Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”

Today’s Title: “Have Faith in God”

Today’s Text: Mark 11:12-25

Gospel Parallels: Matthew 21:12-26, Luke 19:45-47, John 2:13-16

PAY ATTENTION TO JESUS & THE TEMPLE

HEROD’S TEMPLE & TEMPLES IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

THE FIG TREE – Mark 11:12-14

                - A FRUITLESS TREE WAS A SIGN OF A FRUITLESS TEMPLE

JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE – Mark 11:15-17

   - THE COURT OF THE GENTILES & INCLUSION

- Genesis 12:2-3                - Isaiah 49:6

- Rahab & Ruth – (Matthew 1:5)

- Simeon’s words – Luke 2:29-32

- Jesus’ actions & attitude toward outsiders – including Gentiles

  - WHAT WAS JESUS MOST ANGRY ABOUT? - EXCLUSION

Isaiah 56:7

 “house of prayer”

                                - “for all nations”

PLOT TO KILL JESUS – Mark 11:18

                - Not the first time - Mark 3:6

BACK TO THE FIG TREE – Mark 11:19-21

                - Peter notices that the tree has withered “from the roots”

HAVE FAITH IN GOD – Mark 11:22-25

                - WHERE CAN YOU PRAY?

                - WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER?

                                - FAITH IN GOD

                                 - FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – August 23, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!

Today’s Text: Mark 11:1-11 – Blessed is the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 21:1-9, Luke 19:29-38, John 12:12-15

Life’s best Celebrations are centered upon Expectation

Celebrating the Presence of God – God is For Us - 1 Chronicles 15:25-29

                - Location – Jerusalem – 1 Chronicles 15:29

- Preparation – sacrifice, music, coordination - 1 Chronicles 15:1-24

- Congregation – “units of thousands” - 1 Chronicles 15:25

                - Adoration – musicians, singing, shouting, dancing - 1 Chronicles 15:27-29

                - Opposition – Michal - 1 Chronicles 15:29  

                - Expectation - God is for us – so we can live in freedom and defeat our enemies

                - Duration - 400 years (approx.) – 1 Chronicles 15 to Ezekiel 10

(1030 years later….)

Celebrating the Promise of God – God is With Us - Mark 11:1-11

                - Location – Jerusalem – Mark 11:1

- Preparation – where to find the donkey - Mark 11:1-7

- Congregation – crowds - Matthew 21:9

                - Adoration – “Hosanna!” Mark 11:9-10

                - Opposition – Pharisees - Luke 19:39-40

                - Expectation - God is with us – so we can again be set free and restore our past glory

                - Duration – 6 days – Mark 11 thru Mark 16

(50 days later…..)

Celebrating the Purpose of God – God is In Us - Acts 2:1-13

                - Location – Jerusalem – Acts 2:5

- Preparation – “wait for the gift my Father promised” - Acts 2:4-5

- Crowds – “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” – Acts 2:6-11

                - Adoration – “declaring the wonders of God” – Acts 2:11

                - Opposition – some thought they were drunk - Acts 2:13

                - Expectation – God is in us, so we can see God in others and grow into our true selves

                - Duration – 2000 years in this world, for eternity in heaven

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – August 16, 2020

Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”

Today’s Title: “Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me”

Today’s Text: Mark 10:46-52

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43

CONTEXT: Mark 10:46-52

- What just happened? (Mark 9 & 10)

- What was about to happen? (Mark 11-16)

46 Then they came to Jericho.

                - Joshua 5:13-6:27, Luke 10:25-37, 2 Chronicles 28:15

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As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.

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47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,

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he began to shout,

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“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

- Mark 8:29-30, 2 Samuel 5:6-10

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49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

                - Mark 11:8

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51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

                - Mark 10:36

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The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

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WHAT DID I LEARN? WHAT CAN I APPLY TO MY LIFE?

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Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – August 9, 2020

Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”

Today’s Title: “He Took the 12 Aside & Told Them What was Going to Happen”

Today’s Text: Mark 10:32-45

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 20:17-28, Luke 18:31-33

Jesus Predicts His Own Death

                - First Time - Mark 8:31

                - Second Time - Mark 9:31

                - Third Time – Mark 10:33-35

                                - Jesus leads; astonishment & fear; Gentiles

The Request of James and John – Mark 10:35-45

                - power grab based on Matthew 18:19-20?

                - James & John would both suffer

                - the true nature of the kingdom of God

                - don’t act like Gentiles

JESUS DECONSTRUCTS THE KINDGOMS OF THIS WORLD

                - DEMONIC POWER (Mark 9:14-29)

                - MOSIAC POWER (Mark 10:1-12)

                - ECONOMIC POWER (Mark 10:17-31)

                - POLITIC POWER (Mark 10:33 & 42)

HOW THE KINGDOM OF GOD, IN CHRIST, IS CONSTRUCTED

                - LOSE LIFE TO SAVE IT (Mark 8:35)

                - WELCOMING A CHILD WELCOMES CHRIST (Mark 9:37)

- ENTER THE KINGDOM LIKE A CHILD (Mark 10:15)

- THE LAST WILL BE FIRST, & THE FIRST LAST (Mark 10:31)

- TO BE GREAT, SERVE (Mark 10:44-45)

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – August2, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: With God, All Things are Possible!

Today’s Text: Mark 10:17-31 –

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

Mark 9 & 10 from the disciples point of view:

The Transfiguration – WOW!

Death Prediction (2^nd time) – WHAT?

Who is the Greatest? – POSITION

Child-like Faith – IS HE SERIOUS?

Divorce Loopholes – THAT’S HARD

Let Children Come – HE IS SERIOUS

THE RICH YOUNG MAN – Mark 10:17-31

Mark 9 & 10 from Christ’s Point of View

The Transfiguration – CHRIST OVER LAW & PROPHETS

Death Prediction (2^nd time) – I WILL DIE, I MUST DIE

Who is the Greatest? – THE LEAST, THE LOST, THE LAST

Child-like Faith – SIMPLE BELIEF

Divorce & Law Loopholes – NO ONE WINS

Let Children Come – SEE GOD THROUGH THEIR EYES

Rich Young Man – WHAT DO YOU TREASURE MOST?

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 26, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: “And He Took the Children in His Arms”

Today’s Text: Mark 10:1-16

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 19:1-15, Luke 18:15-17

Jesus turns a trap question into a challenge against using rules as a means of oppression.

RULES ARE NECESSARY, BUT THEY CANNOT SAVE YOU

            - Matthew 5:21-48

“RULE GUARDIANS” ARE HIDING SOMETHING

            - Matthew 23:27-28

ARE YOU MORE INTERESTED IN THE RULES OR IN THE GOD BEHIND THE RULES?

            - Romans 3:19-24

THE ONLY LAW WE NEED TO OBEY

            - Matthew 22:34-40

“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:16

- unconditional acceptance

- unconditional value

- unconditional love

Power hungry faith is not really faith at all. Jesus expressed in this passage what truly great faith is. It has nothing to do with personal advancement, power, or position. In fact, it's quite the opposite....

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 12, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Today’s Text: Mark 9:14-29

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 17:14-19. Luke 9:37-45

A desperate father struggles to believe.

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”– Mark 9:23

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24

“This kind can come out only by prayer.”– Mark 9:29

WHEN YOU PRAY…….BELIEVE

Posture of Prayer – HUMBLING – Ecclesiastes 5:2

Private Prayer - REWARDING– Matthew 6:5-8

Public Prayer - POWERFUL & EFFECTIVE– James 5:13-16

Pattern for Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13

                        GOD’S HOLINESS

                        GOD’S PURPOSE

                        GOD’S PROVISION

                        GOD’S FORGIVENESS

                        GOD’S HELP

Priority in Prayer – RELATIONAL FORGIVENESS– Matthew 6:14-15

Promised from Prayer - PEACE– Philippians 4:6-7

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 21, 2020

Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus

Today’s Title: This is My Son, Whom I Love, Listen to Him

Today’s Main Text: Mark 9:2-13

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36

ON THE MOUNTAIN WITH GOD

            - MOSES

                        - the burning bush - Exodus 3 & 4

                        - the plagues & the Red Sea - Exodus 7-14

                        - given the Law, Moses “shines” – Exodus 34:1-7, 29-35

                        - Moses dies, God buries him - Deuteronomy 34:5-7  

            - ELIJAH

                        - 3 ½ year drought due to Ahab & Jezebel – 1 Kings 17

                        - The “contest” at Mt. Carmel, the rain returns – 1 Kings 18

                        - threatened by Jezebel, to a mountain, God comes in a gentle whisper – 1 Kings 19:1-18

                        - taken to heaven in chariot of fire, among a company of prophets - 2 Kings 2:7-12

MOSES & ELIJAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

- Moses 85 times, Elijah 29 times  

- John the Baptist & Elijah – Mark 8:28

- “The Law & the Prophets” - Matthew 7:12, 22:40, Luke 16:16, Acts 13:15, Romans 3:21

- Michael “disputes” the body of Moses with the devil – Jude 1:8-9

- The “Two Witnesses” – Revelation 11:1-6

TRANSFIGURATION/TRANSFORMATION

- 1 Corinthians 3:7-18

- Romans 12:1-2

IMPACT UPON PETER & JAMES, & JOHN

            - Was Jesus really going to suffer & die? – Mark 8:31

            - 2 Peter 1:16-18

            - “This is my Son, whom I love, listen to him.”

                        - an affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God

                        - God is relational, motivated by love

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO LEARN FROM THIS VERY “BIG PICTURE” STORY?

- “listen” – don’t just watch and be amazed by the miracles what He says matters even more

- “listen” – the teaching of Jesus surpasses “The Law and the Prophets” - Romans 3:21-24

- “listen” - about how loving God and loving people fulfills what the Law intended – Matthew 22:40

- “listen” – to what He taught us about the kingdom of God in the parables

- “listen” – to how He challenged conventional thinking and teaching about what God expects of us

- “listen” - to how He spoke to Samaritans, Gentiles, and “sinners” (the outsiders)

- “listen” - listen to how He challenges corrupt religious authority

- “listen” – to the sermon on the mount – Matthew 5-7