Rev. Paul J. Miller

Relationality - Mother & Daughter

The Spirit of Wisdom is in you. Listen to her.

Relationality - Friendship

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes

“Relationality”

Learning about God through human relationships

April 27, 2025

 

Friendship

 

Proverbs 17:17, 27:6, 27:9

 

David & Jonathan –

 

1 Samuel 18:1-4

               

1 Samuel 20:30-34

                                                               

1 Samuel 23:15-18

 

 

Your friend, Jesus

 

            John 15:9-17

 

Resurrection Authority

Easter Sunday Sermon - (posted late due to family emergency)

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline 4/20/25

“The Authority of the Cross”

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in the history of humanity. The annual celebration we call “Easter” was intended to emphasize the truth and importance of this historical fact. But well intended traditions have distracted us from the authority of Christ revealed to us in His teaching, in His miracles, in His death, and in His resurrection. 

John 10:17-18 – No one takes Christ’s life,

He lays it down

Matthew 21:23-27 – Jesus’s authority questioned

Matt. 28:18 – ALL authority has been given to Jesus  

Authority over Nature

• Earthquakes – Matthew 27:51 & 28:2
• Creation “groans” - Romans 8:18-25

Authority over Empire

• The Cohort in Gethsemane - John 18:2-8
• Interrogation by Pilate – John 19:7-12
• The Centurion at the cross – Matthew 27:54 (also Mark 15:39 & Luke 23:47)

Authority over the Law

• The Transfiguration - Mark 9:2-13
• The curtain in the Temple rips – Matthew 27:51

(also Mark 15:38, Luke 23:44)

Authority to Forgive

• The Paralytic – Matthew 9:6
• For those mocking and abusing Him – Luke 23:34
• For the criminal next to Him – Luke 23:39-43

Authority over Death

• Dead raised to Life – Matthew 27:52-53
• Preaching to “imprisoned spirits” – 1 Peter 3:19-22 

 

 

Weapons for a Different Kind of War

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – 4/13/25

Ephesians 6:10-24 - “Weapons for a Different Kind of Battle”

If you want to stand strong, put on God’s armor

THE BELT OF TRUTH – Surround yourself with the Truth

– John 1:14 & 17, Psalm 139:7-10

 

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - Doing what is right protects you from injury - Romans 3:21-22

 

FEET FITTED WITH THE READINESS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE – Be prepared to bring good news to those who need it                  - Isaiah 52:7 & 1 Peter 3:15-16

•  

THE SHIELD OF FAITH – Faith shields us from evil and leads us to victory - 1 John 5:3-6

 

THE HELMIT OF SALVATION – Salvation of the mind, right thinking - Romans 12:1-2 & Philippians 4:4-9

 

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT – The Spirit reveals the word of God through Christ. Jesus did not only teach the word, fulfill the word, live out the word, He is the Word! - Hebrews 4:12-13

 

PRAYER – The ONE weapon that absolutely everyone has access to 24/7

 

Pray on all occasions

 

Pray with all kinds of prayers

 

Pray for the Lord’s people (the church)

 

Pray for your spiritual leaders to fearlessly reveal the mystery of the Gospel

 

Ephesians 3:16-21

Our Model for Submission and Authority is Jesus

What kind of husband or wife are you? What kind of mother or father? Do you have supervisory responsibility at work? What kind of boss or manager are you? How do you handle authority in the church? In all areas where authority and submission matter, our greatest example is Jesus. He is the ultimate authority, and yet He laid it aside and submitted to the worst that humanity could afflict upon Him. What does that say to us?

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