Rev. Paul J. Miller

The Roots of Struggle

Doubt, fear, and hate effect us all. Maybe in more ways than are evident at the surface. Look deeper, look back, and trust God reveal to you what's at the roots of your struggles. 

Your Imperfect & Vital First Step

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 4, 2022

“Your Imperfect and Vital First Steps”

First Steps

AN “OUTSIDER” CAPTIVATED BY THE SCRIPTURES

Acts 8:26-40 – Ethiopian eunuch (see v34-38)

 

AN OUTSIDER CALLED BY GOD

Acts 10 – Cornelius (see verses 44-46)                                                                     

AN “SINNER” WITH RECKLESS ABANDON

Luke 7:36-50 – A woman anoints Jesus’ feet (see verses 47-48)       

 

AN “ENEMY” WITH DRAMATIC DISRUPTION

Acts 9:1-19 – Saul’s conversion (see verses 5-6)

 

AN “OUTCAST” CARRIED BY OTHERS

Matthew 9:1-8 - Paralyzed man carried to Jesus (see verse 2)          

 

A “SINNER” CONDEMNED AT JESUS’ FEET

John 8:1-11 – Woman caught in adultery

 

How you began matters, but where you are headed matters even more.

Stuck in Your Own Story - Part 1 - The Yearning Within

Growth and change going forward often begin by first looking back. By telling and hearing our stories we can learn about ourselves as we openly remember the moments and events that have shaped us and see how they intersect with the scriptures. This sermon is about how fear and wonder played out in my story. God has placed both of them within us, but allowing fear to become central is not the way of love or the path to positive change.

Esther – Risking All to Save Others

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 24, 2022

Esther – Risking All to Save Others

The Story of Esther

Esther’s Faith and Courage

• Esther 4:12-17

 

• One young woman, standing up before empire on behalf of her people – at the risk of her own life.

Why this book was disputed as part of the Bible:

• Esther never mentioned elsewhere in the Bible
• “God” is never named
• The word “prayer” is never used
• The Law of Moses never mentioned

Why this book is in the Bible

• Sackcloth & ashes, and fasting – are forms of prayer.
  • Esther 4:1-3
  • Esther 4:15-16

 

• The law of Moses is implied
  • Esther 3:8

 

• Faith needs action
  • James 1:22-25
  • James 2:14-17

 

• True faith is an act of love
  • Galatians 5:6

 

• Esther is like Jesus
  • John 15:13
  • Philippians 2:5-11

Ruth - A Story of Inclusion

Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – July 17, 2022

Women of Great Faith - Ruth

 

Ruth’s Story

 

Genealogy to Jesus – Matthew 1

Tamar

 

Rahab

 

Ruth

 

Inclusion

Dealing with Family

Rev. Paul J. Miller – June 12, 2022

“Dealing with Family”

Jacob’s VERY troubled family

Rachel                Bilhah                Leah                   Zilpah

 

Genesis 37 to Genesis 45 - _____ years

The Extraordinary Forgiveness of Joseph

Joseph maintained a God-centered attitude

 

Joseph held the power

 

Joseph had options

 

Joseph chose to see God in his pain

 

Joseph chose to forgive

 

Dealing with Family

Put God in the center

 

Use authority with humility

 

Avoid knee-jerk, impulsive responses

 

Look for God in your pain

CHOOSE FORGIVENESS - Colossians 3:12-14

Our Identity is Shaped by Others

Dealing with Other People’s Stuff

Your Identity is Formed in Relation to Others

June 5, 2022 - Rev. Paul J. Miller

Matthew 5:17-48

 

What is your SHAPE?

S piritual Gifts

H eart

A bilities

P ersonality

E xperiences

            (Rick Warren – “The Purpose Driven Life”)

 

Jesus & The Law - Matthew 5:17, 20, & 48

 

WHO HAS SHAPED YOU?

 

How have hate & anger shaped you? Matthew 5:21-26

 

How has sexual sin shaped you? - Matthew 5:27-30

 

How has divorce shaped you? - Matthew 5:31-32

 

How have broken promises shaped you? - Matthew 5:33-37

 

How has revenge shaped you? - Matthew 5:38-42

 

How have your enemies shaped you? - Matthew 5:43-47

 

Who has shaped you & how are you shaping those around you?

 

– Colossians 3:12-14

Dealing with Suffering

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 29, 2022

“Dealing with Pain & Suffering”

The way you deal with your pain either reveals your relationship with God or exposes what your true god is.

 

When troubles come, God feels far away - Psalm 10

 

It’s not enough to just seek God when we struggle. We need to find God in and through the struggle.

Genesis 32:28 – “he struggles with God”

Ephesians 3:6

 

Isaiah knew the kind of Messiah the world needed. One who would enter into our suffering.

Isaiah 53

• V3

 

• V4

 

• V5

 

• V7

 

• V12

The way you deal with your pain either reveals your relationship with God or exposes what your true god is.

Great suffering and pain requires and even greater love.

God is Love

Dealing with Grief

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 22, 2022

“Dealing with Grief” - John 11:17-37

Jesus in this story is a friend, a teacher, and the Son of God.

GRIEF SHOULD BE A COMMUNITY EVENT (v17-20)

 

TEMPER EMOTION WITH FAITH (v21-24)

 

BELIEVE IN RESURRECTION BECAUSE JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD (v25-27)

 

ANGRY AT GOD? IT’S OKAY, HE CAN HANDLE IT. (v28-32)

 

HOW DOES JESUS RESPOND TO OUR GRIEF? WITH TEARS (v33-36)

 

THERE ARE DOUBTERS IN LIFE, AND DOUBTERS IN DEATH (v37)

 

TAKE AWAY THE STONE (v38-44)

Dealing with Fear

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 15, 2022

“Dealing with Fear” – 1 John 4:7-21

1 John issues:

• Written to refute Gnosticism – secret knowledge, the humanity of Christ
• Written to give believers confidence: “this is how we know…” (2:5, 2:18, 3:10, 3:16, 3:19, 3:24, 4;13, 5:2)
• Written to give believers assurance of eternal life – 5:13
• Written to remind us the God is Love

GOD IS LOVE!

The source of love is God – 4:7

 

The evidence of knowing God is the presence of love – 4:8

 

If you don’t love, you don’t know God – 4:8

 

God’s love was shown to us in Jesus – 4:9

 

God initiated our loving relationship with Him by removing our sin problem – 4:10

 

Our response to God love is a call to love people – 4:11

 

The presence of my love for people is evidence that God exists – 4:12

 

My acknowledgement that Jesus is the Son of God gives me the assurance to rely on His love – 4:15-16

 

My connection with God is based entirely upon love – 4:16

 

My confidence before God is based upon how much I am like Jesus – 4:17

 

There is no fear is love – 4:18

 

Perfect (mature, complete, grown-up) love drives fear away – 4:18

 

If I am afraid, love is still incomplete in me – 4:18

 

Love was initiated by God, it’s already there! – 4:19

 

If I hate people I am lying about loving God – 4:20

 

The only command that matters is the command to love people – 4:21

 

• Matthew 22:37-40

 

• Galatians 5:4-6