Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 7, 2021
Series Title: “UNIFY: Understand, (be)Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn”
Today’s Title: (be) Non-Dual - “Does God Breaks God’s Own Rules?”
Today’s Text: Romans 3:21-31
Unusual Rules
Punishable by Death?
Rebellious son?
What did Jesus have to say? - Luke 15:11-32
Caught in Adultery?
What did Jesus do about it? - John 8:2-11
Guilty of Murder?
What did God do about it?
Cain – Genesis 4:10-12
Moses – Exodus 2:11-12
David - 2 Samuel 12:13
Paul (?)
Romans 3:21-31
“apart from the law” (v21)
“given through faith in Jesus Christ” (v22)
“all have sinned” (v23)
“all are justified freely by his grace” (v24)
“a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (v28)
1 Timothy 1:12-16
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 28, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY – Understand, (be) Non-dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: “Is God Fair?”
Today’s Text: Matthew 5:43-48, Ecclesiastes 9:1-2, 11-12
time and chance happen to everyone - Ecclesiastes 9:11
rain & sun come to the good and the bad - Matthew 5:45
“the last will be first, and the first will be last”
– Matthew 19:30 & 20:16
THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD WORKERS – Matthew 20:1-15
Has God treated you fairly? – Psalm 103:8-12
WHAT ARE THE ROOTS OF YOUR FRUSTRATION?
Frustrated by how God has treated you?
Frustrated with how God treats others?
“bitter roots” – Hebrews 12:15
envy
“painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage” (Webster)
This is where envy takes us – James 3:13-16
This is the fruit of true wisdom – James 3:17-18
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 21, 2021
Series Title: “Understand, (be) Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: “Be Non-Dual; Full of Grace & Truth"
Today’s Text: John 1:1-18
The overwhelming, incomprehendable vastness of space & time
- Psalm 8:3, John 1:1, John 1:14
“dualistic” is to see morality, ethics, politics, and religious beliefs through exclusive either/or options. It is to see the world through an overly simplistic right/wrong, black/white, good/bad lens that never allows for gray areas, let alone grace.
“non-dual” still sees how basic moral structures and belief systems are necessary for order, but also sees how they are insufficient when it comes to the deepest truths of the universe, of human life, of suffering, of love, and of mystery. Not everything is explainable or understandable; and that’s okay.
DUALISTIC LIFE NON-DUAL LIFE
-NO COMPROMISE - FINDS COMMON GROUND
-WHO’S “IN” & “OUT” - UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE
- NOT W/US YOU’RE AGAINST US - IF YOU’RE NOT AGAINST US, YOU’RE FOR US
- CREATES ENEMIES - CREATES FRIENDSHIPS
- PRODUCES FEAR - PRODUCES HOPE
- DIVIDES - UNITES
Where is “non-dual” in the Bible?
People are created both in God’s image & sinners from birth Genesis 1:27 & Psalm 51:5)
Jacob’s family (Genesis 25-50) God forgives David’s scandalous sin (2 Samuel 11 & 12, Psalm 51)
Ecclesiastes (the whole book) Mary is both virgin and mother (Luke 1:26-38)
Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount – (Matt. 5-7) Jesus is both God & man - (John 1:1-8)
FULL OF GRACE (non-dual) & TRUTH (dualistic)
Truth Grace
LAW FORGIVENESS
ORDER OPENNESS
STRUCTURE INCLUSION
ANSWERS MYSTERY
BASED UPON OBEDIENCE BASED UPON LOVE
Truth is where we all need to begin, but it’s also where we all need to fail. TRUTH SHOWS ME I’M BROKEN
Grace is Unconditional, Unearned, Undeserved, Unexplainable, but still Understandable GRACE IS A GIFT
The Creator came into His creation full of both grace and truth
- Romans 8:19-21 & 8:38-39
The depths of Space & Time, Life & Death, Joy & Suffering, Hope & Fear, Light & Darkness, Grace & Truth: are all well beyond what our minds can conceive. Don’t stress because you cannot understand; just stand in awe of the One who does…
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 14, 2021
“Understand Your Enemy’s Life” - John 4
Animosity toward Samaritans in the Gospels
“Samaritan” was an insult – John 8:48
The disciples shared in the hatred - Luke 9:51-56
A History of Animosity – 1011 BC to Jesus time
The Samaritans thought of themselves as Jews, and still part of God’s covenant with Abraham. But the Jews viewed Samaritans as rejected by God, even as traitors, half-breeds - THEY ARE BOTH RIGHT, AND THEY ARE BOTH WRONG
The Samaritan Woman at the Well
As you hear the details of this familiar story, keep in mind the 1000 years of bad blood between Jews and Samaritans.
What stands out to you about how this woman responds to Jesus?
What stand out to you about how Jesus treats this woman?
Who are the enemies in your life?
How can you apply the pattern of this conversation toward your enemies?
Can you look past the “big” issues and find the heart of the “other”?
Are you willing to worship God with that person, in the Spirit and in truth?
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 31, 2021
Series Title: UNFIFY – Understand, (be) Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: Your Story of Grace
Today’s Text: Galatians 1:11-2:21
The strife and division within the body of Christ today is not rooted in political, moral, or theological differences. If we are willing to humbly dig beneath those surface issues, we may discover that our troubles began when grace was set aside.
What is “grace”?
Our God-given opportunity and responsibility to forgive as much as we have been forgiven and to love as deeply as we have been loved.
PAUL’S STORY OF GRACE
- Open with Grace – Galatians 1:3
- To live w/o grace is to w/o Christ - Galatians 1:6
- Embraced by Grace – Galatians 1:15
- Grace is Our Base – Galatians 2:9
- Always Keep Space for Grace – Galatians 2:21
- Misplaced Grace – Galatians 5:4
- Close with Grace – Galatians 6:18
When did you first encounter the grace of Christ?
How deeply has that grace touched you, so far?
Who have you extended grace to?
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 24, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY: Understand, (be) Non-dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: “Understand How Your Own Family Influences Unity & Division”
Today’s Opening Text: Genesis 25:19-34
“…when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
- Titus 3:4
As you hear the familiar stories of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob & Rachel, Joseph, and the many other people in these stories…
What do you admire about them?
What surprises you?
What did you learn for the first time?
What were you reminded of that you had forgotten?
As you consider you own upbringing….
What are you most thankful for?
What was hardest for you?
What good patterns are you passing on to your children? (or hope to pass on if/when you become a parent)
What aspects of your upbringing do you want to avoid passing on to the next generation?
God is with us in our struggles, including the ones of our own making. What difficult experiences have you lived through where can look back now and see that God was with you?
In what way has God been merciful to you?
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 17, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY: Understand, (be) Non-dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: “Understand Who We Are In Christ”
Today’s Opening Text: Romans 6:5-14
WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST
IN CHRIST WE CAN DISCOVER…..
OUR FULFILLED IMAGE - Colossians 2:9-10
GRACE - 1 Corinthians 1:4
INSEPARABLE LOVE - Romans 8:38-39
PEACE OF HEART & MIND - Philippians 4:7
PROVISION - Philippians 4:19
IN CHRIST WE FIND LIFE!
DEAD TO SIN, BUT ALIVE TO GOD - Romans 6:11
ETERNAL LIFE - Romans 6:23
HOLY LIFE - 2 Timothy 1:9-10
IN CHRIST, THIS IS HOW GOD SEES US…..
NO CONDEMNATION - Romans 8:1
RECONCILED - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
AS HIS CHILDREN - Galatians 3:26-28
IN CHRIST, THIS IS HOW WE CAN SEE OURSELVES….
JUSTIFIED - Galatians 2:16
A NEW CREATION - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
IN CHRIST, THIS WHAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE…
WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER - Romans 12:5
INCLUSION - Ephesians 1:13
FAITH EXPRESSED THROUGH LOVE - Galatians 5:6
GOOD WORKS - Ephesians 2:10
REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
KINDNESS, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS- Ephesians 4:32
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – January 10, 2021
Series Title: “UNIFY”
Today’s Title: “Understand that we are ALL Image Bearers”
Today’s Main Text: Genesis 1:26-30
“Image” in the ancient world
kings & gods, coins & statues
- Mark 12:13-17
- Acts 19:35-41
The True Image of God
A living, breathing image
- Genesis 1:26 & 2:7
- Jeremiah 10:14 & 51:17
The Purpose of the Image of God
Authority & Responsibility
- Genesis 1:26
- Exodus 20:4
- Psalm 8:4-6
Mankind’s Rejection of God’s Image
Exchanging the Image of the Creator for the images of created things
- Psalm 106:19-21 (Exodus 32)
-Romans 1:22-23
The Fulfillment of God’s Image in Christ
Jesus showed us what bearing God’s image means and enabled us to follow His pattern
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Hebrews 2:8-9
Restored & Renewed into God’s Image
- 1 Corinthians 3:17-18
- Colossians 3:9-11
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 20, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “Surely, this Man was the Son of God”
Today’s Text: Mark 15:33-47
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 27:45-56, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:29-30
COIN
– Caesar Augustus began emperor worship – “son of god”
- Mark 1:1 is, in part, a political statement
CENTURION
- “Surely this man was the Son of God” centurion – Mk. 15:39
- “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
– chief priest – Mark 14:61
“Son of God” in Mark
- Mark 1:1 – Mark’s opening statement
JESUS, NOT CAESAR
- Mark 1:11 – the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism
THE ONE GOD
- Mark 3:11 & 5:7 – demons in Galilee and the Decapolis
THE UNDERWORLD
- Mark 9:7 – the transfiguration on Mt. Hermon
THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
- Mark 15:39 – the centurion at the cross
THE AGENT OF THE EMPIRE
CHURCH
- Philippians 4:22 – “Caesar’s household
- Philippians 2:8-10 - every knee, every tongue
- Romans 8:38-39 - who is “us”?
CURTAIN
- Mark 15:37-38 – access to God & to forgiveness
- Mark 15:39 – The first words in scripture after Jesus died
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 13, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: Simon of Cyrene - Cross Carrier
Today’s Text: Mark 15:16-32
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 27:27-44, Luke 23:33-43, John 19:17-24
- JESUS IS ABUSED BY THE AUTHORITY OF EMPIRE- V16-26
- JESUS IS ABSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF RELIGION – V27-32
3) JESUS IS GETS HELP CARRYING THE CROSS - V21
- Weakened already, Jesus couldn’t carry the cross alone
Simon of Cyrene (Africa) – also in Matthew 27:32 & Luke 23:26
THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH -Acts 11:19-30
- Men from Cyprus and Cyrene (11:20)
- First place the gospel is preached to Gentiles (11:20)
- First place that followers of Jesus called “Christians” (11:26)
- Paul (Saul) spent a year there (11:25-26)
- they sent a love offering to Judea during a famine (11:27-30)
A PROPHET CALLED “SIMEON OF NIGER” – Acts 12:25-13:3
- Simeon is the same name as Simon
- “niger” means black, in Latin (African?)
- listed along with another man from Cyrene (13:1)
MARK’S CONNECTIONS
- traveled with Paul & Barnabas - Acts 12:25 (40s AD)
- Timothy told to bring Mark to Rome – 2 Tim 4:11 (63AD)
- With Peter in Rome – “my son Mark” – 1 Peter 5:13 (64AD)
RUFUS AND HIS MOTHER – Romans 16:13
- Mark’s gospel was written for the church in Rome
- Same “Rufus”? – why else would Mark make the effort to ID him?
- Paul calls Rufus’s mother, “a mother to me” –Paul’s year in Antioch