Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 27, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title:
Today’s Text: Mark 12:13-27
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 22:15-33, Luke 20:20-38
Mark 12:13-27 - death & taxes and politics & religion
Mark 12:13
Mark 12:14-15
Mark 12:15
Mark 12:15-16
Mark 12:17
Mark 12:18
Mark 12:19-23
Mark 12:24-25
Mark 12:26-17
APPLICATIONS FROM THIS TEXT:
1.How to handle political discussion
- You don’t have to “win”
- You don’t have to take sides
- Not taking sides feels incomplete, but leaves the door open
- Jesus did not invest Himself in challenging or changing a corrupt empire.
- Jesus did not invest Himself in challenging and changing a corrupt religion. (Matthew 23:1-39)
- Jesus came us to give us “life” (John 1:4) , from the “Living God” Life NOW and FOVEVER
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
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?
Monday Sep 14, 2020
Monday Sep 14, 2020
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
Monday Aug 24, 2020
Monday Aug 24, 2020
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
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
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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Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
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)
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
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 (2nd 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 (2nd 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?
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
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
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
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....
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
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