Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
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
Monday Jun 15, 2020
Monday Jun 15, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 14, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “Whoever Wants to be My Disciple Must Deny Themselves”
Today’s Text: Mark 8:34-9:1
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 16:24-28, Luke 9:22-27
INTRO: sneakers & water bottles on 9/11
CONTEXT:
After informing the disciples that He is indeed the Messiah, and then that the Messiah will suffer and die is when Jesus gives them these words. NOTE THAT THIS WAS SAID TO THE “CROWD” NOT JUST TO THE 12
1) deny yourself (v34)
- Colossians 3:1-11
2) take up your cross (v34)
- a journey of suffering, humiliation, shame, pain, and death
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
3) follow the Christ
- Philippians 2:5-8
4) lose your life to save it
- Jesus uses this term frequently, written in all 4 gospels, but in 4 different contexts
- Matthew 10:39 - (instructions before sending out the 12 two by two)
- Luke 17:33 - (Jesus speaks of the coming kingdom of God)
- John 12:25 - (on Palm Sunday, just after the crowd hailed Him as “king”)
5) lose the world, gain the soul (V36-37)
- don’t jump too quickly to heaven/hell when applying this
- the context is not about eternal destiny, but about how you live NOW
- BUT it also applies to eternity
- “soul” here is the SAME Greek word for “life” in v35
6) “ashamed of me and my words” (v38)
- Romans 1:16
7) Jesus didn’t just use metaphors, He showed them who He really is (9:1)
- What happens next in Mark 9 will be a fulfillment of this verse
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 7, 2020
Series Title: The Gospel of Mark – Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”
Today’s Text: Mark 8:22-9:1
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 16:13-16, 21-28 & Luke 9:18-27
CONTEXT:
- They have now returned to the region of Galilee (Bethsaida) and then north…
ARE YOU STILL BLIND TO WHO HE REALLY IS? - Mark 8:21-26
21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
IS HE BIGGER THAN YOUR HOLY MOUNTAIN? - Mark 8:27
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.
IS HE MORE THAN WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE THINKS? - Mark 8:27-28
IS HE THE SUM OF YOUR GREATEST EXPECTATIONS & ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT GOD? - Mark 8:29-30
ARE YOU READY TO SEE THAT YOUR EXPECTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CHRIST NEED TO DIE? - Mark 8:31-33
- Mark 1:9-12
WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 31, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “Why are you talking about having no bread?”
Today’s Text: Mark 8:1-21
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 15:32-39 & 6:1-12
THE BATTLE FOR INCLUSION
ISN’T THIS GENTILE CROWD TODAY JUST AS HUNGRY AS THE JEWISH CROWD WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO?
“another large crowd” (v1)
“remote place” (v4)
“told the disciples to distribute them.” (v7)
“the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (v8)
EXCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP ONLY CREATES MORE EXCLUSION
- “To test him” (v11) – see Mark 1:12-13
- “a sign from heaven.” (v11) – see Matthew 4:4-6
- “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (v15)
- The Pharisees – Corrupt religion
- Herod – Corrupt politics
- “Do you still not see or understand?”(v17) – you need a change of mind
- “Are your hearts hardened?” (v17) – why is this a “heart” issue?
- “twelve” (v19) – tribes of Israel, apostles
- “seven” (v20) – number of completion, healing, perfection, fullness
DO I HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT GOD AND HIS PEOPLE?
- An exclusive gospel where I determine who’s “in” and who’s “out”? Who’s worthy and who’s unworthy?
- Who am I willing to feed? To help?
- Is there any political leaven influencing my mind and my heart?
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 24, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: He Has Done Everything Well
Today’s Text: 7:24-37
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 15:21-31
CONTEXT:
Just after declaring “all foods clean” in 7:19, Jesus has an encounter with a very desperate GREEK mother….
JESUS HAS A PLAN, A PATTERN – PREPARATION, CONFRONTATION, PROCLAMATION
A DESPERATE MOTHER IN TYRE
PREPARATION – Mark 3:8 – The stories preceded Jesus
CONFRONTATION – Matthew 15:21-28 – The disciples needed to see how Jesus treated a Gentile
woman in need
PROCLAMATION – A sign that Gospel is for all people
A DEAF MAN IN THE DECAPOLIS
PREPARATION – Mark 5:16-20 – Competing community stories in the Decapolis
CONFRONTATION – Mark 7:32-35 – Giving “ears to hear” to an entire community
PROCLAMATION – Mark 7:36-37 – The man told his story, they were amazed
For personal thought and reflection:
- Whose story prepared you to believe in God?
- What experiences have brought you into a confrontation with God?
- Do you believe that God can use YOUR story can prepare someone else to believe?
- Can you tell your story of faith in Christ in three minutes or less?
“…in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 17, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: You Nullify the Word of God by Your Tradition
Today’s Text: Mark 7:1-23
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 15:1-20
“The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus” (v1)
- a journey of more than 100 miles . Why did they come all this way?
“Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” (v5)
- Their standard is “the tradition of the elders”, not the Law itself Using it to discredit Jesus
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites;
- He leads with the Word of God from Isaiah
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” (v7)
- Words of worship are empty without the heart
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (v8)
- screening the Word for the people
“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” (v9)
- The 10 Commandments “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 21:17)
- “Corban” – a pledge or an oath to give something of value to God
“And you do many things like that” (v13)
- this is just exhibit #1 - no wonder Jesus reacted so sternly
“Nothing outside a person can defile them” (v15)
“In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.” (v19)
- This is one of the main themes of the entire New Testament
Peter – Acts 10 & 11 , Paul - Romans 14, Colossians 2:16-23, 1 Timothy 4:3-5
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come” (v21)
- This is the heart of the matter
NO ONE CAN OBEY THEIR WAY TO GOD
- Romans 3:19-24, Galatians 2:19-21, Ephesians 2:13-18
WHICH COURSE WILL YOU FOLLOW?
ACCUSING ACCEPTING
BLAMING BELIEVING
CRITISIZING CHANGING
DENYING DECIDING
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 3, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life I the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: They had not understood about the loaves
Today’s Text: Mark 6:45-56
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 14:22-36, John 6:15-21
Genesis 1:1-3
DARKNESS (night - evil, sin, lack of understanding, ignorance, shame)
DEEP WATERS (oceans - mystery, fear, monsters, the unknown, that which we cannot control)
VESSELS (ships - our attempts to stay afloat, to control the uncontrollable, life styles, philosophies, etc.)
STORMS (wind & waves - the testing of our vessels, the sinking of what we thought we had control of)
LIGHT (truth, understanding, life)
Noah (Genesis 6-9)
Jonah (Jonah 1-4)
Jesus calms a storm - Mark 4:35-41
- “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v41)
JESUS WALKS ON WATER – Mark 6:45-56 (& Matthew 14:22-36)
- DARKNESS – it was early morning, before dawn
- DEEP WATERS – the Sea of Galilee
- VESSEL – boat, seasoned fishermen who knew these waters
- STORM – “the wind was against them”, the fear of a “ghost”
- LIGHT – by this time the sun had likely risen
From the beginning, God was in the darkness, over the deep waters, and in the storm before the light came.
John 1:1-4
Questions to ponder:
- What are you “in the dark” about?
- What are the deep waters you have to navigate?
- What vessel have you trusted in to get you through?
- What storms have raised up the deep waters and tested the strength of your vessel?
- Has the light of truth come to you? Do you see clearly that God was, is and will always be with you?
- DO YOU TRUST GOD IN THIS STORM?
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 26, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “They Did Not Even Have the Chance to Eat”
Today’s Text: Mark 6:30-44
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-13
Where is God when the needs before me and my need to rest are on a collision course?
CONTEXT:
- The disciples had just returned from going out two by two to share the gospel from town to town
- Jesus had just received word of the tragic and unjust death of John the Baptist
- The disciples needed to debrief and to rest
- Jesus needed to grieve
FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN MY NEEDS & THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
WE NEED TO DEBRIEF FROM OUR WORK (v30)
- After a long “campaign”, training event, seminar – you need to “debrief”, to have a transition
- “How was your day?” is a powerful and important question….
THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WILL NEVER STOP (v31)
- it’s very important to accept this as reality
- feeding people requires a lot of work
- caring for the sick requires a lot of work
- education, (not just children) requires a lot of work
- listening to people’s struggles requires a lot of work
- basic shelter requires a lot of work
- clothing people requires a lot of work
- a good responsible parent is aware that these every day realities do not stop
WE NEED QUIET REST (v31)
- Sabbath
- Retreats
- rest for the heart, mind, soul, & body
WHEN YOU CARE FOR OTHERS, THEIR NEEDS WILL FOLLOW YOU (v32-33)
- think about the effort of the developing crowd
- think about the disciples seeing this from the boat
COMPASSION IS STRONGER THAN FATIGUE (v34)
- THIS HAS TO BE TRUE FOR US TO SURVIVE! (parenting)
- Jesus didn’t see the crowd as an obstacle, an annoyance, or a problem
- He saw their need of direction
- How did the disciples feel about Jesus “teaching them many things”?
WHEN THE NEEDS ARE BIGGER THAN YOU AND BIGGER THAN “US”…. (v35-38)
- The 12 have a legitimate concern that can also serve as an appropriate exit
- The crowd did not ask to be fed, nor expected it
- Jesus was testing the faith of the 12 (“You give them something to eat”)
- “How many loaves do you have?” GO AND SEE
…..GOD MULTIPLIES THE LITTLE WE OFFER TO MEET NEEDS BEYOND WHAT WE IMAGINE! (v39-44)
- Imagine the disciples working thru the crowd and having them sit in groups
- 5000? 10000? 20000?
- What did they tell the crowd? Did they expect food?
Where is God when the needs before me and my need to rest are on a collision course?
He is ready to use what you have and will work with you, finding rest along the way.
Matthew 11:28-30
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 19, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Our Own Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: The Undivided Heart & the Tale of Two Kingdoms
Today’s Text: 6:14-29
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:7-9
The Undivided Heart
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11
The Tale of Two Kingdoms
THE KINGDOM OF THE HERODS
- Herod the Great
- Herod Antipas
THE KINGDOM OF JESUS
Jesus & John the Baptist
- “cousins” – Luke 1:26-38
- grew up together? - Luke 1:39-56
- John’s preaching prepares the way for Jesus – John 1:6-8 & 19-28
- John identifies Jesus as the One God has sent – John 1:29-31
- John’s disciples who became Jesus’ disciples – John 1:35-42
- Jesus begins preaching when John is put into prison – Mark 1:14-15
- Jesus encourages & compliments John – Matthew 11:1-19
The death of John the Baptist - Mark 6:14-29
- This is the same Herod that Jesus was taken before on the night he was arrested
- Herod respected John, but John called him out for his adulterous relationship with Herodias
- Herod tried to play every side but clearly had a divided heart
- he tried to keep his wife happy, whom he never should have married in the first place
- he tried to keep the Jewish leaders happy, but they could not get past his marital infidelity
- he respected John the Baptist, and seems to fear God, but not as much as he feared losing his power
- A foolish moment of drunken lust he forces him to choose
- his relationship with his wife & daughter (step-daughter?) was on the line
- his standing with Rome was on the line
- his standing with the Jewish religious leaders was on the line
- his word was on the line
- John the Baptist’s life was on the line
- His faith in God was on the line
- If he refuses her barbaric request he could lose everything
The news of John’s death comes to Jesus - Matthew 11:13-23
- Jesus feels the pain of death deeply, especially this one
- We see this also in the death of another friend, Lazarus - John 11:35 (“Jesus wept”)
- Though deeply hurt, “he had compassion” on the crowds who followed Him to this “solitary place”
– Matthew 11:13-14
The Undivided Heart
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11
- THE DIVIDED HEART CREATES GRIEF FOR OTHERS
- THE UNDIVIDED HEART SUSPENDS GRIEF FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 12, 2020
Series Title: “Find Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “He was Amazed at Their Lack of Faith”
Today’s Text: Mark 6:1-13
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 10:1,9-4, 13:54-58 Luke 9:1, 3-5
INTRO: – FAMILY - WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH MORE TIME WITH THEM THESE DAYS…..
Jesus Goes Home
- Extraordinary people begin life in ordinary ways – even Jesus (Mark 6:1-3)
- A prophet can’t be a favorite son and still be a prophet (Mark 6:4-5)
- When He first arrived, they were “amazed” with his teaching (Mark 6:2)
- When He left, He was “amazed” at their lack of faith (Mark 6:6)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
- Jesus did not back down from His own authority. In fact, he passed it on to the 12 (Mark 6:7)
- He gave clear instruction to depend on God to provide THROUGH PEOPLE (Mark 6:8-9)
- Stay with those who welcome you (Mark 6:10)
- Let go of those who don’t (Mark 6:11)
- They did what Jesus did (Mark 6:12-13)
The truth of God and the authority of Christ will not always be welcomed, even at home.
The attitude we hold and the way we present ourselves always matters.
1 Peter 3:13-16