Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
Wednesday Jul 07, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 4, 2021
Series Title: The Church Begins
Today’s Title: “Let me explain this to you; listen carefully”
Today’s Text: Acts 2:1-21
WHAT ACTS 2 DOESN’T SAY ABOUT THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- THERE WAS VIOLENT WIND – It was only a SOUND LIKE a violent wind (v2)
- ACTUAL TONGUES OF FIRE – It only SEEMED like tongues of fire (v3)
- ONLY THE 12 APOSTLES RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – It just says ALL OF THEM (v4)
- THIS EVENT WAS A REVERSAL OF THE TOWER OF BABEL (Genesis 11:1-9) – Peter didn’t say that
- THE SPEAKING IN TONGUES (IN ACTS 2) WAS A SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE
- OTHER (known) languages (v4)
- The crowd that gathered heard THEIR OWN language (v6)
- OUR NATIVE language (v7)
- This is NOT the same as what Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 12-14
- A PERSON CAN BE “DRUNK WITH THE SPIRIT” – there is no so such thing in the Bible
- Some in the crowd were making fun of them (v13)
- Peter made light of that accusation (v15)
- Ephesians 5:18 does NOT say “drunk in/with the Spirit”
- EVERYONE WHO RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL SPEAK IN TONGUES – 3000 people were saved that day, no mention of them “speaking in tongues” either when they believed (v38-39)
WHAT ACTS 2 DOES SAY ABOUT THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- THE SUDDEN ABILITY TO SPEAK IN OTHER (KNOWN) LANGUAGES WAS A MIRACULOUS WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (v4) – “as the Spirit enabled them”
- PETER CAREFULLY DESCRIBES WHAT IS GOING ON
- The crowd asks; “What does this mean?” (v12)
- Peter replies; (let me explain this to you, listen carefully”
- PETER USES THE SCRIPTURES TO EXPLAIN THIS EVENT - Joel 2:28-32
- The “last days” began on that day (v17)
- The Spirit of God is available to all people (v17)
- Dreams, visions, and prophesying are some of the ways the Spirit works (v17-18)
- Dreams and visions – be open, but be careful
- “prophesy” brings strength, courage, and comfort to others. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
- Wonders in heaven and earth (v19) how literal?
- AN OPEN INVITATION FOR SALVATION TO “EVERYONE”
THIS IS THE GREATEST MEANING OF PENTECOST!
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 27, 2021
Series Title: “The Church Begins”
Today’s Title: “And you will be my witnesses”
Today’s Text: Acts 1:4-26
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE - Acts 1:4-5
WAIT FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- John 14:15-27
WHAT YOU WON’T RECEIVE - Acts 1:6-7
RESTORATION OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL?
- “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven” 86x in 4 Gospels.
- Jesus NEVER said “Kingdom of Israel”
- Disciples were still thinking politically – Luke 24:20
SECRET INFORMATION ABOUT “THE END”?
- It’s NOT for you to know – Matthew 24:36
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE – Acts 1:8
- SPIRITUAL POWER
WHY YOU’LL RECEIVE THE POWER – Acts 1:8
- TO BE A WITNESS
WHERE YOU’LL GO WITH THE POWER – Acts 1:8
- Jerusalem – where Jesus died & rose again
- Judea – beyond the walls of the city
- Samaria – where you are not comfortable going
(see Acts 8, especially Philip)
- The ends of the earth – the Gentile world
HURRY UP AND WAIT – Acts 1:9-11
- Captivated by the moment (who wouldn’t be?)
- Two men dressed in white – Luke 24:4
WHILE THEY WAITED – Acts 1:12-26
- They prayed (v14)
- They replaced Judas (Revelation 21:14)
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 20, 2021
Series Title: Acts part 1: The Church Begins
Today’s Title: “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor”
Today’s Texts: Luke 1:1-4, Acts 1:1-3, Colossians 4:14
WHO WAS LUKE?
A DETAILED HISTORIAN - Luke 1:1-4 & Acts 1:1-3
A DEDICATED SERVANT OF CHRIST - Acts 16:6-10, 17:1, 20:5-6
A DOCTOR TO PAUL – Col. 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:23-24
A MAN DRIVEN BY THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
“many convincing proofs that he was alive.” (Acts 1:3)
Appearances of Christ between the resurrection and the ascension
THE DAY JESUS AROSE
- The Women - Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome, Johanna (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:10)
- The road to Emmaus - “two of them” (Luke 24:13)
- The Eleven disciples except Thomas (the evening of the first day) (Luke 24:33-36 & John 20:19-20, 1 Cor. 15:5)
A WEEK LATER - Thomas & the rest of the disciples (John 21:26-28)
SOME TIME AFTER THAT
- Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John & two other disciples (while fishing) (John 21:1-9)
- more than 500 of the brothers & sisters (1 Cor. 15:6)
- James (brother of Jesus?) (1 Corinthians 15:7)
ASCENSION DAY - the eleven disciples (Mat. 28:16-20 & Lk. 24:50-51)
Monday May 24, 2021
Monday May 24, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 23, 2021
Series Title: Understand,(be) Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: Yearning for Healthy Conversation
Today’s Text: John 3:1-15
Nicodemus (John 3) Samaritan (John 4)
Why was this a hard conversation?
Religious/Theological Historical/Political
What were the obstacles to the conversation?
Reputation/Access Social Norms
Who initiated the conversation?
Nicodemus Jesus
With what tone did the conversation begin?
Respect Request
What was the first response?
Engagement Polarity
How was the conversation kept alive?
Nicodemus was teachable Diverted to a common need
How did the conversation get to the heart?
Jesus focused on belief Jesus got to her real need
What was the result of the conversation?
belief put to action “they urged him to stay with them”
John 7:50-51 & 19:38-42 John 4:40
Conversations that Heal
BEGIN: Who holds the authority?
What are the obstacles?
Make a plan to begin (but just begin)
PROCEED: Acknowledge the surface problem, but don’t stay there
Seek to get to the heart
Never condemn
If you both leave the conversation willing to speak again you have both “won”!
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 16, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY Understand, (be) Non-dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: Yearning for Integrity
Today’s Text: Psalm 15
BE ALIGNED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD (v1)
WALK WITH INTEGRITY (blameless, upright)(v2)
- Doing what’s right
- Speaking truth from the heart
CONTROL YOUR WORDS (v3)
- No slander
- No wrong to your neighbor
- No slurs
KEEP GOOD COMPANY (v4)
- Despise those who are vile
- Honor those who fear god
KEEP YOUR WORD (v4)
-A promise holds little value until tested by trial
HAVE FINANCIAL INTEGRITY (v5)
- generosity seeks no gain
- don’t let money corrupt justice
“Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”
- Psalm 15:6
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 9, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY: Understand, (be) Non-Dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: Forgiveness and the Path to Peace
Today’s Text: Colossians 3:1-17
Are you at peace?
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” – Colossians 3:15
THE PATH TO PEACE
- A HEART-SET & MIND-SET FROM ABOVE (v1-4)
- STOMP OUT WHAT IS BENEATH YOU (v5-8)
- RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE, INCLUDE EVERYONE (v9-11)
- PUT ON YOUR GOOD-WORKS CLOTHES (v12)
- FORGIVE YOUR CO-WORKERS (v13)
- PUT ON LOVE (v14)
- Compassionate Love
- Kind Love
- Humble Love
- Gentle Love
- Patient Love
- Forgiving Love
- HERE THERE IS PEACE
- The Rule of Peace
- The Call of Peace
- The Response to Peace
- Gratitude
- Worship
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 2, 2021
Series Title: Forgiveness
Today’s Title: Paralyzed by Unforgiveness
Today’s Text: Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
TWO WAYS THAT UNFORGIVENESS CAN PARALYZE
- PARALYZED BY NOT FORGIVING THE ONE WHO HURT YOU
- BITTERNESS
- PARALYZED BY NOT ASKING TO BE FORGIVEN BY THE ONE YOU HURT
- PRIDE
Seven Words that can change your life…..
GET UP
TAKE YOUR MAT
GO HOME
Forgiveness has the power to heal. It brings healing to relationships, it eases stress, it sharpens focus, it turns our attention away from self and on to the other. Forgiveness is our greatest need and Christ’s greatest work.
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 25, 2021
Series Title: Forgive
Today’s Title: “The Depth of Forgiveness”
Today’s Text: Luke 7:36-50
“All great spirituality is about what we do with our pain. If we do not transform our pain, we will transmit it to those around us.” – Richard Rohr
CONFORMING FORGIVENESS
(law)
Closed System
Condemning
Outwardly Superficial
Fearfully Concealing
Measured & Limited
TRANSFORMING FORGIVENESS
(grace)
Open
Welcoming
Inwardly Honest
Beautifully Messy
Immeasurably Loving
Where are YOU in this story? Quick to judge and condemn, like the Pharisees? Humbled by your brokenness at the feet of Jesus, like the woman? Forgiving to even the “worst of sinners”, like Jesus?
Monday Apr 19, 2021
Monday Apr 19, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 11, 2021
Series Title: Forgive
Today’s Title: “Forgiveness & Prayer”
Today’s Text: Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer and forgiveness are tied together. You can’t be effective in one without the other.
PRAYERS THAT ATTEMPT TO IMPRESS OTHERS ARE A SIGN OF INSECURITY (v5)
YOUR PRAYER IS GOD’S BUSINESS, NO ONE ELSE’S (v6)
GOD WILL NEVER BE IMPRESSED BY YOUR WORDS (v7)
GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED, BUT MAYBE YOU DON’T (v8)
SAYING WHO GOD IS, IN PRAYER, ISN’T FOR GOD’S SAKE, IT’S FOR YOURS. (v9)
SUBMITTING TO GOD’S BOUNDARIES & PURPOSES REVEALS WHERE & WHY WE MAY HAVE WANDERED (v10)
MY BODY’S MOST BASIC DAILY NEED IS FOOD. (v11)
MY HEART’S MOST BASIC DAILY NEED IS FORGIVENESS
TO LIVE IN UNFORGIVENSS TOWARD OTHERS STARVES YOUR HEART (v12)
EVEN AS I FOLLOW GOD’S LEAD, TEMPTATION WILL BE CLOSE BY (v13)
DON’T CONFUSE SUFFERING & DANGER WITH TEMPTATION & EVIL (v13)
GOD’S OFFER TO FORGIVE YOU IS DEPENDENT UPON YOUR WILLINGESS TO FORIGVE OTHERS (v14-15)
Are you receiving God’s forgiveness?
Are you withholding forgiveness from someone?
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 11, 2021
Series Title: Included in the Kingdom of God
Today’s Title: “Include the Outsider”
Today’s Text: Acts 10:1-23
OUTSIDERS INCLUDED BY JESUS
- EXCLUDED BY PREJUDICE - Samaritans
- Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
- The 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
- Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
- EXCLUDED BY DISEASE - Lepers
- Jesus touched a leper to heal him (Matthew 8:1-4)
- The 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
- EXCLUDED BY REPUTATION - Tax Collectors
- Matthew becomes a disciple (Matthew 9:9-12)
- Gathered to hear Jesus (Luke 15:1-2)
- Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
- Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
- EXCLUDED AS AGENTS OF OPPRESION - Centurions
- Commended for great faith when Christ healed a servant (Matthew 8:5-13)
- Declared Christ to eb the Son of God at the cross (Luke 23:47)
- EXCLUDED BY BIRTH - Greeks
- Greek woman – Jesus casts out a demon from her daughter (Mark 7:24-30)
- Greeks ask to see Jesus on Palm Sunday (John 12:20-22)
- EXLCUDED BY PATRIARCHY - Women
- Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
- Greek woman – Jesus casts out a demon from her daughter (Mark 7:24-30)
- Woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11)
- EXCLUDED FROM PUBLIC DISCOURSE - Children
- Jesus angry at disciples for keeping children away – Luke 18:15-17
- Jesus enjoyed the company of children and spoke about their faith (Matthew 18 1-5)
- Praise for God from the lips of children on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:14-16)
- EXCLUDED BY THE INCLUDED - Jewish religious leaders
- Jesus eats at the home of a “prominent Pharisee” (Luke 14:1-24)
- A Pharisee named Nicodemus – (John 3:1-21)
- Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader (Matthew 9:18-26)
OUTSIDERS INCLUDED IN THE CHURCH
- THE GREAT (INCLUSIVE) COMMISSION
- Matthew 28:16-20 – make disciple of all nations
- Acts 1:6-9 – don’t exclude Samaria (Philip, Acts 8:4-8)
- PETER’S STRUGGLE TO INCLUDE GENTILES
- Vision in Acts 10 – make disciples from all nations, not just Jews in every nation
- Church Council in Acts 15 – Paul & Barnabas stand up for Gentile believers
- Peter still struggled - Galatians 2:11-14 (Paul had to call him out)