Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
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
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