Rev. Paul J. Miller

Chosen to Lay Down Their Treasures

The Magi from the east who came with gifts for the Christ child are mysterious as to their origin and purpose. Apparently, these learned "wise men" from a distant land discerned from the stars what the religious leaders in Jerusalem had no clue about. The long-awaited Messiah has finally come, and they were so moved by this news that they invested no small amount of time and expense to worship the Son of God. The treasures that we cherish should also be laid at the feet of Jesus. Come, let us adore Him! 

The Night Shepherds Became Angels

God could have chosen any person or persons on the planet to announce the coming of Christ into our world. He didn't choose the rich, the powerful, the advantaged, or the best educated. He chose humble shepherds. That night began as just like any another night; outside with the sheep doing what had done for countless generations. By morning, the lives of these shepherds would never be the same; and nor would the lives of all humanity..... 

Chosen to Carry Christ

The mother of Jesus didn’t ask for or seek out this incredible blessing. She was chosen by God for this, and she willingly submitted to His will. This surely upended whatever plans and dreams she had for her own life. It also had to be a great burden as she tried to explain her pregnancy to her own family and friends. (even Jospeh didn’t believe her, at first) The call of God in our lives is always good, but it’s never easy. We will always get some level of rejection or trial for carrying Christ within us.

The god of Othering

The vision of the judgement seat of God taught by Jesus in Matthew 25 reveals the need of acting upon what we claim to believe in. Faith that fails to transcend from thought to action is not faith at all. But when both are present, we can experience "life", eternal life. Eternity is both now and forever.  

The Idol of Convenience

Our tech-obsessed world wants everything as quickly and as easily as possible. Make it more convenient and it will sell. But there are no short-cuts to what matters most. The narrow path is the way to life - true life, the best life. That path always includes risk, sacrifice, and time. Convenience itself isn't wrong, but the way to life is not convenient. 

The god of Information

Information is more available than ever before. But what do we do with it? What is it doing to us? How do we discern what is good and what is true? Let's look to the scriptures and learn from the measureless God how best to discern our way through endless information. 

The god of Distraction

Distractions surround and attack us daily. Multiple forms of media thrust in our faces and glued to our fingertips. Jesus warned us about a soil condition of the heart where thorns choke out what God is trying to grow through us. His desire is that we thrive like the tree by the water in Psalm 1. 

Afraid of How Jesus Will Come Back?

This sermon is a chapter from my upcoming book about fear. How we interpret and explain the mysterious apocalyptic books and chapters of the Bible matters. It especially matters when fear-filled predictions about the return of Christ are thrust upon the masses. Fear and love are opposites. Jesus came to us to demonstrate the greatness and power of love over fear. Do we hear about God's love from the fear-filled "end times" prophetic industry? Let's get focused on being His witnesses, not just standing there with our eyes on the sky.

The Church - A People of Sincere Love

"Love must be sincere" This vital directive can be easily missed among the multitude of good, sound, practical advice found in the 12th chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. But a case could be made that those 4 words are central to all else that is written in these 21 verses. Romans 12 is about transformation, gifts from the Spirit, unity in the body, how we should be engaging and responding to our world, and leaving vengeance in the hands of God. Loving with sincerity is vital every one of those teachings. Church, how are we doing with that?

The Holy Spirit Proves the World to be Wrong

Just before Jesus was arrested and went to the cross, He promised His disciples that the "Advocate" (comforter, helper, counselor) would come. A big part of what the Spirit did (and still does) is to "prove the world wrong" about sin, about righteousness, and about judgement. (see John 16:8-11)