Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 17, 2021
Series Title: UNIFY: Understand, (be) Non-dual, Include, Forgive, Yearn
Today’s Title: “Understand Who We Are In Christ”
Today’s Opening Text: Romans 6:5-14
WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST
IN CHRIST WE CAN DISCOVER…..
OUR FULFILLED IMAGE - Colossians 2:9-10
GRACE - 1 Corinthians 1:4
INSEPARABLE LOVE - Romans 8:38-39
PEACE OF HEART & MIND - Philippians 4:7
PROVISION - Philippians 4:19
IN CHRIST WE FIND LIFE!
DEAD TO SIN, BUT ALIVE TO GOD - Romans 6:11
ETERNAL LIFE - Romans 6:23
HOLY LIFE - 2 Timothy 1:9-10
IN CHRIST, THIS IS HOW GOD SEES US…..
NO CONDEMNATION - Romans 8:1
RECONCILED - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
AS HIS CHILDREN - Galatians 3:26-28
IN CHRIST, THIS IS HOW WE CAN SEE OURSELVES….
JUSTIFIED - Galatians 2:16
A NEW CREATION - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
IN CHRIST, THIS WHAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE…
WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER - Romans 12:5
INCLUSION - Ephesians 1:13
FAITH EXPRESSED THROUGH LOVE - Galatians 5:6
GOOD WORKS - Ephesians 2:10
REJOICE, PRAY, GIVE THANKS - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
KINDNESS, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS- Ephesians 4:32
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – January 10, 2021
Series Title: “UNIFY”
Today’s Title: “Understand that we are ALL Image Bearers”
Today’s Main Text: Genesis 1:26-30
“Image” in the ancient world
kings & gods, coins & statues
- Mark 12:13-17
- Acts 19:35-41
The True Image of God
A living, breathing image
- Genesis 1:26 & 2:7
- Jeremiah 10:14 & 51:17
The Purpose of the Image of God
Authority & Responsibility
- Genesis 1:26
- Exodus 20:4
- Psalm 8:4-6
Mankind’s Rejection of God’s Image
Exchanging the Image of the Creator for the images of created things
- Psalm 106:19-21 (Exodus 32)
-Romans 1:22-23
The Fulfillment of God’s Image in Christ
Jesus showed us what bearing God’s image means and enabled us to follow His pattern
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Hebrews 2:8-9
Restored & Renewed into God’s Image
- 1 Corinthians 3:17-18
- Colossians 3:9-11
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 20, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “Surely, this Man was the Son of God”
Today’s Text: Mark 15:33-47
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 27:45-56, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:29-30
COIN
– Caesar Augustus began emperor worship – “son of god”
- Mark 1:1 is, in part, a political statement
CENTURION
- “Surely this man was the Son of God” centurion – Mk. 15:39
- “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
– chief priest – Mark 14:61
“Son of God” in Mark
- Mark 1:1 – Mark’s opening statement
JESUS, NOT CAESAR
- Mark 1:11 – the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism
THE ONE GOD
- Mark 3:11 & 5:7 – demons in Galilee and the Decapolis
THE UNDERWORLD
- Mark 9:7 – the transfiguration on Mt. Hermon
THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
- Mark 15:39 – the centurion at the cross
THE AGENT OF THE EMPIRE
CHURCH
- Philippians 4:22 – “Caesar’s household
- Philippians 2:8-10 - every knee, every tongue
- Romans 8:38-39 - who is “us”?
CURTAIN
- Mark 15:37-38 – access to God & to forgiveness
- Mark 15:39 – The first words in scripture after Jesus died
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 13, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: Simon of Cyrene - Cross Carrier
Today’s Text: Mark 15:16-32
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 27:27-44, Luke 23:33-43, John 19:17-24
- JESUS IS ABUSED BY THE AUTHORITY OF EMPIRE- V16-26
- JESUS IS ABSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF RELIGION – V27-32
3) JESUS IS GETS HELP CARRYING THE CROSS - V21
- Weakened already, Jesus couldn’t carry the cross alone
Simon of Cyrene (Africa) – also in Matthew 27:32 & Luke 23:26
THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH -Acts 11:19-30
- Men from Cyprus and Cyrene (11:20)
- First place the gospel is preached to Gentiles (11:20)
- First place that followers of Jesus called “Christians” (11:26)
- Paul (Saul) spent a year there (11:25-26)
- they sent a love offering to Judea during a famine (11:27-30)
A PROPHET CALLED “SIMEON OF NIGER” – Acts 12:25-13:3
- Simeon is the same name as Simon
- “niger” means black, in Latin (African?)
- listed along with another man from Cyrene (13:1)
MARK’S CONNECTIONS
- traveled with Paul & Barnabas - Acts 12:25 (40s AD)
- Timothy told to bring Mark to Rome – 2 Tim 4:11 (63AD)
- With Peter in Rome – “my son Mark” – 1 Peter 5:13 (64AD)
RUFUS AND HIS MOTHER – Romans 16:13
- Mark’s gospel was written for the church in Rome
- Same “Rufus”? – why else would Mark make the effort to ID him?
- Paul calls Rufus’s mother, “a mother to me” –Paul’s year in Antioch
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 6, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: They shouted all the louder, ‘crucify him!’
Today’s Text: Mark 15:1-15
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:2-3, 18-25, John 18:29-19:16
Mark 15:1
Mark 15:2-5
Mark 15:6-8
Mark 15:9-11
Mark 15:12-14
Mark 15:15
Jesus willingly faced insults and injustice
The innocent one was condemned and the guilty one was set free
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Monday Nov 30, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 29, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “And He Broke Down and Wept”
Today’s Text: Mark 14:
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 26:69-75, Luke 22:56-62, John 18:16-18, 25-27
God is not looking for loyal leaders, just loving ones. Loyalty is measured and self-based, while love is always giving, focused on what’s best for the “other”.
Peter: The Making & the Breaking of a Christ-like Leader
- Left his life behind and followed Jesus – Mark 1:18
- First disciple mentioned in list of “the twelve” – Mark 3:16
- Sees healing of a little girl, along w/James & John – Mark 5:37
- the first to the declare Jesus as Messiah – Mark 8:29
- “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah”.
- rebuked by Jesus - Mark 8:33
- “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
- Only one to speak up at the transfiguration of Jesus – Mark 9:5-6
- Peter says; “We have left everything to follow you!” – Mark 10:28
Peter puts his loyalty on the line, no matter what Jesus said
– Mark 14:27-31
Peter’s moment to prove his loyalty to Jesus
– Mark 14:47 (John 18:10)
Peter’s loyalty crumbles – three times – Mark 14:66-72
- “And he broke down and wept.” – Mark 14:72
Jesus rebuilds Peter’s position as leader on a new foundation – Love
– John 21:15-19
Proverbs 19:22
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Monday Nov 23, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 22, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Own Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
Today’s Text: Mark 14:53-65
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 26:57-68, Luke 22:67-71, John 18:12-13, 19-24
The goal of the accuser is not to discover the truth but to bring condemnation.
Without Christ, the voice of condemnation shapes our identity and defines us by what we are not… I AM NOT ENOUGH
Mark 14:53-54
Mark 14:55-56
LIES ARE SELF- DEFEATING
Mark 14:57-58
THE TEMPLE MEANT EVERYTHING TO THESE MEN
Mark 14:60-61
RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
Mark 14:61-62
SAYING “I AM” WAS ENOUGH TO CONDEMN HIM
Mark 14:63-64
BOTH THE PERSON & THE PLACE OF FORGIVENESS WERE TORN APART BY THE CONDEMNATION AND DEATH OF JESUS, THE CHRIST
OUR TRUE IDENTITY IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST - Hebrews 9:24-28
WHO ARE YOU? BECAUSE GOD IS ACCESSIBLE, MY TRUE IDENTITY IS KNOWABLE - John 1:11-13
I AM a Child of God!
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – November 15, 2021
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “Prayer & Betrayal”
Today’s Text: Mark 14:32-52
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:40-50, John 18:3-11
PRAYER DOES NOT ALWAYS CHANGE THE CIRCUMSTANCE WE ARE IN, BUT IT CAN ALWAYS CHANGE OUR ACCEPTANCE OF IT AND ATTITUDE TOWARD IT.
JESUS IS BETRAYED
- The “crowd” of thugs expecting a fight
- Jesus predicted this - Mark 8:31
- a “kiss” - a sign of respect and of friendship
- Peter fights and is rebuked
- the disciples fled into the darkness
- the “young man wearing a linen garment”
- Mark?
- “linen cloth” for Jesus’ body Mark 15:46
- “young man” in the tomb Mark 16:5
- THE ISOLATION OF JESUS IS COMPLETE
JESUS PRAYED
PRAY IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS (v33-34)
Psalm 55:5-8
PRAY WITH YOUR FACE IN THE DIRT (v35)
PRAY INTIMATELY (v36)
“Abba” – Romans 8:15 & Galatians 4:6
PRAY ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT, EVEN IF YOU ALREADY KNOW IT’S NOT IN HIS WILL (v35-36)
PRAY “IN THE SPIRIT” (v38)
- The Spirit is willing – Ephesians 6:18
PRAY THREE TIMES (at least)
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 8, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “So They Prepared the Passover”
Today’s Text: Mark 14:12-31
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 26:17-35, Luke 22:7:23 (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
A Celebration of Death
PREPARATION (v12-16)
- Mark 11:1-2
DISRUPTION (v17-21)
- Psalm 49:9
- Psalm 23:5
COMMEMORATION (v22-25)
- John 6:53-60
ADORATION (v26)
ADMONITION (v27)
- Zechariah 13:7
RESURRECTION (v28)
EXCEPTION (v29-31)
ISOLATION
- Crowds on Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11)
- Overturning tables in the Temple courts (Mark 11:15-18)
- Publicly calling out the religious leaders (Mark 12:38-40)
- Only spending time with His disciples (Mark 12:41 forward….)
- Only eating with the 12 at Passover (Mark 14:17)
- Announcing the betrayal (Mark 14:18)
- Foretelling the denial of all of them, including Peter (Mark 14:27-31)
- Just 3 disciples go with Him to pray in Gethsemane (Mk. 14:32-34)
- Peter rebuked for defending Jesus with a sword (Mark 14:47-49)
- Arrested alone….. (Mark 14:50)
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 1, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Today’s Text: Mark 14:1-11
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 26:2-16, John 12:1-8
DID JESUS PROVIDE AN EXCUSE FOR APATHY?
“The poor you will always have with you.” - Mark 14:7
- Matthew 25 – the sheep and the goats
- “poor” & “poverty” 197x in the Bible – help them
- “rich” & “wealthy” 165x in the Bible – warnings & rebukes
- who is responsible to help? nations or individuals?
Individual Responsibility - Proverbs 14:31 & 17:5
National Responsibility - Ezekiel 16:49-50
WHAT CHANGED THE MINDS OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS? – Mark 14:1-2
WHO IS IN THE ROOM? John 12:1-8 & Mark 14:3-11
- A TRULY GREAT MAN, ABOUT TO DIE - JESUS
- THE MEN WHO FOLLOW HIM – THE TWELVE
- A MAN W/A HEART OF GRATITUDE– SIMON THE LEPER
- A RISEN MAN - LAZARUS - John 11
- A WOMAN WITH THE HEART OF A SERVANT - MARTHA
– Luke 10:38-42
- A WOMAN WITH A HEART OF WORSHIP - MARY
MARY is always found at THE FEET OF JESUS
Luke 10:39, John 11:32, John 12:3, Matthew 28:9
- A MAN WITH A HEART OF BETRAYAL - JUDAS
THIS EVENT TRIGGERED JUDAS,
WHICH IN TURN, TRIGGERED THE SANHEDRIN