Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 24, 2020
Tuesday Mar 24, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline - March 22 – 4:35-41
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: Who is This?
Today’s Main Text: Mark 4:35-41
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 8:18, 23-27, Luke 8:22-25
TRUSTING GOD DURING THE STORM
BELIEVE THAT GOD _______________ - Matthew 6:25-34
BE ________________ - Psalm 46
PRACTICE ________-________________ PRESENCE – Philippians 4:4-7
MAKE THE ____________ TO _____________, REPEAT, AND REPEAT….
Philippians 4:4
LEAD WITH _______________________ - Philippians 4:5
REMEMBER THAT GOD IS _____________ - Philippians 4:5
IN ______________ SITUATION, PRAY - Philippians 4:6
_________________ THE PEACE OF GOD - Philippians 4:7
- A peace that is beyond your understanding - Proverbs 3:3-6
- A peace that guards your heart - Proverbs 4:20-23
WHO IS THIS? - Mark 4:41
- The God you don’t yet _________________is far bigger than the one you ________________ now.
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 15
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “He Did not Say Anything to Them without Using a Parable”
Today’s Text: Mark 4:21-34
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19
Do you REALLY want to grow?
Growth includes
exposure
openness
vulnerability
humility
Growth requires listening
“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
“Consider carefully what you hear,…”
IS YOUR “MEASURE” ABLE TO…
ACCEPT CHANGE
ADMIT FAILURE
CONSIDER THE “OTHER”
Growth is not what you do, it’s what God does in you
The Kingdom of God is LIKE
Embrace mystery
Live with unanswered questions
Let go of outcomes
Accept lack of closure
Growth is not just for your own sake
“Birds can perch in its shade”
Is the space your life provides so big that others find safety, comfort, and provision just by being with you?
Everything good begins with light.
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 8, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “The Secret of the Kingdom of God”
Today’s Text: Mark 4:1-20
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 13:1-15, 18-23, Luke 8:4-15
THE SOWER IS CHRIST, AND SEED IS “THE WORD” (v14)
– Matthew 13:10-19 – Matthew version of same parable
- Matthew 5-7 – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
The “seed” represents the opportunity to experience love and life through humble service to God. – THIS IS KINGDOM LIFE
THE SOIL IS THE HEART
THE HARD HEART – along the path (v15)
- Hebrews 3:13-15
THE UNGUARDED HEART – rocky places (v16-17)
- Proverbs 4:23
- Philippians 4:4-7
THE DIVIDED HEART – among the thorns (v18-19)
- Psalm 86:11
THE CULTIVATED HEART – the good soil (v20)
- Hebrews 4:12-13
How can I assess the “soil condition” of my heart?
What is my life producing? - Galatians 5:13-26
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 1, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: He is Out of His Mind
Today’s Text: Mark 3:20-35
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 10:2-4, 12:25-29, 46-50, Luke 6:14-16, 8:19-21, 11:17-22
“He is out of his mind!”, “He is possessed by Beelzebul!”
BLASPHEMY? (unforgivable sin?)
“whoever blasphemes against the HOLY SPIRIT will never be forgiven”
This word is used 15x in New Testament.
- Luke 12:10 – speaking against Jesus, forgivable
- 1 Timothy 1:13 – Paul was a blasphemer
- This specific warning is given only in this story.
IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT IT, YOU DIDN’T DO IT
ACCUSATIONS FROM “CLERGY”
(religious authority, church leaders, pastors, legalistic know-it-alls)
Jesus used LOGIC, REASON
- A House Divided (v23-26)
- A Strong man’s House (27)
LIES CANNOT STAND ON THEIR OWN, THEY NEED A “STRONGMAN” TO PROP THEM UP.
ACCUSATIONS FROM FAMILY
(parents, siblings, extended family)
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
“Here are my mother and my brothers!”
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Whoever does God’s WILL is your true FAMILY.
Whoever does God’s will is your true family, your true CHURCH
Romans 12:2 – Trust people who live THIS pattern….
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline - February 23, 2020
Series Title: Finding Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: He Appointed Twelve that They Might be with Him
Today’s Text: Mark – 3:7-19
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 10:2-4, 12:15-16, Luke 6:14-19
Jesus prayer all night before appointed “The 12”
Could God really change the world with these guys?
Bartholomew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
- Nothing more in the New Testament about them
Andrew - Peter’s brother, fisherman, led Peter to Jesus (John 1:41)
Matthew (Levi) - Accountant (tax collector) – wrote “Matthew”
- known for his parties (Matthew 9:9-10)
Thomas – pessimistic (John 11:16)
- wants clear answers (John 14:5)
- has to see to believe (John 20:24-29)
Judas - Took care of the money and helped himself to it (John 12:4-6)
- Opportunist who betrayed Jesus for money (Matthew 26:14-16)
- Committed suicide (Matthew 27:1-5)
Philip - fisherman? Has a heart for the outsider
- Led Greeks to see Jesus (John 12:20-22)
- Took the Gospel to Samaria (Acts 8:5-8)
- Baptized an Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40)
James - Johns’ brother, fellow “son of thunder” & fisherman
- quiet?- inner circle w/Peter & John
- executed by Herod (Acts 12:1-2)
John -fisherman, brother “son of thunder” with James
- inner circle, closest to Jesus, co-leader with Peter in Acts
- fiery (Luke 9:54)
- ambitious, power hungry (Mark 10:35-45)
- First man to the tomb (John 20:1-4)
Peter – Fisherman, Andrew’s brother, inner Circle, Co-Leader w/John
PASSIONATE & IMPULSIVE
- Declared Jesus as Messiah, then Jesus calls him “Satan” (Mk 8:27-33)
- Jumps out to walk on the water and almost drowns (Matthew 14:22-35)
- Won’t let Jesus wash feet, then wants head & hands washed (Jn 13:1-17)
- Swears he’d never deny Jesus, but does so 3x (Mark 14:27-31 & 66-72)
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 16, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “He Looked at Them in Anger”
Today’s Text: Mark 2:23-3:6
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 12:1-14, Luke 6:1-11
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Where do you place your Hope?
Gold?
Generations?
Government?
Goodness?
Jesus was criticized and threatened by two groups of people;
The Pharisees – Who hoped in Goodness
The Herodians – Who Hoped in Government
Mark 2:23-24 – picking grain on the Sabbath
Mark 3:1-2 – healing a hand on the Sabbath
Sabbath
Hands
Rules
Godly Priorities
THIS is what made Jesus angry. He came to bring a message of Hope from God, but the people who hoped in goodness and in government rejected His teaching and His acts compassion. - Mark 3:5-6
Is your HOPE in Christ, or in something less?
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 9, 2020
Series Title: Seeing your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: Why Does He Eat with Tax Collectors and Sinners?
Today’s Text: Mark 2:13-22
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 9:9-13-17, Luke 5:27-38
You are Invited into…
Participation
Following implies doing, not just thinking
Connection
Meeting people where they are at, without judgment
Affirmation
YOU matter, YOU have value, YOU are worth giving time to
Celebration
Life has come to us
Initiation
It’s time to change how you see God, and how you see yourself
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 2, 2020
Series Title: Finding Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “Get Up, Take Up Your Mat, and Go Home”
Today’s Text: Mark 2:1-12
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 9:2-8, Luke 5:18-26
THE STORY
- “Jesus again entered Capernaum” (2:1-2)
- “Jesus saw their faith” (2:3-5)
- “Your sins are forgiven” (2:5)
- “He’s blaspheming!” (2:6-7)
- “Which is easier to say?” (2:8-10)
EIGHT WORDS THAT CHANGED A LIFE (2:11-12)
- “GET UP” – he had to believe that he was both forgiven and healed
- “TAKE YOUR MAT” – the symbol of his old life
- “AND GO HOME” – to the people who know him best
THE APPLICATION
EVERY ACT OF FORGIVENESS INCLUDES AN ELEMENT OF HEALING
GET UP! – Rise up and live!
- BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE FORGIVEN
- Guilt & shame will not paralyze me
- BELIEVE THAT NEW LIFE IS POSSIBLE
TAKE YOUR MAT
- You don’t need your “mat” any longer
- But don’t forget where you were
GO HOME
- Begin living out the new you where you can’t pretend
- Expect resistance to change
FORGIVENESS IS DESIGNED TO BE SHARED
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Monday Jan 27, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 26, 2020
Series Title: Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus
Today’s Title: “The Whole Town Gathered at the Door”
Today’s Text: Mark 1:29-45
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 8:2-4, 14-17, Luke 4:38-43, 5:12-14
FOLLOW JESUS’ MISSION PATH BY…
BEFRIENDING SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE (v29-31)
BEING CAREFUL OF “THE CROWD” (v32-34)
STAYING CENTERED THROUGH PRAYER (v35)
PRIVATE PRAYER ENABLES US TO…
BE REALISTIC ABOUT CHANGE (v36-37)
KEEP MOVING FORWARD (v38)
KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING (v38-39)
TAKE RISKS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS (v40-42)
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFLUENCE AND CONTROL (v43-45)
Jesus did not demand that the crowds that gathered around Him change.
Nor did He allow the demands of the crowd to change Him.
He understood that God’s mission is not a demand to be followed, but an invitation to be accepted.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 19, 2020
Series Title: “Seeing Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “The Time Has Come”
Today’s Text: Mark 1:14-28
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 4:12-22, Luke 4:31-37, 5:2-11, John 1:35-42
THE TIME HAS COME
TO TURN & BELIEVE THAT GOD IS NEAR
- “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good
news!” - Mark 1:15
TO LEAVE YOUR IDENTITY BEHIND
- “at once” - Peter & Andrew “left their nets” – Mark 1:18
- “without delay” - James & John “left their father” – Mark 1:20
- These men were “prepared” to leave by John the Baptist
- John 1:35-42
TO BE AMAZED BY JESUS’ AUTHORITY TO TEACH
- “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them
as one who had authority…” - Mark 1:22
TO RESPOND TO EVIL WITH THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS
- Jesus does not debate the voice of evil. He just says “Be quiet!” and
“Come out…” - Mark 1:25
TO BE AMAZED BY THE POWER OF JESUS’ TEACHING
- “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority!” – Mark 1:27
THE TIME IS NOW
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30