Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
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
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline - January 12, 2020
Series Title: “Find Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “The Beginning of the Good News”
Today’s Text: Mark 1:1-13
Gospel Parallels: Matthew 3:1-17, 4:1-11 Luke 3:2-16, 21-22, 4:1-13
Historical/Cultural Contrasts
- The Gospel of Caesar & The Gospel of Jesus
- The High Priest & John the Baptist
- The Temple & the Wilderness
- Israel & Jesus
- both went to Egypt, were “baptized” and were tested
BEGIN BY FOLLOWING THE WAY THAT JESUS BEGAN
Begin with what life has handed you and see God in it….. ALL of it….
- Jesus birth and Growth - Matthew 2 & Luke 2 (Luke 2:52)
Begin by setting yourself apart for God’s purpose
- Jesus is baptized – Mark 1:2-9
Begin by accepting that you are accepted.
- God loves you and likes you!
- Jesus hears his Father’s approval - Mark 1:10-11
Begin by stepping into the wild
- Jesus is in the wilderness among the wild animals - Mark 1:12-13
Begin by refining your focus
- Jesus is tempted - Mark 1:12-13
Begin…and begin again….and again…..
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 5, 2020
Series Title: “Discovering Your Life in the Life of Jesus”
Today’s Title: “Remarkable Mark”
Today’s Text: Acts 15:36-41
Mark’s Story
- Witness to Jesus arrest? 30 AD - Mark 14:51-52
- Peter’s miraculous escape: 42 AD – Acts 12:12
- Journeyed with Barnabas & Paul: 42-48 AD – Acts 12:25 & 13:5
- Left Barnabas & Paul at Pamphylia: 48 AD – Acts 13:13
Mark’s Recovery & Connections
- With Paul when he wrote Colossians & Philemon: 62 AD
Colossians 4:10 & Philemon 1:23-24
- Paul instructs Timothy to bring Mark w/him: 63 AD – 2 Tim 4:11
- With Peter in Rome – “my son Mark”: 64 AD – 1 Peter 5:13
We All Need Good Leaders
To Mark…
- Paul provided: ACCOUNTABILITY
- Barnabas provided: RENEWED OPPORTUNITY
- Peter provided: FATHERLY GUIDANCE
Who do you look to?
- FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
- FOR RENEWED OPPORTUNITY
- FOR FATHERLY GUIDANCE
Who’s looking to you?
Thursday Jan 02, 2020
Thursday Jan 02, 2020
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 29, 2019
Series Title: Views of the Birth of Christ
Today’s Title: Herod; Even a Baby Can Topple a Kingdom
Today’s Text: Matthew 2:13-20
Warning about the power of kings from Samuel: 1 Samuel 8:10-18
Warnings from Solomon about corrupt rulers:
Proverbs 17:7, 28:3, 28:15, 28:16, 29:12
AUTHORITY IS GOD’S IDEA
Colossians 2:9-10
AUTHORITY IN MARRIAGE
Ephesians 5:21-25
AUTHORITY IN FAMILY
Ephesians 6:1-4
AUTHORITY AT WORK
Ephesians 6:5-9
AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
Hebrews 13:17
AUTHORITY IN COMMUNITY
Romans 13:1-2 & 1 Peter 2:13-14
How will you handle authority in 2020?
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – December 22, 2019
Series Title: Views of the Birth of Christ
Today’s Title: Why Tell Shepherds?
Today’s Text: Luke 2:8-20
Shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night
Why Did the Angel Come to Shepherds?
- Because God sent the King of Kings to reach the lowest of the low
- Shepherds were looked down upon
- GOD’S PRIORITY FOR THE POOR
- The Beatitudes – Matthew 5:3-12
- The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31-46
- Because Jesus would become the Lamb of God
- Called the “Lamb of God” by John the Baptist - John 1:29, 36
- 31 times in Revelation, Jesus referred to as the “Lamb”
- Because Jesus is the Good Shepherd
- Isaiah 53:6 – we’ve all gone astray
- John 10:11-17
- The Good Shepherd is self-less
- The Good Shepherd is inclusive
- Because the church needs shepherds
- John 21:15-17 – Jesus to Peter; “do you love me?”
- 1 Peter 5:1-5 – Peter instructs leaders
- Acts 20:28-29 – Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders
Monday Dec 16, 2019
Monday Dec 16, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 15, 2019
Series Title: “Views of the Birth of the Christ”
Today’s Title: “The Father’s View - The Best I Can Give”
Today’s Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
“The Invitation” – a story by Pastor Paul
THE GIFT OF GOD…..
- NONE OF US DESERVE IT
- Ephesians 2:1-3
- “…we were by nature deserving of wrath.” (3)
- COMES WHEN WE NEED IT THE MOST
- Ephesians 2:4-5
- “…even when we were dead in transgressions—"(5)
- IS KINDLY GIVEN
- Ephesians 2:6-7
- “…his grace, expressed in his kindness…” (7)
- CAN’T BE BOUGHT OR EARNED
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- “…not from yourselves…..not by works,…” (8-9)
- SETS US FREE TO DO GOOD WORKS FOR GOOD REASONS
- Ephesians 2:10
- “…created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” (10)
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 8, 2019
Series Title: Views of the Birth of the Christ
Today’s Title: Joseph’s view; Believing, and Living with, the Impossible
Today’s Text: Matthew 1:18-25
JOSEPH AND THE CULTURE OF HIS DAY
THREE PATHS THAT JOSEPH COULD HAVE TAKEN
1) TO DIVORCE MARY PUBLICLY WOULD
- BRING FINANCIAL COMPENSATION
- INVOLVE A PUBLIC HEARING
- INCREASE PUBLIC SHAME TO MARY
- MAKE HER GUILTY OF A CAPITAL OFFENSE
- SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN
2) TO DIVORCE MARY PRIVATELY WOULD
- STILL BE HARD FOR MARY
- LESS BRING SHAME ON MARY
- SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN
3) TO GO ON WITH THE MARRIAGE WOULD
- BRING PERSONAL SHAME
- BRING A SHARED SHAME WITH MARY
LEARNING FROM HOW JOSEPH HANDLED AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION
HE RESPONDS TO SIN WITH COMPASSION
HE INTERVENES WITH GRACE
HE TAKES ON MARY’S SHAME AND BEARS IT HIMSELF
HOW JESUS HANDLED OUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION
Romans 5:1-5 & Hebrews 12:1-2
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Tuesday Nov 26, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 24, 2019
Series Title: “Being Thankful in a Thankless World”
Today’s Title: “Thank God for Food”
Today’s Text: Mark 8:1-10
God is great and God is good,
And we thank him for our food;
By his hand we must be fed,
Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.
JESUS FEEDS THOUSANDS
- 5000 – Mark 6:39-44
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. (v41)
- 4000 – Mark 8:1-10
- When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks(v6) - They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them (v7)
THE LAST SUPPER – Mark 14:22-25
- “…Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
gave it to his disciples,” (v22)
- “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to
them, and they all drank from it.” (v23)
FOOD AND TEMPATATION
THE TEMPTATION OF ADAM & EVE - Genesis 3:1-7
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food…(v6)
THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST - Matthew 4:1-11
tell these stones to become bread. (v3)
FOOD, FORGIVENESS, AND TEMPATATION
THE LORD’S PRAYER – Matthew 6:9-13
That’s why we call it “grace”!