Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Sunday Aug 04, 2019
Sunday Aug 04, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – August 4, 2019
“The Mystery of God: Endlessly Knowable” – Ephesians 3:1-20
GOD REVEALED HIS MYSTERIOUS PLAN (v2-5)
- The message of the Bible, the Gospel (good news), reveals “Christ”
GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN IS INCLUSIVE (v6-9)
- The Gentiles are included, so ALL are included
- No more exclusive access to God
- No more “us” vs. “them”
- Ephesians 2:14-17
GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN IS ALREADY DONE (v10-11)
- God’s eternal (timeless) purpose was “accomplished” in Christ
GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN GIVES FREEDOM & CONFIDENCE! (v12-13)
- Approach God confidently - Hebrews 4:16
GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PLAN IS SIMPLE – LOVE (v14-19)
- Rooted in love
- Established in love
- Powered by love
- This love is greater than knowledge
- 1 John 4:7-8
GOD’S MYTERIOUS PLAN IS BEYOND IMAGINATION! (v20)
- Do we limit God by our own imagination?
Monday Jul 22, 2019
Monday Jul 22, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 21, 2019
“God's Priority List” – Luke 4:14-21
WHAT WERE GOD’S PRIORITIES FOR ISRAEL?
THE LAW
- Exodus 23:9 – Don’t oppress foreigners
- Leviticus 19:10 - leave crops for the poor
- Leviticus 25:35 - help the poor
THE PSALMIST
- Psalm 146:5-9 – the oppressed, the hungry, prisoners, the blind, the humbled, the foreigner, the fatherless, the widow
THE PROPHETS
- What happened at Sodom? - GENESIS 18-19 (18:20-21)
What was the sin of Sodom? – Ezekiel 16:49-50
- Arrogant
- Overfed
- Unconcerned
- Not helping poor & needy
- Haughty
- Did “detestable things”
THE PRIORITIES OF JESUS REVEALED IN THE GOSPELS
-CLEAR FROM THE START - Luke 4:14-21
the poor, the prisoners, the blind, the oppressed
- GIVING TO POOR ASSUMED - Matthew 6:1-4
- NO EXCUSE - Matthew 26:6-13 & Deut. 15:7-11
- CLEAR AT THE END - Matthew 25:31-46
the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the unclothed, the sick, the prisoner
THE PRIORITIES OF THE CHURCH REVEALED IN THE EPISTLES
- In the first Church Council - Galatians 2:10
- True Religion - James 1:26-27
- Helping Fellow Believers - Romans 15:26
WHAT ARE GOD'S PRIORITIES?
THE “POOR” MENTIONED176 TIMES IN THE BIBLE
- They matter to God so they should matter to us.
Monday Jul 15, 2019
Monday Jul 15, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 14, 2019
“Why Two Testaments?” ~ Romans 5:12-21
The Old Testament The New Testament
Beginning of all things End of all things
Paradise lost (Eden) Paradise restored (Heaven)
Adam’s sin brings death Christ’s death destroys sin & brings life
Abraham, the Old Covenant Christ, the New Covenant
Jacob’s 12 sons Christ’s 12 disciples
The Passover sets Israel free Jesus, the Lamb of God, sets all people free
Israel “baptized” in Red Sea Jesus Baptized in the Jordan River
Moses brings the Law Christ brings freedom
Israel Wanders in Wilderness 40 years Jesus tempted in Wilderness 40 days
Joshua Conquers by War Paul Conquers by Love
David, a shepherd becomes king Jesus, a king becomes our shepherd
Prophets Warn of Wrath Prophets Offer Hope
Temple is Destroyed & Rebuilt Christ’s Body Destroyed & Church Built
The Promise of a Coming Messiah The Promise of the Return of Christ
Adam Christ
Sin & Death ………………………………………...(Romans 5:12-14)
The Trespass ……………………….The Gift……….....(Romans 5:15)
“many” died………….……………“many” given grace….(Rom. 5:15)
Condemnation for all people..…Justification for all people (Romans 5:16,18)
Reign of death ……………………..Reign of life…..(Romans 5:17,21)
Disobedience brought sin…….Obedience brought righteousness (Rom. 5:19)
Sin Increases……………………...Grace Increased More! (Rom. 5:20)
WE ALL START HERE…………SO THAT WE CAN END HERE
Tuesday Jul 09, 2019
Tuesday Jul 09, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 7, 2019
“Your Heart is More Important than Your Wallet”
Matthew 6:19-24 & 1 Timothy 6:6-11
Two words that summarize a godly attitude about money:
- DEVOTION & CONTENTMENT
DEVOTION – Matthew 6:19-24
- What does your heart reveal about what you treasure?
- If I love God, do I despise money?
- If I love money, do I hate God?
- Which am I devoted to?
- Psalm 86:11-12
- Rely on your faithfulness
- An undivided heart
CONTENTMENT – 1 Timothy 6:6-11
- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
- Proverbs 19:23 – Contentment begins with fear of the Lord
- Hebrews 13:5 – Be content with what you have
- Philippians 4:10-13
- Whatever the circumstance
- In any & every situation
Wednesday Jul 03, 2019
Wednesday Jul 03, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 30, 2019
“What Does it Mean to ‘Love God’?” – Matt. 22:34-40
Who/what is “God”?
- creator (Genesis 1:1)
- not human (Numbers 23:19)
- a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24)
- faithful (Deuteronomy 4:31)
- mighty & awesome (Deuteronomy 10:17)
- a refuge (Deuteronomy 33:27)
- gracious & compassionate (2 Chronicles 30:9)
- a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11)
- my rock – (Psalm 18:2)
- king (Psalm 47:7)
- saves (Psalm 68:20)
- a sun & a shield (Psalm 84:11)
- holy (Psalm 99:9)
- gracious, righteous, full of compassion (Psalm 116:5)
- in heaven (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
- my salvation (Isaiah 12:2)
- Sovereign (Daniel 5:21)
- merciful & forgiving (Daniel 9:9)
- righteous (Daniel 9:14)
- truthful (John 3:33)
- spirit (John 4:24)
- faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9)
- not disorder, but peace (1 Corinthians 14:33)
- one (Galatians 3:20)
- just (2 Thessalonians 1:6)
- the builder (Hebrews 3:4)
- light (1 John 1:5)
- love 1 John 4:8 & 16
- my strength and my defense (Exodus 15:2)
- is a Warrior (Exodus 15:3)
- my banner (Exodus 17:15
- one (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- Peace (Judges 6:24)
- my rock, fortress, deliverer (2 Samuel 22:2
- King (Psalm 10:16)
- my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
- my Light and stronghold (Psalm 27:1)
- good (Psalm 34:8)
- great (Psalm 40:16)
- upright (Psalm 92:15
- compassionate & gracious (Psalm 103:8)
- with me (Psalm 118:6-7)
- a fortified tower (Proverbs 18:10)
- judge & lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22)
- everlasting (Isaiah 40:28)
- my portion (Lamentations 3:24)
- freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)
- near (11x)
- giving (34x)
- FATHER – most common reference to God, especially in New Testament
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” – 1 John 4:15b
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BEGINS WITH LOVE
Galatians 5:22-23
THE END (GOAL) IS GROWING FAITH IS LOVE
2 Peter 1:5-7
PAUL’S GREAT DESCRIPTION OF LOVE
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
BOTH GOD & LOVE INCLUDE…
- Joy
- Peace
- Forbearance
- Kindness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
- Faith
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Mutual affection
- Patient
- Kind
- Truth
- Protection
- Trust
- Hope
- Perseverance
- WHAT LOVE/GOD IS NOT…
- Envious
- boastful
- dishonoring
- self-seeking
- easily angered
- recorder of wrongs
- delights in evil
- fear (1 John 4:18)
- hate (1 John 4:19-20)
Monday Jun 17, 2019
Monday Jun 17, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 16, 2019
“Peace”
Philippians 4:4-9
Acts 16:16-29 & 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
The Path of Peace (Philippians 4:4)
- The choice to rejoice!
The Process of Peace (Philippians 4:5)
- Be gentle
The Power of Peace (Philippians 4:6)
- Pray about everything
The Promise of Peace (Philippians 4:7)
- God will guard your heart
The Practice of Peace (Philippians 4:8)
- Positive ponderings!
Other Scriptures about “peace”:
- Psalm 34:14 Psalm 37:37
- Psalm 85:10 Proverbs 14:30
- Isaiah 26:3 Isaiah 32:17
- Isaiah 55:12 Matthew 5:9
- John 14:27 John 16:33
- Romans 5:1 Romans 8:6
- Romans 12:18 Romans 14:19
- James 3:17-18
Tuesday Jun 11, 2019
Monday Jun 03, 2019
Monday Jun 03, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 2, 2019
Series Title: “Hope, Heal, Help”
Today’s Title: “Help: Let Your Pain Teach You How”
Today’s Text: Matthew 11:25-30
You can’t help someone else deal with their pain until you’ve let God help you deal with yours. The tools to help others can only be obtained through the work God does with you and in you.
COMING TO GOD – THE QUALIFICATION
- Matthew 11:25
- Matthew 18:1-5
COMING TO GOD – THE RESTRICTION
- Matthew 11:27
- John 14:6-7
COMING TO GOD – THE INVITATION
- Matthew 11:28
COMING TO GOD – THE OCCUPATION
- Matthew 11:29-30
COME TO GOD – THE ACTIVATION
- Matthew 11:29-30
- LEARNING
- REST
- “EASY” WORK
- LIGHT BURDEN
Monday May 13, 2019
Monday May 13, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 12, 2019
Series Title: “Hope, Heal, Help”
Today’s Title: “Help: Because Your Wounds Can Help Someone Else”
Today’s Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Real HELP comes from people who have already encountered God, and are truthful about what an encounter with God will look like.
What Paul encountered before coming to Thessalonica - Acts 16:12-40
A TRUTHFUL ENCOUNTER WITH GOD….
IS DARING (v2)
APPEALS HONESTLY (v3)
COMES THRU PEOPLE APPROVED BY GOD (v4 &13)
HAS NO SELFISH MOTIVATIONS (v5-6)
IS MOTIVATED BY LOVE (v7-8)
IS HARD WORKING (v9)
HAS INTEGRITY (v10)
IS NURTURING (v11-12)
INVOLVES SUFFERING (v15)
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Wednesday May 08, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 5, 2019
Series Title: “Hope, Heal, Help”
Today’s Title: “Help: Founded on Compassion”
Today’s Text: Matthew 9:35-38
“harassed and helpless”
“faint & scattered”
“distressed & rejected”
“troubled & downcast”
“weary & worn out”
“bewildered & miserable”
“confused & aimless”
“distraught & heartbroken”
leaderless
No one to guide them
No one to protect them
No one to feed them
No one to inspire them
No one to HELP the HELPLESS
HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?
ROMAN OPPRESSION
RELIGIOUS CORRUPTION
THE COMPASSION OF JESUS
Physical Infirmities
Outsiders
The “enemy”
Who is harassed, helpless, & leaderless, in our world?
The Workers are few -Matthew 9:37-38
Who will go? – Isaiah 6:8