Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 17, 2019
Series Title: “Living Thankfully in a Thankless World”
Today’s Title: “Thank God by Giving”
Today’s Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Thanksgiving without giving is words without actions.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
“eager” (v2)
“enthusiastic” (v2)
“heart-felt” (v7)
“cheerful” (v7)
“thanksgiving” (v11)
“heartitude”
What is your “heartitude” about giving?
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Matthew 6:21
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
- James 2:15-16
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Thursday Nov 14, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – November 10, 2019
Series Title: “Being Thankful People in a Thankless World”
Today’s Title: “Thank God for Friends”
Today’s Texts: Acts 18 & Romans 16
Where does friendship begin?
- rooted in a common identity
- fellow Jewish converts
- fellow Christians,“dear friends” (35 in Rom. 16)
Why does friendship grow?
- working toward a common purpose (Romans 16)
- friends acknowledged for their “hard work”
- “outstanding” (Andronicus, Junia)
- “stood the test” (Apelles)
- “chosen in the Lord” (Rufus)
- “like a mother to me” (mother of Rufus)
- hosting the church (Gaius)
When does friendship deepen?
- strengthened through a common struggle
- Jason (v21 & Acts 17:1-9)
How does friendship become a life-long bond?
- willing to give an uncommon sacrifice
Priscilla & Aquila
- lived in Rome, but had to leave their home & business
because Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome
- like Paul, tentmakers (leather workers)
- hosted a church in their home (1 Cor. 16:19)
- went to Ephesus with Paul
- trained Apollos about the faith
- risked their life for Paul during a riot
(Acts 19:23-41, 2 Cor. 1:8-9)
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Friday Nov 08, 2019
Friday, November 8, 2019 – Scriptural Mediation
1 Corinthians 10:14-33 & 11:17-34
“Thank God for the Body of Christ!”
COMMUNITY IN COMMUNION
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” – 1 Corinthians 10:16
Is there anything in your life that you are giving yourself over to, or participating in, that dishonors or denies Christ?
Are you careful, sensitive, and considerate, of others in how you live your life? (both among believers and non-believers?)
Are you welcoming to others? (both believers and non-believers?)
Do you openly share with those in need?
Can you set aside whatever social barriers might exist for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
When you consider the gift of salvation from Christ, what are you most thankful for?
As you look around this room this morning, who are you thankful for?
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – October 27, 2019
Series Title: Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
Today’s Title: Fear of the Unknown
Today’s Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Not every unknown we face is relational, but the stronger our relationships the better able we’ll be to face them.
Following Christ’s Relational Pattern into the Unknown
1) Take on a new Mindset (v5)
2) Let go of Control (v6)
3) Come with Nothing (v7)
4) Be Willing to Give Everything (v8)
5) Submit Every Relationship to the Lordship of Christ (v9-11)
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – October 20, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “Afraid of Loneliness and of Rejection”
Today’s Text: Psalm 51 & 142
David’s Complicated Life
CHOSEN TO BE KING – 1 Samuel 16:1-13
MUSICIAN FOR KING SAUL – 1 Samuel 16:14-23
KILLS GOLIATH – 1 Samuel 17
BEFRIENDS SAUL’S SON – Samuel 18 & 20
MARRIES SAUL’S DAUGHTER – Samuel 18
SAUL’S JEALOUSY FORCED DAVID RUN & HIDE – 1 Samuel 21-23, 29
DAVID’S LOYALTY TO SAUL – 1 Samuel 24 & 26
SAUL’S SUICIDE & JONATHAN’S DEATH – 1 Samuel 31 & 2 Samuel 1
KING DAVID UNITES & STRENGTHENS ISRAEL – 2 Samuel 2-8
COMPASSION TO JONATHAN’S CRIPPLED SON – 2 Samuel 9
DAVID’S BIGGEST FAILURE – 2 Samuel 11
THE PROPHET NATHAN’S REBUKE – 2 Samuel 12
DAVID’S REPENTANCE – Psalm 51
DEATH OF INFANT SON – 2 Samuel 12
IMMORALITY & MURDER AMONG HIS CHILDREN – 2 Samuel 14
BETRAYED BY HIS OWN SON, ABSALOM - 2 Samuel 14-17 (Psalm 3)
ABSALOM IS KILLED, DAVID MOURNS - 2 Samuel 18-19
LONLINESS & ISOLATION
- HIDING FROM SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO HURT YOU
- LOSING YOUR BEST FRIEND
- YOUR SIN, THAT DEEPLY HURT YOU & THOSE YOU LOVE
- BROKEN, MIXED UP, COMPLICATED FAMILY
- BETRAYAL BY YOUR OWN FAMILY
- THE PAIN OF LOSING A CHILD
WHEN FEEL ALONE & DON’T KNOW HOW TO PRAY,
PRAY THE PSALMS…3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 77, 83, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 121, 130, 131, 139, 140, 141,142, 143 (These 53 Psalms are personal prayers, cries out to God)
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – October 13, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect Love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “Afraid to Get Too Close”
Today’s Text: John 15:9-17
“It is not good for the man to be alone.” – Genesis 2:18
John 15:5 - “nothing” includes establishing and sustaining loving relationships.
1 John 4:16 & 4:21
Life and love are a struggle
No one should struggle alone
Remain in Love
The Command of Jesus - John 15:9-10, 12, 17
No greater love – John 15:13-14
to lay down one’s life…..
Be
Be available
Be present
Be quiet
Be unconditional
Be this kind of friend… Colossians 3:12-14
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – October 6, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect Love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “Fear of Condemnation”
Today’s Text: John 8:2-11
THE VOICES OF CONDEMNATION SAY…
- “What will ‘everybody’ think of you if they find out about your sin?” (v2)
- “Now I’ve got you! Everybody will know what you’ve done!” (v3)
- “It’s true, you are guilty, the Law says so!” (v4)
- “The Law demands that you be punished!” (v5)
- “If you admit it, you’re guilty. If you deny it, you’re a liar. Either way, you lose.” (v6)
- “Okay Christ, what are you waiting for?! Shame on him! Shame on her! The truth and the Law demand it!” (v7)
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
- Is slow to speak (v6)
- “The one who has never sinned may proceed with the execution.” (v7)
- Is heard first by the wise (v9)
- Reveals the lack of authority in the voices of condemnation (v10-11)
SET FREE BY CHRIST
- Christ sets you free from the voices of condemnation
- Christ sets you free from the burden of perfection
- Christ can inspires you to do your best from and place of love and gratitude
- Christ Jesus forgives (go, and do likewise)
Monday Sep 30, 2019
Monday Sep 30, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 29, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect Love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “Fear & Wonder - Seeing Yourself as God has Created You"
Today’s Text: Psalm 139
Fear & Wonder Meditation
Invite God to “search” you.
- set aside time for this
- get to a quiet a place
- be still (this might take a while)
- slow down, breathe
- breathe slowly, listen to your breath
- listen to what your mind & heart are saying
What fears and anxieties emerge from your thoughts?
- exhale what troubles you
- hold the thought and breathe it out
Is there any hatred in you related to those fears?
- accept that God knows all that is within you
- believe that He does not condemn or reject you
- ask God for the strength and courage to love and to forgive
Read Psalm 139 again
- read slowly, one verse at a time
- God wants to lead you “in the way everlasting” (v24)
- Are you willing to follow?
Monday Sep 23, 2019
Monday Sep 23, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 22, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect Love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “The Fear that Who I Am Today is Not Enough”
Today’s Text: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
GOING FROM “NOWHERE” TO “NOW HERE”
“HERE I AM”
Abraham - Genesis 22:11
Jacob – Genesis 31:11
Moses – Exodus 3:4
David – Psalm 40:7
Submissive
Confident
Ready
Willing
Obedient
HERE I AM …..NO LONGER AFRAID OF CONDEMNATION FROM GOD (v11)
- Romans 8:1
- 1 John 4:16-18
HERE I AM…..COMPELLED BY THE LOVE OF THE ONE WHO DIED FOR ALL (v14-15)
HERE I AM…..SEEING PEOPLE IN A NEW WAY (Christ loves “them” too) (v16-17)
HERE I AM….COMMITTED TO THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION (v18-21)
Monday Sep 16, 2019
Monday Sep 16, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 15, 2019
Series Title: “Perfect Love Drives Out Fear”
Today’s Title: “The Fear of the Lord: How Respect & Love Work Together”
Today’s Texts: Psalm 103 & Romans 8:31-39
“perfect” love?
– Matthew 5:48
– 1 Corinthians 13:9-10
– Ephesians 4:13
“An ongoing change in my nature that willingly, consistently, and persistently places the well-being of the other ahead of myself.”
Afraid of God?
The Fear of the Lord is…
- Pure (Psalm 19:19)
- The beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10)
- The beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7)
- Adds length to life (Proverbs 10:27)
- A fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)
- Leads to life (Proverbs 19:23)
- Humility (Proverbs 22:4)
Your Fears: Is there anything life-giving about them?
Your God: Do you trust God to give you life?
Jesus on Fear of God: Luke 12:4-7
God is Love…
…and love is far bigger than your fears.
- Psalm 103:11-12
- Psalm 103:13
- Psalm 103 17
- Romans 8:38-39