Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Thursday May 17, 2018
Thursday May 17, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 13, 2018
Series Title: “What if no one would help you but your enemy?”
Today’s Title: “Avoided & Ignored – When Religion gets in the Way of God’s Work”
Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37
OBSTACLES TO LOVE
- Religious Obstacles – Matthew 9:9-13
- “principles”
- Moral codes
- a strict priority structure
- Social & Political Obstacles – Romans 12:9-21
- I don’t want to help “them”
- “they” deserve this, had this coming
- “they” don’t deserve my help
- What will my friends think if I help “them”?
- Is there prejudice in me?
- Obstacles Based on Fear – 1 John 4:16b-21
- Fear of becoming a victim
- Fear of inadequacy
- Fear of being “taken”
- Selfishness – Job 6:14, Proverbs 3:27, Deuteronomy 27:19
- My time
- My money
- My attention
- My convenience
REMOVING OUR OBSTACLES TO LOVE - 1 CORINTIANS 13:4-7
- To the NEIGHBOR
- To the STRANGER
- To the ENEMY
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Tuesday May 08, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 6, 2018
Series Title: What if no one would help you but your enemy? - The Good Samaritan
Today’s Title: The Samaritans: Why the Jews Hated them & How Jesus Dealt with it
Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37
Animosity toward Samaritans in the Gospels:
- “Samaritan” was an insult – John 8:48
- The disciples shared in the hatred – Luke 9:51-56
Where did this animosity come from?
- 931 BC - Israel is divided into 2 kingdoms (1 Kings 12:21-24)
- 900 BC - A city named Samaria is built (1 Kings 16:24)
- Samaria becomes the capital of Israel (1 Kings 16:29)
- 870 BC – False gods worshipped in Samaria (1 Kings 16:31-33)
- Israel never had a godly king and never turned from idols
- 723 BC - Israel is attacked by Assyria, ending the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:24-41)
- 586 BC - The Babylonian captivity of Judah (2 Kings 25)
- 516 BC - Jews return to Jerusalem to start the city and its wall. Samaritans oppose this rebuilding. (Ezra 4:6-16 & Neh. 4:1-3)
- 330 BC (?) – Under Alexander the Great a temple is built at Mt. Gerizim thought to be a holy place the place (Deuteronomy 27:12)
- 127 BC - A Jewish priest leads the destruction of the Gerizim temple
- All along, the Samaritans thought of themselves as Jews
The Samaritan Woman at the Well – John 4
- Jesus breaks numerous social norms
- The big issue between their peoples (John 4:19-20)
- Jesus doesn’t take sides, no “us vs. them” (John 4:21-22)
- Jesus is inclusive and equalizing (John 4:23-24)
The Thankful Samaritan Leper – Luke 17:11-19
The church goes to Samaria (Acts 1:8, 8:4-25, 9:31 & 15:3)
Where is your Samaria? Who are your Samaritans? (be honest with yourself about this)
If you substitute one of “those” people into this parable in place of the Samaritan, how does that change the story for you?
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Tuesday May 01, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 29, 2018
Series Title: “What are the Roots of Our Troubles? – The Parable of the Sower”
Today’s Title: “Noble & Good Heart: The Seeds that will Grow”
Today’s Texts: Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:19-20
THE SEED IS THE WORD
- “logos”
- Jesus both speaks and lives the Word
THE SOIL IS THE HEART
- Hard Path = Hard Heart
- Rocky Ground = Shallow Faith
- Thorns = Anxiety
THE GOOD SOIL IS A GOOD AND HONEST HEART
- hears the word
- understand the word
- accept the word
- retains the word
- perseveres until harvest
THE HARVEST: THE SAME WORD AS FRUIT
- Galatians 5:22-23
- How the Word multiplies
- Deuteronomy 30:11-20
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” – James 1:21
Tuesday Apr 24, 2018
Tuesday Apr 24, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 22, 2018
Series Title: “What are Roots of our Troubles?”
Today’s Title: “Choked & Immature: The Seeds among the Thorns”
Today’s Text: Mark 4:1-20
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)
THE THORNS OF WEALTH
WARNINGS FROM GOD’S WORD ABOUT WEALTH
- MONEY CAN CONSUME YOU - Matthew 6:24
- LOVE FOR MONEY HAS A COMPLEX ROOT SYSTEM - 1 Timothy 6:10
- LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE - Hebrews 13:5
- TREASURE KINGDOM LIFE FIRST – Matthew 6:19-21
THE THORNS OF WORRY
PRACTICES FROM GOD’S WORD THAT CAN EASE YOUR ANXIETY
- CONSIDER HOW GOD CONTROLS CREATION - Matthew 6:25-34
- BEFRIEND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE - Proverbs 12:25
- EXPRESS WORDS OF JOY – Philippians 4:4
- IDENTIFY THE SOURCE – Psalm 139:23
- LIST YOUR WORRIES IN PRAYER – Philippians 4:6
- CAST IT TO GOD - 1 Peter 5:7
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)
Monday Apr 16, 2018
Monday Apr 16, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 15, 2018
Series Title: “What are the Roots of Our Troubles?”
Today’s Title: “Rocked & Rootless: The Seeds Among the Rocks”
Today’s Texts: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 & John 6
“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13:20-21)
SHALLOW FAITH… (John 6)
…SEEKS POLITICAL SOLUTIONS TO SPIRITUAL NEEDS – 6:14-15
…WANTS TO WORK TOWARD GOD – 6:25-29
…SEEKS PHYSICAL PROVISION FIRST – 30-40
…WANTS EVERYTHING TO MAKE SENSE – 6:41-59
…DIES UNDER PRESSURE– 6:60-66
- Are looking man’s authority to carry out God’s work? How is that working out?
- Are you trying to prove to God that you are good enough? Can you earn love?
- Do you trust God to provide what you need? Do you trust Him even when it doesn’t come when you want it?
- Do you believe in God even when you don’t understand God? When life makes no sense?
- Are you ready to let shallow faith die and turn to believe in the One who can feed the soul, forever?
Tuesday Apr 10, 2018
Tuesday Apr 10, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 8, 2018
Series Title: “What are the Roots of our Troubles? – The Parable of the Sower & the Seeds”
Today’s Title: “Trampled & Devoured: The Seeds Along the Path”
Today’s Text: Luke 8:1-15
Jesus in Luke 8
- He called & He set free (8:1-3)
- He taught with common metaphors (8:4-8)
- He left them wondering (8:9-10)
- He spread “the Word” (8:11-15)
THE VARIOUS SOIL CONDITIONS THAT THE SEEDS FALL INTO REPRESENT VARIOUS CONDITION OF THE HEART.
THE HARD PATH IS THE HARD HEART
- What causes a hard heart?
- Quarreling & Testing - Psalm 95:6-11 & Exodus 17:1-7
- Meribah = “quarreling”
- Massah = “testing”
- Philippians 2:14-16
- Quarreling & Testing - Psalm 95:6-11 & Exodus 17:1-7
- What is the result of a hard heart?
- “trouble” - Proverbs 28:14
- blocks healing - Isaiah 6:8-10
- Quoted 5x in N.T. (Matt. 13:15, Mark 4:12, Luke 8:10, John 12:40, Acts 28:27)
- Keeps us from seeing, hearing, understanding, turning, and being healed
- What is the remedy for a hard heart?
- “turn” – Isaiah 6:10
- “put off” & “put on” - Ephesians 4:17-24
Is your heart hard? Do you find yourself frequently grumbling, quarreling, or complaining? If so, what is at the root of your frustrations? Follow the questions. They might lead to an unresolved expectation about God.
Monday Apr 02, 2018
Monday Apr 02, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 1, 2018
Series Title: “What are the Roots of our Troubles?”
Today’s Title: “A Troubled Witness”
Today’s Text: John 1:1-18
Who is Mary Magdalene?
- from Magdala (Luke 8:2)
- 7 demons cast out (Luke 8:2)
- at the cross & at the tomb
(Matt. 27:55, 28:1, Mark 15:40, 16:1, Luke 24:10, John 19:25, 20:1)
- first to see the risen Lord (John 20:11-16)
Who Mary Magdalene is NOT
- Martha & Lazarus sister (Luke 10 & John 11)
- Woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)
- Woman who anointed Jesus’ feet w/perfume (Luke 7:36-50)
- The wife or lover of Jesus
(nowhere in scripture is this even suggested)
Why did Jesus choose her as the first witness?
- A woman (but why not a different woman?)
- A woman who followed & supported Him
- A woman, with a “reputation”?
- A woman, w/a reputation & formerly possessed by demons
- A woman, with a reputation, formerly possessed by
demons seven demons.
Who sees the risen Christ?
- The Oppressed
- The Labeled
- The Possessed
- The Most Deeply Afflicted
- THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM TO THE GRAVE
Friday Mar 30, 2018
Friday Mar 30, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 25, 2018
Series Title: “The Way of Change”
Today’s Title: “Truth: See it, Know, Build it, Live it”
Today’s Text: Matthew 7:15-29
SEEING, KNOWING, BUILDING, AND LIVING THE TRUTH
WATCH (v15-20)
Be watchful and aware, false prophets are cunning. Be cautious, and patiently wait to see the fruit.
- Galatians 5:22-26
- Hebrews 13:7
WILL (v21-23)
God’s will is not a show, it’s a call to come home.
- John 6:39-40
WISDOM (v24-27)
Practiced words of truth stand up to the storms of trial, persecution and suffering.
- James 1:22-25
WONDER (v28-29)
The Word of Christ has great authority; be amazed by it.
- “amaze” is found 38 times in the Gospels
Do you see the fruit of the Spirit being produced in the people you follow?
Are you drawn to dramatic quick fixes or to a daily walk with God?
Will the life you are building stand up to the storms life will bring?
Do you take and make time to let God’s Word amaze you?
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
Wednesday Mar 21, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 18, 2018
Series Title: “This is How Change Will Last”
Today’s Title: “Deal with Your Own Stuff First”
Today’s Text: Matthew 7:1-14
Clear your eyes. See the path ahead. It’s a narrow path; a path of rejection and ridicule; a path will where answers are not always clear; a path that builds confidence; a path (in fact the only path) that leads to life. Let’s go…
CHRIST’S PATH OF CHANGE…..
- REQUIRES CLEAR SIGHT (7:1-5)
- A place for “judging”
- John 7:24
- 1 Corinthians 5:12
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-3
- Don’t put yourself in the place of God
- Romans 2:1-3
- James 5:11-12
- Examine yourself first so you can see clearly to help others
- WILL INCLUDE REJECTION (7:6)
- Some people will reject the truth, even when presented humbly
- Proverbs 9:7-9
- INCLUDES MYSTERY (7:7-8)
- Asking, seeking, and knocking are acts of mystery and of faith.
- The promise of Christ is to receive, to find, and to be welcomed
- BUILDS CONFIDENCE (7:9-12)
- Confident in God’s loving provision
- People who are loved are confident enough to love others
- The Law and the Prophets – Matthew 22:37-40
- BRINGS LIFE! (7:13-14)
- “life” is not just eternal life in heaven
This is the path Christ offers you. Are you coming?...........................
Tuesday Feb 27, 2018
Tuesday Feb 27, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 25, 2018
Series Title: “This is What Change Looks Like”
Today’s Title: “Humble Trust”
Today’s Text: Matthew 6:25-34
Seek First (want, desire, priority, trust)
- The Kingdom of God…..
- GROWS MYSTERIOUSLY – Mark 4:26-29
- GROWS BEYOND EXPECTATION – Mark 4:30-31
- IS NOW - Luke 17:20-21
- PRODUCES SPIRIT-LED FRUIT– Romans 14:15-20
- The Righteousness of God…..
- IS REVEALED IN THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:16-18
- IS ABOUT FAITH, NOT RULES – Romans 3:21-24
- IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE – Romans 10:1-4
- IS WHAT WE BECOME, IN CHRIST – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Questions to consider…..
- If Jesus were speaking directly to YOU about the things that most often produce worry, what issues would he refer to?
- When anxiety occurs, what is your first response?
- What do you want the most? Do you trust God to provide it?