Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 06, 2017
Tuesday Jun 06, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – June 4, 2017
Series Title: “Philippians: Return to Joy!” – Rediscovering joy and giving it away!
Today’s Title: “Jailhouse Joy!”
Today’s Text: Acts 28:16-20 & 30-31
PAUL WAS A PRISONER WITH A JOYOUS PASSION FOR THE FREEDOM OF OTHERS
FREEDOM FOR GENTILES – Acts 22:17-22
- He was in the Roman jail because he did what God called him to do (Acts 23:11)
- He helped convince the church to fully welcome the Gentiles (Acts 15)
FREEDOM FOR WOMEN – Acts 16:12-15 & 40
- Lydia - A prominent person (purple clothe dealer, home owner,
- household servants)
- First woman convert specifically named in Acts
- One of only a few woman quoted in Acts (16:15)
- Just after Comes the Jerusalem Council freeing the Gentiles of the Law (see above)
FREEDOM FOR THE CAPTOR – Acts 16:16-40
- Praising God at midnight, in prison! (Acts 16:25)
- God frees them through an earthquake (Acts 16:26)
- A jailer and his family become believers (Acts 16:34)
FREEDOM FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
Paul wrote several letters from Rome, while “in chains”
- Philippians 1:12-14 – (God used suffering for His glory)
- Colossians 4:10 & 18 (greetings)
- Ephesians 4:1-6 – (unity) 6:18-20
FREEDOM FOR THE SLAVE
- Set this man free - Philemon 1:1 & 1:8-13
(see also Colossians 4:9)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
Monday May 22, 2017
Monday May 22, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 21, 2017
Series Title: “Everything That I Need“
Today’s Title: “An Everlasting Dwelling Place”
Text: Psalm 23:6 & Revelation 21:1-7
IMAGINE!
- IMAGINE A NEW EARTH!
o Revelation 21:1
- IMAGINE A NEW HEAVEN!
o Revelation 21:1
o Revelation 21:4
- IMAGINE A NEW BODY!
o 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
o Luke 24:13-16 & 28-43
o John 20:26-28
Note: This week’s outline is minimal because I chose to deliver the sermon via manuscript. The above outline has been provided to clearly list the scriptures quoted in the message. I hope this blesses you in some way. – Pastor Paul
Monday May 15, 2017
Monday May 15, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 14, 2017
Series Title: “Everything That I Need”
Today’s Title: “Everything that Follows Goodness & Mercy”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:6 & Luke 1:46-55 & 68-79
Psalm 23:6 –“Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,”
GOODNESS – drawing the best of life by conforming to God’s
creative order
“good” in Genesis 1
- “And God saw that it was good” (v10, 13, 18, 21, 25)
- “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (v31)
Goodness in the Christian Life
- Goodness is the Fruit of Light - Ephesians 5:8-10
- Goodness is Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
- Goodness Grows out of Faith - 2 Peter 1:5-7
MERCY – undeserved continual kindness, motivated by love
God’s Mercy in Mary’s & Zechariah’s “Songs”
- Extended to those who fear God (v50)
- Is enduring (v50)
- Is not forgotten by God (v54)
- God’s mercy history is worth remembering (v72)
God’s Mercy in Christ
- Given through loving-kindness – Titus 3:3-7
- You were “dead”, now live! – Ephesians 2:4-7
- Live Sacrificially - Romans 12:1
Because of the mercy of God, we can see the good path to true life.
Life is good.
Monday May 08, 2017
Monday May 08, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 7, 2017
Series Title: “Everything I Need”
Today’s Title: “Every Reason I Need to Celebrate”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:5 & Matthew 5:38-48
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
– Psalm 23:5
THE “TABLE” CHRIST PROVIDES FOR US…..
THE TABLE – Mark 6:34
- Christ, our Good Shepherd, cares deeply leads us to a place of provision and protection.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE TABLE
- Sufficient Physical Provision – Matthew 6:25-27
- Awareness of Predators – 1 Peter 5:8
- God, my shepherd, will not lead me into sin – Matthew 6:13
ENEMIES NEAR THE TABLE – John 16:33
- Why are we surprised about trouble?
- This world is filled with it
- God does not free us from it, He helps us in it
A NEW RESPONSE TO THE PRESENCE OF ENEMIES
– Matthew 5:38-48
- Mutual respect, not revenge (the cheek and the mile)
- Love your enemy – see them with God’s eyes, a person with struggles, but still with potential to become Christ-like
- Do not expect a fair world
- Live as an example of a better world
Tuesday May 02, 2017
Tuesday May 02, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 30, 2017
Series Title: “Everything That I Need”
Today’s Title: “Everything That I Need to be Secure”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:4 & Isaiah 40
“comfort” – Isaiah 40:1 & Psalm 23:4
Isaiah 40 context:
King Hezekiah, one 8 “good” kings in Judah’s 345 year history
The comfort of the rod – protection
- The “rod” was more like a club.
- “com-fort” is a military term
- True, lasting comfort will come from God alone (Isaiah 40:15)
- The almighty “sovereign Lord” leads “gently” (Isaiah 40:10-11)
- “rod” is the same word as “scepter”, a symbol authority
The comfort of the staff – guidance
- The “staff” - the traditional shepherds “crook”
- Used for rescue from a cliff, briars, water, etc.
- Used to “prod”, to guide
- Sometimes used during the birth of a lamb
- A guide knows the best way - Proverbs 3:5-7
- Psalms about God as our “guide”
o 25:5, 25:9, 31:3, 48:14, 73:24, 139:7-10
- John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit as our guide
The enemy of the rod and the staff - pride
- “pride” & “proud” used 27 times in Psalms & Proverbs
- Proverbs 13:10 & 16:18
The comfort of God as my protector and my guide gives us hope
- Isaiah 40:28-31
o I can soar, I can run, I can walk
Monday Apr 24, 2017
Monday Apr 24, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – Sunday, April 23, 2017
Series Title: “Everything I Need”
Today’s Title: “Everything I Need to Face Fear”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:4 & Joshua 1:1-9
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;”
FEARS LURKING IN THE SHADOWS AHEAD (Joshua 1)
- FEAR OF INADEQUACY (v1-2)
- FEAR OF AUTHORITY (v3-4)
o Romans 12:3-8
- FEAR OF OPPOSITION (v5)
o Ephesians 4:4-6
- FEAR OF LEADING (v6)
FACING FEAR WITH THE POWER OF EMMANUEL (Josh. 1)
- EXPECTATION OF STENGTH (v7)
- CAREFUL OBEDIENCE (v7)
o Psalm 119:105
- BALANCED LEADERSHIP (v7)
o Proverbs 4:26-27
- CONSUME TRUTH (v8)
o Philippians 4:8-9
- COURAGE IS NOT OPTIONAL, IT’S FOUNDATIONAL (v9)
- THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF EMMANUEL (v9)
o God is with you!
o Joshua 1:5 Joshua 1:9
o Philippians 4:9 Romans 12:5 (“in Christ”)
o Psalm 23:4 Matthew 28:20
Monday Apr 17, 2017
Monday Apr 17, 2017
The Good News of Easter is that in the death and resurrection of Jesus we have been set free from the need to build our own path to God. Our own well worn paths always fail to take into right relationship with God or with others. When find the courage to follow the Good Shepherd on to the path of death and resurrection we are freed to become what we were designed to be! It's a new identity based on love freely given from God, not upon our performance or adhertance to rules, laws, or codes. It's the right path, made for you by Christ. Walk with Him now.....
Tuesday Apr 11, 2017
Tuesday Apr 11, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 9, 2017
Series Title: “Everything I Need”
Today’s Title: “Everything My Soul Needs”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:3
“restored”
Re [rēː] PREFIX once more; afresh; anew:
- Psalm 23:3 – Restore, Refresh, Revive, Renew
- Other Scriptural “Re” Themes: Return, Repent, Receive, Reclaim, Remain, Respond, Reconcile, Redeem
ORIGINAL SIN? - WHY ARE WE IN NEED OF SO MUCH “RE”?
- Genesis 8:21 – “We are inclined toward evil from childhood”
- Psalm 14:2-3 – “No one does good, not even one”
- Romans 3:23 – “We all sin, we all fall short”
ORIGINAL BLESSING? - WHAT ARE WE COMING BACK TO? WHAT DID WE HAVE THAT WAS LOST?
- Genesis 1:27 – “I am made in the image of God!”
- Psalm 139:13-14 – “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”
- Ephesians 2:10 – “I am God’s handiwork!”
BALANCING THE PARADOX BETWEEN “ORIGINAL SIN” & “ORIGINAL BLESSING”
- Psalm 51:5-6 – both sin and faithfulness from the womb
- Romans 5:18-19 – Christ became the great equalizer!
ONLY GOD CAN RESTORE MY SOUL, RETURNING ME TO WHAT HE CREATED TO ME TO BE
Monday Apr 03, 2017
Monday Apr 03, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 2, 2017
Series Title: “Everything that I Need”
Today’s Title: “Everything that My Body Needs”
Today’s Text: Psalm 23:2 & Matthew 6:25-34
“The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) – (Leader, guide, provider, protector, advisor) God as our “shepherd” - Psalm 28:9, Isaiah 40:11, Matthew 9:36, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25
“I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1) (I shall not want) God “provides” - Psalm 18:36, Psalm 65:9, Psalm 111:5, Acts 14:17, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Peter 4:11
- A) “He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2)
- Four things that can keep sheep from getting rest:
1) They must be free from fear
2) They must be free from friction with other sheep
3) They must be free from pesky insects and parasites
4) They must be free from hunger
- OBSTACLES TO REST….
1) FEAR & INSECURITY – Philippians 4:4-7
2) RIVALRY WITH OTHERS - Romans 12:3-5
3) TROUBLES, THINGS THAT “BUG” US – Eph. 4:29-32
4) HUNGER & THIRST – which leads into…
5) “He leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2)
- The morning dew
- The fresh stream or well
- What do we hunger and thirst after?
o Matthew 5:6
o Philippians 4:8-9
Resource for this series: “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” – Phillip Keller (Zondervan 1970)
Monday Mar 27, 2017
Monday Mar 27, 2017
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 26, 2017
Series Title: “The Way, The Truth, & The Life”
Today’s Title: “The Life & The Light”
Today’s Text: John 1:1-13
THE LIGHT ENABLES US TO SEE…
…HOW ALL LIFE BEGINS (v1-3)
- Genesis 1:1-4
- 1 John 1:5-7
…LIFE AS AN OPEN INVITATION (v4)
- John 8:12
…THAT THE DARKNESS CAN’T WIN (v5)
- John 3:36
…HOW WE RESIST WHAT WE REALLY NEED (v9-11)
- John 3:19-21
…OUR WAY HOME
- 1 John 3:1-2