Rev. Paul J. Miller

Believe is an Action Word

Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – March 19, 2023

“Believe is an Action Word" - Romans 4:1-12

What does your life reveal about your beliefs?

Abraham

God’s New Identity for Abram (Abraham) - Genesis 12:1-3

Leave……your country

              …your people

              …your father’s household

Become…A great Nation

              …A Great Name

              …A Blessing to All

The Evidence that Abraham Believed God

• God said “go”, and he went - Genesis 12:4-9
• He gave Lot first choice of land – Genesis 13:8-9
• He rescued Lot – Genesis 14:1-16
• He refused worldly alliance & honor – Genesis 14:21-24

God’s Response to Abram’s ACTIVE Belief - Genesis 15:1-6

“Don’t be afraid, I am your shield, I am your very great reward”

THIS is when it says…“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 & Romans 4:3

• Do you believe in God enough to let go of your country, your people, and your family?
• Do your alliances (support & security systems) reveal reliance on the ways of God?
• Do you seek reward, recognition, and honor from people?

Don’t be afraid, I am your shield, I am your very great reward

The Faith of Jesus

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – March 5, 2023

Romans 3:21-31 – “The Faith of Jesus”

“I am not _______________ enough”

 

3:21

 

3:22a

 

 

 

3:22b-24

 

 

 

3:25a

 

 

3:25b-26

 

3:27-31

 

This is grace, that Christ’s forgiving love always is faithful to you, even when you’re not faithful to Him. Believe it!

Hopeless - Our Prognosis Without Christ

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – February 26, 2023

Romans 3:1-20

Hopeless – Our Prognosis Without Christ

 

3 applications of Romans 1:18-3:20

• The church in Rome (1^st Century)

 

• All of humanity (in every century)

 

        3) You (right now)

 

Romans 3:10-18 – PROGNOSIS

 

 

Romans 1:18 through 3:20 – DIAGNOSIS

 

 

Romans 3:21-22 – THE GOSPEL (The Good News!!!)

Rules Were Made to Break Us

The "written code", the "Law", does not entitle anyone to look down upon others. False perceptions of ourselves can too easily rest upon our own adherence to the rules or to a sense of inherited superiority. In Romans 2 Paul calls out his own people in the Roman church for being arrogant and hypocritical. That same harmful attitude is a danger that all church leaders need to humbly reject. 

The Judgmental Heart

Rev. Paul J. Miller  - Sermon Outline – February 12, 2023

“Judgement from God: Do we have a good case?”

Romans 2:1-16

The Judgmental Heart

DENIES THE TRUTH IN THE MIRROR (v1-3)

 

IGNORS GOD’S KINDNESS (v4)

 

IS STUBBORN & UNREPENTANT (v5-6)

 

REJECTS THE TRUTH (v7)

 

CAN ONLY LEAD TO TROUBLE (v9-11)

 

WILL NEVER MAKE YOU RIGHT (v12-14)

 

KNOWS THAT IT SHOULDN’T BE (v15-16)

 

The HUMBLE heart lets the light of truth reveal the many flaws and faults of the person in the mirror, and let’s the love of Jesus be your judge.

John 5:24-27

God’s Wrath: Who Deserves That?

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline                                   2/5/23

“God’s Wrath: Who Deserves That?” – Romans 1:18-32

“The Wrath of God is Being Revealed” (v18)

Who deserves that? “THEY” do….

Look at what “THEY” did….(v21-23)

lack of worship, futile thinking, darkened hearts, image worship

What did God do about “THEM”?

THEREFORE He “gave them over” to…

sexual impurity (v24), shameful lusts (v26) a depraved mind (v28)

Look what “THEY” did with their depraved minds…. (v29-32)

THEY have become filled w/ every kind of wickedness…

evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice

AND, THEY are…

gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful 

Wait, there’s even more about THEM; THEY…

 invent ways of doing evil, disobey their parents

THEY have no…

                understanding, fidelity, love, mercy

Romans 1:32 – They know better, but keep doing it and promote doing it.

So, who on earth are “THEY”?

“PEOPLE” (v 18 & v 20) ALL people (yes, that includes YOU)    Romans 2:1

It’s not that you did all that stuff, but WE did.

HUMANITY IS BROKEN

Mutually Encouraged by God’s Righteousness

It takes a lot of courage to admit and confront your own prejudices. The church in Rome grew during a 5 year period when Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from their city. When Nero became Emperor the Jews were allowed to return. Some of those Jews were followers of Jesus who wanted to connect with the other believers in Rome. It was not a smooth transition.

Love Letter to the Empire - ”Called”

Called. The Apostle Paul understood clearly the purpose that God chose him to fulfill. His many years of successfully starting churches across the Roman Empire would eventually lead him to the city of Rome itself. Before he got there he wrote the church in that city a letter. This writing was very personal, deeply theological, and encapsulated all that he believes about Christ. As a devout Jew and a well educated Roman citizen, Paul was perfectly positioned to bring the Gospel message reach into the "empires" of Rome, of his own people the Jews, and into each human's personal empire. The Book of Romans: Love Letter to the Empire. 

Transformed

Today's message is a testimony from my very good friend, Paul Burke. God has done great work in his heart and life, with so much more to come! 

Pray in the Light

Stepping into the light, (the light of truth), is frightening and intimidating. It's also liberating and life-giving. This is the gospel; to believe that God knows all about us and loves us none the less. We are not condemned, we are loved. If only we'd believe!