Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Growth and change going forward often begin by first looking back. By telling and hearing our stories we can learn about ourselves as we openly remember the moments and events that have shaped us and see how they intersect with the scriptures. This sermon is about how fear and wonder played out in my story. God has placed both of them within us, but allowing fear to become central is not the way of love or the path to positive change.
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 24, 2022
Esther – Risking All to Save Others
The Story of Esther
Esther’s Faith and Courage
- Esther 4:12-17
- One young woman, standing up before empire on behalf of her people – at the risk of her own life.
Why this book was disputed as part of the Bible:
- Esther never mentioned elsewhere in the Bible
- “God” is never named
- The word “prayer” is never used
- The Law of Moses never mentioned
Why this book is in the Bible
- Sackcloth & ashes, and fasting – are forms of prayer.
- Esther 4:1-3
- Esther 4:15-16
- The law of Moses is implied
- Esther 3:8
- Faith needs action
- James 1:22-25
- James 2:14-17
- True faith is an act of love
- Galatians 5:6
- Esther is like Jesus
- John 15:13
- Philippians 2:5-11
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – July 17, 2022
Women of Great Faith - Ruth
Ruth’s Story
Genealogy to Jesus – Matthew 1
Tamar
Rahab
Ruth
Inclusion
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – June 12, 2022
“Dealing with Family”
Jacob’s VERY troubled family
Rachel Bilhah Leah Zilpah
Genesis 37 to Genesis 45 - _____ years
The Extraordinary Forgiveness of Joseph
Joseph maintained a God-centered attitude
Joseph held the power
Joseph had options
Joseph chose to see God in his pain
Joseph chose to forgive
Dealing with Family
Put God in the center
Use authority with humility
Avoid knee-jerk, impulsive responses
Look for God in your pain
CHOOSE FORGIVENESS - Colossians 3:12-14
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Dealing with Other People’s Stuff
Your Identity is Formed in Relation to Others
June 5, 2022 - Rev. Paul J. Miller
Matthew 5:17-48
What is your SHAPE?
S piritual Gifts
H eart
A bilities
P ersonality
E xperiences
(Rick Warren – “The Purpose Driven Life”)
Jesus & The Law - Matthew 5:17, 20, & 48
WHO HAS SHAPED YOU?
How have hate & anger shaped you? Matthew 5:21-26
How has sexual sin shaped you? - Matthew 5:27-30
How has divorce shaped you? - Matthew 5:31-32
How have broken promises shaped you? - Matthew 5:33-37
How has revenge shaped you? - Matthew 5:38-42
How have your enemies shaped you? - Matthew 5:43-47
Who has shaped you & how are you shaping those around you?
– Colossians 3:12-14
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 29, 2022
“Dealing with Pain & Suffering”
The way you deal with your pain either reveals your relationship with God or exposes what your true god is.
When troubles come, God feels far away - Psalm 10
It’s not enough to just seek God when we struggle. We need to find God in and through the struggle.
Genesis 32:28 – “he struggles with God”
Ephesians 3:6
Isaiah knew the kind of Messiah the world needed. One who would enter into our suffering.
Isaiah 53
- V3
- V4
- V5
- V7
- V12
The way you deal with your pain either reveals your relationship with God or exposes what your true god is.
Great suffering and pain requires and even greater love.
God is Love
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 22, 2022
“Dealing with Grief” - John 11:17-37
Jesus in this story is a friend, a teacher, and the Son of God.
GRIEF SHOULD BE A COMMUNITY EVENT (v17-20)
TEMPER EMOTION WITH FAITH (v21-24)
BELIEVE IN RESURRECTION BECAUSE JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD (v25-27)
ANGRY AT GOD? IT’S OKAY, HE CAN HANDLE IT. (v28-32)
HOW DOES JESUS RESPOND TO OUR GRIEF? WITH TEARS (v33-36)
THERE ARE DOUBTERS IN LIFE, AND DOUBTERS IN DEATH (v37)
TAKE AWAY THE STONE (v38-44)
Monday May 16, 2022
Monday May 16, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 15, 2022
“Dealing with Fear” – 1 John 4:7-21
1 John issues:
- Written to refute Gnosticism – secret knowledge, the humanity of Christ
- Written to give believers confidence: “this is how we know…” (2:5, 2:18, 3:10, 3:16, 3:19, 3:24, 4;13, 5:2)
- Written to give believers assurance of eternal life – 5:13
- Written to remind us the God is Love
GOD IS LOVE!
The source of love is God – 4:7
The evidence of knowing God is the presence of love – 4:8
If you don’t love, you don’t know God – 4:8
God’s love was shown to us in Jesus – 4:9
God initiated our loving relationship with Him by removing our sin problem – 4:10
Our response to God love is a call to love people – 4:11
The presence of my love for people is evidence that God exists – 4:12
My acknowledgement that Jesus is the Son of God gives me the assurance to rely on His love – 4:15-16
My connection with God is based entirely upon love – 4:16
My confidence before God is based upon how much I am like Jesus – 4:17
There is no fear is love – 4:18
Perfect (mature, complete, grown-up) love drives fear away – 4:18
If I am afraid, love is still incomplete in me – 4:18
Love was initiated by God, it’s already there! – 4:19
If I hate people I am lying about loving God – 4:20
The only command that matters is the command to love people – 4:21
- Matthew 22:37-40
- Galatians 5:4-6
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 8, 2022
Dealing with Your Broken Image of You – Psalm 139:1-14
THE APOSTLE PAUL’S REFINING “THORN” – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
- God said: “my power is made perfect in weakness.”
- Paul said: “I delight in weaknesses”
PASTOR PAUL’S REFINING THORN – 2013-2016
- Weaknesses, Insults, Hardships, Persecutions, Difficulties
YOUR BROKEN CONDITION Weaknesses, Insults, Hardships, Persecutions, Difficulties
- YOU CAN DENY IT
- Attempting to deceive yourself & others indefinitely
- YOU CAN BE DEFINED BY IT
- A BADGE FOR THE EGO- Seeking attention & pity
- LIVE IN SHAME - Feeling that you are “less than”, “not enough”
- FIND SOMEONE TO BLAME – using anger, find a scapegoat
- OR YOU CAN BE REFINED BY IT
- 1 PETER 1:3-9 (note v7)
- INVITE YOUR LOVING FATHER GOD TO SEARCH YOU PSALM 139
- Lord, I know that you know me (v1-12)
- I am filled with fear balanced with wonder (v13-18)
- I still get frustrated, angry, and even want to hate (v19-22)
- Search me again and show why I am anxious, and what is offensive about me (v23-24)
Monday May 02, 2022
Monday May 02, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller - Sermon Outline – May 1, 2022
Series Title: “Dealing with Your Stuff”
Today’s Title: “Dealing with Your False or Incomplete Images of God”
Today’s Main Text: John 5:16-30
Hearing & Seeing God - Matthew 13:16-17
WHAT WAS GOD LIKE TO…
Adam – God Creates & Curses
Noah – God Punishes & Protects
Abraham – God Promises
Jacob – God Blesses
Moses – God Liberates & Establishes Law
Joshua & The Judges – God is a Commanding Officer
David –God is to be Praised & God Forgives
The Kings – God is a Power Broker
The Prophets – God Warns & Follows up
PEOPLE NEED A MORE COMPLETE, MORE FULFILLED IMAGE OF GOD
Jesus – God is my Father and I am just like Him. If you want to know what God is like, look at me. – John 5:19-20
JESUS CHRIST IS THE COMPLETELY FULFILLED IMAGE OF GOD IN HUMAN FORM – Colossians 1:15-20
HOW CAN WE KNOW GOD? - John 14:6-9
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? - John 14:15-17
THE FULFILLED IMAGE OF GOD IN JESUS - God is our loving Father
If your primary image of God is anything less than a loving Father, you will filter His love through your incomplete lens.
1 John 3:1 & Romans 8:15