Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Leadership is hard, at any level. Attaining the confidence to lead does not happen quickly, and must include strength and courage. The story of Joshua reveals that God wants leaders (even commands them) to be "strong and courageous". Thankfully, God is always with us as we learn!
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Do you know what you are doing? A fair, and sometimes insulting, question. If one is to follow the way of Christ, "knowledge" is vital. Not just the kind knowing limited to your mind, but a knowing that grows hands and feet, has a voice, and a heart. It's the knowing that infiltrates decision making, attitudes, and relationships. This is the kind of "knowledge" Peter wrote about in 2 Peter 1:3-9.
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Notes – October 9, 2022
“Battle Ready”
Ephesians 6:10-18
Be Strong from the Right Power Source (Ephesians 6:10)
Be Ready for Battle (Ephesians 6:11)
Beware of the Real Enemy (Ephesians 6:12)
Worldly Rulers - Leaders
Worldly Authorities - Structures
Worldly Powers - The Thing in the Air
Spiritual Forces of Evil – HINT: they don’t always look evil.
Be Dressed for Battle (Ephesians 6:13-17)
Surround Yourself with TRUTH (belt)
Walk in PEACE (shoes)
Hold up FAITH (shield)
Think about SALVATION (helmet)
Know THE WORD (sword)
Be a Person Who Prays… (Ephesians 6:18)
…AT ALL TIMES
…ON EVERY OCCASION
….STAY ALERT ABOUT PRAYER NEEDS
…PERSISTENTLY
…FOR ALL BELIEVERS EVERYWHERE
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – October 2, 2022
Being set Free from Your own Prison – Matthew 6:9-15
The prison of unforgiveness is the only prison that the inmate holds the key but refuses to leave.
Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor - Matthew 18:21-35
-“Therefore”? – (v23) – Peter’s question
- 10,000 bags of gold? (v24)
- wife & children sold? (v25)
- “I will pay back everything”? (v26)
- “canceled the debt”? (v27)
- lack of mercy (v33)
- sent to jail to be “tortured”? (v34)
- How the father treats you “unless you forgive”? (v35)
- “from your heart” (v35)
What keeps us from forgiving?
Ephesians 4:31-32
Galatians 5:13
What keeps you from forgiving others?
How has withholding forgiveness affected you?
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline - September 25, 2022
“Your Field of Influence” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
- 1 Corinthians 13:13
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Help others on their journey and let them help you.
This is faith, hope, and love in action.
Your Field of Influence
your work produced by faith
your labor prompted by love
your endurance inspired by hope
The journey of faith, hope, and love is both an end and a means.
- Your Walk has an Influence
- Stay on the Path
- Don’t Walk Alone
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline
September 18, 2022
“Faith, Mystery, & Openness to Open Questions”
Colossians 1:21-29
John 1:14 - The Creator entered into His creation full of both grace and truth
The Truth is, that Truth ALWAYS leads to pain.
Grace can only exist inside of brokenness, failure, inadequacy, and pain.
Do you have an open, unanswered question for God?
Has the lack of a clear answer kept you from trusting God with your struggle?
Colossians 1:23
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Doubt, fear, and hate effect us all. Maybe in more ways than are evident at the surface. Look deeper, look back, and trust God reveal to you what's at the roots of your struggles.
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – September 4, 2022
“Your Imperfect and Vital First Steps”
First Steps
AN “OUTSIDER” CAPTIVATED BY THE SCRIPTURES
Acts 8:26-40 – Ethiopian eunuch (see v34-38)
AN OUTSIDER CALLED BY GOD
Acts 10 – Cornelius (see verses 44-46)
AN “SINNER” WITH RECKLESS ABANDON
Luke 7:36-50 – A woman anoints Jesus’ feet (see verses 47-48)
AN “ENEMY” WITH DRAMATIC DISRUPTION
Acts 9:1-19 – Saul’s conversion (see verses 5-6)
AN “OUTCAST” CARRIED BY OTHERS
Matthew 9:1-8 - Paralyzed man carried to Jesus (see verse 2)
A “SINNER” CONDEMNED AT JESUS’ FEET
John 8:1-11 – Woman caught in adultery
How you began matters, but where you are headed matters even more.
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