This is Pastor Jared's weekly sermon info and his weekly Study and Share devotional Bible study. Unless otherwise noted all sermons and studies are copyright Jared Stillions 2020-2023. The devotional Bible studies may be reproduced & shared for personal, non-sale use, provided this copyright notice is included. The studies are formatted two to a page to make sharing it easier. Weekly posts go live at 9:00 AM on Sundays.
You can find his sermon podcast on the sermon-cast page. Check back each Sunday for new content. The podcast will soon be listed with major services. Why not put them on the same page? Due to limitations of our website builder.
By the way, here's the Lutheran Confessions, The Book of Concord, online and in the public domain. These writings, including Luther's Small & Large Catechisms are frequently referenced in these devotional studies. The Confessions are the historic doctrinal standard of the Lutheran Church and a faithful exposition of the Bible. You could say they are squared, leveled, and plumb by and to the Bible itself.
Joy in God's Mission Luke 15:1-10
Scorn & indifference don’t find or rejoice in anything
Current Series: Celebrating God's Gifts
What is happening when life is shaped by Baptism
Study & Share Insert
...#1. Jesus actually tells three parables in this teaching moment. We heard the third one, the Lost (Prodigal) Son back in Lent. How do vv11-24 amplify & illustrate vv1-10? How do vv25-32 serve as a concluding warning to all three parables?
A Life Shaped by Baptism Luke 14:25-35
Following Jesus has its costs…and its gains
Current Series: Celebrating God's Gifts
What is happening when life is shaped by Baptism
Study & Share Insert
...#6. In v32 Jesus is NOT promoting “compromise” (or defiance). Such “terms of peace” between kings were often financial, the weaker paying “tribute” to the stronger. What does St. Paul add in Romans 12:9--13:10, esp. 12:18, 13:8? How do Christians have more (or less) to give up for discipleship (v33) in our culture?
Get Action Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-17, 20-21
Get out of your mind & into your body
Current Series: Cloudy Skies
Finding encouragement in a disenchanted, disillusioned everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#2. Review the Formula of Concord Epitome: IV Good Works. How do good works (vv15-16, 21) fit into our lives? Which comes first “getting saved” or doing good works? See Luke 10:25-37; Small Catechism: 2nd Commandment; FC, SC availablebookofconcord.org
Joy Over Shame Hebrews 11:29--12:2
Divine joy & glory cloud out shame & disgrace.
Current Series: Cloudy Skies
Finding encouragement in a disenchanted, disillusioned everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Who is in your personal great cloud of witnesses? Who has taken time to build you up in the one, true faith (cf. Jude 3) in specific ways. Who kept you going when it was tough or helped you come back afterward? Contact them this week & tell them thank you.
Solid Ground Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Recalibrating to find terra firma once again.
Current Series: Cloudy Skies
Finding encouragement in a disenchanted, disillusioned everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Consider the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed & its Small Catechism explanation. How does it connect to v3? What promised things does your faith receive in the present? What promised things are still hoped (“waited”) for? SC available bookofconcord.org
"Material Girl" -Madonna Luke 12:13-21
To travel with Jesus requires all things to serve the good of all.
Current Series: On the Road with Jesus
Jesus invites us to join him on the road, and to carry his good news wherever we travel. Also, for fun our sermon titles will make a short road trip playlist for you.
Study & Share Insert
...#6. Our culture is plagued with record debt & consumerism. What can the church of Christ do to bear witness to a better way of life?* See Proverbs 3:28, 6:1-5, 22:7; Romans 13:8; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 4:13-17. In your Lutheran Study Bibles by Concordia Publishing House, read the article “Five Reasons to Give Tithes & Offerings” p1092.
By the way, St. Peter’s next Financial Peace University class is open at fpu.com/1152117
(*Thanks to Pr. Nathan Hilkert, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens GA for this question.)
"Don't Do Me Like That"
-Tom Petty Luke 10:38-42
Do our necessary commitments & responsibilities distract us from the one needed thing?
Current Series: On the Road with Jesus
Jesus invites us to join him on the road, and to carry his good news wherever we travel. Also, for fun our sermon titles will make a short road trip playlist for you.
Study & Share Insert
...#5. What would change if listening to Jesus took priority over everything else— in our congregation, & in your own life?* Also, how would we know if we were listening to Jesus & not someone or something else? What role do the creeds & Book of Concord have in teaching our ears to know the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:3-5, 16, 26-27)? See John 5:39-47; Romans 10:13-17; 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:14-18; Titus 1:9, 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19-21.Creeds & Book of Concord availablebookofconcord.org
(*Thanks to Pr. Nathan Hilkert, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens GA for this question.)
"With a Little Help from My Friends"
-The Beatles Luke 10:25-37 Our traveling companions along the way make all the difference
Current Series: On the Road with Jesus
Jesus invites us to join him on the road, and to carry his good news wherever we travel. Also, for fun our sermon titles will make a short road trip playlist for you.
Study & Share Insert
...#5. Jesus challenges us not simply to see strangers as neighbors, but to be neighbors to those who are radically different than us. When is the last time Jesus challenged you— really challenged you— to act as a neighbor to someone else?* (Cf. v37.) How did it go? What did you learn about them? About yourself? About what others thought of you? (*Thanks to Pr. Nathan Hilkert, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens GA for this question.)
"I Won't Back Down"
-Tom Petty Luke 9:51-62
Jesus won’t let anything stand between himself & his destination
Current Series: On the Road with Jesus
Jesus invites us to join him on the road, and to carry his good news wherever we travel. Also, for fun our sermon titles will make a short road trip playlist for you.
Study & Share Insert
...#2. What difference does it make that Jesus freely & intentionally goes to the cross? See Psalm 40:6-8; John 10:17-18, 15:10; Romans 5:6-11, 8:31-33; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 2:4; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; Hebrews 5:5-9, 12:2; 1 John 4:9-10; don’t forget to check surrounding verses for additional context. (Thanks to Pr. Nathan Hilkert, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Athens GA for this question)
