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.
My Relationships Mark 10:1-12
People aren’t disposable, like Amazon boxes and grocery bags
Current Series: It's Not About Me
Your faithful life doesn’t revolve around you. A stewardship series
Study & Share Insert
...#6 Our culture has a loneliness epidemic*. Family dissolution contributes heavily to it. How can you be a friend to someone who has lost their family? People often comment that following tragedy they felt forgotten as the world moved on faster than they could. See 1 Kings 5:1; Job 6:14; Proverbs 17:9, 17, 18:24, 27:10
*cf. www.artofmanliness.com/people/relationships/connection-in-a-lonely-world-vivek-murthy/ Podcast #618
Proof by Submission James 3:13-4:10
Our human love is derived from Jesus’s love for the church
Current Series: Prove It!
Faith active in love
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Read Revelation 19:11-21 (cf. 1:16, 2:16; Isaiah 49:2). What makes vv7-10 a better “battle plan” than, well, everything else? See Psalm 66:3; Matthew 5:1-12, 11:28-29, 12:39, 23:12; Luke 18:14
Proof by Words James 3:1-12
The words we speak are to glorify God, rather than harm or insult others
Current Series: Prove It!
Faith active in love
Study & Share Insert
...#1 How would you describe a “theme” across the readings of the day? Be specific. Hint: look for topics, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Consider especially Isaiah 50:4; Psalm 116:1-2; James 3:5-10; Mark 8:27-30
Proof of Love James 2:1-10, 14-18
Our human love is derived from Jesus’s love for the church
Current Series: Prove It!
Faith active in love
Study & Share Insert
...#1 St. James exposes our greedy, covetous hearts (James 2:4) in attending to others. Jesus subverts all this in the gospel lesson (cf. 7:20-23). How do the woman & the man illustrate what St. James writes in James 2:5? See Matthew 5:1-12, 25:31-46; Romans 6:3-4
Protecting the Body Ephesians 6:10-20
Our human love is derived from Jesus’s love for the church
Current Series: CHRIST for EveryBODY
We glorify God with our bodies as he instructs us
Study & Share Insert
...#1 What do these Old Testament references add to the Armor of God? See Psalms 28:7, 115:9-11; Isaiah 11:15, 49:2, 52:7, 59:17; Nahum 1:15, also Psalm 44:1-8
Loving the Body Ephesians 5:22-33
Our human love is derived from Jesus’s love for the church
Current Series: CHRIST for EveryBODY
We glorify God with our bodies as he instructs us
Study & Share Insert
...#2 How do the following help explain the “mystery” language? See Romans 16:25-27; 1 Corinthains 2:1-2; Ephesians 1:7-10, 3:7-12; Colossians 1:25--2:3
Caring for the Body Ephesians 5:6-21
Despite our best efforts, our lifetimes are limited, but eternal life starts now.
Current Series: CHRIST for EveryBODY
We glorify God with our bodies as he instructs us
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Intemperance among Christians led to division, factions, & recklessness (cf. v18; 1 Corinthians 11:20-22; Galatians 5:21). What does 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 add to Ephesians 5 about our everyday lives as we await the Lord & his coming?
Unity of the Body Ephesians 4:1-16
Jesus is the source and the object of our one, unifying faith across time and space
Current Series: CHRIST for EveryBODY
We glorify God with our bodies as he instructs us
Study & Share Insert
...#3 It’s increasingly common in our culture to either cut off people with whom we disagree (often calling them “toxic”) or to treat them vindictively at any chance. This behavior happens even between fellow Christians. How do St. Paul’s words above encourage us to act? See Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 11:29; 21:5; Romans 12:9-21; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Philippians 2:5–8
At the Table John 6:22-35
Sharing food shares life in body and spirit
Current Series: The Shape of Belief
Our inward beliefs about Jesus shape our outward lives
Study & Share Insert
...#4 Vv 34-35 echo Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well (4:1-42, esp. 13-15; cf. Exodus 17:1-7). What are the differences in the metaphors of bread & water? What are the differences in their Exodus prototypes? When has Jesus been the bread of life for you? When has he been living water for you?
Amid Fear Mark 6:45-56
No Jesus? No courage. Know Jesus & know courage
Current Series: The Shape of Belief
Our inward beliefs about Jesus shape our outward lives
Study & Share Insert
...#3 Political events in the last few weeks have been alarming. How do you confront your fearfulness (cf. v50)? See Psalms 20:7-9, 33:13-22, 76:4-9, 146:1-5, 147:10-11; Matthew 10:24-30; Philippians 4:7; Ephesians 5:6-20, 6:10-18; 1 Peter 3:8-17
