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.
Cornerstone Philippians 3:8-14
Everything else pales in comparison to knowing Jesus
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#1 What connections do you find between the Gospel & the Philippians lessons? Which characters fit with St. Paul’s descriptions? For instance, how is a certain character a positive illustration or a negative? Hint: look for topics, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Remember to include themes, imagery/ illustrations & “mirror images.”
Rock of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Ambassadors for reconciliation
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Compare St. Paul’s point in v17 (cf. 3:1-18) with Revelation 21:1-6? What do see in common between St. Paul & St. John (traditional understood author of Revelation)? What’s different? What do you make of it all?
Rock of Endurance 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
A test to be passed
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#5 St. Paul routinely warns against boasting in this letter (cf. 1:29, 31, 3:21, 4:7, 5:6, 9:15-16, 13:3-4, 15:31). What does that add to v12? How does some humility in your own temptations/ tests/ trials make your experience more relatable to others?
Rock of Ages Philippians 3:17—4:1
The Lord’s blessings come now and at the end
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#5 How does v20, citizenship in heaven, give you a new way to speak to neighbors about Jesus when it seems everything in our country is divided red/blue, woke/based, America first/global perspective, etc.?
Engaged 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2
It’s by God’s mercy we’re engaged in this mission
Current Series: DF^2
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus
Study & Share Insert
...#4 St. Paul contrasts how Moses reflected God’s glory (v13) while believers are transformed into that glory (v18; cf. 1 John 3:2). What’s more is that Moses had to veil the glory. Review in Small Catechism Holy Baptism & the Table of Duties. How do these show you that you are being transformed?
Embodied 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
Don’t worry, what God raises up cannot be destroyed
Current Series: DF^2
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Compare & contrast St. Paul’s description with Jesus’ description & his resurrection appearances. Note: St. Paul is guarding against an understanding of the resurrection like zombies or Frankenstein’s monster; he isn’t promoting a spiritualized, metaphorical, bodiless understanding (Lutheran Study Biblenote v53). Think about how a seed turns into a real plant, a caterpillar into a real butterfly. See Luke 24:13-43; John 12:23-26, 20:14-20, 21:1-14
In Fact 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
In fact, because Jesus is risen, we know these blessings
Current Series: DF^2
Our life together Developing Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus
Study & Share Insert
...#5 If Christianity brings hope solely to the circumstances of everyday life, what makes that a pity? How do vv3-4 properly identify how Jesus matters in our everyday lives as we introduce our pre-Christian friends to him? See Exodus 20:1-7; Acts 5:40-41, 7:54-58, 21:10-11; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
St. Simeon Luke 2:22-40
Lighting the way for others
Current Series: Faith through Action
5 men to guide us into the new eyar
Study & Share Insert
...#2 How do vv34-35 point to Jesus’ crucifixion? What about vv7-14? See also Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20, 26; Ephesians 1:7-10
