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.
TLC John 10:11-18
The good “gardener” tenderly loves & cares for his “vine”
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#6. Christian community is modeled on the connection between Jesus & his Father (v15); listening to his voice gives it unity (v16); they know each other as ones for whom Jesus died (vv11, 15); the love of God is shared through his death (vv17-18). How does this challenge your assumptions about congregational life & “membership”? How is Jesus’ death & God’s love evident in your congregation’s ministries? How does this all make it OK & healthy & good for you when you don’t get your way in the congregation? When your opinion doesn’t hold? When your wants aren’t addressed?
Nourishment Acts 3:19
Without Holy Communion to nourish us, our living, growing life is stunted.
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Review the Large Catechism’s teaching about Holy Communion, esp. paragraphs 21-30, 40-41, 53, 59-60, 70-79. How does the Lord’s Supper nourish you? How do you know you need its nourishment? LC available <bookofconcord.org>
Fresh Air John 20:19-31
The gift of the Holy Spirit delivers the Resurrection’s benefits to us
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#2. What does St. John write about the purpose of his book (v31)? How is St. Thomas’ exclamation (v28) the climax of the story? See John 5:24, 37-47, 6:26, 35-51, 60-71, 8:12-47, 9:24-41; cf. 20:30, 21:25
New Life
Mark 16:1-8
Jesus is a living person; he gives his gift of new life to us.
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#1. Review the “Passion Predictions” referenced in v7- Mark 8:31, 9:30-31, 10:33-34, 14:27-28 (see also 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). How do they shed light on the following Old Testament passages which model/prophesy/suggest the Messiah’s resurrection (Genesis 3:15, 22:1-18 (cf. Hebrews 11:17-19); Psalm 2:7 (cf. Acts 13:33), 16:1-11 (cf. Acts 2:25-28, 13:35-37), 22:1-31 esp. vv14-15, 25-27, 40:1-3, 110:1; Job 14:4, 19:25-26; Isaiah 53:8-10; Hosea 6:2; Zechariah 12:10; Jonah 1:17 (cf. Matthew 12:40)). Note: at least some are not immediately obvious.
A Promise Kept
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Jesus was always God’s plan A for our salvation
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#1. How do the “Suffering Servant Songs” (Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9a, 53:13--53:12; see also Isaiah 61:1-3; John 12:37-41) show us that Jesus has always been God’s plan A for his creation? See Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:6, 11:32; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 1:3-12, 3:9; Colossians 1:26; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 7:11, 15-28 (don’t forget to check surrounding verses for context)
By the way, our Maundy Thursday Sermon is... A Promise *for You*(04.01.2021)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Holy Communion drives home the promise of Jesus’ death for you.
The Promise of Deliverance
John 12:20-33
Sometimes living is sacrificed now for more life later.
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Read vv27-36a; how do they connect to last’s week’s gospel reading 3:14-21? How does this give you a sense of urgency as you consider how you’re joining Jesus in his mission, walking with him in the light? See Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Passengers (03.24.2021)
Jeremiah 25:30-38
Good Time Charlie is just along for the ride, don't ask him to help because he won't.
Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
The Promise of Deliverance
Numbers 21:4-9
The serpent shows us sin, death, & the devil in our own lives. Jesus takes them on for our sake so we may live free of them.
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#2. The Israelites complain & revolt (“murmur”) the entire journey from Egypt to the Promised Land (11:1-35; chs 12, 16, ch 13, 14:1, 39-45, 20:2-5, 21:5; cf. Exodus 14:10-12, 15:22-25, ch 16, ch17). Yet for only the second time the people resort to prayer (v7; cf. 11:2). How does this show they are beginning to learn to be God’s people (his “crew”) & follow his ways? See Exodus 34:6-7; Joel 2:13; Psalm 51, 86:15; Jonah 4
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Crew (03.17.2021)
Jeremiah 18:1-11
The crew works together to fulfill God's vision and mission for this local congregation.
Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
Sunday's Sermon The Promise of Righteousness
Exodus 20:1-17
It looks foolish to be righteous as God defines it or to think it makes a difference
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#1. It’s been said that if we could keep the First Commandment (or first three), then we wouldn’t need the others. Christians & Jews (& Muslims) are radically & strictly monotheist (Genesis 9:6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalms 20:7, 33:16-17, 115:4-8, 135:15-18, 146:3-4; Isaiah 44:9-20, 46:1-7; Acts 15:28-29; Romans 1:18-22, 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; Philippians 3:18-19). How does this give St. Paul the standing to assert that all have sinned & fallen short & that a righteousness apart from the law is needed for all? See Matthew 3:7-10; John 8:31-47; Romans 3:9-31, 5:12, 6:6-23, 16:25-27; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Stowaways (03.10.2021)
Jeremiah 8:4-7, 18--9:6
Stowaways hide out and ignore the mission and ministry. They don't care where we're going or how we're getting there. Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
Sunday's Sermon The Promise of A Future
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
God makes his people through faith and trust, not our “best practices” and optimizations
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#4. Name 5 or 6 times in your life when you couldn’t see how God was going to get you through something (vv4-8, 17), and yet you continued faithfully in prayer and other spiritual disciplines until the situation was resolved. Looking back how was God present and active for you?
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Pirates (03.03.2021)
Jeremiah 3:6-18
Pirates work hard at their own vision, mission, goals, etc., trying to raid, takeover, and hold hostage the church's life together Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
Sunday's Sermon The Promise of Baptism
He conquers sin & washes us clean. Remembering this promise tells us who & whose we are.
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#2. How does vv19-20a connect with Jesus’ earthly ministry? Note- St. Peter is traditionally understood as St. Mark’s primary source. See Mark 1:21-28, 32-39, 3:13-15, 22-30 6:7, 12-13, 5:1-20, 7:24-30, 9:14-27, 16:9, 17. See also Genesis 6:1-4
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Intercession (02.24.2021)
Moses interceeded for the Israelites and Aaron, who were sin-sick from the golden bull calf incident. We do the same for one another.
Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
