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.
The Big Picture Philippians 1:3-11
Incremental progress in a building project seems so slow; the architect’s illustrations give us focus
Current Series: Under Construction
God is busy rebuilding the world between the first Easter and the Last Day
Study & Share Insert:
...#2. How is Jesus’ promised return (v10) central or marginal to faithful Christians’ doctrine & belief? See Matthew 16:24-27, 24:1-51, 25:1-46; Mark 13:1-8; Luke 12:35-40; John 14:1-6, 21:20-23; Acts 1:6-11; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:2; Colossians 3:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 9:28, 10:25; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:7
Less Ideology, More Love
John 18:33-37
Jesus’ kind of love conquers the world, not Pilate’s violence & injustice. Here's "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, as mentioned in the sermon.
Current Series: Love God & Love Neighbor
Loving God and loving neighbor reforms the world
Study & Share Insert:
...#1. & 2. Compare & contrast these readings with those of the Festival of the Our Lord’s Epiphany. Consider themes, actions, language, grammar, plot, similarities, opposites/inversions, parallel ideas, extensions, reversals, metaphors/symbols, etc. Make a list of at least 12 similarities, 12 dissimilarities, 12 “morals of the story” or lessons learned, & 12 questions you still have. See Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
The Day Approaches Hebrews 10:11-25
Time is short. Let’s not mess around; spend our time & energy on love.
Current Series: Love God & Love Neighbor
Loving God and loving neighbor reforms the world
Study & Share Insert:
...#2 The devil loves to discourage God’s people (consider Job; John 8:44). How do the following make the case for Christians’ need to be encouraged together (v25)? See Acts 4:36, 14:22, 15:32, 16:40, 18:27, 20:2, 27:36; Romans 1:12, 15:4-5; Ephesians 6:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:7, 3:7, 4:18, 5:11, 5:14
He Loved Him
John 11:32-44
God loves all of us in this way, as he loved Lazarus
Current Series: Love God & Love Neighbor
Loving God and loving neighbor reforms the world
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 What connections do you find between 11:2, 32 & John 12:1-11, 13:3-5; Luke 10:38-42. Hint: consider themes, actions, language, grammar, plot, similarities, opposites/inversions, parallel ideas, extensions, reversals, metaphors/symbols etc. See Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15; Luke 1:79; Romans 10:15, 16:20; Ephesians 6:15; (read surrounding verses for more context).
Vision
Mark 10:46-52
Are we going to pledge our stewardship for God’s vision & his vision for St. Peter?
Current Series: Ins & Outs of Stewardship
Simple ideas about Using God’s Gifts for God’s Purposes
Study & Share Insert:
...#5 Jesus shows us some practical wisdom by asking what Bartimaeus wants (v51). Who among your neighbors at home, work/school/volunteering, & recreation will you ask the same thing, “What do you want from Jesus?” See Matthew 7:7, Mark 10:36, John 5:6
Serve Mark 10:35-45
Giving is not a competition, not an agenda to leverage. Giving is a service; an act of worship.
Current Series: Ins & Outs of Stewardship
Simple ideas about Using God’s Gifts for God’s Purposes
Study & Share Insert:
...#4 Jesus calls himself a “ransom,” a price paid to redeem a captive, a slave, an indentured servant, etc. What does this tell you about your spiritual status prior to & following conversion? Were you a free agent who chose Jesus? See Romans 3:21-26, 6:20-23, 11:32; Galatians 3:22-29; Small Catechism: Creed II
Love Mark 10:17-31
God gives his gifts out of love, to be used for his purpose of love.
Current Series: Ins & Outs of Stewardship
Simple ideas about Using God’s Gifts for God’s Purposes
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 What do these other “treasure in heaven” passages add? See Matthew 6:20, 13:44, 52; Luke 12:13-21, 32-34, 18:22; Acts 2:45, 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 9:5-15; Philippians 3:7-8; Hebrews10:34; 1 Peter 1:4-9
Trust Mark 10:2-16
Stewardship operates on trust, NOT calculation & cost-benefit analysis.
Current Series: Ins & Outs of Stewardship
Simple ideas about Using God’s Gifts for God’s Purposes
Study & Share Insert:
...#2 Pay close attention to Jesus’ line of reasoning: where does marriage come from (note: for the entire world)? Where does regulation of divorce (& marriage) come from? Which one carries forward into the New Covenant? Also review these passages, too: Matthew 12:30-31; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 7:36-50, 12:8-10; John 8:1-11, 20:21-23
Servants of All Mark 9:38-50
Peace is an active life in pursuit of righteousness- as good works & good examples.
Current Series:
Following Jesus
Developing into fully devoted disciples
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 What do the following add to this gospel story? See Matthew 3:11; 5:13, 12:13, 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45; Luke 11:23, 14:34-35; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Colossians 4:5-6; read surrounding verses for more context.
Servants of All Mark 9:30-37
The disciples are oblivious & arguing about who is the greatest. Jesus says that whoever desires to be the greatest must be a servant of all.
Current Series: Following Jesus
Developing into fully devoted disciples
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 What do the following add to the story? See Matthew 20:25-28, 23:11; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 1:52, 14:10-11, 18:14, 22:26; don’t forget to check the surrounding verses for more context.
