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.
"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)
Home Again Luke 8:26-39
Jesus’ mission isn’t far away, it’s where you are.
Current Series: Joining Jesus
Jesus is already on his mission, and he invites us to join him
Study & Share Insert
...#1. The man is now in his right mind (v35). What do the following add about being in our right minds? What puts us in our right minds? See Psalm 77:11; Luke 10:27; Romans 12:2-3; 1 Peter 1:14; Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10; Philippians 4:7; Titus 1:15
On a Mission. From God. John 16:12-15
Trinitarian life is missional
Current Series: Joining Jesus
Jesus is already on his mission, and he invites us to join him
Study & Share Insert
...#2. How do we know love is essential between the persons of the Trinity? See Exodus 34:7; Psalms 36:7, 48:9; Luke 3:22; John 3:16, 35, 10:17, 14:31, 15:9, 17:24; Romans 5:1, 5; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 3:1, 4:8
Just Deserts Revelation 22:12-17, 20-21
It’s not quite like the old song “The Future’s so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades”
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#1. What’s the water of life? Remember the Bible takes place in a land surrounded by deserts. See Genesis 2:4-10; Isaiah 12:3, 55:1-3, 11; Ezekiel 47:1-12; John 4:14, 7:37, 19:34; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:5-7; Revelation 21:6, 22:1; Small Catechism: Holy Baptism; don’t forget to check surrounding verse for more context.
Facing God Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5
It’s not quite like the old song “The Future’s so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades”
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#1. What do the following add to the Revelation reading? See Exodus 13:21-22, 14:19-20; Psalm 27:1, 56:13; John 1:4, 3:17-21, 8:12-19; Romans 13:11-14; Ephesians 5:6-20; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 1:5-7
New Home Revelation 20:1-8
It’s not an upgrade or remodel, but an entirely new way of being with God
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#2. Consider vv5-6; how has God already started this work? See Matthew 4;17, 10:7; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9-11; 19:11; 21:31; Acts 14:8-21; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, 5:17; Ephesians 4:17-25; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Peter 1:23
Salvation From, By, & For Revelation 7:9-17
My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#4. Palm branches are symbol of martyrdom; how would your understanding of baptism change if we gave palm branches to the newly baptized- even babies? Consider Luke 19:35-39, 23:1-4, 11, 36-38
Worthiness Revelation 5:11-14
The Living Word is the beginning, present, & end of all time
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#2. V13 speaks to the fulfillment of what St. Paul writes in Philippians 2:10. Who doesn’t bow? See 5:1, 6, “creature” v13. What do we learn about Jesus here? See Small Catechism: Creed, available bookofconcord.org
The Timeless Hour Revelation 1:4-8
The Living Word is the beginning, present, & end of all time
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#1. In the Bible, seven often symbolizes completeness (cf. Genesis 2:1-3, 7:2; Leviticus 4:6, 17; Revelation 2:1, 6:1, 8:2, 15:7). What could the “7” (v4) symbolize for the “one, holy, catholic, & apostolic” church? Does what is written concern mainly those communities addressed in the letter, the rest of us, all us, or something else? Note: it does not symbolize ages/eras/dispensations of the church.
