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.
Wind Blown John 3:1-17
Just as we never know where the wind comes from or goes, so the Spirit works in our lives to direct us in unexpected ways.
Current Series: Death & Resurrection
Daily dying and rising
Study & Share Insert
...#God the Holy Spirit is a person, not an emotion or feeling or force (cf. John 14:25–26; 15:26–27; 16:7–15; Acts 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 6:19, 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Peter 1:21). How does this realization help you connect with others who think (erroneously) a song or an experience or even empathy is the Holy Spirit?
No. Matthew 4:1-11
Renouncing the forces of sin, death & the devil at Baptism begins a lifetime of saying “No!”
Current Series: Death & Resurrection
Daily dying and rising
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Jesus’ temptation follows immediately after his baptism (3:1-17) & before he begins his ministry (4:12-17) & calls his first disciples (4:18-22). What insight does this give? See Genesis 32:1-32; Exodus 2:11--3:12; 1 Kings 19:1-9; Acts 9:1-30; Galatians 1:13-24 (esp. vv17-18); review the Small Catechism: Creed, 3rd Art., availablebookofconcord.org
Makes Us Sons and Daughters Matthew 17:1-9
God is well-pleased as we are transfigured into the image of Jesus
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#4 Romans 8:14-17 call us children & heirs with Christ (cf. Galatians 3:26, 4:7; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1; Revelation 21:7). Re-read out loud v5 inserting your own name (“This is Name my son/daughter with him/her I am well-pleased.” How does it feel that God names & claims you as his very own & a prince or princess in his coming Kingdom? How does that make you want to act in everyday life (cf. 1 Timothy 3:14-16)?
Reconciles Us 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Some rebalancing is needed in our one-sided lives
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Hebrews 5:12-13 & 1 Peter 2:2 also speak of “spiritual milk.” What do they add to vv1-3? What is the milk according to St. Paul in 1:5-7, 13, 18? What is the solid food? See 1 Corinthians 2:2, 6, 4:16, 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17;1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; Hebrews 6:1-12, 13:7; 3 John 1:11; don’t forget to check surrounding verse for additional context. See also John 14:15-21
Reveals Truth Matthew 5:13-20
You said you’d strive for justice & peace in all the earth, so saddle up
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#2 V16 is recited over the newly baptized as they are handed a candle. What do Romans 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:8-10 & James 2:13-26, 3:13 add? See Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration IV: 7-12, 22-24; FCSD availablebookofconcord.org
Unconventional Wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
It’s OK to feel dumb as a noob; enthusiasm makes it better
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#1 St. Paul uses “boast” about 54 times in his letters. Perhaps Galatians 6:14 summarizes it best “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, & I to the world.” Consider particularly 1 Corinthians 4:7, 9:16; 2 Corinthians 10:17, 11:30, 12:9. What is Paul advocating for or against? Use your Bible’s study notes. See also Romans 3:21-28; 4:1-8, 5:1-11; Small Catechism: Creed 2; Small & Large Catechisms (#3 below) availablebookofconcord.org
Conquers Discord 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The act of Gospel repentance overcomes the cacophony of dissent, discord, disunity, & the like
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#1 St. Paul repeats his point in v11 later in 11:18 (cf. 11:17-34); what purpose does he see coming from the division? How does Paul envision a resolution in 12:1--13:13? See also Philippians 2:1-11
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2023-01-22_Epi03
Tell About It John 1:29-42
Judge Ziglar wrote, “Timid salesmen have skinny kids.”
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism?
What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#5 Somewhere in your everyday life someone told you about Jesus & Holy Baptism. Think back & name the 5 most important “tellers” about the subjects in your life. What did they teach you & how? What made their words matter to you so much? Give thanks to God for them in prayer. Note: focus specifically on verbal aspects of their witness to you, on what was said to you about Jesus & about Baptism.
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2023-01-15_Epi02
For All Acts 10:34-43
What would it look like if more people got baptized here?
Current Series: What's Up with Baptism? What? So what? Now what? Do What?
Study & Share Insert
...#1 First, brush on Holy Baptism by reading about it in the Small Catechism, available bookofconcord.org . What three things stand out the most to you? How come?
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2023-01-08_Epi01BaptismJesus
Today is the eighth day of Christmas, just like the old song goes. Christmas is such good news that it takes 12 days to celebrate it fully. No sermon this week as we celebrate our annual Lessons & Carols service, hearing the story of our Savior's birth from its promise in the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the New.
Today we'll observe our celebration of the Festival of Our Lord's Epiphany, comemorating the historical day that the Wise Men, or Magi, brought the infant Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myhrr. During coffee time we'll have a king cake, and according to the south Texas tradition, whoever finds the baby in their piece of cake gets to bring tamales next week for coffee time. Good luck! (Yes, we know Epiphany is properly January 6, 13 days after Christmas.)
Current Series: Guest List
Who’s coming to the holiday party?
Study & Share Insert
...#4 How did you become a child of God (vv12-13)? Who has helped you grow & how? Praise God right now for those people who showed & told you about Jesus’ birth. See Small Catechism: Apostles’ Creed II, Holy Baptism; available bookofconcord.org; John 3:1-8; Romans 6:1-11, 8:14-17, 9:8; 1 Corinthians, 4:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16b-18; Galatians 3:26, 4:4-7 Ephesians 1:5-14; 2 Timothy 1:5-7
