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.
Co-Mission-ed John 20:19-31
Jesus send us, equipped with the Holy Spirit, to spread the gospel wherever we are.
Current Series: Forged by the Spirit
Resurrection Power Births a Church
Study & Share Insert
...#4 The resurrection of the (actual, physical, human) body is an essential belief of Christianity. However, it’s impossible for us to truly know what those resurrected bodies freed from the corruptions of sin, death, & evil, will be like. (IOW we have to wait & see.) How does St. Paul show that our bodies are already being renewed? See Romans 6:4-22, esp. v13, 12:1; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Peter 4:2-3, 7-11
Our Lord's Resurrection Matthew 28:1-10
Tell everyone you know about salvation through His death & resurrection
Current Series: Forged by the Spirit
Resurrection Power Births a Church
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Review the “Passion Predictions” referenced in v6: Matthew 16:21-28, 17:22-23, 20:17-19, 26:1-2 (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)
Redemptive Suffering
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Body of Christ bears his life-giving cross together with one another.
Current Series: Death & Resurrection
Daily dying and rising
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Read the other “servant songs” from Isaiah. The context is the Babylonian Exile (500s BC); what do you think is going on with this servant? See Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 52:13-53:12; see also 61:1-3; John 12:37-41. Hint: use a study Bible, Wikipedia, & a Bible commentary, if you have one
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
