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.
Holy Love Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-19
God judges our (lack of) love for neighbor, who needs our good works
Current Series: Judgment
Just and merciful, not scary
Study & Share Insert
...#1 How does the refrain “I am the LORD” root the Israelites’ behavior in God, not themselves? By the way, review the Golden Calf incident to see what happens when we look within/give into ourselves (see Exodus 32). See Exodus 19:5-6, 20:2, 8-11; Deuteronomy 6:20-25, 7:6, 26:18-19; Isaiah 61:6; Romans 6:12-23; Ephesians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9
Ready or Not Matthew 22:1-14
God wants guests at his banquet to BE READY for the feast.
Current Series: Judgment
Just and merciful, not scary
Study & Share Insert
...#How does Isaiah 25:1-9 connect with this parable? How does it help you decipher the characters & plot of the story? Hint: v7 likely refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple Mount in AD 70. See Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 9:15; Galatians 3:27; Formula of Concord-Epitome: XI 12; FC availablebookofconcord.org
Ready or Not Matthew 22:1-14
God wants guests at his banquet to BE READY for the feast.
Current Series: Judgment
Just and merciful, not scary
Study & Share Insert
...#How does Isaiah 25:1-9 connect with this parable? How does it help you decipher the characters & plot of the story? Hint: v7 likely refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple Mount in AD 70. See Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 9:15; Galatians 3:27; Formula of Concord-Epitome: XI 12; FC availablebookofconcord.org
Study & Share Insert
...#5 Many congregations pile up a hoard of things (physical, financial, & metaphorical) that can only be used for a (foggy) “special” purpose within the congregation (this does not include special Christmas/Easter decorations & the like) & finally end up not being used much at all. First, where do see this attitude at work in your congregation? Second, how can you honor the giver & the gifts, yet help find a new, life-giving, fruit-bearing purpose for them? See Matthew 6:19-21, 19:16-24, 20:28, 23:11-15; Luke 12:13-21; 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Consider Matthew 9:9-12. How does that help explain v32, "For John came to you in the way of righteousness & you did not believe him, but the tax collectors & the prostitutes believed him; & even after you saw it, you did not change your minds & believe him."? See Matthew 3:1-12, 11:2-30; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 3:1-20, 7:24-30, 36-50, 15:1-32; John 5:17-24, 30-47, 8:12-20, 31-47, 54-59, 10:22-39
Study & Share Insert
...#6 Seniority-based systems protect the longest participants (vv10-12) at the expense of the newest, until not enough new participants can be consumed for the sake of the system. Consider your congregation’s “actives” into 10+years, 5-10 yrs., 2-5 yrs., & l-2 yrs. What do you see? What can you do to change it?
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Consider other parables with “wicked slaves” Matthew 24:45-51 & 25:14-30. What do these slaves have in common? Selfishness? Laziness? Pride? Fear? Ruthlessness? Instrumentality? Exploitation? Reduction to potential? Hint: look for themes, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc.
Dress for Success Romans 13:8-14
Clothes make the man, so put on Christ
Current Series: Extra-Ordinary Life
Marvel and be amazed at God’s work in plain old everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#4 Romans 13:8, along with Proverbs 11:25, 17:18, 22:7, 26, 28:20, are favorite verses about debt with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (which St. Peter is hosting, starts 09.17.23). How does coveting play into the hands of debt (v9)? How does contentment guard against coveting? See Genesis 2:5-9, 15-17; Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5; FPU available tinyurl.com/FPU44A310
Be an Influencer Romans 12:9-21
God’s glory is not found in clicks, but when good overcomes evil
Current Series: Extra-Ordinary Life
Marvel and be amazed at God’s work in plain old everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Compare Romans 12:9-21 (esp. vv14, 17, 18, 21) with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). How well does St. Paul’s teaching fit with Jesus’? Hint: look for themes, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc.
The One and the Many Romans 12:1-8
Only Christianity offers the world a truly diverse and united witness
Current Series: Extra-Ordinary Life
Marvel and be amazed at God’s work in plain old everyday life
Study & Share Insert
...#1 Romans & 1 Corinthians have many common themes including the “body of Christ” motif. Compare & contrast them. See 1 Corinthians 12:1-27. Hint: look for themes, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Hint 2 one difference: Romans considers Jews & Gentiles, while 1 Corinthians considers rich & poor.
