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.
Get Up! Acts 9:36-43
Growing up in faith we imitate Jesus
Current Series: Looking Up
After Jesus teaches & goes up into heaven, things are looking up for the early church
Study & Share Insert
...#2 What do these resuscitation accounts point us to? 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37, 2 Kings 13:21; John 11:1-44; Luke 7:11-17, 8:49-56 (Matthew 9:23-26; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43); Acts 9:36-42, Acts 20:9-12. What makes these resuscitations & not resurrections? See 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-20; Revelation 20:11-15
From the Depths John 21:1-19
Even facing death, God is trustworthy
Current Series: Growing into New Life
Encounters with the Living Lord Jesus
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Recall what St. Peter said at the Last Supper (13:37-38) & then what happened (18:33-37). How is St. Peter invited in this gospel episode to carry out his earlier boast (13:37)?
Holding on to the Past John 20:1-18
St. Mary Magdalene must learn that Jesus will be closer than ever before
Current Series: Growing into New Life
Encounters with the Living Jesus
Study & Share Insert
...#1 V17 is a strange command. What do these passages add to it? See Luke 12:11-12, 21:14-15 24:25-27, 44-49; John 16:12-15; Acts 1:3; Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:23-24; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:10-12; 1 John 3:1-2
Rock of Trust Philippians 2:3b-11
Even facing death, God is trustworthy
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#1 How do Jesus’ temptation, his prayer in the garden, & St. Peter confession illustrate this passage? See Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 16:13-28; Luke 22:31-53
Cornerstone Philippians 3:8-14
Everything else pales in comparison to knowing Jesus
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#1 What connections do you find between the Gospel & the Philippians lessons? Which characters fit with St. Paul’s descriptions? For instance, how is a certain character a positive illustration or a negative? Hint: look for topics, parallel ideas, inversions, reversals, similarities, extensions, metaphors, actions, vocabulary, grammar, etc. Remember to include themes, imagery/ illustrations & “mirror images.”
Rock of Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Ambassadors for reconciliation
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Compare St. Paul’s point in v17 (cf. 3:1-18) with Revelation 21:1-6? What do see in common between St. Paul & St. John (traditional understood author of Revelation)? What’s different? What do you make of it all?
Rock of Endurance 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
A test to be passed
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#5 St. Paul routinely warns against boasting in this letter (cf. 1:29, 31, 3:21, 4:7, 5:6, 9:15-16, 13:3-4, 15:31). What does that add to v12? How does some humility in your own temptations/ tests/ trials make your experience more relatable to others?
Rock of Ages Philippians 3:17—4:1
The Lord’s blessings come now and at the end
Current Series: Christ Our Rock
Jesus gives us support, a foundation, & refuge
Study & Share Insert
...#5 How does v20, citizenship in heaven, give you a new way to speak to neighbors about Jesus when it seems everything in our country is divided red/blue, woke/based, America first/global perspective, etc.?
