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.
Sunday's Sermon The Promise of Baptism
He conquers sin & washes us clean. Remembering this promise tells us who & whose we are.
Current Series: God Keeps His Promises
Exploring his covenants to see where (and what) his promises are
Study & Share Insert
...#2. How does vv19-20a connect with Jesus’ earthly ministry? Note- St. Peter is traditionally understood as St. Mark’s primary source. See Mark 1:21-28, 32-39, 3:13-15, 22-30 6:7, 12-13, 5:1-20, 7:24-30, 9:14-27, 16:9, 17. See also Genesis 6:1-4
By the way, our Wednesday Sermon and Series is... Intercession (02.24.2021)
Moses interceeded for the Israelites and Aaron, who were sin-sick from the golden bull calf incident. We do the same for one another.
Crew
When God's Church works together as a crew, not passengers, stowaways, or pirates, good things happen.
Sunday's Sermon For the Sake of
Jesus’ cross is how we make sense of holiness; it’s the fullness of holiness.
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#1. St. Paul uses the word gospel 10 times in 1 Corinthians (1:17, 4:15, 9:12, 14, 16, 18, 23). How do 1:18--2:5 frame the gospel? Review the Formula of Concord ch. V, in both the Epitome (summary/abstract) & the Solid Declaration (full explanation; esp. paragraph 22). How does this clarity shine light on vv19 & following above? FC available <bookofconcord.org>
Sunday's Sermon Ins & Outs
Holiness travels between prayer & service
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#4. Notice how Jesus heals folks personally & individually (vv23, 31-34). What makes you think he’s too busy for you? What does he desire for you & your burdens? What burdens are you withholding from him? See Mark 8:34, 9:35, 10:43-45; Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:16; Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-16
Sunday's Sermon Permission
As the Body of Christ, we have Jesus’ permission & authority for our holiness to affect the everyday lives of others
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#1. What is the point of the so-called “messianic secret” whereby Jesus prevents others from “testifying” to his powers (v24)? In other words, how do we ultimately recognize his power? See 1:34, 40-45, 3:11-12, 4:11, 7:31-37, 8:22-30, 9:2-9, 10:45, 15:33-39; see also John 6:25-27, 16:13; Small Catechism: Creed II available <bookofconcord.org>
Sunday's Sermon The Hallmark of Holiness
That we turn away & return to God is the one-day-at-a-time, practical foundation of doing holiness
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Do these first disciples say a “sinner’s prayer”? Make Jesus the king of their hearts? Decide that he’s their personal Lord & Savior? Read the color-coded “Wordless Book”? What’s another name for this compelling spirit of Jesus? See John 15:16-19, 26; Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Small Catechism: Creed III, available <bookofconcord.org>
Sunday's Sermon From Where?
Our entire lives are called & claimed by Jesus. How we address our own callings shows & tells others about theirs.
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#5. What makes walking the walk such an important part of talking the talk? See Luke 6:27-38, 10:25-43, 11:42, 13:10-17, 20:45--21:4
Sunday's Sermon Who's Holy?
Baptism makes us holy. We have our own gifts manifesting the Spirit in everyday life- if we’d quit worrying about standing out.
Current Series: Everyday Holiness
It is good for the world to encounter holiness in the lives of the saints. By the way, it’s also a team sport.
Study & Share Insert
...#3 How does the fact that you can’t baptize yourself emphasize that it’s God’s gift to you, his decision to choose & adopt you? See Romans 1:16, 3:10-18, 5:6-9, 10:14; Ephesians 1:5, 13, 2:5, 8-9; see also Romans 6:3-5, 8:12-17
Sunday's Sermon Another Road
Keeping our eyes on Jesus leads us down another way, a narrow way, away from the avenues of power.
Current Series: Remembrance
Our Christmas celebrations bridge the gap between back then, right now, and what’s still to come, as well as, back there, right here, and over yonder.
Study & Share Insert
...#3 Changing gears for a moment- How does Psalm 72 square with Psalm 146:3-4 (also Psalms 20:7, 33:16-17, 118:8-9, 147:10-11)? How does treating Psalm 72 as a prayer help? How does Psalm 72 help you pray for governmental leaders- regardless of party affiliation? See 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Our Christmas Eve & Day sermons are... 12.24 Let Us Go
Somehow going there helps us see it right here.
12.25 Returning with Joy
We’ll soon return to “business as usual” with the holidays over, but with a treasure of joy.
12.27 No Sermon
Our lessons and carols service. We'll hear and sing the story of our dear Savior's birth from its promise in the Old Testament to its fulfilment in the New Testament.
Current Series: Remembrance
Our Christmas celebrations bridge the gap between back then, right now, and what’s still to come, as well as, back there, right here, and over yonder.
Study & Share Insert
12.24 #1 Why might God send the angels to poor shepherds & not the powerful elite? See 2 Samuel 7:8, 16; Isaiah 61:1-3a; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Matthew 5:1-12, 11:25; John 1:29, 35-36, (10:11, 14-15); 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS2020-12-24_ChristmasEVE
12.25 ...#2. Compare & contrast the shepherds & their reaction with these other gospel characters & reactions. See Luke 4:16-29, 8:26-39, 9:57-62, 17:11-19, 18:18-30, 23:1-25, 24:13-25; John 1:35-51, 4:25-30,
6:41-69, 8:1-11, 9:1-17, 30-41, 19:4-12, 20:11-18
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS2020-12-25_ChristmasDAY
12.27 ...#5. How have people come to believe through you? See v7 Check out this funny story from the Babylon Bee website https://bit.ly/3rhZdMG
Download the rest (*.pdf) SS2020-12-27_LessonsCarols
Sunday's Sermon Grand Gifts
God’s goodness and mercy aren’t left the past; they stack up to give us this present, promising the future fulfillment of what they signify.
Current Preaching Series Finite & Infinite
God’s infinite promises come down to us in our finite world, especially in Jesus’ promised return.
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Review the history behind v6. See Exodus 33:7-11, 40:34-38; Numbers 11:24-30; Joshua 3:14-17, 6:1-15; 18:1, 19:51, 22:9; Judges 20:26–28; 1 Samuel 21–22; 2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Kings 3:2–4, 8:4; 1 Chronicles 13:5–6, 15:1, 16:39, 21:29; 2 Chronicles 1:2–6, 13; Psalm 78:54-72 How does it provide a prototype for the promise of Emmanuel- God with us? See Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 How about for the promise of the Holy Spirit? See Isaiah 11:1-10; John 15:26--16:15; Acts 1:1-5, 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5
