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.
Faith vs. Sight Mark 4:26-34
We can’t see over the end, but we know what awaits us.
Current Series:
A Contrasting Kingdom The Kingdom of God stands whole; it is not divided into parts
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 Compare & contrast the Ezekiel (17:22-24) lesson & the Gospel. What connections make the Ezekiel lesson a good fit as a model or prototype for the Gospel lesson? Hint: in Ezekiel the tree symbolizes a particular person/role & the birds likely signify other nations.
United in Battle & Triumph Mark 3:20-35
God’s kingdom is united by Jesus himself against “momentary afflictions” like Satan & evil powers.
Current Series:
A Contrasting Kingdom The Kingdom of God stands whole; it is not divided into parts
Study & Share Insert:
...#1 How does this story connect with the OT reading? With these later episodes (Mark 6:1-6; 13:9-13; also Matthew 10:16-38; Luke 12:49-53) & with John 8:31-59 (also 5:17-46)?
Father, Son, & Holy Spirit Romans 8:12-17, 22-57
We bother with the Holy Trinity because it’s the only way the entire thing hangs together
Current Series: None
Study & Share Insert:
...#3 How does this passage inform your prayer life, esp. vv15-17, 25-27? How are our prayers trinitarian, that is, involving all three persons of the Holy Trinity?
Proof Mark Luke 24:44-53
Showing & telling about life on the vine
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#2 Jesus is sure to include repentance in his command for proclamation. How come? See Deuteronomy 30:1-20; 1 Kings 8:44-53 (cf. 2 Chronicles 6:36-40); Psalms 7:12, 78:34; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:22; Ezekiel 18:19-32, 33:7-11 (12-20); Daniel 9:13; Joel 2:11-13; Jonah 3:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12, 4:17, 12:41; Mark 1:2-5, 15, 6:7-13; Luke 3:3-18, 5:32, 13:1-9, 15:7, 10, 17:3-4; Romans 3:23, 11:23; Galatians 3:22; 1 Timothy 2:4, 25; 2 Peter 3:9
Friendship John 15:9-17
Your momma wants your own friendship with Jesus, not hers.
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#1. Consider John 13:1-20, esp. v34, 10:18, & 14:31 (cf. 1 John 3:16). How is laying down one’s life not merely intensity of feeling/affection but the means, or way, of loving? See John 3:16; Acts 5:41; Romans 8:31-39; 2 Corinthians 11:7-11; 22-33; Philippians 3:4-14
Abiding John 15:1-8
Our lives ARE fruitful when lived on the vine
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#2. How do the following verses flesh out “fruit”? See Matthew 3:8, 7:20; John 8:41; Roman 6:22; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 4:20; see also 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 5:9, 15-20; James 3:17-18; 2 Peter 1:5-8
TLC John 10:11-18
The good “gardener” tenderly loves & cares for his “vine”
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#6. Christian community is modeled on the connection between Jesus & his Father (v15); listening to his voice gives it unity (v16); they know each other as ones for whom Jesus died (vv11, 15); the love of God is shared through his death (vv17-18). How does this challenge your assumptions about congregational life & “membership”? How is Jesus’ death & God’s love evident in your congregation’s ministries? How does this all make it OK & healthy & good for you when you don’t get your way in the congregation? When your opinion doesn’t hold? When your wants aren’t addressed?
Nourishment Acts 3:19
Without Holy Communion to nourish us, our living, growing life is stunted.
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Review the Large Catechism’s teaching about Holy Communion, esp. paragraphs 21-30, 40-41, 53, 59-60, 70-79. How does the Lord’s Supper nourish you? How do you know you need its nourishment? LC available <bookofconcord.org>
Fresh Air John 20:19-31
The gift of the Holy Spirit delivers the Resurrection’s benefits to us
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#2. What does St. John write about the purpose of his book (v31)? How is St. Thomas’ exclamation (v28) the climax of the story? See John 5:24, 37-47, 6:26, 35-51, 60-71, 8:12-47, 9:24-41; cf. 20:30, 21:25
New Life
Mark 16:1-8
Jesus is a living person; he gives his gift of new life to us.
Current Series: Thrive on the Vine
Divine roots & fruits
Study & Share Insert
...#1. Review the “Passion Predictions” referenced in v7- Mark 8:31, 9:30-31, 10:33-34, 14:27-28 (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)). Note: at least some are not immediately obvious.
