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.
New Life Isaiah 65:17-25
Resurrected life is beyond death, weeping, mourning, and violence
Current Series: Worship- Heaven on Earth
What makes you want to go to heaven if you don’t want to go to church?
Study & Share Insert
...#4. How confident are you in the claims that Jesus was physically, historically, really resurrected? That we too will be resurrected just like him on the Last Day? Remember the claim is that so far Jesus alone has already been resurrected; we will receive it much later. See Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, 51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:12-15, 21:1-8 How can you find encouragement toward this simple truth & fact of Jesus’ resurrection? See Mark 9:14-29, esp. v24; Small Catechism: Creed; SC available bookofconcord.org
For You Luke 22:14--23:56 Jesus’ is betrayed, it is unfair, & it is for you.
Current Series: Repent!
The different ways that God encourages U-turns
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...#3. What do Psalms 55, 41, 89, & 125 add to Jesus’ prediction of his betrayal (vv21-24)? How do they give you words & a reference frame for you own experiences of betrayal, both as a victim & perpetrator? As Bob Marley sang, “Who the cap fit, let them wear it.”
My Family Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Our identity is royal sons and daughters, not slaves, but is that what we want?
Current Series: Repent!
The different ways that God encourages U-turns
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...#1. The son thinks he’s a slave (v29), while the father calls both children sons. What do the following add to this discussion? See Romans 6:5-23; 7:6-24; Galatians 4:1-25
Running with Arms Open Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
When our dreams die & plan fail, all we can do is survive; God celebrates & honors our return
Current Series: Repent!
The different ways that God encourages U-turns
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...#1. Compare & contrast this parable with the two preceding (Lost Sheep vv4-7, Lost Coin vv8-10); what similarities do you find? What is the occasion for Jesus’ teaching? What does Joshua 5:9-12 add? See Luke 8:28-36 43b-45, 13:22, 33, 14:1, 15:1-2, 17:11
No Pleasure in Your Destruction Luke 13:1-9
God isn’t out to get us; well, maybe to get us to turn around
Current Series: Repent!
The different ways that God encourages U-turns
Study & Share Insert
...#3. Jesus point in vv3, 5 is that without repentance, all will perish (cf. John 3:13-17); he’s not commenting on the particular guilt of the deceased (cf. Job 42:7; John 9:2, 3). How can your suffering lead others to repentance? See Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 2:12-24, 3:8-18; Hebrews 13:18
Who Do You Fear? Luke 13:31-35
Life and death matters bring urgency and clarity; Jesus isn’t afraid.
Current Series: Repent!
The different ways that God encourages U-turns
Study & Share Insert
...#1. Jesus insults both Herod & the pharisees, as well as the Jerusalem priests & scribes (vv32-33). How are these comments both ironic & similar to John 11:45-53? Look for details in Luke’s account of the Passion (Luke 22:35--23:43). In other words, how is this a disguised passion prediction (cf. 9:21-22, 43-45, 18:31-34)? By the way, how do you feel about Jesus being so contemptuous, offensive, & disrespectful? Note: think “fox” in the henhouse.
Call L-O-R-D
Romans 10:8b-13
We think breaking bread with the world’s power will satisfy; calling upon God’s power rescues us.
Current Series:
Repent!The different ways that God encourages U-turns
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...#1. How does the Lord’s Prayer underscore the nearness St. Paul claims in v8b? See Deuteronomy 4:7; Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 11:2-4; Romans 5:1-2, 8:15-17; Small Catechism: Lord’s Prayer; SC availablebookofconcord.org
Telling the Truth 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2
As evangelists, we are boldly state the truth in a world of lies & deceit
Current Series: Anointed; Now What?
God has anointed us to be his evangelists, knowing, showing, and telling about him for the sake of the world
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...#6. We live in a world of “fake news” where truth is measured by spin. Our motto could well be “Are you gonna believe me or your lying eyes?” How does St. Paul’s commitment (2 Corinthians 4:2) to telling the truth & the Truth (John 14:6) leave us at odds with our neighbors who may or may not believe that “Science is real” or “Love is love” or other meaningless platitudes? By staying out of the madness, how are Christians then in a position to bring healing & reconciliation? See Matthew 5:1-11, 37-48; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Peter 3:13-18; Small Catechism: Commandments 5-8; SC available bookofconcord.org
Show & Tell Psalm 1
As evangelists, our concrete acts of love match our words of praise
Current Series: Anointed; Now What?
God has anointed us to be his evangelists, knowing, showing, and telling about him for the sake of the world
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...#2. Ezekiel (47:12), & perhaps Isaiah, also seem to quote Psalm 1:3. How do the following expand & fill in this tree metaphor of the faithful? See Genesis 18:1-15; Joshua 24:14-26; 2 Samuel 18:6-15; Psalm 92:12-15; Isaiah 4:2, 6:9-13; 11:1-10, 61:3; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:14-17; Ezekiel 17:22-24, 47:12; Zechariah 3:8, 6:12-13; Matthew 2:23 (a word play on the Hebrew root word NZR/“branch”), 7:17-19, 12:33-35
Perfectly Imperfect Isaiah 6:1-13
As evangelists, we practice a winsome honesty about our faults & shortcomings.
Current Series: Anointed; Now What?
God has anointed us to be his evangelists, knowing, showing, and telling about him for the sake of the world
Study & Share Insert
...#2. St. Paul compares his late coming to faith after persecuting the Church as being like a stillborn infant (1 Corinthians 15:8). How does this unsettling imagery emphasize the new life brought by the gospel? See John 4:7-14 (15-42); Romans 6:3-11, 8:22-23; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, 5:1-10, 17; Galatians 6:15; 1 Timothy 1:12-16
