The Parables of Jesus: Build on the Rock

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Matthew 7:24-27

Bible Reading: Titus 3:4-6 “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (NLT)

#1–Matthew 5-7–Sermon on the Mount

          Character of Christ followers

          Being salt & light

          Guarding your heart

          Loving your enemies

          How to pray

          Don’t worry, seek God’s Kingdom

          Be wise, not foolish.

#2–Wadis

#3–Wise and foolish

#4–John 15:4-5–How to abide (remain) in Him.

#5–John 15:10–Making the effort; living with respect towards God.

#6–John 15:12–Choose love.

The Parables of Jesus: The Pharisee & The Tax Collector

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Text: Luke 18:9-14

Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:31-34 “Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (NLT)

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

#1–To whom did Jesus tell this parable?

          Luke 18:9–

#2–The logic of heaven.

          A good guy.

          A bad guy.

#3–The Pharisee’s prayer–Luke 18:11-12

#4–The Tax Collector’s prayer–Luke 18:13

          Hebrews 4:16–

          Ephesians 2:8-9–

          Isaiah 64:6–

#5–Two take-a-ways–

  • Stop comparing.
  • We don’t earn our way into heaven by our good deeds, nor do we earn our way into hell by our evil deeds.

#6–Romans 3:23–All have sinned.

#7–1 John 1:99–God will cleanse us of our sins if we ask.

#8–2 Corinthians 5:17–God will make all things new.

The Parables of Jesus: The Prodigal Son

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Luke 15:11-32

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:9-10 “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a Sacrifice to take away our sins.” (NLT)

Luke 15:1-3–The audience for three parables.

Luke 15:11-13–

          The younger sons request–

          The father divided his livelihood–

          A far country–

Luke 15:14-16–

          He lost it all–

          He joined himself to a citizen of that country–

Luke 15:17-19–

          He [the younger son] came to himself–

          Mark 5:15–a man with an unclean spirit

          Proverbs 22:6–“Train up a child….”

Luke 15:20-24–

          The Father was looking for the younger son–

          A Robe, a ring, and sandals–

          Romans 8:1–

Luke 15:25-32–

          The older brother–

          “All that I have is yours”–

          “Was dead and is alive again”–

Scripture Writing

(On the November 8,2023 Podcast, Take Ten with Pastor Don, I talked about a web site that offered Scripture Writing Plans. The following article talks about the impact of Scripture writing and also includes the web site, along with instructions for how to obtain the monthly Scripture Writing Plans.)

A few years ago, I started writing out Scripture. I started with the Minor Prophets. I was teaching through them with a group of students and since I had read them several times already, I decided to try something different. I bought a notebook, and wrote in pen, not on a computer, each of the 12 Minor Prophets. I noticed as I was teaching how I could recall more things as I was teaching than I had before. I did the same for some of Paul’s letters and the book of James.

I was sold. I have made writing out Scriptures a part of my daily discipline off and on for the past few years.

It takes a little more time. But instead of playing computer games, I find myself reaching for my notebook and spending time writing Scriptures. For me, it is a good thing. I’m not going to say it is something for everyone. But I do believe everyone should try it and see if it’s something you would benefit from.

About a year ago, I discovered a ministry web site that offered “Scripture Writing Plans.” Currently they have 24 different plans. They are designed to be done daily and are set up for 30 days. The ministry is Love Worth Finding.

The web site is: www.lwf.org

It is the web site of the late Adrian Rogers that is run by his family, friends, and others who are keeping his sermons, articles, and books alive to bless others. I’m sure Adrian would be greatly blessed to know of the blessings he continues to be through these resources.

When you get to the web site, use the search option and enter in: Scripture Writing Plans.

You will need to enter your name and e-mail address. They will send you a download of the plan you select. Then you can print it out. (You will receive an e-mail from the Love Worth Findng Ministry. But you may find benefit in those as well.)

There may be other sites that offer Scripture Writing Plans as well. If you know of some, let me know and I will pass the information along.

Or, you could be like me, purchase a notebook, open your Bible, and just start writing.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

The Parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Luke 15:1-10

Bible Reading: Titus 3:4-6 “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and lave, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (NLT)

Luke 15–Three Parables

Luke 15:1-3–The setting for these three parables

  • Tax Collectors
  • Sinners
  • Pharisees
  • Scribes
  • Matthew 11:19–A friend of sinners

The Parables–

The Good Shepherd–Luke 15:4-7

The Lost Coin–Luke 15:8-10

Five things we know for sure:

#1–The sheep was lost.

#2–The coin was lost.

#3–Someone searched for the sheep; someone searched for the coin.

#4–Both the sheep and the coin were found.

#5–Great rejoicing over the sheep and the coin being found.

Luke 19:10–“The Son of Man [Jesus} came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Who was lost? We were lost.

Romans 3:23–All have sinned….

Isaiah 59:1-2–

1 John 2:2–Jesus is our propitiation.

          Propitiation–to “satisfy the wrath of God against sin;” “to turn away God’s wrath;” or “to offer a sacrifice that appeases God’s just judgment and righteous anger against us and our sin.”