The Wonder of God’s Love: His Steadfast & Enduring Love

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 22, 2026

1 Corinthians 3:8; Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 136:1-3

Scripture Reading: Psalm 136:1-3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;” (ESV)

1 Corinthians 13:8a—Enduring Love.

          Enduring Love is a love that lasts.

God’s love is actively persistent and actively pursuing.

1 John 4:19—God’s love for us was established prior to our birth.

          Psalm 139:13, 16

Romans 5:8—God loved us when we were not lovable.

Romans 8:38-39—Nothing changes God’s love for us.

God’s love is patient, capable of remaining the same in difficult times as well as in good times.

Matthew 10:30—His love is personal, intimate, and greater than we can

          imagine.

Psalm 136:1-3—God’s love for us is steadfast.

Steadfast love is a love that is fixed, unwavering, unchanging, consistent, dependable, and loyal.

Numbers 23:19—God’s love is not one thing today but another thing

          tomorrow.

Scriptures for further reading: Joshua 1:9; Psalm 109:26; Jeremiah 31:3; Zephaniah 3:17

The Wonder of God’s Love:

His Love is Personal & Intimate

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Matthew 10:29-31 & Psalm 139

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:16-18 “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” (NLT)

Matthew 10:29-31

Matthew’s bold argument:

Psalm 139

v1-5—The all-knowing, omniscient, God.

v7-12—The everywhere present, omnipresent, God.

v13-16—Fearfully & Wonderfully

          Marvelously & Miraculously

v17-18—God’s thoughts number more than the grains of sand.

v23-24—Please do not allow me to get caught up in any kind of sin that would bring grief to you and interfere in our relationship.

How to Respond to Perilous Times

Remain Rooted in Scripture: Continue in the truths already learned, as 2 Timothy 3:14-17 highlights the Bible as the primary defense against deception.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Cultivate Prayer and Vigilance: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and remain watchful, as per Matthew 26:41, to avoid temptation.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing,”

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Put on the Armor of God: Actively use the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:11 to stand against the enemy’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Shine Light in Darkness: Instead of hiding, take this opportunity to bring God’s light into the world, demonstrating faith rather than fear.

Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Live Responsibly and Uncompromised: Remain consistent in godly living, resisting the trend to compromise with culture, and maintaining strong convictions.

Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”

Trust God’s Sovereignty: Remember that God is not surprised by these times and that He will sustain and be with His people.

Matthew 28:20 “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

Joshua 10:25 “Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

The Wonder of God’s Love: His Unconditional & His Sacrificial Love

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 8, 2026

John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:9-10

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:8, 11 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;” (NIV)

John 3:16-17

  • God’s love is universal.
  • God’s love is sacrificial.

          John 10:17-18

  • God’s love is based on faith.

          Ephesians 2:8-9

  • God’s love comes with a promise of eternal life.
  • God’s love comes with no condemnation.

          Romans 8:1

  • God’s love is a gift.

          Romans 6:23

1 John 4:9-10

  • Love is defined by God’s actions toward us, not our actions toward God.

          Romans 5:8-11

  • God’s love becomes a propitiation for our sin.

John 1:29

The Wonder of God’s Love:

His Pursuing Love & His Redeeming Love

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Ruth 1:1-8, 16-17; Hosea 2:19-20

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:17-19 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (NIV)

Two Old Testament Stories:

Ruth—Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth pictures God’s pursuing love.

Ruth & Boaz—A great love story.

          To provide for herself and for Naomi, Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field. The field she gleaned in became the field she owned.

Hosea—Hosea 2:19-20

Hosea & Gomer

Hosea 3:1-3–Hosea goes to the slave auction and redeems Gomer.

Hosea pictures God’s redeeming love.

God’s great love for you—Romans 5:8-10

Triumph #4: David & Goliath

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 25, 2026

1 Samuel 17:45-47, 51

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 46:1 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (NLT)

1 Samuel 17:45-47, 51—The TRIUMPH

          Job—

          Joseph—

          Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—

1 Samuel 16:11-13—David anointed to be the next King of Israel

1 Samuel 17:4-11—Goliath

          Goliath’s brothers–2 Samuel 21:15-22 and 

1 Chronicles 20:4-8 (v6, the giant with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. A little extra evil!)

1 Samuel 17:45—The Lord of hosts

The Lord of hosts—Commander in chief of all the armies of heaven (angels) and earth (human armies)

Joshua 5:13; Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 46:7

What or who is your giant?

Triumph #3: Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Daniel 3:26-27

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:1a-3a “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God,”

TRIUMPH– a great victory after a struggle.

Job—in the midst struggle, God is faithful

Joseph—God was with Joseph.

The Three Hebrew Princes—Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), Abednego (Azariah).

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and Confession

          Daniel 2:47-48

Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue—

          Daniel 3:14-18—But if not……

Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace—

          Daniel 3:24-25—

Take-a-ways:

#1—Trusting God’s Power & Will

#2—God’s Presence in Suffering

Triumph #1: Job

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Job 42:12

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT)

Job: The first book of the Bible?

What do we know about Job? —Job 1:1

Satan, not God, was responsible for Job’s troubles—Job 1:6-7

God put boundaries around Job—Job 1:12

Job’s three friends—

What they did right:      

1—They came to Job in his time of grief.

2—They wept with Job in his time of grief.

3—They spent time with Job in his time of grief.

What they did wrong:

Eliphaz—

Bildad—

Zophar—

Job’s faith in God did not waiver—Job 13:15a; Job 19:25; Job 23:8-12

Job 38-41—God speaks.

Job 42:12-13, 16-17

The Ups and Downs of 2025

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, December 28, 2025

2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Isaiah 40:31

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head overall. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.”

Hebrews 13:5-6—God will never leave us.

          Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8

Romans 8:38-39—Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Psalm 136—God’s love endures forever.

God will help us in tough times–Psalm 34:17, 19; Psalm 46:1-2a; John 16:33; James 1:17; Revelation 21:4

Isaiah 40:31—wait on the Lord?

Definition of “wait”—actively binding ourselves with God. An active anticipation of expecting God’s divine, supernatural intervention. A dynamic, hopeful anticipation and reliance, involving prayer, trust, and aligning with God, leading to renewed strength, not just sitting idly.

Philippians 4:6—Make your requests known to God. Large or small!

Hebrews 4:16—Come boldly to God with your requests.

1 John 5:14-15-Praying vs negotiating.

Love: The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Lamentations 3:22-23

Scripture Reading: Psalm 86:11-13 “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” (NIV)

Lamentations—A funeral dirge for the city of Jerusalem, written by the prophet Jeremiah.

Mercies— “new every morning”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8—A picture of love as modeled by Jesus.

Puffed up—

Not provoked—

John 4:16—God is love.

God’s love for us is not influenced by others.

God’s love for us is eternal and unfailing.

God’s love for us is deep, it’s wide, it’s high and it’s long.

Ephesians 3:14-19—Paul’s second Apostolic Prayer

Isaiah 49:15-16—Our names are inscribed on the palms of God’s hands.

Mark 12:30-31–

Galatians 5:22-23—the fruit of God the Holy Spirit in us.

John 3:16-17 ““For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”