Giving Thanks

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (NIV)

Text: Ephesians 5:17-20

Four levels of gratitude—

Level One—Never give thanks

Level Two—They don’t complain, grumble, or argue, but never give thanks

Level Three—Grateful for the obvious

Level Four—Those who are “always giving thanks”

Question: What do we give thanks for?

Question: Why should be give thanks when tough things happen?

          Romans 8:28–

          Romans 8:31—

          Romans 8:35-39—

Our thanksgiving should be daily—

          Psalm 68:19

          Psalm 103: 1-5

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Last Days, Part III

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Bible Reading: “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an at of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves toward the goal of true maturity.” (J.B. Phillips New Testament)

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

#1—All of this is going to happen very quickly—in a twinkling [think blink] of an eye.

#2—Why a trumpet call?

          Judges 3:27; Judges 6:34; Nehemiah 4:18-20; Numbers 10:2-10

#3—Why a “shout”—1 Thessalonians 4:16

          John 11:43

#4—What will the “last days” be like for us?

          2 Timothy 3:1

          What does “perilous” mean?

          The “antichrist”—2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

          What does “son of perdition” mean?

#5—Even though life gets tough in the Last Days, we have a “blessed hope.”

          Titus 2:11-13

          What does “live soberly” mean?

          What are we supposed to be doing in the “Last Days?”

          Acts 1:4-8–

#6—Rapture—Catching away; caught away; rescued from danger

          The word “rapture” is not in the Bible but it is taught.

          Acts 8:39-40—Philip was “caught away”

How to be sure you are ready?

Romans 3:23; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 10:13

The Last Days, Part II

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-7 “So, humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT)

Text: Acts 1:9-11

Question #1—What happens during the Last Days?

          Matthew 24:3-8—The Rapture

          2 Thessalonians 2:3–Appearance of the Antichrist

          Matthew 24:21-22—The Tribulation

          Revelation 19:11-16—The Second Coming

Question #2—What is the purpose of the Second Coming?

          Revelation 19:11-6

Question #3—What is the Blessed Hope?

          Titus 2:11-13

Question #4—What are we to be doing during the Last Days?

          Acts 1:4-8

Question #5—What can we do to make sure we are ready?

Watch—Matthew 24:4                                  Encourage one another—Hebrews 10:24

Stand firm—Matthew 24:13                         Be in fellowship—Hebrews 10:25

Witness—Acts 1:8                                         Submit to God; resist the devil—James 4:7

Forgive one another—Matthew 6:15

The Last Days

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Bible Reading: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 119:89 ““God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.” (NLT)

Text: Acts 1:9-11

Question #1—When did the Last Days begin?

Question #2—What happens during the Last Days?

          Matthew 24:3-8–Rapture

          Revelation 19:11-16—Second Coming

Question #3—What is the purpose of the Rapture?

          1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

          Matthew 24:9-14

          2 Timothy 3:1-5

          1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Question #4—What is the purpose of the Second Coming?

          Revelation 19:11-16

Question #5—What are we supposed to be doing during the Last Days?

          Acts 1:4-8

Question #6—What can we do to make sure we are ready?

Watch—Matthew 24:4                                  Encourage one another—Hebrews 10:24

Stand firm—Matthew 24:13                         Be in fellowship—Hebrews 10:25

Witness—Acts 1:8                                         Submit to God; resist the devil—James 4:7

Forgive one another—Matthew 6:15

Sermon on the Mount, Part VII

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32:3-4 “I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (NLT)

Text: Matthew 5:17-20

#1–“to fulfill”—

          No short cuts–

          “jot & tittle”—

#2—v20—righteousness of the scribes & Pharisees

          Jeremiah 31”31-33–Performance vs Matters of the heart

          A marriage proposal—

          No more “just getting by”—

          “In their minds & hearts—

#3—v21—You have heard that it was said

          Jesus was not “correcting the Old Testament.” Rather, He was correcting the scribes

          And Pharisees

          Matthew 5:21; 27; 31; 33; 38 & 43

#4–The issues of the inside

 What’s on the inside will eventually come out.

          Luke 6:45

James 1:13-15     

#5–Provision for the healing of our inside

Isaiah 53:5

Transgressions—sin we do

Iniquities—sin we think about

#6—Prvention of inside issues

Philippians 4:8

Sermon on the Mount, Part VI

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 28:6-8a “Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength.” (NLT)

Text: Matthew 5:17-20

#1—v17–Law or the Prophets—

#2—v18—For assuredly—

#3—v18-19—jot & tittle

#4—v20—righteousness of the scribes & Pharisees

          Matthew 23:25-28

#5—v21—You have heard that it was said

          Matthew 5:21; 27; 31; 33; 38 & 43

          The inside matters. What’s on the inside will eventually come out.

          James 1:13-15

          Isaiah 53:5

                    Transgressions—sin we commit

                    Iniquities—sin we contemplate

          Philippians 4:8

Sermon on the Mount, Part V

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:17 “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Text: Matthew 5:13-16

#1—The Kingdom of God (Heaven)

          Matthew 4:17, 23

          Jesus gives instructions on how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven (God)

                    The Beatitudes—

                              #1-4—Our relationship with God

                              #5-8—Our relationship with others

#2—Jesus provides the “why” for the beatitudes

          Matthew 5:13-16

          Salt—adds flavor

                    Preserves

                    Aids in healing

                    Makes a difference

          Light—exposes obstacles hidden by the dark

                      Shows the way

                      Pushes darkness away

                      Helps bring relief from fear

#3—Jesus gives examples of being salt & light

          Matthew 5:43-48—Love your enemies

          Luke 10:25-37—Rethink who your neighbors are

          Acts 1:8—Be witnesses

          2 Corinthians 5:20–Paul uses the phrase, “ambassador”

          1 Peter 3:15–Peter’s instructions about being salt & light

The Sermon on the Mount, Part IV

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 25, 2022

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)

Text: Matthew 5:7-12, 13-16

#1—Matthew 5:3-6—Total Dependence upon God

          Genesis 15:9-21—God & Abram “cut” a covenant

#2–Matthew 5:7-12–Our relationship with one another

V7—the merciful

V8—pure in heart

V9—peacemakers

V10—those who are persecuted

#4–Matthew 5:13-16—Why character matters

V13—salt of the earth

V14—light of the world

Skutniks

What’s a “Skutnik?”

That’s a good question.

A few months ago, I was encouraged by a trusted friend to read a book called, “A Life That Matters” by Ron Hutchcraft. It was in this book that I learned the story of Lenny Skutnik.

Lenny Skutnik worked in the Congressional Budget Office in Washington D.C. One night, while walking home from work, he witnessed a great tragedy. He was walking along the shore of the Potomac River when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River.

Several passengers managed to get out of the plane but were floundering in the icy waters of the river. Mr. Skutnik jumped into the water and swam out to help anyone he could.

Ultimately, he saved the life of Priscilla Tirado. She was too weak to grab the line dropped from a helicopter. Skutnik helped her to get to shore and she survived.

A couple of weeks later, then President Ronald Reagan, invited Mr. Skutnik to the State of the Union Address. He was seated next to the First Lady and during the speech was recognized as an American Hero.

Recognizing American Heroes during the States of the Union Address became a tradition. As matter of fact, these “heroes” are referred to as “Skutniks.”

A “Skutnik” is someone who heroically makes a difference. They rescue someone in life or death circumstances. The Bible mentions several people who did this. Moses, Deborah, Elijah, Elisha, David, and many others. The greatest “Skutnik” was Jesus. He gave His life so that no one would have to perish because of their sin. He rescued us.

I’m convinced that most of us have opportunities to be a “Skutnik” as we walk along this life. It might be a smile, a kind word, an act kindness, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or someone who listens over a cup of tea or coffee.

Jesus encouraged us to be “Skutniks” and love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Book Info:

A Life That Matters by Ron Hutchcraft

Published by Moody Publishers, 2007

Available on Amazon in hardcopy or kindle

The Sermon on the Mount, Part III

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:8-10 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

Text: Matthew 5:3-12, 13-16

#1—The Forgotten Story

#2–Mathew 5:3-6–Our relationship with God

V3—poor in spirit

V4—those who mourn

V5—the meek

V6—hunger and thirst for righteousness

#3–Matthew 5:7-12–Our relationship with one another

V7—the merciful

V8—pure in heart

V9—peacemakers

V10—those who are persecuted

#4–Matthew 5:13-16—Why character matters

V13—salt of the earth

V14—light of the world