Author: Don McGarvey

Life in the Spirit

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:129-136 “Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.” (NLT)

Life in the Spirit

Text: Romans 8:1-4

#1—Romans 5

          2 Corinthians 5:17

#2—Romans 6

          Justification–

          Sanctification—

          Mark 12:30

          Ephesians 4:22-24

#3—Romans 7

          Romans 7:15, 18-19

          Romans 7:24-25

#4—Romans 8:1-4

          Instead of condemnation, we have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1)

          Because of Christ, we are free from the penalty of sin (death)

          Because of Christ, we are made alive and have “put off” the old and “put on” the new

Ephesians 2:1 –And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”

          Trespasses—things we do to please our sinful nature

          Sins—Being conformed to the things of this world; Living out of the “old man”

#5—Romans 5:1—Instead of being condemned by our sin, we can now have peace with God

Sons & Daughters, Part IV

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:121-128 “Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let those who are arrogant oppress me! My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love and teach me your principles. Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your decrees. Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have broken your law. Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Truly, each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.” (NLT)

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Matthew 5:13 & 14

A—Two Commands

#1–“Do not be unequally yoked….”

#2— “Come from among them and be separate?

B—In the world but not of the world

          John 17:14-16; Philippians 3:20; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4

C—Salt & Light

          Matthew 5:13 & 14

          The benefits of salt

          The benefits of light

D—We are called to be influencers

          Influencers are cautious about what influences them—Philippians 4:8

          Influencers influence by how they live—1 Peter 3:15

          Influencers look for places where they can make a difference.

          Where are you going to make a difference this week?

Sons & Daughters, Part III

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:113-120 “I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on our decrees. But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.” (NLT)

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

#1—Verse 14—Unequally yoked

          An ox and a donkey—clean & unclean

Romans 12:1—

#2—Verse 17—Come out from among them and be separate

          If God has called you to be an “ox” don’t allow yourself to be yoked with donkeys!

#3–What does “be separate” look like?

          Separate—It’s a change of heart; Not a list of rules

Jeremiah 31:33—

Separate—making sure the inside is clean

Matthew 23:25-28

          Separate— Letting go of your past

2 Corinthians 5:17—

Isaiah 43:18-19

Separate—“allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our mind daily

                    Romans 12:2

          Separate—“putting off the old & putting on the new”

Ephesians 4:22-24—

Sons & Daughters, Part II

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:105-112 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as your promised. Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations. My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your laws are my treasure; they are my hearts delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.” (NLT)

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

The goal: For God to become our Father and for us to become His “sons & daughters”

The question: How does this happen?

Verse 17— “Come out from among them…….”

          1 John 1:9; Isaiah 64:6

Verse 14—Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers

          Deuteronomy 22:10–

Five Rhetorical Questions:

#1—What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?

#2—What communion has light with darkness?

#3—What accord has Christ with Belial?

          John 10:10

#4—What part has a believer with an unbeliever?

#5—What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

          1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19

The Book of Judges–

Sons & Daughters, Part I

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:97-104 “Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” (NLT)

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

#1—As Sons & Daughters we are “heirs”

          Romans 8:14-17

#2—What do we inherit?

  1. God’s glory—Romans 5:1
  • Eternal life—Titus 3:4-7
  • God Himself—Lamentations 3:24
  • Everything in the universe—Hebrews 1:1-2

#3—How do we become “sons & daughters?”

Do not touch what is unclean–2 Corinthians 6:17

#4—God is not a “kill-joy!

          1 John 1:9; John 10:10

#5—What does it mean to be “clean?”—Ephesians 1:4-5

Good and Acceptable

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

January 9, 2022

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:89-96 “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.” (NLT)

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-3

#1—We are to pray for our leaders and those in authority.

#2—We are to pray for those who have yet to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

          John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9

#3—Supplications—requests, needs

          1________________________

          2________________________

          3________________________

#4—Prayers—Wisdom, Guidance, Decisions, etc.

          1_________________________

          2_________________________

          3_________________________

#5—Intercession—Requests on behalf of someone else

          1_________________________

          2_________________________

          3_________________________

#6—Thanksgiving—An attitude of gratitude

          1__________________________

          2__________________________

          3__________________________

Extra Milers

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:81-88 “I faint with longing for your salvation; but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But I cling to your principles and obey them. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your law have dug deep pits for me to fall into. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your decrees.” (NLT)

Text: Matthew 5:38-42

The Law of Retaliation— “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21

The Law of Retaliation was meant to protect the “law breaker” and not to become an opportunity for revenge.

#1—Verse 41–Jesus gave us a way to combat evil—by doing good.

The Romans borrowed from an old Persian Law designed to make sure the “mail” was delivered on time.

Impressment—Luke 23:26; Mark 15:21

#2—Extra Milers—

  1. Never happy with “just getting by”
  2. Always looking out for what they can do to help others
  3. Willing to go above and beyond expectations

#3—Going the Extra Mile shows to those trying to “control” that they don’t always have the final say so and they can’t always control us.

Extra Milers can choose to live “under the circumstances” or they can choose to go above and beyond the circumstances.

What are some “extra mile” situations that you think you might have in the coming year?

Recommended Resource for Extra Milers: Mile 2: 31 Extra Mile Secrets for an Extraordinary Life by Steve Warner (Available from Amazon)

Nothing is Impossible with God

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:73-80 “You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your decisions are just; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your law is my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments. Let me be reconciled with all who fear you and know your decrees. May I be blameless in keeping your principles; then I will never have to be ashamed.”

Text: Luke 1:5-7, 11-14, 18-20

#1–Luke 1:5-7

Three things about Zacharias & Elizabeth

          They were righteous

          They lived with integrity

          They were faithful in all things

#2–Luke 1:11-14

God was “ready” to answer their prayer

#3–Luke 1:18-20

          Zacharias doubted the angel

          Luke 1:37— “with God, nothing will be impossible”

          Luke 18:27— “The things impossible with men are possible with God”

Mary’s Song

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

4th Sunday of Advent

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:65-72 “O Lord, the earth is full of your unfailing love; teach me your principles. You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your principles. Arrogant people have made up lies about me, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles. Your law is more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.” (NLT)

Mary’s Song—The Magnificat

Text: Luke 1:46-55

Magnificat—Latin for the word “magnify”

Stanza #1—Luke 1:46-49—What God has done for Mary

          1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Stanza #2—Luke 1:50-53—What God has done for us

          Luke 4:18-19

Stanza #3—Luke 1:54-55—What God has done for Israel

          Genesis 12:1-3; Psalm 98:1-3

Four Hymns (Songs) in Luke 1 & 2

Mary’s Song—Luke 1:46-55               Zachariah’s Song—Luke 1:67-79

Angel’s Song—Luke 2:14                    Simeon’s Song—Luke 2:29-32

Old Testament References in Mary’s Song

V46—Psalm 34:2                      V51—Psalm 89:11

V47—Psalm 35:9                      V52—Job 12:19; 5:11

V48—1 Samuel 1:11                 V53—1 Samuel 2:5; Psalm 107:9

V49—Psalm 111:9                    V54—Psalm 98:3

V50—Psalm 103:17                  V55—Genesis 17:7; Micah 7:20

The Joys of Christmas

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, December 12, 2021

The Third Sunday of Advent

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:57-64 “Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings, be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations, I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments. O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees.” (NLT)

Text: Luke 2:8-10

Joy—approval, excitement, or great happiness

#1—God is with us!

Matthew 1:22-23

John 1:14

Colossians 2:9

#2—God is A Savior!

Luke 2:8-11

John 1:29

#3—God Rescued Us!

Matthew 1:18-21

Romans 6:23