Elijah

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 145:1-3 “I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” (NLT)

Text: James 5:17-18

Highlights of Elijah’s ministry

#1—1 Kings 17:1—God told Elijah to confront the wicked King Ahab

#2—1 Kings 17:17-24—Elijah prays for a widow’s son to come back to life…and he does

#3—1 Kings 18:20-40—Elijah confronts 450 prophets/priests of Baal on Mount Carmel

#4—1 Kings 19:11-18—Elijah goes into hiding from the threat of the wicked Queen Jezebel

#5—1 Kings 21:17-29—Elijah once again confronts the wicked King Ahab. Ahab repented

#6—2 Kings 2—Elijah confronts the new king, Ahaziah, the son of Ahab. He too is wicked

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours”

  • Elijah runs from Jezreel to Beersheba, 100 miles
  • Elijah prays to die
  • God confronts Elijah

Two reasons Elijah’s prayers were answered:

          Elijah was a righteous man……not perfect but righteous

          Elijah prayed, and prayed, and prayed…. earnestly

Your Story

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Bible 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. 39 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)

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

#1–A picture of what happens when we come to Christ as our Savior

          Revelation 3:20

          Romans 10:14

#2—The Samaritan Woman at the Well

          John 4:1-38

          John 4:28-39—She left her waterpot

          John 4:39—Her story

          John 4:42—The result of her telling her story

#3—Your Story & Your Place of Influence

          John 3:16

          2 Peter 3:9

          1 Peter 3:15

          Romans 10:14

#4—Other influential stories in Scripture

          Esther—Esther 4:13-17; 7 & 8

          The Demoniac of Gadara—Mark 5:1-20; 8:1-10

          Four lepers and a Syrian Treasure—2 Kings 7:1-16

Repent

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:4-5, 8 “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (NLT)

Text: 2 Peter 3:9

#1–Definition of the word repentance: to change the way we think about God

Mark 12:29-30—“…..love the Lord your God…….”

#2–The Kingdom of God in the New Testament

          Matthew 3:1-3—John the Baptist

          Matthew 4:17—Jesus

#3—Repentance & Relationship

          Genesis 3:8—Sin disrupted the relationship with God

          Genesis 3:23-24—Sin separated man from God

#4—The Curtain torn in two

Matthew 27:51

#5—Our direct access to God

          Psalm 139:4-9

          Psalm 103:2-5

          2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Last Days, Part 2

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Bible Reading: Romans 8:14-16 “For all who ae led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. (NLT)

Text: Acts 1:9-11

#1—First Event of the Last Days

          Pentecost—Acts 2:1-4

          Purpose of Pentecost—Acts 1:8

          Salt & Light—Matthew 5:13-14

#2—Why has His return been delayed?

His return promised- Acts 1:11

          His return delayed—1 Peter 3:9

#3—Events leading up to His return

          Matthew 24:4-8

          Wars & Rumors of Wars

          Earthquakes—

          Kingdom against kingdom

          John 10:10

#4—Parable of the Wheat & Tares

          Matthew 13:24-30

          John 16:33

          1 John 4:4

Good and Acceptable

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

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

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

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

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

The Branch

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Second Sunday of Advent

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:49-56 “Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your instructions. I meditate on your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me. I become furious with the wicked, because they reject your instructions. Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived. I reflect at night on who you are O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions. This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.” (NLT)

The Branch that Brings Peace

Text: Isaiah 11:1-10

#1—A shoot (branch) will rise from the stump of Jesse

#2—The Spirit of God would rest upon this Branch

          Matthew 3:16-17

          Acts 10:38

#3—The Branch will rule in righteousness and bring peace

#4—The Branch will become a banner for all

          Romans 5:1-2

Three final verses regarding the peace of God:

Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”