Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 100: “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and paise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (NLT)

Text: 1 John 4:9-10, 15-18-19

Too often we relegate our thoughts towards God or our relationship with God to Sundays or when we are with our “church friends.” Scripture teaches us that God is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week presence in our lives. Please note these four statements about God.

#1—Everyday, God thinks of you

Psalm 139:17-18

#2—Everyday, God looks after you

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

#3—Everyday, God cares for you

          1 Peter 5:6-7

          Deuteronomy 7:6—We are God’s special treasure

          Isaiah 43:1—We belong to God

          Zechariah 2:8—We are the “apple of His eye”

#4—Everyday, God loves you

Jeremiah 31:3

Everlasting love–

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-3, 8-10 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (NLT)

Six Reasons to Trust God

Text: Proverbs 3:5-6 & Jeremiah 17:7-8

#1—God knows you by name

          Isaiah 43:1

#2—God will fight for you

          Exodus 14:14

#3—God thinks about you

          Psalm 1139:17-18

#4—God has plans for you

          Jeremiah 29:11

#5—God is your refuge

          Psalm 62:8; Psalm 46:1

#6—God is always with you

          Matthew 28:20

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.”

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, April 17, 2022

Bible Reading: Mathew 28:1-10 “Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

Paul’s definition of the Gospel.

#1—Isaiah 53:5

          Wounded for our transgressions—

          Bruised for our iniquities—

#2—Six Theories About the Resurrection

1. The Swoon Theory
2. The Hallucination Theory
3. The Impersonation Theory
4. The Spiritual Resurrection Theory
5. The Theft Theory

• The Unknown Tomb Theory

#3—The reality of Finding Jesus

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 145:1-9 “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. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.”

Text: Matthew 21:1-11

It’s “lamb selection day”

#1—Prophesied in the Old Testament

          Zechariah 9:9

#2—The mystery of the donkey

          Matthew 21:2-3

#3—A King riding a donkey

          1 Kings 1:33; Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14; 2 Samuel 16:2

#4—The crowd laid their cloaks on the road

          Old Testament examples: 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:13

#5—Palm branches

          Matthew 21:8

#6—Hosanna!

          Matthew 21:9 & Psalm 118:25

#7—Romans 6:23 & John 10:10

Troy Mills Christians Church

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-10 “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good things.” (NIV)

Text: 1 Peter 2:4

#1—He was a disciple

          Matthew 10:1-2

#2—He was a fisherman

          Matthew 4:18

#3—He was married and owned a house

          Matthew 8:14-15

#4—He was confidant and perhaps a little bit overconfident

          Luke 5:4-8

#5—He was convinced

          Matthew 16:13-16

          John 6:66-69

#6—He was impetuous

          Someone who is impetuous is often given to sudden or rash action.

          Matthew 26:31-35

          John 18:10-11

#7—He was human. Subject to weaknesses & fear

          Matthew 26:40-43

          John 18:15-18, 25-27

Jesus is always willing to give us another chance; to forgive us; and to restore us

          John 21:15-17

One of my all time favorite accounts of Jesus’ life is when he traveled to a town called Nain. You can read about it in Luke 7:11-16. Just outside of town Jesus encountered a funeral procession. Luke gives us some details that help us understand how dire the circumstances were that surrounded this particular death.

The person who died was the only son of a widow. Those words tell us a lot. As a widow, she not only lost the companionship of her husband. She also lost the source of provision and security when her husband died. She was fortunate to have a son. At the death of her husband the son would have become responsible for providing and caring for his mother but now he has died too.

This woman not only was grieving the loss of the two most intimate relationships in her life but she was mourning the loss of provision and security. She officially had no one to turn to. But here comes Jesus.

I love verse 13 of Luke 7. It says, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her…..” If you read the verses or know the story you know that he reached up and touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And you know the rest of the story.

That part of the story is exciting. I can only imagine the joy in her heart as she sees her son rise from the dead. Once again, she had hope. Once again, she had security. Once again, she had someone to watch over her.

My favorite part of the story is found in the final sentence of verse 16. It says, “God has come to help his people.”

What a great statement! God has come to help his people. If there has ever been a time when God’s people needed His help, it’s today. Be assured, God has come to help.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:169-176 “O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees. Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right. Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments. O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me. I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (NLT)

Text: John 20:24-28

1—Matthew 10:2-4–Thomas is listed as one of the disciples, chosen by Jesus

2—As a disciple, Thomas would have seen:

          A storm calmed—Matthew 8

          5,000 men and their families fed from five loaves and two fish—Matthew 14

          Jesus walking on the water—Matthew 14

          A leper healed—Mark 1:40

          A dead son raised to life—Luke 7:11

Thomas and the other disciples chose to stay with Jesus when many were leaving—John 6:66-69

3—Thomas boldly agreed to return to Jerusalem with Jesus in the face of death—John 11:14-16

4—Thomas wanted to know what to do—John 14:5

5—Just like us, Thomas had doubts—John 20:25

          His doubts did not dictate his life

          His doubts led him to a greater/deeper faith

          He became an evangelist to India, where he was martyred

          Thomas had a twin—John 11:6

6— “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” Mark 9:24

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:161-168 “Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trebles only at your word. I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions. I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just. Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. I long for your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed your commands. I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much. Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.”

Text: 1 Peter 3:18

#1—John 18:39-40

A Roman Prisoner

          A robber

#2—Luke 23:18-24

          Part of rebellion against the Romans

          A murderer

#3—Mark 15:6-15

          He was part of a “gang”

          A murderer

#4—Matthew 27:15-26

          A notorious prisoner

Romans 5:18-19–Justification—means that our sins have been removed; we were acquitted of our sin

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:153-160 “Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees. Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart because they care nothing for your word. See how I love your commandments, Lord. See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” (NLT)

Text: Romans 8:31-39

#1—Review of Romans 8:26-30

Five Questions

#1—Verse 31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

          Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient

          Matthew 19:26— “with God all things are possible.”

#2—Verse 32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

#3—Verse 33 “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?”

          Romans 5:18

          Psalm 103:12

          Justification—acquitted

          Elect—those who are “saved”

#4—Verse 34 “Who is he who condemns?

          Romans 7:24

          Romans 8:1

#5—Verse 35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”

          Romans 8:36

          Romans 8:37

John 10:10 “The thief’s [Satan] purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My [Christ] purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (NLT)

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:145-152 “I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees. I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws. I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations. Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions. But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true. I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.” (NLT)

Text: Romans 8:26-30

#1—The Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves

#2—The Holy Spirit knows the “mind of God” for us

          1 Corinthians 2:10-11

#3—Verse 28—God is at work

          Psalm 37:23

          Jeremiah 29:11

#4—Purpose—Salvation

          John 3:16

          2 Peter 3:9

#5—Foreknew

          Ephesians 2:10

#6—Predestined

#7—Glorification

          Hebrews 9:27