The Parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Luke 15:1-10

Bible Reading: Titus 3:4-6 “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and lave, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (NLT)

Luke 15–Three Parables

Luke 15:1-3–The setting for these three parables

  • Tax Collectors
  • Sinners
  • Pharisees
  • Scribes
  • Matthew 11:19–A friend of sinners

The Parables–

The Good Shepherd–Luke 15:4-7

The Lost Coin–Luke 15:8-10

Five things we know for sure:

#1–The sheep was lost.

#2–The coin was lost.

#3–Someone searched for the sheep; someone searched for the coin.

#4–Both the sheep and the coin were found.

#5–Great rejoicing over the sheep and the coin being found.

Luke 19:10–“The Son of Man [Jesus} came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Who was lost? We were lost.

Romans 3:23–All have sinned….

Isaiah 59:1-2–

1 John 2:2–Jesus is our propitiation.

          Propitiation–to “satisfy the wrath of God against sin;” “to turn away God’s wrath;” or “to offer a sacrifice that appeases God’s just judgment and righteous anger against us and our sin.”

The Parables of Jesus: The Unforgiving Servant

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Matthew 18:23-25

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.” (NCV)

#1–The extra milers–Matthew 5:4 & Matthew 18:21-22

#2–Part I–Matthew 18:23-25–

          An unimaginable debt–

          Compassion & Forgiveness–

#3–Part II–Matthew 18:26-27

          Debt forgiven.

#4–Part III–Matthew 18:28-34

Take-a-ways from Part III:

  • Our debt, our sin, is something we cannot pay.
  • We should always be willing to extend forgiveness.
  • This eliminates the question of whether we can or should forgive.

#5–Part IV–Matthew 18:35

          Heart–Our emotions, our will, our intellect, our choices, and our thoughts.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

  • What if God treated you the way you treat those who offend you?
  • Would he stay away from you?
  • Would he not show up because you were going to be there?
  • Would he not talk to you?
  • Would he not listen to you?
  • Would he go the other way when he saw you coming?
  • Would he try to make you feel guilty?

Matthew 6:14-15–

Who’s My Neighbor?

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Text: Luke 10:25-37

Bible Reading: Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Parables: Teaching tools used by Jesus, and others, taken from real life situations. These stories were used to explain God’s kingdom and challenge the listeners to examine their lives and adjust along the way to be more Christ-like.

#1–The Lawyer—

Deuteronomy 6:5—

Leviticus 19:18—

We need to do more than “just get by.”

Matthew 5:4–“extra milers”

Matthew 18:21-22—unlimited forgiveness

#2–The traveler—

#3–The Priest—

#4–The Levite—

#5–The Samaritan—

Loving our neighbor and being a good neighbor is not the same as simply not hating them. According to Scripture, love has form and content and it compels us to act. It compels us to actively seek the wellbeing of others.

Looking Back; Moving Forward

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Text: Ephesians 2:19-22

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.” (NET)

1–Looking back—

2—Lessons learned?

          Importance of “one another.”

          Importance of being “salt & light.”

3–Looking forward—

          Acts 2:46-47—

          1 Peter 3:15—

The Names of Jesus: Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Text: Isaiah 9:6

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NLT)

#1—This is personal.

#2—Everlasting Father—

          Daniel 3—Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego

          Psalm 103:13—

          Psalm 103: 1-5–

#3—Prince of Peace—

Peace (Shalom)—Salvation, integrity, soundness, community, connectedness, righteousness, justice, and well-being.

          John 10:10—

          Isaiah 11:6-9—Word picture of peace (Shalom).

          Romans 5:1—Peace with God

          Isaiah 26:3—Personal promise for peace in all circumstances.

#4—Conclusion—Isaiah 9:6

          Child & Son—

          He is always Wonderful—Supernatural (Omnipotent)

          He is always our Counselor—All knowing (Omniscient)

          He is always Mighty God—No charging stations needed.

          He is always Everlasting Father—Always compassionate.

He is always Prince of Peace—Our personal source of Peace no matter the circumstances.

The Names of Jesus: Mighty God

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (NLT)

Text: Isaiah 9:6

#1—Wonderful–Supernatural

#2—Counselor—Guide, Advisor, Constant Companion, Source of Wisdom

#3—Mighty God—Supreme being; all-powerful

          El Gibbor—

#4—God of Poper—

#5—God our Hero—

#6—God our Warrior—

          Exodus15:1-3—

          Luke 1:37—

          Job 42:1-2—

#7—Revelation 19:11-16

He is our Wonderful, Counselor, and Mighty God

The Names of Christ: Counselor (Conclusion)

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Text: Isaiah 9:6

Bible Reading: Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” (NLT)

#1—Wonderful—supernatural

#2—Counselor—someone able to provide wisdom; advocates for us; someone who encourages us; someone who walks through tough times with us.

#3—Reasons we need a counselor.

#4—Our Counselor has a purpose and a plan.

          Isaiah 14:27—

          Ephesians 2:10—

          James 1:5—

#5-Our Counselor is anointed by the Holy Spirit

          Acts 10:38–

Isaiah 11:1-2—

The Seven Anointings of Jesus, the Messiah, our Counselor: He [God] anointed Him with the “Spirit of the Lord,” “the Spirit of wisdom,” “the Spirit of Understanding,” “the Spirit of counsel,” “the Spirit of might,” “the Spirit of knowledge,” and “the fear of the Lord.”

The Names of Jesus: Counselor

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Text: Isaiah 9:6

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:13 “For I hold you by your right hand– I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (NLT)

Isaiah 9:6—Five names for Jesus. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Wonderful—Supernatural

Counselor—an advisor; a source of wisdom; an advocate; a source of encouragement.

Two reasons we need a Counselor—

          #1—There will be times when we don’t know what to do.

                    2 Chronicles 20:1, 3, 12

                    Proverbs 3:5—

                    Proverbs 14:12—

                    James 1:5–

          #2—God has “purposed” a plan for our life.

                    Isaiah 14:27—

                    Ephesians 2:10—

A Supernatural Counselor—

          Isaiah 11:1-2—

  • Knowledge & Wisdom refers to knowing what to do and when/how to do it.
  • Understanding refers to knowing the difference between right and wrong.
  • Counsel refers to having a plan or a purpose.
  • Might refers to having the power to do what is right and what is needed. It is the supernatural power of our Wonderful Counselor.
  • Fear of the Lord refers to the desire to always be pleasing to God. Not wanting to do anything that would be offensive or contrary to the plan and purpose God has for each one of us.

          Acts 10:38—

We have a counselor. A Wonderful Counselor who operates in the supernatural, who has a purpose and a plan for our lives. Our Wonderful Counselor also has the authority and the power to bring that plan about so you can live a rich and satisfying life.

Names of Christ: Wonderful

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Text: Isaiah 9:6

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91:1-2 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him” (NLT)

#1–Names in the Bible—

  • Identified the person.
  • Described the person.
  • Identified what they could do for you.

Text: Isaiah 9:6

  • Written seven hundred years before birth of Jesus.
  • Written 1,000 years before Christmas was celebrated.
  • Identified the Messiah and what He could do when He came.

#2—Wonderful—supernatural.

  • Exodus 15:11
  • Psalm 77:11
  • Isaiah 29:14

The Story of Samson

  • Judges 13:3-5, 17-18

#3—Could Isaiah have been describing the “wonderfulness” of Jesus in Isaiah 55:8-9?

#4—Acts 2:22–Peter describes the works of Jesus as “wonders.”

  • John 5, Jesus supernaturally healed a man who hadn’t walked for 38 years.
  • John 6, Jesus supernaturally fed 5,000 Jewish men and their families with five loaves and two small fish.
  • John 6, Jesus walked on the water.
  • John 9, Jesus healed a man who had been born blind.
  • John 11, Jesus raises a man back to life who had been dead for four days.

Psalm 139:1-6 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Time Between the Testaments: A Loud Silence

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Isaiah 40:15; Galatians 4:4-5

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:22-23 “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” (NLT)

Malachi to Matthew—400 Years. Often referred to as “The Four Hundred Years of Silence.”

#1—Babylonians–

#2—Persians—

#3—Greeks—

          The Miracle of Hanukkah—John 10

          The Miraculous Dream of Jaddus–

          Ptolemy—(Egypt)

          Seleucid—Syrians & Iraqi’s

          Hasmoneans–

#4—Romans–