Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Jude 1:11; Genesis 4:1-8

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” (NLT)

Genesis 4:1-8–The first sons–Cain & Abel.

Jude 1:11–Balaam & Korah.

The Way of Cain:

• The Way of Cain refers to any individual who attempts to approach God on his or her own terms rather than relying upon God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9

• The Way of Cain is any religious system that appeals to our pride rather than our desperate condition before God.

Romans 3:23

• The Way of Cain emphasizes humanity’s goodness rather than humanity’s sinfulness.

Ephesians 2:1-3 & Mark 7:21-23

• The Way of Cain says there are many paths that can lead to God rather than one path.

John 14:6

• The Way of Cain leads to eternal death than eternal life.

Romans 6:23 & Proverbs 14:12

• The Way of Cain appeals to our sinful flesh and disregards God’s plan for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 37:23-24

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Text: Acts 2:1-4

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)

#1–One accord–Acts 2:1

“When we lay down our personal preferences, we are going to see God pour out His Spirit upon us and see many lives changed.”

#2–Wind--Acts 2:2

“Without the “breath of life” in our lives, we would remain dead in our sins. We need the Holy Spirit to live.”

#3–Fire–Acts 2:3

• Genesis 15:17–a burning torch.
• Exodus 3:1-4–a burning bush.
• Exodus 13:21-22–a pillar of fire.
• Leviticus 9:23-24–altar of burnt sacrifice.
• Leviticus 6:8-13–priests were to keep the fire burning.

#4–Tongues–Acts 2:4

• Genesis 11:1-9–a reversal of Babel.
• Acts 1:8–an example of the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 2:5–the Gospel goes to the world.
• Acts 2:41–three thousand saved when the Holy Spirit was given.

The Holy Spirit is a life-giving force that works from the inside out in our lives. His purpose is to give us life; to give us power; and to help us spread the Gospel as we are going.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Holy Spirit, My Helper Part 4

Text: Acts 2:1-3

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:8 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (NLT)

#1–One accord–Acts 2:1

“When we lay down our personal preferences, we are going to see God pour out His Spirit upon us and see many lives changed.”

• Philippians 2:3 “value others above yourself.”
• Psalm 133:1 “live in unity.”
• Romans 12:16 “live in harmony.”
• Matthew 7:12 “treat others as you like them to treat you.”

#2–Wind--Acts 2:2

• Genesis 2:7–The breath of life
• Ephesians 2:1–We used to be dead in our sins but God breathed His life, His Spirit into our lives. Now we are alive!
• Ezekiel 37:1-3, 5-8, 9-10–

#3–Fire–Acts 2:3

• Genesis 15:17–a burning torch.
• Exodus 3:1-4–a burning bush.
• Exodus 13:21-22–a pillar of fire.
• Leviticus 9:23-24–altar of burnt sacrifice.
• Leviticus 6:8-13–priests were to keep the fire burning.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

My Helper–The Holy Spirit

Text: Acts 1:6-8

Scripture Reading: Psalm 121:2-8 “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.³ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.⁵ The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.⁸ The Lord shall preserveyour going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.”

#1–My Helper wants to “transform me.”

            Galatians 5:1–“set free” with “liberty.”

            Galatians 5:19-21–works of our flesh.

#2–My Helper gives me power.

Acts 1:6-8–power=force of energy; authority; strength; and great ability.

            John 1:1–The Word has existed from the beginning (Genesis 1:1)

            John 1:14–Jesus is the Word.

#3–My Helper wants to give me boldness.

Acts 4:31–boldness–the opposite of cowardice, timidity, or fear. Also means that we have freedom to speak out on behalf of God.

My prayer for you: That you will experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit to live godly lives and succumb to the “works of the flesh.” That you will use the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses, in your living and in your conversations. And that the boldness of the Holy Spirit is help you to speak out on behalf of God wherever you find yourself in the coming week.

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 3, 2024

1 Corinthians 10:13

Scripture Reading: Psalm 33:20-22 “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” (NLT)

Temptation: something that tempts, entices, or allures.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [endure] it.”

#1–Four things we all have in common.

• Sin–Romans 3:23
• Death & Judgment–Hebrews 9:27
• We need a Savior–John 3:16; Acts 4:12
• Temptation–1 Corinthians 10:13

#2–Temptation–

          Temptation is not a sin–

          Sources of temptation–James 1:12-13; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8

          Always a way of escape–1 Corinthians 10:13

#3–How to Escape Temptation–

          Utilize the power of Scripture–Matthew 4:4, 6 & 7.

          Flee–Genesis 39:11-12

          Guard your heart–Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:8

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [endure] it.”

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 18, 2024

John 14:1-6

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91:14-16 “The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (NLT)

#1–Backstory for John 14:1-6

#2–The Way–

          Romans 3:22–

          Ephesians 2:8-9–

          Romans 6:23–

          Acts 4:12–

#3–The Truth–

          John 8:31-32–

#4–The Life–

          John 10:10–

#5–So What?

A logical argument for “believing” that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life:

Seven Miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John

Turning water to wine–John 2:1-12

Healing the nobleman’s son–John 4:46-54

Healing a lame man–John 5_1-15

Feeding 5,000–John 6:1-14

Walking on water–John 6:15-21

Gave sight to a man born blind–John 9

Raised Lazarus from the dead–John 11:38-44

Good works (being a good person) will not get you into the Father’s House. You will never be “good enough” on your own. Jesus is the only Way.

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 11, 2024

John 11:25-26

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings, and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” (NIV)

John 11:25-26

#1–“I AM the Bread of Life.”

      “I AM the Light of the World.”

      “I AM the Door/Gate.”

      “I AM the Good Shepherd.”

#2–Back story of John 11.

#3–“I AM the Resurrection and the Life.”

          Resurrection–Salvation; eternal life.

          Life–

          One-another statements–

#4–Matthew 5:13-16–Salt & Light.

#5–John 10:10–

          Life–

          Abundantly–

#6–So What?

#1–Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, and His joy!

          Galatians 5:22-23–

#2–What does your life say about God? How would others describe God based on the way you live?

John 1:4–

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 4, 2024

John 10:11; Psalm 23

Scripture Reading: Psalm 71:5-6 “O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.” (NLT)

#1–“I AM” –Exodus 3:14

#2–“I AM the Bread of life” –John 6:35

#3–“I AM the Light of the World” –John 8:12

#4–“I AM the door (gate)” –John 10:7

#5–“I AM the Good Shepherd” –John 10:11

          Good–

          Romans 8:28

#6–Psalm 23

          V1–I shall not want–

          V2–Food & water–

          V3–He heals; He guides; He corrects–

          V4–The darkest of times–

          V5–Protects us–

          V6–Forever, “I AM the eternally self-existent One”–

#7–So What?

          Matthew 6:35–“He who believes in Me shall never hunger or thirst….”

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 28, 2024

John 10:7-10

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 & Philippians 4:6 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” (NLT)

#1–A Review:

“I AM the Bread of Life” –John 6:35

“I AM the Living Water” –John 7:37

“I AM the Light of the World” –John 8:12

#2–Back story for John 7-10.

#3–“I AM the Door [Gate].

#4–Many religions do not equal many ways.

#5–The big difference between Christianity and other religions.

          1 John 2:2–

                    “atoning” [propitiation]–

          Ephesians 2:8-9–

          Leviticus 4 & 5–  

          John 1:29–The Lamb of God.

#6–So What?

          John 11:25-26

          Acts 16:31

          Romans 10:9

          John 6:40

          Johnn 3:16

          2 Peter 3:9

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 21, 2024

John 8:12

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)

#1–Leviticus 23–Seven Feasts of Israel

Feast of Tabernacles–Its purpose was to commemorate God leading the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity (bondage).

Two major ceremonies:

Water.

Light.

#2–Four golden Candelabras.

            John 8:12

#3–Jesus can make all your nights seem as if they were day.

#4–Light in the Scriptures:

            Genesis 15:17–

            Exodus 13:21-22–

            John 1:1-5–

            Psalm 27:1–

            Psalm 119:105–

            Genesis 1:1-3–

#5–Results of Jesus being the light of the world:

            John 8:7-10–Light exposes sin.

            John 9:6-7–Light opens blind eyes & illumines our path.

#6–So What?

            God will direct our path–Proverbs 3:5-6

            Walking in the light helps us see one another–1 John 1:5

            As we reflect the light, we will be come the light of the world–Matthew 5:13