REJOICE! Part III

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Sermon Notes

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Text: Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11 is often referred to as the “Kenosis of Christ.” “Kenosis” means to “empty” or “to relinquish.” This ancient hymn of the church was sung in celebration of the Messiah (Christ) coming fully in the form of man (Jesus). He chose not to live equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Instead he chose to take on the form of a man (Galatians 4:4) and live fully dependent upon the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).

Philippians 1:1—Encouragement; Comfort; Fellowship; and Tenderness & Compassion

These four things are ours, as Christ followers, because we are “in Christ.” I will be writing about these four things on my blog this week. You can read my comments at: http://www.donmcgarvey.com

#1–Philippians 2:5-8—

          “Let this mind”—

          Messiah’s existence prior to becoming a man—

          Messiah came as a “bondservant”—

          Messiah did not come to the earth to be served. He came to serve–         Matthew 28:20; Mark 10:45.

#2–Philippians 2:9-11—

If we truly desire joy in our lives, we need to serve God first, serve others next, and then allow God to “exalt” us to the place He has established for us to be.

To Live Christ, to die gain.

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This past Sunday, I taught out of Philippians 1:21 “For me to live Christ, to die gain.”

I’d never taught on this verse because it always bothered me. The reason is bothered me was that most everyone I heard teach on it, talked about how much they were looking forward to “the gain.” All I heard was that they were looking forward to dying. I wasn’t. I didn’t want to die. I still don’t want to die.

I love life. I love being a husband, a father, a pastor, and a friend. I love teaching the Word, writing a blog. I love eating good food, laughing with friends, I love taking walks with my wife and watching folks grow in their own walk with the Lord.

A few years ago, I discovered this verse was not about dying rather it was about living. Paul loved living too! I don’t think he wanted to die. He wasn’t afraid to die. He knew death had been defeated and was not to be feared. He knew that death meant he left this life and began a new life with Christ. Whatever it would be like, it would be gain.

But until the time came for his death, he was going to live. He was going to run the race. He was going to fight the good fight. He was going to press on toward the prize.

Paul wasn’t going to lay down and wait to die. He was going to live until the very last breath.

How about you? Is Christ being seen in your living? Are you fighting the good fight? Pressing on toward the prize? Are you running the race?

My friend Fredrick Aguilar posted on his Face Book page the following: “If you still have a pulse, God still has a plan. Your story isn’t over!” I don’t know if this is original with him, or if it is borrowed. But it’s good stuff, thanks Fredrick for sharing it.

Don’t quit! Keep going. God will help you to live so that one day, you will gain!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Third Quarter Bible Reading Guide

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The second quarter Bible reading guide we’ve been using at Troy Mills Christian Church is set to expire at the end of this week. We publish our guides quarterly so the next set of readings go from Monday, July 13 through Sunday, October 18. Even if you haven’t read your Bible all year, jump right in. There is no better day to start than today!

bible_reading_guide_2020_3rd_qtrDownload

Maybe you’d like copies of the first two quarters – I’ll add them below.

bible_reading_guide_2020_2nd_qtrDownload
bible_reading_guide_2020Download

The promises of God, the stories about God moving in people’s lives, the parables Jesus told – each special aspect of Scripture is designed to show you who God is, how much He loves each of us, and what His plan is for your life. Take a few minutes to read God’s Word – and let me know if you have questions or concerns. God’s Word is meant to be life-giving, not confusing!

REJOICE! Part II

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Sunday, July 5, 2020

Philippians 1:6, 21

Bible Reading for Sunday, July 5: Psalm 33:6-12

Acts 16—the start of the Philippians church

Ten years later, Paul writes this letter to the church at Philippi to thank them for the provisions they gathered and sent him.

Paul’s prison sentence–

Paul’s command to “Rejoice!”—15 times in this letter, Paul commands the Christ followers in Philippi to “Rejoice!” Paul was not going to allow circumstances, even a Roman prison, to rob him of his joy. Joy is not happiness. Joy is not based on circumstances. Joy is based on doing what God wants us to do no matter the circumstances.

Philippians 1:6— “He who began a good work in you…….”

God will complete the work of salvation—

God will complete the work of sanctification—

God will complete the “good works” established for us to do—

          Ephesians 2:10—

Philippians 1:21— “To live Christ, to die gain”

We are to live life to the fullest until God says it is time to work no more, this our joy!

Rejoice!

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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Text: Acts 16:11-40

Bible Reading: Psalm 58

The birth of the Philippian church is recorded for us in Acts 16:11-40

I. First Convert—Acts 16:11-15

II. Second Convert—Acts 16:16-24

III. Third Convert—Acts 16:25-30

Conclusion: The Great Question: What must I do to be saved?

Familiar Scriptures from Philippians: (NKJV)

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Verses from 6 PM Prayer

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I promised to post the verses I prayed during the TMCC Thursday night Prayer Time.

The theme chapter was Psalm 58. David is still running from Saul, who was trying to kill him. He expressed confidence that the Lord’s righteousness would eventually rule and reign on the face of the earth.

During my prayer, I referenced the following verses:

Psalm 118:6–The Lord is with me

2 Kings 6:15-16–More are with us than against us

1 John 4:4–Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world

Ephesians 3:20–God is able to do “immeasurably more” than we can imagine.

Let these words go deep into your spirit. The Word of God is alive; the Word of God is mighty to save; the Word of God is hope; and the Word of God will sustain us.

Be Blessed!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Dear Dad: Five Godly Lessons Learned from an Imperfect Father

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Bible Reading: Psalm 130

Fathers’ Day Sermon Notes for Sunday, June 21, 2020
Kris McGarvey, Troy Mills Christian Church

Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

  1. Relationship with God – Psalm 27:4; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:17
  1. Words – Proverbs 16:24; 18:4, 20-21; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; James 3:6
  1. Forgiveness: Matthew 6:14; 18:21-22; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13
  1. Time with family – Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 6:20; 17:6; 22:6; 23:24
  • Finish better than you started – Psalm 130:1-6; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 2:4, 8-10; Colossians 3:13; 2 Timothy 4:7

Get Ready! Part III

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Sermon Notes

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Bible Reading: Psalm 56:1-9

GET READY! Part III

#1—Joshua 3:1-5—Consecrate yourselves

#2—Matthew 5:13-14—You are the “salt of the earth”

#3—Matthew 5:15-16—You are the “light of the world”

#4—Matthew 28:19-20—We are to “make disciples as we are going about our lives.”

Additional Scriptures to read: Acts 1:8; John 1:1-5; Colossians 4:6;

Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Peter 2:20-21

Consecrate

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This past Sunday, I spoke from Joshua 3:1-5. Israel was getting ready to enter the Promised Land.

The final command of Joshua prior to crossing the Jordan River was to “consecrate yourselves.” (Joshua 3:5)

This word “consecrate” sounds ominous. It means to be “set apart for service to a deity.” Or in some cases it means to make something an object of honor or veneration. (The word veneration means to regard something as “holy” or to treat it with reverence.)

The command to consecrate yourself indicated that each one was to begin to think of themselves as being set aside for the purposes of God. They were to consider themselves as “holy” or to think of themselves with reverence and respect because they were now objects dedicated to the purposes of God.

Consecrating yourself was something only they could do. Joshua nor any of the elders could do it for them. It wasn’t a group effort. It was up to each one to determine they were going to be dedicated to the purposes of God.

For some it meant getting rid of their idols. For others it meant repenting of grumbling and murmuring. Some just needed a spiritual bath. Life had been tough and came with lots of challenges. It had hardened them and perhaps caused them to be callused to the voice of God.

Crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land was a new season for Israel. Their lives were going to change. No more wilderness; no more manna; no more hot sun of the desert or cold desert nights. This was a new day.

We too are entering a new season. In some ways, every day is a new season. The command to consecrate yourselves is good advice for every day. It’s not just something we do on Sundays. It’s something we should do every day.

I love the promise made to them about why they needed to consecrate themselves. “For tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

I wonder what amazing thing God wants to do? I’m in……you in?

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Get Ready! Part II

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Sunday, June 7, 2020

Joshua 3:1-3

Bible Reading: Psalm 4:1-5

Get Ready! Part II

Crossing the Jordan—a time of transition

Ark of the Covenant—presence of God

A distance of about 2,000 cubits—about a half mile

From Last week:

#1—We move at God’s direction

#2—We move forward with caution

#3—We move forward in faith

What does it mean to “consecrate yourselves?”

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me God and know my heart; test me know my anxious thoughts. {24} See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting.”