Church at The Mill

Ever get some good advice? There are times in our lives at crucial moments when God sends a person to speak with clarity and conviction. The number 5 is a helpful way to learn from what God said through Elihu. Five reasons to receive Elihu's rebuke. 1. The Arrangement of His Words   He's last  2. The Amount of His Words  3. The Absence of Job's Words  - Job offers no response or argument to Elihu. 4. The Absence of God's Words  - God offers no rebuke to Elihu. 5. The Awareness of His Words  Five reasons to remember Elihu's rebuke Elihu tells Job to... 1. Remember God's Centrality v.32:2, 33:8-12 - Job was making this about him but it is really about God! 2. Remember God's Communication v.33:14-33 -God is always speaking! 3. Remember God's Character v.34:10-12 -God is and always has been just! 4. Remember God's Correction v.36:5-16 -  God is always doing something with suffering! 5. Remember God's Complete Control v.36:24-33, 37:14-24 - Knowing Him is enough.  

God's people need wisdom and understanding True Wisdom and Understanding… 1. Is NOT Found in the Ability of Man within Creation v.1-22    Wisdom and understanding cannot be… Forged v.1-11 Financed v.12-13, 15-19 Found v.14, 20-22 2. Is Found in the Humility of Man before the Creator v.23-28 God is the source of wisdom We pursue wisdom and understanding in two ways… 1. Fearing the Lord 2. Turning from Evil Sin makes nothing but empty promises. All the wisdom of God for our lives is IN Christ.  

“Ten percent of life is what happens to us, and ninety percent is how we react to it.” -Chuck Swindoll   With his back against the wall... 1. He Defends His Distress 6:1-13 2. He is Disappointed in His Detractors 6:14-30      - Job feels... Abandoned Accused An Appeal 3. He is Disillusioned by His Days and His Death 7:1-10 4. He Desires to be Distant and Disregarded 7:11-19           - Job says:  God leave me alone! 5. He Delves into man's most Discouraging Dilemma 7:20-21, 9:2-3      - Job is wishing for Jesus! The Lord's Supper signifies, seals, and exhibits to believing partakers “the benefits of his [Christ's] mediation.” -Keith Mathison  

Job forces a third category of suffering in our theology Consequence of sin To draw us to faith, grow us But what about Job? To be fair, Job's three friends came to him in his greatest time of need. Their advice comes in 3 Rounds: Round 1: Job, you have to be the source! Round 2: Job, you have to be stupid! Round 3: Job, you have the solution! Remember… Hurting in the Lord is not simple Waiting on the Lord is not passive Trusting in the Lord is not surrendering Walking with the Lord is essential If you find yourself sitting with someone suffering… Pray first Serve second Speak third And when you speak… Speak only absolute truth from God's word Speak often of Christ and His power, love, and control Speak of obedience that is only driven by the gospel and empowered by The Spirit    

We prepare for all kinds of experiences in life. But have you considered preparing for pain? A lament is a passionate expression of deep grief, sadness, or regret. It can be a spoken complaint, a feeling of sorrow over a loss, or a formal song, poem, or piece of music written to mourn someone who has died. It functions as both a noun (an expression of sorrow) and a verb (to mourn or regret deeply). Job's Lament… 1. Curses the Day of His Beginning v.1-19 2. Continues to the Day of His Burden v.20-26 3. Can't See the Day of His Blessing v.23          Job gives us permission to hurt.          Jesus gives us permission to hurt with hope!    

Who is Job? Notice… 1.The Place of Job v.1a 2.The Person of Job v.1b 3.The Piety of Job v.1c, 5 Blameless and Upright Feared God Turned away from evil 4. The Prosperity of Job v. 2-4 We see at least four kinds of suffering in Job's life. 1. Sovereign Suffering 1:6-12, 2:1-8 2. Sanctified Suffering 1:13-20, 2:9-10a 3. Sinless Suffering 1:21-22, 2:10b 4. Shared Suffering 2:11-13 In Job we see Jesus!

1. We should follow our Shepherd. (v.1-4) He leads us to pastures of rest. (v.1-2) He leads us in paths of righteousness. (v.3) He leads us with peaceful reassurance. (v.4) 2. We should fellowship with our King. (v.5-6) He shields us from harm. (v.5) He showers us with honor. (v.5) He satisfies us with hope. (v.6)

LIFE IS EXHAUSTING! EXHAUSTION MAKES US VULNERABLE FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real GOD'S REST GIVES YOU THE ESSENTIAL STRENGTH FOR GOD'S JOURNEY WE NEED… the STRENGTH that comes from God's REST  and the DIRECTION that comes from God's PRESENCE God has created our bodies to function at the highest and best levels when they are well-rested and regularly rested. God desires an unbroken, daily, personal relationship with us. His presence is our greatest need. And our presence is His great desire.  

How do you keep your mind at rest? 1. Resolve Conflict -Philippians 4:2-3 -Philippians 4:4-5 2. Release Burdens -Philippians 4:6-7 3. Rewire Your Thoughts -Philippians 4:8-9  

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16   1. God's Peace is Divine  2. God's Peace is Designated  3. God's Peace is Definite  

Three Questions... 1. What? I'm Commanded to Rest? v.8-10a 2. How am I Commanded to Rest? v.9-10 How do I rest? Rest Reflect Respond   3. Why am I Commanded to Rest? v.11 - Your calendar and your bank statement reveals what your priorities are. - Do the rhythms of your life display a love for God? What can you change in your schedule to intentionally take time to rest with God? What do you need to do to build a healthy rhythm of Sabbath?  

Our founders believed… We are created in God's image We are inherently sinful God is the source of morality Religious liberty is a God-given right As Dual Citizens... 1. Our Conduct is to be Submission through Faith v.13-14          How far do we submit?  We submit up until submission means directly                 and knowingly disobeying God. 2. Our Criticism is to be Silenced through Faithfulness v.15  3. Our Christianity is to be Service through Freedom v.16  4. Our Citizenship is to be Seen through Fear, Love, and Honor v.17    1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  

Are you stronger because of us? Are we stronger because of you?   They Were... 1. Committed to the Priorities of God for His Church v.42  2. Conscious of the Presence of God in  His Church v.43  3. Connected in the Purposes of God for His Church v.44  4. Caring for the People of God in His Church v.45 5. Consistent in the Practices of God for His Church v.46 6. Carrying out the Praise of God in their Community v.47a  7. Continually seeing the Promise of God for His Church v.47b     

Problem Solved: Romans 5:12-21 Your Greatest Problem... I. Was Caused by The First Adam Disobedience (v19-20) Death (v12-14) Damnation (v16, 18) II. Was Conquered by The Second Adam Righteous Standing (v.16-19) Righteous Living (v.17, 21b) Righteous Dying (v.21c)  

The Christian doctrine of humanity sees the human person as made in God's image, either a man or a woman by God's making, fallen through Adam's historical sin, formed for vocation unto God, and redeemable in and through the God-man, Jesus Christ. -The Gospel Coalition Three life changing questions… 1.How did God make you? v.26          God made you with...               1.Divine Dignity               2.Distinct Dominion 2.What did God make you? v.27               1. God made you male or female 3.Why did God make you?                1. God made you for His glory Your creator made you for a reason.  Build your life on this.  

The gospel teaches you CANNOT follow Christ alone.  Thankfully, the gospel also teaches you WILL NOT follow Christ alone. To understand and appreciate the Holy Spirit two words emerge: Relationship and Role  1. His Relationship to Us 14:15-17                    A.His relationship is… Promised 14:16a Permanent 14:16b  Personal 14:17c 2. His Relationship to the World 14:17b 3. His Role in the World 16:7-15             He convicts the world concerning the… Rejection of Christ Righteousness of Christ's Death  Reality of Christ's Work 4. His Role in Us  The Holy Spirit... Gives us Spiritual Life Guides us into Spiritual Truth  Guards us from Sin Guarantees our Salvation Glorifies the Savior 15:26; 16:14 Stay Tuned In!  

Who He Is... 1. He is The Lord v. 15 Notice His Divinity v. 15a His Supremacy v. 15b 2. He is The Life of His Creation v. 16-17 See His Power v. 16 See His Precedence v. 17a See His Preservation v. 17b 3. He is The Leader of His Church           Why is He the focus of the church?  Because of..           1.The Position He Holds v.18b           2.The Preeminence He Has v.18b           3.The Person He Is v.19           4.The Peace He Made v.20 The question of “Who He Is” is settled in Scripture. But is it settled in your heart?

I. The Care of the Father (15:11-13) 1. He is present. 2. He is protector. 3. He is provider.   II. The Compassion of the Father (15:14-20) III. The Celebration of the Father (15:21-24) IV. The Call of the Father (15:25-32)   How should we live knowing that the Father still runs? Repent quickly — Don't wait to “clean up.” The Father runs to meet you. Receive grace fully — Stop trying to earn what the Father freely gives. Release others freely — The Father's forgiveness becomes our model. Rejoice in God's mercy — Celebrate what the Father celebrates. Reject the older‑brother spirit — Don't let pride keep you outside the feast.

Doctrine matters because… We love God. Belief shapes behavior. It informs our worldview. We need to be equipped to explain what we believe and why we believe it. This doctrine calls for… 1. Defining the Trinity The Trinity Defined… There is one God The Father is God The Son is God The Holy Spirit is God 2. Defending the Trinity If Jesus isn't God, His death did not atone for your sins. If Jesus isn't God, you cannot be justified by faith in Christ. If Jesus isn't God, He cannot answer your prayers. If the Holy Spirit isn't God, you cannot trust His leading. Without the Trinity, there were no personal or intimate relationships before Creation. 3. Delighting in the Trinity The Trinity displays the root of the reality that “God is love.” Delight in the ways of a triune God!

What does it mean to say that God is sovereign over all things and why does it matter? We see... 1. The Extent of His Sovereignty v.34        His Sovereignty is…           1. Everlasting (34a)           2. Enduring (34b) 2. The Execution of His Sovereignty v.35        When God executes His plans… No one can resist anything He does. No one can reverse anything He does. 3.The Encouragement of His Sovereignty His Sovereignty = Our Strength  

What does it mean to be godly? “a God-centered attitude that leads to a God centered life, encompassing both inward devotion and outward conduct.”    - Jerry Bridges Understanding His Attributes... God is Holy God is Good God is Wise God is Just God is Love Imitating God requires action!

Doctrine matters because… We love God. Belief shapes behavior. It informs our worldview. We need to be equipped to explain what we believe and why we believe it. God is... 1. Alone, like no other    - He is alone like no other in that… He does not depend He does not change 2. Alive, like no other        - He is alive like no other in that… He did not begin He will not end 3. Above, like no other    - He is above like no other in that… He is not limited by size or space He is not divided This attribute is the Unity of God -To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.   - 1 Timothy 1:17  

Doctrine matters because… We love God. Belief shapes behavior. It informs our worldview. We need to be equipped to explain what we believe and why we believe it. God has revealed Himself to us… Through His Creation Through His Son Through His Word God's word is to your soul what food is to your stomach.   We consume, trust, and obey God's Word… 1. Because it is Inspired  2. Because it is Inerrant  3. Because it is Instructive  If God's Word is inspired, inerrant, and instructive, why wouldn't we be in it every day?

“Is that your final answer?”  Because of the Resurrection, Jesus is The Final Answer! In the Final Answer… 1. We See the Final World v.14-15  2. We Know the Final Winner v.16   He is The Source “I sent” He is The Starter “root” He is The Savior “descendent” He is The Star 3. Many Offer the Final Welcome v.17  4. He Gives the Final Warning v.18-19  5. He Has the Final Word v.20a  6. We Hear the Final Want v.20b  Come, Lord Jesus!  

Before we leave this book, remember and reflect on… 1. The Reliability of the Revelation v.6  - If we believe Revelation is true, we must live our lives accordingly. 2. The Readiness of the Revelation v.7a, 12  3. The Reward and Repayment of the Revelation v.7b, 11, 12b       -Revelation teaches Recompense… Reward for the Righteous Reckoning for the Rebellious 4. The Restrictions of the Revelation v.8-10 Do Worship God ONLY Do NOT seal up the words of the prophecy of this book 5. The Reason for Revelation v.13 Jesus is the reason! He is The Revelation!  

Think about the best days of your life What made those days so special? Heaven is indescribably better than your very best day…everyday...for eternity. What is bound from Heaven and what is found in Heaven? 1. Bound From Heaven 21:22-27         The five “nos” of Heaven… No Separate Place for God v.22 No Solar Light v.23-24 No Secondary Security v.25a No Struggle to See v.25b-26 No Sin or Sinners v.27 2.  Found In Heaven 22:1-5          Believers will experience… The Water of Life v.1-2a The Tree of Life v.2b The Source of Life v.3 The Sight of Life v.4 The Light of Life v. 5 If you know Christ, the best is yet to come.  

We will be overwhelmed by…. 1. The Scene of Heaven v.9-11  2.  The Story of Heaven v.12-14  3.  The Size of Heaven v.15-17             -You measure what matters 4.  The Splendor of Heaven v.18-21 - How often do you dream or think of heaven? When I learn of a place of great beauty, some questions come to mind… Where is it? How do I get there? When can I go?Can I take others with me?

A believer looks forward to…  A New Totality v.1   A New Community v.2   A New Proximity v.3   A New Reality  v.4-5   A New Finality v.6-8  Live a life… Loving Him Longing for Holiness Looking for Heaven

In the lead up to the end… 1. The Devil Will Be Discharged v.7-9a  2.  The Defiers Will Be Decimated v.9b-10  3.  The Dead Will Be Doomed v.11-13, 15  4.  Death Will Be Defeated v.14 But because we know the ending… Satan can be resisted The lost can be warned You can face tomorrow Live today with the end in mind!  

It matters that you understand… 1. The Revelation of The Return of Christ           - This movement is seen in 5 ways… From Waiting to Watching 19:11-16 From Glory to Gory 19:17-19 From Lying to Dying 19:20-21 From Aggressive to Arrested 20:1-3 From Resting to Reigning 20:4-6 2. The Explanation of The Return of Christ  3.  The Invitation of The Return of Christ  

Two questions for our future… Do we desire to be known as a people characterized by the presence of God? Are you a person who desires the presence of God above all other things? In Psalm 84 we see a rhythm of life revolving around God's corporate intimate presence in four ways. 1. There is Anticipation in seeking the presence of God together v.1-4 2. There is Preparation in seeking the presence of God together v.5-7      - But not the pilgrim on his way to meet God!  He goes from Full to Full. “Strength to strength”      - Preparing for the presence of God in corporate worship is more than just “showing up”. 3. There is Participation in seeking the presence of God together v.8-11a 4. There is Continuation in seeking the presence of God together v.11b-12 Take what He has done with you…and walk in it!

Two questions for our future…        1. Do we desire to be known as a people characterized by the presence of God?       2. Are you a person who desires the presence of God above all other things? Are you thirsty for God's presence? A deep desire to be With Him causes us to… 1. Remember why He is worth thirsting for v.2-3 2. Drink and be satisfied! v.4-8 3. Be sustained in the battle v.9-11  

How can we pursue God's presence?  Return – to Him daily  Receive – His wisdom through His Word  Relate – My heart to His in prayer  Repent – Of my sin He reveals  Release – My will and yield to His  Respond – To His will by obeying  Remain – Consciously try to “abide” with Him  

There are at least 5 parts to every wedding.  The last wedding in history will be no different. A wedding is not a wedding without… 1.  The Excitement v.6-7a   2. The Date v.7b   3. The Dress v.7b-8   4. The Guests v.9a   5. The Food v.9b   Have you accepted the invitation? Is the reality of this event on the calendar of your life keeping you encouraged? Have you joined the groom in making the invitation known?  

When God's people celebrate judgment, it is a completely different song It is a song of... 1.  Exaltation 18:20 2. Vindication     18:21-24 3.  Affirmation 19:1-3    Hallel (praise) + Yah (Yahweh) = Hallelujah  Praise Yahweh! - God's people affirm:   What He Has  What He Does  What He Did  He has judged Babylon  He has avenged His servants  He has done so permanently and eternally 4. Participation 19:4-5  

As humans, our songs tell the story of our hearts. This soundtrack has three songs… 1. The Declaration of Defeat v.1-3       -Babylon represents the total culture of the world apart from God. 2. The Weeping of the Wicked v.9-19      - Kings – Those in power      - Merchants – Those in business      -Seafarers – Those in logistics 3. The Call to Come Out! v.4-8 The call to come out of Babylon is a timeless message to the people of God NOT to participate in the worldly behavior of those who embrace wickedness Association leads to participation Be IN the world but not OF the world Why come out of Babylon? So you don't commit her sins So you don't receive her punishment Come out of Babylon... Spiritually – nothing matters more than HIM Emotionally – overall attitude and identity Physically – taking care of your temple Sexually – eyes, body, spouse Relationally – do they see HIM in you  Socially – personal faith = public difference Professionally – your “why” at work is HIM  

Cities and places matter. The Christians life is about two cities. One is our here. One is our hope. Babylon represents the total culture of the world apart from God.  We are shown the… 1. The Lust of Wickedness (v.1-5) 2. The Lure of Wickedness (v.6)        -In 2026 what are you going to say “NO” to? 3. The Leader of Wickedness (v.7-8) 4. The Line of Wickedness (v.9-13)        -Wickedness may look chaotic but it is most certainly not.  It is organized, structured, planned, and premeditated. 5. The Loss of Wickedness (v.14-18)  - Wickedness will lose! Wickedness will lose to the Lamb of God (v.14) Wickedness will lose to the Lordship of God (v.15-18) See Babylon for what she is. Run to the Lamb!  

HOPE GROWS! • Luke 2:7 "...and she gave birth to her first born son..." • Luke 2:22 “...they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord…” • Luke 2:40 “...and the child grew and became strong…”   I. Faithful Followers II. Frightened Family (John 8:29) III. Finding Focus (Luke 8:56, Acts 2:7, Acts 8:13) IV. Father's Forming (Luke 1:80, 2:40, 2:52)   Our Obedience in 2026 • Seek His presence • Trust His ways • Follow His will

"Is there any hope?" See the moment... Hope Came Into the World v.8-13 Because of God's Hope… 1. The Angels are Rejoicing v.13-14 2. The Shepherds are Responding v.15-20 3. Mary is Reflecting v.19-20 On Christmas, rejoice like the angels, respond like the shepherds, and reflect like Mary!  

Irony – a state of affairs or events that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects See the irony in these… 1.Two Decrees v.1-3 2.Two Parents v.4-5 3.Two Moments v.6 The first moment is biological The second moment is theological 4.Two Kings  

Christmas and celebrating go hand in hand. Luke Records... A Greeting of Affirmation v.39-45 A Song of Celebration v.46-56 Mary celebrated…. 1. The Gift of Christmas v.46-47 2. The Grace of Christmas v.48-50 3. The God of Christmas v.51-56 Christmas brings real hope. Real hope is worth celebrating!  

Luke wrote about the hope of a Savior because of his love for a friend. This announcement comes with… 1. The Person God Chose v.26-28       Luke tells us about Mary... Her Credentials Her Condition 2. The Plan God Used v.29-33      - God's plan had not changed 3. The Power God Showed v.34-38    - God showed His power through… 1. An Impossible Conception v.34-35 2. An Improbable Conception v.36-37 3. An Implicit Courage v.38 Look again this Christmas at the people, the plan, and the power God used to redeem us.    

4th Bowl: The Bowl of Despair v.8-9a 5th Bowl: The Bowl of Darkness v.10 6th Bowl: The Bowl of Deception and     Deployment v.12-16 7th Bowl: The Bowl of Destruction v.18-21 We need to understand… 1. The Sad Commentary of the Condemned v.9 2. The Sad Commentary of the Condemned v.9 3. The Second Cry of Completion v.17    

Those with power like to display it! God displays His power too! Through Creation Through Provision Through Salvation When God's power is poured out… 1. His Presence will be Inaccessible 15:5-8 2. His Wrath will be Unavoidable 16:1-4 3. His Justice will be Indisputable 16:5-7 In the end the enemies of God will get what they deserve. And God will be Right!  In the end the enemies of God will look at us and wonder why we don't get what we deserve.  But God has displayed His power in His blood!   The power in His blood offers…  Forgiveness  Access to Him  Power to live for Him Are you washed in the POWER of His blood?  

Live your life like it's choir practice. John Witnessed... 1. The Coming of the Completion v.1 2. The Choir of the Conquerors v.2 3. The Chorus of the King v.3-4   - God is right in all of His ways The Saints celebrate... The Unrivaled Nature of His Character The Universal Nature of His Salvation The Unblemished Nature of His Acts  

Keep In mind... 1. The Harvest of the Lord v.14-16   - The harvest of the Lord is TOTAL and FINAL 2. The Harvest of the Lost v.17-20 3. The Harvest and the Laborers How to share? What was your life like before you accepted Christ as your Savior? How did you come to understand the gospel and respond to Christ's call for salvation? What is your life like now that you have a right relationship with God through Christ? Why is knowing Christ so life changing that you want others to have a relationship with Him too? Come to His table Then go work His fields

We rejoice in love, acceptance, and grace…as well we should.  But what about judgment, fear, and obedience. We Ought to Be... 1. Motivated by the Fear of God's Judgment v.6-7      -The Gospel is available for all, but it won't be available forever! 2. Validated by the Fate of God's Judgment v.8 3. Devastated by the Fullness of God's Judgment v.9-11      - Hell will be worse than you can imagine 4. Dedicated to the Faithfulness of God's Judgment v.12-13 What should we long and pray for? The lost without Christ—Repentance The dying with Christ—Relief The living with Christ (us)—Revival  

You can't live a sinless life, but you can live a blameless life! John's vision shows the persecuted… The Scene of Victory v.1 The Song of Victory v.2-3 The Soldiers of Victory v.4-5 How is ... The Purity of YOUR Faith The Activity of YOUR Faith The Security of YOUR Faith The Honesty of YOUR Faith      

Preparation always trumps speculation. John describes... 1. The Counterfeit Ruler of the World v.1-9        The biography of the Beast… His Wonder v.1-3 His Worship v.4 His Words v.5-6 His War v.7-8 2. The Counterfeit Religion of the World v.11-17      To understand the second beast, notice… His Deceptive Appearance v.11 His Deceptive Performance v.12-14 His Deceptive Vengeance v.15 The Call to the Redeemed in the World v.9-10, 18 3. His Deceptive Compliance v.16-17      There is always a... Call to Endure Call to Faith  Call to Wisdom “The number of the beast is 666, that is, failure upon failure upon failure!”  -Simon Kistemaker

It's important to remember… 1. The Defeat of Our Adversary v.7-9 2. The Declaration of Our Victory v.10-12      - Notice: 1. The Savior, 2. Satan 3. The Soldiers 3. The Defense of The Godly v.13-16 4. The Difficulty of Our Reality v.17 How do you fight from Victory? Know your enemy Know yourself Know your KING!