Audio – La Vista Church of Christ

Seeing Only What You Want to See

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:27:39 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Seeing-Only-What-You-Want-to-See.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 50

I. I would like to share a portion of a letter I received:

“I am in love with this girl who loved me too. We loved each other so crazily but at one point I realized that she had been lying to me for no reason to spend time with her friends and other mates. She liked spending time with boys, and she hid that from me. She said she doesn't have time for me, spending a little or no time with me, but she lied to me and was with other people and friends. I always asked God if she was the one for me and I got positive replies. All I wanted was for her to know her limits with people and live a good life. I did not like her exposing her body by wearing short dresses. I advised her, but she thought I was controlling her and taking away her space. When I asked her to keep her distance from guys, she thought I was controlling her.

“If she was sent by God, isn't she supposed to be a good person? I mean a person who loves me and only me? Or at least change to be a good person when I try to change her? I do not understand. Now she has broken up with me and it is really very hard for me to carry on! Was it my misinterpretation of what God said, or was it suppose to be like this? I'm praying to God asking to bring her back in to my life. I do not know what more to do. Please do pray for me! I'm so confused, and sadness is all I have in my heart all the time.”

A. What struck me first was how this young man was able to list out strong reasons why this girl was not a good choice, and yet cling to the notion that he was in love with her.

B. One author said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are” [Anais Nin].

1. Our personal bias colors things, sometimes to the point that we lose sight of reality.

II. Preferring delusions

A. Isaiah speaks of the foolishness of idolatry - Isaiah 44:14-20

1. The person deceives himself, never stopping to realize his own lie

2. Men cannot create gods, God created man.

B. Idolatry has no profit, yet men pursue it - Habakkuk 2:18-19

1. It gives “comfort” - Zechariah 10:2

C. Why do people do it?

1. They don’t want to think about God - Romans 1:28

2. To do so means facing the unpleasant idea that they are accountable - John 3:19-21

3. Thus people turn to those who tell them what they want to hear - II Timothy 4:3-4

4. They love being told lies that agree with what they want to hear - Jeremiah 5:31

D. The shame of it all - Micah 2:11

III. Shifting Blame

A. Ahab accused Elijah for causing problems when Ahab was the one promoting sin - I Kings 18:17-18

B. Jeremiah was blamed for telling people that those who stayed in Jerusalem would die - Jeremiah 38:1-4

C. Paul was rejected for telling the Galatians they were sinning - Galatians 4:16

1. And this was after the Galatians had strongly accepted Paul

D. In each case the truth was told. A truth that the receiver did not want to hear.

1. But it can’t be their fault, so it must be messenger’s fault.

2. People want to be told they are all right, just as they are - Isaiah 30:10-11

IV. Blind to the Truth

A. The blind cannot lead the blind - Luke 6:39

1. But it doesn’t stop people from trying

B. There are people who have no truth in them - I Timothy 6:3-5

1. The wicked don’t want the truth - John 3:19-21

2. Refuse to listen to the truth - John 8:45-47

C. Those who lie are often victims of lies - II Timothy 3:13

1. They think there is safety in lies - Isaiah 28:15

2. They trusted empty words - Isaiah 59:3-4

3. They actually live in lies - Jeremiah 9:3-6

D. Speak evil of what they don’t understand - II Peter 2:12

V. We need to be people who seek truth

A. That means we have to be truthful - Ephesians 4:25

B. We must want the truth so much, that we will work hard to get it - Proverbs 2:1-6; 8:17; 23:23

C. We ought to fear not having truth - Proverbs 1:7

D. When we find the truth, we must stay with it - Proverbs 4:5

E. Where we end up begins with where we are looking to go - Romans 2:7-8

I Have Walked in My Integrity

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:06:46 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/I-Have-Walked-in-My-Integrity.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Psalms 26

I. David wants to be judged by God - Psalms 26:1-3

A. Most of us want to avoid the judgment of others

B. There is a risk of being condemned

C. But here David asks God to judge him and it isn’t a risk in his view - Psalms 7:8

1. David has walked in his integrity (or blamelessness)

a. By this, David is not declaring his sinlessness.

b. The Hebrew word tom refers to a person’s integrity and sincerity

(1) Example: Abimelech declared his innocence - Genesis 20:5

(2) Example: Men who were pulled into Absalom’s plot - II Samuel 15:11

(3) Thus, innocent of willful wrongdoing. When a solider shot Ahab at random (tom), he wasn’t purposely setting out to kill the king of Israel - I Kings 22:34

2. How? David had unwavering trust in the Lord

a. Much like Paul - II Corinthians 1:12

D. He walks righteously and is honest with himself - Psalms 15:2

1. Not perfect, but good, and thus he asks God to examine his motives

2. David keeps God’s covenant where he won’t forget it

II. David avoids the company of evil men - Psalms 26:4-5

A. Blessings come to the man who is not a companion of the wicked - Psalms 1:1-6

B. The companion of fools suffer harm - Proverbs 13:20

C. Evil companions corrupt - I Corinthians 15:33

D. It is why we keep separate from those living in sin - I Corinthians 5:9-11

III. David worships in innocence - Psalms 26:6-8

A. Priests were required to wash before serving - Exodus 30:19-20

B. It symbolizes removing of sin - Isaiah 1:16-18

C. We lift up holy hands in worship - I Timothy 2:8

D. What better place to be than to sing praises to our God - Psalms 84:1-2

IV. A plea not to be lumped in with sinners - Psalms 26:9-10

A. There should always be a distinction between the righteous and the evil - Malachi 3:18

B. God punishes the wicked, but the plea is that those who live righteously not be included in that destruction - Psalms 28:3-5

V. But I will walk in my integrity - Psalms 26:11-12

A. David knew he needed redemption. He wasn’t perfect. He needed God’s grace.

B. That is why Jesus came - Titus 2:11-14

C. And because of this David stood firm - Proverbs 10:9

D. For this God is to be praised - Psalms 111:1

God’s Word in My Heart

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:35:27 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Gods-Word-in-My-Heart.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Psalms 119:9-16

I. God’s Word is important to the Christian

A. It tells us how to live - II Timothy 3:16-17

B. It has everything we need to know about life and godliness - II Peter 1:3

C. But it is frustrating for many when there is a passage we want to find but you can’t remember where it is at.

II. Hidden in my heart

A. Psalms 119:11 - We should have God’s word always with us

B. Jeremiah 15:16 - Chew on them

C. Colossians 3:16 - Let it live with you

D. Not just memorization. God is talking about His word becoming a part of us.

E. When we speak, we speak as God’s word - I Peter 4:11

III. How to make it a part of us

A. Memorization is one method, but let’s face it, not all of us can memorize portions of the Bible.

1. Being able to quote passages is good, but what about the person being quoted to – how does he know you are reciting the passage accurately?

2. They need to look up the verses for themselves - Acts 17:11

B. Even when I happen to have a verse memorized, I turn to the passage and have the person I’m studying with turn there as well.

1. Then I am less likely to misquote it because of a faulty memory

2. Then the person can see for himself that this is really what God said.

3. They can also read the context to see that it wasn’t being pulled out of context.

4. You’ll notice that I turn to passages during lessons, give at least a moment for others to turn to the passage, and then read the verse. All so that you can check to see if what I am saying is so.

C. Grow - II Peter 3:18

1. Never become satisfied that you know enough

D. By reason of use - Hebrews 5:13-14

1. Memorizing a passage doesn’t do you much good if you don’t have an immediate use for it.

a. I’ve met a few excellent mathematicians who can solve the most complex geometric problems. Most of us can’t. We wouldn’t even know where to begin.

b. But I’ve seen carpenters solve complex geometric problems daily, without effort, because they use the same methods over and over again.

c. Repeated use, locks ideas in our head

2. Use also increases interest.

E. How to encourage growth and use:

1. When you answer a question in Bible class, don’t answer with “I think.” Find the passage first and then state “Over in ... it says ...”

2. When someone tells you about a problem in his life, think about what passage would best address his situation and then share it with that person.

3. When something really bothers you, think about what passage would best guide you and then go read it again.

4. Start a cross-reference in the margin of your Bible. When you run across a verse that particularly fits well with other, jot the reference down in your Bible.

5. Keep a list of key verses on the blank pages in your Bible.

6. When a speaker mentions a passage, look it up.

7. Talk with people about the Bible. There is nothing like a discussion to get your mental gears engaged.

F. Give yourself reminders - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

1. Write out a favorite passage and put it where you can see it.

2. One woman took the idea from Deuteronomy 17:18 and copied books of the Bible. She then bound them as gifts.

G. Think about the Scriptures

1. Think about it day and night - Psalms 1:2

2. A meditation all day - Psalms 119:97

3. A meditation at night, during boring times - Psalms 63:6

H. Help someone else learn - Proverbs 15:7

IV. Reasons to learn

A. Few learn purely for learning sake. Most of us need a reason to learn, a goal in mind

B. One way is to figure out why things are as they are.

1. You can memorize all the English grammar rules you are able, or you can figure out why those rules exist and the rest comes easy

2. Knowledge is easy to him who understands - Proverbs 14:6

C. Never allow yourself to think you know it all. Understand that you will be wrong at times - Proverbs 12:1

1. A corollary is that you don’t have all the answers.

2. Studying with others helps because they will bring up a point you never thought about before.

3. So go learn. Never think you must have all the answers before you start studying with another.

D. Don’t ignore a subject because you don’t understand it - Proverbs 1:22

1. It is easy to mock what you don’t know, but it doesn’t make you a better person.

V. Bible study is hard for some because they never make learning the Bible a part of their lives.

Perceptions of God’s Word

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:01:58 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Perceptions-of-Gods-Word-1.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Malachi 3:16-4:3

I. The prophet Malachi declared there would be a distinction between the wicked and righteous

A. The rising day would burn the wicked like chaff, but serve as healing balm for the righteous.

B. The same event produces two dramatically different results.

C. The result did not depend on the event but on the recipient.

D. Acts 17:22-34 - Same message yields different responses

II. The attitude of the righteous to God’s word

A. It is a light burden

1. Matthew 11:29-30 - Obligations are incurred, but ones that are easily managed.

2. I John 5:3 - We must keep the commandments of God, which is not drudgery but beneficial to us.

B. They are doable

1. God has never given commands that are out of the reach of men - Deuteronomy 30:10-14

C. They are enjoyable

1. Proverbs 3:13-18 - The wisdom of God was given for our benefit

2. Psalm 19:7-11 - The beauty of God’s law

D. They bring peace

1. The words of Christ bring peace to the hearer - John 16:33

2. His purpose in coming was to guide us to the way of peace - Luke 1:79

3. Psalms 119:165 - nothing causes them to stumble

III. The attitude of the wicked to God’s word is quite different

A. It is foolishness

1. I Corinthians 1:18 - Yet that “foolishness” will lead to their destruction

2. I Corinthians 2:14 - He cannot understand what is spiritually discerned.

B. It causes them to stumble

1. Matthew 11:2-6 - Jesus causes people to chose. They ignore him to their peril because they will stumble over what they refuse to see.

2. His teachings at time offended his audience - Matthew 15:10-14

3. Christ is a stumbling stone to those who will not believe - I Peter 2:6-8

4. It is the reason the Jews did not accept Christ - Romans 9:32-33

C. It does not give them what they want

1. Some tried following Jesus for the food he provided - John 6:26-27

2. Jesus told them to desire spiritual food - John 6:59-65

D. They refuse to listen - Jeremiah 6:16-19

E. It is too restrictive

1. The way to truth is narrow and few will find and enter thereby - Matthew 7:13-14

2. Only few will be saved - Luke 13:23-24

IV. God’s word is both a fire and a rock - Jeremiah 23:28-29

A. It inspires the believer with passion - Jeremiah 20:9

B. But it destroys the unbeliever – burning him and shattering him - Jeremiah 5:14; Matthew 21:43-44

V. What is your attitude towards God’s word? Will you accept its teachings?

Open My Eyes That I Might See (Sermon)

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:55:13 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Open-My-Eyes-That-I-Might-See.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Hebrews 5:11-14

I. Discerning good - Hebrews 5:11-14

A. I can understand a person not recognizing evil, but how does a person miss good?

B. The topic under discussion was seeing that Jesus was like Melchizedek

1. This was something needful and good

2. But the audience could not see it because their sense had become dulled from the lack of use – like aging.

II. A lack of growth leads to blindness

A. Must hear and do, else you will forget - James 1:22-25

B. People who are ever learning, but never applying - II Timothy 3:6-7

C. II Peter 1:5-11 - A list of virtues

1. If abound (grow) in these things you will not be unfruitful (verse 8)

2. Do these things and you will never stumble (verse 10)

3. Lack these things and you become shortsighted, blind, and forgetful

III. You cannot recognize what you do not have or understand

A. How can you see love if you don’t have love?

B. I John 3:16-19

1. If we refuse to recognize the needs of others, so that we are not actively showing love, how can we claim to love God?

2. By doing, and not just saying, we know that we are following the truth

C. What is love? - I Corinthians 13

D. If we cannot love someone we see, how can we love God whom we have never seen? - I John 4:20-21

1. The parable of the talents - Matthew 25:21

2. Faithful in the small things, then also faithful in the large things

3. I Corinthians 13:6 - Rejoice in the truth and not in others’ sins.

E. Titus 1:15-16

1. To the pure all things are pure

2. To the defiled all things are defile

3. What is your outlook on life? Do you tend to see the good in others or the wrong?

IV. The Jews would not see the truth because they refused!

A. Isaiah 6:9-10 - a refusal or fear of understanding

1. This is why the Jews could see a miracle and yet not believe - John 12:37-41

2. Why Jesus used parables - Mark 4:11-12

3. Why the Jews were confused by Paul - Acts 28:25-29

B. They became blind men leading the blind - Matthew 15:14

C. They refused to hear - John 8:43

D. They were wise in their own sight - Romans 11:25

E. Ecclesiastes 2:14 - Only the fool prefers darkness

V. Satan tries to blind people from seeing the light - II Corinthians 4:3-4

A. Many stumble in the light because of their sins - Isaiah 59:9-14

B. I John 2:9-11 - The one who hates is blind due to sin

VI. What have we become?

A. Have we allowed Satan to blind us from seeing the good in others?

B. Are we unable to distinguish good from evil?

C. If you have never seen good things, such as love, then most likely it is because you refuse to recognize what is there.

What Are Christians to Be Doing in the World?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:56:38 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/What-Are-Christians-to-be-Doing-in-the-World.mp3

by Raymond Warfel

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Facing Life’s Challenges

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:47:29 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Facing-Lifes-Challenges.mp3

by Raymond Warfel

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The Work of the Church

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 23:49:44 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/The-Work-of-the-Church.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Psalm 104

I. The world is evidence of the ability of God to design perfect systems - Psalms 19:1

A. Everywhere we turn the wisdom of God is manifested - Psalms 104:24

B. This same masterful designer displayed His great wisdom in the design of the church - Ephesians 3:8-11

C. Just as man is not able to improve on the design of God’s world, man cannot improve upon God’s church, though they foolishly try.

D. There is just one way for the church to function, as Paul taught in all the churches - I Corinthians 4:15-17

1. He does not author confusion - I Corinthians 14:33, 36-38

2. Our duty is not to mold a church to our satisfaction, but to learn the design of God and follow His blueprint to the best of our ability.

II. The church is to sound forth the Word of God - I Thessalonians 1:8

A. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth - I Timothy 3:15

1. It does not create the truth.

2. The church’s duty is to support the truth and to hold it up on display for the world to see.

3. Unfortunately, many denominations are more interested in putting their buildings on display than in teaching the truth.

4. Like Pilate, many are no longer certain of the truth so they must vote on their beliefs.

B. Churches spread the gospel by sending out evangelists

1. Jerusalem sent a preacher to help a new congregation - Acts 11:20-24

2. When that congregation grew, it was directed to send out preachers - Acts 13:1-3

C. Churches supported evangelists working in other areas

1. Philippi supported Paul while he worked in Macedonia - Philippians 4:15-16

2. Those who preach are expected to receive pay for their efforts - I Corinthians 9:14

3. A local church generally is expected to support a preacher in their area. When they are unable to do so, other churches are expected to help - II Corinthians 11:7-9

III. The church strengthens its members in the gospel

A. The assembly for worship is done to strengthen or edify the members of a church - I Corinthians 14:26

B. The duties within the church is to build its members into the likeness of Christ - Ephesians 4:11-13

C. Edification is not making each other feel good. It is not entertainment. It is learning to be obedient to God just as Jesus learned - Hebrews 5:8

D. It is accomplished through the word of God - Acts 20:32

1. This is why we have classes, teach lessons from God’s Word

IV. Aid to needy Christians

A. According to God’s plan, each family is responsible for its own care

1. Each person is expected to work for his livelihood - II Thessalonians 3:7-12

2. Each person is expected to care for his family members who cannot work - I Timothy 5:3-4, 7-8

B. The working Christian is also expected to give aid to others who are needy

1. Work so as to have something to share - Ephesians 4:28

2. We are to do as the opportunity arises - Galatians 6:10

3. James 1:27 -Visit doesn’t mean sending a check or dropping by for tea once in a while. It means going to check on a person, learning what their needs are, and seeing that the needs are met.

a. We live in such a materialistic society that often we think that problems are solved by throwing money at them.

b. True, some needs can only be solved with financial help

c. But widows don’t need just money, they need a friend, they need someone to help them repair the back porch, help them through puzzling legal documents. Their husband is no longer there, so someone must fill the gap.

d. Orphans don’t just need money for food and clothing, they need someone to encourage them, to help them make good decisions, to listen to their hopes, dreams, and problems. Mom and Dad are no longer there, so someone must fill the gap.

C. Some say “That is what the church is for.”

1. Let us examine the case of the widow

a. There are widows and there are widows. There are widows who still have family to watch over and care for them and there are widows who have no one left in the world - I Timothy 5:5

b. Even among true widows, the church is limited in its responsibility - I Timothy 5:9-16

c. Is the church responsible to care for every widow? The answer is clearly no.

d. When the church in Jerusalem relieved its needy widows (Acts 6:1), it was women who met these qualifications who were on the rolls.

2. Churches were involved in relieving other Christians as well

a. The needy among them, as they had need - Acts 4:34-35

b. Though a famine came upon the world, relief was gathered for the brethren in Judea - Acts 11:28-30

c. Money was collected for the support of the saints - Romans 15:26-27; II Corinthians 8:1-4

d. It was seen as a service to the saints - II Corinthians 9:1, 12-14

(1) Some may say, “Wait, it says to ‘all’ in verse 13"

(a) The word in the Greek is pantes, which means “all of the same kind.”

(b) The word for “contribution” is koinonia which is the same word translated as a sharing or a fellowship.

(d) Those receiving the service are praying on their behalf. Are you saying that unbelievers are praying on the behalf of Christians?

(2) What is discussed is their services to the saints in Judea and to all saints (of the same kind).

3. There is a consistent pattern of the church being involved in relieving needy Christians, both within the local congregation and in other areas.

V. Too often churches leave the design of God to add additional works to the church

A. It is argued that some responsibility is “a good work.”

B. Any objection is met with a puzzled, “What is wrong with this service?”

C. When asked where it is found in God’s plan, they accuse the questioner as being against those receiving this new service.

D. God is glorified when the church accomplishes the work God gave it.

1. When man adds additional work that God didn’t speak of, then the glory goes to man and not God because it was man’s idea.

2. Jesus gave glory to God by doing God’s will - John 17:4

3. If you think otherwise, try it sometime on your boss at work.

a. “Hey boss, since you didn’t mention it, I decided to invest some of last quarter profits in the XYZ corporation. They had been having a rough time and really needed the cash inflow. Were they ever appreciative!”

b. Would your job last long?

4. This is why Paul said not to alter God’s word - Galatians 1:6-10

E. Give God the glory in executing his perfect design.