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Serving the Lord in Your Later Years
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Serving-the-Lord-in-Your-Later-Years.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreMy Own Worst Enemy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/My-Own-Worse-Enemy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 7 I. There is a phrase popular in our culture, “I have become my own worst enemy.” A. It is the realization that in our struggles against what we perceive as evil or wrong, we end up realizing that we are the source of our greatest problems. B. I have…
Read MoreAgainst All the Gods of Egypt
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Against-All-the-Gods-of-Egypt.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 12:1-13 I. The descendants of Jacob moved to Egypt because of a severe famine and within a short time became slaves in that land – Genesis 15:13 A. Yet, God promised to rescue them and returned them to land promised to Abraham. B. When the time came, God raised up…
Read MoreUnlike You and I
Unlike You and I (Part 1)Unlike You and I (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:12-18 I. What would you be like if you had absolute power? A. Oh, it is fun to imagine all the things you could do if you had the power to do it, but what kind of person would…
Read MoreAdvice to Young Men
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Advice-to-Young-Men.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:6-8 I. In the Seattle Weekly, August 21, 2002, Philip Dawdy wrote an article titled “What Little Boys Are Made Of” A. The thrust of the article is that school systems are biased against the way boys generally behave. 85% of the students in the “emotionally and behaviorally disturbed”…
Read MoreExtremes
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Extremes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 7:11-22 I. In March, 2000, Mona Charen wrote an article that appeared in the Omaha World Herald under the title “Nation With No Sin” A. In it she made the point that while the nation for the most part believes in God and believes religion is important, at the…
Read MoreSafe Sins
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Safe-Sins.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 I. The lengths people will go to justify their sins is sometimes amazing A. It is a rare person who will say that something they are doing is a sin and that it shouldn’t be done. B. More common is to dress up the sin so that at…
Read MoreYou Must Rule Over It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/You-Must-Rule-Over-It.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I. Ask a person why they gave into a particular sin and the most common rely is: “I don’t know. I couldn’t help myself.” A. Losing control in the face of temptation has been around since the beginning. 1. God even warned Cain that he had to master his…
Read MoreHave We Forgotten Our Shame?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Have-We-Forgotten-Our-Shame.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 44 I. It is surprising the odd ideas people have about forgiveness A. Forgiveness is the dismissal of any debt or obligation to me 1. I cannot forgive someone’s sin. a. This is only something God can do, because our sins incur a penalty, which God – not you or I…
Read MoreExplaining “Born of Water and Spirit” to Charismatics
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Explaining-Born-of-Water-and-Spirit-to-Charismatics.mp3 by Darrell M. Hamilton
Read MoreSometimes the Best Thing to Do is Run!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sometimes-the-Best-Thing-to-Do-Is-Run.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-15 I. Timothy was admonished to fight the good fight – I Timothy 6:12 A. We are in a battle for our lives, and we must have the courage to do battle – Ephesians 6:10-18 B. We cannot be passive against sin – James 4:7 C. But a person trained in…
Read MoreWhat Are Mothers Made Of?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-Are-Mothers-Made-Of.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 31:27-30 I. To prepare the children for making a sweet Mothers Day card, the elementary school teacher asked her class some questions that she thought would cause them to appreciate their mom’s more, then they could think of something sweet to write when it came time to make…
Read MoreSpeechless
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Speechless.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat If You Knew My Past?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-If-You-Knew-My-Past.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow to Ruin Your Influence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-to-Ruin-Your-Influence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:34-35 I. Your reputation, your ability to influence others is valuable A. Ecclesiastes 7:1 – Better than expensive perfume B. Proverbs 22:1 – Better than great wealth C. Christians are expected to influence the world – Matthew 5:13-16 D. But if we ruin our ability to influence others, what good are we?…
Read MoreExactly Who is Influencing Who?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Exactly-Who-Is-Influencing-Who.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 13:4-12 I. Most Americans tend to have an independent streak. A. We would like to think that we think for ourselves. B. As Christians, we aim to influence those around to do good. C. But influence is not a one-way street. II. Our thoughts are shaped by many things A. Parents 1. Seth…
Read MoreMothers (Warfel)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mothers.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhere God Put Water
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Where-God-Put-Water.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy Water?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Why-Water.mp3 Text: John 3:1-12 I. Jesus stated that unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven – John 3:5 A. We understand, despite efforts by many to avoid it, that Jesus refers to baptism when he said one must be born of water B. Today, I would like to…
Read MoreWhen I Grow Up
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/When-I-Grow-Up.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:19-38 I. Have you noticed how the world sets up different standards for children and adults? A. You can’t smoke until you’re a certain age B. You can’t drink until you have reached 21 C. In some ways it makes sense, we want to protect our children while they are young…
Read MoreYou Are Enough
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/You-Are-Enough.mp3 by Garry Floyd I want to communicate the importance of self-worth. Scripture Reading: Psalms 139:1-6 Forward Upon what should our self-worth be based? What gives us value as human beings? How can we focus on inner beauty in a culture seemingly obsessed with physical beauty? Is it possible to find our worth in God…
Read MoreI Have Put My Trust in God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/I-Have-Put-My-Trust-in-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 56 I. It is far too easy to read the stories in the Bible and not think about the feelings of the people involved. A. Joshua was chosen to follow Moses as leader of Israel, but he must have been very nervous – Joshua 1:2,9 B. We think of the boldness…
Read MoreHow Noah Was Saved
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/How-Noah-Was-Saved.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 3:18-22 I. In our reading, Peter draws on the account of Noah’s salvation to illustrate how the Christian is saved. A. Many people object to the straight forward reading of I Peter 3:21 because it stands contrary to what they have accepted. 1. To many people, baptism is simply…
Read MoreJonah – Wrath of Man / Mercy of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jonah-Wrath-of-Man-Mercy-of-God.mp3 by Ross Ward We all know the story, but have we really gotten the point? Story The book is about Jonah Not gentile city Outline of book Ch 1 – Jonah runs from God Ch 2 – Jonah’s salvation Ch 3 – Nineveh’s salvation Ch 4 – God’s mercy on Jonah Jonah’s faults Wrath…
Read MoreDavid – A Man After God’s Own Heart
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/David-A-Man-After-Gods-Own-Heart.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: I Samuel 13:14 The Story II Samuel 11:2-5 – sin with Bathsheba A time when Kings go to war Bathsheba was very beautiful David inquires about her David summons her Has a relationship with her A child is conceived Progression of sin Saw Dwelt on her Inquired about her Summoned…
Read MoreDavid – A Child’s Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/David-A-Childs-Faith.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: I Samuel 17:32-37 David’s Faith David Overcame Vs. 33-35 – bear and lion 33 – a youth 34 – shepherding 34-35 – lion and bear take a lamb David caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him 37 – The Lord that delivered me… will deliver me…
Read MoreRuth – A Woman of Virtue
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ruth-A-Woman-of-Virtue.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: Ruth 3:11 Defining Virtuous Brown Driver & Briggs – strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army Strong’s – probably a force; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength Army 56x Man of valor 37x Host 29x Forces 14x Valiant 13x Strength 12x Riches 11x Wealth 10x Power 9x Substance 8x Might 6x Strong…
Read MoreBarnabas – The Encourager
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Barnabas-The-Encourager.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: Acts 4:31-37 Barnabas’ work in Acts Acts 4:31-37 – gave of himself Acts 9:26-30 – advocated for Saul in Jerusalem Acts 11:19-24 – qualities as a servant Acts 11:25-26 – advocates for Saul Acts 15:35-41 – advocates for John Mark Being a Barnabas Barnabas sacrificed himself Giving of his property…
Read MoreThe Mind of a Servant
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Mind-of-a-Servant.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: I Timothy 6:15 We are to have a mind of a servant – Luke 22:24-30 Mind of a servant Desire for preeminence Jew’s culture Matthew 23:5-12 – Scribes and Pharisees Matthew 6:1-18 – rebuking works that are performed to be seen of men Apostles Luke 22:24-30 – arguing over who…
Read MoreJesus – Humble Servant King
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Jesus-Humble-Servant-King.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: Mark 11:1-11 The king of the Jews enters Jerusalem Mark 11:7-11 – on a colt donkey Zechariah 9:9-10 – fulfilling prophecy Significance of Donkey Horse symbol of war Size Strength Speed Chariots – Zechariah 9:10 Donkey symbol of peace Jesus was not a conquering King taking his kingdom by force…
Read MoreKing Saul – An “I” Problem
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/King-Saul-An-I-Problem.mp3 by Ross Ward Text: I Samuel 9-15 Looks to himself – at Gilgal I Samuel 13:5-14 – Saul offers sacrifice Samuel delayed Philistines prepared to attack Saul’s soldiers ran scared King Saul’s ‘I’ problem I saw, I said to myself, I have not, I forced myself I Samuel 12:24-25 – Samuel’s instructions for Israel…
Read MorePortraits of God’s Leaders
A series of lessons presented by Ross Ward of Des Moines, Iowa, April 4-9, 2021 King Saul – An ‘I’ Problem Saul relies on his own will and ability, ultimately refused to accept responsibility for his actions (I Samuel 8-16) Jesus – Humble Servant King Jesus is King but not according to the world’s standards…
Read MoreRenewed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Renewed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. At times we stop and sigh. Wouldn’t it be nice to return to the days of childhood, when we didn’t have a care in the world? When we were ignorant of all the problems in the world and unacquainted with sin? – Matthew 18:3 A. In our…
Read MoreThere Will Be Difficult Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/There-Will-Be-Difficult-Times.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreEmotional Worship of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Emotional-Worship-of-God.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThree Aspects of Learning
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Three-Aspects-of-Learning-1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 24:3-6 I. There are three aspects to learning, whether we talk about school work or Bible study A. Proverbs 2:6 – The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding B. Proverbs 24:3-4 – Compared to a house 1. Knowledge is the comprehension of facts. It fills our minds with pleasant and useful…
Read MoreKnowledge
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Knowledge.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 1:3-12 I. There was a period in world history known as the Dark Ages. A. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, society decayed for centuries B. Compared to the earlier periods, very little was written. C. Very little advancement in knowledge and ideas were made. 1. Education of the populace, as…
Read MoreThe Chains of the Past
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Chains-of-the-Past.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. In Charles Dickens’ story “A Christmas Story,” Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner who is wear chains of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses. When asked what the chains meant, “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the…
Read MoreDoubts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Doubts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 17:5-8 I. I had the opportunity to study with a member of the International Church of Christ. A. Many of their core beliefs are similar to our own, but they diverge from the plain teachings of the Scriptures in a number of significant ways. B. While researching their beliefs and…
Read MoreDealing with Hatred
Dealing with HatredDealing with Hatred (Part 2) by Raymond Warfel
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