Justice

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Justice.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:1-16   I.         Matthew 20:1-16             A.        Have you noticed that a lot of people want things that they are not willing to give?             B.        Take the idea of justice. People want justice for themselves (so long as it is in their favor), but they are not willing that justice lower what…

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Things the Wicked Despise

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Things-the-Wicked-Despise.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Leviticus 26:14-32   I.         This might come as shock, but have you noticed? The world is full of wicked people who are not nice.             A.        Why do the wicked behave as they do? II.        The wicked only care about themselves             A.        They despise their fellow man – Proverbs 14:21             B.        They only care about…

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Blessed in What He Does

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Blessed-in-What-He-Does.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:21-25   I.         Sin is the breaking of law – I John 3:4             A.        Sin is universally found in mankind – Romans 5:12             B.        Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also widespread             C.        Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will…

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In the Hour of Trial

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/In-the-Hour-of-Trial.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 22:54-62   I.         Without a doubt, Peter loved Jesus             A.        When others sat in the boat in fear, it was Peter who wanted to go out to meet Jesus – Matthew 14:28-31             B.        When Jesus spoke of his abandonment on the Mount of Olives – Matthew 26:31-32                         1.         Specifically Jesus told Peter…

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The Weapon of Fear

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Weapon-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 49   I.         Have you ever wondered why cowardice is the first sin list in Revelation 21:8?             A.        Being afraid is such a common thing that it seems it would be a minor concern             B.        But a major weapon in Satan’s arsenal is fear II.        Fear of the wrong thing can lead…

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God’s Distribution Plan

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gods-Distribution-Plan.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31   I.         God promised a kingdom that would never fall             A.        Daniel 7:13-14 – One that would never be destroyed             B.        Not so with human kingdoms                         1.         Every empire of the past has collapsed at some point                         2.         It has been noted that democracies tend not to last more than 200 years or so                         3.         People…

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Retaliation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Retaliation.mp3 Text: Romans 12:17-21   I.         When someone strikes you, what is the first impulse?             A.        Why, to strike back             B.        It has been with us since childhood. “I’ll get even!”                         1.         Therein is the core. We want to strike back because we feel justice has not be carried out             C.        But I’ve noticed that it is never an equal…

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My King

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/My-King.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Maintaining the Same Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Maintaining-the-Same-Love.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Origins of Denominations

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Over the years, I’ve done lessons that look at various issues that caused the rise of the various denominations that we see today. Rather than leaving them scattered, I’m gathering them up on a single page so that they will be more easily found. Where Did They All Come From? (Overview)…

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What Justice Requires

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/What-Justice-Requires.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 6:6-8   I.         The concept of justice is rarely applied evenly.             A.        Justice is the quality of being right or proper. It carries the idea of fair and equal treatment. There is no favoritism with justice. People get what they deserve.             B.        People want justice when they have been wronged. But…

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Rules for Prosperity and Success

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rules-for-Prosperity-and-Success.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 1:1-9   I.         Moses had died and Joshua now finds himself the leader of a nation about to conquer a land to claim as their own.             A.        God appears to Joshua and offers words of encouragement – Joshua 1:7-9             B.        The advise was excellent for Joshua, but it is also useful…

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Seeking the Things Above

Seeking the Things Above (Part 1)Seeking the Things Above (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-4   I.         So often we focus on winning souls for Christ that we lose sight that conversion is not the goal but the first step in a life long process of change – Colossians 2:6-7             A.        To stay with…

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Everlasting Punishment

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/connie_adams_everlasting_punishment.mp3 by Connie Adams

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The Meaning of Life: Where Are You Going?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Where-Are-You-Going.mp3 Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10   I.         Having a goal in mind gives direction to the choices that you must make.             A.        The meaning of life is more than what you are doing with your life right now. It is also where you are letting life take you.             B.        One thing is certain, you are going to die -…

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The Meaning of Life: Why Are You Here?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Why-Are-You-Here.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:6-21   I.         What is it that you are looking for out of life? What are you expecting?             A.        So many people never find contentment with their lives because they are expecting things that life cannot deliver.             B.        They decide they can’t be happy with life unless something changes                         1.         I’m…

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Parables on the Second Coming of Christ

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Parables-on-the-Second-Coming-of-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:1-11   I.         The early disciples longed for the return of Christ             A.        I Corinthians 16:19-24 – The term “maranatha” is a transliteration of the Greek, which was in turn transliterated from two Aramaic words. It literally means, “Our Lord come!”             B.        II Peter 3:10-12 – Looking for and hastening…

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We Are a Team

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/We-Are-a-Team.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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The Seasons of Life

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Seasons-of-Life.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8   I.         Solomon said, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” – Ecclesiastes 3:1             A.        Each moment in time, each phase of life, must be treated in a manner appropriate to the events – Ecclesiastes 3:11             B.        So many people create problems for themselves…

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The Meaning of Life: Where Did You Come From?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Where-Did-You-Come-From.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 11:25-36   I.         The age-old question: Why are we here?             A.        To answer the question well, we first need to consider how did we get to “here.”             B.        To do so begins to answer why we are “here.” II.        The prevalent answer today is to claim that it just happened             A.        Life is…

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The Better Way

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Better-Way.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 4:1-6   I.         What is accepted and praised in the world isn’t always what is best for people             A.        Jesus’s sermon on the mount began with startling facts – Matthew 5:3-12                         1.         When you take the opposites of what Jesus states brings true happiness, you find a list of things…

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The Source of Morality

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Source-of-Morality.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 2:12-16   I.         Where does the concept of right and wrong come from?             A.        Why are some things “right” and other things “wrong?”             B.        Paul points out that the Gentiles were able by nature to know right from wrong – Romans 2:14-15 II.        Where morality doesn’t come from             A.        Some people want to…

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I Will Bless the Lord at All Times

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Bless-the-Lord-at-All-Times.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 34   I.         We usually think about the victories of David and see his life through that lens             A.        He defeated Goliath             B.        He won amazing battles over the Philistines             C.        He became king over all of Israel             D.        But we forget how difficult David’s life was reaching that point II.        The situation             A.        King…

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Are You Ready for What God May Be Sending?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Are-You-Ready-for-What-God-May-Be-Sending.mp3 by Raymond Warfel There was mention of the President possibly having received treatment that involved fetal cells. This was checked after the sermon was presented and found to be not true, for which we are thankful. See Update: Here’s what is known about Trump’s COVID-19 treatment.

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Reasons to Glorify God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Reasons-to-Glorify-God.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Psalms 100

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Psalms-100.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 100   I.         There is a psalm which is specifically titled as one to be used for thanksgiving or during a thank offering, it is Psalms 100 II.        What you should do …             A.        Shout joyfully to the Lord                         1.         Some things are not meant to be kept in – Psalms 32:11;…

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With Gratitude in Our Hearts

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/With-Gratitude-In-Our-Hearts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:12-24 Suggested song: Count Your Blessings   I.         The Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19             A.        I’m sure all ten were happy to have been healed.             B.        Perhaps in their joy nine rushed off to tell their loved ones, but only one returned to say “thank you.”             C.        We get so caught…

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Should a Christian Vote?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Should-a-Christian-Vote.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 5:13-16   I.         David Lipscomb was a famous preacher from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s             A.        He wasn’t an apostle. He wasn’t inspired. But he was a knowledgeable man, and his words carried a lot of weight.             B.        He taught that it was a sin for a Christian to vote…

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I Will Give Thanks to You Forever

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Give-Thanks-to-You-Forever.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 30   I.         When nice things happen, we know we ought to be thankful             A.        Yet, in our happiness we too often forget – Luke 17:12-19             B.        However, in one of David’s Psalms, David contemplates other times we might not think of being thankful to God II.        In the depths of despair…

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Can We Trust the Text of the Bible?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Can-We-Trust-the-Text-of-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:12-21   I.         I was discussing with a gentleman about the location of a particular city mentioned in the Bible.             A.        He had found an old map that placed Baal Zephon on the Mediterranean Sea instead of on the edge of the Red Sea. Doesn’t this prove, he asked,…

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Foreshadowing

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Foreshadowing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 22:1-14   I.         A mark of a good writer is his use of foreshadows to give the reader a hint of what is to come later in the story             A.        It gives a sense of unity to a book, but it is difficult to do well. Small details must be…

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Homer Sometimes Nodded

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Homer-Sometimes-Nodded.mp3 Text: Numbers 23:18-19   I.         Horace (65 – 8 B.C.), a Latin poet, wrote “Sometimes even the noble Homer nods”             A.        Homer was a blind Greek poet of the eight century B.C. Know for the Illiad and the Odyssey.             B.        As accomplished as Homer was, he sometimes erred with reference to the facts of the incidents that…

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Biblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Arguments-Against-the-Bible.mp3 Text: I Peter 1:22-25   I.         The arguments have not changed much over the years. Same given today as hundreds of years ago. II.        All or Nothing             A.        Do we have to insist on total infallibility of the Scriptures?             B.        Some fear that one error would overthrow all of Christianity.             C.        However, if the writers of the Bible were…

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Present Your Case

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Present-Your-Case.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:21-22   I.         The Apostle Paul challenges Christians everywhere to prove all things – I Thessalonians 5:21-22             A.        Jude 3 tells us to contend earnestly for the faith             B.        I Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer to every question                         1.         The Greek word is the one…

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The Bible and Medical Science

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/The-Bible-and-Medical-Science.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 45:20-25   I.         We know that the Bible is God’s directions for mankind             A.        It is not a history book per se; that is, it doesn’t document all of world history. Just a small, but relevant portion.             B.        It is not a science book, but it does mention scientific facts once…

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