The Difference One Can Make

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Difference-One-Can-Make.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 4   I.         In studying Proverbs, I came across one verse that stood out to me – Proverbs 28:2             A.        When a country is given over to sin, they tend to go through rulers rapidly                         1.         Israel exemplifies this. There are periods where the northern kingdom when through four or five…

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Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Sowing-in-Tears-Reaping-in-Joy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 126   I.         Psalm 126 is one of a series of psalms devoted to the return of the Israelites from captivity.             A.        The sadness of the captivity made the joy of return to freedom so much greater.             B.        It is the end of this psalm which captures a truth for each…

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The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Parable-of-the-Vineyard-Workers.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:1-16   I.         When speaking of the nature of our heavenly reward, the parable of the vineyard workers is often cited to prove that each will receive a similar heavenly reward.             A.        Whether a Christian has lived a long life serving the Lord, or only found the Lord late in…

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Carpe Diem – Seize the Day

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carpe-Diem.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 4:9-12   I.         “Carpe Diem” is from a poem written in Latin by Horace. It means “seize the day.”             A.        The point of the poem is that a person does not know what the future holds so one should make the most of the what a person has at…

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Work as for the Lord

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Work-as-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-16   I.         Why should you work?             A.        I had a friend that inherited a large sum of money before he was 18. There was enough cash available that he could live comfortably off the interest the money would generate for the rest of his life. Why should he…

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It Takes Effort

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/It-Takes-Effort.mp3 Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-11   I.         How many of us truly enjoy working?             A.        I, like many of us, dream of times when we can take a moment off and do nothing in particular             B.        Yet, I don’t like to be idle for long. It grates on my nerves. II.        In the beginning             A.        Man has always had work…

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Traditions, Traditions!

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Traditions-Traditions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 2:13-15   I.         When two people have a disagreement, there is a strong desire to label the position of the other person.             A.        Often this makes the discussion easier. A word or short phrase is easier to repeat than a long detailed description of the exact belief.             B.        The problem…

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Will There be a Rapture?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Will-There-Be-a-Rapture.mp3 Text: I Thessalonians 4:13-18   I.         People have always been fascinated with the second coming of Christ             A.        That fascination increased greatly as the 21st century approached.             B.        A very popular series, called “Left Behind” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins claims to tell the events of Christ’s return in fictional form. The books were written…

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