Sermon
Overcoming Emotional Problems
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Overcoming-Emotional-Problems.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Philippians 4:4-9 I. It is a simple idea; so simple, you probably think it is obvious. Yet, the ramifications are far reaching. A. How we think influences our emotions 1. It is profound because the world sees it the other way around. 2. In the world emotions dictates behavior and…
Read MoreUnited in Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/United-in-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Acts 10:34-43 I. Our Lord and Savior prayed before his death – John 17:13-26 A. It was his desire that we would share the same oneness that he and the Father shared. B. It is a oneness based in love C. If we are committed to Christ’s idea then the…
Read MorePaul’s Fears (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Pauls-Fears.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: II Corinthians 7:4-7 I. What causes you to be afraid? A. Most of us face fears at different points of our lives. B. Most of our fears come from things that we cannot control or things we cannot foresee. More fear is born of our imagination than is found…
Read MoreBravery
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bravery.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: I Samuel 14:6-14 I. When we were teenagers, my brother, after a history class, pointed out that wars are cyclic. They tend to break out once per generation. A. If a war appeared glamorous and popular, the next war would come sooner B. If a war was bitter and…
Read MoreIn Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/09/In-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: II John I. Truth is Jesus Christ – John 14:6 A. The book of II John expands on this idea B. The book is written by the Apostle, and Elder, John C. To whom it is addressed has been debated 1. Some see “elect lady” as a symbol of the church,…
Read MoreOnward and Upward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Onward-and-Upward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Philippians 3:12-17 I. Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ – I Corinthians 11:1 A. Paul taught us in practical terms how to live as followers of Christ while he did so in his own life. B. Paul had numerous accomplishments in his past -…
Read MoreThe Temptations of Jesus
The Temptations of Jesus: Changing Stones into BreadThe Temptations of Jesus (Part 2)The Temptations of Jesus (3) The Pinnacle of the Temple by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 4:1-13 I. We all face temptations – I Corinthians 10:13 A. But Satan’s power to tempt is limited. He only has so many tricks to use. B. Consider the…
Read MoreDwelling in the Spirit
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dwelling-in-the-Spirit.mp3 Download Audio by Darrell Hamilton Loading… Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [92.15 KB]
Read MoreThe Silver Thermometer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Silver-Thermometer.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hosea 6:4-11 I. When we want to know whether it is hot or cold outside, we check a thermometer to see the temperature. A. Today we have digital devices, but before that we had very fine glass tubes with either red-tinted alcohol or silver mercury in them. Mercury is a…
Read MoreAn Industrious Worker
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/An-Industrious-Worker.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Proverbs 24:30-34 I. The Bible commends diligent work A. Jacob had his faults, but one thing we notice is that he was an industrious worker 1. Genesis 31:38-39 – A summary of his work record. a. Prosperous growth in herds b. No miscarriages in 20 years c. No losses from wild animals…
Read MoreBeyond Our Strength
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Beyond-Our-Strength.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 1:3-11 I. After Gideon crushed the Midian and captured two of its kings: Zebah and Zalmunna – Judges 8:12 A. After admitting that they were involved in the killing of the men of Tabor, Gideon reveals that they had killed his brothers, and then orders their execution -…
Read MoreRunning with the Horses
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Running-with-the-Horses.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 11:1-17 I. Proverbs 14:10 A. Each of us carry burdens in this life – problems which are difficult to bear. 1. They cause us anxiety and disturb our sleep if we dwell on them. 2. We try to put them out of our mind, but suddenly a seemingly unrelated event will…
Read MoreOne Another
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-Another.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Romans 12:9-13 I. We are an individualistic society, but we recognize the need to work together to achieve goals. A. We form companies to manufacture goods B. We have governments to coordinate society C. There are aspects of Christianity that I am responsible for as an individual, but it is…
Read MoreIf Anyone Desires to Follow Me
by Luiz Felipe Lima De Albuquerque Text: Psalms 73:21-28 “If anyone desires to follow me and loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life more than me, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). “Christ is not truly valued unless He is valued above all else” [Augustine]. It’s easy…
Read MoreThe Day of Death
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/08/The-Day-of-Death.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-6 I. As gloomy as it may sound, there are few things guaranteed in life, but I can say for certain that barring our Lord’s return, you will die. A. Death is a fact of life. Those who are born will eventually die. B. And life is short…
Read MoreIs There Meaning to My Life?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Is-There-Meaning-to-My-Life-1.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14 I. What will have changed because you have lived? A. People have longed wondered what the meaning of life is, but I think it more important to consider what meaning there is in your life. II. What is your life? A. Perhaps a strange beginning to the question.…
Read MoreJeroboam’s Golden Calves
by Clay Gentry Imagine God handing you immense power, a kingdom, and a divine promise of an enduring legacy. What would you do to keep it? Would you trust His word, or would you take matters into your own hands, even if it meant compromising the truth? This isn’t a modern political thriller; it’s the…
Read MoreThe Age of Accountability
by Brent Hunter Introduction This is a controversial subject because the Bible does not specify an age at which one becomes accountable for his sins. So in one sense, there is no specific “age of accountability.” The age of accountability varies from person to person, depending on what they have been taught, the development of…
Read MoreRemember Your Creator
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/10/Remember-Your-Creator.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7 I. Have you made something? (No, no, besides that mess in your room.) Something that originated in your own mind and formed with your own hands. A. As creative as we are, man only takes existing things and joins them in new ways. B. The ancient language…
Read MoreGod’s Proof of His Existence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Gods-Proof-of-His-Existence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Exodus 3:1-6 I. Perhaps you have heard statements to the effect that the Bible doesn’t try to prove that God exists. It simply assumes the existence of God. A. At the beginning of the Bible we read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis…
Read MoreEvidence of a Creator
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Evidence-of-a-Creator.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Romans 1:18-22 I. There are so many hints present in this world that it is surprising that they are often overlooked. A. But people have this tendency to only see what they expect to see B. And we have a school system that pushes agendas instead of teaching students…
Read MoreIs Science the Source of Truth? (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Is-Science-the-Source-of-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31 I. Mankind has long fooled themselves into thinking they can accurately determine the truth A. We call this search for Truth “Science” 1. “Knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method.” – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 2. “Science…
Read MoreDoes It Matter?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Does-It-Matter.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Genesis 1 I. The teaching of evolution has made significant inroads in the beliefs of common man A. In 1999 Gallup found 1. 47% believed in a recent, special creation 2. 40% believed in a God-directed form of evolution 3. 9% believe a strictly natural-caused evolution B. In 2024 Gallup found 1. 37%…
Read MoreObserving the Sabbath
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Observing-the-Sabbath.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 3:1-11 I. A well-known, active group is the Seventh-Day Adventist A. They hold an odd mixture of beliefs: 1. They won’t accept medical treatment, relying solely on prayer instead; 2. They believe in modern-day prophecy, making many wild claims that never seem to come true; 3. And they hold to the…
Read MoreThe Greatest Commandment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Greatest-Commandment.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 22:34-40 I. From among the Pharisees, a lawyer came to Jesus to put him to the test. A. He asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” B. A difficult question, given the large number of commands found in the Old Testament. 1. How do you decide which is greater than…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Supper
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Lords-Supper.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 11:17-34 I. It is a covenant meal A. Luke 22:19-20 – The cup is the new covenant B. A covenant that is taken with us in the kingdom – Matthew 26:28-29 C. Covenants were often sealed with a meal shared between the two parties. 1. Jacob and Laban’s covenant…
Read MoreAn Introduction to the Ten Commandments
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/An-Introduction-to-the-Ten-Commandments.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 20:1-18 I. Thousands of years ago, God gave Israel a law that has impacted the laws of mankind ever since. A. John Adams wrote, “As much as I love, esteem, and admire the Greeks, I believe the Hebrews have done more to enlighten and civilize the world.…
Read More1>99
by Clay Gentry In Luke 15:3, Jesus poses a simple question that pierces through the layers of our comfort and complacency: “What man among you…?” Even though it’s the opener to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus isn’t asking about animals; he’s focusing on people. He’s challenging us to examine our hearts. Are we…
Read MoreJesus Is God
Jesus Is GodJesus Is God – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:11-14 I. The religious world holds diverse views in regards to Jesus A. Is he a man or God? Or is it possible for him to be both? B. Oneness Pentecostals argue that there is only one God, and his name is Jesus.…
Read MoreWhy Does John Mention that Jesus Wept?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Why-Does-John-Mention-that-Jesus-Wept.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 11:17-44 I. Ask someone even slightly familiar with the Bible what the shortest verse is and they can tell you: “Jesus wept.” – John 11:35 A. I was reading an article by Phil Gardner and he asked an interesting question, “Why does John show us a weeping Jesus?” 1. Not,…
Read MoreGod Appeared in the Flesh
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/God-Appeared-in-the-Flesh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16 I. Before the first century ended, several varieties of false teachings arose. A. One set has been referred to as the gnostics. The name derives from the Greek word for “knowledge.” – I Timothy 6:20-21 B. These were a diverse group, but they were tied by a belief…
Read MoreGod’s Servant
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gods-Servant.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 49:1-9 I. Several passages in the latter part of Isaiah discuss the role that a person, referred to as “My Servant” would accomplish on behalf of God. A. As we read through the passages, we need to keep in mind that Isaiah was written before the Babylonian…
Read MoreThe Living Intercessor
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Living-Intercessor.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Hebrews 7:11-25 I. The need for an intercessor A. Fear 1. Have you ever been so nervous that you said, “I can’t talk to him! You go and talk to him.” 2. Exodus 19:14-20 – When the people met the Lord God, it was a frightening experience. 3. So much so…
Read MoreThe Glory of the Son
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Glory-of-the-Son.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 16:21-28 I. To the dismay of his disciples, Jesus began to speak of his pending death. (See also Mark 8:31-9:1 and Luke 9:21-27) A. They did not realize how important that death was to the plans of God, and when Peter declared that God would not allow such a…
Read MoreChrist, the Conqueror
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Christ-the-Conqueror.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 110 I. The Jews long looked for the Messiah of God A. They saw him as a leader, like David, who would throw out the oppressive Gentiles and restore Israel to its glory days B. However, Jesus was not the conqueror they expected 1. They even tried to force Jesus and…
Read MoreSatan’s Devices
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Introduction The Devil is real and out to get us (I Peter 5:8). His will not be a frontal assault; he will get us with his tools and his devices of deception. He does have devices (cf. II Corinthians 2:11). It will…
Read MoreRepentance: The Power of a Contrite Heart
by Terry Wane Benton Few churches today preach repentance, and fewer people who attend churches are actually repenting. It is more like people are joining clubs (called “churches”) but not actually repenting toward God and repenting of sins. The Lord preached repentance and expects His church to preach repentance and actually repent in their heart…
Read MoreConfession of Wrongdoing
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Confession-of-Wrongdoing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 32 I. Each time we gather, we offer an invitation to those who desire to become Christians to do so without delay. We also offer an opportunity for those who desire the prayers of their brethren to make that desire known. A. At times brethren use that opportunity to…
Read MoreNarrow-Minded Beliefs
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Narrow-Minded-Beliefs.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 6:1-8 I. At times when I study with someone, I’m told that taking a firm stance on certain matters is legalism. People believe that religion is supposed to be about accepting other people, no matter what they believe (well, within reason). A. When you insist that only one way…
Read MoreTake Heed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Take-Heed.mp3 by Jeffey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:6-16 I. The books of I and II Timothy and Titus are instruction manuals for preachers A. If you think a moment, there isn’t another role in the church that is discussed at such length 1. And this is besides the numerous comments regarding preaching that appears in the…
Read More