Miraculous Gifts

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Miraculous-Gifts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 3:1-11   I.         For decades many of the traditional denominations have been in decline.             A.        The more liberal the beliefs, the larger the decline. Those espousing conservative views show some growth. But the ones showing strong growth are the charismatic groups             B.        Name the largest groups in a region, and over…

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Conviction

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Conviction-1.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 11:37-54   I.         We live our lives avoiding disagreements             A.        We don’t like being told we are wrong             B.        We avoid causing other people to be upset with us                         1.         A Nebraska superintendent made the national news because she forbade references to Christmas in her school so as to not…

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Personal Sacrifice and Service

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Personal-Sacrifice-and-Service.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:17-18   I.         Paul often discussed the topic of unity in his letters to the various churches.             A.        Unity based having the same goals and the same standards – Romans 15:5; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:11-15             B.        Paul’s letter to the Philippians is…

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God’s Invitation

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 1:16-20   I.         As mentioned in the text, God offers invitations to people to examine what He is able to provide             A.        Jesus gave a similar invitation – Matthew 11:28-30 II.        No one has to be lost             A.        Everyone sins – Romans 3:23             B.        And the result is that we die – Romans 6:23…

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Be Not Dismayed

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Be-Not-Dismayed.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton   I.         Jeremiah came in the worse days of Judah’s history             A.        Corruption was everywhere – Jeremiah 6:13-15             B.        Jeremiah was told from his youth to preach the truth – Jeremiah 1:4-8             C.        But that didn’t make it easy. Jeremiah was opposed most of his life                         1.         After a prophecy in the Temple…

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Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Stand-Up-Stand-Up-for-Jesus.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 10:32-39   I.         Allen Webster tells the following story,             A.        “The municipal auditorium was full. The speech by the noted atheist was powerful. After a bombardment of the Bible, there came a moment of choice. If you still believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, stand…

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Which Church Is Right?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:4-6   I.         How do we measure “right”?             A.        We must settle on a standard.             B.        If God is the only God and the Bible is His teachings                         1.         Then truth and error are as distinct as light and dark – I John 1:5; James 1:17-18                         2.         The same source tells us that we…

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Meditation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Meditation.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 119:145-152   I.         It is one of those minor points brought out by the Bible; a seemingly incidental detail that you almost overlook – Genesis 24:63             A.        Isaac took a stroll in the evening in a field to meditate.                         1.         We are given a hint as to why in…

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Learning from God

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Habakkuk 2:20   I.         If God is the only true God and the Bible is His teachings             A.        Then truth and error are as distinct as light and dark – I John 1:5; James 1:17-18             B.        We will face our God to be judged – Romans 2:6 II.        Can we then decide what parts…

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They’re Out to Get You!

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Theyre-Out-to-Get-You.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 8:9-15   I.         A while ago, when popular opinion was shifting against the then current president, the president’s wife blamed the shift on the presence of “a vast right-wing conspiracy.”             A.        The world is filled with people who fear that secret societies or groups are colluding to manipulate…

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Controlling Our Emotions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Controlling-Our-Emotions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 7:18-23   I.         From the heart comes the emotions which affect all aspects of our life – Proverbs 4:23             A.        We can poison the well with evil thoughts – Mark 7:20-23             B.        We can sweeten it with righteous ideals – Philippians 4:4-9             C.        It affects our outlook on life – Proverbs 15:13…

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Uncleanness

Uncleanness (Part 1)Uncleanness – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:1-8   I.         Under the Old Testament, there are a series of rules dealing with unclean things             A.        I am finding that people are condemning as unclean things that God never mentioned.             B.        The rules confuse people, mostly because they do not understand what uncleanness was…

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Why Blood?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Why-Blood.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Hebrews 9:15-22   I.         Let’s look at Hebrews 9:22             A.        Have you considered, “Why blood?”                         1.         If I wanted to clean something, blood is not the first thing that I would think of using. Blood stains are often difficult to remove.             B.        How is it that remission of sin requires the…

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Preaching

by John Iverson Introduction Even those who have a vague idea of what the Bible teaches know preaching is ordained of God (Titus 1:1-3) Some of the greatest men who have ever lived were proclaimers of God’s Word. Noah (II Peter 2:5) Solomon (Ecclesiastes 1:1) Paul (I Timothy 2:7) Jesus (Luke 4:18-19)   Some of…

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God’s Remedy for Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gods-Remedy-for-Sin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 58:1-11   I.         In our Scripture reading, God has Isaiah loudly proclaim the sins of His people.             A.        A fact that surprises the Israelites.                         1.         They delight in knowing God. They consider themselves righteous and followers of God’s Word.                         2.         They delight in the nearest of God, but God doesn’t…

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Why Israel Fell

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-Israel-Fell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 9:1-7   I.         The prophet Isaiah told the people that the Messiah was coming.             A.        He would bring righteousness to all the nations and remove the burdens of sin             B.        He would establish a new government, one that would last forever             C.        The people of Israel foolishly thought that the…

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Roles in Salvation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/10/Roles-in-Salvation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ephesians 2:1-10   I.         There are many misleading claims in the denominations regarding salvation             A.        Most of the misconceptions come because people only look at some of the verses regarding salvation.             B.        They find verses which says we are saved by God’s grace and then trumpet that salvation is solely…

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Church and State: Rituals

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Church-and-State-Rituals.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Mark 7:1-8   I.         In a world where being born in a region determined your religious faith, the Christian approach was novel             A.        Christians taught a message from God to bring people into the church – Mark 16:20                         1.         It wasn’t just taking people at their word. It was confirmed…

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Fault Finding

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fault-Finding.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:11-18   I.         The golden rule – Romans 13:9-10             A.        Much of our life is involved in relating to other people.                         1.         We need the cooperation of others in so many ways.                         2.         And so many people are just plain hard to get along with.             B.        God’s laws are easily summed up…

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My Sin Is Always Before Me

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/My-Sin-Is-Always-Before-Me.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 9   I.         God is Holy, but we fall short             A.        Sin is a not a part of the nature of God – I John 1:5             B.        To be in fellowship with God, we also must without sin – I John 1:6-7                         1.         But notice that God is not expecting…

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Church and State: Worldliness

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Church-and-State-Worldliness.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11   I.         When people blended the church and the state, the ramifications are broad             A.        The belief was that society cannot hold together without everyone being bound together by a common religion             B.        When it is expected that everyone living in a nation belongs to the church, what…

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Church and State: Civil Enforcement of Religion

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Church-and-State-Civil-Enforcement-of-Religion.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 110   I.         By merging the church and state, the state received a “weapon” to promote loyalty int its citizens             A.        But the church also began using the state as a “weapon” to enforce its teachings             B.        Psalms 110 is a prophecy about Christ conquering the nations. I’m sure the Catholic…

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Church and State: The Problem

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Church-and-State-The-Problem.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 2:13-17   I.         It is easy to forget that the relationship between church and state that we have today did not exist when Christ entered the world             A.        Most societies in the past were held together by a common religious loyalty             B.        The Babylonians expected everyone in their…

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Mistakes in Religion

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mistakes-in-Religion.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:13-29   I.         How do you find the truth?             A.        People use numerous ways, but usually they revolve around avoiding effort II.        Following the Majority – Matthew 7:13-14             A.        You see this in many areas of life.                         1.         If most people say something, then it is assumed to be true             B.        Religion…

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Amazing Grace

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Amazing-Grace.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10   I.         John Newton was born in England in 1725             A.        Before he reached the age of seven, his mother died.             B.        His father remarried and John was sent off to a boarding school             C.        At the age of 11, John left school to become a sailor on his…

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The Wrath of God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Wrath-of-God.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 10:26-31   I.         Romans 1:18 warn of the wrath of God being revealed. How is His wrath revealed? II.        God directly takes action             A.        God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in His wrath – Deuteronomy 29:23             B.        When people grumbled against Moses, God sent a plague – Numbers 16:42-46 III.       God allows…

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Cults

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cults.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Timothy 3:1-9   I.         Cults periodically make the news.             A.        It is unfortunate that gullible people exist, willing to believe anything that will bring them contentment within themselves. Some people are willing to suspend all reason to have some hope.                         1.         John 8:44 – Satan leads many away with…

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The Purpose of the Church

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Purpose-of-the-Church.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16   I.         Have you paused to consider why the church exists?             A.        It appears to me that many of the problems faced by congregations stem from a lack of understanding the purpose of the church             B.        I looked at material from various denominations.                         1.         One, after getting a…

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Names for God’s People

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Names-for-Gods-People.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 62:1-5   I.             Names hold a particular significance in the Bible                 A.           When a child is born in this country, parents agonize on picking out just the right name.                                  1.             Often the name is selected because it has a nice “ring” to it                                  2.             Because a favorite relative has the…

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Jesus is the “I AM”

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-Is-The-I-AM.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.          Many religions cast doubts on the deity of Jesus              A.         Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is the first creation of God.              B.         Muslims see Jesus as nothing more than a significant prophet, much like Moses.              C.         Probably the best analysis of who is Jesus is found in the book of John. II.         The evidence…

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Care for the Weak

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Care-for-the-Weak.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 12:9-21   I.         Even a casual reading of the Gospels brings up an noticeable and odd fact, Jesus would heal and then charge the people to tell no one.             A.        Why?                         1.         First, Jesus did not need any advertisement. His presence was sufficient.                         2.         Second, Jesus did not want people following just…

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God’s Glory in Concealed Things

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Gods-Glory-in-Concealed-Things.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 97   I.         When men wish for the glory of other men, they highlight the things that they do             A.        When we want a promotion or a pay raise, we present to our bosses lists of how we benefitted the company. We make sure the boss notices the good things…

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Taking Courage

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Taking-Courage-1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 28:1-16   I.         Suppose your boss never gave you any feedback concerning your job. You come in, do your job and leave, but you never hear a word of criticism or praise.             A.        It almost sounds like the ideal job. But I think most people would soon find it to…

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By What Power?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/By-What-Power.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 4:1-12   I.         There is a appeal to being your own boss, to do your own thing, and not answer to anyone             A.        You can see it during the times of the Judges – Judges 21:25                         1.         Yet, it is a period marked by the Israelites’ behavior going from bad to…

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The Deity of Christ While on Earth

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Deity-of-Christ-While-on-Earth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:5-8   I.         A debate arose among brethren concerning the nature of Christ several decades ago             A.        I watched the debates rage. It is easy to see that both sides stretch the position of the other as they attempt to justify their belief.                         1.         It does not affect a person’s salvation…

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Why Christ Is Worthy of Praise

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Why-Christ-Is-Worthy-of-Praise.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 1:1-14   I.         Christ has been appointed heir of all things             A.        Everything belonging to the Father are Christ’s – John 16:15             B.        The nations were given to him as an inheritance – Psalms 2:8             C.        All things are gathered together under his rule – Ephesians 1:10             D.        All Christians are his inheritance…

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What Kind of Life Do You Want?

by Dennis Abernathy I recently read this observation about today’s society: “Modern society wants entertainment instead of enrichment and a ‘good time’ rather than a ‘good life.'” Sadly, we see this played out in many people’s lives, and none of us are immune to the temptation to want the same. Instead of being spiritually enriched,…

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Hebrews: Encouragement to Remain Faithful

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hebrews-Encouragement-to-Remain-Faithful.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 10:19-25   I.         The book of Hebrews interleaves evidence of the superiority of Christ, His covenant, and His church with encouragement to the brethren to remain faithful.             A.        After giving evidence that Jesus is God’s son, the writer said – Hebrews 2:1-4             B.        Jesus was a faithful son and so must…

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Morality Without Godliness

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 6:24-31   I.         Some people have a pretty good sense of morality and yet are not interested in following God             A.        For example, not all atheists are immoral people             B.        But there is a problem with the consistency of their moral standards. II.        Jehoram             A.        Jehoram was not a good man, but his…

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