Sermon – La Vista Church of Christ

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 03 May 2026 19:23:09 +0000

Bless the Lord, O My Soul - Part 1 Bless the Lord, O My Soul - Part 2

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 103

I. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t get someone asking me:

A. Do you think I can be forgiven of my sin?

B. How can I know I’ve been forgiven?

C. I live in fear that I might have overlooked something and God is going to condemn me for doing something I didn’t know was wrong.

D. At the core of each of these question is the same misunderstanding of the nature of God.

1. Each imagines God as harsh and unrelenting, just waiting for another to slip up so he can be removed.

2. There is no trust or remembrance of God’s love

E. After talking about those who return to sin - Hebrews 6:4-6

1. The writer reminds us that God wants us saved - Hebrews 6:9-15

2. The fact that the world continues is a testament to God’s patience - II Peter 3:9

3. God’s goal is salvation for each man - Ezekiel 18:21-23

II. David looked at his relationship with God and found cause to sing out in praise of his God - Psalms 103:1

A. The benefits God gives - Psalms 103:2-5

1. We try not to, but so often we forget to keep in mind why we became children of God in the first place.

a. Was it not because God offered us salvation? - Romans 5:8

b. He demonstrated love toward us - John 3:16

c. He initiated love - I John 4:18

2. Pardons all our iniquities

a. The Lord has power to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - I John 1:9

b. There is no sin from which God cannot forgive or is unwilling to forgive

c. If a sin is unforgiven, then it is because man, not God, who will not let go of his sin and humble himself before his God - Romans 6:17; Hebrews 5:8-9

d. The invitation for freedom is open - Revelation 22:17

3. Heals all our diseases

a. Physical maladies are not what is foremost in David’s mind, though God did design the human body and provides us with health from disease.

b. I believe here David is referring to recovery from the consequences of our sin

(1) Our sins damage us - Psalms 38:1-7

(2) God provides a cure - Psalms 107:17-22

c. He relieves us of the mental anguish that we inflict on ourselves - Psalms 147:3

4. Redeems your life

a. We have sold ourselves into sin - Romans 7:14, 24

b. Worse, we willingly sold ourselves for nothing - Isaiah 52:3

c. God bought us back, paying an unimaginable price - I Peter 1:18-19

5. Crowns you

a. As if the aforementioned were not enough, God has given us a crown of glory - I Peter 5:4

b. A crown of life - James 1:12

c. A crown of righteousness awaits us - II Timothy 4:8

d. God, in His mercy and compassion, has invited you and I to reign with Him - Revelation 3:21

6. Satisfies you

a. The exact translation of the first half of Psalms 103:5 is disputed, but it contains the idea that God satisfies desire or brings satisfaction though our years. The later is more likely since it is being compared to youth.

b. The idea is that even as we grow older, we get younger on the inside.

(1) Psalms 92:13-15 - Fresh and flourishing

(2) Continual energy - Isaiah 40:31

(3) Outward man decays while inward man is renewed - II Corinthians 4:16

c. This is because God takes care of us

(1) Satisfied with goodness - Psalms 65:4

(2) Filled with good - Psalms 104:28; 107:9

B. God’s dealings with man - Psalms 103:6-13

1. God takes up the task of bringing justice to the oppressed

a. God cares for even the lowest of His people - Psalms 72:4;146:7

2. He teaches His ways - Psalms 19:7-11

a. We aren’t left to guess what God requires of us. He has told us.

b. II Peter 1:3 - everything pertaining to life and godliness

3. His character is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and merciful

a. This is a quote from Exodus 34:6-7

(1) It is repeated many times through the Old Testament

(2) The children of Israel sinned by worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Sinai getting God’s law for the people.

(3) God was ready to wiped the people out and restart with Moses - Exodus 32:9-10

(4) But Moses interceded and God relented - Exodus 32:14

(5) And when the tablets were replaced, God revealed why He put up with the Israelites.

b. But not to the point of doting

(1) It would be dangerous to misinterpret God’s longsuffering and compassion for someone who overlooks all faults like a dotting grandfather.

(2) Exodus 34:7 emphasizes that the guilty will not be let off the hook

(3) But neither does He give up on us

(a) Else we would not survive - Isaiah 57:16

(b) He delights in mercy - Micah 7:18-19

c. He gives us less than we deserve

(1) Else again, we would not survive - Psalms 130:3

(2) Punishment is given, but lighter than deserved - Ezra 9:13

d. He is very merciful to those who fear Him - Ephesians 2:4-7

e. He has removed our sins far from us

(1) How far is east from west? No matter how far you go, it is still further.

(2) How thoroughly does God forgive us?

(a) Sins won’t be found - Jeremiah 50:20

(b) It is no longer remembered - Isaiah 43:25

f. He treats us with compassion as a father his children

(1) God is willing to spare - Malachi 3:17

(2) Illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son - Luke 15:21-22

C. The permanence of God’s love - Psalms 103:14-19

1. God knows the frailty of man

a. We don’t last long - Psalms 78:39

b. We are like wild flowers - Isaiah 40:6-8

c. We are a morning mist - James 4:14

2. In contrast, God’s compassion is permanent

a. Not an unqualified, unconditional love

b. An everlasting love - Jeremiah 31:3

c. God doesn’t give up like men do. His is a continual mercy - Psalms 100:5

d. A just righteousness - Romans 3:21-25

3. It is given to those who keep His covenant - Psalms 25:8-10

a. He taught us His ways - Psalms 119:9-11

b. We are to walk in them - I Thessalonians 4:1

c. We are to be steadfast as God - I Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 1:23

4. God’s reign is permanent and He is in control

D. The response of all - Psalms 103:20-22

III. David answers those questions

A. Do you think I can be forgiven?

1. A resounding “YES!”

2. God could do no less for you and remain faithful to His character

B. Is God going to condemn me if I missed something?

1. If you are living by His teachings, and learning day by day

2. When you come across wrongs and you confess them and correct them

3. Then God knows you. He knows what you understand. He knows your limits, and He is rich in compassion and mercy

4. I John 1:5-2:2

C. How can I know I’ve been forgiven?

1. Because you can see all the effort God has expended to secure your forgiveness

2. I John 2:3-6

D. Where is your faith in the God of all creation?

The Change Starts With Me

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:20:18 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/The-Change-Starts-With-Me.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Psalms 64

I. Years ago, I was reading the posts from a discussion

A. As it tends to happen, the topic strayed from the discussion group’s stated purpose. The area the discussion strayed into was hotly contested.

1. Some people became annoyed that everyone didn’t agree with their view.

2. Others became angry that the off-topic discussion was allowed to go for so long.

B. A few stated their desire to leave the group because it wasn’t encouraging enough.

C. This grabbed my notice.

1. A person who is a part of the group complains that it wasn’t encouraging.

2. That may have been true, but it was also self-condemning.

3. That person was a part of the group who wasn’t encouraging!

D. It struck me once again how often people complain about others doing the very same thing they are doing.

II. The Jews of Paul’s day complained heavily about the sinfulness of the Gentiles - Romans 2:1-8

A. Paul told them that in condemning the Gentiles they were condemning themselves.

B. Their judgement of the Gentiles was accurate, but they did not see that the same judgement applied to their own lives. - Romans 2:2-3

C. The Jews were not wrong in condemning the sins of the Gentiles. Their sin was thinking they were not a part of the problem - Romans 2:17-24.

1. If stealing is wrong, then all thievery is wrong.

2. If adultery is wrong, then all adultery is wrong.

D. Paul proved that all had sin - Romans 3:23

III. The thing is that we are no better today.

A. Oh, we all acknowledge we are sinners, but so often we condemn the sins of others by condemning ourselves.

1. How often have you heard someone say that a congregation is not friendly enough, that they do not show enough hospitality, or that there is not enough love?

2. Yet the one making the charge is supposed to be a part of the congregation.

3. That means that person is not friendly, isn’t hospitable, and doesn’t show love.

B. This is why Jesus warned that before making judgment, we must first examine ourselves - Matthew 7:1-5

1. The judgment is not wrong, but understand that if you know something is wrong, then God is just in condemning you for doing what you condemn in others.

2. David illustrates this well in his anger over a story the prophet Nathan presented to him - II Samuel 12:1-9

a. David demonstrated that he understood right and wrong in this matter when he condemned the taking of a poor man’s sheep.

b. In his condemnation of another, he condemned himself.

3. The Jews of Jesus’ day built memorials to the prophets of old

a. By doing so, they showed their belief that the prophets were righteous men bringing the message of God.

b. Yet, these same prophets were killed by their own ancestors. It wasn’t intended, but Jesus said they condemned their fathers as murderers of the righteous - Matthew 23:29-35

c. They demonstrated that they knew that what was done to the prophets of old was wrong.

d. Yet these people killed the prophet, John the Baptist.

e. They opposed the teachings of Jesus

f. It all showed that they were no different from their ancestors.

g. Soon they would kill the Son of God and persecute God’s people.

h. The destruction of Jerusalem was justice and they knew it.

4. Recall the parable of the talents.

a. The man who only had one talent, hid his master’s money - Luke 19:20-21

b. The master said his own words condemned him - Luke 19:22-23

c. He accurately knew the requirements of his master, but he did not act in accordance to that knowledge.

IV. The words of the fool snares them

A. The tongue is hard to control - James 3:2

B. Therefore it is not surprising that the evil will often make mistakes with their words - Proverbs 12:13; 18:7

C. Their own tongue is against them - Psalms 64:8

D. It is done by talk that is not matched by associations or actions - Psalms 50:16-21

E. They call on the Lord but are not obedient - Luke 6:46-49

F. You know them by what they produce - Matthew 7:15-20

G. This is why a factious man, one who willfully separates himself from the teachings of Christ, is self-condemned - Titus 3:10-11

V. Near the end of college, my brother Darrell and I took a trip into New England. On a Wednesday evening we visited a congregation in Bangor, Maine. It was obvious that something was wrong. People were visibly distraught. Even though we were visitors, no one shook our hands or bade us welcome. Darrell looked at me and said, “Perhaps we should do something.” I agreed. We went up to people and began introducing ourselves as if we were the locals and they were the visitors. We asked them what they did. I asked about jobs in the area and the local industry. Before long the ice was broken and people were chatting away. We found a family who were close friends of a member in our home congregation. We ended up being invited over for lemonade and had a wonderful evening.

A. Sure, we could have left and rightly said that the congregation wasn’t friendly.

B. But if we did, we would have also shown ourselves as unfriendly.

C. The responsibility for improvement falls on my shoulders because I recognized the problem.

D. To complain and do nothing is to mark myself as a fool.

What is God’s Will for Me? Part 4: Making a Decision

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:11 +0000

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Proverbs 16:1-9

I. What makes a decision a good one?

A. Is every decision a moral choice?

1. Should I have chocolate or strawberry ice cream?

B. How do I tell when a choice is personal and when it is moral?

C. Jesus said that all of God’s laws fall into two categories - Matthew 22:36-40

1. Therefore, the first question is whether God said something on the matter

2. The second question is whether it impacts other people

3. Finally, we are left with what do I prefer

D. There is no right or wrong question. This is just something to think about and answer if you want.

1. Do you think most young people today make good choices?

2. Did you make good choices when you were young?

3. Do you think you make good choices most of the time?

E. Is there only one correct answer for every decision we face?

II. Steps to making a choice

A. First, identify what needs to be decided

1. To make a choice, only to find out that it wasn’t even the question doesn’t help

B. Second, identify what are your options

1. This is where you need advice from others - Proverbs 15:22

C. In choices, you will gain something or lose something. Therefore, the third step is to look at what changes as a result of each option

D. Now that I know what I’m working with, I need to see what God said about a matter

1. Our goal is to be pleasing to God - II Corinthians 5:9

2. II Timothy 2:15 - Work at being approved by God

3. Proverbs 19:8 - Get wisdom

4. God’s advice stands - Proverbs 19:21

5. There are choices that don’t matter to God

a. What color clothing you decide to wear today

b. Whether you eat meat - Romans 14:2-4

c. Whether you get married - I Corinthians 7:27-28

E. Next, I need to consider how it impacts other people

F. Then you make your choice

III. Too often, we have to make quick choices. We don’t have time to do a full analysis.

A. But if you practice this, then it becomes easier each time.

B. We still must make choices, and some will be tough - Philippians 1:21-26

1. Notice that Paul picked the lesser path because he saw the need to remain

2. In other words, we don’t always need to pick the optimal path

C. We don’t always choose the path of least resistance

1. Sometimes choices are made despite having to give up opportunities - II Corinthians 2:12-13

2. Sometimes plans are made despite hindrances and difficulties - Romans 1:13

D. What I choose won’t alter God’s plans - Esther 4:13-14

1. It would be arrogance to think that man could alter God’s plans - Isaiah 46:9-11

2. Unlike man, God has complete control over the future

E. Do we need to ask God about every decision we make?

1. If you were a boss, what would you think about an employee that always asked you about every decision?

F. Too often people use their feelings as a guide.

1. After all, I know what my feelings are right now.

2. Are your feelings always accurate? - Proverbs 28:26

IV. Since God and others come first, will I always like the best decision?

A. Jesus would have preferred a different choice - Matthew 26:39

V. Because I made a choice, does it mean it will happen?

A. Since God and others have greater authority, sometimes what I would like to choose will be overridden

1. Paul wanting to go into Asia - Acts 16:6-7

2. In the case of God, why would God override what we choose?

a. God knows things that we don’t

3. In II Samuel 7, David wanted to build a temple for God. The prophet Nathan even thought it was a great idea. But God said “no.”

B. Less than we may think, we don’t have much control over our lives - James 4:14-17

1. We plan, but the answer belongs to God - Proverbs 16:1

2. Why? What we think is good is not necessarily so - Proverbs 16:2

C. Therefore, plan God in mind first - Proverbs 16:3

1. Should I move to X for school or work?

a. Is there a good church there?

b. Will you be able to serve God better there?

2. If I make a large purchase, will that allow me to still support those dependent on me?

3. If I take this new position, will I be able to attend services?

What Is God's Will for Me?

Who Is God?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:17:00 +0000

Who Is God? (Part 1) Who Is God? - Part 2

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 145

I. You run into many strange ideas in the world concerning God

A. We have people stating that there is only one being called God

1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that His name is Jehovah

2. There are Pentecostal sects who claim he is Jesus

3. I haven’t run across any that claim He is only the Holy Spirit, but I would not be surprised that they exist somewhere.

B. There are those who claim the Father and Son, but say the Spirit is just the spirit of one of those two.

II. God is three beings

A. Genesis 1:26 - Notice the use of plural pronouns in reference to God

1. This is not a use of the royal “we.”

2. Kings in the Bible used singular pronouns in reference to themselves. I Kings 8:17-21 is an example.

3. The word for God in the Hebrew is a plural noun

a. A noun in singular form that refers to multiple things.

b. Similar to words like “herd” or “flock.”

4. By itself, we cannot determine how many beings make up God.

B. Matthew 3:16-17 - Notice this is a reference to three separate beings in separate locations doing different actions.

C. Baptism occurs in the name (or authority) of three - Matthew 28:19

D. Three are also named in II Corinthians 13:14.

E. God, the Father

1. God is our Father because we are His creation - Isaiah 64:8

2. Jesus taught us to pray to the Father - Matthew 6:9

3. The Father resides in heaven while Jesus was here on earth - Matthew 7:11

4. The Father is God - John 6:27

5. There is but one Father and the Lord Jesus is separate from Him - I Corinthians 8:5-6

F. God, the Son

1. John 1:1-3 - The Word was both with God and was God

a. If ever there is a verse that proves God is made of multiple beings, it is this one.

2. John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among man – Jesus the Christ.

3. Jesus’ name, “Immanuel” means “God with us” - Matthew 1:23

4. Calling himself the Son of God was making himself equal to God - John 5:18

5. Jesus is God, over all, and blessed - Romans 9:5

G. God, the Spirit

1. From the very beginning we see reference to the Spirit of God - Genesis 1:2

2. He, too, dwells in heaven since Jesus sent Him from there - John 16:7-8

a. This proves that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit

3. John 14:16-17 - Nor can the Spirit be the Father

4. We are the temple of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us - I Corinthians 6:19

5. Lying to the Spirit is lying to God - Acts 5:3-4

6. Demons were cast out by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28) or by the finger of God (Luke 11:20)

III. God is One

A. Each is one in count - Ephesians 4:4-6

B. The disciples are to be one as God and the Son are one. - John 17:20-21

1. Being one does not mean there is only one disciple

2. Being one does not mean we lose our individual characteristics

C. Jesus and his Father are one - John 10:30

1. To see Jesus is to see the Father - John 14:8-11

2. Yet Jesus is not the same as his Father, as he speaks of going to the Father - John 14:12-13

D. The concept should not be difficult for us.

1. We speak of men and women becoming one in marriage - Matthew 19:4-6

2. We speak of companies as a single entity, though they are made up of many people. And when the CEO speaks, often it is report that the company made an announcement.

E. There is only one God - I Corinthians 8:4

1. Even though later Paul speaks of both the Father and the Son - I Corinthians 8:6

F. There is not a separate God for Jew and Gentile - Romans 3:29-30

1. There is not a Jewish God, a Muslim God, and a Christian God. There is only one God.

G. God is only one - Galatians 3:20

IV. The Roles within the Godhead

A. The role of the Father

1. John 14:28 - The Father has supreme authority

2. Jesus reigns until he gives the kingdom to his Father - I Corinthians 15:27-28

3. As the ultimate authority, the Father knows more than the Son - Mark 13:32

4. My grandfather used to use builder terms to describe the Godhead.

a. The Father is described as the owner because everything belongs to Him.

b. This is also why the Father is sometimes just called God because ultimately He is the head.

B. The role of the Son

1. The very term “Son” shows the submission of the Jesus to the Father.

2. The world was made for and by Jesus - Hebrews 1:2,10

3. Through Jesus the world holds together - Colossians 1:16-17

4. Using our building illustration, Jesus is the architect.

5. Jesus was sent by God into this world - John 6:38

a. Even though he is equal to God, he submitted to the Father’s will - Philippians 2:5-11

b. He did so to set us free from Satan’s power - Hebrews 2:14-18

c. He was the author (or captain) of our salvation - Hebrews 2:10

d. Therefore he became the head of his people, the church - Ephesians 5:23

C. The role of the Spirit

1. The Spirit is the moving force of God

a. We see him shaping the world according to God’s will - Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30

b. In our construction illustration, the Spirit is the builder

2. He was sent by Jesus after Jesus left this world - John 16:7

3. His purpose is listed in John 16:8-14

a. He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment

b. He would guide the apostles into all truth

c. Like the Son, he would only speak what He is directed to say

d. He will glorify Jesus

4. He is the guarantee of our salvation - Ephesians 1:13-14

a. The written word, our Bible, comes by the Spirit.

b. It is the Bible that contains the promise of our salvation.

c. It was the work of the Spirit to confirm that promise

d. He is the witness of our salvation - Romans 8:16-17

5. Blasphemy (willful rejection) of the Spirit is more dangerous than rejecting the Son - Matthew 12:32

V. The difficulty is that the word “God” can refer to the three – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – working together as one, or it can refer to the Father.

A. It is the context that defines the term and in many cases it doesn’t matter if we are talking of the Father only or the Godhead.

B. People have a tough time with the concept, but only because they want to simplify the concept of God.

C. But a God whom we could simply describe could not be the God who created more than we can understand.

D. Sometimes it is easier to accept the facts as presented.

Religion on Parade

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:10:50 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Religion-on-Parade.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Matthew 23:5-12

I. Jesus condemns the Pharisees many times and in our reading he condemns them for using religion as a way for people to notice them. - Matthew 23:5

A. What is a phylactery (or some translations say frontlet)?

1. It comes from passages like Exodus 13:6-9.

a. The sign or monument or memorial was taken literally.

b. But notice that it was the Passover meal that was the sign on their hand and forehead.

2. Deuteronomy 6:4-12

a. Again the statement in verse 8 was taken literally, despite the preceding statements that it was to be in their hearts.

b. God said that the teachings of God and his word was to always to be a topic of conversation so that they would not forget God.

c. Instead of putting God’s word in their hearts they literally bound them on their arms and foreheads.

3. There were phylacteries for both the head and the hand. It was a leather box, cube shaped, closed with an attached flap and bound to the person by a leather band. One was bound to the inner side of the left arm so when the arm was bent, the phylactery would rest over the heart. The knot fastening it to the arm was done in the form of the letter yodh and ending in a string that was wound around the middle finger of the hand. Inside the box were copies of the passages Exodus 13:9, 13:16, Deuteronomy 6:8, and 11:18 – the passages stating to keep God’s word near at hand. A second leather box was bound in the center of the forehead. The knot on this band was done in the form of the letter daleth with the letter shin at each end of the box. These letters, including the one on the arm, forms the Hebrew word “shadday”, which the word for the Almighty.

4. Elaborate ceremonies were developed for attaching the phylacteries. The arm was bound first and then the head while quotations from the Scriptures were recited. They were worn by every male over 13 years old at the time of morning prayer, except on Sabbaths and festival days, since such days were sufficient reminders of the commands, statutes, and ordinances of God by themselves.

B. What are Tassels?

1. Twists of threads on the corners of their garments to remind them of the law of God - Numbers 15:38-40

2. It seem to become the custom to line the borders of the outer garment with fringe.

C. What Jesus said was that the Pharisees and Scribes, to show their piousness, would use wide bands and large boxes for their phylacteries and make their fringes extra long.

1. They did it to be noticed by others, so others would see them as religious men.

2. As if the size of the things they wore would reflect their piousness.

II. This is not the only way they showed off their religion

A. They expected places of honor because of their position in the Jewish religion.

B. They expected special greetings when people met them. They especially loved the title “Rabbi”, which means “teacher.”

C. Matthew 6:1-4 - They made sure everyone knew when they gave aid to the poor.

D. Matthew 6:5-8 - They prayed publicly so others would see them

E. Luke 20:46-47 - They made long prayers so others would notice

III. God doesn’t need a show, He sees the heart. Only men look for a show

A. The Pharisees justified themselves in men’s eyes, but forgot that God sees the heart.

1. In other words, they did things outwardly so that other people would see but neglected to understand that God knows everything, even the things others may not see.

B. John 5:41-44 - Jesus did not seek the honor of men and therefore men did not accept him.

1. Even those inclined to believe on him would not admit it before others - John 12:42-43

2. This is why confession is required for salvation.

C. Philippians 2:2-3 - Nothing should be done from selfish motives or empty pride.

D. Selfish motives breeds evil - James 3:14-16

IV. How Christians should behave

A. Christians purposely pick the lowly - Luke 14:7-11

B. Our prayers should reflect our knowledge of our true position before God - Luke 18:9-14

C. Our righteous deeds and prayers are done in private - Matthew 6:1-8

V. Yet the desire to show off our religion still exists

A. Have you noticed that few churches meet in plain, simple buildings?

1. What drives the desire for large, ornate buildings with stain glass windows?

2. Is it the desire to please God? Or do the bronze name plates, saying “donated by ... ,” have something to do with it?

B. Have you noticed that religious leaders have special robes calling attention to their office?

1. Is this found in the word of God?

2. Is God impressed with such attire or is there another motivation?

C. We can also mention the use of special titles by religious leaders.

1. Men are called “reverend”, “pastor”.

2. It seems people are not satisfied with this. Now a days it is “right-most reverend” or “senior pastor”

3. When I object to titles, people say “we just want to give respect.” Yet, I as a man do not deserve such respect, especially by my fellow men.

D. Lay people also get into the act

1. I can’t begin to number the people I have seen wearing crosses or other symbols of Christianity, and yet they speak foully and act unbecomingly of a follower of Christ.

2. How does the wearing the symbols of a faith make a person religious? It doesn’t!

3. For whom is the wearing for? God? Or to impress others with your claims to a belief?

E. There have been gatherings at the flag poles at schools for prayers.

1. I don’t object to prayers said at school or in behalf of schools, but why at the flag pole - out front where everyone sees?

VI. Our religion is seen by others, but it is not for show.

A. It should never be done to impress others.

B. It should not be done to declare to others “I am a Christian.”

C. God’s light shines through us because we are Christians and not because we wear Christian adornments - Matthew 5:14-16

D. Paul’s prayer is that Christ dwells in your hearts and not on your sleeves - Ephesians 3:14-19

The Canon of the Bible

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:27:13 +0000

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Inspired Books

False Books

God and the Nations

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:14 +0000

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by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: John 19:10-11

I. How involved is God in the activities of the nations?

A. We know that God doesn’t change, and from the teachings in the prophets of the Old Testament, we find that God was heavily involved in the governments of various nations.

B. If it was true then, we can expect it to be true today. We may not have God telling us His perspective, but a lack of information doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

II. Assyria

A. Assyria was a very ancient nation, surviving for nearly 3,000 years.

1. But under Tiglath-Pileser, Assyria began a period of rapid expanse to become a world empire. Tiglath-Pileser invaded Syria and Palestine to extend his borders.

2. Under Shalmaneser (727 - 722 BC) and Sargon (722-705 BC), northern Israel (Samaria) was overthrown and taken into captivity.

3. Judah was threatened while King Hezekiah reigned, but God intervened. This was recorded for us by Isaiah.

B. God used Assyria

1. Assyria was just an instrument of destruction in God’s hands - Isaiah 10:5-6

2. Yet Assyria did not recognize that this was happening - Isaiah 10:7

3. Even though God was using Assyria for His ends, Assyria wasn’t guiltless - Isaiah 10:12-14

a. Notice how many “I”s appear in verses 13 and 14

b. Assyria took no notice of God. The king was operating as he thought fit.

c. But God knew - Isaiah 10:15-16

4. Thus God told Judah to be patient - Isaiah 10:24-25

C. It wasn’t long before God rescued Judah - II Kings 19:34-37

D. A century later, Zephaniah predicted the ultimate end of Nineveh, capital of Assyria - Zephaniah 2:12-15

E. Nahum described its fall - Nahum 1:14

F. For two and a half millenniums Nineveh has been buried in the wastelands, only recently found by archeologists.

III. Babylon

A. God used the Babylonians to overthrown the Assyrians.

1. Naboplasser of the Chaldeans (626-604 BC) began the assault

2. His son Nebuchadnezzar (604-526 BC) completed the task in his first year of his reign.

B. Before the rise of Nebuchadnezzar, Habakkuk came to God with a problem: there was widespread evil in Judah - Habakkuk 1:3-4

1. God’s answer was that He planned to use the Chaldeans to punish Judah - Habakkuk 1:5-6

2. At the time God declared it, people would not have guess that such a thing could happen.

C. But if God raises up a nation to punish the wicked, can that nation be guilty? - Habakkuk 1:11

D. This puzzled Habakkuk. Why would the righteous God use a wicked nation to punish God’s people? - Habakkuk 1:12-17

E. But God makes clear in five pronouncements of woe that the Babylonians would be punished - Habakkuk 2:6-8, 9, 12-13, 15-17, 18-19

1. It is the Chaldeans who would face these woes, but God is telling this to a prophet in Judah.

2. But notice that the woes are in general terms, people with these characteristics will face the wrath of God.

3. There is no arguing with God - Habakkuk 2:20

F. The Chaldeans came and in 587-586 BC Judah was carried off into captivity

1. Among those captive was Daniel, who rose to prominence in the Babylonian empire

2. The stories were encouraging to the people

3. But we must not overlook that a major theme of Daniel was that God rules over the nations.

a. When Nebuchadnezzar had his dream that none of his magicians could say or interpret, Daniel declared - Daniel 2:21

b. When Nebuchadnezzar had another dream - Daniel 4:17

c. Years later, when Nabonidas was king and his son Belshazzar was ruling in Babylon, Daniel was called to interpret some writings on a wall and he reminded Belshazzar of those events - Daniel 5:21

G. When Babylon had served God’s purpose, it too was overthrown - Jeremiah 51:11

1. Nearly two hundred years in advance, God declared through Isaiah - Isaiah 45:1

2. Yet he too was a tool who did not know he was being used - Isaiah 45:5

3. It was told long in advance so that people would know who was in control - Isaiah 45:6-8

IV. The Romans

A. Clearly God raised up the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Medes for a purpose

1. Even though they did not know they were being used.

2. Though used, they committed crimes and were guilty of those crimes

3. God is in control - Isaiah 46:11

a. God uses the righteous, but He will also make use of the vilest man if that serves His purpose.

B. When Jesus stood before Pilate

1. Pilate thought he was in charge - John 19:10

2. Jesus said it was otherwise - John 19:11

3. Jesus was handed over to Pilate by Caiaphas. Both Caiaphas and Pilate were abusing their power, but Caiaphas had the greater responsibility.

4. No power, including Pilate’s, existed without God’s approval - Romans 13:1

C. Jesus holds all authority - Matthew 28:18

1. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth - Revelation 1:5

2. Lord of lords and King of kings - Revelation 17:14; 19:16

D. In describing the destruction of Jerusalem, imagery is borrowed from the prophets to emphasize that Jesus is in control of the nations

1. Seen by all - Matthew 24:27-28

2. Power - Matthew 24:29-31

3. As spoken of the Egyptians - Isaiah 19:1-2, 11-12

4. Or against Babylon - Isaiah 13:11; Jeremiah 4:19-23; Ezekiel 32:7-8

5. Just as God used the nations to punish Israel in the past, Jesus was bringing in the Romans to destroy Jerusalem.

V. Such continues today

A. God opposes the wicked - Romans 1:18; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:5-6

B. The governments were created by God - Colossians 1:16

1. If God made them, then they are under His control, to be used as instruments of His wrath, to accomplish His purpose.

C. Even in a crumbling, decaying world, such knowledge should give us encouragement.

1. Christ’s rule is absolute.

[Based on “God and the Nations Today” by Homer Hailey, 1952]

The Inheritance

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:17:49 +0000

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by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

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Text: Revelation 21:6-8

I. The Christian’s relationship with God is described by several metaphors

A. We are servants - I Corinthians 4:1

1. The emphasis is on our obeying the will of our Master

B. We are priests - I Peter 2:4-5, 9

1. We are able to bring worship directly to God without anyone in between

C. We are children of God - Romans 8:16-17

1. The emphasis is on a close and personal relationship

2. But it also means we have the right to an inheritance from our Father - Galatians 3:26-29

II. What is our inheritance?

A. Eternal life - Matthew 19:29

B. It cannot be given in this life - I Corinthians 15:50

C. It is gained at the time of the redemption - Ephesians 1:13-14

1. The Spirit is the down payment or guarantee of what we have not yet received.

D. We are qualified to partake, but have not yet received - Colossians 1:12

E. Looking forward to the reward - Colossians 3:23-24

III. Though we are saved when we become Christians, what we actually have is a promise of salvation - Hebrews 9:15

A. Those who responded to Peter’s sermon and were baptized were being saved and added to the church - Acts 2:47

B. It is something that had happened - Ephesians 2:5; Titus 3:5

C. Yet it is also something that is currently taking place - I Corinthians 1:18

D. But salvation is also a future expectation - Romans 5:9-10

E. It is a promise that we are so certain of receiving that it can be spoken of as already obtained - Hebrews 1:14

F. But until we reach the place where there is no sin, it is still something ultimately in the future. We could give up our promised salvation - I Corinthians 15:1-2

G. It is waiting for us in heaven - I Peter 1:3-5

IV. An inheritance for many

A. Since Christians compose God’s kingdom, then when the saved enter heaven, they become a part of the eternal kingdom

1. An inheritance among the sanctified - Acts 20:32

2. Also - Acts 26:18

B. Thus we can say we are inheriting a kingdom - Matthew 25:34

C. Since sin will not and cannot be in heaven, those who live lives of sin will not be a part of that inheritance

1. The unrighteous will not inherit - I Corinthians 6:9-10

2. Sins are of this world, so sinners cannot be a part of the spiritual realm - Galatians 5:19-21

3. Also - Ephesians 5:5

V. The inheritance for him who overcomes - Revelation 21:6-8

A. If we hold fast to the end - Hebrew 3:14

B. It requires effort on our part - Hebrews 6:11

C. We cannot toss the offer aside - Hebrews 10:35-37

Spirit Away: From Empty to Spirit-Filled Kingdom Builders

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 23:29:38 +0000

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by Garry Floyd

Text: Proverbs 11:24–31

Theme “Wind” Week-3 Focus – “Empty”: Without God, life becomes a chase after the wind. But when we are born of the Spirit and centered on God, our lives gain weight, direction, and eternal significance.

Introduction— When Life Feels Like a Strange World

The animated film “Spirited Away” tells the story of a girl named Chihiro who suddenly finds herself in a strange and chaotic spirit world. At the beginning, she is fearful, confused, and self-centered. But over time, she grows into someone who is courageous, compassionate, and responsible. The story is about finding identity and purpose in a confusing world.

Many people today feel the same way. (Perhaps thinking back to when you became a Christian) - Life often feels like we’ve been dropped into a strange world where values shift, truth is debated, and success feels empty. The writer of Ecclesiastes described this feeling perfectly:

Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 – Life can feel like “chasing after the wind.”

But the Bible gives us a different path.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” — John 3:2-5

The answer to a wind-chasing empty life is a Spirit-filled life.

The Foundation: A Life Born of the Spirit

Nicodemus noticed something unique about Jesus. “No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” The presence of God produces visible evidence. When a person is filled with the Spirit, their thinking changes, their priorities shift, and their character deepens.

Proverbs 11:24-25 describes what that looks like. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer.” (Prov. 11:24) The Spirit gives substance to a life that would otherwise drift. From this foundation, we move from wind-chasing to kingdom-building.

Four Shifts from Wind Chasing to Spirit Living

Shift #1 — Reorient Life Around God

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 12:13

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

After examining wealth, pleasure, work, and success, Solomon concludes that life only gains substance when God becomes the center. Without that center, success feels empty, pleasure fades quickly, and achievements lose meaning. BUT, when God becomes the center, everything finds its proper place.

The Spirit-filled life begins with spiritual reorientation. Not God as a part of life. But God as the center of life.

Shift #2 — Anchor Our Inner Life in Truth

Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Wind-chasing often begins inside the mind.

wrong beliefs
distorted values
cultural pressure

Transformation begins when God reshapes how we think. The Spirit works from the inside out. Just as Chihiro had to rediscover who she was in the spirit world, believers must rediscover their identity in Christ. The renewed mind leads to:

clarity of purpose
spiritual stability
wise decisions

Shift #3 — Invest in What Outlasts the Wind

Matthew 6:19–21 – Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on things that are above.”

Shift #4 — Let God Give Weight to Our Work

I Corinthians 15:58 – “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Without God, work can feel repetitive and meaningless. But when work is offered to God, even ordinary things gain eternal significance.

Parenting becomes discipleship
Kindness becomes ministry
Daily work becomes worship

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 – Godly contentment far exceeds the dark realities of human existence. Thus keeping His divinely bestowed blessings ever before us. The Spirit gives weight to ordinary life. Nothing done for God is wasted.

Conclusion — From Wind Chasers to Kingdom Builders

Ecclesiastes tells us something uncomfortable. Without God, life often becomes a chase after the wind.

But the Spirit-filled life changes everything. With God:

Thoughts gain clarity
Choices gain direction
Work gains meaning
Life gains eternal purpose

The real question becomes, Are we chasing the wind…or building something that eternity will keep?

Jesus said, “Unless one is born of the Spirit…”That is where the transformation begins.

Final Thought:

“The world chases the wind, but the Spirit teaches us to build for eternity.”

Wind Chasers

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:46:39 +0000

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by Garry Floyd

How & Why We Inherit Wind’s Emptiness — and What We Can Do About It

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:16

“Exactly as a man is born, thus will he die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?"

The Problem: Humanity Becomes Wind Chasers

The writer of Ecclesiastes repeatedly describes life apart from God as “striving after wind.”

Wind cannot be grasped, stored, controlled, possessed, or understood. Yet people often spend their lives pursuing things that ultimately slip through their fingers. For the sake of this study, we’ll refer to them as “Wind Chasers”.

Ecclesiastes 5:16 – What gain is there for toiling after the wind?
Ecclesiastes 1:14 – The wise and the fool both will die
Ecclesiastes 1:17 – The frustrations of this life
Proverbs 11:29 – “Inherit the wind.”

Key Idea: A life disconnected (detached, disengaged, distant, divided, cut off) from God often produces activity without lasting substance. But, HOW do we get so disconnected from God?

How do we inherit the wind’s emptiness?

Through Our Thoughts, Emotions, and Intentions

Our inward focus can chase empty things.

Proverbs 4:23 — “Watch over your heart with all diligence.”
Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is deceitful above all things.”
Proverbs 12:15 — “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”

An unrestrained inner life can produce pride, envy, restless ambition, and self-centered desires.

These can drive a person to pursue goals that ultimately have no eternal weight. Rather, we must learn to discipline the inner man. Ask yourself, “What is your why?” “What is your purpose?” And, “How does it benefit others and thus bring glory to God?”

Through Our Freedom of Will and Internal Impulses

As an aside, as Americans, we have a unique governmental structure that has bastardized freedom into something it was never intended to mean. We’re so entitled about our freedom that we now hate the country that was experimented on. Consider all the people all over the world, the mass migration into the US, who want to be part of this freedom. Everybody loves America more than Americans! Absolute EMPTINESS!

Numbers 14: 1-4 – The children of Israel had something special – FREEDOM. Yet they complained in the Wilderness: Shortly after fleeing Egypt, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and God because they were hungry, thirsty, and tired. They frequently romanticized their time in Egypt, remembering the food they ate while forgetting the brutal oppression they endured as slaves.

God gave humanity real choice.

Joshua 24:15 — “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.”
Galatians 5:17 — Flesh vs. Spirit

Freedom without guidance often leads to self-indulgence, impulsive living, and short-term satisfaction. As a result, our freedom and impulse are often effort poured into things that do not last.

Through Our Human Experiences

Life itself can shape our pursuits. Experiences such as success, failure, pain, and comparison with others.

These experiences can redirect our priorities toward temporary achievements.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 — “All is vanity and striving after wind.”

Experience alone does not produce wisdom. Experience filtered through God does.

Through Our Very Breath, Inner Life, and Consciousness

Interestingly, the Hebrew word “hebel” in Ecclesiastes means vapor, breath, or mist. Human life itself is fragile and fleeting.

James 4:14 — “You are a vapor that appears for a little time.”
Genesis 2:7 — God breathed life into man
Romans 12:1-4 – Be a living sacrifice

Our very existence is temporary, and without God, our pursuits become just as temporary.

What Wind Chasing Looks Like Today

Modern wind chasing includes:

Pursuing wealth as ultimate meaning
Building identity on career or reputation
Endless entertainment
Social comparison and validation
Achievements without spiritual purpose

None of these is evil itself — but when they become ultimate, they become wind.