Sermon
O for a Faith Such as This!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/OForAFaithSuchAsThis.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 56 I. Read the song “O for a Faith That Will Not Shrink” by W. H. Bathhurst (#462) II. A faith without fear A. Most of our fears of our own imagination – Psalm 53:5 1. When our dreads are elusive, we make things up, and what we imagine is almost always…
Read MoreFor Those Who Love God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ForThoseWhoLoveGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 8:28-30 I. Jesus said that the greatest command is to love God – Matthew 22:37-38 A. It is the greatest command because it is the foundation for all other commands 1. It opposes all idolatry, the complete rejection of God (atheism), and sins directly against God 2. But it also demands…
Read MoreArchaeology and the New Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ArchaeologyAndTheNewTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 1:1-4 I. The Bible is a historical book that contains many historical references, but it is not a book of mankind’s history. A. But where it mentions historical facts, it has always been proven to be true. 1. Arguments against the Bible are based on the lack of supporting evidence…
Read MoreRespecting Silence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/RespectingSilence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 10:46-52 I. What do you do when witnesses to an event give two different sets of details? A. Matthew 28:1-7 mentions an angel rolling away the stone blocking the entrance and sitting upon the stone. The angel talks to the women when they get to the tomb. B. Mark 16:1-7…
Read MoreHearing the Spirit
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HearingTheSpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 30:5-6 I. Many people are convinced that the Holy Spirit directly speaks to them A. Yet, these same people will claim things contrary to the teachings of the Bible B. And they rarely agree with each other II. The Bible is the product of the Spirit A. It is not a product…
Read MoreDoing Much Harm
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DoingMuchHarm.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 11:1-20 I. An article by Michael Kruger, written back in February 2018, got me thinking about how some people leave the church A. The article focuses on Jen Hatmaker, a Texas author and has a TV show. She has taken public stances contrary to the Southern Baptist denomination…
Read MoreNot What They Told You – Gambling
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NotWhatTheyToldYouGambling.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 28:19-22 I. Gambling is not a new problem A. But it has become a big business. Every state in the United States has some form of legal gambling 1. Though Nebraska is the least state addicted to gambling, it still exists (the next lowest are Alabama, Kentucky, and Utah). [1]…
Read MoreThe Importance of Sorrow
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ImportanceOfSorrow.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8 I. Life doesn’t remain the same – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A. There are different seasons, which brings different needs B. No one likes to cry, but life isn’t always going to be rosy. Sorrow has a place in our lives. C. The wise know that we need to think about sorrow…
Read MoreSowers of Strife
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SowersOfStrife.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 16:17-20 I. The contentious hearings leading up to the appointment of Justice Kavanaugh has generated a lot of discussion on ethics and morality A. I was reading an article by Paul Prather, published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on October 11, 2018 1. His expressed concern was not that people disagreed,…
Read MoreWhat Is Important in a Church?
What is Important to a Church? – Part 1What is Important to a Church? – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 14:1-12 I. I remember visiting a large congregation many years ago. They had asked me to do some web site work for them. A. While I was amazed at the size of the…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Truth and Lies
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DifferenceBetweenTruthAndLies.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 18:33-38 I. Truth is critical A. Truth brings stability to a nation – Proverbs 29:14 B. Truth makes us free – John 8:32 C. Jesus is the way and the truth – John 14:6 D. Jesus’ words, which are truth, judges us – John 12:48 E. What distinguishes truth from lies? Pilate asked…
Read MoreNot What They Told You – Pornography
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 4:1-8 I. Trials come in many forms – James 1:12 A. We often think of trials as hardships that are imposed on us by life. B. But temptation to sin is also a trial that we have to overcome C. Temptation doesn’t come from God – James 1:13 1. Though God allows…
Read MoreNot What They Told You – Opioids
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NotWhatTheyToldYouOpioids.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:1-8 I. Opioids are a class of drugs derived from opium A. They include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many more B. These were originally developed because they attach to the opioid receptors in your brain, muffling your perception of pain and increasing your feelings of pleasure. 1. “At…
Read MoreNameless
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Nameless.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 13:1-10 I. This is a story about two men, who remain nameless. One young and another old. A. Both are prophets. One is a good man and the other is a liar. B. One was selected to carry a message and the other was not. C. One dies, but not…
Read MoreFollowing the Lord Fully
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/FollowingTheLordFully.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 14:6-14 I. God describes for us the character of various men by referring to them by certain phrases A. Abraham was called a friend of God – James 2:23 1. Because that is how God referred to him – II Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8 2. Perhaps that gives greater weight to…
Read MoreNot What They Told You – Marijuana
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NotWhatTheyToldYouMarijuana.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 5:21-31 I. It sounds noble A. We need to legalize medical marijuana! 1. But instead of controlled studies where the effectiveness of a derivative drug is analyzed for its benefits versus its harm, the door is thrown wide open. 2. There is an oil extract from marijuana that does appear to…
Read MoreThe Nature of Law (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NatureOfLaw.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-14 I. Laws can be irritating at times. A. Do this, don’t do that. B. Of course, we never get it right. C. Why do we need laws? II. Law defines right and wrong – Romans 7:7-13 A. The law does not make things right or wrong, it simply states what exists. 1. We…
Read MoreNot What They Told You
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Society often justifies sin by not portraying the complete facts and, thus, making dangerous things appear to be minorly harmful or even beneficial. Not What They Told You – Alcohol Not What They Told You – Marijuana Not What They Told You – Opioids Not What They Told You – Pornography
Read MoreNot What They Told You – Alcohol
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NotWhatTheyToldYouAlcohol.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 5:16-24 I. There are many factors that led to the downfall of Israel, but one reoccurring theme was the greed of its leaders. A. They were in it for the money – Isaiah 56:11 B. They dealt falsely for money – Jeremiah 6:13 C. Everyone was after money – Jeremiah 8:10…
Read MoreAnd Then There Were None
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/AndThenThereWereNone.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Amos 6:3-11 I. One of my favorite mystery writers was Agatha Christie. She would write books where you tried to figure out who did it before the end of the book, but in the process you were distracted by so many possibilities. A. One of my favorites was based on…
Read MoreThe Dwelling Place of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DwellingPlaceOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 8:22-30 I. When the world was first created, mankind had direct access to God, but then sin entered the picture – Genesis 3:8 A. Sin becomes a barrier between us and God – Isaiah 59:1-3 II. God is everywhere – Psalms 139 A. There is no place we could hide…
Read MoreThe Law and the Commandments
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LawAndTheCommandments.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 30:6-16 I. Seventh-Day Adventists insist that the only acceptable day of worship is the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath day. A. To get to that belief, they insist that the Ten Commandments are separate from the rest of the Law of Moses. B. While the “ceremonial laws” were…
Read MoreA Limited Sphere
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LimitedSphere.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 10:7-18 I. Without a doubt unity is important to God and His people – John 17:17-21 A. It is something to strive for – Ephesians 4:1-3 B. Division is condemned – I Corinthians 1:10-13 C. Paul, when he entered Jerusalem wanted to join with other Christians – Acts 9:26-28 II. All…
Read MoreThe Unity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TheUnity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. Our Lord’s desire was that his followers would be united – John 17:20-23 A. In the intervening years, the world has accepted lies. B. They believe that as long as we agree on something, then there is unity II. The attitude of unity – Ephesians 4:1-3 A. Lowliness – humbleness…
Read MoreWhat Would God Have Us Do?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WhatWouldGodHaveUsDo2.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 2:1-12 I. I was talking with a young man the other day. He wasn’t certain what God wanted him to do in regards to school and career. A. I finally realized that he wanted someone else (God) to make his decisions for him. 1. The idea that God left…
Read MoreViews of Mark 16:16
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ViewsOfMark16.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 16:14-20 I. Jesus had just one meaning in mind when he spoke Mark 16:16. A. It isn’t for men to put their own spin on Jesus’ words – II Peter 1:20-21 B. Not that this has ever stopped people from trying C. God doesn’t author confusion – I Corinthians 14:33 D. But…
Read MoreTake Up Your Cross
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TakeUpYourCross.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:25-32 I. Many people see religion as something done out of convenience. A. They attend when there isn’t something important going on B. They select a church to attend because it is close, or because of the events going on, or if there are kids for my kid to play…
Read MoreBurnt Offerings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BurntOfferings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 9:24-10:10 I. The sacrifices of the Old Testament can be confusing because they are classified in different categories, such as by how they were done (heave, wave, burnt), what they were for (sin, trespass, vow, voluntary, peace), what they were (firstfruits, food, drink), or even how they smelled…
Read MoreLessons on Evangelism: Addressing Faith Alone
by Andrew S. Hamilton Class Objective Preparing the members to handle common questions that will come up when running the tables. (1 Peter 3:15) Foundation Material Statements and Logic All chickens have three legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is a chicken. Only chickens have two legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is…
Read MoreThe Helper
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Helper.mp3 Text: John 16:1-15 I. Lifting a few statements from their context can often make a writer appear to say things he never intended. A. It happens in politics all the time, and it happens in religion as well. B. In his last hours, Jesus made a series of promises concerning the Helper…
Read MoreAppreciation (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Appreciation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:9-15 I. There is a deep seat desire in every person to be important A. “Everyone likes a compliment.” – Abraham Lincoln B. “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William Jones II. Satan understands this A. Sin has its roots in our desires -…
Read MoreRituals Don’t Cancel Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/RitualsDontCancelSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-14 I. Men get into their minds that they need to make God listen to them A. Like a child holding his breath, they believe that if they suffer, then God will listen B. There were false religions based on self-inflicted pain to gain their god’s attention – I Kings…
Read More“May I?” or “Must I?”
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MayIOrMustI.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I. Romans 15:4 A. As we read through our Bibles, it doesn’t take long notice how differently the Old Law is presented in comparison to the New Law. 1. The Old Law contains many regulations that spell out, some times in detail, what a person could and could not do.…
Read MoreWhere Did They All Come From?
Where Did They All Come From? – Part 1Where Did They All Come From? – Part 2Where Did They All Come From? – Part 3Where Did They All Come From? – Part 4 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:1-11 I. Christ founded but one church – Matthew 16:18 A. It belongs solely to him. It…
Read MoreJehu’s Reformations
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JehusReformations.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 12:25-33 I. After the northern tribes separated from Judah, the kingdom they established was never ruled by a good king. A. The very first king, Jeroboam, sought to stabilize his country by establishing his own religion – I Kings 12:25-33 1. He feared defection if the people crossed into Judah…
Read MoreMuddy Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MuddyTimes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 40 I. Psalms 38-40 cover related themes on the problems caused by sin A. Sin is an overwhelming burden and they cause problems in life – Psalms 38:3-8 B. Sin can cause anxiety – Psalms 38:18 C. Even close friends and family tend to avoid you when you are in sin…
Read MoreAbigail’s Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AbigailsExample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There is much to learn from the pages of the Old Testament A. It is true that we no longer live under the Law of Moses. It passed out of existence when Jesus died upon the cross. However, it doesn’t mean than God meant for the Christian to discard its teachings.…
Read MoreJumping to Conclusions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/JumpingToConclusions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 22:9-34 I. While we all wish to do what is right, at times our actions or our statements may mislead others who see us. A. The 2 ½ tribes on the east side of the Jordan wanted a memorial to remind both their descendants and the descendants on the…
Read MoreTrapped in a Lie
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TrappedInALie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:8-14 I. I ran across an article titled, “The Philosophical Contradictions of the Transgender Worldview” by Ryan T. Anderson A. The transgender movement claims “that people are what they claim to be, regardless of contrary evidence.” B. The lengths the promoters of transgenderism go to deny the obvious is mind…
Read MoreTrip Report – 2018 (Bali)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/TripReport2018.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 2:7-13 I. Reading from Isaiah 35:1-10 A. Vs 3 – Encourage, strengthen B. Vs 8 – A highway – an easier way to travel through life II. My trips to the South Asian islands started in 2013. A. I had been studying with a young man, named Minghui, in the National…
Read More