Sermon
Rahab
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rahab.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 2:1-24 I. Rahab has given many Bible students difficulty over the years. A. James 2:14-26 – James tells us she was an example of a working faith when she took in the Israelite spies and sent them out secretly. B. Notice that her action was listed as an example similar…
Read MoreNew Testament Apocrypha – Infancy Gospels
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/NewTestamentApocryphaInfancyGospels.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:13-21 I. Reasons for existence A. Promotion of a false doctrine because support cannot be found in the Scriptures B. Gaps led to speculation 1. Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ childhood was like? So have many others, which has lead to infancy gospels to tell us what people imagined…
Read MoreCreeds and Statements of Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CreedsAndStatementsOfFaith.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 17:11-23 I. Every once in a while someone will ask what is our statement of faith. A. Back when we were home schooling, we were wanting to get involved with a local group, but they wanted us to sign a statement of faith B. Another name for a statement of…
Read MoreCloud Watching
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CloudWatching.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 11 I. I have been wanting to learn a new language for a while. It would be useful to spread the gospel. A. I got started several times. I even made some fair progress for a while. But it just doesn’t seem to last. B. I ran across one man…
Read MorePraise the Lord!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/PraiseTheLord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 113 I. What, exactly, is meant when someone says, “Praise the Lord!”? A. Do you go around saying “Praise the Lord!” once in a while? B. When something nice happens to a friend, do you respond with “Praise the Lord!”? C. Often words and phrases are used with little thought as…
Read MoreMan’s Sinful Nature
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/MansSinfulNature.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. I’ve been hearing a lot about man’s sinful nature A. A large number of people in denominations take it for granted that mankind is born sinful. 1. In other words, people can’t help but to sin because it is a part of our nature. 2. The Philadelphia Confession of Faith (p. 7-8) states…
Read MoreGod and the Problem of Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/GodAndTheProblemOfSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:11-15 I. God’s Nature A. God is Holy – Isaiah 6:3 1. There is not even a hint of sin in God – I John 1:5 2. Evil is not a part of His nature, nor does He accept evil in others – Psalms 5:4 3. If we are to have fellowship…
Read MoreThe Teaching of God’s Word
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TeachingOfGodsWord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 92 I. Jesus made a comment in Matthew 16:18 that we are all familiar with A. Notice something that many overlook: What does Jesus mean that the “gates of hell will not overcome it?” 1. Many talk about how Satan’s army cannot overcome the church. 2. But read this again. Which…
Read MoreThe Gospel
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gospel.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 2:1-11 I. The word “gospel” translates a Greek word that means “good news” A. The gospel is a message that is to be heralded to all the world – Mark 16:15 B. It is a message that brings hope to those who hear it – Colossians 1:23 C. It is a…
Read MoreThe Purpose of the Old Law
I. As we study the Bible, we learn that God has had three laws in effect at different periods of time – The Patriarchal, The Mosaical, and Christ’s Law. A. Much confusion has arisen because people do not distinguish between these laws B. While the laws are related, because they all derive from the same source, they are…
Read MoreThe Lord Our God Is One
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LordOurGodIsOne.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 6 I. In the world there are many views divinity. A. We can broadly categorize them as: 1. Polytheism a. Many gods, each independent. They interact with each other, sometimes cooperatively and sometimes in opposition to each other. b. Hinduism is a modern day polytheistic religion 2. Monotheism a. There is a single god…
Read MorePantheism and Deism
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PantheismAndDeism.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:8-21 I. It is amazing the many, subtle ways Satan introduces false religions into the thinking of many well intentioned Christians A. Movies are a popular vehicle for false ideas. We often look for the big errors. 1. Example: Pocahontas was criticized for its slaughter of history and scantily dressed main…
Read MoreMind Your Manners
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MindYourManners.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 17:11-19 I. Is it just me, or have people have become quite rude? A. It seems that common courtesy has become increasingly uncommon B. Rudeness is glorified on television, movies, and videos. You would think the only way to get people to laugh is to be crude. C. I realize that…
Read MoreWhy Do People Die?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WhyDoPeopleDie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. God warned Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of one particular tree – Genesis 2:15-17 A. Yet despite the warning, both Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. B. As a result, death then entered the world – Genesis 3:19 1. Because man had sinned, he was forbidden access…
Read MoreVacant Chairs
Vacant Chairs – Part 1Vacant Chairs – Part 2Vacant Chairs – Part 3Vacant Chairs – Part 4 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There is a office that is vacant; chairs that need filling A. Perhaps there are some here today that can fill the need 1. Not everyone can fill it. No everyone will want to. 2. I Corinthians…
Read MoreMaking Friends
Text: Proverbs 18:24 (KJV or NKJV) I. I received a note from a fourteen year old boy. He has moved a lot in his short life, attending ten different schools. The school he is currently attending was the first one where he stayed for more than one year. But it has left him with a…
Read MoreElders in the Old Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/EldersInTheOldTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 29 I. While we don’t live under the laws of the Old Testament, there are things to be learned from its pages – Romans 15:4 A. Sometimes we forget that elders have been used long before the church B. It would be useful to learn some of the history of…
Read MoreElders Who Rule Well
Elders Who Rule Well – Part 1Elders Who Rule Well – Part 2 Text: I Timothy 5:17-21 I. Consider an imaginary congregation A. At the beginning, there was much work to be done. The challenges of the demands required many sacrifices. B. The members joined in planning and the work. As each was aware of what went…
Read MoreThe Rule of Elders (Hamilton)
The Rule of Elders – Part 1The Rule of Elders – Part 2 Reading: Matthew 20:20-28 I. Consider an imaginary congregation A. It is a fair-sized group with an abundance of men, but few are actively involved in the work of the church. B. There are two active and very visible elders. 1. They exclusively teach the adult…
Read MoreGoing to the Source (The Anointing of the Spirit)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GoingToTheSource.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 2:18-29 I. The other day, one of my boys needed help with a math problem, so I asked him to show me the problem. He brought in his paper on which he was working. A. “No,” I said, “I need to see the original problem in the book.”…
Read MoreLed by the Spirit (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/LedByTheSpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 8:1-17 I. We have spoken at length in the past about the exactly who is the Holy Spirit A. We have shown that he is a being who is a part of the Godhead, just as the Father and the Son. B. He is made more mysterious by men because of…
Read MoreShould We be Picky?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/ShouldWeBePicky.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 50:7-23 I. Jesus’ condemnation of the Jews, especially the Pharisees and the Sadducees, is well-known A. Many Christians are rightly concerned that they not fall into the same trap that snared the Pharisees. 1. Often when it is pointed out that we should do things one way and not another,…
Read MoreThe Historical Accuracy of the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/HistoricalAccuracyOfTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29 I. When we claim that the Bible is inspired, we are giving a vague notion that it uplifts a person (though it does) or that it is unique (though it is). A. Inspiration means it came from the mouth of God – II Timothy 3:16-17 B. But it is…
Read MoreArchaeology and the Old Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ArchaeologyAndTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29 I. Mankind’s memories of the past are poor at best A. In general, we don’t keep extensive records and those records we do keep are often on material that does not last. B. There is a branch of science, called archeology that attempts to bring the past to light.…
Read MoreBiblical Infallibility: The Bible’s Claims for Itself
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BiblesClaimsForItself.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 31:24-29 I. A. When talking about whether we can trust the Bible or not, it may seem strange to turn to the very book we are considering. B. We want to show that it is not a optional belief. C. The Bible claims to be infallible. If it is not in…
Read MoreValidating the Good News
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ValidatingTheGoodNews.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29 I. How do I know that the Bible is inspired? How can I be really certain that it comes from God? A. There are various ways to show that the Bible must have came from God. B. Today we will use methods that the Bible itself suggests. II. If the…
Read MoreWhen Songs were Greater than Swords
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Short Talk Text: II Chronicles 20:1-29 I. During Jehoshaphat’s reign, Moab, Ammon, and Edom combined to attack Jerusalem A. Jehoshaphat called on God for help B. The answer – II Chronicles 20:15-17 C. They went out without weapons – only songs and praise on their lips – II Chronicles 20:20-23 1. Somehow Ammon and Moab…
Read MoreFed and Led
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring2FedAndLed.mp3 by Brian Faulkner Text: Psalms 23 Introduction: Live in a society that wants no responsibility Welfare mentality Want someone else to do the thinking Little or no investigation Even less concern Do as little as possible Runaway lawsuits to get rich Lottery Want and look for the easiest way out This leads to socialism…
Read MoreIs Salvation Assured?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IsSalvationAssured.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 2:15-25 I. During the Reformation, a man named John Calvin came up with a system of belief that has impacted a large portion of the denominational world. A. The ideas were not original with Calvin. He based his work on many that preceded him. B. What Calvin did was…
Read MoreWhy Do Some Depart?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/WhyDoSomeDepart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 13:18-23 I. When teaching someone about the gospel, it is hard not to invest a bit of yourself into the one you are trying to reach. A. You know the importance of being a Christian, and you care about the one you are teaching. If not, why spend the…
Read MoreThe Man of Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ManOfSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 2:1-12 I. Have you noticed that when little is said on a particular topic that it generates more discussion than when much is said? A. Of course, when little is said the range of possibilities is wide open. B. It generates strong opinions (not truths, just opinions) which cannot…
Read MoreThe Christian and Business
The Christian and Business – Part 1The Christian and Business – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:15-21 I. I saw an article where the author railed against a business A. The gist was that the corporation was “bad” because it was large and successful 1. The author assumed that its success must have come…
Read MoreImagined Sins
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ImaginedSins.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 30:5-6 I. Certain ideas get repeated in the religious world, often enough that people accept them as truth without stopping to ask if this is really in the Bible or not A. “You are saved by faith alone” – despite James 2:24 B. “Baptism is an outward sign of an…
Read MoreCreeping Toward Sodom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CreepingTowardSodom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 13:1-13 I. Lot’s problems began when his herdsmen could no longer get along with the herdsmen of Abram – Genesis 13:5-7 A. This is often the first sign of problems among brethren – they are no longer able to be of one mind 1. I Corinthians 1:10-13 – There were…
Read MoreSaint or Sinner?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SaintOrSinner.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 1 I. Would you describe yourself as a saint or a sinner? Or perhaps you see yourself as both. A. John Calvin, and his followers, believe that God selects those who are saved. Once selected, that person cannot be removed from God’s saving hand. B. We realize that this cannot…
Read MoreThe Lord Knows Those Who Are His
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/LordKnowsThoseWhoAreHis.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Timothy 2:14-21 I. There are always going to be people who will not accept what God says. They’ll quibble over words to get wiggle room for their particular beliefs. A. That is why the Christian has to be a good student of the Bible – II Timothy 2:15 B. You…
Read MoreThe Promise of His Coming
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PromiseOfHisComing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 3:1-13 I. The variety of beliefs regarding Jesus’ return is large. A. Many expect Jesus to return to rule here on earth B. II Peter 3 stands as a rebuke to those who desire to see the coming as anything other than what it is – the end of…
Read MoreOur Sole Standard
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/OurSoleStandard.mp3 Text: Ephesians 3:1-13 I. In a discussion with a Roman Catholic, he objected to the idea of staying only with the Bible as our source of authority. A. In particular, he believes that the Spirit uses sources other than the Bible to reveal God’s will B. He argued that the apostles only had a partial revelation…
Read MoreI Desire Mercy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IDesireMercy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 9:9-13 I. In honor of Jesus, the new apostle, Matthew, who was also known as Levi, held a dinner. He invited the people he knew. They weren’t the best in Jewish society: other tax collectors and people involved in various sins. A. Mark 2:16-17 B. The Pharisees saw these people…
Read MoreSpiritual but not Religious
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SpiritualButNotReligious.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 10:1-3 I. The paper had an article discussing how denominations were wrestling with a growing dissatisfaction with religion. In particular the focus was on people viewing Christmas as purely a secular holiday, but what caught my eye was this statement: A. “… many young people these days consider themselves…
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