Faith, Works, and Grace in Romans

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:1-17   I.         In understanding biblical writings, it is important to remember that God is the author             A.        II Timothy 3:16 – All the written writings are breathed from the mouth of God             B.        This was Paul’s point in I Corinthians 14:33 when discussing roles and organization of the worship service.                         1.         God…

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The Obsession for Notoriety in the Modern Era

by Orlando B. Gonzalez Verse: John 12:43 (NASB 2020)- “…for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.”   As a young man, it’s unsurprising to say that I carry many great desires that I want to do in my lifetime.  My current main goals include becoming a professional writer, a…

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On Being Holy

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/On-Being-Holy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:13-16   I.         When you are in a competition, you are told “Do your best.”             A.        It means we strive hard to achieve.             B.        Yet, at the same time I know there are going to be times when I don’t do my best.                         1.         I might be tired that day. I…

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Holy Is His Name

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Holy-Is-His-Name.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 99 I.         Near the end of his life Joshua told the people of Israel – Joshua 24:14-24             A.        After their declaration to serve God, it seems strange for Joshua to tell them that they are unable to serve because He is holy.             B.        What is it about holiness that makes God…

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Pagan Ideas of God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PaganIdeasOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 7:15-20   I.         Through the ages man has had difficulty grasping the concept of God             A.        As Christians, we understand that God is a Spirit – John 4:24             B.        But for the common man, without the knowledge of the Scriptures, that idea is too vague. So God is remade in their…

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The Road to Contentment

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Road-to-Contentment.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:10-14   I.         For those of you who have taken classes             A.        Have you noticed that a few classes are just great?                         1.         The time just flies by.                         2.         The homework isn’t that bad.             B.        But there are those other classes which are just miserable.                         1.         A hour is twice as long in those…

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Church Discipline

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Each congregation of the Lord’s people has the right and the responsibility to control its membership             A.        Ideally, each congregation is composed of faithful Christians. Because of their common beliefs and shared work, they are joined together in serving God.             B.        However, we understand that just because a person wears the name of…

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May a Christian Serve in Government?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 13:1-7   I.         I was recently asked if a Christian may serve in the government, particularly in jobs of a punitive nature, such as the police or the armed services.             A.        There are several denominations which hold pacifist views.                         1.         Some, such as Quakers, refuse to serve in any capacity where killing…

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Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Clean-Hands-and-a-Pure-Heart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 24   I.         People want to get to heaven, but it seems many don’t want to put much effort into getting there.             A.        Jesus warned – Luke 13:3             B.        The example of the Jews should be enough – I Corinthians 10:1-12                         1.         They were God’s chosen people, but they didn’t make it.…

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Is There Meaning to My Life?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Is-There-Meaning-to-My-Life.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14   I.         What will have changed because you have lived?             A.        People have longed wondered what the meaning of life is, but I think it more important to consider what meaning there is in your life. II.        What is your life?             A.        Perhaps a strange beginning to the question.             B.        Your life…

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Biblical Infallibility

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Biblical Infallibility: Can We Trust the Bible? Biblical Infallibility: The Bible’s Claims for Itself Biblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible

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The Joy of Obedience

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Joy-of-Obedience.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:3-9   I.         Despite the persecutions Christians faced in the first century, there was joy – I Peter 1:3-9             A.        A great joy, an inexpressible joy, was had knowing that they were saved             B.        That joy overrode all the hardships of life II.        This attitude is strange to a number of…

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The Return of the King

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Return-of-the-King.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Samuel 19:15-39   I.          King David’s son, Absalom, had lead a successful revolt against the king              A.         David had to flee for his life – II Samuel 15:13-14              B.         It was a time of great confusion as people did not know who would eventually succeed. Loyalties became divided.              C.         Some left with…

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The Calm Between Major Events

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Events happen in our lives that you could call defining moments             A.        It is when we must make a hard choice. Ultimately, the choice defines who we are.             B.        A moment of courage, when someone is saved.             C.        A moment of conviction when we stand up for God and truth             D.        The challenges we face…

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Things They Don’t Teach in School

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Things-They-Dont-Teach-in-School.mp3 Text: I Timothy 6:17-21   I.         It is that time of year again when the school bells begin to ring             A.        By the time a student graduates from high school, he will have invested about 15,120 hours in understanding a wide variety of subjects, which are considered necessary for success in this world.             B.        Many go on…

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The Things I Can Control

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Things-I-Can-Control.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 6:25-34   I.         People spend a lot of anxious time over things that are really out of their control             A.        A lot of teenagers worry about how tall they will be as an adult – Matthew 6:27             B.        Older adults begin to worry whether gray hairs are appearing – Matthew 5:36…

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There Is No Partiality with God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/There-Is-No-Partiality-With-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 2:1-11   I.         People tend to be biased.             A.        We have our viewpoints. We have our favorites. We understand that being unbiased is a better position, but biased views always creep into our decisions.                         1.         Listen to a radio commentator. It doesn’t take long to figure out wether he is conservative…

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Examining Christianity

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Examining-Christianity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 13:1-8   I.         Most religions in the world surround themselves in mysteries             A.        Followers are asked to accept things without full knowledge             B.        Only a select few are granted special insight             C.        But God’s teachings are not like these religions                         1.         God challenges us to reason about the evidence available – Isaiah…

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Why Doesn’t God Prove Himself?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Why-Doesnt-God-Prove-Himself.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 43:8-13   I.         “If God is real, why doesn’t He just give concrete evidence?”             A.        It is a question that preachers frequently run into.             B.        If I don’t personally see the evidence, then I don’t think adequate proof exists – John 20:25 II.        God has given evidence             A.        The Creation speaks of God’s…

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On Being Faithful

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/On-Being-Faithful.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 4:1-5   I.         If you were a boss, what kind of person would you want working for you?             A.        You probably would want someone who performed his duties well, skilled in the particular task that you needed done.             B.        But one thing that I think most bosses would highly desire…

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I Will Not Forsake You

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/I-Will-Not-Forsake-You.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 31:1-6   I.         Moses was approaching the end of his life. The time of his departure was at hand.             A.        Understandably, the children of Israel would be nervous. He has been their leader for 40 years. Moses faced down Pharaoh and led them out of slavery. He is the one…

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Never Again Will They Learn War

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Never-Again-Will-They-Learn-War.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 65:17-25   I.         King Nebuchadnezzar had enough with the rebellion of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah             A.        He removed the nobles to retrain them in his ways; yet, the stubborn Jews continued to rebel. Jehoakim was removed and his son Jehoachin was put in his place.             B.        He removed the…

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What Does Peace Look Like?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/What-Does-Peace-Look-Like.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 12:5-14   I.         A prize was once offered to an artist who best depicted the concept of peace             A.        One image was of a calm lake perfectly mirroring the distant mountains. Overhead was a blue sky with puffy white clouds.             B.        Another picture was of rugged, bare mountains with foaming waterfall…

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Choirs and Solos

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Choirs-and-Solos.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 13:12-16   I.         Satan never stops in his relentless pursuit of God’s people to lead them astray – I Peter 5:8-9             A.        In the past, we talked about the introduction of musical instruments into the worship.                         1.         We showed from scripture that the practice was not authorized by God                         2.         We showed…

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Daily Religion

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Daily-Religion.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 9:23-26   I.         What kind of religion do you have? How is your faith expressed?             A.        Acts 5:42 – The early Christians had a daily religion             B.        It seems today that many have a once a week, once a month, or even a once a year religion             C.        Even in the Old…

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Poured Out

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Poured-Out.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:12-18   I.         Under the Law of Moses, there were many different sacrifices and offerings made.             A.        In fact, they can be downright confusing to sort out because their purposes overlapped each other.             B.        Under the New Law, Jesus is our one sacrifice for sin – Hebrews 10:11-14             C.        But this doesn’t…

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Lessons from the Bible to Build Your Faith

A series of lessons presented by Joe Greer of Taylors, South Carolina April 23-26, 2023 On This Rock (Matthew 16:18) Hear Him (Matthew 17:1-8) Faith Demands Action Worship by God’s Design Beginning to Sink Beware – Hungry Lions

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Wanting Something for Nothing

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Wanting-Something-for-Nothing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Samuel 24:10-25   I.         Have you noticed how many people want something, but are unwilling to put sufficient effort into obtaining what they want?             A.        I keep hearing about the latest lotto figures. Hundreds of millions of dollars are available, for the meager cost of a few bucks.                         1.         Millions of…

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When God Reveals the Future

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/When-God-Reveals-the-Future.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-36   I.         Consider for the moment God’s words to Abram – Genesis 15:5-6             A.        At the time God made this promise, Abram had no children. So why tell him what the future would be like?             B.        Later, God also tells Abram about some of the struggles his children will endure…

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The Impenitent

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Impenitent.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 26:1-15   I.         Jeremiah was told to warn the people of the doom that was approaching them             A.        God thought there might be chance that the people would change – Jeremiah 26:2-3             B.        Did they respond? Yes, but not in the right way – Jeremiah 26:8-9             C.        Jeremiah again reminded them that…

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Manasseh’s Repentance

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Manassehs-Repentance.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 21:1-9   I.         There is a simple fact, which so many people have a hard time accepting – Ezekiel 18:20-24             A.        Do people really change?             B.        Can they really be forgiven?             C.        Oh, you don’t understand, I’ve done such terrible things that God would never forgive me of them. II.        Manasseh was…

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Repentance

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Repentance.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 7:8-11   I.         In any pursuit, people develop jargon             A.        The jargon speeds up communication with people in the same group but can be confusing to outsiders because they don’t know the definition of words             B.        Christianity is no different. We sometimes forget what it is like for someone who…

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The Other Side of Church History

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/The-Other-Side-of-Church-History.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:1-3   I.         When we study the history of the church since its beginnings, we tend to follow the paths of the major divisions.             A.        Thus we see the rise of Catholicism as innovation after innovation is accepted, the splits over those innovations which led to the Orthodox Catholic…

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Given to Change

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Given-to-Change.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 24:21-22   I.         For many people, trying out something new is exciting. You don’t know exactly what the result will be, which is part of the fun             A.        So we try out new restaurants or travel to places we’ve never been before             B.        Some changes are fun, but not always. For…

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Talking with Your Neighbor

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton (Short Talk) Text: Zechariah 8:16-17   I.         Undoubtedly there are evil people around us             A.        There are people who plot the harm of others, even though it disrupts the safety of those around them – Proverbs 3:29             B.        This was one of the many problems that led to Israel’s downfall – Micah 2:1-3             C.        Typically…

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Good Neighbors

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Good-Neighbors.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:16-21   I.         Putting off the old man             A.        When we become a Christian, we are supposed to become a new person – II Corinthians 5:17             B.        We are supposed to have the mind of Christ – Philippians 2:5             C.        That isn’t so hard when everything goes well             D.        But 19th century English…

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The Truth About God’s Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-Truth-About-Gods-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 5   I.         The world is filled with varying and confusing ideas about how God loves us.             A.        Typically the emphasis is placed so heavily on God’s love that many think that God is incapable of a negative thought against anyone.             B.        Others see God as so remote and unapproachable that…

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A Life Defined by Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-Life-Defined-by-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 16:13-14   I.         The story of Ruth is a popular love story from the Bible             A.        It isn’t how most people see as a typical love story.                         1.         She doesn’t go out searching for love but she eventually finds it anyway             B.        Rather, we see the story of a woman whose…

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Called to Rise Above

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Called-to-Rise-Above.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:17-24   I.         I found an article the other day by Ray Gonzalez, of Mexico, that started me thinking …            There’s Shorty, just standing … scoping out the morning. Where will he strike today? Like a tiger, he is smelling the air to see where he may find prey.…

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Reasonable Risks

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Reasonable-Risks.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 4:7-16   I.         Increasingly I run into people who are obsessive-compulsive.             A.        It is sometimes referred to as the doubter’s disease because the sufferer is constantly plagued with uncertainty.                         1.         A person might repeatedly wash his hands because he might not have done a thorough enough cleaning earlier                         2.         Another might constantly…

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