Sermon
Observing Holidays
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/04/ObservingHolidays.mp3 I. It is that time of year when one holiday after another is observed: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and finally New Years. A. Usually this time of year also brings up the question of how we, as Christians, treat these celebrations? B. Many denominations do special events for these days 1. Christmas being the main one with denominations…
Read MoreOrphans and Their Care
I. Orphans are not mentioned often in the New Testament, once to be precise, but many have developed unusual ideas about how to care for the orphans in our midst. A. Unusual, because their teaching does not follow the plain statements of the New Testament. B. The passage we will delve into is James 1:27. II. The Bible’s…
Read MoreWill the Earth Remain?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 37:1-22 I. I believe that all here understand that the earth was never created to be a permanent home to mankind A. In contrast to Jesus’ words, the earth and its heaven will cease – Mark 13:31 B. God is eternal, but the world He made will wear out and be…
Read MoreWhy We Don’t Follow The Old Testament (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-6 I. Our Bibles are composed of two major parts: an Old Testament and a New Testament A. Why are they called “testaments”? 1. A testament is a legal document declaring a person’s wishes. 2. Thus, calling the Bible a testament is to say these are the commands (the legal requirements) that…
Read MoreWhat Thomas Missed
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 20:19-29 I. We aren’t told why, but when the disciples gathered after Jesus’ death, Thomas wasn’t there at a very notable time. A. What was it that Thomas missed by not being there? II. What did Thomas miss? A. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord – John 20:20 1. Jesus knew…
Read MoreWhat is Heaven Like?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Some things are just hard to describe A. When asked to describe her husband, Shulammith answered – Song 5:10-16 1. We understand that this is not a precise, scientific description 2. Rather, the unknown is described by the familiar. Somehow we know the real thing is better. 3. Each illustration shows a characteristic. It is…
Read MoreWe Don’t Do Religion
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. A young lady called, asking if I would consider conducting her wedding. A. I tell them that I’m willing, but I have certain restrictions. If either had been divorced, it had to be because of sexual immorality (that eliminates most of the calls right there). I also require that they take a…
Read MoreWe are Going Down the Valley
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Let us read I Cor. 15:50-58 II. In our song books there is a spiritual song written by Jessie Brown Pounds A. She lived from 1861 to 1921 in Hiram, Ohio. Both she and her family were members of the Lord’s church. B. We sing many songs that are based on her poems: 1. The…
Read MoreWe are at War!
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Few Christians realize that their country is at war A. No, I don’t mean the U.S. B. I mean the country every Christian in the world belongs to, the church of our Lord and God. 1. Phil 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven 2. Eph. 2:19 – You are fellow citizens 3. Few Christians realize…
Read MoreWas It His Time to Go?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 39 I. So many things in this life are beyond our grasp to comprehend. A. We attend a funeral to see that someone who was once full of life and energy is now still, lying in a casket. Why did it happen? B. We want explanations that sometimes can’t be given.…
Read MoreShould Christians Support the Salvation Army?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II John 5-11 I. Would you consider it right to drop money in a Catholic church’s collection box? Would you send monthly tithes to a Methodist church? A. For Christians following the New Testament, the answer is a strong “No.” B. We don’t agree with the teachings of these denominations, so why…
Read MoreStrictness Not According to Knowledge
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 15:1-14 I. In our zeal to live as God requires, we will at times take on more restrictions than God has placed upon us. A. Ecclesiastes 7:15-16 1. A confusing verse. Is Solomon saying don’t follow God’s laws strictly? Have a little sin in your life? 2. The answer is a few…
Read MoreShowing Submission
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. We have spent a good deal of time showing the fact that Christians are to be in submission to various authorities. A. Some of these relationships are voluntary, some are involuntary, but in all cases submission must be shown. B. However, how is submission shown? How do place yourself in submission? II. Submission is…
Read MoreShould Denominations Be Refuted?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:97-104 I. Some brethren are, well, squeamish when denominations are publicly refuted A. There is a fear that visitors, their friends and relatives, will be offended by such plain language B. In the end, there is more allowance for sin to continue unchecked. C. Is it possible that we do not mind…
Read MoreScientology
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 2:1-19 I. There are times that I run into ideas that leave me completely puzzled. People seriously believe these things? A. I was asked to do a lesson on Scientology since it had been in the news recently B. The things I learned about it were so strange that I…
Read MoreSalvation by Grace Through Faith
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. When we read Ephesians 2:8-10, there are four important words which stand out: grace, saved, faith, and works. A. The gift mentioned in verse 8 is the gift of salvation given to us by God’s grace. 1. Grace is an unmerited favor. a. It is an action distinguished by justice.…
Read MoreResolutions from Hebrews
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 3:8-16 I. As one year draws to a close and another dawns new, people make resolutions that the new year will not be like those in the past A. There are resolutions to lose weight, to exercise more, break bad habits and to establish good habits. B. The writer of Hebrews…
Read MoreReasons for Missing Services
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 18:22-39 I. People come up with some fairly bizarre reasons for being anywhere else but at services. A. They need to be at work, attend school events, sporting practices, sporting events. B. Some are just plain tired or don’t feel well – nothing specific mind you – just a vague…
Read MoreRaising Children
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. This generation is full of unusual ideas about how to raise children A. Many are leftovers of failed experiments that continue to hang around. 1. Don’t spank children a. It is a form of child abuse or could lead to it. b. It is unnatural to restrict children 2. Ignore children – you have your own…
Read MoreThe Promises to Abraham
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 12:1-3 I. Once in while I run across people who ask when God is going to fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. A. Here is a typical quote, “So if we are to believe God and his word, then all his promises, and all the prophecies must be fulfilled,…
Read MorePredetermined Destinies
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Many in the world believe in fates and destinies A. They believe there is a specific role they must play, which they cannot avoid. B. Calvanists call it Unconditional Election. Some people are predestined to become Christians and there is nothing they can do to avoid it. 1. They also claim the opposite. That…
Read MorePreaching the Crucified Christ
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 1:17-31 I. What does it mean to “preach Christ crucified”? – I Corinthians 1:23 A. The message of the cross is the power of God – I Corinthians 1:18 B. The message of the cross is God’s means of salvation – I Corinthians 1:21 C. Therefore, it is the gospel (good…
Read MoreObedience Is Not Enough
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Ps. 110:3 – God’s people will be volunteers A. A reference to this age and to this people assembled here B. What does it mean that you are volunteers? 1. Today, we have a president interested in increasing volunteers 2. He is even willing to compensate them, but that is not what being a volunteer…
Read MoreMen of Debase Minds
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 5:18-24 I. Starting in Romans 1:18, Paul lays out the moral decay of the Gentile society A. All men at one time knew God, but there came a point in the Gentile society when the true God was rejected.- Romans 1:18-21 1. He was replaced with gods of man’s imagination, copied…
Read MoreIt’s Not What I Expected
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 53:1-12 I. Perhaps you are wondering A. Where are the special Christmas displays and decorations? B. How come the bulletin doesn’t mention the Christ’s birth? C. This is not what I expected! II. Naaman – II Kings 5:1-19 A. Naaman was expecting Elisha to come out of his house, wave his arms and chant…
Read MoreIs There Salvation Outside of Christ?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 4:1-14 I. In the summer of 2002, Catholic theologians made the news. A. From an article by Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, August 18, 2002 A committee of the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops has negated the death of Christ, and invalidated his declaration, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7).…
Read MoreI Can Always Ask for Forgiveness Later
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 6 I. In pointing out some actions are sinful, it is not unusual to find people making excuses as to why they can continue in their sin A. I once pointed out that sex before marriage is sinful B. A girl objected. Oh, she and her boyfriend haven’t had sex per…
Read MoreHuman Sacrifices?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Judges 11:29-40 I. There are two stories that cause some concern because they involve the concept of sacrificing a human being to God. A. They cause concern because the Bible is very clear about God’s opinion on human sacrifices. B. The slaying of humans invokes a death sentence – Genesis 9:5 C. False…
Read MoreHomosexuality (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Discussions of homosexuality have been occupying prominent places in the news A. Many arguments that the rights of those practicing homosexual relationships need to be protected. B. Arguments that homosexual relationships are normal and should be taught in public schools as acceptable alternatives. C. Annoucements of new studies attempting to find the cause of…
Read MoreHalloween (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. What is your reputation like? A. As Christians, you are a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid – Mt. 5:14-16 1. We are to let our lights shine as our reputation reflects the Father and brings him glory. B. Phil. 2:15-16 – We hold out the light of the gospel…
Read MoreEmotionalism
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/07/Emotionalism.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:18-38 I. When we look at the various denominations around us, it is hard to miss their enthusiasm and the emotional quality to the things that they do. A. They really get involved in their worship. B. The bigger churches services are large productions. C. A friend once told me about a…
Read MoreBe on the Alert (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-5 I. It is our natural tendency to interpret the actions of others with our own views. A. It is hard for those who are good to understand why people will do evil. B. While thinking about how to lead in to this lesson, I received the following e-mail back before…
Read MoreBeginning a New Year
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The people of Israel stood at the edge of the promised land. The hopes of this people were about to be fulfilled. A. Giving detailed instructions on where they should go and not go, Joshua added this comment, “For you have not passed this way before.” B. It is easy to lose your…
Read MoreAnswering the Sabbatarian
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:8-23 I. Though only a minority, there are several denominations who believe that worship should take place on the Sabbath – the seventh day of the week A. Those adhering to the ideas that the Sabbath day regulations of the Old Testament should be keep today are very vocal B. Let…
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