Sermon
With Gratitude in Our Hearts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/With-Gratitude-In-Our-Hearts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:12-24 Suggested song: Count Your Blessings I. The Ten Lepers – Luke 17:11-19 A. I’m sure all ten were happy to have been healed. B. Perhaps in their joy nine rushed off to tell their loved ones, but only one returned to say “thank you.” C. We get so caught…
Read MoreShould a Christian Vote?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Should-a-Christian-Vote.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 5:13-16 I. David Lipscomb was a famous preacher from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s A. He wasn’t an apostle. He wasn’t inspired. But he was a knowledgeable man, and his words carried a lot of weight. B. He taught that it was a sin for a Christian to vote…
Read MoreI Will Give Thanks to You Forever
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/I-Will-Give-Thanks-to-You-Forever.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 30 I. When nice things happen, we know we ought to be thankful A. Yet, in our happiness we too often forget – Luke 17:12-19 B. However, in one of David’s Psalms, David contemplates other times we might not think of being thankful to God II. In the depths of despair…
Read MoreCan We Trust the Text of the Bible?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Can-We-Trust-the-Text-of-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:12-21 I. I was discussing with a gentleman about the location of a particular city mentioned in the Bible. A. He had found an old map that placed Baal Zephon on the Mediterranean Sea instead of on the edge of the Red Sea. Doesn’t this prove, he asked,…
Read MoreForeshadowing
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Foreshadowing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 22:1-14 I. A mark of a good writer is his use of foreshadows to give the reader a hint of what is to come later in the story A. It gives a sense of unity to a book, but it is difficult to do well. Small details must be…
Read MoreHomer Sometimes Nodded
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Homer-Sometimes-Nodded.mp3 Text: Numbers 23:18-19 I. Horace (65 – 8 B.C.), a Latin poet, wrote “Sometimes even the noble Homer nods” A. Homer was a blind Greek poet of the eight century B.C. Know for the Illiad and the Odyssey. B. As accomplished as Homer was, he sometimes erred with reference to the facts of the incidents that…
Read MoreBiblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Arguments-Against-the-Bible.mp3 Text: I Peter 1:22-25 I. The arguments have not changed much over the years. Same given today as hundreds of years ago. II. All or Nothing A. Do we have to insist on total infallibility of the Scriptures? B. Some fear that one error would overthrow all of Christianity. C. However, if the writers of the Bible were…
Read MorePresent Your Case
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Present-Your-Case.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:21-22 I. The Apostle Paul challenges Christians everywhere to prove all things – I Thessalonians 5:21-22 A. Jude 3 tells us to contend earnestly for the faith B. I Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer to every question 1. The Greek word is the one…
Read MoreThe Bible and Medical Science
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/The-Bible-and-Medical-Science.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 45:20-25 I. We know that the Bible is God’s directions for mankind A. It is not a history book per se; that is, it doesn’t document all of world history. Just a small, but relevant portion. B. It is not a science book, but it does mention scientific facts once…
Read MoreQuestions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Questions.mp3 Text: II Timothy 2:14-18 I. Many years ago, a set of false teaching was being promoted in the congregation. When the false teacher was asked by the congregation to explain himself, he gave a list of questions to one of the younger members, who passed it on the older members. A. I found it necessary…
Read MoreFive Stones in the Hands of a Boy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Five-Stones-in-the-Hands-of-a-Boy.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 1:26-29 I. The armies of the Philistines and the Israelites faced each other across a valley – I Samuel 17:1-3 A. With both armies camped on mountains, it became a standoff. Whoever attacked the other would be at a disadvantage. B. Thus, the Philistines sent out their champion issue a challenge and break…
Read MoreWisdom Learned from the Animals
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wisdom-Learned-From-The-Animals.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 2:1-6 I. The Lord God teaches us wisdom A. His teaching comes in a variety of forms. We read His words and learn about right and wrong B. But God’s teaching doesn’t end there. Even in the world around us, through the creation of God, God is instructing us -…
Read MoreWho Is Wise and Understanding?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Who-Is-Wise-and-Understanding.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:13-18 I. The Bible speaks of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom A. Knowledge are the many facts about life and the world we live in. B. Understanding is the ability to take several facts and combine them to arrive at new information. C. Wisdom is knowing when information ought to be applied…
Read MoreFaith Over Fear
Lessons presented by Wilson Adams of Nashville, Tennessee September 27-30, 2020 The Verse That Will Change Your Life “Lord, Do You Not Care?” When This Journey Comes to an End … Majesty! Worship His Majesty! Pray BIG! If You Want to Walk on the Water -You Must Get Out of the Boat
Read MoreThe Atheist’s Motives
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/The-Atheists-Motives.mp3 Text: Proverbs 4:20-27 I. Consider the offer A. Atheism offers 1. No absolute morality. Everything is subjective. 2. No meaning to your life. Life is just a span of time, where you suffer for a while before you are squished into oblivion. 3. No hope about your future. B. Christianity offers 1. A clear, absolute morality with guidelines 2. There is…
Read MorePerceptions of God’s Word
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Perceptions-of-Gods-Word.mp3 Text: Malachi 3:16-4:3 I. The prophet Malachi declared there would be a distinction between the wicked and righteous A. The rising day would burn the wicked like chaff, but serve as healing balm for the righteous. B. The same event produces two dramatically different results. C. The result did not depend on the event but on the…
Read MoreWhy Did Uzzah Have to Die?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Why-Did-Uzzah-Have-to-Die.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Samuel 6:1-10 I. David had long desired to bring the Ark of God, the very symbol of God’s presence into his capital city. A. With great fair-fare and many witnesses, the Ark was placed on a cart and led from it’s current site to Jerusalem. B. But something funny happened…
Read MoreBeing a Christian Will Not Save You
Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 1Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 2Being a Christian Will Not Save You – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jude 1-10 I. Why did you become a Christian? A. For most of us, we desired the promise – Ephesians 1:13-14 B. We wanted…
Read MoreTo Affect Change
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/To-Affect-Change.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 2:13-17 I. Peter talked about our relationship to the government – I Peter 2:13-17 A. Submission to the government is an involuntary action. Most of us do not have opportunities to chose which government we wish to live under. Even with choice, we will always be under some…
Read MoreHe Showed Himself Alive by Many Proofs
I. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity A. If it is not true, then our religion is a hoax B. I Cor. 15:12-19 C. Our faith stands or falls on whether not the resurrection actually occurred. II. Objections to a resurrection A. “It’s unscientific” 1. The Soviet Encyclopedia The concept of a resurrection “is found to be the…
Read MoreBible Stories
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Bible-Stories.mp3 Text: II Peter 1:16-21 I. “Grandpa, read me a story.” A. Children love hearing a story and so stories are selected to teach the children some lessons B. Most of us don’t grow out of the desire to hear a story. Whether from reading a book or hearing a podcast or watching a movie, stories have…
Read MoreThe Words We Speak
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Words-We-Speak.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:17-24 I. There is a Proverb that stands out in my mind – Proverbs 26:18-19 A. You cannot cover up lies with a claim that you were making a joke. B. We are judged by what we say, even the casual things said without much thought – Matthew 12:35-37 1. Why?…
Read MoreWhat Is Teaching?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/What-Is-Teaching.mp3 Text: Hebrews 5:6-6:3 I. Teaching is a duty within the church A. Ephesians 4:11 – Listed with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. B. Acts 13:1 – Antioch had prophets and teachers C. I Corinthians 12:28-29 – Listed among apostles and prophets. D. Romans 12:6-8 – Teaching is a gift to be exercised to our best ability E. Paul performed…
Read MoreUncommon Courtesy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Uncommon-Courtesy.mp3 Text: Romans 15:1-6 I. Sometimes I have to wonder what happened to common courtesy. The phrase needs to be changed because it seem common courtesy has become uncommon. A. Courtesy is “the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others” 1. It comes from a French word meaning “courtly ideals; chivalry, chivalrous conduct; elegance…
Read MoreThat’s Your Interpretation!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Thats-Your-Interpretation.mp3 Text: II Peter 1:10-21 I. When you want to read a book which was written in French, but you don’t know French, what do you do? A. You find an interpretation of the French book into a language you know. B. An interpreter copies the meaning of something from one language into another language. C. But can…
Read MoreDoes It Matter What I Believe?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Does-It-Matter-What-I-Believe.mp3 Text: I Kings 18:25-40 I. When Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18 A. It wasn’t that the false prophets were insincere or had no belief at all B. They cut themselves, danced in a frenzy, and spent a day calling on their god. C. If all you needed was sincerity and faith, they…
Read MoreThe Absolute Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/The-Absolute-Truth.mp3 Text: Jeremiah 32:37-41 I. I’m sure you have heard people who in matters of right and wrong express this belief A. “I feel it is wrong for me, but other people have to decided for themselves whether it is wrong for them. I can’t push my beliefs on others.” B. The statement is called “moral relativism.”…
Read MoreSee If You Can Find a Man
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/See-If-You-Can-Find-a-Man.mp3 Text: Jeremiah 5:1-13 I. The last days of the southern kingdom of Judah A. The people had become very corrupt – Jeremiah 5:20-23 B. God purposed to severely punish His people – Jeremiah 5:26-31 II. But there is one hope – Jeremiah 5:1 A. Jeremiah is told to run through Jerusalem and find a man 1. A man who…
Read MoreShould Christians Strike?
Text: I Peter 2:18-25 I. Labor unions are lauded for the improvements they wrought in the workplace A. By encouraging employees to act as one, many concessions have been won from companies B. When the group appeals don’t sway an employer, strikes often will 1. Strikes shutdown the “life blood” of a business, preventing the production of products…
Read MorePrejudiced: Preconceived Opinions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Prejudiced-Preconceived-Opinions.mp3 Text: James 2:1-9 I. How many of you believe you are prejudice? How many of you believe you are the victim of prejudice? A. Prejudice is old, old problem that Christians have battled for centuries. 1. It means to have an opinion about something or someone before all the facts are weighed. 2. It is not wrong to…
Read MoreWorthy of Trust
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Worthy-of-Trust.mp3 Text: Psalm 15 I. It has occurred to me that a core problem in our society is that we don’t trust anyone. A. Anyone trust the politicians? What about the news media? B. For some there is now a lack of trust of the police. C. What is behind this lack of trust? D. I’m sure you heard…
Read MoreThe Many Forms of Patience
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Many-Forms-of-Patience.mp3 Text: II Timothy 2:23-26 I. The example of Job A. Job understood that there is no arguing with the Creator of the universe – Job 9:1-4 B. But in his frustrations with his friends’ insistence that he sinned, he wanted to argue his case – Job 23:1-7 C. In this Job was wrong, but we find him…
Read MoreDon’t Go Into Egypt
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Do-Not-Go-into-Egypt.mp3 Text: Jeremiah 42:1-6 I. Imagine living during the last days of Judah A. Josiah was a wonderful king – II Kings 23:25 B. But he was killed by the king of Egypt – II Kings 23:28-29 C. But Jehoahaz, the king who succeeded him, only lasted three months – II Kings 23:31-33 D. His brother replaces him as…
Read MoreThe Fullness of Time
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TheFullnessOfTime.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text Galatians 3:26-4:7 I. For a plan to succeed there must be preparation A. The plans of the diligent succeed – Proverbs 21:5 1. In part because he isn’t lazy about accomplishing what he plans – Proverbs 13:4 2. The lesson of the ant is that they prepare in advance of their needs…
Read MoreMake Me Know My End
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Make-Me-Know-My-End.mp3 Text: Psalms 39 I. Psalms 38-40 cover related themes regarding the problems caused by sin A. God has punished David because of his sin – Psalms 38:1-2 B. Between God’s punishment and the burden of the sin itself, David feels overwhelmed – Psalms 38:3-8 C. Even close friends and family avoid you when you are suffering because…
Read MoreThe Message of the Cross
I. I Corinthians 1:18-24 A. The core of salvation is the fact that Jesus died for our sins. B. The center of our hope is the knowledge that Jesus arose triumphant over death. C. Yet many are unable to understand this message. 1. The Jews wanted something else. They wanted further proof from God. 2. The Greeks thought it was silly.…
Read MorePatience
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Patience.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 33:12-22 I. What do you do when things don’t go your way? A. When money becomes tight? Or someone cheats you? B. What happens when life gets difficult and you don’t have a solution? C. Or what happens when something needs to be done and you don’t have enough time? D. For…
Read MoreGod Provides
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/God-Provides.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:22-31 I. Imagine having an illness that left you unable to move on your own A. Suffering with this disease for 38 years! – John 5:5-7 B. And then a stranger comes up and cures your disease – John 5:8-9 C. No longer weak, no longer dependent! D. The Jews accused Jesus…
Read MoreThe Sons of Thunder
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Sons-of-Thunder.mp3 Text: Mark 3:14-19 I. Often when we talk about the apostles, we focus on the notable Peter and Paul. A. There are many things we can learn from their lives, but we also can learn from the examples of the other apostles as well. B. Today I would like to direct your attention to two brothers,…
Read MoreFear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 6:8-23 I. The prevalence of fear A. Watch a horror movie 1. The scenes start out idyllic. But in the background there are hints that something isn’t quite right. 2. The music builds with intensity. You know something is about to happen, but not what or when 3. Your heart races…
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