Sermon
Illogical Fixes to Problems
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Illogical-Fixes-to-Problems.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 8:1-8 I. For over 400 years, God ruled over the land of Israel. A. When the people became wicked, God sent in an enemy nation to conquer a portion of the land. B. When the people turned backed to God, he raised up a judge to lead the people…
Read MoreChallenges for the Year
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Challenges-for-the-Year.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:28-32 I. Toward the end of each year, people tend to review the year and record the trends that are evident A. I’ve been collecting several articles in the last few months dealing with moral trends B. We are not of the world, but we must live in it -…
Read MoreOn the Other Side of the Fence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/On-the-Other-Side-of-the-Fence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-9 I. It is so easy, so tempting to look at what someone else has accomplished and think “That could have been me.” A. When you are in school, have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I can’t wait until I have a job. None of this homework business for…
Read MoreExpecting the Impossible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Expecting-the-Impossible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 19:16-26 I. With God, all things are possible – Matthew 19:26 A. Even the saving of a wealthy man, if he desired to be saved. B. Yet, we must understand that some things are impossible for even God 1. It is impossible for God to lie – Hebrews 6:17-18 2. He cannot…
Read MoreThe Parable of the Unjust Steward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Parable-of-the-Unjust-Steward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Luke 16:1-13 A. Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8. B. How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II. This parable follows three other…
Read MoreUse Your Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Use-Your-Blessings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:16-21 I. Our lives are filled with blessings that we too often take for granted. A. We assume that they will always be there. We might even feel that we deserve them 1. Consider Jonah’s attitude – Jonah 4:5-9 a. Jonah received a blessing from God. b. But when the blessing ended…
Read MoreSetting Boundaries
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:1-4 I. We live in a country that is founded on the ideas of freedom and liberty A. Yet we don’t live in society without any restraints. We have laws, rules, regulations, expectations B. It is the very laws that we have which gives us our freedom 1. How? One of my…
Read MoreThe Secret of Learning to Be Content
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Secret-of-Learning-to-be-Content.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:10-14 I. Paul faced many adversities during his life – more than most of us will see – II Corinthians 11:24-27 A. What sort of person would you be with this sort of life? What attitudes would people notice first? B. Bitter? Hardened? Depressed? C. Yet, through these experiences, Paul learned…
Read MoreBe of Good Cheer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Be-of-Good-Cheer.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-13 I. It is easy to look at the bad side of things A. Some people seem to only see the bad side of things 1. No matter what happens, it has a dark side 2. These people seem to be only grumpy and miserable 3. Their only pleasure seems to be…
Read MoreWhere There Is No Vision
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 29:18 I. The vision or revelation under consideration is not imagination or foresight A. Of course, we do need to have prudence – the ability to see what comes next, but this isn’t the passage to use B. This passage is talking about divine revelation, a vision in the night, a…
Read MoreFocus on Your Goal
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Focus-on-Your-Goal.mp3 Text: Colossians 3:1-4 I. In the fantasy, Alice in Wonderland, Alice came to a junction that led in different directions. The Cheshire Cat was nearby, so Alice asked for advice. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat said, “That depends a good deal on where you…
Read MoreThe Gospel of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Gospel-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 2 I. An important event happened during the first century that many today have ignored or have declared did not happen A. Jesus spent time teaching that the kingdom of God was at hand – Mark 1:14-15 1. It was the good news about the kingdom – Matthew 4:23…
Read MoreThe Establishment of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Establishment-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 7:13-27 I. Few argue the importance of the Kingdom in God’s plan. A. It is not of this world – John 18:36 B. It is a spiritual kingdom – Luke 17:20-21 C. Yet there remain arguments as to when it was or will be established. 1. In part it is because people…
Read MoreMara or Naomi?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Mara-or-Naomi.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ruth 1:19-21 I. Life has its ups and downs. How do you respond? A. Do you rail at life and God? Do you decide life is a misery? B. Naomi had a hard life. 1. Famine caused her family to move to a foreign country – Ruth 1:1 2. Her husband then died…
Read MoreFacing God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Facing-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 33:18-23 I. Moses asked to see God’s full glory, but God told Moses that no mortal man could survive seeing His full glory face-to-face A. Many people have speculated as to why this should be the case B. I suspect that part of it is due to sin – I…
Read MoreBurnout
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Burnout.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 9:24-27 I. You pour your energies into a project until there is no more to give; yet, more is needed to finish. It is impossible! So you give up. A. It is called burn out. 1. I see it happen often on long hikes. The young run ahead with…
Read MoreThe Unusual Style of the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Unusual-Style-of-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:16-21 I. When we talk about the Bible, a major point made in its defense is to point out the unusual unity it displays despite being written by about 40 writers over a 1,500 year period. A. The authors lived in different regions, had different occupations. B. The writings…
Read MoreThe One Thing that Matters
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-One-Thing-that-Matters.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 11:5-13 I. How do you pray? What do you pray for? A. A young Chinese preacher asked me to explain Luke 11:9-10 better so that he could teach others in his area better B. God is all knowing, but God expects us to ask 1. Consider how many people won’t even…
Read MoreGoing Before and Following After
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Going-Before-and-Following-After.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 5:21-25 I. The phrase “lay hands upon” in I Timothy 5:22 deals giving your blessing to another person A. Such as when Jacob blessed his grandchildren – Genesis 48:14 B. Such as when someone is appointed to a duty – Acts 6:6; 13:2-3 C. It can also be a sign…
Read MoreThe Bible Is Understandable
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/The-Bible-Is-Understandable.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:97-112 I. When it comes to religion, people seem to prefer having a mystery A. Those in leadership of many denominations prefer it because people depend on them for answers. B. Those in the ranks of denominations are satisfied having others tell them what they need to know. C. The problem…
Read MoreWhy Believe in the Bible?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Why-Believe-in-the-Bible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31 I. Could the Bible be a product of man? A. We know that the Bible was written by about 40 different people 1. Each from different walks of life, from shepherds to kings, councilors to fishermen. 2. It was written over a 1,500 year time span B. If men could…
Read MoreI Wish Someone Had Told Me
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/I-Wish-Someone-Had-Told-Me.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 5:7-14 I. I ran across an article by Chuck Lawless about “Ten Conversations I Wish Someone Had with Me as a Teenager.” A. Hindsight generally reveals that mistakes could have been avoided B. I constantly get told: “I wish someone had told me just how bad this could get” C. And…
Read MoreThings to Remember
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Things-to-Remember.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 I. There are so many things to remember! A. Need to tie a string around my finger, but then I wouldn’t be able to bend it – there would be so many strings tied there. B. Then there are organizers: paper and electronic, for the technically inclined, which work…
Read MoreThe Marks of God’s People
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Marks-of-Gods-People.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:15-20 I. By their fruits you shall know them – Matthew 7:15-20 A. You can distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous by their fruits B. The things that they do make them recognizable. More importantly, the results of their work stand out. C. We could talk about the characteristics of…
Read MoreConsider the Lord’s Loving Kindness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Consider-the-Lords-Loving-Kindness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 107 I. Whatever our life, we need to acknowledge God loving kindness toward us – Psalms 107:1-3 A. Many talk of Psalms 107 as a song of God redeeming the nation of Israel from Babylonian captivity. 1. But this isn’t about a nation. It is about groups or categories of…
Read MoreEvery Good Work
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Every-Good-Work.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 111 I. From the beginning, God has given men work to do A. Adam was to care for the garden – Genesis 2:15; 3:17-18 B. As Christians, we are commanded to work – I Thessalonians 4:11 C. We are being disobedient if we do not work – II Thessalonians 3:6-13 II. This…
Read MoreThe Freedom of Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Freedom-of-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:30-59 I. Many began to believe on Jesus – John 8:30-31 A. Jesus said that if they would live in the words of Jesus, then they would truly be his disciples – John 8:32 1. Obedience to his teaching would cause them to know the truth. 2. Obedience leads to greater…
Read MoreDoing Our Duty
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/DoingOurDuty.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 17:1-10 I. Many denominations today struggle with the concept of obeying God. A. Oh, they give lip service to the concept, but they find it appalling that anything we do affects our salvation B. Most claim that all that is needed is faith and God does the rest. C. Some realize…
Read MoreA Good Mate
A Good Mate – Part 1A Good Mate – Part 2A Good Mate – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 3:1-7 I. Introduction A. Many, if not most people, spend a fair chunk of their life trying to reach a decision regarding who they will marry B. Sadly, most leave this important choice to…
Read MoreWhat is God’s Will for Me? Part 3: The Basis for Decisions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/What-Is-Gods-Will-for-Me-4-Making-a-Decision.mp3 Text: Deuteronomy 10:12-14 I. Numerous people are convinced, through repeated teachings, that there is a specific plan that God has for each person’s life A. You would think that would make life easier. If God has laid out the perfect life for me, then I just have to conform my life to God’s will and…
Read MoreWhat Is God’s Will for Me? Part 2: Is There a Unique Personal Will?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/What-Is-Gods-Will-for-Me-3-Is-There-a-Unique-Personal-Will.mp3 Text: Proverbs 4:1-10 I. What we’ve seen A. There are groups which teach that there are three different wills of God 1. A sovereign will in which God has laid down the course or direction of the universe 2. A moral will in which God has defined what people should and should not do. 3. An individual will…
Read MoreWhat Is God’s Will for Me?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton What Is Being Taught Is There a Unique Personal Will? The Basis for Decisions Making a Decision Dealing with Uncertainty
Read MoreWhat Is God’s Will for Me? Part 1: What Is Being Taught
What Is God’s Will for Me? – 1 – What Is Being TaughtWhat is God’s Will for Me? – 2 – What Is Being Taught by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 1:15-23 I. How do you know what God wants you to do? A. Not regarding moral decisions, but regarding the choices we often face in…
Read MoreThe Nephilim
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton (Short Talk) Text: Genesis 6:1-4 I. There are three groups mentioned in our reading: A. The Nephilim B. The sons of God C. The daughters of men II. It is frequently claimed that the Nephilim were beings who resulted from fallen angels having sexual relations with humans A. But angels are spiritual beings – Hebrews 1:14…
Read MorePut Forth the Effort
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Put-Forth-the-Effort.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 13:23-30 I. If I asked you to name a famous inventor, the name of Thomas Edison would quickly arise. A. Mr. Edison had a strong influence in our society. 1. He invented the light bulbs which light our auditorium. 2. He invented the method of distributing electricity to homes 3. For you…
Read MoreMetaphors for God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Metaphors-for-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 18:1-19 I. Figures of speech have long been used in communicating ideas. A. Prior to the modern usage of font styles, the content of the text itself called the reader’s attention to what was important. B. Figures of speech grabs your attention because they depart from the usual rules of…
Read MoreIn the Midst of Evil
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/In-The-Midst-Of-Evil.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:3-9 I. Abraham was told that his descendants would be strangers and slaves in a land before being brought back out 400 years later – Genesis 15:13 A. That nation, Egypt, was one of the more wicked places on earth, totally given over to idolatry 1. It became one…
Read MoreHow Satan Divides Brethren
by Larry Rouse The Three Pillars of False Movements I. We should not be surprised at the tactics of Satan. A. When working with other men we must constantly be humbled and because of that be willing to follow the wisdom of God. (James 4:13-18) 1. When we trust God it becomes all about Him and we…
Read MoreAngry Words
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Angry-Words.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 I. The Bible speaks of two types of anger A. The quick, fly-off-the handle, hot tempered anger B. The slow, methodical, vengeful anger C. Both are dangerous for different reasons D. Colossians 3:8 1. Orge (anger) is the slow building type of anger 2. Thumos (wrath) is the passionate hot-tempered type of anger…
Read MoreGod Revealed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/God-Revealed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 15:1-6 I. In the beginning, Adam and Eve had fellowship with God A. God directly interacted with His creation – Genesis 2:15-22 B. He walked in the garden – Genesis 3:8 C. But they had sinned and that sin – separated them from God – Genesis 3:22-24 D. That has remained true…
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