Posts Tagged ‘character’
Looking for a Man
by Dene Ward via FlightPaths.org Sometimes, I wish we had taught classes in our churches specifically about what to look for in a mate. I have seen too many young people looking at only the outer man to decide whether he is suitable to marry. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got…
Read MoreCharacter Matters
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CharacterMatters.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 5:1-5 I. Suppose you needed to hire someone for a job. What would you look for? A. You probably need someone with the skills to do the job, but what other things would you look for? Given several candidates with equivalent skills, what would set one person out above…
Read MoreWhat Made Hezekiah Great?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WhatMadeHezekiahGreat.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 18:1-6 I. Our reading tells us that Hezekiah was a great king of Israel. A. There was no king like him before in Judah. II. The question, though, is what made Hezekiah great? A. It wasn’t his father, Ahaz 1. Ahaz was a wicked man – II Kings 16:2-4 2. Later we…
Read MoreA Tender Heart
A Tender Heart (Part 1)A Tender Heart (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 22:14-20 I. The heart of Josiah A. Those were dark days in the kingdom. For 55 years his grandfather had harshly ruled over Judah – a reign of evil and terror – II Kings 21:1-2, 6 1. So terrible were his…
Read MoreCan Introverts Go to Heaven?
by Gardner Hall It’s an extrovert world! And yet many introverts who feel uncomfortable in certain social situations, still believe in God and want to serve him. Extroverted disciples sometimes make introverts feel that there is little or no hope for them. When they aren’t laughing with others they sometimes hear – “What’s wrong with…
Read MoreHe Tests the Mind
by Terry Wane Benton “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10). The sum of all our good and bad experiences in this testing ground called life is, in fact, a test of mindset or…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Attributes
by Jefferson David Tant “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreThe Importance of Our Thoughts in Motivation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Importance-of-Our-Thoughts-in-Motivation.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreGod’s Will for Motivation
God’s Will for Motivation (Part 1)God’s Will for Motivation (Part 2) by Garry Floyd
Read MoreManasseh’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…
Read MoreYet Not with a Whole Heart
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Yet-Not-with-a-Whole-Heart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 25:1-16 I. Amaziah was the son of Joash. A. His father started reigning at an extremely young age because his grandmother had killed all the heirs to the throne of David, except him. – II Chronicle 22:10-12 1. She was eventually killed and Joash was placed on the throne.…
Read MoreChanging My Mind
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Changing-My-Mind.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:15-20 I. Solomon observed about the miser that it wasn’t the man’s words or his actions that made him a miser, but his thoughts – Proverbs 23:6-7 A. People too often say things that they don’t mean B. Given motivation, they may do things that they would rather not do…
Read MoreKeeping Our Dignity
by Bruce Reeves Preparing for a sermon I came across this passage as Paul wrote to Timothy and thought I would share: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those…
Read MoreElisha’s Commitment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ElishasCommitment.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 19:19-21 I. Elijah had despaired that his work had been for naught – I Kings 19:14 A. God told him that he had work to do – I Kings 19:15-17 B. Elijah thought he was alone, but now he learns Hazael and Jehu are to be God’s appointed leaders…
Read MoreNameless
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Nameless.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 13:1-10 I. This is a story about two men, who remain nameless. One young and another old. A. Both are prophets. One is a good man and the other is a liar. B. One was selected to carry a message and the other was not. C. One dies, but not…
Read MoreThe Problem with Jeroboam II
by Matthew W. Bassford In any secular history book, Jeroboam II would look like a successful king. He reigned for 41 years in an age when the length of a reign correlated with political power. Militarily, he was one of the greatest commanders among the monarchs of Israel. During his reign, he brought the seesaw…
Read MoreFollowing the Lord Fully
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/FollowingTheLordFully.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 14:6-14 I. God describes for us the character of various men by referring to them by certain phrases A. Abraham was called a friend of God – James 2:23 1. Because that is how God referred to him – II Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8 2. Perhaps that gives greater weight to…
Read MoreJehu’s Reformations
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JehusReformations.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 12:25-33 I. After the northern tribes separated from Judah, the kingdom they established was never ruled by a good king. A. The very first king, Jeroboam, sought to stabilize his country by establishing his own religion – I Kings 12:25-33 1. He feared defection if the people crossed into Judah…
Read MoreAbigail’s Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AbigailsExample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There is much to learn from the pages of the Old Testament A. It is true that we no longer live under the Law of Moses. It passed out of existence when Jesus died upon the cross. However, it doesn’t mean than God meant for the Christian to discard its teachings.…
Read MoreJehoshaphat’s Peace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/JehoshaphatsPeace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 9:16-26 I. King Jehoshaphat, in general, was a good king – I Kings 22:42-43a A. To be said by God that he did right is a high complement B. But, like most men, Jehoshaphat had some character flaws – I Kings 22:43b 1. His father, Asa, had removed many of…
Read MoreRebekah
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Rebekah.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 24:1-26 I. In archaeology, historians at times notice odd gaps in the records A. Even in well preserved records, there will be missing time periods. B. Monuments are clearly defaced. C. Typically what it indicates that something happened during that time which later generations did not want to remember. Perhaps a…
Read MoreThe Life of the Apostle John
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LifeOfTheApostleJohn.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:20-28 I. Early life A. Matthew 4:21-22 1. His father’s name was Zebedee. His brother was James. 2. He was a fisherman by trade, working with his father and brother. B. Mark 1:20 – His father was prosperous enough to have hired servants C. Luke 5:10-11 – They were partnered with two other…
Read MoreThe Character of the Wicked
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CharacterOfTheWicked.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 10 I. Is there any doubt that wicked people live in the world? A. We see the evidence daily in our news. B. We have direct contact more often than we could wish C. And then we wonder, as did the Psalmist, why doesn’t God do something about them? – Psalm…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Character
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreSaul of Tarsus – God’s Untimely Born
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall8Paul.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreEzekiel – God’s Entertaining Song
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall7Ezekiel.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreMoses – God’s Leader on God’s Terms
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall6Moses.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreRuth – God’s Mother of Kings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall5Ruth.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreGideon – God’s Valiant Coward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall4Gideon.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreJonah – God’s Work-in-Progress
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall3Jonah.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreJesus’ Disciples – God’s Inner Circle
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall2JesusDisciples.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreJoseph – God’s Career Path for Greatness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall1Joseph.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary is God’s Extraordinary
Read MoreOrdinary is God’s Extraordinary
by Eric M. Hamilton November 6-11, 2011 Joseph – God’s Career Path for Greatness Jesus’ Disciples – God’s Inner Circle Jonah – God’s Work-in-Progress Gideon – God’s Valiant Coward Ruth – God’s Mother of Kings Moses – God’s Leader on God’s Terms Ezekiel – God’s Entertaining Song Saul of Tarsus – God’s Untimely Born
Read MoreOrdinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
by Jerry D. Curry via The Sunny Hill Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 8, April 15, 2001. God’s people have always been called upon to take action. As Joshua made his farewell speech he exhorted Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Haggai exhorted Israel, “Go up to the mountain, and bring…
Read MoreHandling Opposition
Handling Opposition Part 1Handling Opposition by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Nehemiah 6:15-19 I. Nehemiah took on an ambitious project to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A. He completed the project in just 52 days – Nehemiah 6:15 B. That alone is an amazing feat, but we can’t overlook the fact that the project did not go smoothly.…
Read MoreConsistency and Character
by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1951. Reputation and Character Character is what we are. It is the sum total of qualities that distinguish one person from another. Reputation is what is said about us — that which others think we are. Character and reputation are sometimes the same: perhaps…
Read MoreHannah’s Prayer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/HannahsPrayer.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Samuel 1:9-18 I. I Thessalonians 5:17 A. It is a short passage, but it isn’t short on meaning. What is meant “without ceasing?” B. Paul isn’t talking about a 24-hour a day, non-stop prayer. There are other things which must be accomplished in life. C. He is talking about prayer where…
Read MoreCharacter: The Essential Quality of Leadership
by Jim Deason via The Jackson Drive Reporter, Nov. 15, 2009 He saw it happen but somehow it didn’t register in his mind. The peanut butter was in the cart, but somehow it never made it to the conveyor belt that carried it by the cashier. The bag boy just picked it up, unpaid for,…
Read MoreHaman
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/Haman.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Esther. A. It is not a very long book and it is very easy to read. Its story is so compelling that I will be looking for a passage in Esther and before I know it, I’m caught up…
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