Posts Tagged ‘commitment’
He Got Up and Followed Him
by Doy Moyer Think about this for a moment. Jesus passed by “Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him” (Mark 2:14). What an impression Jesus must have already made on Levi (Matthew) to cause him to get up…
Read MoreDying for Jesus
by Matthew W. Bassford These days, it seems like people in our country are increasingly being led astray by a godless, secular mindset. This worldview has a lot of superficial appeal. After all, if there is no God, you don’t have to submit to anybody. You can do whatever you want with whomever you want.…
Read MoreDaily 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…
Read MorePoured 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…
Read MoreWanting 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…
Read MoreLukewarmness
by Matthew W. Bassford Lukewarmness among the people of God is hardly a new problem. Malachi warned against apathy explicitly, and signs of apathy are evident as far back as the Exodus. Unsurprisingly, preachers today also often warn their hearers about the dangers of indifference. I read one such warning recently, and it led me…
Read MoreYou Encourage Me
by Russ Bowman I am thinking this morning of all those who go unnoticed in their faithful service to God — at least unnoticed by other people. So, here’s a nod of appreciation… …to all of the husbands and wives who work hard at their marriage and honor their vows, even when it’s difficult. …to…
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 MoreAll or None!
by Jefferson David Tant We have all faced certain times when we had to make some tough decisions, with no option of going “halfway” in what we chose. It was either “all” or “none.” There was no “middle ground.” Now, allow me to make a spiritual application, in that with respect to believing in God…
Read MoreCoffee Bean Religion
by Jefferson David Tant My grandfather, J. D. Tant, liked strong coffee. In his time (1861-1941), many ground their own beans. One day while eating with a family, he asked the housewife “Sister, do you have any coffee beans?” “Why, yes brother Tant.” “Well,” he replied, “If you’ll bring me a coffee bean, I’ll lay…
Read MoreThough Poor, They Are Rich
by Jefferson David Tant “South of the Border” is a delightful song that I remember from my boyhood, telling us of our neighbors “down Mexico way.” The tune came to mind as I was reading the reports of brethren Robert Turner and V. N. Collins in Plain Talk some time ago. They told of a trip…
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 MoreGive of Your Best to the Master
Give of Your Best to the Master – Part 1Give of Your Best to the Master – Part 2 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreShould my friend leave her husband so she can worship the Christ?
Question: Dear Brother, Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. This question is regarding my colleague. She was born in a Hindu family but accepted Jesus in her youth. Her parents did not allow her to marry a Christian, so she married a Hindu, concealing the fact that she was a Christian. Her husband did…
Read MoreFear or Faithfulness?
by Matthew W. Bassford From an earthly perspective, many of the prophets of the Old Testament got a raw deal. On this list, we certainly must include Jeremiah. He was forbidden to marry and have a family, he couldn’t attend parties or funerals, and he prophesied in a time that was utterly hostile to his…
Read MoreWhy did Peter follow Jesus?
Question: Why did Peter follow Jesus? Answer: Peter followed Jesus first because his brother, Andrew, told him that he and John, Peter’s fellow fisherman, had found the Messiah (John 1:41-42), so initially, he went out of curiosity. When he met Jesus, he was given a nickname, which indicated what kind of man he would become.…
Read MoreWhat Is Important in a Church?
What is Important to a Church? – Part 1What is Important to a Church? – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 14:1-12 I. I remember visiting a large congregation many years ago. They had asked me to do some web site work for them. A. While I was amazed at the size of the…
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 MoreTake Up Your Cross
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TakeUpYourCross.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:25-32 I. Many people see religion as something done out of convenience. A. They attend when there isn’t something important going on B. They select a church to attend because it is close, or because of the events going on, or if there are kids for my kid to play…
Read MoreOur Commitment to Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OurCommitmentToChrist.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreTruly Great Commitment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Spring8TrulyGreatCommitment.mp3 by Raymond Warfel, Jr. 2018 Spring Meeting
Read MoreGiving God the Leftovers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GivingGodTheLeftovers.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePining for the Past
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PiningForThePast.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Numbers 13:32-14:4 I. People are known for their selective memories A. Some wrap themselves up in the horrors of their youth, blaming every misfortune on what had happened to them in the past. B. More common though are the people who remember the good things that happen and suppress the bad…
Read MoreThe Impact of Our Choices
by Dennis Stackhouse Just prior to his physical death, Joshua tried to encourage the people of Israel with these familiar words: “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods…
Read MoreMy relationship with God has always been a roller coaster
Question: Hello and thank you for reading, I am a 25-year-old man. I was born in a Christian family, my father being a pastor. My relationship with God has always been a roller coaster. There have been times when my faith has been strong and my will was aligned with God’s. I would even speak…
Read MoreCounting the Cost
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CountingTheCost.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:25-35 I. If you look into history, most religious leaders consider their success based on the size of the crowd that follows their teaching. A. Jesus did not. In fact, in our reading for today Jesus explains how hard and how much is expected from a disciple. B. For centuries,…
Read MoreI really want to be a Christian, but I keep sinning. What should I do?
Question: I find it extremely hard to be a Christian. I am 14 years old, my father and mother are in ministry. I go to church every Sunday and have done for the past 12 years. My father became a minister several years ago. I grew up in a society where there are few Christians…
Read MoreFirst Love
by Robert Turner A tap at the study door announced a timid and frightened young couple. Their marriage was “coming apart” — or so they thought — and since I had “performed their ceremony,” they had come to me for help. The timid approach fooled me. What should have been an easy “patch-up” job grew…
Read MoreDon’t Quit
by Bubba Carrier The first time I tried to march and play drums at the same time, I was terrible. When I concentrated on playing a steady beat, I marched out of step; when I focused on marching in line, I played off beat. After the first week, I went to the band director and…
Read MoreTwo Young Men Baptized
by Mike Willis I recently conducted a meeting in which two young men were baptized on Thursday night prior to the services beginning. It was the highlight of a good meeting. On Friday night when the meeting came to a close, as the father of the two young men came out I said, “This will…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean when he said to take up his cross daily and follow him?
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said to take up his cross daily and follow him? I know that in Luke 9:23 it also says to deny himself. Answer: There are a number of similar passages: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves…
Read MoreDisciple or Dabbler?
by Jim Ward via Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 57, No. 3, October 2007 In his book, Basic Christianity, John Stott wrote, “The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict half-built towers. The ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. Thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake…
Read MoreA Commitment
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Robert Turner told a story about a hen and a pig who became very good friends. One seldom saw them apart. One day as they strolled about the barnyard lot, the hen suggested that since they had never eaten breakfast together, that they do that the next morning. Never being one…
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