Posts Tagged ‘courage’
A Hard-Headed Prophet
by Jarrod M. Jacobs Ezekiel 3:4-11 describes for us God’s intent for the prophet Ezekiel. He was sent to a specific group of people, the house of Israel (Ezekiel 3:4). He did not go to foreigners or those who had never heard, but to those who had heard again and again and refused to obey…
Read MoreThe Difference One Can Make
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Difference-One-Can-Make.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 4 I. In studying Proverbs, I came across one verse that stood out to me – Proverbs 28:2 A. When a country is given over to sin, they tend to go through rulers rapidly 1. Israel exemplifies this. There are periods where the northern kingdom when through four or five…
Read MoreWhat Is Cowardice?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/What-Is-Cowardice.mp3 by Anthony Hamilton
Read MoreIt’s Going to Be OK
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Its-Going-to-Be-OK.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreMary’s House
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Marys-House.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 12:12-17 I. In Acts 12 we learn that the persecution of the church intensified in Judea. A. Herod had the apostle James killed – Acts 12:1-2 B. It was a popular act, and so he planned to repeat it by having Peter killed – Acts 12:3-4 C. But Peter did not…
Read MoreIf There Be Any Virtue
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/If-There-Be-Any-Virtue.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:14-25 I. One of the educational fads is “values clarification” A. Government run schools have a problem. 1. It is good for society to have morally good citizens, but the whole concept of morality assumes a standard of right and wrong that is greater than mankind. 2. How do you teach…
Read MoreWhat I Would Say To My Children
by Jefferson David Tant Raising children is, I believe, one of the greatest responsibilities God has given us. By God’s design, a man and a woman have created something which will never cease to exist — a spirit that has been made in the image of God. Can you imagine the awesome feeling of responsibility…
Read MoreCourageous Friendship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Courageous-Friendship-Garry-Floyd-1.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreAnd Moses Fled
by Edward Smith My dog, Scout, and I had a sudden encounter with a snake yesterday. We were quietly going through our routine while he was taking care of his business when he suddenly jumped back. I heard a rather distinct rattle and saw a snake aggressively swaying back and forth and flexing its jaw,…
Read MoreRules for Prosperity and Success
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rules-for-Prosperity-and-Success.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 1:1-9 I. Moses had died and Joshua now finds himself the leader of a nation about to conquer a land to claim as their own. A. God appears to Joshua and offers words of encouragement – Joshua 1:7-9 B. The advise was excellent for Joshua, but it is also useful…
Read MoreBut if not …
by Jefferson David Tant In late May of 1940, during World War II, the German army had overrun the tiny European nation of Belgium. As Hitler’s tanks and troops marched across Belgium, they pushed the defenders–British, French, and Belgian troops–toward the sea. Finally, the Allied forces of Great Britain, France, and Belgium were cornered at…
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 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…
Read MoreFrom Bad to Good
by Mike Johnson Text: Philippians 1:12-14 Paul Arrives in Rome in Chains Acts 28:15-16 Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, 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 MoreMy Sin Is Always Before Me
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MySinIsAlwaysBeforeMe.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 9 I. God is Holy, but we fall short A. Sin is not a part of the nature of God – I John 1:5 B. To be in fellowship with God, we also must without sin – I John 1:6-7 1. But notice that God is not expecting perfection from us…
Read MoreWhose Word I Praise!
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton David was on the run. The king of Israel, Saul, was determined to see him dead. His best friend, Saul’s son, confirmed that Saul would not be deterred. The threat was so severe that David decided to flee into Philistine territory. The Philistines were no friends to Israel, and David had…
Read MoreBe Not Dismayed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BeNotDismayed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:21-2:2 I. Jeremiah came in the worse days of Judah’s history A. Corruption was everywhere – Jeremiah 6:13-15 B. Jeremiah was told from his youth to preach the truth – Jeremiah 1:4-8 C. But that didn’t make it easy. Jeremiah was opposed most of his life 1. After a prophecy in the…
Read MoreAct Like Men
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ActLikeMen.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreMighty Men
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MightyMen.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 10:8-9 I. What makes a man stand out among his peers? A. What makes him noteworthy? B. What is the source of his strength? II. Men mighty in wickedness A. Genesis 6:4-6 1. When the righteous intermarried with the wicked, the results were mighty men, not in stature, but in wickedness. 2. Every thought…
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 MoreHow do you answer a teacher who claims religion is not based on evidence?
Question: How would you answer a professor who claims that religion and faith are not based on evidence, but rather they are based on what people “want” in life, contrary to scientific evidence and that what is considered scientific has to be “peer-reviewed”? To me it seems that my professor is operating on the assumption…
Read MoreThe Courage to Start
“Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome.” Lord Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield “Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will…
Read MoreStand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Allen Webster tells the following story, A. “The municipal auditorium was full. The speech by the noted atheist was powerful. After a bombardment of the Bible, there came a moment of choice. If you still believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, stand up and be counted. The silence was…
Read MoreTaking Courage
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 28:1-16 I. Suppose your boss never gave you any feedback concerning your job. You come in, do your job and leave, but you never hear a word of criticism or praise. A. It almost sounds like the ideal job. But I think most people would soon find it to be…
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