Kindness and Generosity

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kindness-and-Generosity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12   I.         I ran across an interesting article by Aemily Smith, originally published in The Atlantic, November 9, 2014. “Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down to Two Basic Traits.”             A.        It was about what factors showed whether a relationship would survive or not.             B.        The basic factors were kindness and…

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A 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…

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Tabitha

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabitha.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 9:32-43   I.         In our text we find two stories.             A.        The great miracle that God performed through Peter to raise a woman who had died.                         1.         This event brought many to the Lord – Acts 9:42                         2.         We don’t have access to miracles today; yet, we can learn how to lead…

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The 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…

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Kindness Is a Virtue

by Jefferson David Tant It is well known that several passages in God’s Word mention the virtue of kindness. One that is quite well known is Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” There are also passages…

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Use 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…

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A Lack of Knowledge Brings Destruction

by Andy Sochor Through the prophet Hosea, God made known His “case against” His people (Hosea 4:1). The Lord’s complaint was that there was “no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Because of their unfaithfulness, God was going to destroy them. The people, priests, and prophets were all to…

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What 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…

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Kindness

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kindness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:9-21   I.         When a person walks as the Spirit directs, it produces a fruit that has many attributes – Galatians 5:13-25             A.        We will focus on one of those attributes today: kindness.             B.        chrestotes is a form of the word for usefulness. It means kindness, goodness, or honesty             C.        God is…

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Why Water?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Why-Water.mp3 Text: John 3:1-12   I.         Jesus stated that unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven – John 3:5             A.        We understand, despite efforts by many to avoid it, that Jesus refers to baptism when he said one must be born of water             B.        Today, I would like to…

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How Pure Is Your Religion?

by Jefferson David Tant You know the verse: “Pure and undefiled religion … is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Now, consider Ezekiel 16:49, where God mentions Sodom’s sins. “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but…

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Retaliation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Retaliation.mp3 Text: Romans 12:17-21   I.         When someone strikes you, what is the first impulse?             A.        Why, to strike back             B.        It has been with us since childhood. “I’ll get even!”                         1.         Therein is the core. We want to strike back because we feel justice has not be carried out             C.        But I’ve noticed that it is never an equal…

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Lord Send Me

by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, September 2002 The Scriptures abound with acts of kindness, humility, and love. As always, Jesus is our best example. When He washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-17), it first appears as an act of kindness, which, although kind, was intended as a lesson on humility and servitude. “For I have…

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Uncommon 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…

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A Confession for Internet Writers

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I Repent of pretending to know more than I do, of speaking without listening, of correcting without caring, of passing judgment without understanding, of talking at people instead of with people, of using words that hurt and do not heal, of writing without grace, charity, love, and kindness, of writing with…

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Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine . . .

by Edward O. Bragwell Our title is a line from a very familiar song to little folks who participate in Bible classes. Seeing them marching around, holding the imaginary light high with one hand, is a joy. The idea ultimately goes back to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Ye are the light of the world.…

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Love Is …

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Love-Is.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 13:1-8   I.         Many passages are used for needlepoint samplers. A popular choice is I Corinthians 13:1-8             A.        Have you considered the meaning of the many phrases?             B.        We often associate this passage with weddings, but Paul was writing about what love between brethren is like             C.        However, it can be applied to…

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Abigail’s Shadow

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019Fall5Abigails-Shadow.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past

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Actions and Reactions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ActionsAndReactions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 6:20-36   I.         How should you act? How should you react?             A.        We live in a “me first” age. People demand their rights. They seek to get even when wronged.             B.        But let me tell you about a radical view of life II.        Actions – Luke 6:27-28             A.        Love your enemies                         1.         The root…

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Do I have to be nice to liars and the profane?

Question: Hey Jeffrey, I have a question: I try to be a friendly person all the time, but some people’s personalities I don’t mesh with, or I’m not a big fan of how they do things or treat people. Some people lie all the time and make light of it and one guy constantly curses…

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Practicing Kindness

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/PracticingKindness.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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How It Works

by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 36, Sept. 5, 2008. Churches today are looking for ways to reach out to the communities in which they serve. Some look to the latest book, or the most recent demographics, the best mail lists and so on. I think sometimes we so over-complicate church work…

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