Talking with Your Neighbor

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton (Short Talk) Text: Zechariah 8:16-17   I.         Undoubtedly there are evil people around us             A.        There are people who plot the harm of others, even though it disrupts the safety of those around them – Proverbs 3:29             B.        This was one of the many problems that led to Israel’s downfall – Micah 2:1-3             C.        Typically…

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Good Neighbors

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Good-Neighbors.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:16-21   I.         Putting off the old man             A.        When we become a Christian, we are supposed to become a new person – II Corinthians 5:17             B.        We are supposed to have the mind of Christ – Philippians 2:5             C.        That isn’t so hard when everything goes well             D.        But 19th century English…

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The Truth About God’s Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-Truth-About-Gods-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 5   I.         The world is filled with varying and confusing ideas about how God loves us.             A.        Typically the emphasis is placed so heavily on God’s love that many think that God is incapable of a negative thought against anyone.             B.        Others see God as so remote and unapproachable that…

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A Life Defined by Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-Life-Defined-by-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 16:13-14   I.         The story of Ruth is a popular love story from the Bible             A.        It isn’t how most people see as a typical love story.                         1.         She doesn’t go out searching for love but she eventually finds it anyway             B.        Rather, we see the story of a woman whose…

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How can there be love in heaven when sinners are in hell?

Question: Good Evening, Thank you so much for all the resources included on the La Vista Church of Christ website.  My son and I have been using these articles for years. Unfortunately, my son is now a wayward Christian, and he asked me the following questions in a recent Bible study that we did together.  Can…

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Is Romans 8:35 about our love for Christ or Christ’s love for us?

Question: Hello, I am going over some studies on the Perseverance of the Saints. I came across one site that stated Romans 8:35 was talking of our love for God and not His love for us. Do you have any insights on this?   Answer: In the Greek text, “from the love of Christ” (apo…

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The Problem of People

by Doy Moyer While many turn away from God due to some perceived problem with God (e.g., allowing evil to exist), I have found that just as prominent is a problem that they have with those who call themselves Christians. Because Christians have been hypocritical, unloving, divisive, and abusive, some have walked away thinking that…

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Going 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…

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Consider 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…

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Unconditional Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/Unconditional-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 136:1-26   I.         I was reading a book that began to speak of the love of God.             A.        As many denominational writers do, he referred to the unconditional love of God.             B.        By this, he and others believe that God loves all people, no matter how they behave.                         1.         Often a parallel…

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