The Sin of Self-Righteousness

by Steven Harper Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of the first century, often because they had a too-high view of themselves. When He was at the house of Simon [a Pharisee], a woman who was known to be a sinner came in and began to wash His feet with her tears, wiping them dry with…

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Grudges

by Matthew W. Bassford I hold grudges. It is one of my biggest spiritual failings. I’m not a particularly touchy person, so I don’t keep an account of light offenses. However, I do have an excellent memory, and though it is helpful in many other areas, it is not at all helpful here. When someone…

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Pearls from Proverbs: Glorying in Glory

by Irvin Himmel Guardian of Truth XXXI: 15, p. 456, August 6, 1987 “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory” (Proverbs 25:27). A highly nutritious food, honey was often found in ancient times in trees, in holes in the ground, in crevices between…

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Pride and Preachers

by Bruce Reeves There has been some discussion lately about preachers and jealousy. Brother Tommy Peeler has pointed out that preachers are not the only ones who struggle with jealousy. I knew a man one time that told a gospel preacher that he did not think that it was fair that he had more personal…

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I Wish Someone Had Told Me

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/I-Wish-Someone-Had-Told-Me.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 5:7-14   I.         I ran across an article by Chuck Lawless about “Ten Conversations I Wish Someone Had with Me as a Teenager.”             A.        Hindsight generally reveals that mistakes could have been avoided             B.        I constantly get told: “I wish someone had told me just how bad this could get”             C.        And…

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How Satan Divides Brethren

by Larry Rouse The Three Pillars of False Movements   I.         We should not be surprised at the tactics of Satan.             A.        When working with other men we must constantly be humbled and because of that be willing to follow the wisdom of God. (James 4:13-18)                         1.         When we trust God it becomes all about Him and we…

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Fools

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Fools.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 11:37-54   I.         We see fools all around us,             A.        But no one wants to be thought of as a fool                         1.         (1995) In Wesley Chapel, Florida, Joseph Aaron, 20, While repairing a car, found he needed to bore a hole in the pipe. When he couldn’t find a drill, he…

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Why Do Wars Exist?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Why-Do-Wars-Exist.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 59:1-18   I.         In my youth, the Vietnam War was being fought. It was an unpopular war that generated a lot of protest songs.             A.        One song called “War” by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong exclaimed, “War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”             B.        So can wars and acts of…

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The Dispensable Man

by Matthew W. Bassford There is no surer sign of being a control freak than wanting to control things postmortem. I qualify. Though some of my anxiety is directed at the prospect of dying slow and ugly, most of it is aimed at what will happen after I’m gone. What will happen to my family?…

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Yet 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.…

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