Why aren’t the elders helping me to learn to preach?

Question: I hope this email finds you doing well. I have a question. I finally got to preach and teach for a month in another congregation. I asked the elders in my church to attend one day and give me pointers. One finally attended, but all the elders said that they should or would not…

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Exactly Who is Influencing Who?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Exactly-Who-Is-Influencing-Who.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 13:4-12   I.         Most Americans tend to have an independent streak.             A.        We would like to think that we think for ourselves.             B.        As Christians, we aim to influence those around to do good.             C.        But influence is not a one-way street. II.        Our thoughts are shaped by many things             A.        Parents                         1.         Seth…

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To Equip the Saints for Service

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The Organization of the Church The Apostles Prophets What Are Elders Responsible For? Servants of the Church The Purpose of Preaching What Is Teaching?

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What Is Teaching?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/What-Is-Teaching.mp3 Text: Hebrews 5:6-6:3   I.         Teaching is a duty within the church             A.        Ephesians 4:11 – Listed with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors.             B.        Acts 13:1 – Antioch had prophets and teachers             C.        I Corinthians 12:28-29 – Listed among apostles and prophets.             D.        Romans 12:6-8 – Teaching is a gift to be exercised to our best ability             E.        Paul performed…

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An Overview of the Old Testament Prophets

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/OverviewOfOldTestamentsProphets.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hosea 14   I.         The Old Testament is divided into three major sections: the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets – Luke 24:44             A.        The Law refers to the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy             B.        The Prophets or teachings were divided by the Jews into two sets:                         1.         The…

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Those Who Will Give an Account

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Most recognize the quote from Hebrews 13:17 as referring to the…

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The Organization of the Church

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OrganizationOfTheChurch.mp3 Text: Hebrews 8:1-5   I.         We give God glory when we teach His doctrine and execute it accordingly – I Peter 4:11             A.        Thus we are to follow the pattern set for us – Philippians 3:17             B.        Warnings abound not to change the message – Galatians 1:6-10             C.        Any change would give glory to man and no longer…

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What does Isaiah 30:20-21 mean?

Question: What does Isaiah 30:20-21 mean? Answer: We’ll start by looking at the context. Israel wasn’t following God’s teachings. ” “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin” ” (Isaiah 30:1). Instead,…

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What is the difference between a preacher and a teacher?

Question: I’ve been wondering about this one for some time now, but still can’t quite figure it. For all the similarities that one can see between “preaching” and “teaching” (and besides things like audience involvement), what is the real difference between the two? Focus? Delivery? Approach? I’m always thankful to God for your help. Answer:…

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How do we decide what offices in Ephesians 4:11 remain?

Question: Ephesians 4:11 (King James Version): “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” Question: Since all offices were given for the same reason according to verse 12, how do we decide which offices still remain? Answer: By the qualifications for the offices. Apostles were selected by…

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The Ideal Bible Teacher

by Johnny Ramsey via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 55, No. 39, Sept. 29, 2006 Jesus was born to die, but He lived to teach. I know that we have all heard that, but there are some statements that we hear over and over again that never get old. We have also heard that Christianity is “caught” as…

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