teaching – La Vista Church of Christ

I’m Bad at Evangelism

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 20:55:34 +0000

by Berry Kercheville

Yes, I understand that sentiment! My feelings exactly. I have known very few that I would say were really good at talking to people about the Lord and getting them into a Bible study. For the first nine years I preached, I watched my friend, Bernice Boyes, get Bible studies with people from every walk of life. Everyone was a contact. She would set up Bible studies with the person next to her in a grocery store line. She would switch hairdressers and get a bad haircut to obtain an opportunity. She hired young men to work in her yard, then fixed them lunch and talked to them about the Lord while they ate. She converted the cable TV guy by starting a conversation over the lunch she fixed him after he finished the service call, then later taught his wife. She brought oranges from her trees and other goodies to neighbors just so she could make a connection. She spent every day calling and visiting people she had crossed paths with, then called me with a schedule of Bible studies she had set up for the week. Thousands upon thousands heard the gospel because of Bernice, and thousands more through those she helped bring to Christ. (Bernice is now 102 and in a convalescent home.)

Now, where is another Bernice? Well, that’s rare, isn’t it? I watched her do it, but I don’t have a tenth of the abilities she had. So let’s admit it. Most of us aren’t very good at evangelism. Do you think the Lord knows that? Did the Lord actually ask us to do something we couldn’t do, or at the very least, feel like such failures? Well, yes, he did! However, we have usually missed something about this effort; Bernice never missed it. Let me explain.

Whatever You Ask in My Name, I Will Do

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14 ESV).

The context is Jesus telling the apostles of his impending departure. As we can imagine, this troubled them. How would they continue the Lord’s work without the Lord with them? It was a blessing to hear that he would send the Spirit as “another Comforter (Helper).” But having the word revealed did not solve the challenge of getting the message to the whole world.

Notice in our text that Jesus began with the words, ”Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these he will do…” Jesus was not just referring to the apostles, but “whoever believes.” In fact, these would do greater works than Jesus. That’s odd, isn’t it? How could anyone, even the apostles, do greater works than Jesus? Jesus was not talking about miracles. No one did greater miracles than Jesus. The answer is similar to what Jesus said about John the Baptist:

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).

The way people in the kingdom are greater than John is similar to the way kingdom people do greater works than Jesus. We are involved in bringing people into the kingdom, not just announcing it or preparing the way for it. Notice also that Jesus said that these greater works would be done, “because I am going to the Father.” When Jesus went to the Father, he was enthroned as King and began restoring his kingdom and building his church. The book of Acts alludes to this in its opening words: “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach…” (Acts 1:1). What Jesus did on earth was only what he “began” to do. But Acts records what he continues to do as King. Luke repeatedly chronicled the spread of the gospel and the growth of the kingdom in words such as, ”and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). Men and women were sharing the gospel, but the reason for success was “the hand of the Lord.” That reason has never changed.

This leads us to the second part of our text. Can we really “ask anything” in Jesus’ name and he would do it? Could the apostles even ask anything and have Jesus do whatever they asked? That doesn’t seem to fit the rest of Scripture. Paul asked for his “thorn” to be removed, and the Lord did not remove it. To what is Jesus referring? The text has two qualifiers. First, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Asking in Jesus’ name means acting within God's will and purposes. John said it this way: ”And this is the confidence that we have toward him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (I John 5:14-15). The context of John 14 is disciples continuing Jesus' work and fulfilling his will by spreading the gospel message. Jesus knew his followers would need help, so he gives them permission to ask. "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

The second qualifier clarifies the point further: ”Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The Father is glorified when the world is brought to God through Christ's work (Isaiah 49:1-6). Therefore, as we go about offering the gospel message, the Lord will help us in seeing whatever we need. Of course, Jesus will not override a person’s free will, but he will help us in our efforts. This should not be surprising to us because of other texts where similar promises were made:

“Thus says the Lord God: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 36:37-38 ESV).

The Messiah’s people are prophetically encouraged to “ask” the Lord, and he will increase their people like a flock. Do we believe that promise? Are we asking?

In John 15:7, referring to a branch abiding in him and bearing much fruit, he said, “If my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Jesus will help us bear fruit. That is why we are connected to the Vine and why the Vine imagery matters.

Even the Great Commission ends with the most important words of all: ”and behold, I am with you always even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

So are you bad at evangelism? Yes, I am too. So are most Christians. Doesn’t matter. God made us the perfect “clay jar,” fragile, breakable, and insignificant, to carry the gospel message, “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (II Corinthians 4:7).

So, are you asking?

How can I convince someone that being a nudist is wrong?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:13:15 +0000

Question:

Good evening,

I understand that being a nudist is sinful. Walking around naked with strangers, friends, or family is shameful and against the will and law of God. Walking around naked is rebellion against God.

God commands modesty.

Sin is sin.

So a person who is engaging in nudism after being told that it is sin and rebellion against God is actually willfully persisting in a sinful lifestyle that is not bringing glory to God at all.

It is like telling a person that drunkenness is sin and you prove it through Scripture, but still they make the rebellious decision to get drunk at every chance they get.

Am I right?

I have friends that continue to practice nudism after I spoke to them and told them that it is wrong. It rebels against God and does not bring God glory. I told them that they cannot persist in this ungodly lifestyle.

What can I do to persuade them that this lifestyle is wrong and sinful?

Kind regards.

Answer:

What you have to acknowledge is that you don't control the world. Each person has free will. Some will choose falsehood over truth.

You tried to explain why nudity should be avoided. (See: Is there anything wrong with the concept of naturism?) They didn't accept what you presented. Therefore, since they persist in their ways, you disconnect from them. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" (I Corinthians 15:33).

While we seek to persuade people of the truth, many will not listen. When God sent Isaiah to warn Israel that they were heading toward destruction: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!' He said, 'Go, and tell this people: "Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand." Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed.' Then I said, 'Lord, how long?' And He answered, 'Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, houses are without people and the land is utterly desolate'" (Isaiah 6:8-11). All we can do is warn. A few will listen (Luke 13:23-28).

What Do You Need to Serve the Lord?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:31:03 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/10/What-Do-You-Need-to-Serve-the-Lord.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Download Audio

Text: Colossians 4:2-6

I. Jesus told his disciples to serve the Lord by bringing others to him - John 4:34-38

A. He command them, and us, to go into all the world - Matthew 28:19-20

B. Each of us have this responsibility

II. Yet, many find excuses to avoid the work

A. “I’m not eloquent enough to be any great service.”

1. Moses tried that excuse - Exodus 4:10-12

2. Excellency of speech has never been high on God’s list for selecting servants

3. Paul was not concerned with how well he spoke - I Corinthians 2:1

4. The power is in the message, not the messenger - Romans 1:15-16

B. Many feel unqualified to be of service because they lack education

1. Somehow, people feel that those with high degrees of learning are in a better position to be successful in serving God

2. Usually, degrees are more of a hindrance than a help. Far too often, the more learning a person has, the less faith he possesses - I Corinthians 1:26-29

3. Consider the apostles - Acts 4:13

a. They were considered to be ignorant and unlearned men

b. Their boldness came from being with Jesus

C. Some feel they could make an impact if they just possessed greater riches

1. Riches can be a blessing or a curse - I Timothy 6:9

2. How did a poor widow gain the notice of our Lord? - Mark 12:41-44

a. It certainly was not in the quantity she gave

3. When God came to this earth, how did He live? - Matthew 8:20

a. The common people gladly listened to Him - Mark 12:37

b. It was the rich and mighty rulers who opposed Him

D. Some use the excuse: “I have nothing to wear” to not attend services

1. Yet, these same people are able to go anywhere else that they wish to go

2. We usually do what we want to do

3. What did John the Baptist wear in his service to the Lord? - Matthew 3:1-6

4. God looks at our hearts, not our stylish clothing - I Samuel 16:7; I Peter 3:3-4

5. More brethren need to learn the lesson in James 2:1-9

E. Some believe their health is not good enough to serve God

1. Gaius might not have been in as good physical health as he was spiritually - III John 1-2

2. People use their health as reason for not attending services, but they are able to go other places and do other things

3. Paul had his thorn in the flesh, but it didn’t stop him - II Corinthians 12:7-10

4. Some of the Galatians became Christians because of Paul’s illness - Galatians 4:13-14

III. It seems that people are only willing to serve the Lord if everything is convenient and opportune

A. Jesus spoke of such people - Luke 14:16-24

B. Was it convenient to worship, sing, and teach while in prison? - Acts 16:25

C. We need to take advantages of opportunities as they arise and not wait for a convenient time as Felix wished - Acts 24:25

D. It is when everything is going well for us that we tend to forget our Lord - Deuteronomy 32:13-15

How to Teach the Same Things in Every Church

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:47:04 +0000

by Hugh DeLong

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church (I Corinthians 4:17).

Paul did not teach different things to different churches. There is, of course, one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6). All teaching is based on what the apostles and prophets of the first century revealed.

They were guided into all truth (John 16:13), and they wrote what had been revealed unto them (Ephesians 3:3-5).
They instructed disciples to preach no other gospel (Galatians 1:8-9).
They warned believers to not go beyond what is written (II John 9-10).
They demanded that teachers speak as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11).
They affirmed that Scripture provides the basis for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:15-17).
Disciples then are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another, and whatever we do, in word or deed, we are to do it in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:16-17).

This is not our society’s concept of "your truth and my truth and everybody’s truth"! This points us to a verifiable outside source by which we can ascertain truth – truth about our religious beliefs and teaching. Make sure this is your standard. First, examine yourself. Then hold forth this standard to everyone.

Preach the Gospel to All Nations

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:35:16 +0000

by Hugh DeLong

Really? All? Even those from the country of ……..? Yes. All.

This goes back to the very beginning – the mother of all living and the promise that her seed would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil. What followed was a list of all her offspring – some good (Enoch, Noah) and many not! Then Abraham was chosen, and the promise was that through HIS offspring all nations would be blessed.

We then see the telling of this story dealing mainly with his offspring – through Isaac, Jacob, and thus the 12 tribes of Israel. Along the way, there are other people that were mentioned that were not these ‘chosen’ descendants, but they are usually the enemies of God’s people. Yet, the promise looked forward to all nations being blessed through an offspring – and the New Testament reveals that the promised offspring is Jesus. Yet the promise of ‘all nations’ was not forgotten; it was repeated many times in the Old Testament.

Jesus came and primarily dealt with the Jewish offspring from Abraham. Now, after his crucifixion and resurrection, He again mentions that the good news of God's promise is for all nations – Jews and all the Gentiles (non-Jewish) people! Many Jewish people objected, but that was Jesus' commission. With the salvation of Cornelius and his family, Peter learned that now through Jesus … “that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)" (Acts 10:34-36).

Our prejudices and national allegiances make accepting others difficult. But, difficult or not, we are to accept all of those whom Jesus accepts! I am to learn to love them as brethren. I am to care for them. Do not reject those whom Jesus accepts.

Gentle, Not Quarrelsome

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:57:16 +0000

by Edwin Crozier

Text: II Timothy 2

I find it a bit humorous. When Paul tells Timothy he is given a spirit of power instead of fear and tells him to fan his gift into flame, many people conclude, "Timothy must have been a timid, cowardly fellow." However, I've yet to hear anyone say, "You know, Timothy must have been a quarrelsome and pugnacious fellow, considering how many times Paul tells him to stay out of fights and arguments."

I don't think Timothy was any more argumentative than I think he was cowardly. Rather, these were simply the dangers that came with the preacher's course. Paul warned Timothy of them. But I have to admit, I am a preacher. I hang out with preachers. I have conversations with preachers. In my experience, preachers, as a class, are a pretty quarrelsome lot. I have and continue to struggle with the tendency to verbally spar and not think about the fallout until later.

Paul tells Timothy to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. While he pursues those things, he is not only to avoid youthful passions, but also foolish, ignorant controversies. Why? I would expect that their foolishness and ignorance would be enough. But Paul has a bigger reason. These controversies breed quarrels. And the Lord's slave must not be quarrelsome.

Don't misunderstand. Sometimes, the Lord's slave must correct opponents. But he is to do so with gentleness. The Lord's slave is to be kind to everyone, able to teach, and patient in the face of suffering. He is not supposed to quarrel and fight.

We are once again left with the struggle to know the difference between when correction is needed and when arguing is to be avoided. When is the controversy foolish, and when is it contending for the faith? We struggled with this question while reading Titus as well. Perhaps we have an easier time here. This tells us how to behave no matter the conversation. We are to be kind, patient, gentle, skillful. If we work on these traits no matter the controversy, perhaps we will respond properly when the controversy is foolish and when it is necessary.

In both cases, we must remember who the enemy is. The "opponents" are not the enemy. Rather, they have been captured by the devil to do his will. The devil is the enemy. We ourselves were once captured by him and were doing his will. With this in mind, we can approach the controversies with the right outlook and the opponents with the right attitude. In so doing, God may perhaps grant them repentance that leads to the knowledge of the truth.

Let us pray that we will be the kind of slave to the Lord we need to be. Let us pray that the Lord will grant repentance to the opponents. Let us avoid foolish controversies. But no matter the controversy, let us abandon being quarrelsome and pursue gentleness, patience, and kindness.

Standing for the Truth Without Being Obnoxious

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:41:03 +0000

by David Gibson

Firm but Kind

God expects Christians to take a firm stand on morals and doctrine. But how can we do this without unnecessarily closing doors?

“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth ...” (II Timothy 2:24-25).

Kindness, patience, gentleness, and humility keep us from coming across as abrasive, arrogant, holier-than-thou know-it-alls.

A Lifestyle that Changes Minds

People quickly notice whether we practice what we preach (I Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9-10; I Peter 2:15; 3:1-2, 15-16).

Also, good deeds make the truth attractive (Matthew 5:16; I Peter 2:12). Even unbelievers can’t help but be impressed when they see believers actively involved in Christ-like deeds of compassionate service to those in need.

With this approach, we may win a soul for Christ!

And won’t that make it all worthwhile?

Healthy Teaching

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:04:20 +0000

by Edwin Crozier

Though there are some teachers who need to be silenced, as Paul explained at the end of Titus 1, teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach, upsetting whole families, Titus needs to teach what accords with sound or healthy doctrine. I have no doubt all true doctrine falls under the heading of healthy teaching. However, since the empty talkers and deceivers are upsetting families, we are not surprised Paul emphasizes healthy teaching to shore up the homes among the Christians on Crete.

Paul has already described the mature character of elders within the congregation. These were men who held a recognized and appointed role of leadership within the congregation. In Titus 2:2, Paul tells Titus what all the older men are to strive to be: sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and in steadfastness. These terms are surprisingly similar to the very men who should be appointed elders, reminding us that the character of pastors is a standard goal of maturity for all Christians.

Older women are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. These character traits are reminiscent of the character of the wives of deacons in I Timothy 3:11. Not only must they have these good character traits, but they are also to teach what is good. Why? So they can teach the younger women. Titus is not to teach the young women; the older women are to do that. Paul clearly recognizes the danger of Titus getting closely involved with the younger women. Just as Paul had told Timothy to treat the younger women as sisters with all purity (I Timothy 5:2), he establishes a boundary for Titus to help maintain purity.

The older women are to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands. No doubt, this is the kind of behavior that leads to reverent behavior that is neither slanderous nor enslaved to wine.

The young men seem to get off pretty easy. Titus is charged simply to teach them to be similarly self-controlled. However, we should recognize this as a kind of synecdoche, that is, part for the whole. He uses one term from the list about older men to represent the larger list. Paul’s point is certainly not that young men are to be self-controlled like the older men, but that they are allowed to be undignified and unsound in faith, love, and steadfastness. Certainly, we expect the older men to be farther along in all this than the younger. But the older men only get that way by being taught these things as younger men.

Again, I have no doubt healthy teaching encompasses all true teaching in all areas. But healthy teaching has a great emphasis on healthy families and healthy individual behavior in those families. Yes, we need to make sure our congregations are following healthy teaching, but let us not ignore the healthy teaching that should govern our lives at home.

Marvelous Light

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:36:09 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

Peter was writing his first general letter; it is believed to have been written between 58 and 62 AD, and from the book and knowledge of the time, there was growing persecution against Christians. Persecution gets tiring and wears one down.

Peter reminded these Christians that God “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The “marvelous light” on the inside must not be allowed to go out by letting the darkness of people’s ignorant rejection of you overwhelm the “marvelous light.” It is “marvelous light” regardless of what is happening to you by ignorant people. Their darkness must not diminish your light. Your light must carry you through the darkness of this world.

How “marvelous” is that light inside you? Can people take it from you? Do you forget it and let rejection consume you? If people in the dark can cause you to forget what you have inside so easily, do you really have that marvelous light? The light of the gospel should be glorious, precious, and marvelous, and the ignorance of others should not extinguish that light inside. Jesus is that light.

Paul talked about how he handled the darkness of opposition and rejection in II Corinthians 4. He had light inside that came from knowing Christ, the true light, and that light kept guiding him through the darkness of rejection from ignorant men. It kept him going because he knew he had something “marvelous” inside that no man could take from him.

Do you have that “marvelous light” that guides you through the darkness of this world?

Are Actions Alone Sufficient?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:40:36 +0000

by Matthew W. Bates
from Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Baker Academic, 2017

Similarly, the gospel cannot be reduced to behaving in a cross-shaped manner or to social programs. Saint Francis of Assisi is often remembered to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” This is a clever saying (although its origination with Saint Francis is historically dubious), because we all recognize that sometimes actions do speak more forcefully than words. But it is dreadfully wrongheaded to suggest that the gospel is best (or even adequately) proclaimed by actions unencumbered by words.

It is also off-base to think that Christian social activities, such as providing assistance to the poor, are the gospel—even though it is popular in some quarters to call such activities the “social gospel.” Such actions might serve to remind those who benefit of part of the gospel story once they hear it elsewhere or if they already know it. But the actions themselves only become a gospel proclamation derivatively when the recipient hears the full gospel elsewhere and then is able to make the link between the actions and the full narrative.

Because we are uncomfortable sharing the gospel, afraid that we will turn someone off or be perceived in the wrong way, we can convince ourselves that the gospel is best communicated with actions, not words. But the true gospel is not reducible to Christian activities.