Go Back to Your Galilee

by Perry Hall The angel sitting on the rock he rolled away from Jesus’s empty tomb had a message for the women to deliver to the apostles: “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.…

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Put Forth the Effort

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Put-Forth-the-Effort.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 13:23-30   I.         If I asked you to name a famous inventor, the name of Thomas Edison would quickly arise.             A.        Mr. Edison had a strong influence in our society.                         1.         He invented the light bulbs which light our auditorium.                         2.         He invented the method of distributing electricity to homes                         3.         For you…

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Minimum Duty or Maximum Opportunity?

by Terry Wane Benton The question comes up from time to time about whether to meet with the saints only one time on Sunday, or whether to meet every time we can, like for week-long meetings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights? I look at the example of the early church meeting “daily in the temple…

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What was Jesus talking about in Luke 12:49-50?

Question: Dear Minister, I am deeply interested in your thoughts on something Jesus said. I came to cast fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled. I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished. The first is generally described as Jesus’s message…

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Identifying a New Testament Church

by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Traditionally, we gospel preachers have spoken of “identifying the New Testament church” in an effort to distinguish it from the sects roundabout. But in so doing, we have sometimes obscured the true nature of the body of Christ. We begin to preach about the church Jesus said He…

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Coffee Bean Religion

by Jefferson David Tant My grandfather, J. D. Tant, liked strong coffee. In his time (1861-1941), many ground their own beans. One day while eating with a family, he asked the housewife “Sister, do you have any coffee beans?” “Why, yes brother Tant.” “Well,” he replied, “If you’ll bring me a coffee bean, I’ll lay…

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Fire in My Bones

by Jefferson David Tant The prophet Jeremiah faced many difficulties in his life. God assigned him to speak to the nation and warn them of things to come, and implore them to repent and serve God, but Jeremiah was persecuted and vilified. This prompted him to just shut up and not bother to speak anymore.…

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The Sons of Thunder

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Sons-of-Thunder.mp3 Text: Mark 3:14-19   I.         Often when we talk about the apostles, we focus on the notable Peter and Paul.             A.        There are many things we can learn from their lives, but we also can learn from the examples of the other apostles as well.             B.        Today I would like to direct your attention to two brothers,…

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A Worker for the Lord

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/A-Worker-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 10:16-25   I.         God has not promised His children a life of ease.             A.        Christ warned his disciples that if men are willing to call him “Beelzebub” then we shouldn’t be surprised when they turn against us.             B.        Christianity is not easy because of the rejection we must face. It is…

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