Time to Reflect

by Terry Wane Benton If you are bored, you are not studying and thinking about the rich treasures available to be enjoyed in Christ. When Paul and Silas were in prison, do you think they had time to be bored? Reflect on what gives you purpose and drive. Do you have a proper hunger and…

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Your First Love

by Terry Wane Benton “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). The first love was the focused and enthusiastic love they had at the early stages of their conversion. As John in his epistle stated, “We love Him because He first loved us” (I John 4:19) and…

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Carpe Diem – Seize the Day

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carpe-Diem.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 4:9-12   I.         “Carpe Diem” is from a poem written in Latin by Horace. It means “seize the day.”             A.        The point of the poem is that a person does not know what the future holds so one should make the most of the what a person has at…

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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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Restoring God’s Religion

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RestoringGodsReligion.mp3 Text: II Kings 18:1-6   I.         Without a doubt our society has slipped in its desire to follow God             A.        Sin and the acceptance of sinful practice has become prevalent. We have convinced ourselves as a society to be proud of our tolerance of sin.             B.        Churches are losing members.                         1.         In their panic, they look for ways…

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Fishing or Sleeping?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/FishingOrSleeping.mp3 by Alan Feaster

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Intentions Won’t Get It!

by Dee Bowman Some of the proverbial expressions not found in the Bible are nonetheless true. The truth will always plumb with all other truth; it cannot contradict itself. Take the expression “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” That’s not found in the Scriptures, but it’s nonetheless true. Nobody really wants to…

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With All Your Heart

With All Your Heart – Part 1With All Your Heart – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:9-16   I.         It is frequently stated that the difference between the Old and New Testaments is that the Old emphasizes the physical and the New the spiritual             A.        In part, it comes from passages like                         1.         Romans 2:28-29…

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How can I get excited about being a Christian again?

Question: Hello, I have a question basically on how to desire God more and want to go on with the sanctification process, rather than being complacent and being that Sunday Christian. I’m hoping you can help me with some tips on how to want to desire to go on with my walk with The Lord.…

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I fear I’m becoming a lukewarm Christian

Question: I have been a Christian for about five years now. Recently I have found myself becoming a slave to sin instead of a slave to Christ. I don’t like to talk about my emotions and things, so instead of dealing with them, I choose to bottle them up until it finally feels like I…

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Fired Up, But Only Half-Baked

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/FiredUpButOnlyHalfBaked.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hosea 7:1-10   I.         We admire those driven by a passion for the things that they do.             A.        Radio and TV shows that feature people passionately defending their views are popular.             B.        In religion as well, people are drawn to groups that display rich emotions.             C.        Passion is wonderful if it is directed…

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Zealous or Lukewarm?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013Spring2ZealousOrLukewarm.mp3 by Lance Blackburn Lessons for Our Time

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Do You Want to Be Here

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DoYouWantToBeHere.mp3 by PJ Anderson

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Are You Weary of God?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AreYouWearyOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 6:1-3   I.         Being a Christian is a commitment for life.             A.        Matthew 7:13-14 – Few make it.             B.        Few made it from Israel – Romans 9:27             C.        People will want in, but don’t put in the effort until too late – Luke 13:23-30 II.        It isn’t that God is trying to keep…

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An Urgent Need to Study

Text: II Timothy 2:8-19   I.         It is fascinating to read well crafted prose or poetry. With just a few words, the author can communicate not only a message, but even a mood.             A.        Individual words are not flat. Even synonyms carry subtle differences in meaning.             B.        And the idea is not restricted to the English language. Languages…

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What Can Kill a Church?

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 3:1-6   I.         The certainty of life is that it will eventually be followed by death – Ecclesiastes 9:5             A.        And it is not just people who die, churches die as well.                         1.         Unlike people, churches don’t have to die, but they do.             B.        The church at Sardis appeared to be alive, but…

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That Church Isn’t Doing Anything!

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:24-30   I.         Periodically criticism is leveled at a church – not just this church, I’ve heard it said against many churches – “That church isn’t doing anything!”             A.        I will admit that there is always room for improvement.                         1.         There are many things I wish we had accomplished.                         2.         I sure there…

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