As Ourselves
February 11, 2021
00:00:59
The Hamilton Minute is a power packed 60 seconds where we tackle the issues of the day through the lens of God’s Word. You don’t want to miss a moment of it.
And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
My Name is Abraham Hamilton III, and this is the Hamilton Minute.
When Queries by the pharisees concerning the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
He then said the second greatest commandment is, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
He didn't simply say love your neighbor. He said Christ followers must love our neighbors as ourselves.
Christian duty requires us to employ discernment and active empathy. We worship our Lord when we put ourselves in one another's shoes as we do live together and resolve misunderstandings.
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
When my wife and I first started having children we discouraged our family members from speaking to them in baby talk… you know the gaga-googoo stuff.
The reason was simple. We wanted our children to speak English well. Baby talk would hinder that development.
The same principle applies to spiritual development.
If we want our children to be wise disciples of our LORD we should ask ourselves how much of their time is spent investing in spiritual maturity.
Protracted time in the company of spiritual baby-talkers will inevitably cause harm.
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” Proverbs 15:31 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The book of Proverbs is one that flows with abundant insight for wisdom. It shows that one of the most prominent qualities of wise people is that they welcome and even celebrate life-giving correction.
In today’s world, overrun by cultural Marxism, there is much discussion as to what segments of our society hate themselves.
Well, Proverbs gives the answer. He who rejects life-giving correction despises himself.
The truest demonstration of self-hatred is revealed by knuckleheads who refuse to humble themselves and embrace life-giving correction.
Loving rebuke saves lives. Correction displays love.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Psalm 46 is a popular Psalm as it includes the text, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This was the conclusion to a Psalm that previously observed,
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
This described what looked like the end of the world. Nevertheless, the Psalmist remained unshaken. He refused to allow present difficulty to cause him to forget God’s past faithfulness.
Virus or no virus, God is our refuge and strength.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
With this statement Jesus affirmed what He’d already said in Genesis 1 and 2 and defined marriage for all time. Contrary to the protestations of the nouveau critical theorists, the nuclear family consisting of a married father and mother is not a western sociological prescription or construct.
Marriage did not originate in the west. It’s origin isn’t suburban America.
It started in Genesis, in the Garden of Eden. Marriage is God’s idea. Therefore, He alone defines it. If you don’t like it, your problem is with God… not me.
“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.” John 12:
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus his and Lazarus’ fame spread. They already planned to kill Jesus. But now, because Lazarus was tangible evidence of Jesus’ resurrection power, the chief priests and Pharisees plotted to kill Lazarus too.
They never worried about Lazarus before. But now, because he is a walking billboard of Christ’s power, they want him dead too.
This, brothers and sisters, is why many come against you. It isn’t personal, but Satanic forces can’t stand your representation of God’s power to transform lives.
That’s why we rejoice when we’re slandered for His namesake. Christ’s power is on display.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Romans 12:15(a).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Michael, a five-year-old boy, showed up at the courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for an adoption hearing with his foster parents, and he had a crowd of unusual supporters.
Michael's entire kindergarten class sat in the audience behind him waving big red hearts mounted on wooden sticks to show their support.
The kindergartners offered the most touching answers, standing up and telling the court, "I love Michael" or "Michael's my best friend.”
Michael's new father and mother have been married for nearly 10 years, and he'd been living with them as a foster child for more than year.
Adoption truly is at the heart of the Gospel.
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 (KJV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton III and this is the Hamilton Minute.
We live in a day when churches are filled with people ready to hear and receive God’s mercy. Unfortunately, however, it is often accompanied by a de-emphasis or concealment of the truth of God’s Word.
Paul, the salvation-by-grace-through-faith Apostle, was asked if salvation is solely a product of grace what benefit then does the law provide. Paul responded, “Without the law, I wouldn’t have known God’s righteous standard and how far away from it I was.”
Any presentation of God’s mercy absent of God’s truth is no Gospel at all.
Iniquity is purged by mercy and truth.
“Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:15 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
A friend of mine who pastors in Nigeria once said to me “ya know, America has sent more missionaries into the world than any other nation before it. But the nation that once sent missionaries has now become the mission field.”
As you consider the calling God has for you, I just want to remind you that just as other nations need missionaries we need missionaries in America too.
There are a lot of neighborhoods right here in our country that desperately need evangelism and discipleship. Let’s not forget them.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.” Mark 9:42 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued “guidance” clarifying that insurance coverage on double mastectomies should no longer be considered “cosmetic” in the state but as “reconstructive.” The move now classifies normal healthy God-designed breast tissue as “abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects.”
Lara’s guidance emphasized that California law prohibits health insurance providers from denying “male chest reconstruction surgery for female-to-male patients” solely on the basis of age.”
Regressives want the children.
“He who walks with wise [men] will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The American Enterprise Institute conducted an empirical study to understand the decline of religious faith in America. They concluded,
The data seem to show the main driver of secularization in the United States is government spending on education and control over the curricular content taught in schools.
Why? Because,
Children learn more at school than reading, writing, and arithmetic. They imbibe a whole set of implied assumptions about what’s important in life. Faith in God becomes a sort of optional weekend hobby akin to playing tennis or video games.
And our taxes dollars pay for it.
“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” Acts 17:26 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The scripture teaches that God has sovereignly “determined the boundaries” of our habitation and the “appointed” the times in which we would live.
That means the fact that you live right now in the United States of America, in the 21st Century, following the November 2020 elections is not a mere coincidence. It is the time and place that God has appointed for you. This isn’t a time to shrink back. It’s our moment to contend! May the Remnant arise to meet our moment.
In Jesus’ name.
“And you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8(b) (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The 128th Psalm explains it is the individual who’s been transformed by the power of God who then builds the transformed family. Transformed families build transformed churches. Transformed churches build transformed communities and transformed communities impact the broader society.
The way forward in America is repentance and living locally. Focus intensely on your families, your local church, and your local community.
What goes on in your house is far more important that what happens in the White House.
Great commission execution must begin in Jerusalem.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The prophet Isaiah diagnosed the condition of the rebellious nation of Judah prior to its conquest and exile by Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 59 of his book. He explained that Judah’s transgression separated the nation from YHWH. Due to Judah’s sinfulness truth had fallen in the streets. The consequences for their rejection of truth was that lawlessness abounded.
Similarly, truth has been rejected in our nation. Abundant lawlessness is the consequence for a nation that has turned away from the LORD. Repentance is what is needed in our nation, starting in the church. Righteousness is what exalts a nation.
“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:5 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Today some professing Christians assert that Critical Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality are helpful tools for the Church. These people have an appearance of godliness, but their assertions deny the sufficiency of God’s Word to guide the Church in living out the reconciliation Jesus secured for us on the cross.
Make no mistake, as Paul told Timothy, the God-breathed Scripture is sufficient for teaching, for correction, for training in righteousness.
Those who have an appearance of godliness, but deny the power of God’s Word for doctrine and practice must be identified and avoided.
“She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6(b) (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Genesis 3 records for us the cataclysmic rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden. The entire episode, Eve’s entertainment of the sensual lies of the talking snake, the deceptive twisting of God’s word, all of it transpired with Adam standing right there.
Adam was the one to whom God entrusted his word to originally, Adam was the one God charged with cultivating and protecting the garden and his wife.
Yet he stood there silent.
Men, let us not repeat Adam’s sin of present absence.
Stand on God’s word and defend your gardens!
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
A generation has been taught they descend from animals, that there is no God.
They’ve been taught they are nothing more than a cosmic accident, they have no purpose and life has no meaning.
Life’s meaninglessness has been punctuated for them by the 60 million children who’ve been slaughtered in the womb… and counting.
But society is shocked when they act out exactly as they’ve been taught… like animals with no conscience.
Respect for human life begins with respect for the Life-Giver.
America needs repentance!
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NASB).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Buzz Aldrin is the famed astronaut who planted the American flag on the moon and explored it for some 21 hours.
What many don’t know, however, is what Mr. Aldrin did to commemorate the moon landing.
Aldrin, a committed Christian and Elder in his local church, marked the incredible occasion by celebrating Holy Communion. This first meal ever eaten on the moon was a celebration of the LORD’s table, a lunar declaration that Jesus Christ is our LORD, Savior, and soon coming King.
That’s pretty cool.
“Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” 14:23(a) (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
We live an era currently where spirituality is en vogue. Christ following is not.
Some, even claim to love Jesus while simultaneously rebelling against His word and encouraging others to rebel similarly.
But, Jesus said it himself: “if you love me you will obey me. Whoever does not love me does not obey my words.”
Make no mistake about it, to love Jesus is to obey Him. You cannot love Jesus and disobey Him.
If you are living in rebellion against Jesus’ word, you are not following Jesus as He’s revealed Himself in scripture. You’re following a god you’ve created.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
According to the CDC and the Guttmacher Institute the number one reason women choose abortion is they’re “not ready for a child.”
2) “Can’t afford a baby.”
3) “Don’t want any more children.”
4) “Don’t want to be a single mother.”
5) “Not mature enough to raise a child
6) “Would interfere with education or career.”
Those reasons represent 95% of all abortions.
Risks to the mother’s physical health represent less than 4% of all abortions and conception resulting from “rape and incest” represent 1% of all abortions.
The reality? Abortion is used as birth control.
