The Gospel Ship

Rev. Jack Hamilton

Jack was a Reformational Baptist long before the rise of Southern Seminary and The Gospel Coalition. This was a view he did not always hold. Jack earned his MDiv from Southwestern Theological Seminary where he was taught, what he came to believe, many wrong-headed ideas—like freewill, or premillennialism. When he discovered the doctrines of grace, and began to preach them at Riverside Baptist, this caused quite a stir. Jack eventually retired but was shortly thereafter called to serve as the interim pastor at Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton, Virginia. He did so for many years. The sign in front of Grace Baptist Chapel said for many years: Amillennial, Proclaiming the Doctrines of Grace.

  1. Jun 5

    The Church at Ephesus: Losing First Love

    Preaching from Revelation 2:1–7, Reverend Jack Hamilton begins a series on the letters to the seven churches. He explains that these are Christ’s last words to His people, with five of the seven churches called to repent. Hamilton emphasizes that the letter to Ephesus commends their labor, patience, and doctrinal vigilance, yet exposes their critical failure: they had left their first love. Drawing from Acts 18–20, he recounts the history of the Ephesian church and Paul’s warnings to “take heed to yourselves.” The message applies directly to modern believers, urging continual repentance, self-examination, and a return to fervent love for Christ. Without this, churches risk losing their witness as lampstands before the watching world. Key Themes: • Revelation as apocalyptic literature and Christ’s final words to His church • The church’s role as light-bearers before the world • Commendations: labor, patience, intolerance of false teachers • Rebuke: leaving their first love for Christ • Paul’s warnings to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20): take heed, watch, and remember • Revival in Ephesus: turning from idolatry to Christ • The danger of drifting, complacency, and cold love amid increasing iniquity • Repentance as continual for Christians, not just unbelievers • God’s call to remember, repent, and return to earlier devotion • The risk of Christ removing a church’s lampstand if love and witness fade

    The Church at Ephesus: Losing First Love
  2. Mar 30

    The Third Commandment: Guarding God’s Name and Our Words

    In this sermon on Matthew 5:33–37 and Exodus 20:7, Reverend Jack Hamilton explains what it means to take the Lord’s name in vain and the seriousness of our words. He contrasts the Pharisees’ shallow legalism with Christ’s deeper teaching that our speech must be truthful and reverent. Drawing from Scripture—including Jesus before the high priest, Paul’s solemn appeals to God, and even God Himself swearing by His own name—Hamilton shows that legitimate oaths have biblical precedent, but careless or trivial swearing profanes God’s holiness. He emphasizes that discipleship requires integrity: our “yes” must mean yes and our “no,” no. From James’ warning about the untamable tongue to the rampant profanity in modern culture, Hamilton warns believers to guard their lips, keep their promises, and use words to bless, not curse. Key Themes: • The Third Commandment: not taking God’s name in vain • The difference between Pharisees’ outward legalism and true discipleship • Legitimate biblical oaths vs. trivial swearing • Jesus’ teaching: let your yes be yes, and no be no • Paul’s appeals to God as witness • God and angels swearing by His own name (Hebrews 6; Revelation 10) • The destructive power of the tongue (James 3) • Integrity in promises, vows, and daily speech • Modern profanity and careless language as dishonoring to God • True discipleship: relationship with Christ, not just religion

    The Third Commandment: Guarding God’s Name and Our Words
  3. Mar 5

    Drawing Near to God: Degrees of Intimacy with the Lord

    In this sermon from Exodus 19, 24, 33 and New Testament passages, Reverend Jack Hamilton teaches on intimacy with God and the varying degrees of closeness His people experience. He traces biblical examples—from Israel at Sinai, to Moses alone on the mount, to Joshua lingering in the tabernacle, to Peter, James, and John witnessing Christ’s glory. Hamilton emphasizes that while all believers are called to fellowship with God, some draw nearer because of desire, love, and obedience. He warns against complacency, shallow religion, and being satisfied with outward forms, urging Christians to seek deeper fellowship through Scripture, prayer, and devotion. Sanctification, he reminds, is God’s ongoing work in every believer, and true joy comes from loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Key Themes: • The Shema (Deuteronomy 6) as the foundation of intimacy with God • God revealing Himself at Sinai to different circles: the nation, elders, Joshua, Moses • Moses’ cry, “Show me Thy glory” (Exodus 33) • Jesus drawing disciples closer in circles: the 70, the 12, the 3, and John • The Transfiguration and Gethsemane as moments of inner-circle fellowship • Sanctification as God’s unfinished work in believers • Danger of complacency and shallow Christianity • Call to seek intimacy with God beyond religion or ritual • Living as citizens of heaven, not merely earth • Eternal fellowship with God as the believer’s ultimate hope

    Drawing Near to God: Degrees of Intimacy with the Lord

About

Jack was a Reformational Baptist long before the rise of Southern Seminary and The Gospel Coalition. This was a view he did not always hold. Jack earned his MDiv from Southwestern Theological Seminary where he was taught, what he came to believe, many wrong-headed ideas—like freewill, or premillennialism. When he discovered the doctrines of grace, and began to preach them at Riverside Baptist, this caused quite a stir. Jack eventually retired but was shortly thereafter called to serve as the interim pastor at Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton, Virginia. He did so for many years. The sign in front of Grace Baptist Chapel said for many years: Amillennial, Proclaiming the Doctrines of Grace.