Archive for 2017
Why Do We Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/WhyDoWeChurch.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreServants of the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ServantsOfTheChurch1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 6:1-6 I. Early in the church’s history, the number of brethren increased dramatically. A. With that increase came “growing pains.” B. Circumstances caused the church in Jerusalem to have a large number of widows who needed care. 1. Some felt that preference was being given to native widows over those from…
Read MoreThe Purpose of Preaching
Text: Nehemiah 8:1-8 I. In the past, we have talked about various positions or duties in the church (elders, teachers) A. Today, I would like to address the purpose of preaching. B. There seems to be much confusion about what a preacher’s duty is 1. Many denominations refer to their ministers as pastor, but that title is suppose…
Read MoreIs it a lie if he doesn’t know I lied to him?
Question: I have a problem this has been bothering me. I am a Christian. I heard a brother in Christ mention something and I told him that he looked good when I thought that he did not. Should I tell him the truth, even if he did not know that I did not mean it?…
Read MoreThank you for posting so many articles covering a range of topics on your website
Question: Thank you for posting so many articles covering a range of topics on your website. I have used you as a resource when preparing numerous classes and lessons. I just wanted you to know that your work is appreciated and the effort you put into study and lesson development is being used in other…
Read MoreCould you explain “continual cleansing?”
Question: Could you explain “continual cleansing?” Answer: Continual cleansing is the concept that Christians are Teflon-coated, so sins don’t stick them; instead, the blood of Christ continually cleanses them of all sins, even if they don’t ask for forgiveness. It is based on a misunderstanding of I John 1. “This is the message which we…
Read MoreI’m not certain if I want to marry my girlfriend, but she is pregnant and I’ve lost my job
Question: I have been following your works via your website, and you are doing a wonderful job. God bless you. Nevertheless, I need some guidance as I am confused about my next step. I am in my late twenties and seeing this girl, who is in her mid-twenties, from another country where I study. We…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say Jesus appeared to the twelve when Judas was dead?
Question: Good morning Jeffrey, I have a question on what Paul meant in I Corinthians 15:5 when he said Christ appeared to Peter and the 12. If Judas had died by that time, there were only 11. Can you please explain this to me? It has been bugging me for a while now. Answer: “For…
Read MoreI found out my cousin is sometimes putting marijuana in our food
Question: Mr. Jeffrey, sir, Your response to me years back made a terrific impact on my life, and I don’t know what I would have done without you coming into the situation and easing my anxiety. May God continue to bless souls through your vast wealth of knowledge. Sir, last year I took marijuana for…
Read MoreI couldn’t stop myself and made a vow that God says I have to keep
Question: Can I have your opinion about Ecclesiastes 5:4-7? “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech…
Read MoreI couldn’t stop myself and made a vow that God says I have to keep
Question: Can I have your opinion about Ecclesiastes 5:4-7? “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Guarantee of the Holy Spirit
by Matthew W. Bassford To my knowledge, this concept appears three times in Scripture, all within the body of Paul’s writings: II Corinthians 1:22, II Corinthians 5:5, and Ephesians 1:13-14. “Guarantee” is the ESV rendering of the Greek arrabōn. Other translations use “earnest” (KJV), “deposit” (NIV), “down payment” (CSB), or “pledge” (NASB). I think it’s helpful to consider the…
Read MoreGod’s Plan for a Strong Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/GodsPlanForAStrongChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Insufficiency of the Bible Alone
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/InsufficiencyOfTheBibleAlone.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreMy preacher mentioned your website
Question: Greetings brethren. My preacher talked about La Vista Church of Christ today, appreciating the enormous work you are doing in teaching the undiluted word of God. More grace people. Answer: It is nice to know that the efforts here are appreciated by others.
Read MoreIf God doesn’t tempt people with evil, then why did God command the Rechabites to drink wine?
Question: In James 1:13 God says he will not tempt anyone with evil. But compare with Jeremiah 35:2-5. If drinking wine (other than for medicinal purposes) is a sin, why did God tell the prophet to bring wine into the house of the Lord and tell the people to drink it? Thank you. Answer: Sin…
Read MoreI am about to marry and I love her dearly, but she constantly nags and complains
Question: Sir, I’m engaged to marry this wonderful lady in less than two months’ time, whom I have dated for about 2 years. I describe her as wonderful because she is modest, she has done a great job guiding her virginity to date, and she is over 30 years of age. I call her wonderful…
Read MoreDoesn’t Leviticus 27:29 indicate that God accepted human sacrifices?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, In Leviticus 27:28, you say Jephthah’s daughter could not be redeemed, but Leviticus 27:29 says, “No person under the ban, who may become doomed to destruction among men, shall be redeemed, but shall surely be put to death.” Doesn’t it mean that Jephthah’s daughter should have been put to death and that human…
Read MoreFully Obedient
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FullyObedient.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIf God Gave Your Eulogy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IfGodGaveYourEulogy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreStarving Spiritually
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/StarvingSpiritually.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIs it a sin to leave the church you were born into?
Question: I’m currently a member of the old-order Mennonite Church. I have come to the conclusion recently, upon studying the Bible, that Jesus has asked everyone to be of one mind and there be no divisions at numerous places in his word. I want to leave this group, but they say leaving a church that…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”?
Question: Good afternoon, Jeffrey. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while now what it means to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” It’s something that gets said about atheists quite a bit. For the longest, in regards to Yahweh, I’ve thought it meant pretending He doesn’t exist for the sake of being able to sin…
Read MoreWhy I am No Longer a Pentecostal
by William Davis There were no miracles, no power, no gifts, no healings, nothing but the theatrical antics and delusions of men. What was claimed as the great power of God was nothing more than musical hype and psychologically induced emotionalism. I would like to begin by giving some background information concerning my roots in…
Read MoreShould I take medication for my bipolar disorder?
Question: Greetings Brother, I have been reading your site for some months since I was investigating the church of Christ, and I was baptized about six months ago. Your articles on marijuana and drinking have been a great encouragement to me and have helped me walk my thoughts through the Scriptures in making some decisions.…
Read MoreComing Out of Pentecostalism
by Bill Davis One of the greatest challenges for any Pentecostal to overcome is to accept the fact that God no longer works miracles today as he did in times past. Three years ago I wrote a series of three articles in Seek the Old Paths on Why I Left the Pentecostal Church (June, July, August 2013). In those…
Read MoreWhat do I do to feel peace?
Question: I am a drunken adulteress. God has come to me to be reborn again, and I’m failing. Please help me. What do I do to feel peace? I hate the daytime and awake through the night with nightmares of my sins. Help me. Answer: “The things which you learned and received and heard and…
Read MoreDoes the case of Shanti Devi prove reincarnation?
Question: Hi there, How do you explain the case of Shanti Devi? Why did she have the memory of her past life? She didn’t even know Jesus, so why did this happen? This has been affecting me a lot, and I even have no motivation to do anything in my life because of my weakened…
Read MoreCouldn’t God have made it impossible for people to hurt each other?
Question: For the question of why God allows evil: Couldn’t God have made it impossible to physically harm others? People are still able to go against God, but He could make it impossible for them to shoot, hurt, or do any other bad thing. Like how it’s impossible for us to fly by ourselves, couldn’t…
Read MoreI use your site as a kick start in preparing sermons
Question: Brother Hamilton, I just want to thank you for the occasional kick-start your extensive index of sermon topics gives me when I’m stumped on a topic for a sermon from time to time. I found La Vista’s site some time ago when I didn’t have a topic or a complete sermon on the back…
Read MoreAre vows made because of OCD compulsions to be kept?
Question: Hello, I have a question about OCD and the Bible. I have been a member of the church of Christ for about five years. I have been diagnosed with OCD and most of my issues revolve around my faith. I went for a few years undiagnosed and untreated because I didn’t know what was…
Read MoreJames on Trials
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JamesOnTrials.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:1-27 I. The book of James is written to Jewish Christians who were scattered by persecution – Acts 8:1-4 A. This is one indication that James is one of the first books written B. It is that persecution that sets up the theme for the first part of the book…
Read MoreCan you explain some of these terms related to the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Please explain the following biblical terms to me. I sometimes get confused by these. Feast of Passover Last supper Lord’s supper Communion Unleavened bread Answer: Feast of the Passover This was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:5). Preparation began on the tenth day of this same month…
Read MoreIs it possible to watch pornography and not sin?
Question: Is it possible to watch pornography and not sin? In any way? Answer: It is difficult to come up with an example of a legitimate reason for viewing pornography since the reason it exists is to stimulate lust in the viewers. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you…
Read MoreWhere did Job say he was pure, without transgression, and innocent?
Question: Regarding Job 33:8-9: Could you point out in Scripture where Job said this? I’ve searched verse by verse and can’t find it. Thank you. Answer: “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words: ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt…
Read MoreRighteous Judgment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/RighteousJudgments.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 7:14-24 I. It seems you can’t listen or read the news with yet another person being accused of inappropriate behavior. A. People readily accept the bad news. The assumption that the person is guilty and so he is pressured to leave his job or be fired. B. What happened to…
Read MoreBe Not Dismayed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BeNotDismayed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:21-2:2 I. Jeremiah came in the worse days of Judah’s history A. Corruption was everywhere – Jeremiah 6:13-15 B. Jeremiah was told from his youth to preach the truth – Jeremiah 1:4-8 C. But that didn’t make it easy. Jeremiah was opposed most of his life 1. After a prophecy in the…
Read MoreWhy did Elihu tell Job that his suffering was a chastisement from God?
Question: In Job 33:19 Elihu tells Job that his pain and suffering are a chastisement from God. What did Job do to cause God to put this sickness upon him to start with? Thank you. Answer: Elihu scolds Job for complaining that God has caused him to suffer without explaining why. “Why do you complain…
Read MoreThe lesson “The Loss of a Loved One” really hit home with me
Question: I wanted to say how great the sermon was on The Loss of a Loved One by Christopher Scott Wyatt. It really hit home with me. I have recently lost my mother three months ago, and she was a strong Christian. We both are members of the church of Christ. Mr. Wyatt is an outstanding…
Read MoreRebekah
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Rebekah.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 24:1-26 I. In archaeology, historians at times notice odd gaps in the records A. Even in well preserved records, there will be missing time periods. B. Monuments are clearly defaced. C. Typically what it indicates that something happened during that time which later generations did not want to remember. Perhaps a…
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