Archive for 2014
How does someone know if they have the Holy Spirit?
Question: I always wondered this, but how does someone know if they have the Holy Spirit or they don’t? Answer: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in…
Read MoreI’ve become pregnant by a man I’ve been dating for two years, but he won’t leave his other girlfriend
Question: I am a young lady, aged 24 years. I have been dating a man for two years now. When we first met he told me he had a girlfriend and a child, and that he wasn’t happy where he was. We continued with our friendship up until it turned into a relationship. When our…
Read MoreYou will be accountable for what you said!
Question: Dear Sir, I am married to a victim of the Church of Christ. She has escaped, yet her dad remains a preacher. Sometimes I surf around your site and others to remind myself just how real the lies are but also pray for the victims who believe this garbage. You said: “Loneliness as a…
Read MoreIs my husband justified in finding another woman because I am a stay-at-home mom?
Question: My husband lost his job and because of a hard time finding work in the state that we lived in, he ended up staying with a relative in another state. During that time he decided to get involved with another woman. We have a young daughter, and I am a stay-at-home mom. My husband…
Read MoreShould I date a man who doesn’t believe baptism is essential to salvation?
Question: Hello, I am so grateful for your advice. Maybe you can help me with something that I have been trying to figure out. I have a friend I met in college last year and remained friends after I moved with my family about three hours away. We talked about God and life and what…
Read MoreShould my girlfriend share an apartment with an unmarried guy?
Question: My girlfriend and I are in a sticky situation and I would like some godly advice on this matter. We are currently in a long-distance relationship because of our education and live a few hours apart. She lives in an apartment with a roommate of hers. Her roommate can no longer afford to pay…
Read MoreThank you and may God continue to bless you for the words and wisdom you share
Question: Thank you and may God continue to bless you for the words and wisdom you share. Answer: Thank you for your kind encouragement.
Read MoreShould I change congregations?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I am sorry I trouble you with so many questions. It’s not that I am not well studied, I just seem to find myself in situations where I question the actions of others, and I am not sure if I am handling it the way God would have me handle it. I…
Read MoreLiving Spiritual Lives
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LivingSpiritualLives.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Church Ain’t Doing Nothing
by Raymond Elliott How often have we heard that statement from a brother in Christ? And it is to be admitted that we often fail in fulfilling the many obligations that God has given us. But there are some pertinent observations that need to be made relative to this broad statement. First of all, we…
Read MoreDoes the word “commandments” always refer to the Ten Commandments?
Question: Hi, I have read your response about the Ten Commandments issue and Jesus’ commandments. It seems that you are making good points in your explanation. However, a friend of mine explained this verse to me. And I think he has good points, too. Will you please check his arguments for me? I will appreciate it.…
Read MoreSo glad you are still in His yoke
Question: Just happened across your page. So very glad to learn you’re still in His yoke. Answer: Thank you.
Read MoreShould I wait for this man to marry me?
Question: Hello, I read at your site the many questions and the answers you gave were based on the Bible which was beautiful to see. I wanted to tell you something. Over fifteen years ago, I made a choice not to have sex with a man until I get married. I met a man who…
Read MoreI appreciate your definition of course jesting
Question: I read your definition and explanation of coarse jesting on Google, and I appreciate it. It helped me to understand the term better in the context in which it is written in Ephesians 5:4. Thanks for your input. Answer: Happy to be of service.
Read MoreI keep repeating my sexual sins
Question: I am 27 years old. I am unworthy to say I am a Christian, but I have the knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I was baptized and have been going to church for more than 20 years. I am working and received many of God’s blessings in my career. I…
Read MoreI like the clear and concise replies in your Questions and Answers section
Question: Sir, Thank you for your excellent website. I only found it a few days ago quite by accident. You certainly present a wealth of information. I especially like the clear and concise replies you give in the “question and answer” section. Respectfully, Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreWhat can I do about my bitter and angry wife?
Question: Dear Minister, Is it OK for my wife to be bitter, hate me, and punish me regularly, but then says she forgives as a Christian? Over five years ago, “out of nowhere,” my wife had a sex affair because she was “mad at me,” when I had done nothing to her to provoke any…
Read MoreHow can Christ rule on David’s throne while in heaven?
Question: One of my students states “… that Christ has to rule on David’s throne, I didn’t know David had a throne in heaven …” Is this student coming from a Baptist line of thinking? Thanks for your help. Answer: There are numerous denominations that ascribe to a premillennial form of thinking, Baptist being one…
Read MoreWhat can I do? My husband seems to have no desire for sex
Question: Hello, I am a woman and my question is regarding sexual lust and perversion; therefore, you can understand my asking you and not my home pastor, especially when most churches still regard women who struggle with these sorts of issues with a certain type of disdain. As were most females with my issues you…
Read MoreIs masturbation wrong because it is pleasurable?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, A Christian friend of mine brought to my attention concerning masturbation, that since the purpose and context for which God created sex to be used is between a married man and woman, (at least as far as the Bible speaks of) that masturbation is in opposition to God’s design for sex and…
Read MoreHow do I tell people I’m not interested in preaching?
Question: Hello, Hope you can answer a question of mine that I need a biblical answer to. What to say to people who come up to you and ask you, “Why don’t you preach?” I tell them not everyone is meant to be a teacher, and like it says in Bible not everyone is meant…
Read MoreIs it wrong not to attend a family dinner hosted by a couple who are living together unmarried?
Question: Dear Jeff, Is it wrong for me to not attend a family dinner because the ones hosting it are living together unwed? They are not Christians, they are Baptist. I do not want to approve of sin be it through words or actions. Answer: “But now I have written to you not to keep…
Read MoreMy daughter was raped and is now pregnant. Should I have the baby aborted?
Question: My daughter was date raped and is now pregnant with her rapist’s child. I don’t know what to do because the Bible says abortion is wrong, but she is only 14. I am considering an abortion, but I don’t know what to do seeing how it’s sin. Please, I need help! Answer: I’m sorry…
Read MoreWould that Bother You?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/WouldThatBotherYou.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI’m not interested in getting married, but how do I deal with my sex drive?
Question: I am a 19-year-old college student, have never dated in my life, and am never planning to. I plan to go into the mission field once I graduate, and I have decided that it would probably be best to never marry in order to be able to focus on my ministry. However, I have…
Read MoreI try not to drink or fornicate, I still end up doing it, and I really need help
Question: Hello! I have a question about getting away from sin. I have been struggling for a few years in certain areas and I have come to the point where I am ready to change but at the same time as much as I try not to drink or fornicate, I still end up doing…
Read MoreWhat should I do? My mom and I are always arguing
Question: I’m 23 years years old and a single mom. My mom has helped me out a lot financially, but she can be confrontational and a bit abusive in her speech. I always argue with her over things, and we never can seem to get along for very long. My mom always points out what…
Read MoreProof-Texting
by Doy Moyer In light of the way Paul sometimes quoted Scripture, even using isolated verses together in order to establish a point (e.g., Romans 3:10-18), can someone actually show from Scripture that what is typically called “proof-texting” is always bad? Don’t get me wrong. I believe in context. I don’t believe in randomly pulling…
Read MoreBecause we are to sing psalms and the Psalms mention instrumental music, doesn’t this mean we can use instrumental music?
Question: I have a friend who says it’s OK to use instruments in worship because of Psalms. He says that we are commanded to sing psalms to which he says how can we sing psalms and not believe what it says when David said to praise God with instruments. What can I say to him…
Read MoreYour sermon outlines are very helpful to me as I prepare sermons
Question: Thank you and your congregation for your web site. Your sermon outlines are very helpful to me as I prepare sermons. I wanted to make sure your efforts are appreciated. Answer: Why thank you very much. I’m glad the information is being put to good use.
Read MoreAm I being selfish and covetous in marrying a woman who had a child by another man?
Question: Greetings, I met my fiancée last year and we became friends. We go to the same church. Later we decided to pray and ask God if we should get married and we did get confirmation. So we went to our pastor and told him of our decision. We are planning to get married next…
Read MoreIs Discipleship Time scriptural?
Question: Hello, I have been reading the La Vista Church of Christ website articles and answers for over a year now and have even visited a few sister churches that I found through this website. I greatly appreciate the wisdom and insight that I find through this website! Now I have a question I can’t seem to…
Read MoreLogic in the Bible
by Terry W. Benton While some modern brethren have declared that the logic of “necessary inference” has been made up in recent years by “church of Christ preachers”, the Bible shows that this kind of logic goes back to communication from God and man from the beginning. If anyone should be credited with the origin…
Read MoreDoes Luke 7:48-50 prove that baptism is unnecessary?
Question: I need help with the following question: Does Luke 7:48-50 prove that we do not need to be baptized to be saved? Can you help me with an answer that shows that these verses are not inconsistent with the teaching that baptism is essential for salvation? It is being argued that since the woman’s…
Read MoreIs it sinful to listen to music with bad language and references to sinful acts?
Question: Good afternoon, I was recently in the backseat of my friend’s car when she started playing illicit music on her phone. When I later confronted her about it, she told me that while she doesn’t believe it is recommended, it is not a sin. She said that God may have to reveal something to…
Read MoreMind Your Manners
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MindYourManners.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 17:11-19 I. Is it just me, or have people have become quite rude? A. It seems that common courtesy has become increasingly uncommon B. Rudeness is glorified on television, movies, and videos. You would think the only way to get people to laugh is to be crude. C. I realize that…
Read MoreGod’s Proof of His Existence
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 3:1-6 I. Perhaps you have heard statements to the effect that the Bible doesn’t try to prove that God exists. It simply assumes the existence of God. A. At the beginning of the Bible we read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) 1. Since the…
Read MoreBoth David and Saul sinned and admitted they sinned, so why was the kingdom taken from Saul but not David?
Question: Hi, Good day to you. I hope you are well. My question is about two men from the holy Scriptures: King Saul and King David. When Saul sinned against God, God took the kingdom away from him, but when David sinned, God did not take away the kingdom from him. Keep in mind that…
Read MoreI started out joking with a coworker, but it has gotten out of hand. How do I stop it?
Question: Hi again! You answered a question I had previously, but I was wondering if I could ask you for some more advice. I realize there are people in my life who are good Christians, I’m just not sure how to ask for advice when I’m the one usually giving it. I started working at…
Read MoreAre You Unforgivable?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Repeatedly I receive frantic inquiries from people fearful that they committed an unforgivable sin. It never seems to register that nowhere in the Bible are sins called “unforgivable.” If a sin was unforgivable, then it means God refuses to offer forgiveness for certain sins. But that contradicts the nature of God.…
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