Archive for 2015
Doesn’t Jesus rebuke those who did works in his name?
Question: Many teach salvation by works. Matthew 7:22-23 clearly shows that Jesus revealed they boasted in their many wonderful works they did in the His name. Yet Jesus did not praise them nor did He exalt them; He rebuke them. Many today are modern day Pharisees. They try to make people live under the Law.…
Read MoreHow do you live a proper life and stay connected with a diversity of people?
Question: Oh, Minister, I’ve read your answers to so many questions, and they have helped me greatly. I am a college student who has been going through problems of finding meaning in an increasingly secular society where it seems that drinking, doing drugs, and “getting laid” are what get people to like you. I know…
Read MoreI’m depressed that my girlfriend isn’t a virgin
Question: Hello, I am 21. I am not very sensitive. I can easily overcome any bad time, but these days something very bad happened to me — actually, I don’t know if it is bad, or if I’m making it worse. Starting with me: I like girls and I always wanted to have a female…
Read MoreLay Aside the Old Self
by Dennis Stackhouse Addressing the Christians in Ephesus, Paul wrote: “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind” (Ephesians 4:17). The apostle begins by aligning his authority with that of the Lord; in other words, this is God’s…
Read MoreMy boss isn’t writing a reference as she promised. What do I do?
Question: I have been working for an employer part-time, less than 19 hours a week, but I have come across an opportunity to work as a teacher’s assistant. My boss has always applauded me and said what a great job I was doing, and how I was her best employee basically. Last week I told…
Read MoreIs it possible to recover from searing your conscious?
Question: Some time ago, I began to slowly return to my old ways. At first, I found myself plagued by guilt, but as time passed I would ignore God’s conviction. For the most part, I didn’t sin very much. but I struggled with lust every now and then. I still tried to live by God’s…
Read MoreA Comparison of Romans 4 and James 2:14-26
by Jim Sasser Recently, we have been listening to a speaker on this radio station discussing the 4th chapter of Romans as compared to the 2nd chapter of James. It was obvious, from some of his statements, that he was trying to make Paul teach salvation by faith only and at the same time cause…
Read MoreDo Your Own Thinking
by Bob Buchanon via The Eastside Edifier Not many of us think for ourselves when it comes to matters of religion. Most of us are what we are religiously because of the way our parents reared us and have never questioned whether we were right or wrong. We prefer to leave religious subjects and Bible issues…
Read MoreHelpers
by Jefferson David Tant “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues” (I Corinthians 12:28) Perhaps you have noticed that people are different — different in personalities, appearance, talents. Evidently, God designed us that way, and Paul acknowledged this…
Read MoreWas God’s original plan to have humans live on the earth forever?
Question: Thank you, sir, for using the word of God in answering questions. God bless you for that. Sir, I was studying the Bible with two Jehovah’s Witnesses members. I was told most of the righteous will be in the big crowd and enjoy paradise on earth. I was also told that was God’s…
Read MoreMy ex-boyfriend married someone else but wants to come back to me. What should I do?
Question: I have never been married, but I do have children. (I know — not good.) My child’s father and I broke up and a few weeks later he married the girl with whom he had cheated on me. After nearly a year of no communication, he reached out to me. We discovered that we…
Read MoreWe used your thumbnail pictures as stamps on timeline “passports”
Question: Greetings to the La Vista Church of Christ! I just wanted to thank you for the great resources you have made available through your website. I was trying to make a “passport” to go along with our children’s Bible studies, to use as a timeline as they go through the Bible. Your art thumbnails…
Read MoreHow can we not be saved by works, but must do the things God requires of us to be saved?
Question: Hi, I’ve studied some of your material and it is helping me understand better how to improve my relationship with God. I am unclear about three related issues. On the one hand, you say: We are not saved by the things that we do. [How can faith be combined with works?] Yet, on the other…
Read MoreYour site helped me better understand John 14:6
Question: Hi, I was just about to clock off to bed and decided to read a scripture verse from my Bible, which was John 14:6. Then I started to think about what Jesus had said in the verse. It was quite a powerful statement, so I asked on the Internet what was Jesus really saying…
Read MoreHow can Jesus’ birth be a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 when he was named Jesus and not Immanuel?
Question: I checked in 31 different Bible versions and they all say the same thing about Matthew 1:21, They all use the word “Jesus” which means “saves.” Matthew goes on to say that the Old Testament verifies this and quotes in Matthew 1:23 (and in the same 31 different Bible versions, they also all say…
Read MoreI broke my promise and committed fornication. What can I do?
Question: Hi Jeff, I am happy I found your site and I have a question. I am in my late thirties, single, and had sex with just my ex-boyfriend in the past probably twice after four years. I have been through a lot in the past couple of years and God has blessed me in…
Read MoreDo I tell my girlfriend that I slept with her sister?
Question: Please sir, I strongly believe that it is not good to fornicate, but I did this some days ago. I’ve regretted what I’ve done. I want to start dating a woman whom I would like to marry, but the fact is that she is the sister of the girl with whom I had sex.…
Read MoreHow do I decide between two girls whom I like?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, It’s always a pleasure writing to you. I’m currently in my late twenties. I had quite a number of heartbreaks, so I’d taken a break. I was just being friendly to the girls and in doing so I happened to like two of them. Surprisingly both of them happen to share…
Read MoreWho Started The Argument From Silence?
by Paul Earnhart The students of John L. Girardeau, professor at Columbia Seminary, South Carolina in the 1880s, asked him to explain to them why he opposed the use of instrumental music in the worship of the Presbyterian churches. In response, he wrote a book that was published in Richmond, Virginia in 1888. It was…
Read MoreMy wife is always complaining. How can I help her?
Question: Hello! I am coming here with a question in regards to my marriage. My wife and I are newlyweds, just a few months into our marriage. However, at the moment things seem to be flipping upside down! My wife is a severely depressed person, and, as a result, we are fighting a lot. I…
Read MoreYour Faith Has Made You Well
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/YourFaithHasMadeYouWell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 18:35-43 I. In looking at some of the miracles of Jesus in order to answer a question, I noticed something that I had not seen before A. If you look at the various miracles, you soon realize that faith on the part of the person being healed is not…
Read MoreJesus Loves Me
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/JesusLovesMe.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 10:13-16 I. “Jesus Loves Me” is a tune known the world over A. It was written in 1860 by Anna Bartlett Warner as a poem for her sister’s book, Say and Seal. In the story the poem is recited by Mr. Linden, one of the characters, as he comforts…
Read MoreI don’t think I can wait to get married
Question: My boyfriend and I have been dating for more than three years. Purity is draining me and I’ve suggested we get married as soon as possible. You said this in an answer to a question: “One of the interesting things I’ve learned in life is that if you look at the hard numbers, no one…
Read MoreServe to Be Great
by Dennis Stackhouse Notice the statement made by Paul in I Corinthians 4:1: “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Be especially careful to recognize that Paul identifies himself and his fellow workers as “servants of Christ.” Does that seem a bit strange? Is…
Read MoreChoosing a Church
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. The New Testament teaches that there is but one church and also that there are many churches. Paul said he persecuted “the church (singular) of God” (I Corinthians 15:9). The record shows that he persecuted Christians in various places. In the same epistle, he spoke of “the churches (plural) of God.” (I Corinthians 11:16).…
Read MoreWhy does my source say teknon instead of tekna in I Timothy 3:4?
Question: Good afternoon, Thank you for your labor and articles. Recently my brother sent me this article: Must elders have more than one child? In this article, you state: “The Greek word in both I Timothy 3:4 and in Titus 1:6 is tekna.” I follow the logic, but when I checked (according to my software), the Greek…
Read MoreDoes fornication not include sex before marriage?
Question: I would like to address a post on your site: Does God forgive Christians who commit fornication and sexual immorality? Your reply to this woman is typical of every misguided Christian when it comes to the question of “fornication.” You brought down the hammer on this girl quoting from I Corinthians 6:9 in one translation. I looked…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven of purposeful adultery?
Question: Hi, I am in need of answers and guidance. I much appreciate it. I was in a relationship for five years and had a child. We were married. My former husband cheated and I forgave him but things didn’t work out. I cannot pay for a divorce and he refused to help me with…
Read MoreCan I use quotes from your answer on why God doesn’t prevent harm?
Question: Hello, I am in the midst of a time of pain and tragedy for my family having two terminally ill, close family members. I am nursing one and cannot see much of the other terminally ill one. While reading on the Internet someone’s question about ”Why doesn’t God prevent innocent children from being harmed?”…
Read MoreThe Heavenly Mindset
by Dennis Stackhouse In writing the church at Colossae, Paul said this in Colossians 3:1: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” We know the apostle is addressing baptized believers, as these people had been raised up with Christ,…
Read MoreSalvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Salvation.mp3 Text: Romans 2:1-11 I. A classic comic skit is to have two people engaged in a conversation. He thinks he is talking about one topic. She thinks the conversation is about an entirely different matter. Yet, the statements said make perfectly good sense to both parties. A. I realized I was having one of those…
Read MoreIs it a sin to flog yourself?
Question: Is it a sin to flog yourself? Answer: “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29). Paul’s advice to husbands is…
Read MoreMy boyfriend left me and his child. Any advice?
Question: I have been in a relationship for 11 years. We have a child and used to get into it about my other kids sometimes. He’s been cheating on me for over a year. I found out earlier this year, but he said he was sorry and I was the one he wanted to marry.…
Read MoreIs giving a gift to a well-placed friend wrong?
Question: I want to know more about bribes, If we know some people in control, like a chief or head of a department, and we are friendly with them, perhaps sometimes giving a gift or support at a time of need, such as a sick family member, and that person favors us, not to pervert…
Read MoreDo you think God brought us together so we can live together?
Question: I have a lot of unanswered questions. I am not at peace in my current living situation. Recently I agreed to live with a Christian man whom I’ve known for a long time, and I’ve grown very uncomfortable with the arrangements. Let me start by saying that my ex-husband and I were friends with…
Read MoreOpen My Eyes That I Might See
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/OpenMyEyesThatIMightSee.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 5:11-14 I. Discerning good – Hebrews 5:11-14 A. I can understand a person not recognizing evil, but how does a person miss good? B. The topic under discussion was seeing that Jesus was like Melchizedek 1. This was something needful and good 2. But the audience could not see it because their…
Read MoreFigures of Speech – Sudden Silence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/FiguresOfSpeechSuddenSilence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 32:15-35 I. The purpose of figurative speech is to add emphasis to what is being spoken or written. A. It might make something more memorial, such as a parable giving a story to hang a teaching upon. B. It might puzzle you or even startle you with an apparent breaking…
Read MoreGod’s Amazing Love
by Dennis Stackhouse God’s love for mankind; what does that mean to you? How has God’s love for you affected the choices you have made and the way you have chosen to live your life? Many will respond in obedient faithfulness as they seek to please God in all they do. For others, God’s love…
Read MoreWhere does it say the Lord will have His share, even if He has to take the young ones?
Question: Where does it say the Lord will have His share, even if He has to take the young ones? Answer: This statement and the idea that it presents are not found in the Bible. I can’t even come up with a twisting of some passage to arrive at this idea. I also did an…
Read MorePearls from Proverbs: A Seemingly Right Course
by Irvin Himmel “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). So important is the thought of this verse that it is repeated in Proverbs 16:25. Things are not Always What They Seem To an infant, a pair of scissors may seem…
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