Agrippa’s Statement and Common Beliefs
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agrippas-Statement-and-Common-Beliefs.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow Barnabas Encouraged Others
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-Barnabas-Encouraged-Others.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDoes Zechariah 5 show there are female angels?
Question: I read your posts on the internet with great interest. But I have a question. The Bible frequently speaks of angels, which are implied to be male. However, I find an allusion to female angels in Zechariah 5. Will there be female angels and male angels in heaven? Thank you for your time and…
Read MoreAmazing Grace
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. John Newton was born in England in 1725 A. Before he reached the age of seven, his mother died. B. His father remarried and John was sent off to a boarding school C. At the age of 11, John left school to become a sailor on his father’s ship D. His…
Read MoreAre women not leaders in the church because they are weaker?
Question: Hello, brother in Christ! I am currently stuck with understanding the application of I Peter 3:7. When we were having a Bible Study on the roles of women in the church, some cited I Peter 3:7, specifically highlighting the part that says “women are weaker vessels” as one of the reasons why God chose…
Read MoreIs celebrating diversity wrong?
Question: Good morning, I am a Resident Assistant at my college. Part of my job is doing programming for celebrating different cultures with programs such as Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Arab Culture Month, etc. I just recently read your statement on Black Lives Matter, and I was wondering if I would be in…
Read MoreAre there inappropriate times to sing or pray?
Question: Are there times it would be inappropriate to pray or sing hymns? I’ve often wondered if you should pray or sing while taking a shower, for example, when you’re quite literally wholly exposed. Is it wrong to approach God in prayer like that or to worship Him in a song like that? Or even…
Read MoreTen of the Best-Known Early English Hymns
by Wayne S. Walker Our English word “hymn” comes from a Greek term (humnos) meaning “a sacred song” and is defined as “a song of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, etc., especially one sung at a religious service.” We often use the term generically to refer to any religious song, but hymnologists make a technical distinction between…
Read MoreAre there qualifications for who performs baptisms?
Question: Dear Minister, May I ask for further clarification? You stated, “There is nothing in the Scriptures listing out a requirement on those doing the baptism” in the article “What is successionist baptism?” My query is, when Matthew 28:19 says, “Go and make disciples,… baptizing them..” doesn’t it imply that saved people are the baptizers…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a homosexual family member living at home?
Question: I have a question that I would like your understanding and advice on. I have Christian relatives who denounce homosexuality but have a daughter who is a lesbian. Being family, they have, at times, allowed the lesbian daughter and her “partner” to live together in the house with them and later assisted the two…
Read MoreDid I correctly repent?
Question: I can remember on the night before I was baptized, I sinned. After that, I prayed to God, told Him I was sorry, and wanted to live my life for Him. I don’t know if I had time to turn from my sins since I got baptized the next day, but I was so…
Read MoreJesus, the Perfect Image of God
by Doy Moyer God made human beings, male and female, in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). There are many thoughts about what that entails. We might think about our spiritual nature, moral nature, free will, the ability to reason, and the capacity to love. We can continue, but human beings have several contact points…
Read MoreIs talking to people about the gospel once a week enough?
Question: I have a question about sharing the Gospel Truth. Is it okay to make attempts to share the Gospel every Saturday, or am I to make attempts to share the Gospel daily? I did try to share the Gospel daily with strangers, but then I felt as though I wasn’t doing enough because I…
Read MoreDoes God not give us an equal amount of faith?
Question: Thanks for the excellent website. I hope and pray that it will continue for many years to come. My question is regarding: “For by the grace given to me I bid every one among of not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each…
Read MoreIf Any of You Lacks Wisdom
by Terry Wane Benton James speaks of the wisdom to see our trials as opportunities to perfect our faith and develop durability, endurance, or patience. We can choose to count it all joy, see how to grow deeper in faith, or we can let the trials beat us down and dishearten us to the point…
Read MoreJosiah and the Book
by Zeke Flores During Josiah’s temple repairs, an astounding find was the impetus of a new force in a revival already underway. The Book of God’s law had been found … by a priest no less! But how long had the Book of the Law been lost? Since Josiah’s great-grandfather Hezekiah led a similar revival,…
Read MorePrejudice in the University
by Ed Harrell Christianity Magazine, Volume 11, #7, August 1994 In a recent book entitled The Soul of the American University: From Protestant Establishment to Established Nonbelief, George M. Marsden of Notre Dame, an evangelical historian, let the cat out of the bag — the only minority in a university that is not free to…
Read MoreHow do I help new Christians start their journey?
Question: Hello brother, Two of my friends were baptized less than two weeks ago. I want to help them along this journey. Are there any tips you can give me about how to help these new Christians? Answer: “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one…
Read MoreManasseh’s Mess
by Zeke Flores Manasseh has the dubious distinction of being Judah’s longest-reigning king, 55 years after assuming the throne at the tender age of 12, and its worst, most wicked king. His father, Hezekiah, instituted many religious reforms that ignited a spiritual revival throughout the kingdom. His son Manasseh undid it all. In fact, not…
Read MoreDo the dead return to haunt their killers?
Question: Dear brethren, I hope I find you well. I need your input on whether the dead return to haunt or get revenge on their killers. It’s a hot topic in this region. One preacher wrote the following arguments in favor of the spirits avengers. Afternoon, Brother’s. Allow me to draw back a little bit…
Read MoreIs child molestation a form of fornication?
Question: Is child sexual molestation a form of adultery or fornication since they both consist of sexual activity outside of marriage? I am just wondering if child molestation falls under adultery or fornication since they both consist of sexual activity outside of marriage. Why is it that people see a boyfriend and girlfriend who are in…
Read MoreJesus is the “I AM”
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-Is-The-I-AM.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Many religions cast doubts on the deity of Jesus A. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is the first creation of God. B. Muslims see Jesus as nothing more than a significant prophet, much like Moses. C. Probably the best analysis of who is Jesus is found in the book of John. II. The evidence…
Read MoreI wished you had softened the blows of the truth
Question: Good morning, I stumbled across your site this morning. I found it very useful in my personal endeavor, so naturally, I began exploring this new goldmine of wisdom and scripture. I admire your work, and I very much appreciate this amazing resource shedding light and truth in a dark world. I will be upfront.…
Read MoreCare for the Weak
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Care-for-the-Weak.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 12:9-21 I. Even a casual reading of the Gospels brings up an noticeable and odd fact, Jesus would heal and then charge the people to tell no one. A. Why? 1. First, Jesus did not need any advertisement. His presence was sufficient. 2. Second, Jesus did not want people following just…
Read MoreWill there be hugging and kissing in heaven?
Question: Hi! I came across your website! I’m an autistic Christian. I’m aware that marriage in the new earth will be between Christ and His Church, and there likely won’t be human sex between a male and female. Whatever sex points to when all the pieces are put together will be shown somehow in the…
Read MoreWhat can I do to get my life right?
Question: Hello sir, I came across some articles on your website. I have personal concerns, and I need biblical guidance. I am a Christian lady. I’m 27 years old, and I am very confused and frustrated. I was recently in a courtship relationship, but my fiance and I had sex a couple of times, even though…
Read MoreHeavenly Places in Christ
by Terry Wane Benton I pointed out that Christians are presently “in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3,7), and one preacher, in disbelief, asked, “What is it like in heaven?” He thought he had me stumped for claiming we are presently in “the heavenly places.” His question reveals a disturbing misunderstanding. It is disturbing…
Read MoreWhen should the treasurer be allowed to teach after stealing from the church?
Question: Our treasurer stole from our church. She has repented but hasn’t made restitution. She wants to teach. What does the Bible say about this? Answer: A part of repentance is attempting to repair the damage caused by your sins. Paul “kept declaring … that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate…
Read MoreAny advice for a single Christian?
Question: Hello, I came across the “Hope for the Future” article, and it resonated with my current situation. At 28 years old, I have not yet had my first relationship. I’ve dated before but have not yet found the right one. As a Christian, it can be discouraging to see non-Christians seeming to have flourishing…
Read MoreYoung King Josiah
by Zeke Flores Think about it: An eight-year-old boy takes the reins of a country but doesn’t shrink back in intimidation. Instead, young Josiah goes head-first into serving his God personally, then nationally. By the time he’s 26, Josiah is leading a full-blown revival not seen since the days of his great-granddaddy Hezekiah. Idols came…
Read MoreJesus, the King of Kings
by Doy Moyer The scriptural concept of kingship starts in Genesis 1. God is the sovereign Creator who made male and female in His image and gave them dominion over the creation (Genesis 1:26-29). The idea is that humanity rules with God according to His will. In the garden, we find God dwelling with Adam…
Read MoreMy life has been spiraling into an OCD nightmare
Question: Hello, I really need your help with this struggle. “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). My life has been spiraling more and more into an OCD nightmare because I keep thinking about this verse.…
Read MoreShould I let my daughter’s boyfriend sleep in the same room when they come for a visit?
Question: Hello, I have a daughter who has been living with her boyfriend for the past two years. They want to come visit. I’m unsure if allowing them to sleep together in our guest room is right. Should I let them know they’re welcome to visit and sleep in our home, but not in the…
Read MoreWere the apostles given authority to bind laws in heaven?
Question: Hello brother, Matthew 16:18ff is one of those many verses that we more frequently use. As I continue to read and study it, though, I realize I have not studied it as well as I thought. Matthew 16:19 is phrased as such: “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,…
Read MoreThe Red Heifer
by Terry Wane Benton The Muslims have occupied the place of the Jewish temple with the Dome of the Rock for centuries. There are Jews who want very badly to remove the Muslims and the Dome of the Rock so that the Jews can rebuild a temple in that place. Their temple was destroyed according…
Read MoreDoes the number of sexual partners make a difference?
Question: Hello, I was wondering about body count, as in multiple sexual partners. There have been recent talks about it, so I might as well ask since it has bothered me a bit. There have been videos and posts of people being proud of their body count, but there have also been several posts and…
Read MoreAm I bound by a childhood promise?
Question: Hi, Mr. Hamilton. When Jesus says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” in Matthew 5:37, he means that Christians ought to be people who keep their word, whether they formally call it a vow or swear an oath. If Jill tells Jack, “Yes, I will marry you,” she has made…
Read MorePomp and Pageantry
by Doy Moyer Pomp and ceremony do not make worship more holy any more than does the physical location. God seeks true worshippers who worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). He does not need the inventions of our hands, does not dwell in buildings made with our hands, and is not impressed by our…
Read MoreGod’s Glory in Concealed Things
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Gods-Glory-in-Concealed-Things.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 97 I. When men wish for the glory of other men, they highlight the things that they do A. When we want a promotion or a pay raise, we present to our bosses lists of how we benefitted the company. We make sure the boss notices the good things…
Read MoreTaking Courage
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Taking-Courage-1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 28:1-16 I. Suppose your boss never gave you any feedback concerning your job. You come in, do your job and leave, but you never hear a word of criticism or praise. A. It almost sounds like the ideal job. But I think most people would soon find it to…
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