Why does God allow sinful things to worship Him?
Question: If your opinion of using musical instruments in the New Testament is sin, why does God allow sinful things to be used to worship Him, either symbolically or physically or metaphorically or whatever in His presence? In the Old Testament sacrifices and musical instruments are used to worship God; in the New Testament sacrifices…
Read MoreHow do I write a letter of apology for my sins?
Question: Greetings sir, Please, I was disfellowshiped. I want to write an apology letter regarding my sins of fornication, pride, and disobedience. How do I write it? Answer: There is no requirement in the Bible for a formal letter to be written in order to apologize for your sins. What is needed is an acknowledgment…
Read MoreCharacteristics of the Spiritually Minded
by Jefferson David Tant Do you know anyone who is spiritually minded? This is someone who is more than being merely religious … more than having been baptized … more than attending services regularly … more than giving liberally. A person may do all of this and still not be spiritually minded, for Paul wrote…
Read MoreHow do I return to God after committing fornication?
Question: Good morning, Thanks for all you do for singles all over the world — taking questions and giving wisdom-filled answers. God will keep blessing you. I have a huge problem. I’m a leader in my local assembly, and I’ve been engaging in the sin of fornication with my wife-to-be and most recently with a…
Read MoreShould I stay with my husband or my children?
Question: Good morning brother Hamilton I don’t want to say I am a fan, but I learned a lot from the lessons, sermons, and questions and answers on the La Vista Church of Christ website, and I am still learning. Glory to God for such initiative. I am grateful for having such a platform where,…
Read MoreA Grand Promise
by Ken Green “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). We approach now one of the deepest passages of this most profound epistle. In the next few verses, Paul speaks to us of God’s purpose,…
Read MorePreaching and Prayer
by Dennis Allan Christianity Magazine March 1989 Considering the role of prayer in the life and work of New Testament preachers will challenge us to greater devotion and closer communion with God. The significance of prayer among early saints can be traced to Jesus, where we will focus our attention in this brief look at…
Read MoreThe Emergence of Denominational Leadership
Ed Harrell, “B.C. Goodpasture: Leader of Institutional Thought,” in Melvin D. Curry, ed., They Being Dead Yet Speak (FloridaCollege Lectures, 1981), pp. 249-250. (Excerpt from a section entitled “The Emergence of Denominational Leadership”). B. C. Goodpasture fits neatly into a sociological model of second-generation religious leaders. One can pretty well trace the evolution of a…
Read MoreCourageous Friendship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Courageous-Friendship-Garry-Floyd-1.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreBiblical Paradoxes: In the World, But Not of the World
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Biblical-Paradoxes-In-the-World-But-Not-of-the-World.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 17:6-16 I. A paradox is a true statement that either is contrary to conventional wisdom or is seemingly absurd A. Paradoxes can be a useful tool in teaching because it requires you to think more carefully about what is being said. 1. Most people, when they first hear a paradox,…
Read MoreLearning from Overlooked Details
by Steve Wolfgang As part of my morning devotional, a recent reading was “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (I Peter 1:1 ESV). I am fascinated by the geography of the opening verse. It prevents me from blitzing through…
Read MoreDiscipline in the Home
by Irven Lee Truth Magazine, February 17, 1983 Children do not have the ability at birth to understand the language of their parents. We all realize this, but we should also understand that these little people do not know the commonly accepted rules of etiquette, nor do they recognize property rights. Each child seems to…
Read MoreArguments I Used for the Use of Instrumental Music
(When I Was a Preacher for the Christian Church) by Dan Goddard Men have long been prone to go beyond the limitations of God’s word in their zeal to serve Jehovah. Zeal for God is commendable when it is coupled with a knowledge of God’s will; but when one allows his zeal to drive him…
Read MoreAm I wrong for moving on while waiting for the divorce to happen?
Question: Good evening, Several years ago, my wife left me for another man. She now has a child with this man and has been living with him since then. I waited over a year, trying to reconcile with her, but my attempts failed. I have moved on and have every intention of marrying the woman…
Read MoreBetter Than Self
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Better-Than-Self.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:1-11 I. When learning another language, it helps to start with the most common words first, the ones most likely to come up in a conversation. A. So what is the most common word spoken in English? 1. One study in 1992 by Godfrey of switchboard conversations found the word…
Read MoreKindness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kindness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:9-21 I. When a person walks as the Spirit directs, it produces a fruit that has many attributes – Galatians 5:13-25 A. We will focus on one of those attributes today: kindness. B. chrestotes is a form of the word for usefulness. It means kindness, goodness, or honesty C. God is…
Read MoreI’m not sure I was baptized correctly
Question: Hi, I hope you all are well. I’m a sister (I think) and your website has given me great encouragement and also some questions recently. I was baptized after several months of Bible study. I am concerned that it may not have been done the right way or that I may not have had…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for one congregation to invite another congregation for evangelism?
Question: Dear Brother, Is it scriptural for one congregation to invite another congregation for evangelism? I look forward to your response. Thanks in anticipation. Answer: I’m puzzled about what exactly is the concern. “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,…
Read MoreWhat Is a Good Minister?
by Jefferson David Tant adapted from an article by Ken Weliever “He’s a good preacher,” is often used to describe various gospel preachers. But what makes a good preacher? How would you define one? Is he a great orator? Can he captivate the audience? Does he preach soothing words? Can he preach without offending anyone?…
Read MoreI’m not certain about my salvation
Question: I’ve been very anxious about my salvation and baptism. I was saved at around 12 years old and baptized when I was almost 14. I was so on fire for God when I was baptized. I was wondering if I should be baptized again because even though I was very genuine about it, I’m not…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Virtue
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreCalvinism and the Great Commission
by Wayne Jackson John Calvin (1509-64) was a religious reformer and theologian. The basic premise of his theology was the absolute sovereignty (right to reign) of God, out of which evolved his misguided theory of “predestination.” The Swiss reformer believed that human “free will” was destroyed by man’s “original sin”; thus, the innate power to…
Read MoreWas baptism commanded in the Old Testament at the time of John the Baptist?
Question: Was baptism commanded in the Old Covenant at the time of John the Baptist? I thought baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament for salvation. I have always heard that baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament. Am I missing something here? Mark 1:4 mentions John’s baptism of repentance for the remission…
Read MoreThere seem to be reasons to believe the earth is older than 6,000 years
Question: I have been considering the question of the age of the Earth and universe for many years. For a long time, I believe the Earth was only a few thousand years old based on the Bible. However, I have come to consider many other factors that don’t seem to make sense with that belief.…
Read MoreI’m addicted to prostitutes
Question: I am addicted to prostitutes. I want to get out. I have tried but I still sin. I want to give my life to Christ. Answer: People claim to have an addiction to give the impression that they have little choice. No one starts life as an addict, whether we are talking about drugs…
Read MoreIs physician-assisted suicide a sin?
Question: Is physician-assisted suicide, otherwise known as medical aid in dying or death with dignity, a sin? What if the person is severely suffering from a terminal illness? If I was suffering I would want to eliminate my suffering. Answer: Throughout mankind’s history, God has demanded that life be respected. “Surely I will require your…
Read MoreMasks, Vaccines, and the Bible
by Matthew W. Bassford The following restates the biblical principles that should govern our speech and behavior when it comes to masks, vaccines, and discussion of the same. In areas where we are given liberty by man and God, we must respect the liberty of others. We must not judge or show contempt toward those…
Read MoreThe Greater Progress of the Gospel
by Doy Moyer One of the highlights of Paul’s attitude is that he was always more concerned for the spread of the gospel than for his own personal agenda or safety. He was willing to die for the Lord if it meant that the gospel would be proclaimed and more would be saved. He expresses…
Read MoreBearing a Different Gospel Beautifully
by Matthew W. Bassford The apostle Paul was fond of sarcasm, not because he didn’t love people, but because he did. When Christians he had converted turned aside from Christ, it drove him to distraction, and that distraction often found its expression in heartfelt exasperation. One such expression appears in II Corinthians 11:4. In contrast…
Read MoreBeing a Conversationalist
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Being-a-Conversationalist.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Romans 12:10-18 I. A young lady wrote and asked, “How can you be a good conversationalist? I’m so boring. I don’t know how to strike up an interesting conversation.” A. It is a good question because talking to people is something we just take for granted. II. Start by…
Read MoreNo Condemnation
by Ken Green Text: Romans 8:1-4 The major theme the apostle is dealing with continues to be the results of justification by faith. This thesis was taken up in Romans 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have…” The closing verses of chapters 5, 6, and 7 serve to underscore the direction of the…
Read MoreFriends
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Friends.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 119:57-64 I. You can tell much about a person by the friends he keeps A. “Wait a minute! I’m my own person!” B. Perhaps, but outside our family, our friends hold a strong influence in our lives C. You can’t choose your family, but the people you choose to be your…
Read MoreWhat if I broke a civil law by not acting?
Question: Am I in continual sin if I broke a law that required me to report a crime or do something? What if I didn’t act or say or do anything as required by the law? It was years ago and I try to be a better person today. I admit sometimes I have black…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “handwriting of ordinances”?
Question: What is meant by the “handwriting of ordinances” that Paul says was against “us” (including himself along with his audience)? Was the church at Colosse Jewish, Gentile or both? Answer: Colosse is located in the area that we now know as Turkey. The city was located in a valley about 100 miles east of…
Read MoreTruth Is Not Geographically Convenient
by Perry Hall I’m not a fan of “Field of Dreams Evangelism.” That is, “Let’s build a church building on the other side of town to make it easier for people to come to church.” In other words, “If we build it, they will come.” Good intentions, but I doubt much evangelism will take place…
Read MoreA Gouge in a Pew
by Matthew W. Bassford A couple of weeks ago, I attended a friend’s funeral in an unfamiliar church building. I took a seat by an aisle and shortly noticed a gouge in the back of the pew support in front of me. The gouge was at knee height. To the left/exterior, it was narrow and…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God Was Established in Acts 2
by Terry Wane Benton Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of four consecutive world empires (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman) and in the days of the fourth kingdom on earth (Roman) God would “set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44) and “it shall stand forever.” Jesus Reigns as King Daniel had another vision…
Read MoreWhen and how long does Christ reign?
Question: Good Morning Brother Hamilton, Thank you for your amazing website! It’s been a fundamental part of my Christian walk. Can you please clarify this for me? When does Christ reign? Now – I Corinthians 15:23-26 Christ reigns until death is abolished, then the kingdom is returned to the Father. In other words, the judgment is…
Read MoreCan relatives of one family marry relatives of another family?
Question: Is it morally legal for a father, brother, and son to be interested in marriage with three unrelated females that just so happen to be a mother, sister, and daughter, related to each other, but not to the men? If not, which ones and why not? Answer: Though we are not under the Old…
Read MoreWhat if I change my gender and marry my best friend?
Question: Hi, I have someone who I love deeply. He is more of a best friend because of how we experience each other. He is like a friend or best friend than a lover, which is a spouse. I want more than anything to get married, have a child, and have a family. But I…
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