What About the Next Sunday?
by Terry Wane Benton Some people meet with the church on “Easter Sunday” and hardly ever anytime else. That is out of tradition, not out of thinking seriously about doing the will of God. Tradition has been in the family to at least go to church one time a year, maybe two. But what about…
Read MoreGod doesn’t want you to change
Question: It’s not about wearing clothes its about doing everything in society so that you match your body in human form. God doesn’t care if you wear clothes or what clothes. He just wants you to be you. Don’t ever change. Just be yourself. Thanks for trying. Just so much wrong out there. Find your…
Read MoreThe Pilate Philosophy
by Terry Wane Benton Pilate washes his hands of killing Jesus Matthew 27:24 The Pilate Philosophy is to wash your hands of responsibility and to pretend there is no way to know the truth. “What is truth?” (John 18:38), he asked Jesus. There was also a “cancel-culture” mentality in his presence in the Jews wanting…
Read MoreHold to God’s Unchanging Hand
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Hold-to-Gods-Unchanging-Hand.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 I. The world seems to be constantly changing. A. The one constant seems to be the turmoil B. The change is rarely beneficial C. Early in the last century a blind poetess, Jennie Wilson, wrote a reminder to us that the world changes but God does not II. Men are unreliable…
Read MoreWill God restore our relationship?
Question: I committed serious sexual sins with my girlfriend over the last 4 years. We broke up recently. I want to truly and deeply repent for my sexual sins. How can I be washed clean because my sins are great? I hear a call to repentance. Will God restore my broken relationship? It is my…
Read MoreDoes the grammar of Acts 2:38 mean that the gift of the Holy Spirit can’t be salvation?
Question: I believe the gift and promise of the Holy Spirit is salvation, but a brother in Christ has told me it cannot be, due to the Greek grammar of “shall receive” in verse 38 having “middle voice future tense”. He believes salvation cannot be the gift since the gift is future tense middle voice,…
Read MoreWhen Wisdom Calls
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/When-Wisdom-Calls.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Proverbs 1:20-33 I. Will Rogers once said, “Congress is so strange. A man gets up to speak and says nothing, nobody listens and then everybody disagrees.” A. I’m sure those in politics get frustrated when it seems no one listens. B. But then we all do. We might not be the deepest…
Read MoreMale and Female
by Andy Diestelkamp Male and female are not defined by the cultures and generations in which we grew up. They are not defined by the present culture. They are not defined by the cultures in which Abraham, Moses, or David lived. They are not defined by the ancient nations of Israel, Greece, or Rome. They…
Read MoreOne of your articles caused a change in me
Question: Hello, Thank you for your guidance. I read one of your articles and it brought a change inside of me. Thank you so much. Answer: That is good to hear.
Read MoreBy This Time You Ought To Be Teachers
by Jim Mickells “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12). The author of this book is rebuking those to whom he is writing for…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by “I can do nothing on my own?”
Question: Doesn’t John 5:30 resemble Mohammed’s role which was listening and writing and being sent? Here Jesus says that he is nothing without God. Answer: “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He…
Read MoreThe Confirmation of Jesus Christ
by Jefferson David Tant The following is a presentation of the absolute evidence that confirms the true identity of Jesus Christ. There are those who admit that he was a great teacher, but that he was only one among others, such as Buddha, Mohammad, Vishnu, etc. But the evidence is overwhelming that he is who…
Read MoreFools
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Fools.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 11:37-54 I. We see fools all around us, A. But no one wants to be thought of as a fool 1. (1995) In Wesley Chapel, Florida, Joseph Aaron, 20, While repairing a car, found he needed to bore a hole in the pipe. When he couldn’t find a drill, he…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to use the right name to address God or Jesus?
Question: Hello Sir, Will God or Jesus condemn us or punish us for not knowing the right name to call Him? I’ve seen some say that it’s a form of idolatry or worshiping someone else if you don’t know the correct name to call God or Jesus. Some say his name is Yahweh or Yeshua…
Read MoreCould you explain Ecclesiastes 2:26?
Question: Could you explain Ecclesiastes 2:24-26? What is meant in verse 26 by “… while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight …”? Answer: The book of Ecclesiastes is exploring the purpose of life. Solomon shows that…
Read MoreFaith Is Reasonable
by Doy Moyer Faith is reasonable because trust, which is the heart of biblical faith, is reasonable. Faith does not require that every question be resolved before it can proceed, for that would not be considered trust. A child does not wait for parents to answer every question about difficult matters before trusting them. The…
Read MoreWho Will Teach Our Children?
by Jefferson David Tant It is patently obvious that babies are born uneducated. They are not born with the ability to do math, read, or do science projects. And along with this is a lack of knowledge about God and His will for us. They do know when they are hungry or in pain, but…
Read MoreWhere should I live?
Question: Hi, I found your question and answer page and have been reading sermons and many of the answers you have replied with. I am struggling with a problem that is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind. My husband and I currently are living in separate homes about 10 minutes apart. It has…
Read MoreHow do I convince a Pentecostal of the truth about miracles?
Question: When you get time would you look over these responses I saw from a Oneness Pentecostal in a discussion with a brother over miracles? I completely agree that miracles ceased, and that which is perfect is referring to the word of God, but the Pentecostal Oneness member brings up some stuff I have never…
Read MoreHow do you make people understand the importance of attending services?
Question: Good day, Many people are just doing good without going to church or recognizing God, how do you make people understand the importance or take Christianity seriously if they don’t see any need? Answer: The authority of the Bible rests upon the fact that its teachings come from God. “All Scripture is inspired by…
Read MorePeace, Perfect Peace
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Peace-Perfect-Peace.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:13-18 I. Peace is a commodity much desired and rarely found A. As Christians we are told to live in peace – II Corinthians 13:11 B. God is a God of peace – Philippians 4:7 C. So we expect that those following His teachings find peace – Galatians 5:22-23 D. The problem…
Read MoreIs breast reduction surgery wrong?
Question: Hi brother Jeffrey, I hope you are doing fine. I am a member of the Lord’s church and I’m in my late 40s. I am concerned about a decision I have to make regarding breast reduction surgery. Does Romans 14.23 apply to me? “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does…
Read MoreOn Drifting Away from the Faith
by Terry Wane Benton If we surveyed churches that declined in attendance because of COVID, we may find an alarming number of brethren who fell or are in process of drifting further away. I remember thinking a long time ago that should persecution arise in our country, and it was viewed as a crime to…
Read MoreIsn’t Jesus supposed to reign over Israel?
Question: How is it that the following verses define the church as the kingdom of Christ when it specifically states the kingdom of heaven? “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I…
Read MoreLies People Protect
by Terry Wane Benton In the first century, Paul exposed the lies people were telling each other. It was that an animal is a god to be worshiped (Romans1:18-26) and that such gods allow us to make up our moral standards as we desire. Thus, one lie protected all kinds of sin. Since the moral…
Read MoreShouldn’t the divorce decree mention sexual unfaithfulness?
Question: I wrote to you years ago concerning my ex-wife, who divorced me for desertion while I was stationed in another country while in the military. She has since passed away. I’ve been a widower for years now and I’ve met a lady in the church. She has had two previous marriages, both, according to…
Read MoreWhy Do Churches of Christ Not Use Instrumental Music?
by Allen Webster Churches of Christ love music. Singing is a prominent — and favorite — part of each service. Most congregations dedicate a Sunday night each month to learn new songs and to sing old favorites. Annual singings can draw thousands of people. Many Christians sing daily as they go about their tasks (James…
Read MoreWhose Voice Are You Hearing?
by Doy Moyer “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Whose voice are we hearing? We are all listening to someone’s voice, whether it be the voice of culture, the voice of another perceived authority, or the voice of Jesus. There is no escaping this. “Hearing the…
Read MoreThe Lunch Lady
by Matthew W. Bassford One of the best-attended funerals I’ve ever preached was for a school lunch lady. Her name was Marlene Norris. She was a faithful member of the church in Joliet, with which I was working at the time, along with her husband and three of her children. As is the custom in…
Read MoreHow could Jesus bear our sins?
Question: I need help answering a question. I know I can always count on you to help me out. “The soul that sins dies. The son does not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father does not bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and…
Read MoreSetting Your Mind on the Things of God
by Doy Moyer What we are trained to think about truth will be determined by whether we are thinking the things of God or the things of man. Recall that in Jesus’ rebuke of Peter’s reaction to Jesus talking about His own death, Jesus said, “For you are not setting your mind on the things…
Read MoreI committed fornication. Will our marriage be pure?
Question: Please help me. I have committed fornication with my boyfriend. We want to get married. Will our marriage still be pure? The boyfriend I committed fornication with is a married man. We both love God and don’t want to depart from His ways, yet we have sinned. Currently, I am pregnant. He wants to…
Read MoreTo Call or Not to Call
by Jefferson David Tant Names, that is. For some time brethren have discussed whether or not we can mention denominational names in our preaching. Some say we offend and drive people away when we mention the teachings of the Catholic or Baptist churches, etc. While we agree that such can be abusive and mean-spirited, is…
Read MoreHow Jesus Dealt with His Friends
by Steve Goff A true friend is not easily found. A trustworthy advocate who consistently manifests affection for us and who honestly seeks our best interest without ulterior motive is rare in this life. But one such friend available to all men is Jesus Christ. In temptation, we can find no greater comfort than from…
Read MoreObedience Is Necessary
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Obedience-Is-Necessary.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Read MoreSpiritual Education
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Spiritual-Education.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Passover Paradigm for Christ’s Death and God’s Wrath
by Doy Moyer How can understanding the connection between Christ’s death as the Lamb of God and the Passover event help us in understanding Christ’s death as it relates to God’s wrath? First, to see Christ’s death connected to Passover is biblical: “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (I Corinthians 5:7). Second, we cannot…
Read MoreCareful with the Word “Miracle”
by Gardner Hall I see increasing numbers of references among disciples of Christ referring to events in their lives as miraculous, or even asking for a miracle. Perhaps it’s time for a reminder that we don’t live in the miraculous age. That fact almost used to be taken for granted in congregations I know and…
Read MoreIf matter is amoral then atheists don’t have an explanation for where morals come from
Question: I have followed your website for many years. I have been a member of the Lord’s church for nearly fifty years. I have learned many things in life but my greatest knowledge is of God’s most Holy Word. Anyway, I have found your article on “The Failure of Moral Relativism” to be very well…
Read MoreJericho and our Salvation
by Jefferson David Tant After reading the title, some might wonder what the battle of Jericho has to do with our salvation today. The battle when Israel conquered Jericho was about 1410 B.C., over 3,400 years ago. Thus the question might be, “What in the world would some event over three thousand years ago have…
Read More