The Ugly Ways of Life
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/The-Ugly-Ways-of-Life.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat powers did the apostles have before and after being baptized by the Holy Spirit?
Question: What different powers did the apostles have before and after they were baptized with the Holy Spirit? Answer: “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness” (Matthew 10:1). “And He called the twelve together,…
Read MoreHow should I help the homeless?
Question: Dear Sir, I live in a city where there are a lot of homeless people. I need to know what I as a Christian need to do to help them. I give money at my local grocery store that goes to a food bank for those in need, I also leave a care package…
Read MoreWhy Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
by Jefferson David Tant One of the frequent questions I get, often from young people, is “If there is a God, why is there so much evil in the world? Why do we have children starving in Africa? Why are women raped and murdered by marauding men? Why are innocent people mowed down by a…
Read MoreMy wife lied about her virginity. Can I divorce her?
Question: Hello, I have gone through many of your articles and answers, but still, I am doubtful on the exception clause of Matthew 5:31-32. I have a few questions to ask you. It would be better to quote Bible verses so I can go by the word of God. The question is regarding my marriage…
Read MoreThe “We” Passages in Acts
by Matthew W. Bassford Like the other historical books of the New Testament, neither Luke nor Acts explicitly identifies its author. However, it is evident from the introduction to each book and the style used throughout each that both were written by the same hand. The first identification of this writer that we still have…
Read MoreShould we let a denominational group borrow our baptistery?
Question: Hello, Mr. Hamilton, I hope this finds you well. Every morning on my way to work I listen to your sermons. I greatly appreciate the work you have put into your program, as I have learned so much listening to them over the last couple of years. I belong to the church of Christ.…
Read MoreAre Prophets for Today?
by Paul Mays “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Either that is right or…
Read MoreQuran and Book of Mormon
by Terry Wane Benton These books or the people peddling them as books of God are way too late to be considered as equal to the Bible as inspired books of God. Jesus told His apostles that they would be guided by the Spirit into all truth (John 16:13). All truth from God was therefore…
Read MoreChildren Do Come with Manuals!
by Jefferson David Tant Some months ago, my wife and I bought a new car. Well, it is about five years old, but it was new to us. Thankfully, it had an important document in the glove box — an Owner’s Manual. I don’t think I will ever learn about all the gadgets that the…
Read MoreSelf-Control (Hall)
by Bill Hall What is the value of self-control? Self-control is that which enables us to hold our tongues when we are tempted to viciously put someone in his place once and for all; or when we know a juicy bit of gossip that would be entertaining to the group and would turn us into…
Read MoreKeep sweeping!
by Gardner Hall About 1831, Sydney Smith told the story of an old woman by the name of Mrs. Partington who was observed outside her house by the sea trying desperately to hold back the encroaching ocean tide by sweeping at it with a broom. The story became a popular illustration of someone who is…
Read MoreNever Alone
by Barbara Foster In 1993 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Over the course of a year, I became increasingly disabled. Through it all, I was never alone. When I was temporarily blind, Christ led me through the darkness. When I was unable to walk, God took away the fear. When my world was turned…
Read MoreIs there an example of a church asking someone to come work with them?
Question: Hi, I called and talked to Jeff regarding the biblical authority for having a local evangelist or preacher. I appreciate the time he took to talk to me and help me. I do have a few follow-up questions. Also, I really appreciate your website as it is easy to navigate, is full of good…
Read MoreHow does God heal people today?
Question: How does God heal people now that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including healing are no longer given to people? I believe that God heals us still because He has healed me, but it wasn’t instant like when the apostles healed. We pray for God to heal the sick, but I wonder if…
Read MoreThe evil in this world makes me want to be a Buddhist
Question: I read your response to the person asking questions about theodicy. I don’t feel you did a good job answering: Inasmuch as I can understand God “letting” a bad person hang themselves, it makes no sense that innocent, good, sincere people should suffer as a result. A young couple on their second date in…
Read MoreWhy aren’t churches protesting sin?
Question: Hello, Why aren’t more churches protesting sin as the Westboro Baptist Church does? Answer: First, you find no command or example that God’s people are expected to lead protests. We teach that sin is wrong. We teach why sin is wrong. But marching around funerals and other places does not accomplish any teaching. “But…
Read MoreHonor Your Father and Mother
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Honor-Your-Father-and-Mother.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:1-3 I. One of the Ten Commandments of the Old Law is brought to the New Law intact. It is the commandment to honor our parents A. The word “honor” in this passage means to fix a value on something, to consider it a prized possession. B. The original Hebrew…
Read MoreI have trouble at times believing God is real
Question: Hi, I’m quite young (13) and I have been struggling with my faith a lot. It’s kind of hard to explain so I’ll try to put it simply. I want to believe in God but I am having trouble at the moment believing God is real. Just a few days ago, I was strongly…
Read MorePulpit or Personal
by Jefferson David Tant So, what do I mean by the title “Pulpit or Personal?” It has to do with the preacher’s challenge to preach the gospel. Obviously, there are different ways by which we can shine the light of the gospel into a world full of darkness. We can publicly preach from the pulpit,…
Read MoreNo Other Gods
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/No-Other-Gods.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 40:12-26 I. The Ten Commandments formed the prologue to the Law of Moses A. They were the foundation of the Old Law B. Even though the Law of Moses ended, nine of those ten commandments are still in effect today. C. Understanding these basic laws can help us understand the New…
Read MoreGod never said Judah and Samson actually sinned
Question: I frequent your website. First, I want to say thank you for what you do. Christ bless you and everyone involved. But I want to chime in on this talk in regards to whether Samson and Judah actually sinned (Why wasn’t Judah punished for seeing a prostitute?). The asker made some fantastic points, to…
Read MoreDo non-Christians get chastened by God?
Question: “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8). I’m struggling with this verse just a bit. Do non-Christians get chastened (disciplined)? I’m not sure, because of the second phrase “of which all have become partakers”. Is the “all” just Christians, or…
Read MoreDoes God answer requests to die?
Question: I have a question for you. When someone prays for death does God ever answer that prayer? I have had so many health issues and depression that I want to die and go to heaven. I have asked God to take me peacefully in my sleep. I’m still here and I don’t know why.…
Read MoreThe Blessed and Only Sovereign
by Doy Moyer The Lord “is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords…” (I Timothy 6:15). To say that God is sovereign is to recognize that He is in control. This is not to make a trite or bumper-sticker theology kind of statement. It is a recognition that God…
Read MoreI’m unsure if I’m married to my ex-boyfriend
Question: Good evening! I’ve been praying, reading the Word, and reading godly people’s commentary on this topic – but I am still confused. I’m unsure if I will ever receive a definitive answer, but I would really appreciate any Scriptural knowledge you could share. I basically am just unsure if I’m technically married to my…
Read MoreDo past sins disqualify us from certain jobs?
Question: Does our sin disqualify us from things? If I were a thief would that mean I can never be a bank teller? If I were a former drug dealer could I never be a lawyer or police officer? I have done bad things in the past in the profession I currently hold but have…
Read MoreI’m supposed to be baptized soon, but I keep focusing on sexual things
Question: Hello Jeff, For years I hated gay and trans people. I am always ridiculing them and when I’m downloading a movie or tv series I always check whether there are gays in it or not first before downloading. The violent stuff or heavy sex (man and women) doesn’t matter to me, it’s always seen…
Read MoreA Man Is Judged by His Strength
by Matthew W. Bassford This article originally appeared in Pressing On. In Judges 8:12, during the aftermath of his crushing victory over the Midianites, the Israelite leader Gideon captures two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. Because they played hardball in those days, in Judges 8:20, Gideon commands his son, Jether, to execute the captives. Jether,…
Read MoreI learn a ton from your writings
Question: In reference to It is getting hard not to have sex. I want to marry my boyfriend, but I don’t want to give up my independence. Can we get married so we can have sex, but still live apart? I just want to say – such good answers. Bless your heart! — for taking…
Read MoreChristlike Clothing
by Matthew W. Bassford One of the longest modesty texts in the Bible never mentions the word once. It appears in Colossians 3:12-17, a passage about the virtues in which Christians should clothe themselves. They are the things that others should see when they look at us. To many Christians today, this application might seem…
Read MoreLove and Respect
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Love-and-Respect.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:25-33 I. There are some topics that are joined such that you cannot have one without the other. A. Faith and obedience are two sides the same subject. 1. You can’t really have faith without obedience – James 2:14-18 2. And you can’t really have obedience without faith – Romans 4:2-5…
Read MoreReverence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Reverence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 89:1-16 I. Hebrews 12:28-29 – Offer service to God with reverence and godly fear A. Reverence means 1. “A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.” 2. The word literally means “with downcast eyes” or bashfulness. B. Psalms 2:11 – Serve God with fear, rejoice with trembling C. Psalms 89:5-15…
Read MoreShould I let my children watch Ghostbusters?
Question: Jeff, I have kind of maybe a silly question here, but here it goes. One of my kids (a 7-year-old boy) has an interest in the Ghostbusters. I use to watch those movies on TV in the past when I was a kid. They were heavily edited back then, and I didn’t realize some…
Read MoreCan I name my band “The Levites”?
Question: Good Evening Minister. I trust this meets you well. I would like to ask a question: I am a singer in my church and I am trying to form a Christian band. Can I use The Levites as a band’s name? Regards. Answer: All Christians are to sing in worship, not just a few…
Read MoreBoredom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Boredom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The child has a room full of action figures, video games, cable TV, VCR, a huge collection of video tapes, every piece of sports equipment known to man, his own telephone, a fully loaded computer with Internet access — but he doesn’t have anything to do. He’s bored. A. Boredom is…
Read MoreIs killing an abortionist right?
Question: What do you think of Paul Jennings Hill and the Army of God movement? Paul Hill shot a baby-killing abortionist in 1994 and was executed in 2003. I believe that because Paul Hill prevented babies from being murdered that day he acted rightly. Many Christians I know, “pro-life” leaders and politicians I have heard…
Read MoreThe Moon as a Witness
by Jefferson David Tant There is an interesting statement in the 89th Psalm that has a lesson for us some 3,000 years later. The theme of the psalm deals with God’s faithfulness to keep the promises he made to David. Notice the first two verses: “I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever;…
Read MoreI think Adam and Eve sinned simultaneously
Question: Dear Minister: Adam and Eve Sinned Simultaneously. In “How Long Is A Day?” you said, “If Eve was not the first to sin, then what do we do with Paul’s proof in I Timothy 2:14?” First, consider the source (Saul|Paul, aka 18 verses in Acts 22:24-29; 22:30; 23:1-5; 23:6-11). Paul’s argument started from the wrong…
Read MoreFinding God
by Don Bunting “If you want to find God … look inside your own heart.” Really? It is often suggested that the path to truth and knowing God is to look deep within yourself, to search your own mind and feelings. I believe it is important for us to know ourselves and be honest about…
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