I’m worried that I might not find a husband
Question: Good morning, I lived my life believing in God and wanting to do God’s will. I focused my studies on what I believed was God’s will for me, and in my personal life, I tried to help others when I could. I’ve tried to attend a church that focuses on following the Bible. Unfortunately,…
Read MoreBecause of the Sins of Jeroboam
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Because-of-the-Sins-of-Jeroboam.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 5:13-16 I. Few credit the influence we have on the lives of those around us. A. The things we do and say impact the lives of those we come in contact. B. Sometimes our influence spreads to people we may not have seen. II. The example of Jeroboam A. Following the death…
Read MorePlaying on the Edge
by Zeke Flores Some 2400 years ago, God’s people were confronted with their sins. Again. When Ezra the priest heard about how Israel had broken God’s law by marrying foreign women, he tore his robes, prayed, and fasted. When faced with the gravity of disobedience to God, the people committed themselves to faithfulness. And it…
Read MoreHow do I not let my mother’s statements hurt me?
Question: Hello, I read the following answers about dealing with an ungodly parent: How do you honor an abusive parent? How do I honor abusive, ungodly parents? They resonate with me as I am having similar issues with my own mother. I realize people are responsible for their own behavior just as I am for…
Read MoreDo I need to apologize when I didn’t intend to cause an offense?
Question: Hello Mr. Jeffrey, I have a question. Recently I visited a church small group. It so happened that the group, which was lead by a man, had 9 women and 2 men which is significantly more skewed than the general church’s ratio. I obviously was weirded out by this ratio and said, “If I…
Read MoreThe Self-Emptying Jesus
by Doy Moyer One of the most intriguing, discussed, and challenging texts in Scripture is found in the statement made by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be…
Read MoreChristianity and Asceticism
by Matthew W. Bassford The other day, I got a text from my brother. It read in part, “If you want a mental exercise, compare and contrast Christianity, Stoicism, and the “Dokkōdō”. See any commonalities?” I’ve read my Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, so I have a handle on Stoicism, but I’d never heard of the…
Read MoreHow We Got the Bible
by Terry Wane Benton The Bible is one united book composed of 66 books. Where did it come from? Why was it written? Who caused these books to be written? The Bible gives the answers to these questions. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21). All…
Read MoreWhy did Jesus cite only six of the Ten Commandments to the young ruler?
Question: I visit your site often to look up topics and articles. There is very good information cited in them. I have a question, you might be able to answer. In Matthew 19:18-19, why did Jesus only cite six of the ten commandments to the rich young ruler and not all? Thanks. Answer: The account of…
Read MoreYour articles have been helping me
Question: Hello! I am just a person working with the Church of Christ to become right with God to fuller faith. I just wanted to say that you have been helping me with your articles and I appreciate it. I hope God blesses you. Answer: It is always good to hear that someone has benefited…
Read MoreWhy did Jesus talk about his death if the disciples didn’t understand until later?
Question: Good afternoon brother Jeffrey, I had a question regarding Jesus Christ and the gospel that he preached while he was still alive. As I was reading the book of Matthew, and I was studying how Jesus was preaching the gospel. I know that Jesus preached messages that apparently people didn’t understand. If the gospel…
Read MoreHow do I deal with friends wanting me to join various prayer groups?
Question: I sure can use your help. I have friends who keep wanting me to join this or that prayer group. They send attachments to many websites that call for prayer on various subjects. I tell them I pray for many of these subjects, but I do it on my own. Answer: “When you pray,…
Read MoreWhy 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…
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