The Blessings of Following Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Blessings-of-Following-Christ.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIt Is Better to Go to the House of Mourning
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/It-Is-Better-to-Go-to-the-House-of-Mourning.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreFor what purpose is God calling in Acts 2:39?
Question: I have a question on Acts 2:39. Quite a few brethren say that verse 39 speaks of two generations: To you (those there that day) and to your children (next generation) and contemporary with them, those who are afar off (Gentiles).” Some in the faith say the promise is Joel’s promise just mentioned, the…
Read MoreSatan’s Devices
by Jefferson David Tant The apostle John wrote some words concerning Satan in Revelation 12:9: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” We are…
Read MoreIf the Dead Are Not Raised
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I attended this year’s Truth Lectures, which had as their theme eschatology, the study of the end times. Many of the lectures addressed preterism, the belief that the prophecies of the Bible all already have happened. In particular, preterists claim that the prophecies about the final judgment, the resurrection of…
Read MoreThe Sabbath as a Type
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Sabbath-as-a-Type.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 4:1-11 I. Paul, in arguing that the Old Law was not in effect, concluded – Colossians 2:16-17 A. There were reasons why the Israelites were to worship as they did. Their worship foreshadowed both things in the Christian age and in the age to come – heaven B. This is…
Read MoreDid the Jews accuse Jesus of being born of fornication?
Question: In John 8.41, did the Jews accuse the Lord of being “born of fornication?” Answer: You are reading more into the exchange than was stated. ” “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak the things which I have…
Read MoreThe Wiles of the Devil
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Wiles-of-the-Devil.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:10-18 I. Satan is a real being A. Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted him – Luke 22:31 1. Much like Satan wanted Job – Job 1:6-12 B. Peter warned us that Satan wants to devour us – I Peter 5:8-9 C. Thus, we have to know our enemy – II Corinthians…
Read MoreYoung People’s Program
by Robert Turner In the small town of Sundridge, Ontario, Ca. 300 miles north of the U.S. — Canadian border, the young folk of a small congregation (45-50) put many of their U. S. counterparts to shame. They are High School and under: with the same love for and participation in sports, parties, etc., that…
Read MoreAre Abijam and Asa brothers?
Question: In I Kings 15:1-2 and I Kings 15:9-10, both Abijam and Asa are said to be sons of Maacha the daughter of Abishalom. Does that mean they are brothers? Answer: II Chronicles 14:1 is clear that Asa is the son of Abijah. What makes Hebrew genealogies difficult is that “son” and “daughter” are used…
Read MoreYou should make videos answering important questions for teen boys
Question: Hello, I wanted to email you because I have a few things to say. I’m looking at these other questions from young men my age and I’m wondering “OK, do we need to stop as a society and talk more about these things?” We need to openly discuss these important issues. Your site is…
Read MoreWhat if a person doesn’t get a chance to partake of the Lord’s Supper before dying?
Question: Good day Minister, I’ve been baffled to understand this: “Can someone have salvation after confessing his faith and being baptized on the first day of the week after church service in the morning but he doesn’t partake of the Lord Supper even though the day has not passed and he dies.” Thank you! Answer:…
Read MoreDid the magicians know in advance what Moses planned to do?
Question: Dear sir, I read the article above. I wanted to know why the Egyptian magicians added to the problem of frogs rather than removed them. You said they could not remove them, but have given no logical explanation why they could not. In regard to the snakes you said and I quote “ All it would take…
Read MoreJohn, Jesus, and Jehovah’s Witnesses
by Jefferson David Tant Those who are familiar with the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teaching about Jesus Christ are aware that they believe that Christ is not the Son of God, but that he is Michael the Archangel, a created being. Note the following quote from their writings: “the evidence indicates that the Son of God was…
Read MoreAm I denying I sinned if I tell myself that I didn’t use profanity even though the words appear in my mind?
Question: Hello, I would like to ask a question. I was reading I John this morning and came to the verse where it says that if we say we have not sinned we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. I recognize that even though I have obeyed the gospel that…
Read MoreShould I end my relationship after having sex?
Question: Hello, I am a girl in my thirties who had held on to my beliefs and Christian values. I had a boyfriend who was so into sex. But I told him to relax so we can know each other very well. But to my surprise we had sex, and I don’t know how to…
Read MoreIs homosexuality only wrong if it is promiscuous?
Question: I came to your site following a question about the word pharmakiea, or pharmakon. I had seen some claims that this was the word translated to witchcraft in the New Testament Greek, but that it had an additional meaning of using drugs. At least one source was arguing that drug use of any kind…
Read MoreProve What Is Acceptable
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Prove-What-Is-Acceptable.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:16-24 I. I doubt it has escaped your notice, but there are people around us who don’t always do what is right A. How do you know who to trust? B. People claim to be Christians, but we know people can and do lie C. For that matter, how do…
Read MoreHow far can a church go in assisting a congregation in a disaster area?
Question: How far can a congregation go to help another congregation in need? For example several states away a congregation’s building gets destroyed by a hurricane along with several members homes. Because of the devastation, they have no access to building supply stores and the like. They are not just in need of monetary assistance…
Read MoreMy parents have become heretics. Should I cut them out of my life?
Question: My mother and father have latched onto what I consider to be a heretical theology with fervor. My father, who is the reason I am a Bible-believing Christian today, has become a Full Preterist. He is radical, aggressive, and has tried to convert everyone he knows. Both my parents believe that Satan, Hell, and…
Read MoreWe Were All Baptized
by Doy Moyer One of the most significant arguments for baptism that I believe is under-utilized is the fact that the epistles, written to those who are already Christians, assume that the believers were all baptized. Look at passages like Romans 6:3-6; I Corinthians 1:13; 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:10-13; etc. These are not written…
Read MoreIs Jesus a created lord?
Question: Hi, good day, I have a question: Was Jesus a created Lord in Acts 2:36? What is the difference between his Lordship in Acts 2:36 and in I Corinthians 8:6? Is he not God because the Father is the one God and he is just a created Lord? Another question: The Bible says that God…
Read MoreMental Incinerators
by F. Yater Tant The whole world is aware of the accumulating mountains of waste and garbage threatening our planet. Air pollution, water pollution, land pollution are all becoming familiar terms. Every major city seems to be having problems with garbage disposal. We must find some way to handle the garbage, or it will finally…
Read MoreBy Grace Through Faith with the Washing of Water
by Terry Wane Benton Notice the prepositions: by, through, and with. The Book of Ephesians uses all three to describe what is involved with our salvation. It teaches we are saved by grace. It teaches we are saved through faith. It teaches we are saved with the washing of water by the word. It is…
Read MorePaying Preachers
by Matthew W. Bassford Never does anyone argue harder for something they won’t actually take than Paul does in I Corinthians 9:3-14. Through much of his ministry, especially his time with the church in Corinth, Paul refused financial support from the church with which he was working. It may be that as per Romans 7:7-8,…
Read MoreServing the Lord in Your Later Years
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Serving-the-Lord-in-Your-Later-Years.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThey’re Coming After Your Children
by Jefferson David Tant After much criticism, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir has removed an offensive video in which they sing about their plans to convert your children to homosexuality. “The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus set a music video to private after the group said it received ‘threats of harm’ over the song…
Read MoreJerusalem’s Fall
by Terry Wane Benton Though Jerusalem had been destroyed during the Babylonian period (536 BC) as predicted by Jeremiah, it was also predicted that the Lord of hosts would be riding on the clouds to bring about that fall, and later the fall of Babylon, which was used to bring about the 70-year captivity of…
Read MoreThe Case for Virginity
by Alexis Williams I am a virgin for myself. I know that having sex is a choice that is not left up to anyone but me to make. I also know that there is so much pressure to make a decision right away when it comes to having sex, and, oftentimes, people make that decision…
Read MoreMy Own Worst Enemy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/My-Own-Worse-Enemy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Esther 7 I. There is a phrase popular in our culture, “I have become my own worst enemy.” A. It is the realization that in our struggles against what we perceive as evil or wrong, we end up realizing that we are the source of our greatest problems. B. I have…
Read MoreAgainst All the Gods of Egypt
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Against-All-the-Gods-of-Egypt.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 12:1-13 I. The descendants of Jacob moved to Egypt because of a severe famine and within a short time became slaves in that land – Genesis 15:13 A. Yet, God promised to rescue them and returned them to land promised to Abraham. B. When the time came, God raised up…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible teach that not belonging to a congregation is a sin?
Question: Hello, I came across your question/answer page online. My question is, where does the Word of God teach that not belonging to a congregation is an unforgivable sin and one will go to hell for not belonging to a congregation? I’ve heard Church of Christ preachers speak as though one will go to hell…
Read MoreThe Separation of Church and State
by Andy Sochor Copyright: © 2015 Lee Edwin Coursey, used with permission There is an ongoing debate in our society about the “separation of church and state.” Though the phrase is not used in any of this country’s founding documents, many understand it to be a fundamental principle upon which this nation was built. However,…
Read MoreOld Tricks From Satan’s Playbook
by Austin Hausner “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:10). Solomon reminds us that there is nothing new. This is important to remember because many things that people say are new are actually the same old tricks repackaged…
Read MoreRock Star
by Zeke Flores When I was a late teenager I had dreams of becoming a rough and rowdy rock star. I’d hit it big then flame out like the shooting star in Bad Company’s song “Shooting Star.” I hated the thought of waking up in mid-life wondering what I did with my life. Better to…
Read MoreDoes It Really Matter About the Bible?
by Jefferson David Tant Sometimes in talking with people, I ask if they believe the Bible is true. I then give three options: It is inspired by God, and all true; It is just a collection of writings by men through the centuries; or The original writings were God-inspired, but men have added and changed…
Read MoreI keep failing and having sex after my baptism
Question: Hello, I’m seeking guidance. I’ve had sex with my partner six times now after being baptized. When I first met her I was really focusing on God and was still doing whatever I wanted. I had recently come back from Marine Corps training. I know all the bad things I did when I wasn’t…
Read MoreThe Problem of Other People’s Suffering
by Matthew W. Bassford I first encountered the classical statement of the problem of human suffering in a religious studies class in college. The professor wrote on the board, “If God could stop suffering and chooses not to, He is not perfectly good. If God wants to stop suffering and can’t, He is not perfectly…
Read MoreUnlike You and I
Unlike You and I (Part 1)Unlike You and I (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:12-18 I. What would you be like if you had absolute power? A. Oh, it is fun to imagine all the things you could do if you had the power to do it, but what kind of person would…
Read MoreIs Christianity a Religion or a Way of Life?
by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba Unmasking Sophistry, vol. 1, no. 1, April-June 2021 Unmasking Sophistry, vol. 1, no. 2, July-September 2021 Many scoff at the idea that Christianity is a religion. It is very common to hear and read people speak about Christianity as not a religion but only a way of life. This sentiment is…
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