You Must Rule Over It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/You-Must-Rule-Over-It.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I. Ask a person why they gave into a particular sin and the most common rely is: “I don’t know. I couldn’t help myself.” A. Losing control in the face of temptation has been around since the beginning. 1. God even warned Cain that he had to master his…
Read MoreA Christian and a Young Parent
by Larry W. Bailey After Solomon died, Rehoboam was to be made king of Israel. The people asked him for more consideration than they had received in the past. Rehoboam asked counsel of the “old men, that stood before Solomon” (I Kings 12:6). However, I Kings 12:8 tells us “he forsook the counsel of the…
Read MoreHave We Forgotten Our Shame?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Have-We-Forgotten-Our-Shame.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 44 I. It is surprising the odd ideas people have about forgiveness A. Forgiveness is the dismissal of any debt or obligation to me 1. I cannot forgive someone’s sin. a. This is only something God can do, because our sins incur a penalty, which God – not you or I…
Read MoreTwisted up by Evil People
by Matthew W. Bassford When we read the Bible, we learn about some people we simply have to feel sorry for. Hosea has to marry a prostitute. Jeremiah has to faithfully proclaim God’s message to a wicked nation that doesn’t want to hear it and will kill him for saying it. And so on. On…
Read MoreHow do you plan for the future without borrowing trouble from the future?
Question: How does one balance planning for the future without borrowing troubles from the future? Matthew 6:34 says to not worry about tomorrow because it will worry about itself, and today has its own trouble. One must be responsible about planning for the future within reason without imagining all that could possibly go wrong and…
Read MoreNotes on the Brevity of Life
Comparisons II Samuel 14:14 – Like water spilled on the ground I Chronicles 29:15 – Like a shadow, it will not stay Job 7:6-7 – Like a weaver’s shuttle or the wind Job 9:25-26 – Like a swift messenger, a swift ship, or a swooping eagle Job 14:1 – Few days, like a flower Psalms…
Read MoreIs it wrong to kiss my boyfriend?
Question: Hello, I am 21 years old and am in a relationship. Is it too early? My boyfriend confessed to me that he fornicated once with his first girlfriend, and he really regrets and feels really so bad when he remembers it. He has never shared it with anyone except me, and it really took…
Read MoreIf I Were a Young Parent
by Gardner Hall It is God’s will that young married couples be parents if possible. “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (I Timothy 5:14). “Not withstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity…
Read MoreExplaining “Born of Water and Spirit” to Charismatics
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Explaining-Born-of-Water-and-Spirit-to-Charismatics.mp3 by Darrell M. Hamilton
Read MoreSometimes the Best Thing to Do is Run!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sometimes-the-Best-Thing-to-Do-Is-Run.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-15 I. Timothy was admonished to fight the good fight – I Timothy 6:12 A. We are in a battle for our lives, and we must have the courage to do battle – Ephesians 6:10-18 B. We cannot be passive against sin – James 4:7 C. But a person trained in…
Read MoreTwo Unchangeable Things
by Matthew W. Bassford In addition to the other things that make Hebrews challenging for us to follow, the writer assumes that his readership is familiar with the Old Testament. He jumps from allusion to allusion, rarely pausing to explain his references to the Law with more than a phrase or two. However, because our…
Read MoreIf a preacher sins, is he permanently disqualified from preaching?
Question: Hi, What is the proper term to call the speaker on Sunday? Is it a pastor or a preacher? Also, to be a preacher you basically have to have all the qualifications of an elder correct? And if for some reason a preacher sins, such as adultery, they would be removed from that position,…
Read MoreWhat are the books opened in Revelation 20:12?
Question: Good day. I have an argument with a Catholic defender on social media about Sola Scriptura. I used Revelation 20:12 that the written word will judge us in the last days. But he said that the books opened are not the Bible but the record of men’s deeds. What are the books opened in…
Read MoreWill my future partner determine if I’ll make eternity?
Question: Good evening, sir. Please, I have a question that has been bothering my mind. Will my future partner determine if I’ll make eternity? Answer: Who you choose to marry can reveal your attitude toward righteousness. If you knowingly marry a sinner, then you are knowingly placing temptation before you. After all, Paul warned, “Do…
Read MoreIs salvation in Acts 2:21 salvation from the destruction of Jerusalem?
Question: A member of the church has told me that Acts 2:21 is talking about rescue from danger or destruction, not salvation. He told me “saved” in verse 21 is not salvation from sin, it is saved from the Jerusalem destruction. Another member of the church said in the immediate context of the quotation from…
Read MoreInfant Baptism (Tant)
by Jefferson David Tant A well-known practice in various denominations is that of infant baptism. This would include Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and others. The question is, “Is this Scriptural? Is authority for this found in the Bible?” An examination of historical records indicates that there is no definite evidence of infant baptism being practiced…
Read MoreRededication
by Doy Moyer There are only a handful of times in biblical Israel’s history in which there were reforms to bring the people back to the Lord. Among the kings of the north (Israel), there were no true revivals. Among the kings of the south (Judah), there were a few, but most notable were the…
Read MoreThe Path of the Righteous
by Matthew W. Bassford “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). Look with me at Proverbs 4:18-19. These are two short verses, but…
Read MoreApproved Examples
by Mike Johnson What should be our attitude toward the concept of “example” as an acceptable form of Bible authority? There are three possible attitudes one might have. First, a person might say that all examples are binding. However, this attitude is unlikely, and, as we will see later, this would be a ridiculous position.…
Read MoreDid Deborah lead worship and preached?
Question: I have read that Deborah did not offer sacrifices as the men did but did lead worship and preach. Can you provide scriptures to clarify this? Answer: I can’t provide Scriptures because the claims are not based on Scripture. Deborah was a prophetess and served as a judge in Israel. “Now Deborah, a prophetess,…
Read MoreWhat Are Mothers Made Of?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-Are-Mothers-Made-Of.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 31:27-30 I. To prepare the children for making a sweet Mothers Day card, the elementary school teacher asked her class some questions that she thought would cause them to appreciate their mom’s more, then they could think of something sweet to write when it came time to make…
Read MoreNo Safe Level of Alcohol Consumption
Source: Anya Topiwala, “No safe level of alcohol consumption for brain health: observational cohort study of 25,378 UK Biobank participants,” medRxiv, 12 May 2021. “No safe dose of alcohol for the brain was found. Moderate consumption is associated with more widespread adverse effects on the brain than previously recognised. Individuals who binge drink or with…
Read MoreThe Reformation and the Restoration: A Tale of Two Movements
by Andy Sochor The New Testament repeatedly warns about drifting; in particular, drifting away from the faith. This can be done either individually or collectively. The Hebrew writer warned the Christians to whom he wrote that they “must pay much closer attention to what [they had] heard, so that [they would] not drift away from…
Read MoreHow to Say “No!”
by Jefferson David Tant Do you say you are tempted to do wrong? Your friends are pressuring you, and you are afraid you might give in, or you have already given in and don’t know what to do to avoid yielding again? Welcome to the club! Temptation is as old as man and must be…
Read MoreAre automatic withdrawals for contributions biblical?
Question: Would you help me understand if automatic withdrawals from your bank account for the first day of the week collection are biblical? Seeing people place money in the tray that is passed around, I think, incites others, especially children. I love seeing a child place some money in the tray. When I am attending…
Read MoreAnd Moses Fled
by Edward Smith My dog, Scout, and I had a sudden encounter with a snake yesterday. We were quietly going through our routine while he was taking care of his business when he suddenly jumped back. I heard a rather distinct rattle and saw a snake aggressively swaying back and forth and flexing its jaw,…
Read MoreIf you chose to fast, how do you not let family members know?
Question: Hi, I’m a little confused about the practice of fasting. From what I understand, we, Christians, have the freedom to do fasting and that it should be done privately. At the present time, families mostly stay at home and it is unavoidable to notice everyone’s actions inside the house. If one desires to fast…
Read MoreDid I sin by getting baptized again?
Question: Hello, I hope you are well and having a blessed day. I am writing you because I have been greatly troubled. I’ve prayed about it, and I’ve tried to get past the things I’ve done. To backtrack a little bit, I was first baptized into the church when I was thirteen. I remember sitting…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Discipline
by Matthew W. Bassford Hebrews 12:5-13 makes a crucial but underappreciated point. The life of the Christian can be unpleasant, and sometimes, the One who is making it unpleasant is God. This is at odds with the worldly vision of God as an indulgent grandparent who does nothing but shower gifts upon us. However, it…
Read MoreI find the newer design hard to navigate
Question: Knowing brethren are growing is encouraging. I have used this site many times. I’m sorry to say I find the newer web page set up hard for me to navigate compared to the older system. But I’m sure it’s the seeking of the truth that will make me relearn. Watch and pray. Answer: What…
Read MoreHow do you handle the argument that the Greek Orthodox traditions date back to the days of the apostles?
Question: Have you ever debated with a Greek Orthodox and how did you handle the conversation when they brought up their traditions being able to trace back to the early apostles? They seem to think we ignore history for convenience’s sake. They also say we are a group that started in the 1800s so how…
Read MoreIs stigmata real or a hoax?
Question: Is stigmata real or a hoax? Answer: Stigmata is the appearance of marks, wounds, or pains located on the body where the wounds of Christ during the crucifixion would have appeared. These were first reported during the middle ages and those who report having them are most often Roman Catholics. Interestingly, the vast majority…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a member who is in an adulterous marriage?
Question: I have a question that requires me to go outside of the current congregation where I am a member. If there is a member who is in an unscriptural marriage, which I do have personal knowledge of, and who is being allowed to preach and teach in worship service, should I remain a member…
Read MoreSpeechless
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Speechless.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat If You Knew My Past?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-If-You-Knew-My-Past.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWho controls when we die?
Question: Hello sir, I have another question. Who controls when we die? Recently, someone I knew died in a car accident at only 19 years old. It really made me question why and who controlled this. Answer: There are occasions when God decides the time of someone’s death. “In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill.…
Read MoreA Trial Lawyer Examines the Trial of Jesus
by Larry L. Crain, A trial attorney in civil rights and constitutional law (abridged by Jefferson David Tant) During Easter, many believers reflect on the Crucifixion of Christ. As a lawyer, I have been intrigued by the criminal trial culminating in Christ’s execution. The Gospels give four narratives in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They…
Read MoreShould a church have allowed a homosexual to sing before the congregation?
Question: On Mother’s day, our church leaders allowed a young gay man, who had never attended our church before, to get up and sing a song to his mother and Grandmother. The grandmother requested that what she wanted for Mothers’ Day was for her family to attend church with her. The grandson wanted to sing…
Read MoreSafe in the Midst of Counsel
by Charles N. Spence, Jr. Sentry Magazine, September 1999 The wise man said in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” In an age in which people want to do their own thing and go their own way, society is crumbling before us.…
Read MoreThe Fingerprints of Faith
by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, September 1999 Not long ago, in the work of cleaning up, putting in place songbooks and Bibles, I noticed some things that speak of our faith. As I began the clean-up, I murmured: “these brethren are so negligent”! There were papers, crayons, candy wrappers, and pencils all over the…
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