Is There Meaning to My Life?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Is-There-Meaning-to-My-Life-1.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14 I. What will have changed because you have lived? A. People have longed wondered what the meaning of life is, but I think it more important to consider what meaning there is in your life. II. What is your life? A. Perhaps a strange beginning to the question.…
Read MoreWhat Causes Churches of Christ to Split?
by Dylan Stewart via The Good News of God This article is not intended to address the reasons for all religious divisions, such as denominationalism. This article aims to specifically address the reasons why divisions exist within churches of Christ and why many local congregations split. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here…
Read MoreFasting and Sabbaths
by Tommy Peeler Isaiah 58 stresses God’s commandments about fasting (Isaiah 58:1-12) and the Sabbath day (Isaiah 58:13-14). Israel was called to humble themselves when fasting (Isaiah 58:3, 5) and to refrain from their pleasures on the Sabbath to do what is pleasing to the Lord (Isaiah 58:13-14). Israel was not listening to God’s commandments…
Read MoreTalking About the Gospel
by Zeke Flores Have you ever tried to share the gospel with someone? Maybe your family, friends, or co-workers? If you have, you know it can be a little intimidating. If they reject it, it can be downright disappointing. But who knows what will later come from the seed you’ve planted? In his letters to…
Read MoreHow Has Satan Been Cast Out?
by Terry Wane Benton “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31). When Jesus died for our sins, it cast out Satan’s power to keep us accused of sin and thereby condemned with him. His accusations don’t stand where remission of sins has been given.…
Read MoreJust a Body Please
by Terry Wane Benton The prophecies of the Jewish book had spoken of someone who would not see corruption (Psalm 16), someone who would be executed for others’ transgressions, yet whose days would then be prolonged (Isaiah 53). Then, later, Jesus was executed, but the Jewish leaders were determined to prevent a story of resurrection…
Read MorePersonal Letters
by Zeke Flores Who doesn’t love getting personal, hand-written letters? I read about a boy living in New Jersey who waits expectantly every year for the mailman to deliver a special letter to him on his birthday. When his father was dying of a terminal disease, he knew the youngster would not have the benefit…
Read MoreWould You Die for Your Faith?
by Terry Wane Benton I keep hearing of people in other countries dying for their faith in Jesus at the hands of Muslims. It is so sad that this goes on without a government backlash against murderous Muslims. But, what about our faith here? Do we believe in Jesus so strongly and with such loyal…
Read MoreHow Do We Hear the Voice of God?
by Kevin Cauley We all listen to someone’s voice. As humans, this is inescapable. John Donne (1572-1631) wrote, “No man is an island.” We enter this world listening to the voices of our mothers and fathers. As children, we hear the voices of relatives and friends. As we grow older, we listen to teachers, preachers,…
Read MoreI Protest
by Terry Wane Benton I protest sin. It corrupts hearts and destroys love and peace. It breaks our relationship with God and makes people lawless. It blinds people to their own faults and makes them super critical of others. Sin corrupts hearts so that they hate people without knowing them based upon external features that…
Read MoreIf the Kingdom of God Has Come … and It Has
by Zeke Flores If the kingdom of God has come — and the Bible emphatically states that it has — then the theory of premillennialism is heretical King Jesus isn’t coming back to establish His kingdom; He’s already done it. His sacrifice has provided a once-for-all remedy for sin, and the Spirit has provided and…
Read MoreWhy Resist Baptism?
by Marvin Rickett Nearly all denominations resist the Bible’s doctrine of baptism in one manner or another. Some resist it by saying it is not essential to salvation. One can be saved without ever being baptized. Others resist it by teaching that one is saved before one is baptized. He is saved at the point…
Read MoreJesus, the Greatest
by Terry Wane Benton The greatest blessing of my life is Jesus. Without Him, my heart was dark, and my direction was aimless. I pretended that believers were as irrational about God and Jesus as children were about tooth fairies. I once challenged a preacher, and he sent me material that opened my eyes. I…
Read MoreHe Died for My Sins
by Allen Dvorak via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 What would you be willing to do for your enemy? To the Romans, Paul wrote that God demonstrated His love for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We (men in general) were enemies of God because…
Read MoreStillborn
by Jack Gibbert via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 17 No. 1, 31 March 1991 Paul says the purposes of the offices listed in Ephesians 4:11 are so that we would no longer be children (Ephesians 4:14), but would grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Many New Testament passages address…
Read MoreJesus, the Perfect Man
Author Unknown From The Commercial Appeal, 22 December 1912 There is no other character in history like that of Jesus. As a preacher, as a doer of things, and as a philosopher, no man ever had the sweep and the vision of Jesus. The human analysis of the human actions of Jesus brings to view a…
Read MoreAm I able to return to God?
Question: I’m in my 30s. Last year, I decided to become a Christian. I’m in the “doctrine,” but I haven’t been baptized yet. When I decided to become a Christian, my family turned their backs on me. I only had the support of a sister and her husband, who preached the word of God to…
Read MorePeople Like You
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/People-Like-You.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreIs the Bible only for the less educated?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I recently came across a paper written by a preacher of a brotherhood Church of Christ, and here is what it says: “The Bible was not written for the highly educated, but rather, for the simple (I Corinthians 1:26-27).” It does puzzle me, and I would like to hear your view on…
Read MoreWhere Do Your Morals Come From?
by Terry Wane Benton What is wrong all over the news in our country is that we shoved even mentioning God out of public life, and that leads to a decline in governing yourself with moral accountability. Take accountability to God out of your picture, and nobody has the right to tell you what to…
Read MoreThe Book of Hebrews on Jesus
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Book-of-Hebrews-on-Jesus.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreSifted
by Terry Wane Benton The Lord told Peter that Satan would sift him like wheat. He sifts through our character and principles to find that vulnerable spot that he can use to bring us down. With David, it was lust; with others, it is alcohol or chemical addiction. The weak spot in some is the…
Read MoreTrembling at God’s Word
by Doy Moyer “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. … Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word” (Isaiah 66:2,5). Trembling at God’s word here stands in sharp contrast to what Isaiah says between…
Read MoreWhich should take priority – fellowship or evangelism?
Question: Acts 2:46 states that they would meet every day. Today, with modern schedules, jobs, and family demands, daily gatherings seem unrealistic, but is this wrong thinking? To what extent is the daily fellowship model in Acts 2:46 an expectation for Christians, and how should believers today practically live out this passage? Scripture encourages strong…
Read MoreMy wife doesn’t want to live with me any longer
Question: Hello Bro. Hamilton, Thank you for the tremendous amount of labor you’ve devoted to this website and helping people properly understand and discern God’s word. I have a question about what I should or am allowed to do regarding I Corinthians 7. My wife has been adamant for the last six months that she…
Read MoreDid I marry my teenage boyfriend?
Question: Hello Sir, I hope you’re doing well. I have a quick question and would truly appreciate your biblical insight regarding marriage covenants. When I was in high school, at the age of 15, I had a boyfriend with whom I was sinfully involved, and I’ve since repented and deeply regretted those choices. I’m now…
Read MoreThe Blessing of Relationships
by Zeke Flores Paul’s words in I Thessalonians 2:8 remind us that some of the greatest blessings we receive from others are found not so much in the gifts they give but in the people they are. When lives become intertwined through fellowship in Christ, it fosters tighter relationships, deeper love, and more enthusiastic motivation.…
Read MorePreaching the Word to a World That Doesn’t Listen
Author Unknown It seems to me that the theme of June in society is centered around the symbol of the promise that God made to mankind in a word, never to flood the earth again. Obviously, the rainbow is being misused and mistreated among those of various parties, but the account of Noah is one…
Read MoreJeroboam’s Golden Calves
by Clay Gentry Imagine God handing you immense power, a kingdom, and a divine promise of an enduring legacy. What would you do to keep it? Would you trust His word, or would you take matters into your own hands, even if it meant compromising the truth? This isn’t a modern political thriller; it’s the…
Read MoreFit to Reflect
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Fit-to-Reflect.mp3 by Zeke Flores Download Audio Fit for the Master’s Use (Series)
Read MoreWho Do You Say Jesus Is?
by Terry Wane Benton There were various opinions about who Jesus was to those considering Him in the first century (Matthew 16:13-19). All opinions and beliefs were not equal. Today, various religious beliefs are not equal to the truth. When some held the opinion that Jesus was a prophet but only a prophet, their opinion…
Read MoreMaking a Positive Difference
by David Gibson Sorely Missed “Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah . . .” (II Chronicles 35:25 NASB). Josiah “pled the cause of the afflicted and needy” (Jeremiah 22:15). He urged his wayward nation to turn back to God (II Chronicles 34-35). Josiah made a difference. When Stephen was martyred, those who buried him…
Read MoreSurprise!
by Zeke Flores Life is full of surprises. Some are pleasant, but many, maybe even most, are not. Unpleasant, stressful, unexpected, and unwelcome events require adjustments, not only in action but also in attitude. A real, lasting attitude adjustment can only be done by trust and confidence in God, Who may not take away your…
Read MoreA Biblical Call to Reject Occult Practices
by Cleve Stafford In an age of spiritual confusion, many are turning to mysticism in the name of peace, balance, or inner healing. Practices such as burning sage to “cleanse” a room, carrying crystals for energy, reading horoscopes, or consulting psychics are increasingly viewed as harmless rituals or even helpful tools for mental clarity. However,…
Read MoreStanding for Right
by Paul M. Tucker Standing for the right is very demanding of us. It is not easy. It may be very inconvenient. It may even lead to loneliness. On the mountain peak of spiritual experience, it can be a lonely place; we may even find ourselves alone. “At my first answer no man stood with…
Read MoreFit to be Holy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Fit-to-be-Holy.mp3 by Zeke Flores Download Audio Fit for the Master’s Use (Series)
Read MoreIs unconditional forgiveness only required for unbelievers?
Question: Brother Jeff, I would appreciate your input on this question. We understand from Luke 17:3 and Ephesians 4:32 that forgiveness is conditioned upon repentance. But is this only applicable in situations where the offender is a Christian (brother in Christ) like yourself? In other words, is forgiveness conditional only when the person who offends…
Read MoreIs it adultery to marry again?
Question: Good day; I have read your articles on your website and I find them very edifying. I have a couple of questions, and I hope you can help me. I became a Christian and was baptized at age 17. I was pregnant, and my mom had just become a Christian a year before, and…
Read MoreFit to Obey
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Fit-to-Obey.mp3 by Zeke Flores Download Audio Fit for the Master’s Use (Series)
Read MoreAre Advanced Medical Directives or Living Wills wrong?
Question: In my country, there is an arrangement called “Advance Medical Directive (AMD)”. “It is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life.” Is it…
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