Justice
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Justice.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 20:1-16 I. Matthew 20:1-16 A. Have you noticed that a lot of people want things that they are not willing to give? B. Take the idea of justice. People want justice for themselves (so long as it is in their favor), but they are not willing that justice lower what…
Read MoreCan I remarry if my husband divorces me?
Question: Hello, I have a question about divorce. My husband and I are both in our mid-twenties. We’ve been married less than two years. We are both in the body and have been for some time now. Because of my upbringing, I have anger management issues. So throughout our marriage, my husband has been saying…
Read MoreThings the Wicked Despise
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Things-the-Wicked-Despise.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Leviticus 26:14-32 I. This might come as shock, but have you noticed? The world is full of wicked people who are not nice. A. Why do the wicked behave as they do? II. The wicked only care about themselves A. They despise their fellow man – Proverbs 14:21 B. They only care about…
Read MoreI’m confused about whether to wear a head covering or not
Question: I did have a pressing concern, and I’m sorry if you’ve repeated yourself on this topic but it’s about head coverings. I’ve read multiple answers of yours to questions about this and I’ve looked at countless other resources as well and no matter what, I can’t seem to decide which is right. One way…
Read MoreAnd Then I Prayed
by Forrest D. Moyer Sentry Magazine, March 2002 I really thought there were material things in this life that were important. I saw people living in luxurious furnishings. I saw their fine cars and their exclusive clothing. That seemed important, for a moment at least. Then I saw something else. I saw that so many…
Read MoreWhat Should be Our Appeal?
by Jefferson David Tant Some four or five students from our local high school have been having some Bible studies with me. Some have come for weeks, but one had come only once. I asked her if she would be interested in studying some more. She replied that she preferred to go where they appealed…
Read MoreA Salvation Issue
by Bobby Graham In more recent years some have responded in this way with increasing frequency to our insistence upon adherence to the Scriptural pattern: “Well, it’s not a salvation issue.” It might be a matter of the organization of the local church, the use of women in roles of leadership, or the use of…
Read MoreWhat do Seventh-day Adventists teach about salvation and the Baptists teach about obedience?
Question: Hello brother, Can you explain to me what is the Seventh-day Adventist’s view on salvation? I was watching a discussion between a Baptist and an Adventist. What the Adventist said sounded kind of similar to what the church of Christ believes salvation is. If it is not too much trouble, can you explain to…
Read MoreWhere Is the Scripture?
by Jefferson David Tant In discussions about the Bible and various practices and beliefs of members of churches of Christ, sometimes, the question is asked, “Where does the Bible say that’s wrong?” Various practices prompt the question, with it often being asked concerning the use of instrumental music in our worship. When it is pointed…
Read MoreChildren Are Special
by Doy Moyer According to Jesus, children are special and need to be protected. In Mark 9:36-37, we read this: And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever…
Read MoreAutomatic Forgiveness
by Robert M Hartian Sentry Magazine, June 2002 Schoolmates hung a sign on a high school in West Paducah, Kentucky that read “we forgive you Mike!” Mike Carmeal, 14, the day before, had killed three of his classmates. Dennis Prager, a Jew, covered this story in the Wall Street Journal (December 15, 1997). This immediate…
Read MoreSongs in the Night
by Judy Chappelear Sentry Magazine, June 2002 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken … ” That scripture was taken from Acts 16:25-26. We recall that Paul…
Read MoreLessons from the Old Testament
by Leland R. Ping Sentry Magazine, June 2002 Paul wrote to the church at Rome in Romans 15:4 that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning.” In a simple statement like this, the persecutor-turned-apostle explained the reason for the Old Testament. In light of a statement like this, it is prudent to…
Read MoreWho’s God Looking For?
by Flora Hartsell Tant “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (II Chronicles 16:9). I was just thinking: What or who is God looking for? I remember the words of our dear brother Sewell Hall: “The…
Read MoreHow do you reconcile with someone who refuses to forgive you?
Question: Hello, I am seeking your advice on how to reconcile with someone who refuses to forgive you even when you admit that you were wrong and try to make amends. Recently I allowed frustration to get the better of me and had responded to my mom in a way that I should not have.…
Read MoreAm I wrong not to report an incident?
Question: I am a mandated reporter and a former co-worker told me of an instance where she was kicked in the stomach while pregnant. She told me that she hit the patient back. The thing is that being a mandated reporter my opinion and logic don’t matter. However, she just told me a few days…
Read MoreBiblical Authority and the Silence of the Scriptures: Does it Allow or Disallow?
by Jefferson David Tant For hundreds of years, believers in the Bible have discussed the question of “the silence of the Scriptures.” Does silence indicate a lack of authority, and thus whatever is not specifically condemned is permissible? Or does silence mean there is no authority for whatever practice is under consideration, and therefore it…
Read MoreThe Truth About Gambling
adapted from an outline by Joe Price Gambling Violates Legitimate Economy Three Legitimate Means of Transferring Property: Law of labor: Money is earned by the effort expended Law of exchange: Buying and selling, investments, etc. Law of love: Where money is given without expectation or desire for return. Gambling does not qualify in any of…
Read MoreWhy is mask-wearing an issue?
Question: Hi Jeff, Your website is so beneficial and I appreciate very much the Biblical-backed answers to the questions that you answer and all of the other resources on your website. That being said, your recent answer to the person asking if masks must be worn in services was disappointing. I don’t understand the view…
Read MoreIs it a sin to get vaccinated?
Question: Hello beloved brother! I always give thanks to God concerning you, for your exhortation, correction, encouragement. The worldwide has been overtaken by the coronavirus pandemic, which is responsible for a scary number of deaths daily. The various religions seek responses to give to the hopeless world, trying to comfort the world. Many theories have been given…
Read MoreThe History of the Institutional Controversy
by Jefferson David Tant Those who have a general knowledge of churches of Christ today are aware of the fact that a division took place during the last half of the 20th Century. This division took place over doctrinal issues concerning the organization, work, and mission of the Lord’s church. In many respects, this division…
Read MoreCitizenship
by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, June 2002 In 1950, a decree went out from the modem state of Israel, granting automatic citizenship to “Jews” in all the world. The purpose was to get as many of the scattered Israelites (Diaspora) back on Holy Ground. Many Jews from Europe, Africa, and the Americas flocked to…
Read MoreListen to Him
by Jefferson David Tant A “breathtaking” event took place in the lives of Jesus’ disciples James, Peter, and John when they went with Christ up a mountain. It was an experience they would never forget “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a…
Read MoreWe “Have a Name”
by Robert Turner Concerning the church at Sardis, the Lord said, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). Now think, where did they get that “name”? “Name” is here used in the sense of reputation the popular opinion. But the smallness and insignificance of the…
Read MoreBlessed in What He Does
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Blessed-in-What-He-Does.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:21-25 I. Sin is the breaking of law – I John 3:4 A. Sin is universally found in mankind – Romans 5:12 B. Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also widespread C. Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will…
Read MoreWhat physical evidence is there that Solomon existed?
Question: Hello, I’d like to know if there’s any physical or scientific evidence of his existence. Thank you. Answer: Isn’t it amazing that people will cite historical documents and accept that someone like Julius Caesar or Sargon existed, but the Bible is skipped even though it is an ancient document? Now, if you are asking…
Read MoreFlawed Logic from Marilyn Vos Savant
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, June 2002 I am accepting of people of all sexual orientations, but the following point was made to me recently: “Gay people cannot be normal. If everyone were gay starting tomorrow, the human race would die out, so being gay cannot be nature’s intended way.” I’m having trouble finding a logical…
Read MoreThe Convenience of Sin
by Mark Chatfield Sentry Magazine, June 2002 I was late for an appointment, driving in an unfamiliar part of North Carolina, and my PT Cruiser was beeping at me because it was low on gas. The exit sign said, “Gas 0.5 miles,” but I had already gone more than a mile down the obscure side…
Read MoreIn the Hour of Trial
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/In-the-Hour-of-Trial.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 22:54-62 I. Without a doubt, Peter loved Jesus A. When others sat in the boat in fear, it was Peter who wanted to go out to meet Jesus – Matthew 14:28-31 B. When Jesus spoke of his abandonment on the Mount of Olives – Matthew 26:31-32 1. Specifically Jesus told Peter…
Read MoreThank you for clearing up my confusion
Question: Hi again, Mr. Hamilton, I just wanted to thank you for all the diligent work you have been doing for me and countless others to help create a stronger relationship with God and grow spiritually. Also clearing up all of the confusion that I’ve had toward the Christian life. Just yesterday, I got baptized…
Read MoreMust masks be worn to services?
Question: Dear Brother Jeffrey, Where I live mask-wearing is mandatory in public spaces, schools, etc. The men of the church in which I am a member have decided it’s optional to wear masks to worship and Bible classes. There are, of course, many of us who think this is a lawbreaking activity and it is dividing…
Read MoreCan vows never be broken?
Question: I have a similar situation as some of the questions you received regarding OCD vows and also the one who sent his question about whether or not he must remain in poverty. Though, whether or not it was a passing thought is still a question for me, because I really don’t remember what happened…
Read MorePrayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, June 2002 Prayer involves a God-man relationship: man speaking to God. In prayer, the thoughts of man are communicated to the infinite mind of God. God is the Benefactor and man the beneficiary. Prayer is indispensable in leading man from earth to heaven. Prayer involves a God-man relationship, but more…
Read MoreOrnery Cows and Longsuffering
by Glen Young Sentry Magazine, June 2000 Once, when I was growing up, my dad traded a hog for a cow. I didn’t think at the time it was a very good trade. The old cow suffered from what was called ‘holler horn’ and besides, I did not relish the chore of milking. Now, ‘holler…
Read MoreOn Earth, as It Is in Heaven
by Doy Moyer We pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). When we pray this, we are also praying that God’s kingdom, God’s rule, “come” not in the sense of Acts 2 or even in the sense of judgment, though both manifest His kingdom; rather, we are…
Read MoreNourishment
by Jefferson David Tant The pictures of little Emma before and after receiving nourishment are typical of a huge number of starving children in impoverished nations around the world. Manna Pack is the product of “Feed My Starving Children,” and was the work of Cargill food scientists and colleagues from General Mills and Pillsbury, who…
Read MoreWomen Participating in Bible Classes
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I’ve been engaged in an email discussion with a brother on the subject of women participating in our Bible classes. He sees inconsistency in many congregations between Bible classes, in which women may read Scriptures, make comments, etc., and worship services, in which they are required to remain silent. He…
Read MoreWhat can we pray about?
Question: The Bible says to cast all our cares onto the Lord, so what are we allowed to talk to God about? A lot of times, it’s easy to pray in times of trouble or in times of need, but I realize that if I only talk to the Lord in those times I won’t…
Read MoreWhom Do We Fear?
by Doy Moyer Peter wrote to Christians who faced persecution. Along with persecution and threats come the fears and anxieties of what may happen. We face intimidation and are worried about the outcome. Peter knew what that felt like. He denied Christ three times when faced with intimidating circumstances. When he wrote this epistle then,…
Read MoreHow can I get intimacy with God back after sinning?
Question: I struggle with the belief that I can’t be intimate with the Lord after sinning. I know that God forgives, but I struggle with believing that I can’t be intimate with Him again. An example would be there are two friends named Bob and Steve. Bob and Steve are really close. They talk to…
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