Jesus Predicting His Death
by Matthew W. Bassford Luke 18-19 chronicles the high point of Jesus’ ministry. He is on His way to Jerusalem, surrounded by an exultant crowd. According to Luke 19:11, the throngs believed that “the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.” In other words, they anticipated that when Jesus came to Jerusalem, He…
Read MoreQuestions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Questions.mp3 Text: II Timothy 2:14-18 I. Many years ago, a set of false teaching was being promoted in the congregation. When the false teacher was asked by the congregation to explain himself, he gave a list of questions to one of the younger members, who passed it on the older members. A. I found it necessary…
Read MoreFive Stones in the Hands of a Boy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Five-Stones-in-the-Hands-of-a-Boy.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 1:26-29 I. The armies of the Philistines and the Israelites faced each other across a valley – I Samuel 17:1-3 A. With both armies camped on mountains, it became a standoff. Whoever attacked the other would be at a disadvantage. B. Thus, the Philistines sent out their champion issue a challenge and break…
Read MoreYour Wreckage Can be Repaired!
by Gary Henry “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (I Timothy 1:15-16). Under the influence…
Read MoreWhy All the Fuss about Grace-Fellowship?
by Aubrey Belue, Jr. via Gospel Guardian, August 15, 1974 In recent months, much writing –“pro” and “con” (but mostly “con”) — has been done on the “grace-fellowship” issue. Due to the misdirection and “side issues” that now obscure the scene, wisdom requires us to seek a clear definition of matters as they currently stand.…
Read MoreIt’s Not Politics
by Irvin Himmel Moral statements and positions will, necessarily, impact political issues. This is not because morality is inherently political, but because the government has the task of recognizing the difference between good and evil, so moral issues will have to be dealt with (Rom 13:3-4). This means that, contrary to what is so often…
Read MoreCan a father prevent his daughter from marrying?
Question: Good evening Jeff. I have some questions that I need Bible facts to support, so I need your help. It is whether a man can prevent his daughter from getting married? If a girl’s father doesn’t agree to her marriage, can she still be scripturally married? Does I Corintians 7:37 mean that the above…
Read MoreCan we pray “Your kingdom come” today?
Question: As a member of the Lord’s church, I have taken the position that today, we should not pray for “Thy kingdom come” as Jesus taught his disciples on how they should pray. The reason being is because today, the kingdom has already been established (Colossians 1:13). At the present time, I have an ongoing…
Read MoreWhy is the guy I committed fornication with marrying someone else?
Question: Dear Beloved, Several years ago, a Christian guy from my church approached me about his interest and desire to become my life partner. Initially, I refused due to certain situations and explained the consequences we both would be facing. I was firm in my refusal, but he repeatedly requested while affirming to face any…
Read MoreForceful Arguments
by Doy Moyer An argument won by force is no real win, but is a sham masquerading as truth. As soon as bullies face real arguments, they merely flex more muscle instead of exerting the effort of thinking things out and through in a reasonable manner. Bullies fear truth and so will suppress it in…
Read MoreHow is it good when your wife commits adultery?
Question: Romans 8:28 says everything works for good. If you were in a marriage relationship, where you did everything you possibly could for your spouse, where you sacrificed a lot for them, then they cheated on you with the possibility of leaving you with some STIs, How is that good? How does it work for…
Read MoreMust I pay my friend money so she can forgive me?
Question: I want to enquire if it’s right to pay money to a friend who claims I offended her. I didn’t borrow anything from her, but she is demanding money so she can forgive me. Answer: “There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is…
Read MoreWisdom Learned from the Animals
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wisdom-Learned-From-The-Animals.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 2:1-6 I. The Lord God teaches us wisdom A. His teaching comes in a variety of forms. We read His words and learn about right and wrong B. But God’s teaching doesn’t end there. Even in the world around us, through the creation of God, God is instructing us -…
Read MoreWho Is Wise and Understanding?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Who-Is-Wise-and-Understanding.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:13-18 I. The Bible speaks of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom A. Knowledge are the many facts about life and the world we live in. B. Understanding is the ability to take several facts and combine them to arrive at new information. C. Wisdom is knowing when information ought to be applied…
Read MoreIs it proper to say that Jesus’ blood was spilled?
Question: In response to a question on your website, I ask that you please give thoughtful consideration when using spilled in reference to the blood of Christ. Genesis 3 and Isaiah 53 foretells the event that will take place in 33 A.D. and is predetermined, deliberate, and not accidental. Answer: If we are to be…
Read MoreIs it wrong to download software already purchased by another person?
Question: Hi minister, Is downloading a paid software without paying for it a sin? Note that no hacking or cracking is involved on the side of the downloader. It is a case of seeing it online and downloading (copying) it. The owner still has a copy. Is it good to buy a second-hand device with cracked…
Read MoreIf the gifts of God are irrevocable, shouldn’t the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue?
Question: Hi, I have a question about gifts of the spirit ceasing. Romans 11:28-29 says “From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”. I understand…
Read MoreThe La Vista website is one of my main “go-to” places
Question: The La Vista website is one of my main “go-to” places when I need clarification for truthful conservative articles. Answer: I glad to hear that we are helping others.
Read MoreDifferences in Bible Miracles and Modern Miracles
by Hiram Hutto While Jesus was on earth he made some very startling claims. He claimed to be divine, and the Jews so understood him (John 5:18; 10:33). He claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:35-37). He claimed to be the Messiah (John 4:25-26) and the Savior of the world (John 14:6). But…
Read MoreFaith Over Fear
Lessons presented by Wilson Adams of Nashville, Tennessee September 27-30, 2020 The Verse That Will Change Your Life “Lord, Do You Not Care?” When This Journey Comes to an End … Majesty! Worship His Majesty! Pray BIG! If You Want to Walk on the Water -You Must Get Out of the Boat
Read MoreThe Atheist’s Motives
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/The-Atheists-Motives.mp3 Text: Proverbs 4:20-27 I. Consider the offer A. Atheism offers 1. No absolute morality. Everything is subjective. 2. No meaning to your life. Life is just a span of time, where you suffer for a while before you are squished into oblivion. 3. No hope about your future. B. Christianity offers 1. A clear, absolute morality with guidelines 2. There is…
Read MoreKeeping Our Dignity
by Bruce Reeves Preparing for a sermon I came across this passage as Paul wrote to Timothy and thought I would share: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those…
Read MoreDoes the person doing the baptism have to be an official in the church?
Question: I’m curious to know what you think about this. I think there are some Christians who believe in order for your baptism to valid, it must be done by someone appointed by God as a minister, elder, or some kind of official position. We know people such as Peter and Philip baptized, but they…
Read MoreHow do I clean up my life before Jesus returns?
Question: Hello. I was hoping to receive some help and answers. With the shape the world is in, I can’t help but foresee Jesus coming soon. Frankly, I just read Matthew 24:1-31 and can’t help but feel fear. I struggle with a lot of things that I can’t seem to break. How do I turn…
Read MoreThe Timeline of the Resurrection
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I’ve become aware that there is this thing floating around on the Internet called “The Easter Challenge”. The inventor of this challenge is an atheist. He asserts that the Biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contradict each other so significantly that they are clearly false and so provide no…
Read MoreWhy has God left me alive after my sexual abuse?
Question: Hi, I was sexually abused by a man in a church. I went down the road of homosexuality, I asked the Lord into my heart at the age of 23. But many times I fell into sin. I am concerned as I don’t hear the Holy Spirit anymore. From what I have read in the…
Read MoreEven after being baptized, my sister refused to leave her lesbian relationship
Question: Good afternoon, I need help. My sister in Christ was baptized. She has started a relationship with another woman. I’ve taken her over to Leviticus chapter 18 and studied with her about this. But she refuses to end the relationship. She’s married to this woman and needs a place to stay. I’ve prayed about…
Read MoreWhy Does God Delay?
by Matthew W. Bassford At some point in their lives, all Christians have to deal with the disappointment and frustration of God not answering their prayers on their timetable. They want something that is godly and good, they pray for it, and. . . nothing. Photo by Agê Barros on Unsplash When we are wrestling…
Read MoreTwo Ways to Keep Members Faithful
by Bill Hall There are two ways to keep members of the church “faithful.” The first way is to be sure everyone is involved. Have a project for each member, and make sure that he feels important in his role. Praise him for the good job he is doing. Make him feel needed; make him…
Read MoreRejoicing in an Evil Report
by Matthew W. Bassford The other day, a Facebook friend of mine posted the following quotation from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, something she apparently does annually. “Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite…
Read MoreOur Allegiance
by Doy Moyer Arrogance and haughtiness do not appeal to God’s people. Rather, humility and love do, for this is what characterizes our Lord; this is the way of the cross. We must not applaud the conceit and selfish ambition of those in powerful positions lest we find ourselves bowing to the idols that are…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “Thou shalt not revile the gods”?
Question: Exodus 22:28 in the King James Version states we are not to revile the gods. Some explain it meaning governors while some translations state “do not revile God.” What is the true history of this verse? Thank you. Answer: The word in question is elohim in the Hebrew. This word is typically translated “God,” but…
Read MoreDoes prophecy continue because Revelation was written after I Corinthians?
Question: Hi Jeff, I hope you have been doing well. Recently I’ve been particularly confused about visions or prophetic dreams. I’ve been hearing a lot about people claiming to have had ‘visions’ or dreams of the Rapture or coming day of Judgement, and many of them, in particular, have been recent. The most notable one…
Read MoreWould it be right to marry a man who had committed adultery but was forgiven?
Question: Good afternoon! I am reaching out because I have been combing through the collection of divorce articles on your website and believe you have an extensive biblical understanding of the subject. I hope that you can offer some clarity on a certain situation that I am receiving conflicting counsel about. I am seeing a…
Read MoreDo You Enjoy Being a Christian (Philippians 1)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Do-You-Enjoy-Being-a-Christian-Philippians-1.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreObedience
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Obedience.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCan Psalms 37:28 be used to prove the perseverance of the saints?
Question: Does Psalms 37:28 teach perseverance of the saints and once saved, always saved? (Psalms 37:28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.) The preserved forever part. Answer: “I have been young and now I am old,…
Read MoreHow do I keep my family from dividing over my choice of a girlfriend?
Question: Good evening sir, I need advice. I’m dating my brother’s ex-girlfriend. They dated for almost five years. It ended when my brother got another girl pregnant and he eventually ended up marrying the other girl. Five years after the breakup, I developed feelings for her, and when I told her, she told me that…
Read MoreI need advice about living with my girlfriend
Question: Good day sir, I read through the advice you gave a lady on your site and I was enlightened with your answers. Please sir, I also need your help in this area. I am a guy staying with my girlfriend. The problem is that we have set rules to guide us for the period…
Read MoreI liked your old format better
Question: Just to let you know I don’t care for your new format. I loved the old one. Is there any way to use that old data? Thank you for all the years I’ve used your site. Answer: It is nice to know that you liked the original design since I hand created it for…
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