Is it a sin not to point out another person’s sin?
Question: I’m 17 years old and the only biblical-based Christian in my family at the moment. Hopefully, that will change soon. I know the Bible says that we must warn people of their wickedness or their blood will be on our hands ( Ezekiel 3:18-19). But must we point out obvious sin to a family…
Read MoreDo I have to keep vows that I make because of my compulsive disorder?
Question: Hi, I would first like to mention that I often struggle with compulsive or intrusive thoughts. An issue that I’ve particularly been dealing with is a compulsion to condemn myself by making “deals” with God. These thoughts would often range from “If I do (random activity), then God please to that”. Recently I was…
Read MoreMy husband doesn’t want me to confess all my sins to him
Question: I had multiple affairs with an ex-boyfriend over several years. My husband found out about the first one. I lied to him but continued to commit adultery. I came to the Lord in repentance and I was baptized for the remission of my sins. I confessed my adultery to my husband but in heat…
Read MoreDoes God Create Sinners?
by Jerral Kay Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash Catholics and Protestants teach that God creates sinners. They say that all babies are born totally depraved, wicked from birth. The Bible does not teach this. Jesus was born totally human, coming from a sinful mother, and according to their doctrine, all humans inherit sin from…
Read MoreThe Wonder of Sight
by Whit Sasser God’s design of sight is such a wonder of the human body and our eyes in particular. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both (Proverbs 20:12). Charles Darwin struggled with the problem of an organ so complex as the eye evolving via naturalistic processes. In The…
Read MoreSeek the Welfare of the City
by Doy Moyer God’s people had been sent into exile because of their failure to keep the covenant. While in Babylonian exile, what should have been the attitude of the exiles generally? Jeremiah sent a letter to those in exile: “to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all…
Read MoreDon’t Pile on Trouble
by Terry Wane Benton Sufficient for today is its own trouble (Matthew 6:34). Deal one day at a time. Don’t fill your day with more than is necessary. Trying to carry worries about today and tomorrow is too much stress for today. Deal with one day at a time. One foot in front of the other,…
Read MoreLord, Lord
by Matthew W. Bassford There are many pointed questions in Scripture, but perhaps the most pointed of them all appears in Luke 6:46. Here, Jesus exposes the great contradiction of (self-described) Christianity—the millions upon millions of people who call Jesus Lord but don’t do what He says to do. It is as though they see…
Read MoreFear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 6:8-23 I. The prevalence of fear A. Watch a horror movie 1. The scenes start out idyllic. But in the background there are hints that something isn’t quite right. 2. The music builds with intensity. You know something is about to happen, but not what or when 3. Your heart races…
Read MoreI used your information on hymns. Thanks!
Question: Hello, I was writing an invitation for a Wednesday night service. I was looking up a hymnist and wanted to see if he might be a member of the church. I still don’t know, but I found your writings on lyricists and hymnists in the Lord’s church. I will no doubt go back later and reread…
Read MoreIsn’t Joseph the father of Jesus in Luke 3?
Question: Sir, Regarding your article about David being the father of Jesus. ( the human father, of course.) You say that Mary, in the genealogy in Luke 3, is linked to David, but that is not so. Joseph is linked to David in both Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Or am I missing something? Joseph…
Read MoreI feel like I’m supposed to marry this guy, but I don’t want to
Question: Hello. I am a girl who has been having anxieties and no freedom in my mind. There is a guy at church who I don’t want to marry, but it seems like he likes me and I don’t. I am not attracted to him at all. It’s been a battle in me where I…
Read MoreDo we break up after committing fornication?
Question: Dear sir, I want to say a very big Thank You, for creating this platform to express our minds. I have a little problem, and I need your advice, sir. I am from a Christian home. I know the importance of Christian doctrine, and I tried as much as possible to live by this…
Read MoreCan the Lord’s Supper be taken by yourself?
Question: Hello, I have a question: Since many church services are canceled due to COVID‐19, I’ve been thinking about a relevant question: When church services are canceled, can a Christian partake of the Lord’s Supper by himself? My answer has been “No” because we “come together” to do it (1 Cor. 11:33; Acts 20:7). This…
Read MoreThe Setting for the Lord’s Supper
by Gary P. Eubanks A Practical and Critical Question If a Christian is too sick to attend the Sunday assemblies of a church but is not too sick to eat the Lord’s Supper at home, may, or should, he do so? It is difficult to imagine a more realistic question or even one more critical…
Read MoreWas John’s baptism able to save people?
Question: Good morning sir, I have been reading about the baptism of John and how he came to make a way for Jesus to come to be accepted, but I am confused about whether his baptism was able to save people before Jesus’ baptism in Acts 2:38. If someone baptized by John died before Jesus’…
Read MoreWhen Hard Times Come
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/When-Hard-Times-Come.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 1:12-14 I. Life often goes in different in directions from what we expect. A. It had long been Paul’s desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel – Acts 19:21 B. It seemed though that something always came up which kept him from reaching his goal – Romans 1:13…
Read MoreYour information is appreciated and is very clear
Question: Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your information is very appreciated and is clear, especially during this time. I am on an island in the West Indies. May God’s mercy and His compassion be with this church. We serve the I AM, the God of Moses, the God of Jacob, and…
Read MoreWhy are David’s children mentioned before they were born in II Samuel?
Question: The account of David and Bathsheba’s affair was outlined in II Samuel 11. So how could II Samuel 5:18 list their second son, Solomon, way before the affair had taken place? Is the book out of sequence? Answer: II Samuel, like many books in the Bible, is a historical account. This does not mean…
Read MoreHow can anyone be saved if he keeps on sinning?
Question: I read messages on your website about a man saying he wanted to be saved but kept falling into sin. How can anybody be saved if a person keeps on sinning? Answer: They can’t while they remain in sin, but no one needs to continue to sin. “My little children, I am writing these…
Read MoreIs Satan behind mental illnesses?
Questions: Hello, I was flipping through the pages of a small book filled with handwritten verses loved ones made for me when I was in the psychiatric hospital. I still read through it from time to time, and tonight I found a small piece of paper tucked in a hard-to-notice spot. It’s in my mom’s…
Read MoreWorshiping during the Coronavirus-19 Pandemic
Question: Brethren, I really appreciate the wealth of information contained on your website and it has been very helpful and insightful. I do have a current concern with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been a few articles in your archive where some have inquired about proper worship as individuals as opposed to…
Read MoreCan I marry my brother’s ex-girlfriend?
Question: Dear sir, I must commend you for the wonderful work you are doing in assisting people with important answers using the Bible. I have a girlfriend whom I love so much and I plan to marry. The problem I have is that she and my younger brother once dated and had oral sex before…
Read MoreJohn and Witnesses
by Matthew W. Bassford Most Christians probably appreciate the significance of Habakkuk 2:4 (“The righteous one will live by his faith.”) to understanding the New Testament, but the significance of Deuteronomy 19:15 often escapes us. It reads, “One witness cannot establish any iniquity or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact…
Read MoreIn the Almighty’s Shadow
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/In-the-Almightys-Shadow.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 91 I. Where do you go when things get difficult? A. It isn’t that a Christian’s life is free from troubles 1. Jesus warned of persecution – Matthew 5:10-12 2. There will be division in families – Matthew 10:34-36 3. There will be trials to bear up under – James 1:2-4 II. Safety…
Read MoreDoes Colossians 2:16 prove that drinking alcohol is permitted?
Question: The church of Christ uses Colossians 2:16 to teach against Sabbath-keeping and dietary laws. But the same verse says to not let anyone judge us regarding what we drink as well. This New Testament verse proves the drinking of alcohol is not a sin. Answer: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the…
Read MoreAttendance is not commanded!
Question: Hello, I am a minister and teacher of Christ Jesus. A Christian brother brought to my attention your teaching about attending church and Bible study, so I could comment on it. It is on your page titled “Are you telling me I won’t make it to heaven because I have to work?” I also reviewed…
Read MoreI can’t accept God’s forgiveness
Question: Can God forgive me for my past sins of fornication? Can I meet a godly man to marry regardless of my past sins? Answer: Why do you think your own personal sins are so special or severe that the Almighty God is unable to forgive you? God is able to forgive all sins that…
Read MoreThank you for providing this resource
Question: I wish to thank you and all there who have provided such a wonderful resource for study and, yes, for teaching God’s word. God bless you and keep you. Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreIf an elder commits adultery, does that disqualify him?
Question: Hi brother, Regarding the article Does divorce disqualify a man from being an elder? If an elder commits adultery, does this disqualify him? It appears, after considering the tenor of the whole of Scripture, that he needs to resign. His opinion is meaningless now. Based on the issue in total, he needs to be…
Read MoreDid God curse us for having sex before marriage?
Question: Hi, I have a question, I had a girlfriend before marriage and we had sex. I married the same girl with whom I had sex. Will it be considered as fornication, adultery, or sin in God’s eyes? I and my wife know we both are guilty of what happened before marriage. We agree that…
Read MoreGod, Our Stronghold
by Matthew W. Bassford Never in my lifetime have I seen an event have as significant effect on daily life as the coronavirus epidemic. I remember the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9-11, but in both cases, it was business as usual almost everywhere. Not so with the coronavirus! Indeed, it even has affected…
Read MoreIs it Wrong for Churches to Cancel Services?
by Ken Weliever via The Preacher’s Word This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue. “Well, there are two ways to look at it,” he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the…
Read MoreA Worker for the Lord
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/A-Worker-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 10:16-25 I. God has not promised His children a life of ease. A. Christ warned his disciples that if men are willing to call him “Beelzebub” then we shouldn’t be surprised when they turn against us. B. Christianity is not easy because of the rejection we must face. It is…
Read MoreHow could Paul be under a Nazirite vow since he shaved his head?
Question: Hi, You had mentioned in your answer to the question as to why Paul shaved his head in Cenchrea recorded in Acts 18:18, that it was because of the Nazarite Vow (Numbers 6:2-21)? The Nazarite Vow does require that “no razor touch your head” (Numbers 6:5). How do you explain this? Thanks Answer: “All…
Read MoreWhat if there are no men at worship services?
Question: I write to ask if it is wrong for sisters to share communion among themselves when there is no brother around. Answer: The Pharisees came to Jesus, upset that his disciples were not following the traditional handwashing rituals prior to eating. But Jesus asked them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God…
Read MoreRestoration
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Restoration.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. Restoration of Purpose, Zeal, and Love John 21:1-9 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in, Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His…
Read MoreFighting Sinking when We Are Hit by Sorrow upon Sorrow
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Fighting-Sinking-when-We-Are-Hit-by-Sorrow-upon-Sorrow.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Being Hit By Sorrow Matthew 14:10-12 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head…
Read MoreKeep up the good work
Question: I have been spending a lot of time listening to your sermons. Thank you for standing for the truth and preaching the truth. It is good to hear the word preached when living in a culture that proclaims they know it all when in fact they know nothing at all. I too am a…
Read MoreThe Church Is Still the Church
by Doy Moyer “Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory” (Psalms 63:2). David wrote that while on the run in the wilderness. While the temple had not been built, David would have thought of the tabernacle and perhaps imagined what a future temple would look like. Thinking…
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