I fear to teach others because I might be exposed as a hypocrite
Question: I have this friend I used to like. He is going through a rough time. I want to reach out to him, but I don’t approve of his current lifestyle, hence I hesitate. I don’t want him to think I like what he does. What should I do? One of the reasons I don’t…
Read MoreIt had to have been a miracle to cause the Corinthians to change
Question: I’m finding a hard time believing that the people of Corinth actually repented, as you call it. I believe so many of them most have been probably struggling with sin because if you read I Corinthians 6:11, it says they were washed, sanctified and justified all in the name of Jesus, and that applies…
Read MoreIs it right not to give to the church because you gave it to the poor?
Question: Hello, Please help me answer this question: A friend of mine told me that as he was going to church yesterday he met someone who was sick, and he gave all that he has on him that day to the sick person. Instead of using that money to give to the church, he gave…
Read MoreYou have made me a better person
Question: Beloved, Thank you for these sermons. I have enough materials to study, and I speak with so much authority in church nowadays. Today, I treated Satan as a topic. There were brethren who for ages had not heard anything on it. It was shocking to learn that we talk about him so much without…
Read MoreMeekness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Meekness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 4:1-10 I. One aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is meekness – Galatians 5:22-23 A. Few view meekness as a desirable trait 1. Instead, people take assertiveness training 2. We are conditioned to be aggressive, to watch out for our own interests. B. Rudeness is in, consideration for others seems to…
Read MoreI use your site when my preacher isn’t available
Question: I am a member of the church seeking Biblical answers to questions. My local preacher is most helpful, but at 5 am or 10 pm, when questions seek answers, your site is most helpful with clear and concise articles. Thank you Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreDid God divorce all of Israel or only the northern tribes?
Question: In Jeremiah 3:8, who did God divorce? Was it the House of Israel (ten northern tribes) only or all twelve tribes? Thank you. Answer: “Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every…
Read MoreShould I date someone who might have been married before?
Question: Hi, I’m a Christian and in my late twenties. There is this young woman at my workplace whom I am really interested in. I don’t know her too well, but I do know that she is very sweet and that she claims to be a Christian. The problem is that I think that she…
Read MoreWho is the bird of prey in Isaiah 46:11?
Question: Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:11) Can you tell me who the “bird of prey” and “the man who executes My counsel” here is?…
Read MoreWas Satan Created?
by Doy Moyer Years ago I was asked to teach a class on I Timothy 6 for a congregation that I was visiting. We read of Jesus Christ, “the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see” (I…
Read MoreIs God punishing me for not following His plan?
Question: There is a longer version of the story behind this question, but for now, I will give you the short and sweet version. Several years ago, God gave me an opportunity that I believe was His intended plan for my life. However, I ended up not taking it because I was struggling with false…
Read MoreShould I attend a birthday party where people involved in sin will be?
Question: What would you do if going to a family birthday with people you love a lot meant you would be around a gay couple? Half of our family are not Christians and will say we are too judgmental. Answer: “Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold,…
Read MoreWhere Do You Want the Lord to Find You?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Where-Do-You-Want-To-The-Lord-To-Find-You.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreBeing Holy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BeingHoly.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy are people who want a personal relationship with Jesus against religion?
Question: I hear many folks, seemingly of the denominational world, speak of having a “personal relationship” with Jesus or God. They tend to pit this against religion as if they take offense to the notion of religion. Can you speak to the “personal relationship” idea as I can’t seem to fully understand what the attempt…
Read MoreAre all remarried people adulterers?
Question: In the New Testament, we can make this general observation: When porneia is use independently, it refers to all immoral sexual acts. When it is used in a list with moicheia (the Greek word for “adultery”), it takes on a narrower definition of immoral sexual acts before marriage and moicheia refers to immoral sexual…
Read MoreDid Bathsheba tempt David?
Question: Just a quick question, I’m curious as to what your thoughts are. Do you believe that Bathsheba had some scheme in mind or was just as guilty as David was by bathing where she could be seen? After all, she was on her own property and perhaps, did not realize that someone would be watching…
Read MoreHow can I move on without any regrets?
Question: Hi, I am a 22-year-old girl. I did a horrible thing in my life. I got back with my boyfriend I have once dated a long time back. Everything was going well until he started asking for sex. l tried to talk to him about not having sex before marriage, but he didn’t listen…
Read MoreHow do I address hoarding with a Christian?
Question: My question is: What scriptural references can I use to address a shopping addiction and hoarding in a Christian? We have addressed the issue with my mother but with no progress so I want to make sure we aren’t missing anything scriptural when attempting to address all of the issues that stem from it…
Read MoreHow could God allow the Gibeonites to kill seven of Saul’s sons?
Question: In II Samuel 21, it speaks of how David spared seven of Saul’s descendants for the Gibeonites to kill, and afterward, God answered prayers. That just doesn’t make sense. Did God justify that once upon a time? Answer: “Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year;…
Read MoreI put a lot of pressure on myself
Question: I put a lot of pressure on myself to do things right. I sometimes think of rules that sound plausible, and because they sound plausible I follow them. As an example the “Bible says to be responsible with money, so you can’t buy anything that’s unnecessary.” This causes a lot of anxiety and makes…
Read MoreFeeding the Poor
by Edwin Crozier Where in the Bible did Jesus feed the poor? My only goal is to provoke some intense thinking and searching. I’ll just say at the outset that I know my point here is going to make me an outlier. I know I’m cutting against the grain and swimming upstream, and any other…
Read MoreGod doesn’t want me
Question: Hello, I had romantic feelings for a woman who goes to the same church as I do. She used to work where I do and I talked to her every day. But then she got fired and she moved away for several months. Recently, she moved back. I wrote her a letter expressing…
Read MoreAre there really not that many homosexuals?
Source: Justin McCarthy, “Americans Still Greatly Overestimate U.S. Gay Population”, 27 June 2019. A poll in 2017 found 4.5% of the United States population identifies itself as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. But notice that this lumps a lot of people together with different sexual practices. Source: Statista Research Department, “U.S. Homosexuality – Statistics & Facts”, 9…
Read More180 Day Bible Reading Schedule
Start Date: Finish Date: Total Number of Days: All readings should be completed in one sitting. In order to obtain the maximum benefit from your efforts, read out loud and read every day. Day 1: Genesis 1:1-6:8 Day 2: Genesis 6:9-11:26 Day 3: Genesis 11:27-19:38 Day 4: Genesis 20:1-25:11 Day 5: Genesis 25:12-30:43 Day 6:…
Read MoreIt’s Not How You Feel
by Aubrey Belue Does it “feel good?” Does it feel “right?” If so, today’s culture says, “go for it!” Thus, we make “right” what our feelings say it is, rather than what it really is. Somehow, we have reached the point in contemporary reasoning that most say that one can pursue his individual dream without…
Read MoreA Good Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SettingAGoodSample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 35:1-19 I. People learn in a variety ways. Some ways make a bigger impression on a person than others. A. People don’t learn how to be a Christian just from reading or listening to the Bible, though that is a major method. B. Preachers must understand that people also learn…
Read MoreWhy Were They Baptized so Soon?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Why-Were-They-Baptized-so-Soon.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 16:25-33 I. When you read through the book of Acts, an odd fact seems to stand out — everyone is in a big hurry to be baptized. A. They don’t wait for another meal, or sleep on the idea, or wait for another day to go by. B. Those who…
Read MoreYou are totally wrong about the cessation of the spiritual gifts
Question: Hi, I already read so many of your articles and Q&A sections dealing with the cessation of gifts. I have to say, you are totally wrong. One mistake is not referring to this verse: “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 1:7).…
Read MoreYour information on Matthew 27:63 helped me understand better
Question: Hi, I was doing my daily reading this morning and became a little angry at Matthew 27:63, where the Pharisees called Jesus an “imposter.” Continuing the reading, the sentence said, “This last deception will be worse than the first.” This got me wondering: what did the chief priests and Pharisees mean by “the first”.…
Read MoreKicking Against the Goads
by Whit Sasser A goad is an animal prod — a stick that is jabbed into the hind section of, say a plowing ox, to stimulate better forward movement. Almost instinctively, the animal may be aggravated by the prodding goad and kick against it. People can be the same way. In a figurative sense, people…
Read MoreFinding Our Purpose from the Past
Old Testament Images of New Covenant People November 3-7, 2019 presented by Andy Cantrell of Champlin, Minnesota Click on the lesson titles to listen to each message. Opened Eyes and Burning Hearts Born Again by the Word of God A Covenant Like David’s David, Peter, and Me Abigail’s Shadow Children of Light in the Armor…
Read MoreHow does God view switching congregations?
Question: Good morning, Mr. Jeffrey! My husband and I have decided to switch our church membership to another local body of believers. God says that He places each member how He sees fit (I Corinthians 12:18), but I cannot find a biblical reference to how God moves people to different churches after they joined their…
Read MoreBaptisms of the New Testament
Baptisms of the New TestamentBaptisms of the New Testament – Part 2Baptisms of the New Testament – Part 3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. How is it that Paul talks of one baptism in Ephesians 4:5 when the New Testament speaks of more than one? A. Baptism means immersion 1. You can have different…
Read MoreDoes Colossians 3:2 teach that it is a sin to think about sin?
Question: Is it a sin to think about sin? I read your article about this subject but what about Colossians 3:2? Does it say that it’s a sin to think about sin? Answer: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand…
Read MoreRock Throwers from Way Back
by Warren Berkley If you watched the classic Andy Griffith TV Show, you remember Barney, Thelma Lou, Opie, and Goober. How about Earnest T. Bass? He appeared on several episodes, always in trouble for throwing rocks or bricks. “Bless his heart,” Andy once said, “he’s so ignorant, all he knows to do is throw rocks.”…
Read MoreAbout Church Socials
by Leslie Diestelkamp Two questions have been asked: (1) Why doesn’t the church have more socials? and (2) Why can’t we have parties in the basement of the church building? The New Testament authorizes every act and activity of the church. It provides us with all that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3).…
Read MoreDoes God have a say in whom we choose as a spouse?
Question: I have a question concerning finding a wife (or husband for the woman). Does God have any say in whom we choose as our wife? Does God help us in any way such as leading us to a particular woman as if it was destined? Or does God bring us to a particular woman…
Read MoreSince baptism is like circumcision, then isn’t it unnecessary?
Question: I would like to know, is it really important for a grown person to be baptized? If you feel like you are renewing your inner spirit man and reading the Bible and spending alone time with God, then isn’t that enough? It’s the same as what Paul describes circumcision and uncircumcision. Why is it…
Read MoreDoes God select our true names?
Question: I have been reading through your website and I find a lot of answers to my questions. I have also shared the link to it in our group. I thank God, first of all for the wisdom He’s given you. Thank you for your time using it. I really appreciate it. Please let me know…
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