How do I help my son, whose wife is dying of MND?

Question: Dear Sir, I am a member of the church of Christ.  My son’s wife is dying of a motor neuron disease (MND). They still do their Bible studies and go to church as often as possible. What can I say or do to help him through all this? He says he just hopes that…

Read More

Did Jesus drink wine at parties?

Question: Brother Hamilton, I have a brother in Christ who keeps trying to get me to believe that Jesus turned the water into alcoholic wine. He keeps trying to suggest that it’s not a sin to drink, but it’s a sin to get drunk, which is why Jesus turned that water into alcoholic wine. The…

Read More

Can an unmarried adulterer marry someone else?

Question: Good day sir, I previously had sex with a married woman. I myself am not married but have found someone whom I sincerely love and would like to propose marriage to her someday. She does not know of my fornication as it happened some time ago before our relationship. My girlfriend and I are…

Read More

Am I to Blame for a Wayward Child?

by W. Frank Walton Introduction One of the most heartbreaking parts of life is for a parent to lose a child to the world (II Samuel 18:33). Guilt probes the sensitive conscience of a loving parent, “Am I to blame?” The Bible clearly teaches a balance of parental duty to influence a child (Proverbs 23:26),…

Read More

Is it true that I can’t marry the woman I committed adultery with?

Question: Hello, I don’t know if you’re still doing answers to questions, but I notice that you have answered a great many questions on your website, and I would like to ask one of my own. I am in a difficult situation and hoping for Christian guidance. I am an expatriate in my thirties living…

Read More

Sometimes There’s No Applause

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 17:7-10   I.         What do you do when no one pats you on the back?             A.        You work hard, yet no one seems to notice your effort.             B.        Why clean when you know the kids are just going to make a mess of it in a short while?             C.        Why give that extra…

Read More

My wife is afraid to have children

Question: I would like your advice on this matter, please. My wife and I have been together for nearly ten years and married for almost five years. When we were dating, she said she never wanted kids unless it is with the right man. So apparently I was her right man and she wanted to…

Read More

Using Love as an Excuse

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/UsingLoveAsAnExcuse.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 13:4-7   I.         Love is a wonderful attitude             A.        God is love and we should imitate our Father – I John 4:16             B.        But people pervert what love ought to be and use a claim of “love” as a cover for permitting sin II.        Love as an excuse to do wrong…

Read More

Actions and Reactions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ActionsAndReactions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 6:20-36   I.         How should you act? How should you react?             A.        We live in a “me first” age. People demand their rights. They seek to get even when wronged.             B.        But let me tell you about a radical view of life II.        Actions – Luke 6:27-28             A.        Love your enemies                         1.         The root…

Read More

How Should Christians Regard the Sabbath?

by Ken Weliever via The Preacher’s Word The fourth commandment simply says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:7). First of all, it’s important to remember the regulations, restrictions as well as the basis of the Sabbath. The text provides some insight. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,…

Read More

These Are Our Times

by Doy Moyer Abusive. Heartless. Brutal. Slanderous. Reckless (read II Timothy 3:1-5). These are our times. These are times in which people will brutally kill a child in the womb, then slander and curse those who would oppose it. These are times in which people will be reckless in behavior, crude toward those who differ,…

Read More

Wrongfully My Enemies

by Terry Wane Benton Ever had people who seemed to hate you for no good reason? They made up their mind that they did not like you, but that was not enough. They worked behind your back to undermine you and sought to get rid of you or ruin you. David would say “welcome to…

Read More

Would your church be a good fit?

Question: I have friends who are soon to be married. Both are leaving their church to find one together. Both very much need a Bible preaching church and also a church that allows the Holy Spirit to move. Would this be a good fit? One coming from a conservative church and one comes from a…

Read More

Cafeteria-Style Religion

by Ethan R. Longhenry An investigation of the local bookstore or magazine rack or a quick search on the Internet shows how Americans today are very interested in “spirituality.” Plenty of books abound across the whole spectrum — “Christian inspiration,” “New Age,” and many books describing elements of Eastern religions. These trends were recently documented…

Read More

How do we worship with an autistic child?

Question: Hello. I wrote to you about 5 or 6 years ago for some advice on how to help my severely autistic son during worship. Today, he is 8 years old, and going to worship never got easier. However, it got extremely hard, to the point where going was nothing but a major distraction and…

Read More

The Need for Foundations

by Jefferson David Tant In news reports from Atlanta, Georgia, there have been pictures of a service station/convenience store that is collapsing. What is the problem? There is a large water conduit running under the property, and evidently, a huge leak has formed, perhaps even a collapse of some sort. This has caused the collapse…

Read More

The Ignorance of the World Around Me

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IgnoranceOfTheWorldAroundMe.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 14:4-13   I.         I started to drive home the other night and the radio happened to be tuned to the show of a commentator whom I really can’t stand. He has a nasally, whiny voice that gets on my nerves, but the irritation is nothing compared to his views.…

Read More

Distinguishing Faith and Feelings

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DistinguishingFaithAndFeelings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 11:1-6   I.          Many in the denominational world are told that faith is this feeling you have inside that you are doing what is right.              A.         Mormons in selling Mormonism will ask you to pray and that the Holy Spirit will give you a feeling inside regarding whether what they…

Read More

“Mite” God Be Our Creator?

by Larry Hafley Leucania Moth (False Wainscot Moth) Tiny mites infect and inhabit the ear of the Leucania moth. Yes, I said, “the ear,” singular. In whichever ear the mites first locate, the other is left free. Hence, if the left ear of the moth is infested by mites, the right ear will remain clear…

Read More

Is it biblical to have a board of trustees?

Question: Is it biblical to have a board of trustees? Answer: Governments exist by the authority of God (Romans 13:1-2). So long as the demands of a government do not violate the laws of God, there is every reason for Christians to be obedient to the government under which they exist. When a congregation owns…

Read More

Christ Did Not Send Me to Baptize

by Terry Wane Benton What did Paul mean by this statement in I Corinthians 1:17? Preaching the gospel is what leads to people being baptized (Mark 16:15-16). You could read the whole Old Testament, including the Law of Moses, and it will not command you to be baptized. Only the gospel will lead people to…

Read More

Good Intentions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Good-Intentions.mp3 by Garry Floyd

Read More

I’m so lonely that I look at pornography at times

Question: Hi! You have a great site. I’ve used it many times over the years, and I’ve listened to the sermons. Two questions: I have a problem. I don’t feel lust, but I end up looking at women on sites — usually those with clothes on. I think it comes from loneliness and wanting to…

Read More

Is II Samuel 7:11-14 talking about Christ or Solomon?

Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I’m having issues understanding II Samuel 7:14. Clearly, it is a reference to Jesus and the kingdom of God, but who is God talking about committing iniquity in this passage? Answer: “The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. When your days are complete…

Read More

If I had the money, I would pay the lobola

Question: Morning minister of God, I have been dating a girl from church for over five years. When it started, we agreed not to do anything that would separate us from God. We managed for several months, but before we knew it, we were sleeping together. This actually ruined our relationship with God because I cannot…

Read More

Can the role of women change?

Question: I hear that women roles are changing within the group of churches as a whole. What are the roles women are permitted to do? In my congregation women now talk and teach, they read scripture, and pass communion trays. On the web, they are saying that women may do everything aside from preaching and…

Read More

Did God or Christ lead Israel?

Question: Hi Mr. Jeffrey, I was reading this article: Immorality: The Forbidden Territory, and found this statement: “The Israelites even had Christ on their side! How often do we quote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)? The Israelites’ access to Christ did not allow most of them to reach…

Read More

Gathering Together

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/06/GatheringTogether.mp3 I.         When we talk of worshiping God, one aspect of that worship is our gathering together             A.        Psalm 122:1                         1.         Is this your attitude, or do you feel dragged here?                         2.         To worship God requires assembling with fellow Christians             B.        Hebrews 10:19-27                         1.         The writer of Hebrews discusses the conversion of a man                         2.         Jesus consecrated a new and living way…

Read More

Is it wrong for guys to wear leggings?

Question: The question I have may seem different, but I need some guidance. I wear leggings as a guy. They are comfortable, and I cover with a long tee when I wear them. It may be odd, but would it be considered sin l? I do not feel shameful about it. Nothing bad is showing.…

Read More

Did the kingdom exist before Jesus’ death?

Question: Brother Hamilton, We know from the information the kingdom/church was established in Jerusalem on Pentecost. We can also see the numerous passages speaking of the kingdom being “at hand.” Even just before the cross, on the cross with the thief, and after the cross, we see several comments intimating that the kingdom is still…

Read More

What does covering sin mean?

Question: Hi, This may be a silly question, but I just want clarification on the difference between having a multitude of sins covered and hidden. What is the difference between “charity covering a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8) and “converting a sinner and having a multitude of sins hidden” (James 5:20). Answer: The King…

Read More

Questions About Bible Classes

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/QuestionsAboutBibleClass.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:1-8   I.         It is apparent to me that Christians as a whole do not understand the purpose of Bible classes.             A.        It is not just locally because I have receive similar questions from Christians in other areas.             B.        I think it would be beneficial for all of us to examine…

Read More

The Bible and the Poverty Problem

by Matthew W. Bassford In 2003, social scientists Isabell Sawhill and Ron Haskins noticed three striking differences between poor people in America and the nonpoor. First, poor people generally hadn’t completed high school; the nonpoor had. Second, nonpoor people kept a steady job; poor people didn’t. Third, nonpoor people got married before having children; poor people…

Read More