What is Worship?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WhatIsWorship.mp3 Text: John 4:19-24 I. I was asked recently to address a question of what constitutes worship A. Defining terms, such as worship, is interesting because there is a tendency in the religious world towards vagueness. 1. Pentecostal beliefs emphasize the emotional experience (the spirit). Worship is not real unless you can feel it and, on the…
Read MoreHow do we know Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are speaking about congregational worship?
Question: How do we know that Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19, in regards to singing, are dealing with a congregational worship assembly? Answer: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand…
Read MoreOpposition to Teaching Christianity
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In February 2019 Barna Group released the results of a poll which they titled, “Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong.” They divided their survey group into Millennials, GenX, Boomers, and Elders. Almost all surveyed agreed with the statements: “Part of my faith means being a witness about…
Read MoreWas the ending of the Law and salvation of the Gentiles taught before Paul?
Question: Before Acts 9 can you give me scriptures that shows the twelve apostles teaching that we are not under the law, there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, and that we are saved by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Christ only for salvation? I can’t find it prior to…
Read MoreWas Paul given a different dispensation from the other apostles?
Question: Please, was Paul given a different dispensation from the other apostles? Answer: The word “dispensation” means either a system of rules in place at a particular time or to be exempt from a system of rules. Thus, your question really is whether Paul taught a different gospel from the rest of the apostles. Such…
Read MoreCan a Christian use the court system?
Question: Is it right for a Christian to take another Christian or non-Christian to court? If yes, please, why? Thanks. Answer: “Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints…
Read MoreHypocrites
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hypocrites.mp3 Text: James 3:13-18 I. How often I have been told, “I don’t like going to services. I know that so many of the people there are just hypocrites. They say one thing, but they don’t live it.” A. It is true. In religion, hypocrisy is a major problem. B. But before we can solve the problem, we…
Read MoreThe family doesn’t want the brethren involved in a sister’s funeral. What should we do?
Question: Good day, We had a sister in Christ who passed on. She was the mother and the only faithful Christian in her family. Her eldest son has strayed away from his promise to God. We tried to win him back but with no success. Now that his mother has passed on, he does not…
Read MoreWhen is a couple married?
Question: Hello, I found your website full of helpful questions. My question is when does God consider a couple married? Can a couple just promise to be faithful to each other before God and consider themselves to be husband and wife? My fear is that when I was with my ex-girlfriend, I got carried away…
Read MoreMen of Honor
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MenOfHonor.mp3 Text: Philippians 2:14-18 I. It was not long ago that people admired men of integrity. People whom you could count on to act honestly, even if it was to their disadvantage. A. In 1999, a prisoner escaped and the papers were tracking his movements through the state. He had robbed people, killed policemen, and still…
Read MoreDid God change His mind about sexual sins?
Question: Did God change? How is it that God that was so quiet about fornication, adultery, and polygamy in the Old Testament and then suddenly changed in the New Testament? Answer: It is in the Old Testament that we learn that a man is to leave his family, get married, and become one flesh with…
Read MoreHow to Become a Christian
by W. Frank Walton “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (II Corinthians 5:17). The Bible says salvation from sin is only in Christ (Acts 4:12). The most important commitment you’ll ever make is deciding to become a true Christian. What “steps”…
Read MoreWill you explain Exodus 32:30 to me?
Question: Will you explain Exodus 32:30 to me? Answer: “On the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin”” (Exodus 32:30). Israel had broken the first two commandments God had given them (Exodus 20:3-4)…
Read MoreWhy is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible?
Question: Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible? (Luke 16:16) Answer: “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it” (Luke 16:16). “From the days of John the Baptist until…
Read MoreElders as Shepherds
by Charles Brackett A shepherd is literally one who feeds. He is a pastor. In Bible times, the typical shepherd tended his own flock or delegated the work to his children or close relatives. By virtue of ownership, he was highly motivated to the work. No sacrifice was too great for his sheep. He sheltered…
Read MoreDo we experience God in a present way or only in the past tense?
Question: Good day, Is the church not to experience God in a “present way,” or does it only need to be in a past tense manner through the Bible? Thanks. Answer: I had difficulty with your question because it was worded vaguely. The meaning changes depending on how you define the terms. God is ever…
Read MoreNow Concerning Spiritual Gifts
by Ron Drumm It would be wonderful to have a spiritual gift like the ability to do miracles or the ability to speak in tongues. There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in the New Testament. They are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits,…
Read MoreHow can I be a better servant?
Question: I was reading Mark 9 and I came across the passage where Jesus says that the one who wishes to be great in the kingdom of heaven must make himself a servant and I wanted to know how I could go about being a better servant. Because I’m homeschooled I don’t get out of…
Read MoreIs having a baby dedicated wrong?
Question: I have found on your site when searching that several have asked this question, but I can’t find an answer to this question. A friend, who is a Nazarene, is having their baby dedicated. Is this wrong? Thanks. Answer: In the Nazarene Church, a dedication ritual a vow that parents take that they will…
Read MoreFree Agents
by Ray Baker One of the many things the Scriptures teach with all surety is the free moral agency of men. The Lord did not create robots when He made us, nor did He fashion ‘puppets on a string.’ He made us creatures of choice, and His desire is that our hearts will choose to…
Read MoreWhy did Paul refer to the saints and faithful brethren in Colossians 1:2?
Question: In Colossians 1:2, Paul speaks to the ‘saints and the faithful’. Why does he make a distinction between the two? Answer: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God…
Read MoreNotes on Examples of Conversion
Where Hear Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Result At Pentecost Acts 2:14-41 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38, 41 Forgiveness of sins Acts 2:38 Added Acts 2:41 Acts 3:12-26; 4:2,4 Acts 4:4 Increase in number Acts 5:14 Added to number Acts 5:42 Increasing in number Samaria Acts 8:4-8, 12 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:12-13 Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:30-35…
Read MoreNotes on Things that Accompany Salvation
Hear Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Obey Commanded Acts 16:31; Hebrews 11:6 Commanded Acts 2:38; 17:30; 26:20 Commanded Acts 10:48 Commanded Philippians 2:12 To come to God John 6:45 To please God Hebrews 11:6 To gain times of refreshing Acts 3:19 Brings joy in heaven Luke 15:7 To be confessed before God Matthew 10:32-33 To…
Read MoreCan a child have too many toys?
Question: Can too many toys hamper a child’s play? Answer: You might be surprised to learn that overindulging in “things,” such as toys, can lead to boredom. The article “Boredom” provides more details.
Read MoreIs life only enjoyable for the righteous when they reach heaven?
Question: Hi Jeff, I read in the Scriptures of all the good things, promises, happiness, peace, comfort and more that the righteous are told they will enjoy, but when you consider their life, it is mostly filled with misery. So I ask, is it only in heaven that they will enjoy these things? Thanks. Answer:…
Read MoreHow do I get others to see the necessity of attending?
Question: Hey brother Hamilton, I have a concern I know you will be able to help me address. I am a teacher at a local church of Christ. I have been doing my best teaching the congregation starting about a year ago. I am also a teenager who will be graduating this year. My concern…
Read MoreIs Socialism a Biblical Concept?
by Matthew W. Bassford Much to my surprise, for the first time that I can remember since the Cold War, there is a flurry of national interest in socialism. As someone who is a student of history, this concerns me. As someone who is politically unaligned, I’m not sure what to do about it. I…
Read MoreWhat do we do when the government is involved in our child rearing?
Question: What do we when outside government authorities are involved in our child raising? Answer: This becomes a difficult question to answer well because much depends on the reason the government has seen fit to interfere. The best that I can do is answer in general and hope that I have hit upon your…
Read MoreDoes it matter if you are baptized facing forward?
Question: I just started going to a church of Christ and love it. They’re a real loving congregation. I was just baptized. I’m new to all this but have OCD and am particular. I find it odd that they baptized me forward while I was on my knees. I’m new to all this and felt…
Read MoreTwo Genders
by Terry Wane Benton Male and female made He them (Genesis 1-2). God said it and did it. That settles it. There is no third and fourth gender option. I was not able to “decide my gender.” That was fixed at the moment of conception. I operate under the fact of my gender assigned by…
Read MoreHave Confidence
by Raymond Warfel https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HaveConfidence.mp3
Read MoreHow could Cornelius be righteous if all of man’s righteousness are filthy rags before God?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I’m having trouble in my understanding on a matter. In the book of Isaiah it seems to insinuate that a man’s righteousness is filthy rags before God, and Isaiah, a righteous prophet, felt unclean in the sight of Holy Yahweh; yet, the Bible also states we can please God with our…
Read MoreHe Who Sows Discord Among Brethren
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HeWhoSowsDiscordAmongBrethren.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 6:16-19 I. Some people are not satisfied with the way things are. A. They want people to change, but they go about it the wrong way. B. They are missing any love for their brethren II. Gossiping and Talebearing A. Talking about other people. B. People who engage in it have too much…
Read MoreMust Christians wear white?
Question: I have a question after reading an article online. It seems to indicate the proper dress code must be white because Christians wearing white clothing is a sign of purity. So it is sinful for men to wear black clothing on services on Sunday? Is a black shirt or trousers immodest and wrong? Answer:…
Read MoreNotes on Sex
Fornication (Greek: porneia): Porneia, typically translated as fornication, sexual immorality, or sometimes just immorality is defined as follows: “Porneia, which is relatively rare in classical Greek (Moulton-Milligan), originally stood for “prostitution” … In other, later contexts it denotes “unchasity, illicit sexual relations” of any kind (“fornication” is a somewhat archaic but common translation).” [The Complete Biblical…
Read MoreHow do I honor my stepmother and accept her?
Question: How do I honor my stepmother and accept her? What are our places now in the family? I am just looking around in all sorts of places for answers, so I hope this is something that is appropriate to ask you. Recently my family has grown as my dad has remarried. My mother passed…
Read MoreDoes “burning with passion” include masturbation?
Question: Hello preacher, I write to you because I want to read your answer more carefully and I believe that a written response will be more crafted. I’ve already read the material you have on the website about masturbation while one still a single person and the subject was closed to me for. Recently, however,…
Read MoreReally enjoy your website
Question: Really enjoy your website and your “thus saith the Lord” for everything taught. I too am part of a small congregation. Keep up the good work! Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreIs it wrong to refer to an elder as “brother”?
Question: Good day, We have a duty roster which I draw up monthly. One month I listed one of the elders as “brother,” which he was not happy with. Is it really such a violation to call you a brother and not an elder? Answer: Actually, the violation is on the elder’s side. Consider that…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be called?
Question: What does it mean to be called? Answer: “Called” is another way to say “invited” or “encouraged to come.” “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as…
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