Reflections on Singleness
by Jonathan T. Engel Photo by Nick Adams on Unsplash Thanks to various factors, over the past few months I have, in some respects, felt more hopeful than ever about my prospects for marriage. A huge part of this is that I finally started convincing myself of what others have told me, namely, that it’s…
Read MoreI have had guilt since I let an escort do oral sex on me
Question: Hello, The other day I spent the night with an escort but did not have sex. I am still a virgin in my 30’s. I did, however, receive protected oral sex for several minutes. Since then I have had immense guilt over it. I have had depression since I was a teenager and have…
Read MoreShouldn’t the man sleeping with me divorce his wife?
Question: Hello, I am a 32-year-old female. I have three children. I was married but divorced. I met a guy, and he was a very good friend. He introduced me back into church and has helped me through so many hard times. I used to actually think that he was perfect. He is a very…
Read MoreThe text doesn’t say that the men of Sodom wanted to force sex on the strangers
Question: Hello, I have a query about your website pertaining to what would be considered a misinterpreted passage of the Bible. Please explain why your interpretation of Genesis 19 implies they were intent on forcing a homosexual act on these two visitors when no Bible version actually says that. What it clearly says is that their…
Read MoreWhy do people seem happy living in sin?
Question: Dear brother, I write this to you ashamed, but I have to admit how I feel. I have been a Christian for many years now; however, I have struggled with sin in my life constantly. I feel as though it all stems from a rebellious attitude inside of me. It seems like the only…
Read MoreMy husband cheated a lot and I finally divorced him. What will be my punishment?
Question: Hi, I’m having a serious married problem: my husband cheats a lot. We have children together. He would sleep out as if he doing a good thing and does seem to care about how I feel. I took him to family court for counseling. He was upset because he thinks he’s a grown man…
Read MoreA Limited Sphere
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LimitedSphere.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 10:7-18 I. Without a doubt unity is important to God and His people – John 17:17-21 A. It is something to strive for – Ephesians 4:1-3 B. Division is condemned – I Corinthians 1:10-13 C. Paul, when he entered Jerusalem wanted to join with other Christians – Acts 9:26-28 II. All…
Read MoreThe Unity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TheUnity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 I. Our Lord’s desire was that his followers would be united – John 17:20-23 A. In the intervening years, the world has accepted lies. B. They believe that as long as we agree on something, then there is unity II. The attitude of unity – Ephesians 4:1-3 A. Lowliness – humbleness…
Read MoreThank you for the explanation of Beulah and Hephzibah
Question: Thank you for the explanation of Beulah and Hephzibah. Now I know who my unborn child will be called after. Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreAm I following God because of my fear of hell and my selfish desire to be saved?
Question: Hello, I have been a Christian for most of my life. Recently my heart has fallen under heavy conviction (I think), and I feel as if I have not desired God above all else in my walk with Him. With this, I began to fear that I was not actually saved, and a deep…
Read MoreAre these concepts of the International Christian Church true?
Question: I wanted to get your input on something I will paste below and where the concepts can be found scripturally if at all. “The primary differences between the “first Movement” (ICOC) and the new SoldOut Movement is the unity among the SoldOut Movement Leaders on doctrines such as: 1) Salvation is promised only to…
Read MoreA Tale of Two Gods
How Calvinism’s God and the Bible’s God are Two Very Different God’s by Ben Giselbach One very popular denominational preacher and writer, John Piper, is famous for saying that “all things” – even down to the subatomic level – “are ordained, guided, and governed” by God. [1] The idea that God determines everything can be traced back…
Read MoreI greatly appreciate your outline on Elijah
Question: Brother, I just wanted to say thank you for posting your lessons online. I am a member of the church and am currently putting together a lesson on Elijah. I found your own study while searching for some outlines, and wanted to let you know that I greatly appreciate your work and found it quite…
Read MoreWhat Would God Have Us Do?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WhatWouldGodHaveUsDo2.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 2:1-12 I. I was talking with a young man the other day. He wasn’t certain what God wanted him to do in regards to school and career. A. I finally realized that he wanted someone else (God) to make his decisions for him. 1. The idea that God left…
Read MoreTwo Conversations
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TwoConversations.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreI got myself into a mess and I’m not sure how to handle it
Question: I’ve been married for less than ten years. She left me a few years ago for the guy that took her virginity. I never divorced her, hoping she would come back. I honestly didn’t know where she was or if she was alive or anything. She called my mom over a year later to…
Read MoreDoes not being hasty in your heart mean that thoughts can be vows?
Question: Hello again, I’ve read again about what’s considered vowing, and saw a sentence in Ecclesiastes 5:2: “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.” Does the heart part mean after all, that our thoughts about vowing are taken as vows after all? Thank…
Read MoreHow can a Christian serve God when the military rules are not conducive to serving God?
Question: My husband is a soldier in the military. Currently, he is on a 14-month deployment (technically, he’s overseas for 9 months and training during the other time). He is adamant about not reenlisting being that he has not been able to worship, nor will he be able to unless he finds fellow soldiers who…
Read MoreViews of Mark 16:16
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ViewsOfMark16.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 16:14-20 I. Jesus had just one meaning in mind when he spoke Mark 16:16. A. It isn’t for men to put their own spin on Jesus’ words – II Peter 1:20-21 B. Not that this has ever stopped people from trying C. God doesn’t author confusion – I Corinthians 14:33 D. But…
Read MoreThe Sadducees
by Terry W. Benton The Sadducees did not believe in angels or in the resurrection after death. So, they tried to stump Jesus on the issue of the resurrection (Mark 12:18-23). Jesus pointed out that they didn’t know the Scriptures nor the power of God (Mark 12:24). If they knew the Scriptures and the power…
Read MoreAre award ceremonies wrong?
Question: Good Evening Brother, I have been thinking about award ceremonies recently, and I’ve been having mixed feelings about them. One part of me is saying that they are good and are used to recognizing good hard-working people who don’t get enough appreciation as they should. But another part of me thinks that award ceremonies…
Read MoreIf you call Joseph Smith a liar, then you are calling the prophets of the Bible liars too
Question: Sir, I must protest your accusation that Joseph Smith was a liar. You have oversimplified the meaning of those passages of the Book of Mormon and others. Can you not see that during every conversation, the perspective of meaning changes? If you call Joseph Smith a liar, do you not also call several prophets…
Read MoreTill My Change Comes
by Terry W. Benton Job had quite impressive faith. He believed in life after this body is put down in death. He said, “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes” (Job 14:14). It is evident that Job believed in a…
Read MoreHow does the caveman fit in with the human race?
Question: How does the cave man fit in with the human race? I do not believe in the theory of evolution, but I have always wondered how the cave man fits with what the Holy Bible says. Answer: You need to remember that no one has actually observed cavemen in the past. Rather cavemen are…
Read MoreA Christian dying of an overdose does not send him to hell!
Question: A Christian dying of an overdose does not send him to hell. He was saved by faith in Christ not his works. All of us Christians sin. You sin, and I sin. If a drug user was never saved that is up to God. Answer: You are correct that the conditions of salvation are determined and set…
Read MoreYour site comes up often when I have a question
Question: Hello, I really have no questions because any question I have had, your site has answered. I just wanted to thank you for the work you are doing because, at any time, I can look up questions, put Church of Christ on Google, and your site is the one that comes up every time…
Read MoreHow to Judge
by Matthew W. Bassford If there is any verse in the Bible that our society knows, it’s Matthew 7:1. Even people who have never cracked open a Bible in their lives are able to quote from the King James Version, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” I’m not sure that they know what a ye is,…
Read MoreGreat Events in Four Rooms
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/GreatEventsInFourRooms.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Blessings and Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BlessingsAndPrivilegesOfKingdomCitizenship.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIs God going to reject me because I’m handicapped?
Question: Is it true, based on Malachi, that if a person is too disabled, then God can’t accept that person because God is so holy that a person who is damaged goods is actually forced to spend eternity in hell because they don’t have the capabilities required by God? In the story where the person…
Read MoreWas the world made from nothing?
Question: Hello! I was reading through your outline entitled “What is faith?” and I want to thank you for posting that. It is helping me to further understand Hebrews 11:1-3. However, I wanted to point out something you stated that I don’t believe adds up with Scripture. You said that “We have confidence that the…
Read MoreWould it be a sin to leave a congregation that accepts sin among its members?
Question: I worship at a congregation where there is no preacher, elder, or deacons. The brothers serving on the Lord’s table are living with girlfriends, playing the lottery, and drinking. I’m a sister in the congregation. I’m trying to go to heaven. I can’t worship properly with all this before me. Is it a sin…
Read MoreThe Constitution and the Bible
by Terry Wane Benton The debate over the Constitution illustrates some of the same problems in agreeing over the Bible. The problem does not come from these documents. It comes from the agenda of those who approach either one. Some are intent on making laws to fit their own will and so they are not interested…
Read MoreIs a Christian who teaches error still a brother in Christ?
Question: A big fire started after our morning services this morning! One of our members here adamantly disagreed with me when I mentioned that when a brother sins by teaching doctrinal error, he must repent, and if he refuses to repent he is “a brother in error.” Until he does repent, we are no longer…
Read MoreDo preachers struggle with sin?
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I know as a Christian, we are to do our best to abstain from sin at all costs. I also realize no man, except Jesus, is perfect. I have befriended my preacher, and he speaks as if he and his family are living in a glass house, all eyes are on them,…
Read MoreI can’t figure out if God wants me to leave my boyfriend for another man
Question: Hello, I am struggling with knowing what God’s will is for my life. I read the Bible, attend daily masses a few times a week, and pray frequently asking God to clearly show me His will for my life. I have a severe anxiety disorder called agoraphobia (fear of crowded places) and have allowed…
Read MoreThe website is very informative
Question: Dear brothers, I would like to start by saying that I’m a member of the Lord’s church and that I love your website! The website is very informative about God’s word. I hope you can continue the ministry until He calls us home. Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless…
Read MoreTake Up Your Cross
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TakeUpYourCross.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:25-32 I. Many people see religion as something done out of convenience. A. They attend when there isn’t something important going on B. They select a church to attend because it is close, or because of the events going on, or if there are kids for my kid to play…
Read MoreBurnt Offerings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BurntOfferings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 9:24-10:10 I. The sacrifices of the Old Testament can be confusing because they are classified in different categories, such as by how they were done (heave, wave, burnt), what they were for (sin, trespass, vow, voluntary, peace), what they were (firstfruits, food, drink), or even how they smelled…
Read MoreLessons on Evangelism: Addressing Faith Alone
by Andrew S. Hamilton Class Objective Preparing the members to handle common questions that will come up when running the tables. (1 Peter 3:15) Foundation Material Statements and Logic All chickens have three legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is a chicken. Only chickens have two legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is…
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