Trip Report – 2016 (Bali, Singapore, Malaysia)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TripReport2016.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:17-18 I. My trips to the South Asian islands started in 2013. A. I had been studying with a young man in the National University of Singapore for several years via Skype. He had asked me repeatedly to come hold a meeting in Singapore and things…
Read MoreI’ve been having a lot of nightmares this week
Question: I’ve been having nightmares a lot this week. Just last night I had a nightmare about a horrible dark creature behind me and looking at me. I woke up screaming! And I didn’t sleep very well after that because I had another nightmare. I guess that’s why I am kind of tired. It wasn’t…
Read MoreWhat does “This thing is from Me” mean?
Question: My sister was in jail and while there she took an interest in religion. But when she got out of jail, she no longer has any interest in Bible study or religion. That makes me sad. Only when she was locked up and away from distractions was she focused on our Lord. As for…
Read MoreMy boyfriend doesn’t want to get married and have a family, but I do
Question: My boyfriend and I have been dating for over a year now. We are still young, in our early twenties, and have different goals in our life. We both live with his parents, in separate rooms of course, but I am ready to take the next step of commitment in our lives. I told…
Read MoreIs it a sin to shave off one’s beard?
Question: Is it a sin to shave off one’s beard? I heard an argument that God gave men beards to differentiate them from women and that they shouldn’t shave them off because that’s saying to God that He made a mistake on their faces? Answer: The problem is that the argument is not one that…
Read MoreBe Ready to Give an Answer
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BeReadyToGiveAnAnswer.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreGreat Things from Acts 2
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GreatThingsFromActs2.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePride of the World
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/PrideOfTheWorld.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreWhat does “the fullness of Christ” mean?
Question: I thank you for the website. I’ve gotten a better understanding of some things. I am writing you because I don’t quite understand when the Scriptures say “the fullness of God” or “the fullness of Christ” in Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19; Romans 15:29 and John 1:16. Answer: “Fullness” means to fill up…
Read MoreHow did sin spread if it was not inherent in men?
Question: Hello! I agree with your belief that the Bible does not speak of inheriting a “sin nature” from Adam. If you wrote your own version of the Bible, how would you translate Romans 5:12? Or, can you explain how death “spread” to all men, since it’s our own personal sin that brings death? How…
Read MoreThe Man God Chose to Raise His Son
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ManGodChoseToRaiseHisSon.mp3 by Bryan Dockens
Read MoreThe verses in your study pricked my heart
Question: Hello! I just wanted to mention how I came across your church’s website and found your studies section. I really appreciate this resource you guys have. I have been a Christian for over five years and have struggled to read my Bible, but I am trying to improve on that. I read one of…
Read MoreShould a Christian attend a university operated by a denomination?
Question: I really like all of the information that you have on your website. I have used it as a reference many times in the past. I teach the teenagers in our congregation and have a question about colleges. One of our kids is planning on attending a Catholic university next year. When she told…
Read MoreDidn’t Jesus die for our sins?
Question: This is hard to wrap my mind around for some reason, but didn’t Jesus “die for our sins?” I thought that Jesus dying on the cross meant that all our sins were forgiven if we believe in him. Answer: It isn’t a hard concept, but I can see the difficulty when you grow up…
Read MoreWhy does James say we will be judged by the law of liberty?
Question: I’m having some difficulties understanding James 2:8-13. When he talks about the royal law in verses 8-11, it clearly refers to some of the ten commandments. But I get confused in verse 12 “So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” How does this verse…
Read MoreGod Doesn’t Always Get What He Wants
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GodDoesNotAlwaysGetWhatHeWants.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreGiving God the Leftovers
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/GivingGodTheLeftovers.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIs it wrong to benefit from something that came about because of sin?
Question: I’ve written to you a few times and have used the website a lot. I have a different question I’d like to ask. How do you deal with things that aren’t sinful, when they resulted from sin? I know the Bible doesn’t say that, for instance, if a woman gives birth before she is…
Read MoreWhat made God say that Abraham will be the father of the nation?
Question: What made God say that Abraham will be the father of the nation? Answer: God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations. See: How was Abraham famous? God didn’t have to offer that promise. He chose to make that promise and through that promise we see God’s power. “And we desire…
Read MoreYour answer was too complex and misinterpreted the Scriptures
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I read one of your website answers to the question, “What must I do to go to Heaven when I die?” As a pastor, you should have known the answer would be quite simple, one that would easily have pointed the individual in a single direction — to the Lord. Instead, your…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between moral and immoral sins?
Question: What is the difference between a moral sin and an immoral sin? Also, what are the moral sins, and what are the immoral sins? Answer: “Sin” is breaking the law (I John 3:4). “Moral” refers to the standards of correct behavior. There are a few people who what to make a difference between what…
Read MoreWould a person be saved if he hadn’t gotten around to being baptized before he died?
Question: If someone was a believer, repented, and followed Jesus’ teachings, and was planning on getting baptized eventually but never got around to it before they died an accidental death like a car crash, would they still be saved? Answer: That would be up to God. I can’t judge the motives, but someone saying they…
Read MoreDoes the “restoration movement” imply that the church was destroyed?
Question: I want to thank you guys once more for the Question and Answer section of your website. It is a great format! My question has to do with the “restoration movement.” I recently noticed that a local church of Christ referred to itself as a restored church of Christ on its website. I know…
Read MoreLiving with Unanswered Questions
by Doy Moyer Most of us would likely agree with the idea that the older we get, the more we realize we don’t know. The vastness of the universe, the complexity of people, and the general recognition that we just don’t have all the answers lead us to realize the need to be humble. We…
Read MoreHow can Jesus not judge those who believe if we are all judged?
Question: Why is it that, even though we are supposed to do God’s will to be saved supposedly, why does Jesus say that those who believe will not be judged, even though you were saying we are all judged? In that case, then it’s like a paradox because everyone is judged even those who are…
Read MoreHow do I grow as a Christian? How do I handle my abusive father?
Question: I’m 18 years old. I’m new to religion and seeking wise words and maybe some answers to where to start. I have a girlfriend who, after a while, convinced me to become religious. She lives far away, so she can’t really teach me much. There is also a small language barrier because what she…
Read MoreSin, Repentance, and Judging Others
by Doy Moyer Some discussions just seem odd to me. One such oddity goes along these lines (and it seems to happen over and over, especially on social media, so this is not a reference to one particular discussion): Person A: “People who engage in this activity are in sin and need to repent.” (What…
Read MoreThe Drive Through
by Sheldon Smith This morning on the way to work, I decided to stop by McDonald’s. It was one of those newly designed restaurants with a double drive-through. There were several cars in each line. The normal process is for cars to form a single line after putting in their order. It’s kind of like…
Read MoreI was excommunicated because I had committed fornication several years ago
Question: Hi, I am a Christian and was baptized, but later I fornicated. I repented, it was about two years ago. We were having a discussion with a church elder since I was sick, and we believe that sickness is due to sin and that we should confess our sins and God will heal us.…
Read MorePining for the Past
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PiningForThePast.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Numbers 13:32-14:4 I. People are known for their selective memories A. Some wrap themselves up in the horrors of their youth, blaming every misfortune on what had happened to them in the past. B. More common though are the people who remember the good things that happen and suppress the bad…
Read MoreCan I get baptized even though I’m still living with my boyfriend?
Question: I have been with my partner for 19 years, but we are not married. I started going to church three years ago, but my partner isn’t a believer. Some in the church say that in the eyes of God we are married and, therefore, I should be baptized. However, others say I should be…
Read MoreIs one permitted to interpret God’s commandments to bolster one’s point of view?
Question: I came across your web site and find it interesting that We are not to add to or take away from God’s commandments. and God also sanctioned self-defense as we read of the young David slaying both lion and bear in defense of his flock in I Samuel 17. In verse 37 David said…
Read MoreMy boyfriend wants to have another child, but I’m a Christian now
Question: I am a born-again Christian for just over five years. Since then I haven’t been involved in any sexual relationship, but before I became born again, I was involved with someone with whom I have a child. He moved to another country a few years ago. Now the thing is, he has been telling…
Read MoreHow can God expect me to remain a Christian in the face of the death of my son?
Question: Hi there, I recently lost my newborn son due to a premature birth about a month ago. It has been really hard on both me and my husband. We have been gradually picking up our regular routines since it happened, like going back to work and church, but I still feel like missing church…
Read MoreCan children, not yet Christians, help serve the Lord’s Supper?
Question: We have a small congregation. We are not under an eldership at this time. My question is: Who is qualified to serve communion or can anyone serve it? We have a couple of young boys aged 6 and 7 who are following the men who serve, so they can learn how. Sometimes the kids…
Read MoreThe things my dad listens to scare me
Question: Sorry to bother you mister, but I need some guidance from someone who knows what he’s talking about. I have read a few of your questions and answers hoping to find a person who has similar issues as mine but I have come across none so far. OK, so my dad is a firm…
Read MoreThe person handling the website is doing a great job
Question: Hi, Please tell the person who is doing the website that he is doing a great job. Every time I google the words “church of christ,” the La Vista Church of Christ website comes out on top or very nearly the top. This is coming from an atheist who was a member of the…
Read MoreFoundations
Foundations – Part 1Foundations – Part 2Foundations – Part 3Foundations – Part 4 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 61 I. When we are teaching others, it is important not to just address the issues raised, but to think about why a person has come to the wrong conclusions. A. When a person claims to be…
Read MoreWhy does Joshua 10:13 say that the sun stopped when it would have to be the earth that stopped?
Question: I am currently speaking to an atheist man. We’ve been debating over the past couple days about the creation of the universe and how the existence of man came about. I hold to the divine truth of a God, and that his Word found in scripture is Truth and inspired. He brought up a…
Read MoreMy wife is no longer able to have sex. What is a Christian man to do?
Question: I appreciate the views you’ve expressed and have had questions about masturbation for a long time. My wife and I are in our seventies. For many years we had a good sexual relationship, except I wanted it a lot more often than she did. But sex was good and I recall often the special…
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