Led by the Spirit (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/LedByTheSpirit.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 8:1-17 I. We have spoken at length in the past about the exactly who is the Holy Spirit A. We have shown that he is a being who is a part of the Godhead, just as the Father and the Son. B. He is made more mysterious by men because of…
Read MoreWould it be wrong for me to skip my mother’s funeral?
Question: I am having difficulties getting along with my sister, especially regarding our mom and her care. We just recently lost our father. My sister has been difficult in the past and is more controlling now. I now realize that it is best for my sanity if I take breaks away from her. I don’t…
Read MoreI feel so bad because I let a man touch me. Will God forgive me?
Question: I have a really difficult moment. I really need your help. I am 24 years old and I’m a Christian. I only had one boyfriend and with him, I had nothing more than a kiss, like a peck, and some holding hands and hugs. I was 16 years old at the time. After that,…
Read MoreShould I tell my friend’s wife that he has been unfaithful after he has repented of his sin?
Question: Hello sir, I hope that God is blessing you in what you do. I am writing you on the matter of infidelity. I am aware of a man who has been unfaithful to his significant other. This is not the first time that he has been so. The previous time which he was unfaithful…
Read MoreHow does a Muslim become a Christian?
Question: Dear Sir, I am a Muslim, but I am now a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to complete the full life and journey, be a true honest Christian, and get born again, getting officially baptized. I would appreciate your support and advice. Answer: It would depend on where you are,…
Read MoreI want to stop committing fornication, but I’ve lost control
Question: I want to stop fornicating. I have always prayed that I want to get married to the man I would be dating for the first time, and I thank God for giving me that. I have been with this guy for eight years, but my problem is that at first, he wanted sex and…
Read MoreYour theology that we will be judged by works is false doctrine
Question: In regards to your website about predestination and the verse in Genesis, I believe your theology on how we will be judged by works is false doctrine. While the verse is true and stands, we will be judged by works, there is a deeper issue I believe you did not come to because of…
Read MoreMy ex-girlfriend visited me and we ended up having sex. How do I ask for forgiveness?
Question: I am a student and I was in a relationship with my girlfriend. We broke up because there was some cheating from her. Though we broke up, I decided to be friends with her. I knew that I still loved her, but I could not let go of the fact that she cheated, so…
Read MoreAfter accepting Christ, do you have to be baptized to get to the next level in heaven?
Question: After accepting Christ, do you have to be baptized to get to the next level in heaven? Answer: First, there is no mention of different levels in heaven in the Bible. There is some indication that what each person has in heaven may not be exactly the same. See: Are there degrees of rewards and…
Read MoreHow do I deal with erroneous comments on Facebook?
Question: On Facebook, I have friends who are religious but not scripturally correct in their teachings. They do post things that are correct at times but knowing they are in error, on the whole, I am always questioning myself as to whether I should respond when they comment, or just try and teach them that…
Read MoreThe Profitable Word
by Irven Lee It certainly makes sense for one to suggest that man should study the Bible. The Bible is a revelation of the will of God. This revelation includes His authoritative commandments which man must obey if he would please his Creator, and it includes the exceeding great and precious promises concerning the good…
Read MoreJustifying Ourselves
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/JustifyingOurselves.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreI don’t know if my feelings were genuine when I received Christ
Question: You may not know me, but I have seen what you wrote and you seem wise. I ask that you give me a genuine answer. Here goes pouring out my heart’s doubts: I am not sure that I have received Christ. I don’t know if my feeling was genuine and God was touching me,…
Read MoreI can’t stop harming myself
Question: Hello, I’ve been self-harming (cutting myself) since I was 11. I am now 17. That’s a long time and I still keep doing it. Nothing seems to stop me. My depression even got bad to the point that I’ve attempted suicide multiple times. I am now on medications for bipolar disorder and depression, but…
Read MoreI can’t find anyone to marry
Question: Dear Minister, I’ve prayed, I’ve fasted, but I don’t know what to do. I don’t feel like I can talk to anyone at church, so I need some help. I’m 31, I’m single and I have no children. I’m so frustrated because everyone I know is in relationships or they have kids. My unsaved…
Read MoreCommandment Keeping and Boasting
by Edward Bragwell, Sr. via Biblical Insights, June 2014 Jesus declares that hypothetically if we were to keep all his commands, we would still have no right to boast. “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to…
Read MoreI’ve returned to a life of sin and I feel so depressed
Question: I am a 34-year-old male. I am married and have one son. I am living abroad and alone for my work. I have been living in sexual sins and not living a holy life for many years, even before my marriage and after. My spiritual life was bad most of my life. But two…
Read MoreHow do I deal with the fact that my daughters were molested by a leading member of the church?
Question: Hi there, I have a complex issue that I am trying to sort through biblically and do right by my family, others, and the law. Two of my daughters have been sexually interfered with by a “leader” of the local church here. The first time was with my oldest daughter on a couple of…
Read MoreI love a Muslim man, but we won’t be seeing each other much. What do you think?
Question: Hi, I’m 20 years old and, though baptized as a Catholic and brought up as one. I have never really practiced it. Because of problems and issues while growing up, I lost faith and resented God. But that has changed and though not baptized as a Christian, I would like to consider myself as…
Read MoreWill God punish me for my fornication?
Question: I’ve recently committed an act of fornication. I disobeyed my morals severely. I’ve prayed to God, admitted my sins, in hope for His forgiveness and restoration of faith within me. I feel used and worthless and certainly unworthy of God’s love and of marriage in the future. I always hoped to save myself for…
Read MoreHow do I help my mother who is being abused by my father?
Question: Hello sir, I am 23 and recently finished my schooling. My dad denies Christ, but my mom is a believer. My dad is short-tempered. From the beginning, my mom was treated by him as a servant. He used to beat her, use abusive words over her — sometimes in front of other people, too.…
Read MoreIs it wrong to want emotional intimacy with another?
Question: Hi Jeff, I just wanted to ask you a question: Is it wrong to want emotional intimacy from someone? Our mindsets are to be about giving to others, so is it considered selfish or self-serving if you want to hear this person’s thoughts and feelings, or their perspective on life? You want to listen…
Read MoreMy long-time girlfriend told me she won’t be marrying me. What do I do?
Question: Hello Sir, I am 23. I met a girl about a year before we entered college. She was a believer, which was what attracted me to talk with her, as my dad was ungodly and my mom tried hard to bring me to Christ. Thus, I was never exposed to powerful messages or deeper…
Read MoreI lied about my virginity to keep my boyfriend. What do I do now?
Question: I have been in a relationship before, but it didn’t end well. My heart was broken from that moment. I felt miserable. But this nice Christian guy came into my life. He is very nice and he takes me to church. I started to know more and more about God. God healed all the…
Read MoreHow do I convince my atheistic dad?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I have a question in regards to my father: My dad is a good man. He provides for me and my family (divorced from my mom for years now) and he never hesitates to help us when needed. My dad however does not believe in God. One statement he likes to use…
Read MoreI need help. I keep returning to prostitutes
Question: Hello, I was a good, clever boy when l was growing up and l do remember that my life was very good. God gave me everything l wanted. But in the spring of last year l had sex with a prostitute. l felt very bad. Once home l asked my mother to pray for…
Read MoreMy pastor told me that God wanted me to be his wife
Question: When I was 35 years old I was introduced to this church where the pastor is also a prophet. He is married and we called him daddy and his wife mommy. I was going through a lot at that time and I was helped through that man of God to find peace again in…
Read MoreI wanted a child with my boyfriend, but he got his ex-girlfriend pregnant instead. I need help
Question: My boyfriend and I have been trying to have a child. Every month I worry about being pregnant. A few days back he told me his ex-girlfriend came over and he slept with her out of pity. Now she’s pregnant. I am devastated right now because the one thing I wanted another got it,…
Read MoreIsn’t it wrong to use passages from the Kings to help define a word in Job?
Question: Dear sir, I happened onto your website in search of a definition of the intent of the word “curse” as used in Job. I do have a question for you. If the book of Job was written before the Levitical priesthood was established, which would explain why Job, himself, made offrerings for his children,…
Read MoreMy boyfriend, whom I have been having sex with, became a Christian, but we aren’t able to stop having sex. What do I do?
Question: Hi, I started dating someone who was not a Christian. Within the first year of the relationship, we fell into habitual fornication. (We were both virgins before this.) There would be months where we would stop and then it would start up again. It was very difficult because he was not Christian and I…
Read MoreDoes the new covenant entirely override the law of Moses?
Question: I read your article regarding following the Old Testament and I’m just trying to wrap my head around the entire idea of the old covenant versus the new covenant. The old covenant was the laws and edicts of God to Moses and his people, however, through Jesus, God imposed a new covenant that was guided…
Read MoreCan women help in serving the Lord’s Supper?
Question: I recently worshiped at a congregation where they allowed women to assist in serving the communion. The women stood alongside the men in front of the congregation while one man read Scriptures and prayed, then the women helped to serve communion with the men. Is this in violation of I Timothy 2:12 or any…
Read MoreTime for Churches of Christ to Fellowship Other Groups?
by Wes McAdam via Radically Christian This is a hard post to write. I realize what I’m about to say may be misunderstood or misconstrued. But as difficult as it is to find the right words, this is something that must be said. In fact, I believe there is no greater issue facing the church today.…
Read MoreI am so grateful for your knowledge of God’s word and for using His word to back up all your answers
Question: I am so grateful for your knowledge of God’s word and for using His word to back up all your answers. I have not read them all but have certainly understood many subjects of the Bible much better from your answers to these questions. Thank you so much for giving so much to a…
Read MoreMy brilliant son has rejected God!
Question: Hello, ‘Religiously speaking’ it’s dry around here where I live. I have a super bright son, in his twenties, who has rejected God. He wasn’t raised that way, but he’s gotten too intellectual. In desperation, I gifted him a stay on the Wheaton College campus for a week several summers ago to hear Ravi…
Read MoreIs it bad that I left my boyfriend because we don’t believe the same things?
Question: Good day sir, I have this guilt that keeps haunting me. I started having pre-marital sex which eventually led to me getting pregnant. Because I come from a religious family, I decided to have an abortion so that I didn’t bring shame, disgrace, and pain to my family. I know it wasn’t the right…
Read MoreDid the Egyptians keep Hebrew slaves?
Question: How can I prove to atheists that the Bible is true when some people claim that there were never records that the Egyptians kept Hebrew slaves? Why would there be no such records? Answer: See: Egyptian History and the Biblical Record – A Perfect Match There is evidence of Semites being used as slaves in…
Read MoreShould We be Picky?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/ShouldWeBePicky.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 50:7-23 I. Jesus’ condemnation of the Jews, especially the Pharisees and the Sadducees, is well-known A. Many Christians are rightly concerned that they not fall into the same trap that snared the Pharisees. 1. Often when it is pointed out that we should do things one way and not another,…
Read MoreI’ve been baptized three times, but I’m not certain I’m saved
Question: Hi, I am a male in my thirties. For about fifteen years I have been struggling with thoughts about my baptism. Thoughts go through my head practically every day. I have questions constantly running through my mind that cause me to feel anxious and fearful of God’s judgment, all because I keep questioning if my…
Read MoreWhat can I do about a visiting preacher making claims that Ecclesiastes is not inspired and there are errors in the Bible?
Question: My wife and I have attended the same church for the past 16 years. We have two elders and five deacons. Recently the son of one of our elders came, by invitation, to preach for us. This young man has graduated from a top university and has a degree in Greek. The night he…
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