Is there anywhere I can find a list of everything in the Bible that is a sin?
Question: Is there anywhere I can find a list of everything in the Bible that is a sin? A list of all sins. Answer: Such a list cannot exist. God told us everything we need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:2-4). His word equips us for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). However, while…
Read MoreMy girlfriend and I committed fornication. Can we still have a church wedding?
Question: Hi, I’m a nearly 30-year-old man. I want to pose a question which I feel embarrassed for doing an ungodly thing in my life. I have been in a relationship since the beginning of the year, and my girlfriend and I were having a physical relationship for more than a month. We are planning…
Read MoreI saw my son masturbating. How do I talk to him about it?
Question: Hello, I’m a nearly 40-year-old father of a teenage boy. I walked in at night to check on him, and he was masturbating. I watched until he ejaculated. He wasn’t using porn. I quietly exited, and I’m positive he doesn’t know I saw him. I do not know what to say to him. When…
Read MoreDoes the Church Produce the Bible or Does the Bible Produce the Church?
by Ryan Thomas Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions regarding the Bible is that it is a product of the church. Many reject the Bible as our sole source of religious authority and instruction and belittle us for believing in the “Bible alone theory.” Thus, there is a great need to discuss the relationship between…
Read MoreWho’s in Charge?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/WhosInCharge.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 21:23-27 I. Common sense ought to tell you that someone has to be in charge A. Imagine a society where there were no laws and no government. 1. What would we have? Chaos! 2. We even have a term for it – anarchy 3. The book of Judges documents the decay of…
Read MoreMust It Be Spelled Out?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MustItBeSpelledOut.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 8:16-20 I. We know people want to live life as they please; yet, there’s this Bible that says the things they want to do are wrong. What’s a person to do to avoid guilt? A. For some it is finding shelter behind saying that their particular sin isn’t specifically…
Read MoreMy girlfriend has gotten caught up in Pentecostalism and I don’t know what to do
Question: Hello, I know you’ve received questions dealing with similar issues to this one, but I need some guidance. My girlfriend and I began dating a few months before the end of our senior year and we are now beginning college. We attend different colleges although they are close enough that we are able to…
Read MoreIs there such a thing as tainted money?
Question: Hi, I was reading one of your answers to the question Should I give up my job because I cheated some in college? about the tainted money thing. I just want to ask: what do you say to people when they use Proverbs 10:2 to support the idea that money can be tainted? Answer: “Treasures…
Read MoreIs repentance required before baptism?
Question: I do have a question: Acts 2:38 says repentance comes before baptism. So does that mean a baptism is invalid if there was no repenting prior to it? In my case, when I was baptized, I just believed what the preacher was saying about Jesus was true, and knew Jesus said we had to…
Read MoreAre the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God different?
Question: In the article entitled “The Church Is the Kingdom”, it is proposed that the kingdom and the Church are the same. I agree that the kingdom “of God” is the church, but I assume you would also assert that the Church and the kingdom “of Heaven” are the same thing also. If that is…
Read MoreI know I need to change, but I just can’t leave my boyfriend
Question: Hello. God bless you. I really need advice, help, or answer. I am a pastor’s daughter. I have been raised in a church my entire life. As many know just because you are brought up in a church does not mean we are perfect or will do all of the correct things. I have…
Read MoreI was engaged to a woman, but I married the woman I got pregnant. Now she refuses to divorce me
Question: Kindly advise me on what to do. I got a lady impregnated. When she told me, I said if that be the case then she has to keep it, but she refused. She insisted that she would abort it. I disagreed with her, but she insisted on aborting it. She demanded money at that…
Read MoreWe’re living together without sex, so why are brethren saying it is wrong?
Question: Hello, My fiancé and I are planning to marry in June 2014. Until that time, we have made the decision to share a home and other resources with each other. She recently moved from another country and, as young people, we do not make enough money individually to be in comfortable financial situations. Furthermore,…
Read MoreSince we plan to marry, is sexual touching OK?
Question: I have a ring on my finger and me and my boyfriend plan to marry within the next 5 years. We have not had sex and do not plan to until marriage, but we have done things with our hands. We are not sure whether it was a sin it not? We plan to…
Read MoreYour information on which of the Ten Commandments carried over to the New Testament was very useful
Question: I Goggled “Which Ten Commandments Carried Over to the New Testament” and one of the links led me to: Notes on the Ten Commandments. I used this information in a small group setting last Sunday to everyone’s delight. Thank you for posting that information as it saved me a lot of research time. Answer:…
Read MoreAm I sinning by not contesting my wife’s desire for a divorce?
Question: Good day, My wife and I are married for over ten years and have beautiful kids together. We are both reborn Christians. She filed for divorce recently due to my abusive and aggressive behavior when we disagree sometimes. I agree that I said things to her and my kids about a month ago that…
Read MoreIf people on opposite sides are praying for their team to win, whose prayer does God answer?
Question: Please, I need your help on an issue. We are very fanatical about football (soccer) in our country. I was involved in a discussion some time ago with my roommate and he was saying God answered his prayer for the team he supports and that was why they were able to win, but I…
Read MoreI am heartened to read your sermons
Question: Dear Sir, I feel I must send you an email to thank you for your website. I have spent the last several evenings reading your sermons and your answers to other questions and issues and am deeply and spiritually moved by them. In contemporary society when so many are weakening, I am heartened to…
Read MoreI committed fornication, but I am determined not to do so again. Why do I not feel forgiven?
Question: I read your answer to a lady on God forgiving fornication. My story is similar to hers, but I lost my virginity. My parents are not the strong Christian type, but I had high standards for myself. I never had a boyfriend until I was 21 years old. My seeking attention and someone to…
Read MoreMy husband has cheated on me with ten women that I know of. What do I do?
Question: I have been in a relationship with my husband since I was a teenager. We have been together for over seven years and married for more than five years. We have several children together. After I was a month pregnant with my last child, I found out that there was a possibility that he…
Read MoreLessons I’ve Learned From My Dog
by Rob Speer A dog requires constant training. Training Bear to do something once is not enough. He must be constantly reminded and lessons need continuous reinforcement. He will obey the commands we have taught him as long as we are consistent. He will get a toy, sit, stay, etc. when we give him the command. If…
Read MoreHow could the men at Ephesus be disciples before they were baptized?
Question: First of all, I would like to thank you for the La Vista Church of Christ website. I love how you attach a link to the Bible verses you quote. I have studied many of the topics you have and I have learned a lot. Thank you again! Second of all, I have recently…
Read MoreI didn’t answer the altar call when I should have. Have I offended God?
Question: I think I messed up big time this past Sunday. During a song, my pastor stepped to the pulpit and gave an invitation to the lost. The Spirit moved so powerfully during the song that the preacher didn’t get to preach that morning. I’m saved, but during this invitation, God was convicting me to…
Read MoreI found out the woman I was interested in is still married, what should I do?
Question: I guess this really is not a question. But I read a question you answered and it was a similar question I had. I met a woman who has an almost-four-year-old son. She said she was divorced, but as time went along I found out that she really wasn’t yet. This upset me, based…
Read MoreCan you shed light on the upcoming four blood moons prophecy?
Question: Hello, Thanks for taking time out of your day to read my question. I’ve just recently turned my life over to Christ, and I am intentionally trying to read and study His word in the Bible, and I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on this upcoming four blood moons…
Read MoreCan a church rent a part of its property to a phone company?
Question: Dear Sir, A phone company just approached the local congregation where we attend with an offer to install a cell tower on the church’s property. They would pay the church a significant amount each month for the ability to use a portion of the property in order to build and maintain the cell tower.…
Read MoreWhat caused the darkness at Jesus’ death and the fire that destroyed Sodom?
Question: Was the darkness that filled the whole world at about the hour Jesus died from a total eclipse? Was the fire that destroyed Sodom from a meteor or some space matter? Answer: “Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). Since the darkness lasted…
Read MoreDid Jesus contradict himself by calling people fools?
Question: Hi, Jesus tells us to be very careful how we talk, and what we say. “… and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell” (Matthew 5:22 NAS). So why would Jesus say “You fools” in (Matthew 23:17 NAS)? It strikes me that Jesus is not practicing what…
Read MoreThank you for the article on the construction of quality Bibles
Question: Thank you for the article on the construction of quality Bibles and the overview of some of the companies. You confirmed my suspicions and saved me much research time. It’s a shame that the premium Bibles are so hard to find and, when you do find them, of limited versions or features. Thank you again and…
Read MoreGod Told Me
by Doy Moyer Years ago, my dad (Forrest Moyer) was on live radio teaching Scripture. A man called in and said, “God spoke to me and told me to play my guitar in church.” Dad responded, “Really? Well God told me not to.” The man quickly responded, “Oh no He didn’t.” Hmm. I was having a Bible…
Read MoreCan you help with some questions that arise from dealing with a Black Hebrew Israelite?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I want to ask you some questions that I need some insight on. A friend of mine is a Black Hebrew Israelite. They are very interesting people. First thing, They have a big deal with the “J” and the Lord’s name. I explain that God has many names, but they argue…
Read MoreWould a man be qualified as a deacon if his teenage son attends denominational services with his friends and is not a Christian?
Question: First, I would like to compliment you on your website. There have been many times I have included the phrase “La Vista Church of Christ” when web searching tough scriptural questions that I have. I am an elder in the church of Christ. We are in the process of appointing deacons. We are considering…
Read MoreWith so many ways being taught, who am I supposed to follow?
Question: Christ liberated us from legalism. I’m confused about determining what is wrong in our culture. I’ve always been brought up with a tough view on things that aren’t customary. My question is: if we’re called to preach the gospel to the world, how do we do it? Are we to be with the world…
Read MoreWhat about prayer cloths?
Question: I have a friend that asked me about “prayer blankets or cloths”. I am aware of the Scripture she is referencing: Acts 19:11-12. I’m just unsure on how to help her understand scripturally why this is not necessary. Thank you for your time and scriptural truth; I really appreciate it. Answer: “Now God worked unusual…
Read MoreDid I hurt the reputation of my ex-boyfriend?
Question: Over five years ago, I met a man who became my boyfriend. He was a deacon in his church. He brought me to his church and there I attended. He has a history of being involved in multiple relationships before being converted to Christ many years ago. He has been divorced and has grown children from…
Read MoreHow can we not commit fornication again before our wedding?
Question: My fiancé and I had sex even when we agreed not to, though all necessary plans to get married are on the ground. But I feel so guilty and alone. Forgiveness is what I need from God to face life again. Actually, we had decided not to have sex again, but I have no…
Read MoreIs it wrong to wish someone good luck?
Question: Is it wrong to wish someone good luck? Answer: Events in our lives do happen at times by chance. “I returned and saw under the sun that — the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor…
Read MoreWhat you said about the whole sexual immorality subject is very beneficial
Question: Dear Preacher, I’d like to thank you for your answer about the whole sexual immorality subject. I found what you said very beneficial and for that, I say, “thank you.” I think what you do is a good thing because I think that you shine a light on people who are in the dark.…
Read MoreHow does an atheist or a person of another religion know it is God calling them?
Question: If so how does one know that it’s God calling them if they’re a part of another religion, or if they are atheists? How do they decline the ‘invite’? Answer: Too often people hear a phrase and make assumptions without intending to do so. People talk about God’s calling and forget to ask: How…
Read MoreWill I make heaven if I don’t keep God’s laws perfectly?
Question: I read “I have OCD-Religion and obsess over bad thoughts. Is there anything you can do to help me?” today that, in a way, describes my feelings. Although most of it does not concern me, some do and I am wondering if I too have OCD. My problem basically concerns overthinking things. This started…
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