The Spirit or the Letter?
by Michael Thomas The apostle Paul said he and his fellow apostles were “ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (II Corinthians 3:6). He said this in reference to the work they had been given as gospel preachers, and how…
Read MoreShould a church spend money on community service to get people to evangelize?
Question: Should a church use its money in community service to gain the attention of people to preach to, because of the current lack of seriousness in people toward the gospel? Is it the correct pattern of evangelism? Answer: “Jesus answered them and said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because…
Read MoreWould it be good to pursue a career in music?
Question: Thank you, sir, for your very informative messages. Please, I have a very important question. I discovered my talent is singing, and I have been inspired to pursue secular music, but being aware of my faith, sir, I would also like to know if this is a good thing to do. Answer: See “Can…
Read MoreThe Sovereignty of God (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton I recently saw someone suggest that Calvinists would change John 3:19 to read: “And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, but I sovereignly chose not to regenerate them, so they had no choice but to love darkness instead.” This would need to be the reading if…
Read MorePropitiation
by Terry Wane Benton “Propitiation” is not a word used very often anymore, but it has to do with “appeasing” the righteous wrath of someone. In the case of humans who have sinned against the Holy Creator, justice needs to be satisfied, righteous anger appeased. Jesus is the propitiation needed. Notice that the “propitiation” was…
Read MoreFathers Raising Godly Children
by Chad Carter Over the years — now having passed 62 of them — I’ve observed that the men who have raised godly children, though differing widely in personality and disposition, tend to share many of the same traits and practices. The most significant commonality among them is a clear and deliberate intent to raise…
Read MoreSpectators or Worshipers?
by Cleve Stafford It would be in the interest of everyone who requires church to be entertaining to remember the following: God is not interested in spectators. He is not honored by emotional highs that disappear by Monday morning and remain hidden until some band or light show raises them again the following week. He…
Read MoreWarning
by Hugh DeLong Text: Revelation 22 As we finish reading the rather strange (compared to the gospels and letters of the New Testament), we are given a stark warning: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described…
Read MoreRadical
by Al Diestelkamp via THINK, Volume 33 No. 1, January-March, 2002 The word “radical” has come to have more than one meaning. Initially, it meant “from the root.” Somewhere along the way, it began to be used as a synonym of the word “extreme.” When used as an adjective to describe a person’s beliefs, it…
Read MoreConservative or Sound?
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 3, September 1993 All humans are forced to communicate by the medium of words. Words convey ideas and concepts; they are tools for expressing our thoughts to others. But words are frequently imprecise, and we are sometimes careless in saying exactly what we mean. Frequently, we assume…
Read MoreSplitting a Church or Working Out Your Salvation
by Jim Ruff via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 3, September 1993 It is a serious matter to be a party to “splitting a church.” Christ demands unity and peace (I Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3). Our salvation is also a serious matter (Matthew 16:26), and we are each responsible for working out our own salvation (Philippians…
Read MoreBy Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them?
by Jeff Kingrey via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 3, September 1993 “Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good treecannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can…
Read MoreTemperament and Conduct
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Temperament-and-Conduct.mp3 Download Audio by Garry Floyd Introduction: Temperament shapes conduct: For example, a person with a naturally calm temperament is less likely to exhibit aggressive conduct, while someone with a highly reactive temperament may show impulsive or intense behaviors. Conduct reflects temperament – but not perfectly: External influences (social norms, upbringing, stress) can modify how…
Read MoreJesus’ Dual Role in Our Lives
by Scott Smelser via InLight Media Jesus is more than just our Savior — He’s also our Lord. That’s a whole other aspect to God’s Son that has huge implications for our relationship with Him, and even for the way we live. Scott Smelser dives deep into this important topic in this video.
Read MoreConfidence in Sharing Your Faith
by Scott Smelser via InLight Media Evangelism intimidates us. We feel guilty because we feel like we should do more, but that only creates a stronger vicious cycle of not doing it. In this video, Scott Smelser breaks it down and shows you how sharing your faith is totally doable, and much simpler than you…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Foundation?
by Doy Moyer via InLight Media What’s your life built on? The way you answer this question makes all the difference when things get rough — when you get hit with hardship, stress, sickness, or even death. Doy Moyer invites us to consider our foundations and recognize that a life founded on God’s Word is…
Read MoreI’m suffering OCD when it comes to baptism
Question: I have a question. I am pretty sure I am suffering from OCD when it comes to baptism. I have been baptized multiple times because I did not think my repentance was genuine enough and because I was learning more about baptism. I originally came from a Baptist denomination. My friend, whom I met…
Read MoreMaintenance
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Maintenance.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 I. Come the beginning of the year people begin thinking of weight-loss programs and exercise regimens. A. It could be that with a new year, people want to get a new start in being healthier, but I suspect that all the overeating from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas,…
Read MoreWhy Did Jesus Die? (Warfel)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Why-Did-Jesus-Die.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreThe Philistine City of Gath
by Leon Mauldin via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 The first biblical mention of the city of Gath is in Joshua 11:22, contextually speaking of the giants (Anakim) who remained in the land after the initial conquest: “None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained…
Read MoreThe Ordinance of the Red Heifer
by Jerry King via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Many of the ordinances contained in Moses’ Law make good scientific sense. For instance, some of the purity laws make good medical sense. But there are other ordinances contained in the Law that have no discernible scientific sense to them at all. Their efficacy…
Read MoreTo Spank or Not to Spank
by Jeff Archer via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 A friend of mine was called to the elementary school his son attended. The teacher was seeking help with his son’s misbehavior. When he arrived in the classroom, he pulled his son aside and reprimanded him for what had happened. At the end of…
Read MoreAvenge Our Blood
by David Hurst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 Vengeance is a greatly misunderstood subject in the Bible. Our understanding of the word is described with words such as retaliate and punish. Most of us view it as an undesirable trait. We fight feelings that desire to see someone get what is coming…
Read MoreBlack Becomes White
by Michael Davis via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 From time to time, we may express our disapproval of those whose practices or demeanor are different from our own. For example, we may voice (or at least demonstrate) our objections to the conduct of some, or toward their attire, or at times even…
Read MoreHe Entered the Strong Man’s House
by Howard Reagan via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house” (Matthew 12:29). Before Jesus came into this world, all people of accountable age were under the…
Read MoreBy Reason of Use
by William V. Beasley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 Some, not all, of the Christians who originally received the book of Hebrews were in a state of spiritual infancy (Hebrews 5:11-14). The writer of Hebrews had a real difficulty in writing about Christ (“Whom” Hebrews 5:11) or of the priesthood of Christ…
Read MorePutting Adam Back Together
by Joshua Creel via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Adam was broken; he was in pieces. Now, before you worry too much, allow me to explain that Adam is a statue – a very valuable statue. The Italian Renaissance master Lombardo crafted him from marble in the late 1400s. The statue has been…
Read MoreThe Extra Mile
by Michael Cawthorn via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 What comes to your mind when you hear the word extra? Maybe as a student, you were able to do some assignments or additional homework for extra credit. Perhaps, as an athlete, you had to run extra laps as punishment. As a parent putting…
Read MoreChurch Autonomy
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 The word autonomy is not a Bible term, but it is certainly a Bible principle. It means independent or self-governing. Universally, the church is under the headship of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:22-23); we are His body and must take directions according to His testament.…
Read MoreGranted Repentance Unto Life
by Terry Wane Benton A drunkard might repent of being a drunkard and hurting his family, but such repentance is not such a repentance that makes him right with God regarding all his sins. It is a needed repentance that helps his physical well-being and his family’s quality of life, but it is not God…
Read MoreThe Elephant in Mark 16
by Edwin Crozier Is It Even Supposed to Be There? Some of the newer translations, such as the ESV I commonly use, have made it abundantly clear there is a huge question about whether or not Mark 16:9-20 are originally part of Mark. Smack in the middle of the page, we find the message: “Some…
Read MoreSome Signs a Congregation May Be in Trouble
by Rufus Clifford III via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Parents are constantly warned to be aware of signs that their child may be on drugs, alcohol, or depressed. Society spends thousands of dollars informing parents on how to detect these signs in their children. Have you ever considered whether it’s possible to…
Read MoreBut I Love Him — How Can I Remarry?
Author Unknown via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 Perhaps because of our youthful foolishness, compounded by a fresh love and a new marriage, my wife and I discussed the possibility of remarrying if one of us passed away, even in the first week of our new life together. It was suggested by one…
Read MoreThe Church of Christ in the U.S. Is Dying!
by Gary Calton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 Not too long back, a friend of mine was attempting to secure a place to preach. During that effort, he visited a congregation that had a large sum of money in the treasury. As he and I discussed the lack of interest some churches…
Read MoreDoes Cleaning the Conscience by Jesus’ Blood Come Before Any Obedience?
by Terry Wane Benton Hebrews 9:14 says that He “offered Himself without spot to God,” and this was to “purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Does Jesus purge our conscience before we hear the gospel, believe it, repent of sins, and are baptized in His name “for remission of sins”…
Read MoreHow do you identify the true church?
Question: Dear Sir, Thank you for your response to various questions. I have learned so much from the La Vista Church of Christ’s website, and I want to let you know. I really want to join a true church of Christ. I have two questions: How do you identify a true church? Is Christ coming…
Read MoreYour website has helped a lot
Question: Hello, I’ve written before. I preached for a couple of decades with no formal training. However, being an adult class teacher for most of my adult life helped a lot. We attend a small congregation. I retired from a large company, so I didn’t need a big salary. I never meant to get into…
Read MoreWhen Would I Split a Church?
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 There are a few things that God hates. One of them is “he that soweth discord among the brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). That should be a sobering thought. Being responsible for a division is a terrible thing. On the other hand, what God desires for…
Read MoreToday’s Application of Parables
by Olly Harmon via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 The other day, I took a good look at my surroundings and the house I have been left with, which had not been touched for over three years. Oh, yes, I had painted the outside and whacked off things that got in my way…
Read MoreI Commend You
by Kenneth A. Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). These were among the last words spoken…
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