How do I know if I’ve truly repented?
Question: I feel empty that I’ve sinned against the Lord. The trouble is, I’m afraid I haven’t truly repented. I’ve committed sexual sins against the Lord and I really do want to resist it. I’ve been studying and it has revealed to me much. I’m just afraid I haven’t changed fully yet. I’m doubtful, not…
Read MoreYou Should Have Known
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/YouShouldHaveKnown.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 1:1-4 I. The writer of Hebrews addresses the Jewish people concerning why God changed His worship and laws A. He does so by citing passages from the Old Testament to prove points that if you just thought about it for a while you realize it must be so II. The…
Read MoreAm I an adulteress because I married a man who had committed adultery in his past?
Question: I recently found your site and was very confused about the topic of adultery when it applied to my current situation. I hadn’t thought that adultery would apply to me as I have never had an affair within my marriage or even had relations with anyone else besides my husband. However, an article on…
Read MoreIt is a horror when one ceases to allow the Bible to judge him and instead judges the Bible
Question: Hi, I was just reading about the supposed Book of Jasher on your website. Until recently I did not believe in the 100% accuracy and inerrancy of the Bible, and I was dangerously close to falling into heretical doctrines. The Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are two of the sects that were beginning to look more…
Read MoreA man now attends church as a transgender female. Should he be withdrawn from?
Question: The ex-minister of a Baptist church now attends as a transgender female. Can this person be ex-communicated? This person not currently in leadership. His presence is very difficult for his now-divorced wife and children. God Bless. Answer: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is…
Read MoreWe keep committing fornication and I’m losing my love for her. How do I start over again?
Question: Please bear with me; it’s a long story! Well, I’ve always asked the Lord for a girl that I can be with for good and worship Him. I even described to the Lord how I wanted her to look. I told Him how I wanted her to be. Soon the Lord answered my prayer…
Read MoreAuthority
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Authority.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Suppose you were studying with someone about the gospel of Christ A. We will assume that the person believes in God and that the Bible is God’s Word B. There are many who fit this description; yet, they do not obey the teachings in the Scriptures C. How do you show such a…
Read MoreWhy does Matthew mention the exception to divorce but Mark and Luke don’t?
Question: Why is the exception clause “except it be for fornication” in Matthew 19:8 regarding the teaching of Jesus on divorce and remarriage not included in Mark’s account of this teaching (Mark 10:2-10) or in Luke’s account (Luke 16:18)? Answer: Each gospel account was written to different audiences with different purposes. None give a complete…
Read MoreI recently found your website and quickly got wrapped up in many of your questions and answers. Thank you so much for the recourse.
Question: Thank you. I tried scrolling through all the questions but couldn’t find anything, but then again, I gave up looking and emailed you at like 3:30 in the morning. Thought it would be easier to just email you and hope for a response. Thank you for the quick reply. I really appreciate it. I…
Read MoreMy son is interested in online studies and mission work. Where can he find good studies?
Question: One more question if you don’t mind. My son is interested in online studies and mission work. I only know of the “AIM” program. We have an individual from our congregation that is in the program now, but our church is pretty small, so they can only support one person at a time in that…
Read MorePreparing for God’s Home and Ours
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring8PreparingForGodsHomeAndOurs.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreI really want to study theology, but how do I know if that is what God wants me to do?
Question: Good day. I’ve been an atheist since I was 17 years old, I couldn’t understand how people could believe in anything supernatural. I’m now 30 years old and recently realized that God truly exists and that He sent Jesus Christ so that we can have a relationship with Him. Today I have no doubt…
Read MoreHow do I ask about my lover’s past relationships?
Question: I want to know how I can ask about past relationships of my lover. Answer: I assume that by “lover” you mean the one you love and not that you are having sex outside of marriage. If you are sexually involved, you are already off on the wrong path. See: Why Sex Outside of Marriage…
Read MoreSeeking a Spouse
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring7SeekingASpouse.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreI’m blessed to know someone used something I wrote over 30 years ago
Question: For “kicks” I Googled on my name. Your church website came up because you cited something I wrote 30+ years ago. I am blessed to know that someone has used it to bless others! Blessings, Dennis Rigstad Answer: I’m always looking for good material and your comparison between love and lust makes an excellent point.
Read MoreI struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide. Do you have any advice for me?
Question: Hi, My question is regarding depression and suicide. I’m hoping you can answer it. I have been dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts for a while. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a result of my low self-esteem. I know how God feels about me, but I’m bombarded by the worldly views…
Read MoreMy husband was deported and I’ve been committing adultery with another man. What do I do?
Question: I was born in a Christian household. I am ashamed of my sin for that very same reason. My mother had me with a man I don’t even know. I found this out when I was 20 years old. I always believed the man that raised me was my biological father. My life was…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that a man is reduced to a piece of bread?
Question: In Proverbs 6:26, what does reducing a man to a piece of bread mean? Does this mean the appearance of a relationship, friendship, and love is so shallow that the reality is the man is viewed as nothing more than an object by which to make money? All thoughts of the man as a…
Read MoreI want to spread your information on alcohol to others!
Question: I would like to spread this information on alcohol through a billboard, radio, television campaign! What great information! Unbelievable! What a gift from God! I am so glad I found this comprehensive information on wine with reference to how it is translated and written in the Bible! Thank you to all who took the time to…
Read MoreMothers (Speer)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring5Mothers.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreThank you for such wisdom
Question: I just want to thank you for such wisdom and it is very well said to God be the glory brother and more power to your church. Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreAre men and women who dress immodestly urged toward promiscuity?
Question: Are men and women who dress immodestly urged toward promiscuity? Answer: Webster’s Dictionary defines immodest as: not modest; not decorous; indecent; not shy or humble; bold; forward. Immodesty doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with promiscuity. It can lead to promiscuity, but it is not a given. A person can be fully clothed and still…
Read MoreHow can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Question: When I got saved I always wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I have received two times in my life the touch of God and when He touched me some power went from my head and through all my body, but I wasn’t aware that it was the Holy Spirit who touched…
Read MoreWhy is the qualification for deacons “not given to much wine?”
Question: I scanned through the topics on your website about drinking, but I still have a question about I Timothy 3:8. I’m not trying to argue that drinking is OK or trying to reword the Scripture to allow it. I do like a beer with a meal on occasion, but I don’t support alcoholism and…
Read MoreParents
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring4Parents.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreGod’s Home and Ours
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring2GodsHomeAndOurs.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreGod’s Creation and the First Home
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012Spring1GodsCreationAndTheFirstHome.mp3 by Robert Speer The Home
Read MoreThe Home: Preparation for Marriage, Preparation for Heaven
by Robert Speer April 1-6, 2012 God’s Creation and the First Home God’s Home and Ours Husband and Wife (Recording Failed) Parents Mothers Fathers (Recording Failed) Seeking a Spouse Preparing for God’s Home and Ours
Read MoreMy boyfriend and I keep breaking up because of sexual sins. Should I move on or try to make this work?
Question: I would first like to start that I enjoy reading your comments and tackling difficult questions that many people are afraid to address. My question is regarding my current relationship. My partner and I are both Christians and we have been together for less than a year. It has overall been a great relationship…
Read MoreAre pranks sinful?
Question: Hi, I just wanted to ask whether pranks are a sin. I’m aware of the passage in Proverbs 26:19 where it states we shouldn’t lie and then say we are joking. Does that mean all pranks are sinful? Thank you very much. Answer: “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the…
Read MoreIs Jesus today both man and God at the same time?
Question: Hello, Many people are teaching that Jesus Christ is a man and not God. But I do not believe that doctrine because I know that Jesus Christ is God. But what bothers me is that the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is also a man. So, is Jesus Christ today man at the same…
Read MoreDid all pain and suffering result from man eating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Question: I realize many things happened when man ate of the tree of knowledge. I think I had said once because of such all pain, suffering, and sickness came into the world. I’m not sure why I had said this other than maybe just something I was convinced was true at the time. Is that…
Read MoreIs it proper to bless God’s high and holy name?
Question: I had used the phrase “We bless your high and holy name.” I realize the word bless means basically to make happy. Is it scriptural to pray that phrase? I figure the elders would have corrected me if it wasn’t, but all men are imperfect. Just wanted to know so if I needed to,…
Read MoreFew answers to moral questions satisfied me until I found your sites
Question: I know this will probably be an extremely odd thing to you but I am writing anyway. I am a conservative Baptist in Nebraska. I have researched a good many things online and have been very disappointed at the decay I see. Very few answers have satisfied me – until I found you. The…
Read MoreWhat are all the types of sexual sins?
Question: What are all the types of sexual sins? Answer: “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). One of the problems with coming up with lists of possible sins is that men are too inventive in coming up with new ways to…
Read MoreI was beginning to despair of people turning churches into places to make money until I saw your website
Question: I would like to thank you. I was having a people failure at some of the things I have been seeing people and churches do. They say they are Christians, but they seem to think it is OK to still sin in so many areas. The churches are selling items, food, and all sorts…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a woman to relieve her fiance using masturbation until they get married?
Question: Praise the Lord. I read your correspondence regarding oral sex and found it to be very enlightening. Does this reasoning also apply to a woman relieving her fiancé using masturbation on him until they marry? Answer: “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a…
Read MoreIs it a contradiction that Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit, but he also said some would see him coming in his kingdom?
Question: Dear Preacher, In Matthew 16:28 Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” My question is did Jesus came on the day of Pentecost when the church was established? Because this contradicts with…
Read MoreMy girlfriend broke up with me. I don’t know why. I thought God wanted us together
Question: Hi, I came across your website and read about what the Bible says about boyfriend and girlfriend relations. I have one question: I loved one of my classmates and she also loved me. We both are believers and born-again Christians. Before coming to this relation I prayed to God, “If you want, then allow…
Read MoreWhat do you advise concerning a woman who left her husband because of his adultery, but did not divorce him, and later lived in adultery herself?
Question: Question: I have a bizarre situation. I met a woman, not a member of the church of Christ, who married an atheist when she was young at the urging of her grandmother to avoid fornication. However, she was not tutored properly about Christ’s teachings on marriage. Some years down the line she became privy…
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