We Can Know the Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/WeCanKnowTheTruth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Objectivity is not a strong point in our society A. Objective means the existence of something outside of oneself. B. Our society prefers things to be subjective – belonging to one’s own mind – especially when dealing with matters of right and wrong. 1. “It doesn’t really matter what I believe, as…
Read MoreThree Roads to Learning
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There are three roads to learning, whether we talk about school work or Bible study A. Prov. 2:6 – The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding B. Prov. 24:3-4 – Compared to a house 1. Knowledge is the comprehension of facts. It fills our minds with pleasant and useful things 2. Understanding is the reasoning…
Read MoreRighteous Judgment (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Truth is narrow. There is only one truth. We prefer the truth, but often we are attracted by falsehoods. You watch a movie and see the hero do what you know are impossible deeds. You hear the people on screen witness to the impossible deeds as if they were facts. So…
Read MoreI want to know God and feel Jesus’ love, but I don’t know how
Question: Am I worthy of God’s grace? If so, why is it that I am lost and can’t control my sins? My whole childhood was a mess during my parents’ divorce. I guess never having a father around made me blame everything on my mother. Getting older I followed what everyone else was doing. I got…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My husband is a drug addict
Question: Dear sir, I have a question about my marriage. My husband is addicted to drugs. I’ve been praying and trying so hard to get him to stop. He keeps promising and goes back to it. We live overseas and things are getting so hard for me, more than I can handle. We have a…
Read MoreAre the sexual things we do sinful if we plan on marrying?
Question: My girlfriend and I have been dating for over three years now, and it’s a given that we’ve faced sexual temptation. Though we have not gone “all the way” we have done mostly everything else. We’ve talked about marrying each other and think it’s a very real possibility. If this is the case, are…
Read MoreWisdom
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. What would you consider valuable? A. Money, home, job, a good life? B. Yet there is something more valuable; more important C. Today we will talk about wisdom II. What is wisdom? A. Can you name something that is wise? 1. Many say an owl is. But it is just a bird 2. It’s traits are those…
Read MoreIs there a possibility of being kind to an angel or are we just entertaining for angels to watch?
Question: In Hebrews 13:2 it says we are to be hospitable because in doing so some have entertained angels unawares. I’m trying to understand if this means there is a possibility we could show kindness to an actual angel (appearing as a human), or if by “entertaining” it is talking about them being entertained (i.e.…
Read MoreCan a church buy and sell properties?
Question: I’ve been thinking a lot about authority and what ways the church is authorized to receive money into the treasury. Freewill offerings are the only means, correct? The church does not have the authority to open a business to support its funds, correct? If those are true, a question struck me: Does the church…
Read MoreI think my music is giving me bad thoughts
Question: Hello, I have been constantly having bad thoughts and thoughts about things that haven’t happened. I also have been having thoughts about past conversations and events that I don’t want to remember. I know we can sin in our minds, that is why I ask God to forgive me for the bad thoughts. They…
Read MoreWhat do I do? My parents won’t allow me to marry the man I love
Question: I come from a Christian family. I’m lost, I’m confused, I’m miserable. It’s a very long story, hope you can bear with me. I’m 29 years old. Two years ago, I committed fornication with my boyfriend, whom I had known for about two years at that time. We just started a relationship not long…
Read More“He Done Good” (Isaac Watts)
by Wayne S. Walker Isaac Watts, who lived in the late 1600s and early 1700s, was a short man. My friend Rob Speer and I occasionally commiserate with each other about the fact that we are both, well, shall we say, somewhat vertically challenged. But Isaac was really small — less than five feet tall;…
Read MoreIs it wrong to use instrumental music during a talent show at the building?
Question: I know musical instruments are not to be used in the worship setting. But our leadership is too biblical at times. Some are so biblical that they rather call an event a Gospel meeting and not a revival. I know that we must obey those who rule over us, but you being a leader in the…
Read MoreShould the Lord’s Supper be passed forward from the back?
Question: I am concerned with the way our church serves communion. The elders decided to no longer place the communion plate on the table that says in Remembrance of Me and will pass it from the back of the church. First, they pass the contribution basket and then the wine and bread. It bothers me…
Read MoreAre you permanently defiled after fornication?
Question: Good day, I’m a 20-year-old female, and I’m a Christian. I got saved when I was around 13 years old but ever since then, I’ve never lived my life according to the principles of Christian. I started engaging in sexual immorality (masturbating and pornography) at an early age when I didn’t know what I…
Read MoreHow Did the Elephant Get Its Long Trunk?
by Bryan Sharp How did the elephant get its long trunk? In his fairy tale, “The Elephant’s Child,” Rudyard Kipling fictionally describes how the elephant got its long trunk. Originally, we are told, elephants had short noses, but one day a young elephant got too close to the river and was attacked by a crocodile.…
Read MoreWhat do we do, now that a member has confessed to being a pedophile?
Question: A week ago a brother in Christ has confessed to his wife (our sister in Christ) that he’s been molesting several little kids. He came forward because he’s been caught. He repented in front of the church (not giving any details). He asked the congregation to pray for him regarding his sexual problems and…
Read MoreThe Redemption in Christ: An Examination of Romans 3:19-5:21
by Sean P. Cavender Paul indicted all people, both Jew and Gentile, as guilty of sin before God (Romans 3:19). It is due to man’s ungodliness that the wrath of God is revealed, and He will judge all sin as worthy of death (Romans 1:18,32). The reality of sin is frightening and condemning. What is…
Read MoreFaith and Works (Sharp)
by Keith Sharp The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is fundamental to Protestant theology. The old Methodist Discipline stated, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” The Standard Baptist Manual, by Edward T. Hiscox teaches, “… the great gospel blessing which Christ secures…
Read MoreWhy Get Married?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WhyGetMarried.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 2:18-24 I. Society’s attitude toward marriage has changed drastically over the last few decades. A. Fewer people are marrying while at the same time homosexuals are demanding the right to marry. B. I’ve been told in recent years: 1. “My parents divorced. I don’t want to put my kids through that,…
Read MoreYou Shall Not Murder (Dearman)
by Jim Dearman “You shall not murder!” That was God’s command as part of the Ten Commandments, and it is reinforced in the New Testament. In Romans 13:9, the apostle Paul refers to the commandment from Exodus 20:13. There he writes, “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall…
Read MoreHow can I forgive my husband for his adultery?
Question: I have been married for almost 25 years and found out several weeks ago that my husband has had an affair. I knew something was wrong but was too blind to know what for the past two years and sought Christian counsel to help me. One person asked me if I thought he could…
Read MoreWho started the church in Rome?
Question: Hi Jeff, Got a quick question for you. Do we know who started up the congregation in Rome? Of course, we know that it wasn’t Paul from the way he words his epistle to them, but I wondered just who did or if we even know. Thanks. Answer: The quick answer is no; we…
Read MoreWhy does my wife despise me?
Question: I desperately need godly counsel concerning my marriage. Let me start out by setting up the scenario first. I met my wife at church when I was a teenager. We were friends for the first few years, then started dating, and then got engaged. She is the only woman I have ever dated or…
Read MoreShould we move near each other before getting married?
Question: Hello, I need some advice. You see, my girlfriend and I have been friends for a while. We prayed together and made sure we were the ones for each other before we did anything. Our relationship is definitely God-centered. It’s so amazing! But we are in a long-distance relationship. I live in a different…
Read MoreHow can I get faith?
Question: I really need some advice. You see, I’ve tried to follow the path of Christ so many times I don’t even think I can count. I have never been baptized, but I want to. I’m just scared “what if I get baptized and I backslide?” I want to follow the path, but I just…
Read MoreCan a former murderer be forgiven and be able to work?
Question: Dear Minister, I committed murder at the age of 19 and spent the next 21 years in prison. I was released several years ago. I have been trying to figure out if I can truly be forgiven for the murder that I committed, and if so, just how do I get forgiven, and attempt…
Read MoreThe man I committed adultery with is trying to force me to marry him. What should I do?
Question: I have a child whom I had with a man to whom I am not married. Actually, I’m still married to another man whom I left because of physical, and mental, and emotional abuse. My child’s father has since been confirmed to the Catholic church. He calls our child a bad word for illegitimate.…
Read MoreHow Long Was the Egyptian Bondage?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HowLongWasTheEgyptianBondage.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 12:30-41 I. As Christians, we need to be prepared to make a defense – Jude 3; I Peter 3:15 A. People don’t want to follow God’s word, so they figure if they can cast doubt in one area, they can ignore the Bible in all areas. B. One way is…
Read MoreThe article “Command or Custom” is wonderful!
Question: Greetings! Thank you for this wonderful article! In my 2+ years of Internet research of I Corinthians 11, I must tell you this is the best article I have ever read that proves I Corinthians 11 is talking about a physical covering and not a woman’s hair as a covering and that it was not custom or cultural practice “back then” and that it…
Read MoreWhat do you do when the elders are not listening to the congregation?
Question: Hello, I’m a member of the church of Christ. I just read the article “Majority vs Elder Rule”. Our congregation is currently going through something that. I, myself, personally have never experienced it. We have elders who are not really being the leaders they should be, and in this case, with the majority of…
Read MoreIf I want something so badly that I think I would be willing to go to hell to get it, and then I do get it, will I end up in hell?
Question: Hi, I’ve been very scared of not going to heaven and going to hell. When I really want something, I sometimes think I would burn in hell just to have it happen. It sometimes actually does happen, and it really scares me because I thought I’d burn in hell to have it happened. Does…
Read MoreWe haven’t done anything really bad, so why are our lives so difficult?
Question: Hi there, I hope you are doing fine. I am only 19. I’m married, my husband is 20. Neither of us has done anything really really bad in our lives, but yet we are suffering like we are the worse people on earth. Of course, we have sinned, but this is just ridiculous. I…
Read MoreWas I too impatient when I gave my mother constructive criticism?
Question: Hello, I am really into Christianity and trying to learn and grow, but they still seem to be rather worldly. I am trying to lead by example, but I wonder if that is enough. The knowledge that they could die at any time makes me want to be rather hasty and get on them…
Read MoreHow do you handle an annoying younger brother?
Question: Hi, I read one of your answers to a similar question, and I was hoping you could help me with mine: I’m 17 and I have a younger brother, age 14. The past few days he has been using really bad words –words that would make anyone angry. He has been avoiding me, constantly…
Read MoreShould a government legislate morality?
Question: I have had a question for some time now, and have found it difficult to find clear answers in the Scriptures. I know there are many Old Testament accounts, but as far as a New Testament church, it seems quite muddy to me: Should a government legislate morality? I attend a church that has…
Read MoreAre the teachings of the Christian Science church Christian enough?
Question: Are the teachings of the Christian Science church Christian enough? Answer: Christian Science only follows the teachings of Jesus in part. It denies that the Bible is complete (II Timothy 3:16-17). It doesn’t think the Bible has everything need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). It doesn’t think that God’s teaching was given…
Read MoreMust you marry in the church you attend?
Question: Is it compulsory to marry in the church you attend? Why? Answer: Marriage has existed from the time the world was created (Genesis 2:24). It is not defined by any church or denomination. It was given to all of mankind and existed long before the church. Where a couple gets married makes no difference.…
Read MoreI’m hurt that my daughter wants to buy her stepmother a gift, but never talks about getting a gift for me
Question: I’m hurt that my daughter wants to get her stepmom a gift for Mother’s Day. My daughter has never asked me to buy a gift. The step mom is my former husband’s mistress who is now his wife, but my daughter doesn’t know this. She and my husband were so opened with their affair…
Read MoreConverting a Soul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/ConvertingASoul.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-7 I. When dealing with people, it should not surprise anyone that there will be disagreements. A. Being people, each individual has his own mix of ideas and desires. B. The true difficulty comes in getting others to do what needs to be done when they aren’t inclined to do…
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