I love your site; it’s really encouraging
Question: I love your site; it’s really encouraging. Answer: Thank you! I’m happy to be of service to you.
Read MoreShould we require our sons to wear lederhosen year-round?
Question: Should we still require our sons to wear short leather shorts year-round? We are from Bavaria in the south of Germany near the Alps. In the past, it was very normal that boys wore the traditional short leather shorts with woolen knee socks. We followed this tradition not to let the boys wear any…
Read MoreWhat do you do with someone who thinks they are fine and won’t listen to the Bible?
Question: How can I evangelize somebody who says that he already does what is right by not lying or killing anybody and that all is needed is to just love God and that’s it? I don’t see any opening to evangelize because if I talk about Jesus, they will just call me crazy. Not that…
Read MoreI’ve been blessed while reading your articles
Question: I have visited your website and have been blessed while reading your articles. You speak the truth of our Lord. Thank you for your effort in proclaiming the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Answer: Thank you for the kind encouragement.
Read MoreCould you explain Hebrews 13:17?
Question: Hebrews 13:17 states “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” There are two schools of thought that I’ve heard regarding this verse. …
Read MoreCan multiculturalism work?
Question: Can multiculturalism work? What should our attitude as Christians be toward the same? Answer: Multiculturalism is the belief that people from diverse cultures can peacefully co-exist without changing. It doesn’t work because there is no effort at uniting the groups, only a pretense of unity by ignoring the differences. Actual attempts at unity are…
Read MoreDoes a person from a Baptist background need to be baptized again if he believes he has done everything God asks of him correctly?
Question: I have a question about baptism. My husband and I are setting up to teach a man who has been visiting the church where we attend for going on two years now. His background is Baptist and when I asked him was he baptized for the remission of sins he replied, yes. He says…
Read MoreIs it wrong to hope that Jesus won’t come soon?
Question: A while ago my grandma, who has been an amazing influence on me as a Christian, says sometimes she feels hypocritical when we sing and pray about wanting Jesus to return soon. She says she wants to go to heaven, but she enjoys life and hasn’t had to deal with too much suffering. She’s a…
Read MoreCan a non-Christian truly understand forgiveness?
Question: I understand that it is impossible for a non-Christian to understand the concept of true forgiveness toward another person. Is that correct? Answer: Most spiritual concepts are difficult for non-believers to grasp. Not because the concepts are hard, but because it requires looking at the world from a framework that makes non-believers uncomfortable. “These…
Read MoreDon’t women have the same job as men in teaching the Gospel?
Question: Hi, I have been reading through some of your interpretations of biblical scriptures on your website and I felt it necessary to tell you that while whoever is writing them is knowledgeable on the scriptures, they seem to have missed the point of them, particularly in regards to women in the church. Jesus gave…
Read MoreI can’t find anyone near my age who hasn’t been divorced
Question: My question is in regard to Matthew 5:32: “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” I am in my forties and have never married. There were times throughout my life that dating…
Read MoreCan a person who was once a Christian, but now is as worldly as anyone else, come back?
Question: Hello, I John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” but would that apply to someone who’s a baptized Christian but has been away from God for several months, committed fornication and has been very close to atheism? Mostly the atheism…
Read MoreMust I shun my worldly family and friends?
Question: Hello, I was reading one of your Q&A’s and a question came to mind about I Corinthians 5:9-11, “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or…
Read MoreIs Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory?
Question: Is Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory? Answer: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger…
Read MoreI was uplifted by your explanation of why the Old Testament should no longer be followed
Question: Brother in Christ, Yesterday I providentially discovered your website. I must say that I was uplifted by the explanation as to why the Old Testament should no longer be followed. I have studied this issue for a little while, and I wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate your explanation. Before now I…
Read MorePremillennial Theories
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/08/PremillennialTheories.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. There are a lot of ideas floating about concerning the Second Coming of Christ A. Most of them are strange fantasies that have little to do with the teachings in the Bible. B. Many of the myths are repeated over and over so many times that many people accept them as truth…
Read MoreMy husband left me for another woman. Do I have to forgive him?
Question: My husband left me for another woman. After returning back from an overseas assignment, we got into an argument which left me hospitalized. We are both saved Christians (he was saved in our marriage). Even though he says that he didn’t leave his kids but the marriage and me. He filed for divorce and…
Read MoreI committed fornication with my best friend. Should we marry or never see each other again?
Question: I took a quick prayer before asking this since I am quite nervous. I personally believe my situation is as complicated as it can get, but I am really hoping you can help me out. To begin with, I fornicated. I sinned against God and every time I remember, I just feel horrible. I…
Read MoreAs I grow in the Lord, I find I am struggling with my past and current sins
Question: Hello, my brother in Christ, I have been a member of the church for a number of years. I have been a faithful brother since that time and have grown tremendously over the years. As I continue to grow in the Lord, I am struggling with some things of the past, my current state,…
Read MoreWhat are greaves, cuirass, and mace?
Question: What is the difference between greaves and armor? Also the words cuirass and mace? I saw these words in the concordance of a Bible printed in 1955. Please help and thank you. Answer: I’m not certain what translation you were looking at, though these words do appear in some more modern translations. The following…
Read MoreMore Sermon Topic Ideas
by Glenn Hamilton In 1626 a pamphlet was published in London, entitled “A most Delectable, Sweet, Perfumed Nosegay, for God’s Saints to smell at.” About the year 1646 there was published a work entitled “A Pair of Bellows, to blow off the Dust cast upon John Fay;” and another called “The Snuffers for Divine Love.”…
Read MoreIf a single person is aware of sin then sin must be publicly confessed!
Question: Regarding your expose’ as to your opinion of the couple who engaged in pre-marital sex, I couldn’t disagree more with your summation that there was no need to publicly confess. One of your errors is to suggest that the act(s) occurred so closely to vows being exchanged that it would be inconclusive in as…
Read MoreShould a congregation at least partially support a local preacher?
Question: Even though an away congregation is supporting an evangelist full time because the one he is preaching for is small, shouldn’t they (the congregation he is working with) still try to provide some support for him in whatever way? Answer: If another congregation is supporting a preacher fully, then the preacher doesn’t need additional funds. While…
Read MoreMy boyfriend told me he has diabetes. Now I don’t know if I want to marry him
Question: Hello, A guy is deeply in love with me for the last several months. I like him too, but I am not sure of my feelings yet. Still, he remains the best guy I have ever met and could ever have in my life. Then the other day he told me that he has…
Read MoreYour article on the queen of heaven was excellent
Question: We are studying in Jeremiah on Wednesday nights for the next few months and I was doing research on what the “queen of heaven” might be for our preacher, who teaches the class. I’ve copied the article and given credit to La Vista Church of Christ. It’s an excellent article. I have visited your web site before,…
Read MoreHow do I forget that I committed fornication?
Question: I have participated in the act of fornication with my ex-boyfriend. I allowed myself to blindly believe that this guy was serious about marriage and wanted me as his partner for the rest of his life. Initially, we were both seeking Christ together by attending church, fellowship, and tithing; however, he eventually moved several…
Read MoreHow do you handle assignments in class that have immoral content?
Question: Regarding a problem I’m having in college: I’m in a composition class that requires me to read literature that will sometimes involve sinful situations — things that I wouldn’t read if it was up to me. As well as I’m in an art class that probably will deal with Renaissance Catholic artwork, and it’s…
Read MoreHow can it be wrong for a divorced couple to have sex since God doesn’t recognize their divorce?
Question: Hello please enlighten me further: God does not recognize divorce, only our court systems. God sees it still as one flesh under the arranged covenant. But I am confused. What’s the consequence of sexual activity between the husband and wife under God’s arrangement? Surely this is not deemed fornication, having sex before marriage, since…
Read MoreI missed an opportunity to tell someone that their life is not right with God. What do I do now?
Question: My wife ran into an old friend at a store, and they were talking. Her friend talked of how she and her fiance were living together, and my wife said something that kind of approved it. Her friend was also cussing. I walked away and sat in the car. I’m afraid because I didn’t…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t God just end the world and stop the corruption?
Question: We know, as a fact, that our God does not want anyone to perish and wants all to come to the knowledge of Him and salvation. We even deduce that he created us out of love, as He is love. At the same time, we expect that most people will not be saved, and…
Read MoreIs confession of sin only to one’s self or must it be to God?
Question: Hello, I just read your article: “How detailed does a confession of sin have to be? Do you need to list out all that you’ve done wrong?” We have been discussing this subject for over two months with no end in sight. One side holds to the understanding that one needs only to repent…
Read MoreIf a brother had an affair for five years and says he repented, should he be used in service to God?
Question: A brother had a five-year affair. His wife didn’t know about the affair. He says he has repented. Can he work in the worship service and be one of the spiritual leaders? What does he need to do? Answer: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…
Read MoreIf you say one thing in a joking manner, but then do the opposite, is it still a lie just because the other person missed the joke?
Question: I was wondering about lying. Let’s say my wife tells me just want to look at my hobby and my response is no, but I say it in a very playful way — a way that she knows that I am playing and that I really mean that yes I was wanting to look…
Read MoreWould self-examination for physical signs of a problem be a sin?
Question: Hello, I am an unmarried woman, sorely tempted in the flesh and I have fallen many times in the past. Last year I fell yet again and had sexual contact with a man whom I have since left. Every time this happens I am petrified, from a medical perspective, and request all kinds of tests…
Read MoreMy girlfriend committed suicide and I miss her so much!
Question: Why can’t I meet my girlfriend? I want to talk with her once more. I want to say “I’m sorry” to her. I want to feel her once more. My eyes are eager to see her. Can’t I see her just once? Can’t God show some mercy on me and allow her to meet…
Read MoreIs a person to keep a sinful promise?
Question: I want to know if someone made a sinful promise to God, what happens then? Is the person to keep that promise still? Are we to keep our promises no matter what? Answer: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he…
Read MoreDo we have to confess our fornication that was repented of before our marriage?
Question: My boyfriend and I committed sexual immorality. We have repented and not done it again. We are planning on getting married, but do I have to confess my sins to my pastor and my parents before we get married? Answer: The purpose of confession is to face the fact that we sinned — that…
Read MoreIs saying that I’m not available on Sundays and Wednesday nights keeping me from being hired?
Question: I’ve been applying for jobs at fast food places around my area. I realize I need to be supporting my family, and I know I need more than financial aid to be doing so. However, when I apply, they usually give me a time frame of when I’m available to work. I always make…
Read MoreDealing with Criticism
by Michael Thomas We’ve all been told unpleasant things. “You’re not doing this right.” “You could’ve done this better.” You’re not as good at this as he is.” Criticism justified or not, is a part of life, so how can we benefit from it? Listen to It As painful as it is to hear our…
Read MoreIs it a sin to celebrate the New Year?
Question: Is it wrong to celebrate January 1st as being New Year’s day? I recently saw a video stating that January 1st isn’t New Year’s day and the video goes as far as to imply that the whole global community celebrating January 1st as New Year’s is sinning. If this is true, what makes celebrating…
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