I’ve always heard about the three waves of the Babylonian captivity, but where is this found?
Question: I’ve always heard about the three waves of the Babylonian captivity, but where is this found? Answer: Three Captivities Jehoiakim, also called Eliakim, was put into power by Pharaoh Neco who had killed his brother. Babylon attacked Judah and Jehoiakim surrendered to Babylon for three years, but he rebelled and Judah suffered its first…
Read MoreI am old and have been away from the Lord for a long time. Can I ever reach heaven now?
Question: Hello, I am troubled and need advice. I am in my late seventies. I want to go to heaven when I die, but due to my past, I am not sure this will happen. I was raised and baptized in the church. I have always believed that God and Jesus were real but during…
Read MoreWhy did it feel as if demons were chasing me?
Question: Hello, I would like to start with my story. This would be my first year doing lent. On my list of things to give up were sex, cigarettes, soda, pork, and hard liquor. I have been dating this guy for almost a year now. I don’t know what it is about him, but it’s…
Read MoreDoesn’t God Want Me To Be Happy?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2013Spring4DoesntGodWantMeToBeHappy.mp3 by Lance Blackburn Lessons for Our Time
Read MoreHow do I handle a mean and sinful parent?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I just wanted to ask you something. I know God doesn’t like ugly. I believe what goes around comes around. I have had people try to do things to hurt me, not physically but in other ways. I can’t do anything but pray to God to protect me from them at…
Read MoreIf you constantly watch porn, will God give you up to vile affections?
Question: Hi, If you constantly watch porn will God give you up to vile affections? I’m constantly worried that when I watch porn and fail that God will give me up to vile affections and make me gay and stuff for punishment. Is this true? Answer: If you ignore any sinful thing that you are…
Read MoreIf I aim to preach or teach, what do I need to learn?
Question: It would seem that not many are even aiming to try and follow the truth, and as such, I would like to someday be a preacher and or teacher in hopes that some might be won over to Christ and the truth. I appreciate that you seem to do that as well. It seems…
Read MoreI Saw, I Desired, and I Took
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013Spring3ISawIDesiredAndITook.mp3 by Lance Blackburn Lessons for Our Time
Read MoreZealous or Lukewarm?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013Spring2ZealousOrLukewarm.mp3 by Lance Blackburn Lessons for Our Time
Read MoreLessons for Our Time
by Lance Blackburn of Sharpsburg, Georgia March 3-8, 2013 Giving and Taking a Rebuke (outline only) Zealous or Lukewarm? I Saw, I Desired, and I Took Doesn’t God Want Me To Be Happy? Is It Convenient? Internet Dangers Will We Do Right by Him? What Hinders Me from Being Baptized?
Read MoreI married a man, not realizing what he was like or what his past was. What do I do?
Question: I got married several years ago to someone that I really didn’t know. We met in the fall and married the following summer. It was one of the most foolish things that I have done, and have regretted it every single day. I believed he was a Christian. He lied about who he was…
Read MoreI was refreshed to know there are others who are focused on the message
Question: Hi, Studying in the book of Judges this morning, I did a search and Google included La Vista Church of Christ as one of the links. I was curious so I visited your site. I was very refreshed to read your declaration of fidelity to the Lord in your “Who We Are” comments. With…
Read MoreScholarly Perversions of the Word
by Eugene W. Clevenger via Preceptor, December 1951 “I know that is what the Bible says alright, but what do the scholars say about it?” I have heard that statement made many times, and it reflects an attitude. There is a widely prevalent idea that the final word to be said about the meaning of any…
Read MoreShould Churches of Christ Observe Passover?
by Mark W.White via Biblical Insights, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2013 The Jewish Passover usually comes around each year in our month of April. Those who are familiar with Old Testament history understand the significance of this holy day for the Jewish nation. God delivered the children of Israel from their Egyptian bondage through a…
Read MoreAre women prohibited from ever teaching men in an assembly of any kind?
Question: Is there any verse, to your knowledge, that prohibits women from ever teaching men in an assembly of any kind? I know she can’t teach from a position of authority such as an elder, deacon, preacher, evangelist, etc. And, I know that she can’t usurp authority over a man, but can she teach men…
Read MoreShould children be allowed to eat the leftovers from the Lord’s Supper?
Question: I hope you will answer this: Following the last service on Sunday we clean up the communion service plates for the fruit of the vine and the “loaf” in a small room within the building. In the past, the children have been allowed to drink the grape juice remaining in the cups, and some…
Read MoreCan non-believers and children partake of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: l want to know if we have a scriptural authority that forbids children and non-believers to partake of the Lord’s Supper? Answer: I know of no passage that places a requirement on who may partake of the Lord’s Supper. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is commanded of Christians (I Corinthians 10:16-17). It has meaning…
Read MoreGreat article on how Jesus could be in the grave three days and three nights
Question: Great article, “How could Jesus be in the grave three days and three nights?” Thank you very much. Answer: You’re welcome.
Read MoreProfessional Preachers
by Edward O. Bragwell via Biblical Insights, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2013 The trend toward developing a “professional clergy” among churches of Christ has been in the making for some time now. More and more, both churches and preachers, have come to view gospel preachers as professionals much like the professions of this world. Churches…
Read MoreThat answer about an adult stealing from his parents was the worse answer I’ve ever seen
Question: In regards to your answer to the person that asked about their adult child stealing from them. You gave no New Testament verse for your answer. If you are going to give answers to people, especially those who ask questions regarding their families, you should give biblical answers — New Testament biblical answers. I have…
Read MoreI just can’t understand why my husband had an affair and a child as a result
Question: My husband confessed to me a couple of months ago that he had a one-night stand while overseas. Even then I knew that couldn’t have been all to the story. With the help of members from our congregation, last week he was able to confess it all to me. He stated that he and…
Read MoreMy daughter has taken a dislike to my boyfriend and her grades are dropping. What can I do?
Question: I have two questions concerning my 14-year-old daughter: Question 1: She had her yearly adolescent check-up. She and the doctor talked alone for a few minutes, and then I was asked to come back into the room. The doctor talked about the stress of school and “other things.” She suggested my daughter see a…
Read MoreDo you need her parent’s blessing before marrying?
Question: Hi, I am 22, Christian, (raised and worshiping in a non-denominational church of Christ, actually), and have a bit of a conundrum. I apologize for the lengthy staging here. I met the girl I want to marry. She is a baptized Christian, also 22, but was raised in a stricter sect of the Mennonites.…
Read MoreParenting Grade-School Children — Responsibility Training
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ParentingGradeSchoolChildrenResponsibilityTraining.mp3 by Jeffrey W Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:25-36 I. How quickly our children grow A. The years between five and nine seem to quickly fly by B. The children enter school. C. Relationships with people outside family develops 1. Teachers 2. Friends – usually strongly attached to same sex D. Sibling rivalry common especially with those of the opposite sex E. Growth…
Read MoreHow did Joseph prove who he was to his brothers?
Question: How did Joseph prove to his brothers that he was Joseph and not an Egyptian? Answer: He had knowledge that only a brother could possibly have. He knew the birth order of the adult brothers. “And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and…
Read MoreCan a man remarry after divorcing his wife for her admitted adultery only to find out decades later that she lied to him?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church, he is not (although he has been studying and attending services with me). I was engaged to him until I contacted his ex-wife to inquire about what ended their marriage. I wanted to make sure his claim that she committed adultery was correct. She wrote me…
Read MoreGod wanted instrumental music before, so why not now?
Question: I am a member of the Church of Christ and have been for over 20 years. As I have read your article on ‘Can Musical Instruments be Used to Worship God?’ with an open mind I hope you will do me the same honor of reading mine. I take it (although not stated in your…
Read MoreIs divorce only allowed during the engagement?
Question: Regarding How could a woman in an adulterous marriage have the right to remarry after a divorce? I believe there is something very important you are missing. Matthew was written to a Jewish readership, Mark and Luke were written for a Gentile readership. As you know from the nativity story, Joseph was betrothed to Mary. Their marriage had not…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Temptation
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreI divorced my husband because of his drug use. How will I know if he has died? Even his family has lost track of him
Question: OK, so my first marriage ended in divorce because of my husband’s adultery. Then my second marriage ended in a divorce, the reason for this was because of my husband’s drug use, alcohol addiction, stealing, and pawning everything we owned. I really tried to help him, but he refused to get help or to…
Read MoreIs it sinful to not want to have children?
Question: I was wondering if it’s sinful for a woman not to ever want to have children? Answer: A person has the right to choose to get married or not. That choice comes with consequences since sex is only allowed within a marriage. “But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is…
Read MoreWhat do you think about a congregation using a “praise team” to lead singing?
Question: Good morning!! I recently visited a congregation that had a “Praise Team”. There were 8 adults in front of the congregation (4 males and 4 females). Each one facing the congregation holding a microphone. They were singing a song (acapella), with the words appearing on a giant screen up in the front (no song…
Read MoreI’m heartbroken that I have to end my marriage
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I wrote to you a month or so ago and you were very helpful. I wanted to thank you again. Just a refresher. I found out after my husband and I were married for less than six months that he was viewing pornography. Of course, like the world seems to view, he…
Read MoreMy husband has gotten involved in drugs and gambling. What do I do?
Question: My husband and I have been married for twenty years. We have four children together. Two of them are grown with their own families now, but two of them are still at home. During the first part of our marriage, my husband was a wonderful father and husband but for the past seven years,…
Read MoreWhat would be an example of a sin not to pray for?
Question: Your article “A Sin Leading to Death” reminded me of a question I have struggled with. The lead-in verse I John 5:16-17, if I may paraphrase simply says there is a sin to pray for and not to pray for. What would be an example of a sin not to pray for? Answer: Sins…
Read MoreWe say a creed at every service. Is this vain repetition?
Question: Hello, My question to you today is concerning a creed that a church I’ve been attending quotes during every service, and I would like to know your thoughts on it. I have recently come to terms with my abusive use of alcohol and the demeaning and shameful things I allowed myself to do under…
Read MoreWe want to marry, but we can’t afford to lose benefits
Question: What does a very obedient Christian couple do when they are living together and willfully obeying God and not having sex, who desperately want to be married but cannot due to one of them being on SSI? The other person cannot support the other person and that money that is given every month, even…
Read MoreI left my husband after only six months. I realize I was wrong, but he won’t consider my returning.
Question: Of late, I have started following Jesus Christ, although I am not a Christian, and reading Bible has helped me overcome a lot of stress and depression. I need your help on my life’s greatest issue. I fell in love with a guy when I was 17. We were in a relationship for almost…
Read MoreCan a Christian believe in God and not believe in prayer?
Question: Can a Christian believe in God but not believe in prayer? I’m a member of the church but I don’t believe in prayer? How do I overcome that? Answer: Let’s work backward. You say you don’t believe in prayer, yet the Bible says that Jesus taught, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that…
Read MoreIf someone wasn’t in a good mental state when getting married, is the marriage still valid?
Question: If someone was diagnosed with depression, and post-traumatic stress, and were put on meds like Zoloft and Lyrica for chronic pain, and the meds made them crazy, are they really responsible for their actions? If someone got married in that kind of mental state is that marriage still valid in the eyes of God?…
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