Why did Jesus tell some people to talk about his miracles and others not to say anything?
Question: I was studying Mark 5 and there are two things I do not understand: Jesus commanded “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great thing the Lord hath done for thee” in Mark 5:19. However, in Mark 5:43, he charged them straightly that no man should know it. I do not understand…
Read MoreIs there a gift of beauty or attractiveness?
Question: Is there a gift of beauty or attractiveness? Are Christians allowed to utilize this gift? Should it be used in the same manner in males and females? What are some possible examples it is used to honor God? Answer: Are there some people born more handsome or beautiful than others? Yes. “It came about…
Read MoreThey Know It Is Wrong, But They Don’t Care
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton An article appeared in the newspaper reporting on a study by Bruce Bartholow at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While we all know that alcohol changes a person’s behavior this study shows that those under the influence of alcohol realize that they are making mistakes, but they just don’t care. Participants in…
Read MoreCan a woman do the bookkeeping and generate financial reports for the church?
Question: Dear Sir: I am writing to you because I need an answer from a mature Christian. I have in the past read a great deal of the articles your congregation has posted online. I have also used several of them in our bulletins. We are a fairly new congregation. We have no elders. We…
Read MoreI received an unofficial CD containing songs I know are copyrighted. What should I do?
Question: A song leader from another congregation had burnt a CD from a group of people who recorded songs from the Hymns for Worship hymnal, to try and teach song leaders how to lead some of the less used songs in the book. He had given it to my grandpa years ago. It is copyrighted material. This…
Read MoreCan the marriage of an atheist work? Is it possible to have a marriage that lasts without divorce?
Question: Do you think atheist marriages can work? And toward Christian marriages: do you still have to make it work, or can you just be confident it will work since the only reason for a divorce would be cheating? I know a couple — she’s atheist, he’s agnostic — and they intend to marry. But…
Read MoreI love the spectrum of issues that you address on your site
Question: I want to express my gratitude for your wonderful and informative website. Now I haven’t surveyed the Internet and compared it in any comprehensive way whether your site is the most in-depth or not, but I will say it is by far the most comprehensive I have used. I currently have been associated with…
Read MoreGluttony (Jacobs)
by Jarrod Jacobs The subject of gluttony is misunderstood by many people. Sometimes, during the Thanksgiving holiday, or after some big meal, someone will jokingly say, “I hope the preacher doesn’t preach on gluttony.” At other times, I have been accused of “not preaching on gluttony” or “not condemning gluttony” when this is not the…
Read MoreAn Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth
by Steve Dewhurst Such is modern man’s ignorance of God’s word, as well as His justice and mercy, that we often misunderstand the simplest Bible expressions and concepts. For example, the age-old principle of justice contained in the phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” is frequently seen as a…
Read MoreSamson
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Samson.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 11:32-40 I. Heb 11:32-34 A. Many wonder why Samson is listed among these greats. B. True, his great strength was a wonder, but his life was not one many of us would want to imitate. C. How is it that Samson, with his many sins, has come to be listed with greats…
Read MoreI’m living with a guy I know is involved with another woman
Question: I have been committing sins since I was 15. I’m now in my twenties and a single mother to a beautiful child. I and her father broke up because he was unfaithful to me; he got another girl pregnant several years ago. I also had an abortion when I was in my late teens.…
Read MoreWhy are you only not to covet your neighbor’s things?
Question: Deuteronomy 5:21: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Why was covetousness mentioned in relation to only the neighbor and no one else, e.g, parents, siblings, relatives,…
Read MoreYour site is a blessing
Question: I praise the Most High God, our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior for leading me to visit your site. I am very much blessed by the information on this site and am definitely going to share it with my family and my fellow church members. God bless you all as…
Read MoreI had sex with my cousin and got her pregnant, but I think I should break up with her. What do you think?
Question: Hi, I found this website extremely helpful when I was looking for people with the same problem with a girlfriend’s past as I did. I apologize in advance for writing a lot. Here is my story: My cousin is quite a bit older than I am. She had a baby with her ex-boyfriend. I…
Read MoreI need some pointers in teaching people
Question: Brother Hamilton, I had a crazy day yesterday. I talked to four people total about the gospel; that’s never happened to me. Each encounter brought up some questions, and I thought I’d ask you. The most urgent one is I have a Bible study scheduled Sunday night with a friend on baptism. This is…
Read MoreWhy would God want me to live with a man who cheats, is irresponsible, and uses weed?
Question: My husband cheats, doesn’t pay the bills, brings women into my kids and my home that I pay for, and takes the money I have left after bills for weed. If God loves me, why would He want me to live like this? I can’t even drive myself in my car to work. A…
Read MoreWould a true Christian make purchases from a company that uses a sinner for its spokesman?
Question: A member of the congregation was told by a friend that she is not a true Christian because she shops at JC Pennys and Ellen DeGeneres is a spokesperson for that company. She was told that a true Christian should not support a company that hires a lesbian to be their spokesperson. The member stated…
Read MoreHow 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 More