What is needed to use the material on your site?
Question: Hello. I am a preacher with a Christian Church. Some time ago, I had a professor from a Bible college point me to some articles on your web site. I have found several articles to be very helpful. I was writing to see what it would take to receive permission to print a couple…
Read MoreIt Is Not for You to Know
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ItIsNotForYouToKnow.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 1:1-11 I. How would your decisions change if you knew what would happen tomorrow? A. Without a doubt we are curious people. We don’t like being kept in the dark. 1. You can see it in any child: “Are we there yet?” 2. But it remains present in adults: “Do you…
Read MoreThe Author of Our Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/AuthorOfOurFaith.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 12:1-3 I. In translating from one language to another, some words just don’t fit easily. Some words have multiple possible meanings in another language and figuring out which one of the various possible translations is hard. A. Harder are the words which have multiple meanings in another language, and…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a preacher and a teacher?
Question: I’ve been wondering about this one for some time now, but still can’t quite figure it. For all the similarities that one can see between “preaching” and “teaching” (and besides things like audience involvement), what is the real difference between the two? Focus? Delivery? Approach? I’m always thankful to God for your help. Answer:…
Read MoreHow can I go back to being the happy-go-lucky person I used to be?
Question: I have gone from the a motivated, enthusiastic, happy go lucky person to a depressed, fearful wretch and cannot seem to recover. I know you will tell me to seek professional help, which I am. I see a doctor and am on medication. I search the Internet and read the Bible every day. What…
Read MoreHow do I know if God wants me to marry this girl or what career I should take?
Question: Hi, I have been reading the questions and answers on your web site since shortly after being baptized into the Church of Christ and really appreciate the insightful and godly answers you are able to give. I was just reading your answer to, “If a person doesn’t follow God’s specific will for his life,…
Read MoreThe Law and the Gospel
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LawAndTheGospel.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:1-11 I. I have frequent encounters with people who do not distinguish between the Old Testament and the New Testament A. None want to fully return to the Mosaical covenant, but each wants some feature found in the Old Testament to be binding on Christians B. Popular features seem…
Read MoreWhat if your wife told you she was HIV positive after the marriage?
Question: A friend of mine and I discussed your book “Preparation for a Lifetime” and asked me this question: “If on the night after your wedding your wife tells you that she’s HIV positive, what would you do”? I was dumbfounded for some time but later gave my own opinion anyway. What is your own…
Read MoreI know God won’t forgive me
Question: You said to a person on your website: “But if you didn’t reject those thoughts, but instead focused on them and considered them, perhaps even wondering if you could get away with it, then you have stopped resisting Satan and giving in to sin. That is what lust is, wanting something really badly even…
Read MoreShould we give testimonies in church?
Question: What is meant by a testimony? I’ve seen so many sharing their testimonies in churches. Can we share the testimonies like that? One brother asked me to share my testimony in their church. What can I say? Answer: To give testimony really means to give evidence that something is true. In many denominations, giving…
Read MoreWhy do people ask questions about me when I visit a church?
Question: In “Should people be checked out before accepting them in a congregation?”, a person wrote about ‘checking out’ new people to the congregation before accepting them. While I understand the logic behind making sure they accept the true church and follow the Lord, I have experienced that type of probing and questioning that is…
Read MoreI don’t mind that you disagree with the Salvation Army, just don’t write about it
Question: I love the Lord with all my heart. In my life, I have been on an adventure with Jesus. I am not perfect (who is?), but I try every day to live a life as a servant of Jesus. I am really hurt that you would advise Christians not to give to the Salvation…
Read MoreJudgment and Mercy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/JudgmentAndMercy.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreWhy didn’t Jesus let the unclean spirits say who he was?
Question: There are some parts in the Bible, where it says “Jesus cast out demons, but did not let them talk, because they knew who He was.” Why would He do that? I mean, if people heard demons saying that Jesus is Lord, they’d believe, and it’d be good, wouldn’t it? Why He didn’t let…
Read MoreCan a woman only become spiritually mature in marriage?
Question: I have heard it expressed before by a past preacher in a church of Christ that he did not consider single women to be mature in Christ. The implication being that all women must marry if they are to obtain maturity spiritually. This perplexes me and I find myself coming back to his statement…
Read MoreAm I spoiling my youngest children?
Question: I am nearly sixty and a widower. My wife gave birth early to a set of twins, but she didn’t survive the delivery. I was left with children ranging from 10 years of age to sickly premeies. The twins survived and will be 13 soon. They are intelligent; spoiled brats to be honest! I…
Read MoreIs it wrong to sell or prescribe emergency contraceptives?
Question: I desire to be a pharmacist and being that I already work for a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician, I supply the medical stations with medications. I was wondering what your thoughts were in regards to supplying the medication Plan B that helps to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Am I in the wrong by…
Read MoreIs it wrong to fantasize about my wife when she refuses to have sex with me?
Question: Is it wrong to fantasize about my wife? My wife and has refused to have sex with me for over five years now. She considers me a best friend and the father of our children but not much else. She is not a Christian, so she has no concern for what the scriptures teach…
Read MoreIs the use of sex toys sinful?
Question: Are sexual toys, or other things to excite sex, sinful? For example, if a woman isn’t being pleased by her spouse, could she use sex toys to provide her the pleasure she desires (and vice versa for the husband)? What about sex toys being used by singles? Answer: I can’t think of any passage…
Read MoreHow does a parent prepare himself for the need to punish?
Question: I have read many of the answers you have given about spanking and while I disagree or am uncomfortable with using anything other than a hand for it, I have seen the positive effects of spanking being part of several punishment options for parents with my friends and their children. I now have my…
Read MoreHow do I get an Ifa priestess’ curse off of me?
Question: Hello, I recently read the outline that’s entitled “Is Witchcraft Real?” I’m desperately in need of spiritual help. A curse has been placed on my mother and I. None of the events that have been taking place in our lives are rational. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of the Ifa religion, but someone that…
Read MoreWould it be wrong to major in dance?
Question: Hello. I’ve danced since I was young. I mean artful dance like ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and such. I’ve been a Christian since the age of 12. I am not in college, but I wanted to ask would a major in dance be bad? Is it a sin? Answer: See: “Dancing in the Bible” to…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say Sinai was in Arabia?
Question: I am a great admirer of your well-studied responses. I wanted to ask about a comment from the question; “Could Israel crossed the Red Sea on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula?” In your response, you said, “Typically people wish to claim that Mount Sinai was on the Arabian Peninsula.” In Galatians 4:25…
Read MoreWhat religion did the Arabs follow prior to Islam?
Question: I’d like to know what religion, if any, did the current Muslims have before Mohammad came. Since they are sons of Ishmael, were they following Judaism? Answer: Judaism is the following of the Law of Moses, which was given exclusively to the sons of Israel. “And Moses called all Israel, and said to them:…
Read MoreI think Satan can bring a thought to your mind
Question: Yes, Satan can put thoughts in a man’s mind. Look at the Scripture. I disagree with what you answered to “Can Satan put bad thoughts into your head?” “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel” (I Chronicles 21:1). ” But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart…
Read MoreIt doesn’t seem that Hebrews 10:25 is the right verse to explain why children’s church is wrong
Question: Hello. I’m responding to the article “Parallel Worship” by Bob Berard. I have my own misgivings about children’s church and junior church, which is why I began searching for articles. However, Berard immediately puts himself on the wrong footing by claiming that such groupings for kids “violate the injunction of Hebrews 10:25 ‘not to…
Read MoreDoes the mother church interpret the Bible for Catholics?
Question: I am Catholic and was asked why Catholics need the Mother Church as the guardian and interpreter of the Bible. So the church interprets the Bible for you, right? How would one best respond to this? Answer: That is what Roman Catholicism teaches. See: “Roman Catholic Quotes Regarding the Bible.” Since the teachings of…
Read MoreWhy isn’t Cain mentioned in the genealogy of Adam?
Question: If everything in the original Bible is true, why is Cain not mentioned once in the genealogy of Adam? If we look into the word superinfertation at the three latest I have seen in medical files is there perhaps a way that Cain could have been born just before Abel without Adam knowing Eve…
Read MoreWhy did Aaron make the golden calf?
Question: Why did Aaron make the golden calf right after God had spoken the ten commandments to the Israelites? Answer: When confronted by Moses regarding his sin, Aaron blamed the people into pressuring him. “You know the people, that they are set on evil” (Exodus 32:22). He blamed Moses for taking too long to get…
Read MoreMy girlfriend caught me cheating with my former girlfriend. What do I do?
Question: I had a girlfriend, but then I started loving another girl. But I could not let go of the first one because she was satisfying my sexual needs. One day the other girl caught me cheating. I am madly in love with her and promised that I will never ever do something so cheap.…
Read MoreCommunication Between God and Man
by Skip Sebree, Fall Gospel Meeting, 2010 God Speaking to Us Becoming Better Readers Becoming Careful Readers The Learning Triangle Understanding the Word Our Speaking to God Improving Our Prayers Studying Prayers
Read MoreCould Jesus have been flawed like other men?
Question: I wanted to speak more with you. I hope not to offend you. I know that we are very different people and have made different choices for different reasons. I do believe in a god, but he’s obviously different than yours. I have read passages of the Bible too, and I would love to…
Read MoreDoes worship have to be on Sunday?
Question: I was discussing with someone about coming to church on Sundays. What day should we meet? Does it matter which day during the week? Under persecution, you might not be able to meet Sundays, so I was wondering: does it matter the day the church meets? I do know that it states they came…
Read MoreHow do I keep my desires from getting out of control?
Question: Hi My fiancee told me that she’d sent a question to you about me, and showed me your response today. Her email wasn’t exactly truthful, so I decided to email you myself and hope for advice about my situation. Sex was never a problem for me; I was in my early twenties when I did it,…
Read MoreCan Romans 14:21 be used to justify the use of alcoholic beverages?
Question: May His grace continually flourish in the good work He has started in our life. About Romans 14:21, many brothers in our congregation are having a field day with this verse. The worse are the defenses they use to justify drinking. I will not say am the weak type, but I have a distaste…
Read MoreIs my fiance a real Christian?
Question: I’ve been dating for a year, and now I’m engaged, but it still will take two years for us to marry. My fiance and I have strong sexual temptations, it seems like I have a lot more control than him. Sometimes it scares me because he seems to want sex too much. He’s not…
Read MoreCan Satan only rule people and not nations?
Question: A visiting lady at our ladies’ Bible class said that Satan was cast out of heaven because he was trying to rule the nations. Because of this, he can rule people but not nations. I had never heard this before and can’t find anything to confirm it. Answer: I think that Why do people call…
Read MoreOther than Paul, did Jesus speak to anyone else directly after his ascension?
Question: Other than Paul, did Jesus talk to anyone else directly after his ascension back to heaven? Answer: Jesus spoke to Ananias (Acts 9:10). When a voice told Peter to arise and eat, Peter addressed the voice as Lord (Acts 10:13-14). Jesus spoke to John (Revelation 1:10-11ff), the letters to the seven churches in Revelation…
Read MoreHow was John the Baptist Elijah?
Question: Hi! I am wondering if you can please help me understand what the Bible is saying about John the Baptist when it refers to him coming in the spirit of Elijah? In Luke 1:17, it says John the Baptist will come in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” In Matthew 11:14 Jesus says John…
Read MoreShould married couples abstain from sex before partaking of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Can married couples have sexual intercourse before Lord’s Supper? Answer: Upon what passage do you base this conclusion? What I suspect has happened is that someone is trying to blend Old Testament laws with the Law of Christ. The Law of Moses had requirements about not being unclean when approaching God in worship. Those…
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