That prophet you called false was right!
Question: I read your response to the gentlman who was claiming to be a prophet and telling you of the judgement looming over you. I wanted to state first of all that he is correct. Judgement is looming over the head of every man because the blood of 50 million babies cries out to Jesus much the…
Read MoreIs your material available in printed form?
Question: I am looking for a church and found your web site. While looking it over, I wondered if you have in printed or as an Adobe PDF the Articles and Sermons sections (perhaps other information too)? I am grateful for some of the information I have had time to read on your site. It is true many religions today…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible say it is wrong to have sexual fantasies?
Question: Can you please tell me where in the Bible Jesus talks about fantasy thoughts? Personally, I don’t believe that sexual fantasy is committing the sin of lust as long as you don’t actually plan to take action to actually commit it. What do you think? Answer: Just a side note before getting into your…
Read MoreHow do you make your prayer life better?
Question: What should you do if you have been baptized and trying to live the Christian life, but your prayer life is not as it should be? You go for weeks without praying and asking God to forgive your sins. Then when you do pray for forgiveness, you never feel like you’ve been forgiven because…
Read MoreShould I break up with my boyfriend who is about to file for a divorce?
Question: Well, my boyfriend is fixing to file for a divorce and I have no idea what to do. I feel like I should break up with him because we committed adultery. I feel terrible about it. I feel like the Lord is telling me that he isn’t the “ONE.” But I don’t know anymore…
Read MoreHow could a woman in an adulterous marriage have the right to remarry after a divorce?
Question: I have read through your articles and thoroughly enjoyed them, and even taken a few sermons and re-worked them into sermons that I preached here. However, when I came across an answer to a question you made concerning divorce and remarriage, I was a bit taken aback because of you being “totally on” scripture when…
Read MorePeople don’t want to hear about sex from a religious point of view, do they?
Question: I am sorry to say that I, personally, disagree with many of your teachings. I am not here to argue with you; I just feel that some of the things you are saying to children seem terrifying. Mostly I refer to your words about sexual relations. I am not a particularly religious person and that…
Read MoreWhich of Noah’s three sons did the Gentiles come through?
Question: Which of Noah’s three sons did the Gentiles come through? Answer: All three sons. “Gentiles” means “nations” and was used for anyone who wasn’t an Israelite (a descendant of Jacob). Abraham descended from Shem, but through Ishmael came the Arabs, and the Edomites came through Esau. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was the father of the…
Read MoreWho must we believe in to go to heaven, God or Jesus?
Question: Who must we believe in to go to heaven, God or Jesus? Answer: The answer is both. You cannot believe in one without believing in the other. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You,…
Read MoreThose “Strange” Macedonians
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ThoseStrangeMacedonians.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 8:1-5 I. Have you felt a little strange lately? A. It is human nature to want to be liked by others. 1. As a result, we will modify our behavior to fit in with those around us. 2. You’ll see teens dressing in similar fashion to those they consider to…
Read MoreHow were the foreskins disposed of under the Old Law?
Question: I am curious: in the Old Testament, what was done with the piece of foreskin that is a type of putting off of the sins of the flesh (Colossians 2:11) by the circumcision of Christ? We know that Jesus was the sin offering acceptable to God and as such his body of flesh is…
Read MoreIs mixed swimming right or wrong?
Question: I was reading your sermons on modesty. What I want to know is why do you say mixed swimming is wrong, but in the article labeled “Emphasizing the Physical”, mixed bathing is not considered wrong, but people make it a rule? I’m a little confused. Answer: People love to make rules, but we don’t often think…
Read MoreOrdinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
by Jerry D. Curry via The Sunny Hill Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 8, April 15, 2001. God’s people have always been called upon to take action. As Joshua made his farewell speech he exhorted Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Haggai exhorted Israel, “Go up to the mountain, and bring…
Read MoreWhy do some people accept the gospel but others reject it?
Question: My son had a question I am not sure how to answer. The question is: Why is it that some people respond to the hearing of the gospel by accepting the gospel, and others respond by rejecting it?” It is the same Holy Spirit that will convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment; so why does…
Read MoreThe Autonomy of the Local Church (Sharp)
by Keith Sharp Introduction Several years ago I spoke by phone to a preacher who works with a large congregation in South Texas. As we conversed he asked if I was “anti-cooperation.” I told him I knew what he was talking about, but that I advocated scriptural cooperation between churches of Christ. He changed the…
Read MoreHow much repentance is needed before baptism?
Question: I have a few things that bother me from time to time and I can’t seem to be at peace with it. The topic of repentance comes to mind. I have read through some of your articles, as well as other articles, regarding repentance and its necessity for baptism (which I understand). My problem is…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “where the worm dieth not?”
Question: What exactly does the scripture mean in Mark 9:44,46,48 where Jesus said, “where the worm dieth not”? Does it mean that pain will never cease for a person who is in hell? Why the reference to a worm? Answer: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you…
Read MoreShould dowries be given today?
Question: Should bride money be practiced today? Answer: Dowries (bride money) has been a long-standing tradition among mankind. The Bible records that it was practiced(Genesis 29:18; I Samuel 18:25; Hosea 3:2), but there is no law stating it had to be done for typical marriages under the Old Law and it is not mentioned in…
Read MoreI keep reading your answers to all of these questions and I keep saying, “Amen!”
Question: I keep reading your answers to all of these questions and I keep saying, “Amen!” Answer: Thank you. I try hard to answer as best I can.
Read MoreThe Ten Commandments and the Old and New Testaments shall stand forever!
Question: Do not mislead the people with your manipulation of the Word of God and your omissions about the “Ten Commandments.” His Word and Commandments were, are and forever shall remain true! He alone is the Creator and the destroyer! No mortal with limited knowledge can change what He tells through the only Living Book, the…
Read MoreYour article on observing the Sabbath has several mistakes
Question: I noticed your article on the Sabbath. I find there are several mistakes in the first paragraph not to mention the rest of the article. The first mention of the Sabbath day is not in Exodus 16 but Genesis 2. Exodus 20:10 verifies that fact. “in the nearly 3,000-year record which was given in Genesis…
Read MoreCan depression make you feel empty?
Question: Can our own minds push us away from God? I mean, if you’re too hurt, can you feel dead? I’ve been really hurt lately. I haven’t had the intent to do anything. My parents are worried and my friends. I’m feeling like I never did before. I spend every minute of my day thinking about…
Read MoreWe want to marry, but my girlfriend isn’t old enough. What should we do?
Question: Hi, I hope you don’t mind answering. I’ve tried to find answers in the Bible, but I’m a little confused about what my options are and what is best. Firstly I’ll write a background on the situation: I’ve been dating my girlfriend for just over a year. I love her very much, and we…
Read MoreIf the dead cannot come back to earth, then how did Jesus raise the dead?
Question: If Jesus said that dead people cannot come back to earth, how did He raise Lazarus and some other people? Answer: “So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, They will not awake Nor be roused from their sleep” (Job 14:12). “And as it is appointed for men…
Read MoreShould people be checked out before accepting them in a congregation?
Question: I believe that there is a certain amount of due diligence necessary when a person, a couple, or a family move into the area and want to become members of a local congregation of the Lord’s church. What do you recommend? What do you do? One scripture that comes to mind is II John…
Read MoreWhat was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
Question: How are you? Can you help answer this question and elaborate on it? What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh, when Paul says he prayed three times that it may be removed? Answer: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given…
Read MoreDoes the idea that there is no fear in love applies to all loving relationships?
Question: I want to learn what the verse I John 4:18 is all about. Does this speak of our love for God or for our brothers and sisters? Or can this also apply to a relationship between lovers? My friend quoted this verse to me saying that when you are “in love” and there is…
Read MoreThank you for the tips on song leading
Question: Thank you so much for the tips that you have displayed on the site about Song Leading in the Church. I have been part of the church of Christ as far back as I can remember. I am very thankful that my parents raised me in this church. I was inspired by my late Grandfather to become a…
Read MoreHow do I reach an elderly friend who is a Roman Catholic?
Question: I was wanting some advice on how to go about witnessing to a Catholic lady whom I know. I am 25 and she is about 75 years old, and we have been friends for about a year now. I was working as a nanny down the street from her and use to go and…
Read MoreCan a woman baptize someone?
Question: Can you tell me your belief or understanding of the Bible on whether a woman can or cannot baptize someone? Answer: “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (I Timothy 2:12). The problem is that baptism is done with the…
Read MoreEveryone’s a Critic
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/EveryonesACritic.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 9:7-12 I. Everyone faces days when it feels as if nothing is going right. A. People find fault with what you do and you think that nothing can please them. B. Criticism, justified or not, isn’t pleasant to receive 1. “You’re not doing that right.” 2. “You should have done that better.”…
Read MoreWhy do we cite Matthew regarding divorce since Jesus lived under the Old Law?
Question: As I understand Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32 concerning divorce, Jesus is answering the Pharisees (Jews) as they were tempting him on this question. His answer was the same as the law that they were under (except for fornication). Such as in the case that Joseph thought Mary was in. Why do we in the church today…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible have to do with God?
Question: What does the Bible have to do with God? I’ve been reading questions and answers on your site, and I really like how you stick with the Bible without adding any opinions that aren’t in there. You see, I have a problem, and I was hoping you would be able to help me. I’ve…
Read MoreNotes on Self-Control
Acts 24:25 I Corinthians 9:24-27 Galatians 5:22 I Timothy 1:1-5 I Peter 1:5-7
Read MoreDo I have to live near my ex-wife for my son’s sake?
Question: My wife had an affair and would not come back to me. We got a divorce. We have a child together. I am not a people-person in general, and all I want is to be by myself. I don’t want anyone around me or even calling me. I just want to be left alone,…
Read MoreI blew it again. What do I do?
Question: Here is my problem: I was in a very distracting and painful relationship that totally drew me away from God. The relationship ended with me close to suicide. I couldn’t understand how this could be because I loved this person very much. I moved to a different country because the pain was too much…
Read MoreHow do I get past the fact that my girlfriend is not a virgin, but I am?
Question: Hello. I want to start this email by just saying that I am not good at spelling, and I hope you understand what I’m saying. I saw a note on your site about a boy who lost his virginity to a girl. I was trying to get answers about virginity. I am a virgin, and…
Read MoreYou certainly deal with “sticky” questions!
Question: I just had a look at your site. You do deal with “sticky” questions! I do appreciate your work. May the Lord bless you. Answer: Thank you for the encouragement.
Read MoreShould a new Christian read the Bible from cover to cover or start in the New Testament?
Question: I have a problem. I’m a relatively new Christian of six months. One of my big troubles has been finding the motivation to read the Bible. Sermons are fine, and articles, and talking to pastors. I love doing research online, finding relevant passages quickly, comparing, and studying. But I struggle so much to motivate…
Read MoreI’ve been having dry sex with my girlfriend. I know it is wrong. She wants to marry me, but she isn’t a Christian and I don’t know what to do.
Question: While researching sexual sins, I came across this web site. Some of the points mentioned in the answers regarding sexual sins have really touched my heart. As a brief background about me: I am 24 years old. I have been dating a non-Christian girl for the last several years. I realize that it is…
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