How do you prevent sibling rivalry?
Question: I was reading some thoughts shared recently by those who are finishing up their years of homeschooling their children. One thing that struck me, in particular, was one mother’s mention of how she enjoyed her children’s teenage years. That is really something! My five daughters currently range in age from 1 year to almost…
Read MoreQuestions about spanking, privacy, and clothing choices.
Question: I have three boys who are actually not my stepsons yet. Their mother, who is widowed, and I are going to be married in about two weeks. We are maintaining a biblical relationship. However, I am a teacher, so I am free to handle childcare over the summer, where she is not. In order…
Read MoreDogs Don’t Go to Heaven
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/DogsDontGoToHeaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 22:12-17 I. When we want to illustrate a point, we often will search through life around us to find something similar. It is especially good if the audience understands the example A. Those points make a lasting impression on us because we are familiar with the illustration B. Thus Jesus’…
Read MoreDoes the concept of right and wrong come from the nature of God?
Question: From past study, I have come to the conclusion that that morality, right and wrong, are bound up in the nature of God himself. Things are not right or wrong “just because God said so,” – that is, God does not arbitrarily declare a thing to be wrong that would otherwise be permissible, nor…
Read MoreDoes the Bible talk about members withdrawing from the church?
Question: Does the Bible mention anywhere about a member withdrawing from the church? I know that they can quit attending. Answer: Withdraw means to avoid or to depart, depending on the Greek word being used. So when someone leaves the church they have withdrawn. For example, Demas forsook or left Paul (II Timothy 4:10). Fellowship between…
Read MoreDid God command the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?
Question: Do you think there was a time in the old law that God did command the use of instruments in worship to Him? Such as II Chronicles 29:25-28. Seems like there are split thoughts on this idea. Just wondering about your thoughts. There is no doubt that instruments were used in the Old Law…
Read MoreMy 14-year-old has become rude, a poor student, and mean to his younger brother. What do I do?
Question: I have a fourteen-year-old son. In the past year, he has become very verbally rude. He is not doing well in school. He cannot get along with his little brother, who is seven. He used to be so sweet and loving and now I’m so worried about him. I know drugs are not an…
Read MoreDoes Satan know our weaknesses?
Question: Does Satan know our weakness? If so, does he use people in our lives in ways to get us to fall? I mean is he able to influence relatives, friends to cause one to stumble? Is he able to put people in our lives who seem to be genuine but have evil intentions to…
Read MoreYou should stop bullying people about sexual sins
Question: Preaching fire and brimstone to young, confused and naive children when they turn to you for advice and help in what is surely a very scary time is despicable. I suggest in the future you direct their questions to reliable medical sites that might actually help them with their problems rather than scare them…
Read MoreYou Didn’t Say Not To
by Carey Scott Remember when you were young and you were sent to the store for a particular item? When you got home with that item and some other goodies, you were challenged as to why you bought more than that one item. You answered; “You didn’t say not to”. This was met with a…
Read MoreWould This Marriage Work?
by Bobby Duncan For some time the late brother G. C. Brewer wrote a series of articles in the Gospel Advocate in answer to questions received from readers of that journal. A number of these articles were published in 1941 in a book entitled Contending for the Faith. As would be expected, some of those…
Read MoreWorks in the Book of Romans
by Irvin Himmel via Truth Magazine XXIII: 2, pp. 43-45, January 11, 1979 Frequently Paul mentions works or deeds in his epistle to the saints at Rome. Whatever he means by “works,” the term expresses something opposed to grace and faith. He insists that justification does not find its source in works. Let us take a look…
Read MoreThe Prayer in My Hand
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/PrayerInMyHand.mp3 Text: Luke 11:1-13 I. I ran across small article aimed at teaching young children for who they should remember to pray. A. I thought you might find it interesting as well B. Not just for teaching children, but it offers a lesson for us as well II. The prayer in my hand A. If I hold up no…
Read MoreHow can miracles cease if God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?
Question: In Acts 9:40-41 it states that Peter kneeled down and prayed and turning him to the body said; Tabitha, arise [ exactly the same as that said by Jesus when He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. (Mark 5.41)] And she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up.…
Read MoreWhen and where can women teach today?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 21, May 23, 2008. Question: When and where can women teach today? Answer: “Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law” (I Corinthians 14:34). Earlier in…
Read MoreDo you have something on the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?
Question: Do you have any articles or sermons on the instrumental music used to worship under the Old Law? I understand that the Old Law has been done away with and we don’t use instruments in today’s worship, but I am just curious about the use of instrumental music in worship under the Old Law.…
Read MoreWhy Was God About To Kill Moses?
by Terry W. Benton The text of Exodus 4:24-26 seems oddly placed, but it is a separate paragraph from the rest of the text. Moses has been commissioned to go back to Egypt where the Israelites are and tell Pharaoh to free them. Moses thought of excuse after excuse, which angered God, and then made…
Read MoreDo you believe that the only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace?
Question: Does the church of Christ believe that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting Him as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace? Thanks. Answer: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). You cannot claim to accept the Lord as your Savior if you…
Read MoreIt’s people like you who make young people fear to turn to God for help
Question: I am 23 years young, Christian married mother of one and I was so upset with the comments you made about these young kids who are having sex. Unless you are God Himself, which I highly doubt, you should not be judging and make them feel foolish about the choices they make. It’s people…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say we will be greeted by our loved ones after death?
Question: Hello, You, so far, are the only person I trust to tell me the truth of the Bible. I am so confused trying to understand it. But, anyway, when we die does it say in the Bible if we will be greeted in Paradise by our loved ones who already passed on? Thank you…
Read MoreIs it okay to pray for my dad or does he hear my prayers?
Question: My dad just passed away and I’m worried about his soul. My question is: Is it okay to pray for him and does he hear my prayers? It’s a calming thought that your parents are in heaven watching us like angels. Is this possible, or do they really have no more knowledge of earthly…
Read MoreEntering His Rest
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/EnteringHisRest.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 4:1-11 I. There are religious groups who argue that we are still under the Ten Commandments. In particular, the commandment to rest on the Sabbath Day A. One argument is based on Hebrews 4:9, which says there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people. B. One person asked about it…
Read MoreMy girlfriend’s past is making me uncomfortable. Should I break up with her?
Question: I was so close today to cutting ties with my girlfriend. Each day something happens and I get more tired of her antics. Yesterday, we didn’t talk all day because my friend was coming over in the morning and in the evening I was leaving to go to an event that was an hour…
Read MoreWhich Baptism Is Referred to as the One Baptism of Ephesians 4:5?
Adapted from an article by Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 20, May 16, 2008. Question: Which baptism is referred to as the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5? Answer: Some people want to refer to this baptism as a spiritual baptism. I have never been able to understand what one means by the…
Read MoreIs rough sex a bad thing?
Question: Is rough sex a bad thing? If so, why? Answer: Much is going to depend on how rough you think rough is. There have been numerous trials where someone was badly injured or even killed and the defendant claimed “We were just having rough sex. She liked it that way.” The flaw in that…
Read MoreI found your articles pertaining to eternal security to be excellent
Question: I read some of your excellent articles pertaining to eternal security on your web site. It is unfortunate that more people do no share your discernment. Even though I was raised with this teaching, I have never been able to make peace with it. Answer: Thank you for your kind words.
Read MoreMy pastor says God told her that I shouldn’t marry my fiance. What do I do?
Question: Hi! I am 19 years old and I have been a Christian all my life. I am a Pentecostal. I have fallen in love with a man the same age as me and we both agree it’s better that we get engaged and seek the Lord in everything we do rather than falling into…
Read MoreI noticed the more good I do, the more I am tempted. How do I deal with this?
Question: I noticed that the more good I do, the more I get tempted. So if you can give me some advice on how to deal with this and have stronger faith. Answer: You’re not the first to notice this. “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.…
Read MoreDoes it please God when we preach and teach His Word?
Question: Does it please God a lot that we try to preach His Word and teach about Him to people? I have a gift. I can communicate very well with people, and I have the power to convince them. I am never scared of public speaking, I am an excellent speaker. When I talk to…
Read MoreWhy I Left the Baptist Church
by Larry Rouse In the fall of 1973, I had no intention of leaving the church in which I was raised. On the contrary, I had recently publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized on the same day. I could well be described as “on fire” for the Lord. I was quickly…
Read MoreWhoso Findeth a Wife Findeth a Good Thing, and Obtaineth Favour of the LORD
by Sally Anne Perz Text: Proverbs 18:22 Next to God, the most important person in a wife’s life is her husband. Often wives are guilty of holding their husbands to their own expectations and standards or comparing them to other men. Learn what kind of a man you are married to—and remember that you were…
Read MoreWholesome Adultery?
by Sherman Wilson In the Saturday, June 24, 1995 issue of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, our local daily newspaper, the entertainment section contained a capsule review of the movies currently showing in our city. I quote from the review of The Bridges of Madison County: “From Clint Eastwood comes a wholesome romance about adultery.” Now I ask,…
Read MoreWhen the Mormons Call
by Johnie Edwards via Truth Magazine XXIII: Part One (31, pp. 503-504, Aug. 9, 1979); Part Two (32, p. 514, Aug. 16, 1979); Part Three (33, p. 537, Aug. 23, 1979); Part Four (34, pp. 552-553, Aug. 31, 1979) Most communities have had a visit from young men calling themselves Mormon Elders. They teach that the Mormon…
Read MoreWhen Looking for a Preacher
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (II Corinthians 10:12). Paul had many frustrations with false teachers in his day. The focus was taken off the accuracy of what Paul…
Read MoreI think my girlfriend is making a mistaking in finding a new place to live. What can I do?
Question: I’m curious to hear your two cents on this situation I’m stuck in right now. So here’s the story: Since my girlfriend and her daughter live over two hours away, she’s looking to move closer since it’s very hard for us to see each other. We only do that about once a month, twice if…
Read MoreMy ex-girlfriend is caught up in emotionalism. How can I get her to see the truth?
Question: I just wanted to know if you had any advice to assist me in dealing with this particular situation. I have tried to approach my ex-girlfriend about allowing emotions to lead you to follow false doctrine and learned that she has a new boyfriend, who apparently she believes is the ideal person because they…
Read MoreWhat Kind of Flood?
by Edwin L. Crozier via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 1, Jan. 6, 2008. I have heard Bible believers debate the flood. I use the term “Bible believers” loosely here because some of these so-called believers can’t seem to accept the Bible for what it says. Genesis 6:17 says, “I will bring a flood of…
Read MoreIs playing an instrument for a person’s own enjoyment scriptural?
Question: Is playing an instrument for a person’s own enjoyment scriptural? For example, can I play the guitar and piano, and write my own songs — not in worship to God, but for my own enjoyment? I feel somewhat at odds because I think about how we are to give thanks to God and in…
Read MoreHow could a good God allow sex to exist in the world?
Question: How could a good God allow sex to exist in the world? Answer: Your question implies that “sex” is oppositional to “good.” Just because man has found ways to corrupt the use of sex does not imply that sex is without a righteous purpose. See “Why is sex a sin?” for an earlier response…
Read MoreI’m depressed and about to be homeless. At 64 years old, I cannot live like this
Question: I am depressed and about to be homeless. I am mentally and physically sick. 64 years old I cannot live like this. I feel that wanting to die, attempting suicide, or just waiting to die on the street are all the same. I do not feel any connection to God anymore so I know He has…
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