What is Hell Like? (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/WhatIsHellLike.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Read Luke 16:19-31 A. In every parable of Jesus, the illustration is used to teach a larger message. But every parable is based on true facts. People do purchase fields, widows do lose coins. B. Notice the facts in this story: 1. Two men lived 2. Two men died 3. Their situations in the next…
Read MoreDoes Hell Exist?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 9:42-48 I. Generally people prefer to think upon pleasant things, so when talking to people about the need to become a Christian, we put emphasis on reaching heaven. A. People focus on the love of God – Romans 5:8 1. But they don’t want to think about the other side of…
Read MoreIs it a sin to change what I believe?
Question: Is it a sin to change what I believe? Or what if I am just neutral? Answer: Growth means you are going to change your mind about things. “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may…
Read MoreDid Eve commit adultery with the serpent?
Question: Is it true that Eve committed adultery with the serpent? Where was Adam when this sin was committed? If the serpent was a beast why was Cain a proper human being? What is the biblical position on this issue? Answer: Questions like these wouldn’t even come up if people read their Old Testaments. The…
Read MoreDoes this article prove masturbation is a sin?
Question: I clearly understand that what you are saying is that the act of masturbation is not a sin. But look at what I found. [A link to an article is then given.] Answer: If masturbation bothers you or you are not confident that it isn’t sinful, then you shouldn’t do it. “Do you have…
Read MoreWho was the younger disciple, Mark or John?
Question: Who was the younger disciple, Mark or John? Answer: There isn’t enough information in the Bible to say. John was old enough to be working as a fisherman with his brother and father (Matthew 4:21). Some suspect, though it cannot be proven, that Mark mentions himself in his account (Mark 14:51). But the word…
Read MoreI thought I was married but found out I wasn’t. I had cheated on the man I thought was my husband. Does that prevent me from marrying him?
Question: I have a question about committing adultery while being married. My boyfriend and I believed that we were married and had sexual intercourse. But during that time I strayed and committed adultery with another guy. I know this is a sin and I continually asked for forgiveness from God and my boyfriend forgave me…
Read MoreYour commentary on Ezekiel was very helpful
Question: I wanted to let you know that I facilitate a weekly Men’s Bible study, and we are in the book of Ezekiel. God (and Google) led me to your web site and the commentary you have on the book. Excellent work for His kingdom. We are a small group of guys, some young, some old,…
Read MoreThanks for the article on the Social Gospel
Question: I just wanted to say I appreciated the article on What Is the Social Gospel on your site. I believe it was by Richard Thetford, so I will send a note to him too. I’m in Texas, so I am not part of your community, but I am a church of Christ member, just for…
Read MoreThe Key to Better Marriages
by Edwin L. Crozier via Gospel Power, Vol. 16, No. 34, August 23, 2009. One thing I have learned about the Bible and marriage is that some of the passages that will help us the most in our marriage were not written specifically about marriage. The passage that will help our marriages (and all other…
Read MoreIf He is Wrong, What Does the Christian Miss?
by Ancil Jenkins Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash Doubt is a subtle demon. It creeps in at times of distress, pain, and fear. Doubting is not sinful; failing to act on doubts is. Honesty demands an examination and a resolution of doubts. As one examines doubts, his heart is comforted. The truth will silence doubts or will…
Read MoreI want to be a real Christian
Question: I am a 17-year-old girl who believes in Jesus and God, but I have sinned a lot. I have used God’s name in vain. I have even questioned if He was good or evil. I know God is good and only God is good. I have even said I didn’t believe in Him. I…
Read MoreHow can I teach my Roman Catholic friends?
Question: I have a couple of Catholic friends that I have tried for some time now to convert to Christianity. They have refused to be my friends and shunned the truth of the Word of God. I am 14 years of age but have been a Christian for three years. I need help with the…
Read MoreCan a couple get married by simply taking a personal vow between them and God?
Question: I have a question about marriage: Is it biblical for a man and woman to get married simply by taking a personal vow between them and God, or must it be done legally? Answer: What creates a marriage is a covenant. “Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:14). A…
Read MoreDoes Paul condemn masturbation in Romans 1?
Question: I was reading a part of the Bible and it was Roman 1:19-23. I was just wondering: does this relate to masturbation being a sin? Answer: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of…
Read MoreDo you know someone who will marry us without a state marriage license?
Question: I would like to get married without the state’s license and with a preacher, of course. Could you please help me find a preacher that would marry in my state? I would also like to obtain more information on this subject. Could I get some more information on how to be married legally or…
Read MoreIs a child bride really married?
Question: Recently I was participating in a discussion with several Christians regarding biblical divorce. One of the group members brought up the marriage of young girls in Third World cultures, such as Afghanistan or Pakistan. From what we have read these girls are sold into marriage by their fathers or extended families. One instance made…
Read MoreWhy is my husband so uncaring?
Question: I too am a wife who feels unloved. My question is, why do men, who give so much loving attention to a woman when they are courting her, stop loving her in the same way as the years go on? We have many children, and the youngest has severe cerebral palsy. When she was born, my…
Read MoreIt’s Your Life, You Know
by Dee Bowman via The Jackson Drive Reporter, Nov. 8, 2009. Life is filled with perplexities and puzzlements of various sorts. It has odd turns: seemingly insignificant things sometimes turn out to be terribly significant; things that aren’t supposed to work out, but sometimes do; and things that seemingly should work out, but don’t. Life is…
Read MoreIs II Thessalonians 1:7-9 referring to two groups of people?
Question: In II Thessalonians 1:7-9, are those who know not God, and those who obey not the gospel two groups of people, and if so what groups is this verse referring to? Answer: “… and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in…
Read MoreIs There Real Fire in Hell?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 34, Aug. 21, 2009. Question: Is there real fire in hell where the wicked shall go to be punished after this life is over? Answer: In answering this question, let us look at a couple of passages of Scripture. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus pictures the final…
Read MoreIs the Condemnation of Homosexuality Universally Immoral?
by Doy Moyer I know. Sounds like an odd question, but it’s one posed to an atheist recently based on all the condemnation of those who believe homosexual practice is sinful. He was objecting to the idea of universal, objective morality. In the process of this, he asked what kind of “objective morality” condemns homosexual…
Read MoreIs That What You Meant to Say?
by Steve Klein via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, March 29, 2009 An insurance agent was writing a policy for a cowboy. “Have you ever had any accidents?” the agent asked. “No, not really,” replied the cowboy. “A horse threw me off and kicked me in the ribs once, and…
Read MoreI’m amazed that a church of such conviction still exists!
Question: I found your site while looking up information on “Edom.” I read your home page and was amazed that a church of such conviction to uphold the biblical teaching manner of the Bible still exists! I have been looking for a straight forward Christian, Bible-believing church for some time now. We have many churches…
Read MoreI wish the best for your ministry
Question: In the course of my daily work, I came upon the web site of your congregation, the La Vista Church of Christ. I wish you the best for your ministry in 2010 and encourage you to persevere during these troublesome times. Have a safe and Happy New Year! Answer: Thank you for your kind…
Read MoreI lied in my earlier note to satisfy a spanking fetish
Question: The following email conversation was made up on my part. I have had a fetish for spanking since I was 4 years old, as far as I can remember. I recently had a memory restored to me of being spanked at 1 1/2 years old. I established some dysfunctional associations with spanking and my sexuality,…
Read MoreA New Year’s Resolution
by Kelsey Harris This year I want to… Write something worth reading Read something worth sharing Say something worth repeating Give something worth getting Choose something worth keeping Sacrifice something worth giving up Go somewhere worth seeing Eat something worth tasting Hug someone worth holding Buy something worth treasuring Cry tears worth shedding Do something…
Read MoreThe Intolerance and Lies of Open-Mindedness
by Doy Moyer We’ve all heard it: we don’t accept a particular viewpoint so, therefore, we are closed-minded bigots trapped inside some blind faith and hope fostered by an ancient, cultish superstition. Those who make such charges are, of course, open-minded, loving, tolerant, compassionate people who are willing to accept others for who they are…
Read MoreIs my ex-husband, who became a homosexual, lost?
Question: My ex-husband has been or was (depending on your biblical view) a Christian for 35 years. We were married for over 30 years when he told me he was leaving me because he is gay and is now a practicing homosexual. What happens about him going to heaven? If you believe once saved, always…
Read MoreWas Jesus omniscient?
Question: I have a question that I hope you can answer for me. Last night I heard a man preach that Jesus was not omniscient while on earth. I asked him after the sermon to explain passages like John 16:30 where the disciples state that Jesus knew everything. He said that we should not proof-text…
Read MoreWhen did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign?
Question: When did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign? II Kings 24:8 and II Chronicles 36:9 give two different numbers. Answer: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem” (II Kings 24:8). “Jehoiachin…
Read MoreHow many years of famine did God threaten David with?
Question: How many years of famine did God threaten David with? II Samuel 24:13 and I Chronicles 21:12 have a different number of years. Answer: “So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months…
Read MoreHow many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah?
Question: How many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah? II Samuel 24:9 says 800,000 and 500,000; but I Chronicles 21:5 says 1,100,000 and 470,000. Answer: When dealing with numbers, you must ask yourself two questions: Are the same group of people being counted and could one account or the other be rounding…
Read MoreInconvenient Truths
by Steve Klein The United Nations Conference on climate change concluded in December 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Leaders from 193 nations have been attempting to reach an agreement on international policies to combat global warming. Outside the conference center, thousands of protesters braved the frigid temperatures, risking frostbite and hypothermia, to protest global warming. The…
Read MoreThe Trinity: God is Three in One
by Mark E. Larson Many critics of Christianity point to what they believe to be a fundamental flaw – the belief that God is three persons, yet one God (i.e., the doctrine of the Trinity). To the Jews and Muslims, this Christian doctrine appears to be a contradiction and a blasphemy against the one, true…
Read MoreMy wife has been committing adultery with her step-brother. What do I do?
Question: Should I stay married and does my wife need to tell the truth? I have been married for over 15 years. I caught my wife cheating on me 10 years ago with her step-brother. She said all they did was kiss, but I knew it was not true. We reconciled to keep our family…
Read MoreHow can I help my rebellious 15-year-old brother?
Question: Hi, I’m a 20-year-old girl with a 15-year-old younger brother who is going down the wrong path. He drinks, smokes, curses, hangs out with his friends most of the time and doesn’t take his schoolwork seriously. He’s repeating 9th grade because he failed two classes last year, but he’s still slacking off and getting…
Read MoreAn Idea for a Sermon Topic
by Jefferson David Tant Sometimes preachers are hard-pressed to come up with a good sermon topic. In reading some of my father’s old church bulletins from Norman, Oklahoma, (April 1946), he wrote of a famous preacher in London many years ago who announced his sermon for the next Sunday – “A Reaping Hook Well Tempered…
Read MoreWhat does the Bible say about infertility?
Question: I am a Christian and want to know what verse should I read to encourage me about infertility. Answer: The inability to have children has long been a problem for couples. The first mention of barrenness was with Sarah, Abraham’s wife (Genesis 11:30). In their case, it was a situation God left unchanged until…
Read MoreHow do I fix my brother?
Question: I know this sounds like a stupid question, but how do I fix my brother? He keeps getting worse. I thought he was starting to act a little bit better, but I guess I was wrong. I know I messed up in acting the way I did when I was little and ended up…
Read More