Did You Ever Wonder Why …
by Floyd Chappelear … people who make astrological forecasts don’t get rich by shrewd investing in the stock market? It would seem that if they can truly foretell future events they should be able to do quite well. … people who believe in the “science of healing of the mind” wear glasses? It would seem that…
Read MorePraying in a heavenly tongue
Question: Would you discuss the idea of praying in a heavenly language where the person is edified even though others don’t know what they are saying? Answer: The mention of the language of angels is only found in I Corinthians 13:1 where Paul states that speaking in any language is without benefit if it is not accompanied…
Read MoreHow is Abraham famous? What did Abraham care about most?
Question: How is Abraham, or Abram, famous? What did Abraham care about most? Answer: Many, many years ago God promised a man named Abram, “I will bless you and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The blessing was conditional on Abram’s willingness to leave his home country and…
Read MoreDoes Mark 16:16 say that someone not baptized is lost?
Question: I think I have a parallel that explains Mark 16:16. Suppose I state, “All people who are enrolled and live in the dorm are students in the college. If John is enrolled but doesn’t live in the dorm, does that mean he is not a student?” Similarly, Mark 16:16 says “He who believes and…
Read MoreWill the Earth Remain?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 37:1-22 I. I believe that all here understand that the earth was never created to be a permanent home to mankind A. In contrast to Jesus’ words, the earth and its heaven will cease – Mark 13:31 B. God is eternal, but the world He made will wear out and be…
Read MoreWhy We Don’t Follow The Old Testament (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-6 I. Our Bibles are composed of two major parts: an Old Testament and a New Testament A. Why are they called “testaments”? 1. A testament is a legal document declaring a person’s wishes. 2. Thus, calling the Bible a testament is to say these are the commands (the legal requirements) that…
Read MoreWhat Thomas Missed
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 20:19-29 I. We aren’t told why, but when the disciples gathered after Jesus’ death, Thomas wasn’t there at a very notable time. A. What was it that Thomas missed by not being there? II. What did Thomas miss? A. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord – John 20:20 1. Jesus knew…
Read MoreWhat happened to the letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians 4:16?
Question: What happened to the letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians 4:16? Answer: Near the end of Paul’s third journey, Paul visited churches and gathered funds for the relief of brethren in Judea suffering from a famine (I Corinthians 16:1-9). Several of the churches sent representatives to travel with Paul, not because they did not trust…
Read MoreWhat is Heaven Like?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Some things are just hard to describe A. When asked to describe her husband, Shulammith answered – Song 5:10-16 1. We understand that this is not a precise, scientific description 2. Rather, the unknown is described by the familiar. Somehow we know the real thing is better. 3. Each illustration shows a characteristic. It is…
Read MoreWe Don’t Do Religion
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. A young lady called, asking if I would consider conducting her wedding. A. I tell them that I’m willing, but I have certain restrictions. If either had been divorced, it had to be because of sexual immorality (that eliminates most of the calls right there). I also require that they take a…
Read MoreWe are Going Down the Valley
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Let us read I Cor. 15:50-58 II. In our song books there is a spiritual song written by Jessie Brown Pounds A. She lived from 1861 to 1921 in Hiram, Ohio. Both she and her family were members of the Lord’s church. B. We sing many songs that are based on her poems: 1. The…
Read MoreWe are at War!
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Few Christians realize that their country is at war A. No, I don’t mean the U.S. B. I mean the country every Christian in the world belongs to, the church of our Lord and God. 1. Phil 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven 2. Eph. 2:19 – You are fellow citizens 3. Few Christians realize…
Read MoreWas It His Time to Go?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 39 I. So many things in this life are beyond our grasp to comprehend. A. We attend a funeral to see that someone who was once full of life and energy is now still, lying in a casket. Why did it happen? B. We want explanations that sometimes can’t be given.…
Read MoreCan adultery be forgiven? Should I tell my spouse?
Question: My husband and I separated because he committed adultery. A few months later I too committed adultery one time because I was stupid and lonely. I am closer to the Lord now and I knew it was and know it is wrong for what I did too. Will He forgive us? Can we still…
Read MoreAren’t the references to baptism just symbolic?
Question: When looking at Galatians 3:27 or the Romans passages, doesn’t it make better sense to understand the word immerse or immersion literally? I am immersed into Christ, immersed into death in spiritual realms. I am clothed with Christ in a spiritual realm, not putting on holy vestments. I am arguing that to say that…
Read MoreShould Christians Support the Salvation Army?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II John 5-11 I. Would you consider it right to drop money in a Catholic church’s collection box? Would you send monthly tithes to a Methodist church? A. For Christians following the New Testament, the answer is a strong “No.” B. We don’t agree with the teachings of these denominations, so why…
Read MoreStrictness Not According to Knowledge
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 15:1-14 I. In our zeal to live as God requires, we will at times take on more restrictions than God has placed upon us. A. Ecclesiastes 7:15-16 1. A confusing verse. Is Solomon saying don’t follow God’s laws strictly? Have a little sin in your life? 2. The answer is a few…
Read MoreShowing Submission
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. We have spent a good deal of time showing the fact that Christians are to be in submission to various authorities. A. Some of these relationships are voluntary, some are involuntary, but in all cases submission must be shown. B. However, how is submission shown? How do place yourself in submission? II. Submission is…
Read MoreShould Denominations Be Refuted?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:97-104 I. Some brethren are, well, squeamish when denominations are publicly refuted A. There is a fear that visitors, their friends and relatives, will be offended by such plain language B. In the end, there is more allowance for sin to continue unchecked. C. Is it possible that we do not mind…
Read MoreScientology
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 2:1-19 I. There are times that I run into ideas that leave me completely puzzled. People seriously believe these things? A. I was asked to do a lesson on Scientology since it had been in the news recently B. The things I learned about it were so strange that I…
Read MoreSalvation by Grace Through Faith
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. When we read Ephesians 2:8-10, there are four important words which stand out: grace, saved, faith, and works. A. The gift mentioned in verse 8 is the gift of salvation given to us by God’s grace. 1. Grace is an unmerited favor. a. It is an action distinguished by justice.…
Read MoreResolutions from Hebrews
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 3:8-16 I. As one year draws to a close and another dawns new, people make resolutions that the new year will not be like those in the past A. There are resolutions to lose weight, to exercise more, break bad habits and to establish good habits. B. The writer of Hebrews…
Read MoreReasons for Missing Services
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 18:22-39 I. People come up with some fairly bizarre reasons for being anywhere else but at services. A. They need to be at work, attend school events, sporting practices, sporting events. B. Some are just plain tired or don’t feel well – nothing specific mind you – just a vague…
Read MoreRaising Children
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. This generation is full of unusual ideas about how to raise children A. Many are leftovers of failed experiments that continue to hang around. 1. Don’t spank children a. It is a form of child abuse or could lead to it. b. It is unnatural to restrict children 2. Ignore children – you have your own…
Read MoreThe Promises to Abraham
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 12:1-3 I. Once in while I run across people who ask when God is going to fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. A. Here is a typical quote, “So if we are to believe God and his word, then all his promises, and all the prophecies must be fulfilled,…
Read MorePredetermined Destinies
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Many in the world believe in fates and destinies A. They believe there is a specific role they must play, which they cannot avoid. B. Calvanists call it Unconditional Election. Some people are predestined to become Christians and there is nothing they can do to avoid it. 1. They also claim the opposite. That…
Read MorePreaching the Crucified Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/10/Preaching-the-Crucified-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: I Corinthians 1:17-31 I. What does it mean to “preach Christ crucified”? – I Corinthians 1:23 A. The message of the cross is the power of God – I Corinthians 1:18 B. The message of the cross is God’s means of salvation – I Corinthians 1:21 C. Therefore, it is…
Read MoreThe Authenticity of Mark 16:9-20
by Jim Snapps II “Does Mark 16:9-20 belong in the Bible?” The church has answered “Yes” for centuries. Many in the church still do. But in the 1800s, scholars questioned the originality of these 12 verses. Many scholars today take it for granted that the Gospel of Mark originally did not contain this passage. Its style and…
Read MoreIs Mark 16:9-20 Spurious or Genuine?
by Howard See Truth Magazine XIX: 29, pp. 454-455, May 29, 1975 In a recent, late-night television interview of a snake-handling preacher from East Tennessee, the text of Mark 16:9-20 was attacked as being spurious. This was an effort to try to offset the teaching in Mark 16:18, “‘They shall take up serpents; and if they…
Read MoreIs Mark 16:9-20 genuine?
Question: Does Mark 16:9-20 really belong in our Bibles? Answer: “Is Mark 16:9-20 Spurious or Genuine?” by Howard See is an excellent review of the question. For details on the question, see The Authenticity of Mark 16:9-20 by Jim Snapp. “Some Bible scholars doubt the authenticity of 16:9-20, insisting that Mark did not write this portion. These verses are…
Read MoreDoesn’t Romans 5:1 teach we are saved by faith alone?
Question: Doesn’t Romans 5:1 teach that we are saved by faith alone? Answer: Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This proves that justification requires faith, but your stated goal was to prove that justification was by faith alone. There is no indication of exclusiveness in this…
Read MoreIf man must be baptized to be saved, why do so many passages only mention faith?
Question: The Bible teaches throughout the New Testament that faith and faith alone is necessary for salvation. John 1:12-13; John 3:15; John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35; John 6:40; John 6:47; John 7:38-39; John 11:25-26; John 20:31; Acts 2:21; Acts 10:43; Acts 11:17; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 15:11; Acts 16:31; Acts 20:21; Romans 1:16;…
Read MoreDoes the term “brother” indicate Saul was saved prior to baptism?
Question: Since Ananias calls Saul “Brother” prior to Saul’s baptism, doesn’t this prove that Saul was saved before he was baptized? Answer: The verse in question is Acts 22:13 which reads, “and he [Ananias] stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.” As the conversation between Ananias and…
Read MoreObedience Is Not Enough
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Ps. 110:3 – God’s people will be volunteers A. A reference to this age and to this people assembled here B. What does it mean that you are volunteers? 1. Today, we have a president interested in increasing volunteers 2. He is even willing to compensate them, but that is not what being a volunteer…
Read MoreMen of Debase Minds
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 5:18-24 I. Starting in Romans 1:18, Paul lays out the moral decay of the Gentile society A. All men at one time knew God, but there came a point in the Gentile society when the true God was rejected.- Romans 1:18-21 1. He was replaced with gods of man’s imagination, copied…
Read MoreCommand or Custom?
An Exposition Of I Corinthians 11:1-16 by Hiram O. Hutto The first sixteen verses of the eleventh chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth has been the subject of much controversy. The verses themselves are not difficult to understand, and the controversy has not been so much over the meaning as it has…
Read MoreWhy do some women wear a cloth on their heads during worship?
Question: Why do some women wear a cloth on their heads during worship? Answer: The wearing of a head covering has been debated for numerous years. I doubt any single article will forever settle the question, but Hiram Hutto wrote probably one of the best articles I have read on the subject. Brother Hutto comes…
Read MoreIt’s Not What I Expected
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 53:1-12 I. Perhaps you are wondering A. Where are the special Christmas displays and decorations? B. How come the bulletin doesn’t mention the Christ’s birth? C. This is not what I expected! II. Naaman – II Kings 5:1-19 A. Naaman was expecting Elisha to come out of his house, wave his arms and chant…
Read MoreIs There Salvation Outside of Christ?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 4:1-14 I. In the summer of 2002, Catholic theologians made the news. A. From an article by Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, August 18, 2002 A committee of the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops has negated the death of Christ, and invalidated his declaration, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7).…
Read MoreHow can the Old Covenant be everlasting and yet come to an end?
Question: Since the Old Testament in many places talks about the “everlasting covenant” with the Israelites, why is it no longer everlasting? Answer: The word “everlasting” does not necessarily mean “infinite.” The world is described as lasting forever, but we know from II Peter 3 that there is a terminating point. Instead, the correct definition…
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