Can you explain “expediency”?
Question: Could you help me understand “expedients”? I have heard the term used for explaining why churches use money for certain things like a building or songbooks. Could you expand on this in light of what the work of the church is, what the collection is for, etc.? Answer: The Apostle Paul wrote, “All things…
Read MoreI Can Always Ask for Forgiveness Later
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 6 I. In pointing out some actions are sinful, it is not unusual to find people making excuses as to why they can continue in their sin A. I once pointed out that sex before marriage is sinful B. A girl objected. Oh, she and her boyfriend haven’t had sex per…
Read MoreHuman Sacrifices?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Judges 11:29-40 I. There are two stories that cause some concern because they involve the concept of sacrificing a human being to God. A. They cause concern because the Bible is very clear about God’s opinion on human sacrifices. B. The slaying of humans invokes a death sentence – Genesis 9:5 C. False…
Read MoreHomosexuality (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Discussions of homosexuality have been occupying prominent places in the news A. Many arguments that the rights of those practicing homosexual relationships need to be protected. B. Arguments that homosexual relationships are normal and should be taught in public schools as acceptable alternatives. C. Annoucements of new studies attempting to find the cause of…
Read MoreHalloween (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. What is your reputation like? A. As Christians, you are a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid – Mt. 5:14-16 1. We are to let our lights shine as our reputation reflects the Father and brings him glory. B. Phil. 2:15-16 – We hold out the light of the gospel…
Read MoreWhat happens to children when they die?
Question: What happens to children when they die? Answer: The Bible states that children go to heaven when they die. Take a look at this example: “So Nathan went to his house. Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. David therefore inquired of God…
Read MoreHow do we start biblical discipline when our children are already older?
Question: I have a question related to child discipline. I have a 13-year-old son and an 8-year-old son. My wife and I have recently realized the problems we caused by following non-biblical consequences with our boys. My oldest son has been lying, and my youngest has problems with obedience. I read your parenting articles and was…
Read MoreAre Christians commanded to physically labor?
Question: I know a Christian is required to work (I Thessalonians 4:11), but since it says “laboring with your hands” doesn’t that mean only manual labor? Answer: There are several passages which command Christians to labor. Ephesians 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is…
Read MoreWho were the Nicolaitans?
Question: Who were the Nicolaitans? Answer: The work “Nicolaitan” is only mentioned in Revelation 2:6 and 2:15. It comes from the Greek word nikolaites which literally means “a follower of Nicolaus.” Nicholas was a name used by some. For instance, one of the early deacons mentioned in Acts 6:5 was called Nicholas (“nicolaus” in the Greek). Whether this is the same Nicholas…
Read MoreIndwelling (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I was asked if I could explain the concept of indwelling, specifically the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is an interesting question because what is asked is not necessarily what the questioner intended to ask. Most who ask this question have numerous misconceptions that interfere with a plain answer to…
Read MoreEmotionalism
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/07/Emotionalism.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:18-38 I. When we look at the various denominations around us, it is hard to miss their enthusiasm and the emotional quality to the things that they do. A. They really get involved in their worship. B. The bigger churches services are large productions. C. A friend once told me about a…
Read MoreBe on the Alert (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-5 I. It is our natural tendency to interpret the actions of others with our own views. A. It is hard for those who are good to understand why people will do evil. B. While thinking about how to lead in to this lesson, I received the following e-mail back before…
Read MoreBeginning a New Year
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The people of Israel stood at the edge of the promised land. The hopes of this people were about to be fulfilled. A. Giving detailed instructions on where they should go and not go, Joshua added this comment, “For you have not passed this way before.” B. It is easy to lose your…
Read MoreDoes an adulterer have to leave his second marriage in order to repent?
Question: I have a friend and I am trying to teach my friend the truth. I found out that he is in an adulterous relationship. His wife was married before but for only one year. The marriage did not end because of fornication. She is now married to my friend. They have been married 25…
Read MoreAnswering the Sabbatarian
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:8-23 I. Though only a minority, there are several denominations who believe that worship should take place on the Sabbath – the seventh day of the week A. Those adhering to the ideas that the Sabbath day regulations of the Old Testament should be keep today are very vocal B. Let…
Read MoreTeaching Unpopular Doctrine
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Some questions are difficult to answer, not because the Bible is unclear on a matter, but because there is a strong bias against the correct answer within the culture. Today, we have no difficulty speaking against idolatry. Even non-Christians understand that worshiping an idol is a worthless effort, just as God…
Read MoreHow could Jesus be the son of David?
Question: I hear people say that the son of David was the “savior” Is this true? If this is so, please explain how Jesus could be the son of David. Answer: In the days when the Bible was written, the term “son” or “daughter” was used more loosely than we use it in today’s English.…
Read MoreI do not believe you can lose your salvation
Question: Well I do not believe you can lose salvation. There is too much teaching of it being eternal and If we could lose it that means we can also keep it right? If we can keep it that means it has something to do with us and not just of God. There is a…
Read MoreWhat is wrong with pre-marital sex?
Question: What is wrong with pre-marital sex? If your spouse finds out that you are bad at sex after you are married, won’t your spouse leave you for someone else? Answer: Here lies a classic argument of “Let us do evil that good may come” (Romans 3:8). You want to prevent your future spouse from…
Read MoreCan I lose my way to heaven?
Question: Can I lose my way to heaven? Answer: Obviously, Paul thought that it was possible. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have…
Read MoreIf I do all the commandments, when will I do enough?
Question: If I do all the commandments, when will I do enough? Answer: In asking this question, you have started off in the wrong direction. Essentially you have asked what is the minimum that I can do to be pleasing to God. Yet God doesn’t want our minimum effort. When a lawyer asked Jesus what…
Read MoreWhat about the thief on the cross?
Question: I am still a little confused about what I need to actually do. I heard about baptism, but they say that the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized. Isn’t he in heaven? Answer: I appreciate the time taken to ask questions concerning your salvation. Personally, I don’t believe the confusion comes from what the…
Read MoreWhat must I do to go to heaven?
Question: What must I do to go to Heaven when I die? Please, no opinions. Please use the Bible, it is all we have that is the truth. Answer: I really appreciate your desire for a biblical answer to your question. Far too many only want confirmation that they are right and so they search…
Read MorePreachers (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Among the duties or roles within the church listed in Ephesians 4:11-12 is the work of the evangelist. The word is translated from a Greek word which referred to a person who brought joyous news of victory from the battlefront. When the same word is used in reference to what that…
Read MoreWhy Sex Outside of Marriage Is Wrong
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In the United States, marriage is becoming increasingly rare. The 2000 U.S. Census found only 51% of all households are married couples, continuing a steady decline over the past several decades. Meanwhile, the number of unmarried couples living together has increased rapidly. In 2000, 5.4 million couples are living together without…
Read MoreWaiting for the Proper Time
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Few youngsters enjoy being told they must wait. When a thought enters their heads, they want to act on it right now. If they desire something, it must be in their possession right now. Any delay to a person who has not lived long appears to be impossibly long. Unfortunately, there…
Read MoreHow were Isaac and Jacob blessed?
Question: How were Isaac and Jacob blessed? Answer: In the times of the Old Testament children could inherit two things from their parents: property and a blessing. If your parents had three children, then on their death their property was divided four ways (one more than the number of living children). The eldest child generally…
Read MoreIsn’t it divisive to claim all denominations are wrong?
Question: I just read the article about why you left the Nazarene denomination. On the latter point of baptism, I will not comment now, but I think your first listed reason is a rational mistake. You said, “yet the Nazarene Church exists, as does any denomination, because man disregards the prayerful wishes of Christ.” This…
Read MoreEducation Is Not the Enemy
by Doy Moyer Knowledge is not the enemy of God’s people, and this means that education is not the enemy either, for one must participate in some form of education in order to receive knowledge. While knowledge without love puffs up (I Corinthians 8:1), knowledge itself is not the root problem. On the other hand,…
Read More