Fill It Up
by Terry Wane Benton What do you do when your heart feels empty? Moping around is not the answer! You must find ways to fill your heart and time with things that bring satisfaction and accomplishment to your life. Notice the “be filled” passages in Ephesians. Be strengthened in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16). Be…
Read MoreJustified then Sanctified?
by Perry Hall For those who don’t consider baptism the point at which God grants us His grace but rather an outward sign of inward grace, some propose moving baptism from the justification column to the sanctification column. Here are two problems with that. First, the scriptural problem considering Scripture is our authority. Notice how…
Read MoreWhat does Isaiah 43:3-4 mean?
Question: Can I please ask you to explain Isaiah 43:3-4 (NIV): “For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people…
Read MoreAre the Ten Commandments the first covenant?
Question: The Bible directly states that the Ten Commandments are the first covenant. Do you disagree? Answer: If the Bible directly states that the Ten Commandments are the first covenant, you could cite where it is found, but you did not. You made an assertion without proof and challenged me to decide whether I agree. The first…
Read MoreA Short Course in Jesus Christ
by David Gibson No chapter in the Bible probably includes more names and titles for Jesus than the first chapter of the Gospel of John. He is called the Word, God, the Light, the Lord, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Messiah/Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, Rabbi, the King of Israel, and the…
Read MoreFriendship with God or the World
by Doy Moyer True friendship is valued. When we choose a friend, we believe there is a significance to the relationship that is mutually beneficial. We share in a fellowship and desire to be with each other and enjoy one another’s company. Friendship is no light matter, then, because there is great influence attached to…
Read MoreWorry
by Zeke Flores It needles you, pokes you, deflates you, and distracts you. It causes more questions than answers because you spend more time discouraged about the obstacle than looking for a solution around it. It makes you expend wheel-spinning energy that, in the end, makes no progress. Then, it makes you want to give…
Read MoreI fell into fornication with a man I met a few weeks ago
Questions: Hi, I am glad I found your page and was led to report this situation to a true man of God. I rededicated my life back to God last year, and for almost two years, I have been single and waiting on God. Weeks ago, I met a man who really loves me, and…
Read MoreIndwelling (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/12/Indwelling.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Psalm 139 I. The concept of indwelling, specifically the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is interesting because there are so many misconceptions given that a simple answer is commonly rejected. II. Who is the Holy Spirit? A. The religious world holds many ideas regarding the Spirit of God 1. Some…
Read MoreDoes nothing defiles a man include things like alcohol?
Question: Hello! I’ve been having difficulty connecting the dots with a verse in Mark 7 and thought you might be able to help. In verse 15, Jesus says that there is nothing coming from the outside that can defile a man. Does this include alcohol? Obviously, the Bible condemns drinking in any capacity in other…
Read MoreWhat are “angelic majesties”?
Question: Good afternoon! What exactly does “reviling angelic majesties” mean in II Peter 2:10? Answer: “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they…
Read MoreThe Non-burning Burning Bush
by Terry Wane Benton Moses’s first question was, “Why doesn’t this bush burn up?” (Exodus 3). He soon heard a voice from the bush and learned that God was in the bush. God told him to take off his shoes because the place he was standing on was holy ground. God revealed at the bush…
Read MoreWhy Pray for the Sick?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Why-Pray-for-the-Sick.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Acts 3:1-11 I. We have talked about the purpose of miracles earlier A. Purpose 1. To reveal the truth – John 16:13 2. To confirm the truth a. Hebrews 2:3-4 – God shows his agreement with the speaker b. Mark 16:20 – Confirmed the word spoken c. Acts 2:22 – Jesus was attested…
Read MoreShould I attend my husband’s church as a goodwill gesture?
Question: Hello! I have a question related to my current situation. My new husband and I have differing religious foundations. He is a Baptist, and I attend a church of Christ. We are in the military, and in our current area, he has been willing to come to church with me each week. As I…
Read MoreWhat about people leading studies while wearing t-shirts with inappropriate prints?
Question: Good day, sir, I don’t know if it’s just me, but it doesn’t sit right with me that brothers can lead a study on Wednesday wearing t-shirts with big spider prints in front and prints of the joker. What’s your take on it? Thanks. Answer: “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become…
Read MoreStop the Anonymous Complaints
by Brad Harrub How can we strengthen our local congregations? Stop allowing members to hide behind the elders and instead encourage reconciliation. Teach members how to confront other members in the spirit of humility, mercy, and love. I cannot tell you how often I’ve heard elders confront members or the preacher with a complaint from…
Read MoreTogether We Can
by Terry Wane Benton When you think, “I can’t make it,” who is left out of that statement? Shouldn’t it be, “Jesus and I can’t make it?” But that can’t be a true statement, can it? When thinking correctly, you might say, “I can’t make it on my own, but I can do all things…
Read MoreThe Law of Commandments Abolished
by Terry Wane Benton Many people are confused about which parts of the Bible are binding upon us today. The Old Testament was written for the Jews and taught the need for a Savior. Throughout, it shows that a Savior is coming. The Old Law did not provide all that man needed, but it did…
Read MoreWhat Does Godly Wisdom Require?
by Doy Moyer Living in any given culture and time requires the wisdom and will to be what we should be for the Lord. Serving the Lord is not just about obeying a few commandments. Rather, it is a lifelong commitment to be faithful, loyal, and true to the end (cf. Revelation 2:10). Developing a…
Read MoreIs “not letting the sun go down” literal?
Question: Does Ephesians 4:26 literally refer to the setting sun, do not let your anger reach tomorrow, or does it mean that you should not end your life with anger? Answer: “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an…
Read MoreWhy are there no black people in the Bible?
Question: Why are there no black people in the Bible? Why don’t the people have black names? Answer: There are people mentioned in the Bible whose skin color would have been dark. Moses’ wife, who was from Cush (Numbers 12:1) An unnamed Cushite runner (II Samuel 18:21) Tirhakah king of Cush (II Kings 19:9) Zerah,…
Read MoreReclaiming Purpose: Young Men, Tradition, and the Gospel’s Answer to Modern Chaos
by Gregory Alan Tidwell The coffee shop was packed for a Tuesday night—young people with laptops open, headphones in, and half-finished lattes going cold. Over by the window, three young men sat hunched around a tattered book, voices low but intense. If you walked past, you might think it was a college group cramming for…
Read MoreGod at Work
by David Gibson Christians need encouragement! This is evident from the abundance of Bible passages designed to build up and motivate. Certainly, we need all the commands and all the warnings of the New Testament, but thank God also for all the verses that say, in essence, “Your efforts to do right are well worth…
Read MoreThe Purpose of the Birth of Jesus
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus was born to bring about our salvation and reconciliation with God by means of His death and resurrection. He was born to provide a pardon for sin on condition of repentance of sin and baptism into union with Him, which begins a walk of fellowship with Him (Acts 2:37-41; Romans…
Read MoreThey Call it Hate
by Terry Wane Benton Calling something “sin” that separates you from God and the righteous is the modern idea of “hate speech.” But the truth is that pointing out sin is love. It is like a doctor pointing out cancer. It may not be what we want to hear, but it is what we need…
Read MoreThe Realm of Opinion and Judgment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Realm-of-Opinion-and-Judgment.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreChanged by God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Changed-by-God.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreDoes everything you have faith in come true?
Question: Hi sir, I was just wondering if everything you have faith in comes true. The Bible says faith can move mountains. Is that always the case? What if the thing that I wanted to have happen wasn’t meant to happen, but I still had faith in it? Another question is: You know how when…
Read MoreWhen They Heard This
by Tery Wane Benton I am amazed that the 12 men in Ephesus did not argue with Paul about baptism in the name of the Lord. “When they heard this” they were baptized (Acts 19:5). That is faith. If they had said it wasn’t necessary because they were baptized under John the Baptist, it would…
Read MoreThe Call to Act
by Orlando Gonzalez Conversion stories are quite fascinating to hear, aren’t they? For me, I’ve heard my fair share of interesting stories. I have heard of men who used to be devout worldly religious members of certain denominations who were fully convinced that they were right with God. Still, when they came into contact with…
Read MoreIs mental illness a spiritual or physical condition?
Question: Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! I am very grateful to God for having found your site, and I have been learning a lot. What I like most is that your answers are teachings from the Bible and not just your own opinion. May God continually bless you, guide you, and give you…
Read MoreI found help about God healing in this present day
Question: Greetings to you all in the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am a Christian. Recently, I was diagnosed with an illness that shook me to the core as the knowledge of it surely tugged at the very foundation of my faith in our God’s ability to heal the sick in this…
Read MoreSeven Times When You Ought to Keep Silent
by Becky Rene In the heat of anger (Proverbs 15:1) When you do not have all the facts (Proverbs 18:13) When you have not verified the story (Proverbs 14:15) If your words will offend a weaker brother (Romans 14:21) When you are tempted to make light of holy things (Matthew 12:36) When you are tempted…
Read MoreAn Epidemic in the Church
by Zeke Flores I see an epidemic in the church today, although the underlying attitude is as old as mankind. The attitude of “I won’t be bothered” manifests itself in many ways. One obvious way is in worship attendance. The number of “stay-at-home” Christians is growing. For a while, at the tail end of the…
Read MoreTimothy Had an Authoritative Standard
by Terry Wane Benton Timothy was given the same standard as the apostles delivered to the first church on Pentecost of Acts 2. There, they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). Because some were teaching more teaching than the apostles taught, different things than the apostles taught, it was time to warn all…
Read MoreEvery Good and Perfect Gift
by Terry Wane Benton When we contemplate buying gifts to give, we generally want them to be good gifts and fitted to the needs and desires of the person we are trying to honor. It is the same with God. God knows how to give good gifts, perfect gifts, to His children. James describes this…
Read MoreSpecific Beliefs Either Matter or They Don’t
by Terry Wane Benton Nobody has all the answers to every question of the Bible, but get specific; some are right, and some are wrong on certain topics. For example, unbelieving Jews are not wrong about everything, but they are wrong about Jesus. Among those who claim to believe in Jesus, some were right, and…
Read MoreSimplifying the Thief on the Cross
by Perry Hall Forget for now that the thief lived and died under the Mosaical Law, and Jesus’s Covenant didn’t become effective until after He died (Hebrews 9:16-28). Forget for now that we don’t know if the thief had been previously baptized by either John or Jesus’s apostles before he was captured and condemned. Many…
Read MoreReliving the Glory Days
by Zeke Flores Have you ever known someone always trying to relive their “glory day?” Maybe they were a star athlete in high school, the number one salesperson at their company, or the “big man on campus” in college. You know the type: Someone always looking at the rearview mirror in life. Have you been…
Read MoreSalvation: Light and Glory
by Doy Moyer Shortly after Jesus’ birth, His parents took Him to the temple “to present Him to the Lord.” There was a righteous and devout man, Simeon, upon whom was the Holy Spirit and who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see…
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