Simplifying 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…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between entertainment and worship?
Question: Good day, Minister, My question to you is, can you kindly explain the difference between true worship and Christian concerts using sufficient Bible passages? I have friends in various denominations who attend concerts organized by various so-called Christian bodies, where gospel singers are invited to perform and do all sorts of things. After talking…
Read MoreWhat if I am afraid to be under water?
Question: Hi, I have a question. I am talking with someone who has not been baptized but has a fear or phobia of being underwater. How could I biblically answer this? Thanks! Answer: I know several people who fear being underwater, including my own mother. I’m not minimizing the fear, but understand that courage is…
Read MoreWhen Men Disagree
Adapted by Raymond Warfel From “When We Disagree” by Mike Willis Guardian of Truth, XL:9, p. 2, 2 May 1996 Brethren do disagree from time to time despite their desire to be united in the Spirit. We are not likely to remove all areas of disagreement any more than we can remove all the sins…
Read MoreIf we get married, will the sin stop?
Question: Do you really answer questions? I have something bothering me. Can you help me with it? I met a woman who has been divorced for a year. I intend to marry her, but the fact is that we have had sexual relations before marriage, and we are living together already. When we get married,…
Read MoreDo We Cut Ties with Family Members Who Are Not Members of the Church?
Question: Hello Sir, I have a question that maybe you can help me to understand. I attend a Church of Christ, and in my youngest daughter’s Bible class, she is being told we must cut off contact with family members who are not members of the church. I have two older children who are off…
Read MoreCalling Names of False Teachers
by Andy Sochor At the beginning of his short epistle, Jude said Christians are to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). This includes “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (II Corinthians 10:5). Therefore, of necessity, we must oppose false doctrine and those who teach error. However, when…
Read MoreHow can I have peace at home?
Question: Well, amen. It’s really a very confusing thing. I’ve been married for a few years. My wife and I are, by the grace of Christ, called to the evangelistic ministry, and the Holy Spirit has imparted gifts to us. I have been a good man and have been looking for economic stability for my…
Read MoreCulture and the Christian
by Doy Moyer Christians are called upon to live in a difficult world while, on the one hand, remaining holy and separate (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1) and, on the other hand, engaging in it as salt and light (Matthew 5:14-16). This is no small task. We need to know what we are dealing with as we…
Read MoreYour Faith Has Made You Well
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Your-Faith-Has-Made-You-Well.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 18:35-43 I. While looking at some of the miracles of Jesus in order to answer a question, I noticed something that I had not seen before A. If you look at the various miracles, you soon realize that faith on the part of the person being healed…
Read MoreCan inspiration of the Bible be proven?
Question: I know II Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” I had a discussion with a person who is not a member of the Church of Christ and, therefore, not a Christian. I was referring to the Scriptures…
Read MoreGod Created
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/God-Created.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 45:9-13 I. The ancient language of Hebrew contains two words for making something: A. The word ‘asah refers to what we do with our talents. We make things from what already exists. B. But there is another word, bara, that is used in connection with God. It is…
Read MorePreaching Jesus Is Confrontational
by Terry Wane Benton Those who say that we should “just preach Jesus and avoid all arguments or not try to reason with people from error to truth” are themselves unaware that they are making an argument with far-reaching implications. When Paul preached Jesus, it was always met with controversy. Read through the book of…
Read MoreWhy Should I Attend Every Service?
by Becky Rene Introduction What has Jesus done for me (I John 4:9-10)? Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross (I Peter 2:24) while we were still sinners (Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 2:1-7; Revelation 1:5). Jesus rescued us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4), and God delivered us from the power…
Read MoreMusic and Lyrics
by Becky Rene Introduction I love music and I love to sing and dance to my favorite songs but, as my parents and friends keep telling me, “You can’t sing and your dancing is an embarrassment.” Well that is true and so I have to sing and dance in the privacy of my room. If…
Read MoreDid David Only Sin One Time?
“Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (I Kings 15:5 KJV). First, in the matter of Uriah the Hittite, David thought about covering…
Read MoreJesus – Loving, But Not Always Nice
by Chadwick Brewer Jesus was always loving, but He was not always nice. He threw the money changers out of the temple, rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees, and pronounced woes on entire cities. Jesus, while being the embodiment of God’s love, did not practice an attitude of “I love you just the way you are.” He…
Read MorePerception Can Be Entirely Wrong
by Terry Wane Benton Isaiah prophesied that there would be a wrong perception of the Messiah and a correct one (See Isaiah 53). So, all viewpoints would not be equal. Even though sincerely ignorant, going away with the wrong perception would be fatal. Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;”…
Read MoreYou didn’t show compassion
Question: Hello, The post titled “I grew up in a family that didn’t love or want me. How do I learn to love?” is not compassionate. Many verses are thrown out there, but I don’t see the truth being spoken in love. You are lambasting a broken man. At best, I find this article not…
Read MoreWhat Is a Christian?
by Ken Dart If a person in today’s world wanted an answer to this question, they would probably turn to the internet. Depending on the website they picked, they would find something along these lines: “According to the World Council of Churches, a Christian is one who confesses Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according…
Read MoreWhen the Fullness of Time Came
by Ken Dart God the Father sent His Son, the promised Messiah, from heaven to the earth at the exact moment which He had determined was precisely the right time (Galatians 4:4). The divine plan for the rescuing of lost souls was in place “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), and that plan…
Read MoreIs Exodus 22:29 talking about child sacrifice?
Question: In Exodus 22:29, is God allowing child sacrifice? I’m sure that’s not what’s present here, and I’m taking it as them becoming a part of the priesthood. If correct, are there other verses that can cover this idea? Answer: Human communication relies heavily on implications. We don’t say everything. We expect the other person…
Read MoreTrusting People Who Lost Your Trust
by Terry Wane Benton Love covers a multitude of sins, but does love require you to let yourself get burned over and over? Love is goodwill, wanting good things for the other person, but love does not mean we have to be vulnerable to people who prove themselves to be untrustworthy. Do we trust all…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between the Greek words “moros” and “anoetos?”
Question: What is the difference between the Greek words “moros” and “ancestors?” Answer: Moros is an adjective that describes someone acting foolishly or without thinking, especially about moral decisions or righteous behavior; thus, it implies godless behavior, but not always. It can also refer to someone with relatively less intelligence or a lack of wisdom. In…
Read MoreDoes God Want Me to Be Unhappy?
by Terry Wane Benton It is quite natural to want to be happy, and often, people think that is the whole reason God put us here. They have imagined that God just wants us to be happy no matter what. Is that true? Let’s consider this for a moment. God created us intending to win…
Read MoreThe Work of the Lord’s Church
by Terry Wane Benton It was not to eradicate poverty. The church had no silver and gold for the beggar in Acts 3, yet it was taking care of its own members in Acts 2. Their mission was to get to the heart of man’s problem, and that is sin. You heard that right. Sin…
Read MoreJesus, the Life
by Terry Wane Benton “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the source of life. In Him we live, move, and have our very being (Acts 17:28). “He gives to all life, breath, and all…
Read MoreJesus, the Truth
by Terry Wane Benton “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the truth about everything. Do you want to know how this world began and how life, moral conscience, and intelligence began? Jesus is the…
Read MoreWhy does a member of the church go to hell if he commits suicide?
Question: I have lost a friend by suicide. Why does a member of the church go to hell if he commits suicide? For many people, you can’t know for sure, but I think you should. Answer: I’m sorry to hear that you lost a friend. Such events leave everyone with many questions. Suicide is a…
Read MoreMiraculous Gifts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Miraculous-Gifts.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 3:1-11 I. For decades many of the traditional denominations have been in decline. A. The more liberal the beliefs, the larger the decline. Those espousing conservative views show some growth. But the ones showing strong growth are the charismatic groups B. Name the largest groups in a region,…
Read MoreIs it wrong to call someone foolish?
Question: I have a question. If Raca means foolish or moron, why Paul said to the Galatians, “O foolish Galatians”? But Jesus said not to call your brother Raca. Answer: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But…
Read MoreThankfulness and Gratitude
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Thankfulness-and-Gratitude.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreKings in Jerusalem
by S. Scott Smelser Saul was handsome, Saul was tall, Sad to say, that was all, from the throne he was rejected, and a shepherd was selected. David took Goliath down. David’s line would keep the crown. King Saul’s daughter was David’s wife, What Saul wanted was David’s life. David lifted not his hand against…
Read MoreAll Past, Present, and Future Sins?
by Terry Wane Benton I don’t know how many times I have heard preachers when talking about getting full forgiveness of sins, say, “That means all past, present, and future sins are forgiven at the cross.” Let us study the scriptures on this matter. The Bible does not say or imply that all past sins,…
Read MoreIs Jesus Equal to or Lesser than the Father?
by William J. Stewart Question: In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, Jesus’ words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said,…
Read MoreAttending Bible Classes
by Barney Keith There is one fact that is undeniable about the life of every Christian – he is saying something to those around him by every action of his life. Without any vocal sounds, he speaks volumes by his conduct. In this way, many a godly wife has won her husband to the Lord…
Read MoreWhere Is the Promise of His Coming?
by Terry Wane Benton Peter predicted that scoffers would ask this (II Peter 3). The Lord has promised to come again. That is one thing that has not happened yet. The scoffer wants you to forget all “the prophetic word made more sure” (II Peter 2:19f) by amazing fulfillments, but they think they have found…
Read MoreThank you for your stand for the truth
Question: To the saints at La Vista, Thank you for your stand for the truth. Many times over the past several years, I have come to read and consider items you have posted on your website. It has been very helpful as I am searching for a biblical topic and need guidance. Most recently, I…
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