His Dominion Will Be Vast
by Terry Wane Benton Isaiah 9:7 is interesting. Some brethren use it to teach that the kingdom on earth will keep “increasing” and never have an earth-ending moment and a transferal to heaven. But the “increase” is about the “prosperity” experienced rather than the kingdom growing on earth forever. The NET (New English Translation) says,…
Read MoreMorality from Molecules?
by Terry Wane Benton Atheists have a sense of right and wrong; as skewed as it is, it is an issue they cannot explain. Where did this sense of ought, moral right and wrong, come from? Do men get to make it up from within their own molecules? If so, then who gets the final…
Read MoreCan a congregation of only women worship God?
Question: Dear Brethren, I hope this message finds you well. I have a question regarding worship gatherings and would appreciate your guidance. There is one congregation in which only female members remain, as the sole male member who served with them had to (compelled) relocate for economic reasons. Given that there are now no men…
Read MoreI’m feeling guilty about cheating on my girlfriend
Question: Hello, I’ve been in a relationship with my girlfriend for three years now. When we met, she hadn’t been with anyone before, while I had multiple past relationships. Over time, I pressured her into being intimate before marriage—something she agreed to, perhaps out of love or other reasons. Recently, I was unfaithful to her…
Read MoreConviction
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Conviction-1.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 11:37-54 I. We live our lives avoiding disagreements A. We don’t like being told we are wrong B. We avoid causing other people to be upset with us 1. A Nebraska superintendent made the national news because she forbade references to Christmas in her school so as to not…
Read MorePersonal Sacrifice and Service
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Personal-Sacrifice-and-Service.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:17-18 I. Paul often discussed the topic of unity in his letters to the various churches. A. Unity based having the same goals and the same standards – Romans 15:5; I Corinthians 1:10; II Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:11-15 B. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is…
Read MoreLegalism
by Terry Wane Benton What is it? Why do people fear it? It seems that the only opposite is “illegalism.” However, a better definition would probably be an attitude of self-deception, which is thinking we stand right with God with no need for mercy and forgiveness. We can stand on the legal side of justice…
Read MorePeace and Truth
by Doy Moyer There are people I genuinely like but with whom I have strong disagreements. Some are on opposite theological and political isles, yet I feel kindly disposed toward them. I cannot explain this. It’s just something that you either get or don’t. I suspect that this is true of most people. We have…
Read MoreRevisiting Bible Authority
by Andy Sochor via Plain Bible Teaching It is good and necessary to revisit certain topics from time to time. We do not want to “drift away” from what we have previously learned (Hebrews 2:1). Some topics are so foundational that they affect what we believe, teach, and practice – individually and collectively. One of…
Read MoreIs it a command to seek forgiveness of sin from a brother before worshiping God?
Question: Good day, brother Hamilton, I have a question. Does Matthew 5:21-24 always mean or dictate one must go to their brother whom they have sinned against before they can ask God to forgive them? Answer: “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be…
Read MoreCould the Galatians repent of their sins?
Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, I have been reading your website for quite some time. I struggle with the unpardonable sin and have read your articles dozens of times. My question is: Could the Galatians repent of their sin of mixing the old and new covenant and return to Christ, or was there no hope for…
Read MoreWas I truly born again?
Question: Hello, I had a question regarding baptism. I was baptized a few years ago when I was around 20 years old; however, I struggled with sexual immorality and lust with my girlfriend for a long time. Eventually, we got married. After this, I started to think baptism wasn’t necessary for the forgiveness of sins,…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a Christian to be interested in cultural myths?
Question: I’m interested in Greek, Norse, and Egyptian Mythology. Is it wrong for me, as a Christian, to be into those mythologies? Answer: “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and…
Read MoreIs Ephesians 5:17-18 a not…but ellipses?
Question: Hello, I enjoyed reading your sermon on figures of speech, especially not-but ellipses. My question is: how does the not-but ellipsis apply to Ephesians 5:17-18: “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit.” It…
Read MoreDid Paul contradict himself regarding division in the church?
Question: Hi. I’m seeking clarification on why, in I Corinthians 1:10, Paul condemns division and pleads them to “speak the same thing” and be of the “same mind and the same judgment.” But ten chapters later, in I Corinthians 11:18-19, Paul seems to say that divisions are a “must” since they show who is approved…
Read MoreSurvivor’s Manual
by Zeke Flores One of the great things about Christianity—and there are many—is that life comes with an instruction manual, a kind of survival kit, if you will. If you’ve lived long enough to take your first steps (and if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you have), you know that life throws a…
Read MoreEvangelism, Converts, and Bearing Fruit
by Andy Sochor “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who…
Read MorePeter’s “Nevers”
by David Gibson I believe it was in his film series “Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong,” or perhaps in the Brecheen-Faulkner Marriage Enrichment series, Paul Faulkner observed that “Peter was given to ‘never’ statements.” Four examples When Jesus first predicted his death at the hands of the Jewish leaders, “Peter took him aside…
Read MoreWhere Was God?
by Chadwick Brewer The Book of Esther stands out as unique among the Old Testament books because it is the only book that does not mention God at all. Compared to other Old Testament stories, God’s absence in the story of Esther can seem rather profound. To this end, we want to ask, “Where was…
Read MoreSomething Greater
by David Gibson What Jesus claimed for Himself One of the challenges Jesus faced during His ministry on earth was helping people understand who He really was and what He had come to accomplish for their eternal welfare. He was so much greater than they could imagine. Referring to Himself, He said, “. . .…
Read MoreDoes God make some lose faith?
Question: Hello there! How are you? Does Romans 11:19 mean that God makes some lose faith or be blinded so that others gain faith? Doesn’t that contradict His desire to save all? Why cannot both believe? Thanks. Answer: “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted…
Read MoreBe Not Dismayed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Be-Not-Dismayed.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Jeremiah came in the worse days of Judah’s history A. Corruption was everywhere – Jeremiah 6:13-15 B. Jeremiah was told from his youth to preach the truth – Jeremiah 1:4-8 C. But that didn’t make it easy. Jeremiah was opposed most of his life 1. After a prophecy in the Temple…
Read MoreWhy weren’t the Israelites allowed to eat fat?
Question: First, I wanted to say thank you for all that you do! Your articles are very helpful in learning the truth of God’s word. I am contacting you today because I saw a discussion for which I did not have an answer. It concerns Leviticus 3:17, “It shall be a statute forever throughout your…
Read MoreIf animals were not used for food until after the flood, where did the skins come for Adam and Eve’s clothing?
Question: Hi. I was researching a topic when I came upon your website. Before I ask the question, I just wanted you to know that I am not asking this to discredit the Bible or God. I understand that it can be challenging to understand some of the Scripture after thousands of years. My question…
Read MoreIs the phrase “God forbid” irreverent?
Question: Could using the phrase “God forbid” generally be considered irreverent and vain? Answer: “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You'” (Matthew 16:22 NASB). This translator chose “God forbid” for a Greek phrase that literally means “not not shall be.” “But God…
Read MoreStand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Stand-Up-Stand-Up-for-Jesus.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 10:32-39 I. Allen Webster tells the following story, A. “The municipal auditorium was full. The speech by the noted atheist was powerful. After a bombardment of the Bible, there came a moment of choice. If you still believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, stand…
Read MoreIs it a Christian’s job to make people mad?
Question: I was told that it is “our job as Christians to make people mad.” Is that true? Is it the job of a preacher to “make people mad”? Answer: “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man…
Read MoreBecoming and Doing
by David Gibson Why are we here in this world? To have a good time? To earn a living? To accumulate wealth? To make a name for ourselves? Unless we clearly understand our purpose, we’ll be sure to take a wrong turn and miss the whole point of living, as so many people do, which…
Read MoreHow Men Act When They Repent
by Steve Klein via Seeking the Things Above In Matthew 12:41, Jesus said, “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.” According to Jesus, the men of Nineveh repented at the…
Read MoreDid I vow not to make promises?
Question: I’m worried that I vowed to God not to make promises. Now I was talking to God, and then in the heat of the moment, I said, “I do not want to make vows,” only I didn’t say that fully, and I’m pretty sure I cut myself off halfway and said, “No vow.” I…
Read MoreThe Root of Bitterness (Moyer)
by Doy Moyer “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Photo by Zach Lezniewicz on Unsplash Bitterness is poison. It destroys the one eaten up…
Read MoreHis Eye Is on the Sparrow (Walker)
by Wayne S. Walker Photo by River Fx on Unsplash The Bible teaches us that God is omniscient. His eyes behold everything that occurs in this world. Jesus once said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head…
Read MoreAre ALL Churches OF Christ?
by Perry Hall I belong to a local congregation called “Millersville Church of Christ.” When asked what church I belong to, I often add, “But any other name in the Bible, we go by that one, too.” That usually brings a smile. If speaking biblically, there is no official name or title for Christ’s church.…
Read MoreSoul-Deep Conversion
by David Gibson When the man behind the counter saw the badly worn shoes I had brought in for repair, he told me they were too far gone to fix. I then took them down the street to another shop. The man there didn’t say anything about how bad they looked. He just fixed them.…
Read MoreThe Nature of Godly Wisdom
by Ross Ward, Jr. “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from…
Read MoreA Life Full of Thursdays
by Chadwick Brewer “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James…
Read MoreWhen the Bible Makes Us Squirm
by Zeke Flores Sometimes, the Bible makes us squirm. It can make us uncomfortable when God uses such highly sexualized language to describe His people’s unfaithfulness as He does in Ezekiel 23. I assume that’s because it’s supposed to make us uncomfortable. When God’s people, whether His Old Covenant tribes or His New Covenant saints, turn away…
Read MoreI Hate Death
by Zeke Flores I hate death. Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Yet, it’s all around us. My office is in a building across the street from a city cemetery, and it’s not unusual to see mourners sitting and weeping at the graves of their loved ones days, weeks, and even months after they’ve passed…
Read MoreFeed My Sheep
by Terry Wane Benton Photo by Tanner Yould on Unsplash If you love Jesus, you must tend His sheep (John 21:15-17). This is what Jesus told Peter. You cannot love Jesus without caring for Jesus’ church, who are His sheep. Jesus is inseparable from His church. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot…
Read MoreNot Quite …
by Steven Haper What we believe may not be quite right, according to God’s word. Not quite… How many people sincerely believe that the forbidden fruit of the tree from which Adam and Eve was an apple? But where in the Scriptures does it say this? [It doesn’t!] The Scriptures say, “And the LORD God…
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