Your 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…
Read MoreCall Home
by Perry Hall Most wives work hard, including fixing dinner for their families. If the family members want to be considerate, which scenario is acceptable: The husband is working late and doesn’t call to let his wife know. The son ate out with his friends after ball practice, so when supper is ready and he…
Read MoreTo Whom Are You Thankful?
by Doy Moyer When someone says, “I’m thankful,” to whom is this person thankful? Thankfulness is an expression of gratitude or appreciation, but to make sense, it must be directed to one who has given or made the circumstances possible in which that expression finds meaning. Just saying, “I’m thankful,” into the air is pointless.…
Read MoreThere Is Power in the Blood
by Terry Wane Benton Wonder working power! What does the blood Jesus shed on the cross really do for me? It works wonders on a sin-condemning conscience. It says Jesus was willing to pay my debt on condition of repentance and confession to those already baptized into Christ (Acts 8:21-22; I John 1:7-9). It works…
Read MoreSaints (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton The term “saint” has been hijacked to mean something different from the way the Bible uses the term. Today, you can hear churches exalt a “Christian” after death to the status of a “saint.” This is not according to scriptural usage. Sometimes, we may hear someone say something like, “I’m a…
Read MoreWhat workbooks did you use this year that were particularly good?
Question: Hello, I usually check in near the end of the year to say I appreciate your website. It’s very helpful to me. I’ve been teaching the adult Bible class for nearly 50 years now, so thanks so much. I was wondering if you are studying a good workbook that you like or something you…
Read MoreWhat Sort of People? (Moyer)
by Doy Moyer At the end of Peter’s second epistle, he writes that the Lord is returning in judgment (II Peter 3). While many mocked this as they followed their own sinful desires, they overlooked the fact that God always keeps His word and has judged the world before in the flood. Yet God’s timing…
Read MoreWhat Do You Believe About Your Worth?
by Terry Wane Benton How you feel about yourself is related to what you truly believe, but there is an underlying premise that determines the direction of thought, and that premise is crucial. If you do not firmly believe that you were made by the King of kings and Lord of lords, then you may…
Read MoreBe Not Many Masters
by Robert F. Turner Plain Talk, March 1972 Every now and then, a preacher (usually young or inexperienced) gets the idea that he has discovered something new and wonderful in his nonsectarian, undenominational concept of the church or that salvation is a gift of God through Jesus Christ rather than the product of legalized obedience.…
Read MoreThe End-Times, David Jeremiah, and Pre-Misapplicationalism
by Terry Wane Benton It sounds like a very complicated subject (premillennialism), but it is complicated by a bunch of puzzle pieces put in the wrong places. The pieces selected are strung out in a series of misapplied events in the future. It would be like taking these six events and making them all part…
Read MoreI only suspect that my ex-husband committed adultery
Question: Hi, I married this guy 5 years ago. We both came from Christian homes, but neither of us had a real relationship with God. At first, I didn’t want to marry him. We just started dating, and we already had intimacy, but he told me that it was illegal in this country and asked…
Read MoreDid Paul imply that he could only marry a Christian?
Question: Hello, What is the meaning of I Corinthians 9:5? Is Paul implicitly stating he can only take a fellow believer as a wife? I know there are other verses for circumstances that touch situations where believers are married to non-believers. Answer: Here is something I wrote about the context in Paul’s Restraint in Exercising…
Read More