Taking Courage
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Taking-Courage-1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 28:1-16 I. Suppose your boss never gave you any feedback concerning your job. You come in, do your job and leave, but you never hear a word of criticism or praise. A. It almost sounds like the ideal job. But I think most people would soon find it to…
Read MoreConstitution and the Bible
Author Unknown (SMH?) Want to know why, increasingly, the church is welcoming easy divorce, women in leadership roles, cohabiting couples, practicing homosexuals, and transgenderism? Perhaps surprisingly, just ask former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer—not that he is a theologian or commentator on church matters, but he might as well be. What he says about the…
Read MoreTwo Sincere Men Want to Evangelize
by Gardner Hall Biblical Insights 14(9) September 2014 The First Man The first emphasizes “the true church,” and when evangelizing, he begins his conversations with others by asking, “How many churches did Jesus build?” Later, he quotes Matthew 16:18 to show that Jesus built only one. It wasn’t the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, the Mormon Church,…
Read MoreHe Restrained Them Not (Sanders)
by James Sanders The life of the Old Testament figure, Eli, is remarkable. Eli was a descendant of Ithamar, the fourth son of Aaron, and therefore was of the tribe of Levi. Combined in this man of God were the offices of both High Priest and Judge. It was the first time in Israel that…
Read MoreLive Joyfully!
by Paul Earnhart via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No 2, February 2015 Text: Ecclesiates 9:1-12 The Preacher concluded the eighth chapter with another of his oft-repeated observations that God’s ways are inscrutable to men, however wise (Ecclesiastes 8:17). Job, in his misery, twice asks plaintively: “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of…
Read MoreWoe to You, Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites!
by Allen Dvorak Biblical Insights, 14(9), September 2014 There is no uncertainty about the compassion of Jesus during His earthly ministry. Various individuals and groups were the objects of His compassion (e.g., Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 7:11-15). But Jesus was also frequently involved in controversy and sometimes handed out sharp rebukes. One of His most scathing…
Read MoreHas “that which is perfect” always been the Bible?
Question: Hello, I have a question regarding whether “that which is perfect” has always been the New Testament. Before the question, let’s consider some verses of Scripture, Jas 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,…
Read MoreReal Faith
by Doy Moyer Biblical faith is not mere belief. It is trust, but it is more than that. It is conviction, loyalty, faithfulness, allegiance, and commitment. To say that we ought to trust God and have faith is not to say that we sit back and do nothing. That is a bad spin on faith…
Read MoreA Blessing and a Heritage
by Chadwick Brewer “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalms 127:3). For most of history, having a large family was viewed as a blessing. For example, when Job’s wealth was listed in Job 1, his most prized and valuable blessing from God was his seven sons…
Read MoreCould the Lord’s Supper be taken in advance?
Question: Hello, brethren in Christ, I want to ask a question regarding this matter. Based on the example given in “Is it wrong to hold a celebration in advance of an event?”, which is the Passover, is it okay if we also partake in the bread and cup in advance? Any answer will be greatly…
Read MoreIs it wrong to hold a celebration in advance of an event?
Question: Good day, brother Jeff. I encountered a weird question about holding a celebration in advance (e.g., a pre-birthday, pre-anniversary, or pre-going away party). A sister said we shouldn’t do this because we’re attempting to be a step ahead of God when we do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:14). I understand her…
Read MoreI don’t know how to handle this situation
Question: Hey, I know you’re not God or anything, but I’ve been dealing with some sins in my life. I was baptized last year, and I moved my kids’ father into my home. Around that time, I didn’t think of anything else, so I explained to him what needed to be done, and that was…
Read MoreThe Outward Appearance of Jesus
by Doy Moyer Jesus “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). Elsewhere, we have discussed the true beauty of Jesus, but here we are going to consider another facet of what the appearance of Jesus implies for our standing with God.…
Read MoreDrawing Strength from the Courage of Others
by Bill Hall We should be thankful for wonderful examples of courage that spur us on to greater strength in the Lord’s service. Paul was just such an example: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:14). These…
Read MoreGrowing Old in the Lord
by Mike Johnson via Seeking Things Above Text: Psalm 71 Young people may consider an aged person’s life free from problems. For example, they see an older person as one who does not have to face the difficulties of employment, child rearing, and sometimes even house payments. They may note that a person who has…
Read MoreTaking the Gifts of God
by Robert F. Turner “And Jehovah said unto Joshua, See I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor” (Joshua 6:2). According to some theories of Gift and Grace, this promise says, “(1) you already have the city and can’t lose it; and (2) no condition could…
Read MoreCan non-believers contribute to the church?
Question: We recently discussed donations in the church, and I was wondering if you could provide any scriptural basis for them. Can a non-member or unbeliever donate money to the church? Can the church use that donation from him or her? Thanks! Answer: While the topic is not specifically addressed in the Scriptures, we can…
Read MoreDefending the Gospel
by Doy Moyer If we must say we are sorry (and at some point, we all must), then do so over poor behavior and ungodly thinking, but never be sorry for the impact of the gospel itself and what it stands for. Further, be careful about conflating bad behavior with the gospel, for it is…
Read MoreWorship Weariness
by Dennis Abernathy Malachi said Israel was weary, bored, and tired of worship. (Malachi 1: 13). It was too demanding and had become a grievous chore rather than an exalted privilege, a burden instead of a blessing. Fast forward to today. Many want shorter sermons, with less Scripture and more wit, less identification and exposure…
Read MoreWhat does “seated at God’s right hand” mean?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, What does the Scriptures mean when it says Christ is seated at God’s right hand of the Father? And are there any particularly good commentaries you can recommend in general for Bible study? Answer: For most people, the right hand is their dominant hand. It is stronger and more dexterous. Most people…
Read MoreEvangelism Is Fundamental
by Ken Weliever via The Preacher’s Word In the comic strip “Peanuts,” Lucy tells her brother, Linus, that she has “converted” a school classmate to her way of thinking religiously. Linus is surprised, especially knowing how Lucy operates! “How did you do it?” Linus asked. “I told him everything I believe and asked him if…
Read MoreOwn It
by Wilson Adams Jesus’ brother writes, “Each person is tempted when ____ …” (James 2:14). Fill in the blank of people, circumstances, and culture you can blame. “Hey, it’s not really my fault!” Well, James says it is. Keep reading. “Each person is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust…
Read MorePreacher’s Kid
by Doy Moyer I grew up a PK (preacher’s kid). This presents its own challenges for youth. The youngest of the children won’t think anything about it, but as we grow, we are often reminded that how we behave reflects on mom and dad, and … remember that dad is a preacher (the same goes…
Read MoreHow do I help my unemployed husband?
Question: Hello, I’m writing because I don’t know what to do. My husband is showing job instabilities. This all started when he left his very good and secure job because he had some colleagues who tried to tempt him to gaze at other women. He left because he wanted to be loyal to me and…
Read MoreBy What Power?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/By-What-Power.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 4:1-12 I. There is a appeal to being your own boss, to do your own thing, and not answer to anyone A. You can see it during the times of the Judges – Judges 21:25 1. Yet, it is a period marked by the Israelites’ behavior going from bad to…
Read MoreI fear people will judge me because of my sinful past
Question: Hi, I was backsliding in my teenage and youthful days. I was in a relationship with a Christian, but now, I am married to another girl. I didn’t attend the church services regularly for years due to some issues. I feel guilty for missing the fellowship and because of the sins of my younger…
Read MoreCan a couple live together if they are strong enough to resist temptation?
Question: Is it biblical for unmarried couples to live together if they are just powerful enough to resist temptation, or are they merely fooling themselves and still giving the assumption of sin? Answer: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). While it is your intention…
Read MoreCan a Christian go to a beach bar?
Question: Hello brother, What are your thoughts on brethren going to beaches and beach bars? I sometimes get troubled watching brethren partake in actions and events emphasizing drinking and beer. I know we cannot keep from ever having dealings with people of this world (I Corinthians 5:10). This example would be someone in leadership, like…
Read MoreI’ll Live On
by Ed Harrell “Rear Views,” Christianity Magazine, June 1993 (Volume 10, #5), p. 32 Most of us have sung the old song affirming the central Christian hope that we shall live on into eternity. This grand aspiration springs from our faith in Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The belief that “I’ll live on” empowers me to overcome…
Read MoreThe Beauty of Jesus
by Doy Moyer We sing, “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.” What is the beauty of Jesus? While we often connect beauty to outward appearance, that is not the sense in which the beauty of Jesus draws us, for “he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and…
Read MorePreacher’s Wives
by Doy Moyer My wife has been a “preacher’s wife” for a long time. She doesn’t see it as a burden; she doesn’t complain. She doesn’t see herself as being in an elevated position and doesn’t worry about being in the spotlight. I’ve seen her take things in stride far better than I have. But…
Read MoreA Pebble in the Shoe
by Wilson Adams When Mormons knock at your door… 70,000 Mormon missionaries, with shirts, ties, and name tags, go door-to-door seeking converts to the Mormon Church. Reality: you aren’t going to convert them on their “mission.” There are too many checks and balances. Think of it like walking into a Ford dealer and trying to…
Read MoreThe Time of Reformation
by Terry Wane Benton The Book of Hebrews makes the argument that we had, in the past, been using carnal, earthly things in service to God (Hebrews 9:1-11) but would, from the Old Testament perspective, see a “time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:10) in which we would put down the carnal, earthly types and shadow things…
Read MoreWhy Do Genes Care?
by Perry Hall I’m currently reading The Moral Animal by Robert Wright on New Darwinism. I just started, and there seem to be so many built-in assumptions. One is under “sexual selection,” which strives to explain the attraction between males and females, mainly by males, to perpetuate their species. What is the assumption? It strives…
Read MoreThe Work of Preaching
by Doy Moyer Over time, a typical preacher will have preached hundreds of times (thousands once you figure in decades). He will have taught even more classes, again into the thousands. Don’t judge a preacher or teacher by one or two sermons or lessons. There is no way to cover the full ground of a…
Read MoreGod’s Relationship with His People
by Zeke Flores Marriage and its accouterments are often used in Scripture to describe God’s relationship with His people. “I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks…
Read MoreDo I need to confess everything I did wrong constantly?
Question: I have a question that I am struggling to find an answer to. A few days ago, I confessed to my family about my past sins. We were able to pray, and we are now in the process of healing. Lately, I have remembered some other things I have done, like listening to worldly…
Read MoreYou Can’t Go Back
by Terry Wane Benton I visited the place where I grew up, Union Springs, Al., to see how things had changed after 30 years. The house was still there, the fence was gone, most of the rental houses to the left were gone, and the big Weeping Willow tree next door was gone. Fences were…
Read MoreA Sense of Humor
by Doy Moyer A sense of humor is a gift from God. Some take themselves and others far too seriously, so much that they cannot laugh at themselves or enjoy a good chuckle at life’s awkward moments. There is a “time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), and “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Tensions…
Read MoreSpiritism versus Spirituality
by Terry Wane Benton Spiritism is occultic, feeling and mood-based, and imagination-based, whereas “spirituality” is revelation and scripture-based. Those who are truly “spiritual” will acknowledge that the things Paul wrote are the commandments of the Lord (I Corinthians 14:35f). Spiritism is trying to contact the dead, spirit world through imagination and feeling-based seances. Here, you…
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