The Song “Blessed Assurance”
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. This song declares the praises of our Savior A. What is meant by saying this is my story? B. The foundation of this song is II Corinthians 3:1-6 1. The Christians in Corinth were the living proof of the work of the apostle Paul. 2. They have confidence towards God, not from themselves, but from…
Read MoreWhat If I Want to Eat the Cake I Have?
by Perry Hall “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Well, you can’t eat your cake unless you have it in the first place, so duh! Then again, to “have” can mean to “eat” as a synonym. Why would one have a cake if they didn’t want to eat it? This would all…
Read MoreThe Need for Distinctive Preaching
by Jim Deason Biblical Insights, September 2014 In the shadow of the cross, Jesus prayed, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone (the apostles – jhd), but for those also who believe in Me through their word (me and you – jhd); that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are…
Read MoreDid My Generation Neglect the Grace of God?
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I cannot understand how so many of the younger generation of preachers (sometimes encouraged by a few older ones) can talk about how woefully the generation before them neglected to tell people about the grace of God. They boldly speak about it as though it was a settled fact of…
Read MoreThe Shield
by Terry W. Benton In all the armor of God, there is a piece of protection called “the shield of faith” with which “you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:15). That is a powerful thing to have and use. Another way of saying that is, “nothing Satan tries to…
Read MoreRulers and Authorities
by Doy Moyer All things were created by, through, and for Jesus, including all “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). Paul elsewhere calls these not only rulers and authorities but “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” These are the ones against whom we…
Read MoreIt Is Well with My Soul
by Michael Hickox “Therefore we do not faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which are…
Read MoreJudging Sin and Saying So
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus commanded us to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and to not judge unfairly or hypocritically (Matthew 7:1-3), but to address our own sins “first” and then help others with their need to remove sin also. The church at Corinth was rebuked for failing to judge the need to judge and…
Read MoreThe new Topics section is very helpful
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton,I have been meaning to tell you that I really appreciate your efforts with the website. The new “Topics” category is very, very helpful.Sincerely. Answer: I’m glad you found the addition useful.
Read MoreEvery Child Has Something to Say
by Jefferson David Tant It is patently obvious that children have needs, beginning at the time of birth. They need food. They need clothing. They need to have their diapers changed. And they need to be held. But beyond these necessities for their life and well-being, there are other needs that are just as vital and…
Read MoreSlinging Mud on the Bride of Christ
by Mike Richardson An Unthinkable Image Imagine attending a wedding. The bride is arrayed in a beautiful white wedding gown, ready to go down the aisle to be presented to the groom. As she walks down the aisle, people on both sides of her begin to throw mud at her. She ducks down, but the…
Read MoreLet this Cup Pass from Me
by Terry Wane Benton What did Jesus mean when He prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane to “Let this cup pass from me?” (Matthew 26:39). It is a metaphor for having to experience something very dreadful. When we experience something bitter and horrible to our senses, we could metaphorically say that we have…
Read MoreWhen Tragedy Strikes
by Doy Moyer What exactly does one say to another when tragedy strikes? We all wish that we had the perfect words that would appropriately capture what everyone is feeling, words that would comfort and encourage even the most downtrodden. We want to come up with profound statements about how “this is life” and “here…
Read MoreWhat Constitutes Obedience? (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/What-Constitutes-Obedience.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 21:28-32 I. When is obedience truly obedience? A. People seem to have varying ideas about what obedience actually means. 1. Perhaps not by words, but definitely by what is done. II. Inadequate obedience A. Inaction 1. Matthew 21:28-32 – The one son claimed he would obey, but did nothing 2. In essence this is…
Read MoreLegalizing Drugs Led to Massive Increase in Drug-Related Deaths
Source: “Oregon 1st state to decriminalize possession of drugs,” AP News, 1 February 2021. “Police in Oregon can no longer arrest someone for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone and other drugs as a ballot measure that decriminalized them took effect on Monday. Instead, those found in possession would face a $100 fine…
Read MoreMarital Needs
by Perry Hall In premarital counseling, I always ask what the number one need of a man fulfilled in marriage is, and what the number one need of a woman fulfilled in marriage is. Even when these couples are not religious, their own self-awareness teaches them the correct answer. When they say they don’t know,…
Read MoreFour Ways to Desire Being an Overseer
by Perry Hall So much, and I’d say too much, weight is placed on whether a man desires to serve as an elder. I’d say “too much” because it is too often used for a man to disqualify himself – “I don’t desire it.” Could it be that we need to better – and by…
Read MoreWhat Kind of Soil Are You?
by Doy Moyer Mark 4 presents what we call the parable of the sower. What has recently struck me is how the entire chapter stays with the same essential point concerning the power of God’s word. Here are a few thoughts: The parable’s point is not whether we are sowing the seed as much as…
Read MoreLessons from a Leper
by Zack Lee Naaman was a very successful man. He was commander of the Syrian army, held in high esteem in the eyes of his king, a victorious general, and a mighty man of valor. However, he had leprosy. His story can be found in II Kings 5. Naaman heard through a young slave girl that…
Read MoreStudy to Show Yourself Approved
by Hugh Fulford “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15 KJV). The preceding verse as cited from the King James Version of the Bible has been what I sometimes refer to as an “anchor text” among those committed…
Read MoreWhat Made Hezekiah Great?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WhatMadeHezekiahGreat.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Kings 18:1-6 I. Our reading tells us that Hezekiah was a great king of Israel. A. There was no king like him before in Judah. II. The question, though, is what made Hezekiah great? A. It wasn’t his father, Ahaz 1. Ahaz was a wicked man – II Kings 16:2-4 2. Later we…
Read MoreDo marriages really end at death?
Question: Marriage vows say, “Until death, do we part,” is this the truth? If so, I am so sad about this. I need to understand. Though, I cannot find a definite answer. I know there are things that we are not to know. Also, I understand that I am human. I am searching for a…
Read MoreCan one congregation withdraw from another congregation?
Question: Can a church withdraw from Christians who are not members of the local congregation? 1. Mark those who cause division and hindrances – Romans 16:17 2. Philippians 3:17 – Mark those who are good examples 3. Galatians 5:15 – Don’t bite and devour each other. C. Can a church withdraw from another church? Hey Brother Hamilton! God bless. I’ve read almost…
Read MoreOne article was an answer to my prayer
Question: I have turned to your website many times to find specific answers, but today was not for that reason. However, it turned out to be very helpful at this particular time. The article written by Doy Moyer, ‘Beyond Our Strength,” was the answer to a prayer.My husband of 55 years passed away recently and…
Read MoreThe Bible Presents Testimonial Evidence
by Terry Wane Benton The Bible is actually a divinely legal set of 66 pieces of testimony, making the case for Jesus of Nazareth in a most remarkable and amazing way. The first 39 pieces of written testimony lay out the plan for the first arrival of Jesus and what He would accomplish when He…
Read MoreJesus, the Lord of Sabbath
by Doy Moyer The gospel accounts highlight the fact that Jesus worked miracles on the Sabbath. This, of course, was intentional on His part, but it also brought much criticism. For example, he was asked, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” The text says they asked this “so that they might accuse him”…
Read MoreAre You Making Disciples?
by Jefferson David Tant The last words of Christ, recorded by the apostle Matthew, are known as “The Great Commission.” They are found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all…
Read MoreThat Your Joy May Be Full
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus prayed that those who would become His disciples would have a joy that is full (John 17:13; 15:11-13; 16:22). It would come through knowing the truth of the apostle’s eyewitness testimony of Jesus which provided the basis for the conviction that Jesus addresses our need of a cleansed and cleared…
Read MoreTen Facts About Local Congregations
by Gardner Hall Ten facts about local congregations today: taken from the letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2,3). Christ knows their works! Most congregations have a mixture of good qualities and weaknesses. Christ considers some congregations in bad spiritual shape to be his still. Even though we might not be able to conscientiously recommend…
Read MoreLet Not Many of You Be Teachers
by Terry Wane Benton “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). James 3:1 makes this statement, but what does it mean? In the context, it was a certain “you” that was quick to speak and slow to hear (James 1:19), who…
Read MoreTechnicalities and Taking Sides
by Andy Diestelkamp If we learn anything from what is revealed about many of the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, it is that there is a human tendency to justify ourselves based on technicalities, which some imagine as justifying their beliefs or behaviors … and they were wrong. In their confrontations with Christ, we also…
Read MoreWhat if a withdrawn from brother continues to attend services?
Question: Greetings Brother Hamilton, I am concerned about the withdrawal of membership from a brother in sin. I read through your notes on fellowship and understood them, but I want to be precise. When a brother is withdrawn from fellowship with other Christians, can he still come to worship but is prevented from partaking in…
Read MoreMarijuana Use Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
Source: “Marijuana use linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke,” American Heart Association News, 28 February 2024. “The number of people using marijuana has increased significantly in recent decades in the U.S., where its recreational use has been legalized in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In 2019, a federal survey showed more…
Read MorePrinciples of Teaching
by Doy Moyer Let not many become teachers. There is stricter judgment (James 3:1). If you are going to teach, make sure the fire is in your bones, and you are ready to bear the responsibility. Clarify and define. If you know something can be misunderstood, seek to be understood. Don’t hide behind ambiguities. There…
Read MoreCan salvation be lost?
Question: Hi, I was hoping you could shed some light on an issue that only seems to get more confused as I try to look into things from a biblical perspective. That issue is whether or not it is possible to lose your salvation following baptism. My understanding and belief is that baptism is a…
Read MoreIs Not Having the Original Writings a Serious Problem?
by Terry Wane Benton Torah Scribe by Ephraim Moshe Lilien It is not a problem at all. Unless all the copies and quotes are so contradictory and diverse that we need the original documents to settle the matter, the numerous quotes and copies of the Bible provide enough certainty that we do not require the…
Read MoreA sad and complex situation
Question: This is sad and complicated. Katie married Joe, and neither were previously married. It is unknown if they were believers. Katie and Joe divorced. The reason is unknown, but it is rumored to be because Joe didn’t want kids. Katie had a child with Ken before her divorce from Joe was final. Katie later married…
Read MoreMy wife wants a divorce
Question: Hello Brother, I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. My wife has decided that she wants to separate and sell our home. She has also discussed divorce, saying that she’s unhappy. First off, I acknowledge that while by worldly standards I was a good husband, by Christian standards, I failed…
Read MoreGenealogy as Evidence
by Terry Wane Benton One thing about all the lists of names in the Bible (forget about the difficulty of pronunciation) is that they were kept meticulously to keep the record accurate and verifiable. When Genesis gave a genealogy, it was to show that the writer was being historical and factual. Families could keep their…
Read MoreDo commentaries contain God’s words?
Question: In these dark days of political upheaval, financial uncertainty, and more, Christians and non-Christians alike have been asking many questions! Deep spiritual questions. I have questions, and I am not the only one in our Bible study groups! l think you will agree that men of God have written Bible commentary and claim that…
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