The Holy Spirit: Indwelling and the Word
by Don Blackwell The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit God is in Christians Christians are in God (I John 4:11-16) Christ is in Christians Christians are in Christ (Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 3:17) The Spirit dwells in Christians Christians are in the Spirit (Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:16,25) The mind of Christ is in Christians (Philippians 2:5)…
Read MorePsalms 23, the Exodus, and Jesus
by Doy Moyer Psalms 23 The Exodus Jesus The Lord is my Shepherd Psalms 77:30; 80:1; 95:7 Ezekiel 34:23-24; Isaiah 53:6; John 10:11; I Peter 5:4 I shall not want Deuteronomy 2:7; 29:5 Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 4:11-13,19 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters Exodus 15:13; Numbers 10:33…
Read MoreMy life is a ruin
Question: My friend, I don’t know where to begin. I have prayed to the Lord for wisdom. I don’t know where, but I’ll just begin. As a child, I grew up very lonely. I later found out I have autism, though I am high-functioning. As I got older, I had to go to preschool, where…
Read MoreDoes it matter how well we sing?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I hope you’re doing well by the grace of God. You have been of tremendous help to me. God richly bless you. Please, I have some questions that I want your help with. What I know: God is the audience of our worship. But when we teach as an act of worship,…
Read MoreThe Authority of Jesus
by Zeke Flores Authority is defined slightly differently depending on the definer, but it’s usually considered to be “the right one has, by virtue of office, position, or relationship, to command obedience.” OK, that makes sense. We see it everywhere around us. Authority is invested in military commanders and police officers, yet soldiers go AWOL,…
Read MoreWho’s Leading Whom?
by Perry Hall After WWII, a new family unit was created—the teenager. Before that, “teens” didn’t exist as a celebrated age. Before that, “teens” were young adults. Since then, the trauma of war-torn youth has led to the coddling of teens. That has led to a verse you might be very familiar with: Fathers, don’t…
Read MoreLearning How to Think
by Doy Moyer Scripture shows that God’s concerns are not just for what is technically good or bad, right or wrong, allowed or disallowed. We could argue over what is technically sinful or not, but that’s essentially a legalistic approach that misses the essential element of wisdom, especially in matters that are not explicitly given.…
Read MoreWhy Churches Split
by Perry Hall The Civil War had fascinated me since elementary school when I wrote an assignment on what I thought was the Silver War. I was wrong on two counts. I “knew” it couldn’t be the Civil War because it wasn’t “civil.” But neither was it silver. Probably the greatest summation of the effect…
Read MoreWho was the greatest king?
Question: Good day, brother Jeffrey! About Hezekiah, we read in II Kings 18:5-6: Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the…
Read MoreRevenge (Flores)
by Zeke Flores Revenge. The word flows through the lips almost in a kind of hiss full of sinister thoughts and inappropriate payback. We might dress it up in the indignant clothing of “justice,” but our attempts to justify it don’t change what it is: retaliation, the required “pound of flesh.” When insult or injury…
Read MoreSuspicious Minds
by Zeke Flores ” We can’t go on together with suspicious minds.” So sang the once king of rock and roll. It’s not only true for lovers and friends but also for God’s family. Suspicion and the plotting of revenge are the way of the world, but the King of Heaven and Earth reminds us…
Read MoreA Pattern of Miracles
by Terry Wane Benton At Creation, we find miracles (instant everything), and natural law kept things going when they were completed. No more making man instantly from the dust, but letting things progress naturally. The Law of Moses was ushered in with signs and wonders, and the prophets were given signs to verify that God…
Read MoreCan a non-Christian serve in worship?
Question: I have a great deal of respect for your website and the articles on it. However, I don’t agree 100% with everything. I have worshipped in congregations that have and don’t have a fellowship hall; neither bothers me. The congregation installed elders and deacons, which has caused some problems. I have a question about…
Read MoreI don’t think I’ll ever be perfect
Question: I struggle to keep my heart and thoughts on God through the day. I’ll be doing good for a while, then doubts creep in, saying you won’t ever amount up to God by trying to be perfect, even though Jesus said to be perfect like the Father. I feel as though He’s grown tired…
Read MoreMercy to Enemies
by Zeke Flores “Ah, sword of Yahweh, how long will you not be quiet? Withdraw into your sheath; be at rest and stay still. How can it be quiet? Yahweh has given it a command; against Ashkelon and against the seacoast — there He has assigned it” (Jeremiah 47:6-7 LSB). While God’s judgment is certain…
Read MoreWhy does the Bible talk of other gods?
Question: Good evening! I have been wondering about certain things in the Bible, specifically the “Divine Council.” There are many different verses I can use, but I want to focus on three: The first being Psalm 82:1: “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.” I generally don’t accept that…
Read MoreOut of This World
by Zeke Flores Getting ourselves out of the world is hard. Getting the world out of us is harder. “O Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares Yahweh, “For I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a full…
Read MoreThe Church that Does Not Have Elders
by Kyle Ellison Do you currently attend a church without elders? Are you an evangelist working within a church that does not have elders currently? It is quite common that this occurs at some point in the life of a local New Testament church. What should our view and response be? If you read this,…
Read MoreMy Sin Is Always Before Me (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/My-Sin-Is-Always-Before-Me.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 9 I. God is Holy, but we fall short A. Sin is a not a part of the nature of God – I John 1:5 B. To be in fellowship with God, we also must without sin – I John 1:6-7 1. But notice that God is not expecting…
Read MoreChurch and State: Worldliness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Church-and-State-Worldliness.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. When people blended the church and the state, the ramifications are broad A. The belief was that society cannot hold together without everyone being bound together by a common religion B. When it is expected that everyone living in a nation belongs to the church, what…
Read MoreI’m grateful for your article on tent-making ministers
Question: Peace to you sir, I’m very grateful for your article on tent-making ministers. I’m enlightened by it. I look forward to try implementing it in my context. Be blessed indeed. In the Master’s Royal Service, Answer: I’m glad the article is helpful.
Read MoreWhy Do Christians Assemble?
by Wayne S. Walker Question: “Why do members of the church of Christ assemble together, and why do they assemble at various times?” Answer: Members of the church of Christ assemble together because this is what is taught in the New Testament. And it is precisely what we find Christians doing in the first century.…
Read MoreWhen Is the 1000-Year Reign of Christ?
by Robert Harkrider via Timberland Church of Christ One of the most highly publicized teachings today in the religious world is the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Phrases such as “It’s a sign of the times,” “The rapture is coming,” and “The kingdom of God on earth is about to be established” are flung at people from…
Read MoreTrust in God
by Zeke Flores The Bible’s story boils down to one simple truth: Trust God, and He will save you. Throughout the Bible story, whether it was Abraham upending his life at God’s command, the Israelites crossing a harsh desert, prophets proclaiming an unpopular message, or scared citizens facing a brutal invader, the message is the…
Read MoreCan you explain Leviticus 19:20 more?
Question: Does Leviticus 19:20 imply that if the slave woman was not betrothed, it was not a sin to sleep with her? What punishment would it have been? Is the primary sin harm of the owner’s property or sexual sin in itself? Why is no monetary compensation paid, unlike Deuteronomy 22? Thank you! Answer: “Now…
Read MoreIs it wrong to link to WVBS or GBN?
Question: Is it wrong for a church to link to WVBS or GBN on its website? I’m unsure if it’s right or wrong, but I’d at least like your thoughts, if you don’t mind. Thanks. Answers: World Video Bible School (WVBS) and Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN) solicit funding from individuals and churches. “WVBS is organized…
Read MoreGrooming Hearts
by Bryant Bailles For whatever it may be worth: On the matter of grooming attitudes, unfairly generalizing brethren, and creating an imaginary group to despise… “And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a case to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would…
Read MoreThis one really hit home
Question: Thank you. “Thankful for the No-Names” really hit home for me. Most of my preaching years were spent in smaller churches, just as you described. There are many who serve in such a capacity. More that we know. Thank you. I appreciate your articles. Answer: You’re welcome. Like you, I’ve spent all my life…
Read MoreThankful for the No-Names
by Kyle Ellison I am thankful for the no-names. In many preacher circles some may be well known, who may have a name, who keep the calendar full with speaking engagements, who do great work among the brethren! This is not to take away from the great work brethren do, whether big or small, But…
Read MorePharisaical Works Salvation?
by Terry Wane Benton One fellow said the following: “Terry Wane Benton, why must you be so wrapped up in your salvation by works just like the Pharisees? Jesus despised the Pharisees for this very mentality that you are showing. Grace and grace alone allow you to enter into heaven.” Grace is the only thing…
Read MoreBaptism in History
by Ed Harrell via Christianity Magazine, December 1984 My reading of the New Testament makes very clear the meaning and intent of baptism — it was a “burial” that put one “into Christ” and resulted in the “remission of sins” (Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38). Of course, we should always be willing to examine our reading…
Read MoreDoes Leviticus 20:10 permit adultery with the wife of a Gentile?
Question: Maimonides says that the repeated clause in Leviticus 20:10 is written this way to permit adultery with the wife of a Gentile. Is there any truth to that? And why is it written in such an ambiguous way? Is it to reveal human evils? Answer: The text of Leviticus 20:10 literally reads: “and a…
Read MoreWhy I Didn’t Leave the Church
by Matthew W. Bassford The posts appear pretty regularly on my Facebook feed. Some poor soul, simmering with hurt and anger, explains why they left the churches of Christ. The explanations are generally long and filled with accusations of bad behavior by brethren. I get it. Like many preachers, I have suffered at the hands…
Read MoreTrustworthy Sayings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Trustworthy-Sayings.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThings that Hinder Our Performance
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Things-that-Hinder-Our-Performance.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreBy Grace Alone?
by Terry Wane Benton I pointed out that if God is “not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9), then salvation cannot be by grace alone. If God desires all to be saved, but salvation is by grace alone, then all will be saved. If all are not…
Read MoreAm I being unrepentant?
Question: Hello, I am a fellow disciple of Christ who recently has had his faith attacked from seemingly every possible angle. The foremost attack is self-inflicted in the form of a sin I committed. I want to preface this with two things: First, I need to hear the truth, no matter how painful. Second, I…
Read MoreLove Does Not Mean Automatic Acceptance
by Terry Wane Benton God loved us at our worst, but that never meant He accepted us all without repentance and change (Romans 5:8; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38). So, God’s love motivates us to change so that He can accept us into fellowship. Love does not mean automatic acceptance into fellowship. God loves us all,…
Read MoreThe Like Figure Whereunto …
by Terry Wane Benton The flood water is the figure, the type, and baptism is the antitype, the real thing prefigured (I Peter 3:20-21) by the flood water. So, how was the flood water the figure? It was the chosen means to wash away a sinful world and deliver Noah and his family to a…
Read MoreIf the Bible Was Human in Origin
by Terry Wane Benton If God was just made up, and the records of the Israelites that gave us the Old Testament were totally made up by them, then they were not very smart. They predicted their own demise and their rejection of their Messiah, making themselves look ridiculous. Who makes up a story about…
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