Deconstruction
by Andy Diestelkamp Think on These Things, Vol 55, No. 1, January-March 2024 Deconstruction is likely something you have heard of, but perhaps you are not certain you understand what is meant by it. Join the club! Originally, it was the idea of literally taking something apart, but in more modern times it has been…
Read MoreThere’s a Rainbow
by Terry Wane Benton “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald” (Revelation 4:3). He who sat on the throne “was like” jasper and a sardius stone in appearance. How was He like that? We…
Read MoreAct as Though You’re Deaf
by Leon Mauldin The Old Hickory Bulletin, 5 November 2023 We trust that our readers are familiar with Israel’s request to Samuel that he make them a king, so “that we also may be like all the nations” (I Samuel 8:20). Having prayed to God, and having warned the people of how the reality of…
Read MoreDo I need to be baptized again after finally quitting alcohol?
Question: I searched for an answer to a question and happily ran into a church of Christ site. I saw your question and answer section, and I need more specific information. As briefly as possible I will explain. I was baptized at the age of 12. I went way off course in my life. and…
Read MoreCome Up Here and See
by Terry Wane Benton “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1). John has seen the strengths and…
Read MoreWhat Happened?
by Zeke Flores It used to be that we called things by what they were: What used to be called lazy is now called “finding myself.” What used to be called modest is now called “old fashioned.” What used to be called indecent is now called “adult.” What used to be called irresponsible is now…
Read MoreWhat Must I Do to Go to Heaven? (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/What-Must-I-Do-to-Go-to-Heaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 19:16-22 I. I was asked, “What must I do to go to Heaven when I die? Please no opinions. Please use the Bible, it is all we have that is the truth.” A. I am impressed that this man only wants a biblical answer. Far too many simply want…
Read MoreThe Greatest Plan
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Greatest-Plan.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 5:27-42 I. The rulers of the Jews were upset. A. They had killed off a man whom they thought was leading the people against them, but his teachings just won’t go away. 1. Men who were his disciples had continued to teach this man’s doctrine. 2. They could not be intimidated,…
Read MoreOn What Does Your Faith Stand?
by Roger Shouse “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13). It happened 180 years ago. It was proclaimed as the Second Advent. The nation was caught up in a religious fever about the teachings of a rural New York farmer, a lay Baptist preacher by…
Read MoreHow Did I Get Here or Why Do I Think That?
by Hugh DeLong Maybe I am obsessed, at least a bit, with knowing why I think what I think. It is easy to picture that I came into this world as a blank Etch-N-Sketch, but a world where I controlled all the buttons. Yet, from the beginning, other people have been pushing my buttons! So…
Read MoreGod Conscious
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/God-Conscious.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 139 I. A truly godly man lives with a constant realization of God’s divine presence A. He is God conscious B. When he awakes in the morning, there is God. C. As he dresses for work, there is God. D. As he goes in to breakfast with his family, as he drives…
Read MoreHis Blood Be Upon Us
by Jefferson David Tant The expression in the title came from Matthew 27:25 during the trial of Jesus, as Governor Pilate was in a sense “between a rock and a hard place.” He seemed to realize that Jesus had committed no crime, and his wife had cautioned him against doing anything against Christ. Pilate’s wife…
Read MoreLike All the Nations
by Tom Thornhill Jr. As you study the history of a nation (or anything for that matter) you will notice key decisions and actions that have a profound impact on shaping what it would become. America is certainly that way. There are key events and decisions that have made us what we are as a…
Read MoreRighteousness, Peace, and Joy in Jesus’ Kingdom
by Terry Wane Benton “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The kingdom should feature an emphasis on righteousness. Living by righteous standards is what the kingdom is about. Dietary laws of the Old Testament had illustration value in foreshadowing…
Read MoreThe Meaning of Calling on the Name of the Lord
by Zeke Flores Calling on the name of the Lord may not mean what you think it means. In chapter 2 of his prophetic book, Joel foretells of the events during Pentecost related in Acts 2. His concluding statement from that prophecy was that “it will come about that whoever calls on the name of…
Read MoreHow do you prove Jesus was not a Muslim?
Question: Hello Brother Hamilton and the rest of La Vista Church of Christ, I have two questions that I want to ask you. I want to start with this one in particular because they’re two different ideas. As we know, the more time goes by, there will be a new concept or belief among men.…
Read MoreCan We Evaluate Our True Condition?
by Terry Wane Benton To the Laodicean church, the Spirit said: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). To think we “have need of nothing” and that our measurement of wealth and…
Read MoreLegal Rights in the Old Testament
by Kastin Carroll House to House, Vol. 28, No. 12 “For this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Presumption of Innocence Everyone was presumed innocent until proven guilty, and…
Read MoreJesus, the Amen and the Beginning
by Terry Wane Benton “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14). The Amen Jesus is the Amen, the One who validates us. When we say “amen” at the end of a prayer, we are validating our support for that prayer. Jesus validates us.…
Read MoreYou Can Be a Pillar in God’s Temple
by Terry Wane Benton “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from…
Read MoreA Few Words about the “Social Gospel”
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. We “conservatives” sometimes speak of the “Social Gospel” in a way that shows we know very little about it. Many think the Social Gospel is all about churches sponsoring social activities like social meals and recreational activities. While these unscriptural practices are wrong and may have in some way grown…
Read MoreHow do I deal with someone who makes fun of my beliefs?
Question: Hello brother, I hope you’re doing well. I have some questions for you, and I wanted to know if you can help me. I would like to give you a little bit of context first. I was at work and it was almost time to leave, I was here in a conversation with two…
Read MoreWhat is wrong if a person claims to drive out demons?
Question: Good day, If someone is famous for driving out demons and restoring people by scaring them in such a way that his mere presence and antics might result in this person changing for the better, then what is wrong with doing this? Thanks. Answer: It appears that you accept that the person doesn’t really…
Read MoreCan a person withdraw his gift to the church?
Question: Hello Brother Jeffrey, I trust you have been doing well lately. I want to express my appreciation of your unwavering commitment to the work of God, and all the scriptural answers you’ve provided to solve challenges confronting the Christian faith. During our weekly Bible studies, we happened to talk about the brethren’s contributions to…
Read MoreSalvation in No One Else
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Salvation-in-No-One-Else.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 4:5-12 I. In April, 2011, Time Magazine listed their 100 most influential people, among whom was Rob Bell, a preacher who founded a church called “Mars Hill.” A. It isn’t connected with any denomination. Time reveled in calling Mr. Bell and his church “evangelical,” but it isn’t an accurate…
Read MoreWhy Should I Join Christ?
by Orlando Gonzalez (Revised) Alright, we’re going to look at things from a worldly person’s point of view, but before we can proceed, I would like to begin with this question: What exactly is a worldly person? A worldly person is widely regarded in Christian circles as a non-Christian who (regardless of age, gender, ethnic…
Read MoreIf Jesus Was Not Raised from the Dead
by Terry Wane Benton Text: I Corinthians 15 Paul argues that there are logical consequences that follow if Jesus was not really raised from the dead: We are still in our sins. Animal sacrifices should have continued until we got the One who was coming to take away our sins. We are not dealing with…
Read MoreWould Jesus Do What We Do?
by Jarrod M. Jacobs This question is slightly different from the oft-asked question, “What would Jesus do?” Asking what Jesus might do in a situation is indeed a righteous question to ask. Such a question is consistent with Bible teaching (Colossians 3:17; I Peter 4:11; etc.). However, in this article, let’s put this question in…
Read MoreThe Way (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Way-1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 35 I. At times I will be studying and a verse sticks in my mind. A. In Isaiah 35 is a prophecy. It is obviously talking about the time when Jesus walked on this earth – Isaiah 35:4-6 B. What struck me was the description of a highway – Isaiah…
Read MoreSome Observations on Judging
by George Bosworth Some observations about judging, from I Corinthians 4:3-5: “I (Paul) am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. So don’t judge anything prematurely before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and…
Read MoreOur Immutable God
by Louis Cook Know God Series Immutable: “unchanging in His being, purpose, perfection, and promises.” “For I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6). If He changed even in the slightest, He would not be self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, and He would not be God. He does not grow old or tired, get weaker or grow…
Read MoreThings to Bring to Worship
by Mike Wilson It’s another Sunday morning, and you are fighting to get everything and everyone ready on time. The kids are screaming, and someone is honking the horn. Most families know the feeling. As you come staggering to the car at the last second, did you forget anything? Do you have a checklist of…
Read MoreTwo “Tills”
by Terry Wane Benton Matthew 5:18 has two “tills.” “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18). The meaning of Matthew 5:18 in giving us two “tills” is this: “Until heaven and earth pass”…
Read MoreWhy isn’t confession of sin included in the things required for salvation?
Question: Why is the confession of sins not included in the steps to salvation (5 Steps of Salvation)? This question is prompted by verses such as Matthew 3:6, Mark 1:5, Acts 19:18, and James 5:16. Answer: The confession of sin preceded John’s baptism (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5). While it might set precedence, it cannot be…
Read MoreWas the Lord’s Supper taken only once a year?
Question: Good day. A friend of mine told me that the breaking of bread in Acts 20:7 is not the Lord’s Supper or Passover because it is only a breaking of bread without the grape juice as stated in the context. The breaking of bread is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and not the Lord’s…
Read MoreObeying God in Everything
by Hugh DeLong “Legalist?” “Legalism?” Is it wrong and sinful to attempt to obey God in everything? Is it wrong to attempt to keep all the teachings and doctrines of Jesus? Is it sinful to strive to never sin? Can one strive for such things and yet not rely on them as the basis of…
Read MoreObservations on Worldliness
by George Bosworth We cannot grow spiritually when we cling to worldliness. Nothing new in that statement! But consider I Corinthians 3:3-4: “For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? For whenever one says “I belong to Paul”, and another says “I belong to Apollos”,…
Read MoreLess Than Deserved
by Joe Works “Why do bad things happen to good people?” That is a question that people commonly ask, and it is a fair question that is somewhat difficult to answer to complete satisfaction. But have you ever considered asking … “Why don’t more bad things happen to me than they do?” “And after all…
Read MoreIs an abortion not wrong if it is done early?
Question: Dear Minister, I have a friend who is unmarried and recently found out she is expecting a child. The couple is quite scared and overwhelmed by the situation and so far I’m the only person they have shared the information with but they asked me to keep it confidential (They agreed I can reach…
Read MoreWhy Am I Having So Much Trouble?
by Zeke Flores I’m a faithful child of God! So why am I having so much trouble? Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media Hezekiah may have been asking himself the same thing when the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened to overrun Judah. Though Hezekiah made many good religious reforms during his rule, God still allowed him to…
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