Should I not do things that might make others jealous?
Question: Hello, I have read through your site on a number of occasions. I have some questions regarding jealousy. When my husband proposed to me, a girl at church seemed very upset because her boyfriend had not proposed to her yet. I was concerned that she may have been jealous of that. Maybe I should not…
Read MoreIs it bad to date a worldly-minded person?
Question: I hope this email finds you well! I have a question for you about relationships as a Christian. I’m a Christian and a part of a denomination. I believe that loving God and praising the Lord is universal, and universally there are things you should and shouldn’t do. I have a few questions. I…
Read MoreDid I sin against my husband by not telling him when I was ovulating?
Question: If you feel like you may have sinned against your spouse years ago, but they don’t know about it, do you have to tell them now? I feel like I should give the backstory because no, it’s not adultery. We were going for our second baby and he wanted a boy and I wanted…
Read MoreNo Man Ever Spoke Like This Man
by Terry Wane Benton On one most revealing occasion, some soldiers were sent to capture Jesus and came back empty-handed exclaiming, “No man ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46). What seems most impressive to me about the whole episode of Jesus is that He was feared, not because He might be physically dangerous to…
Read MoreDoes only the Holy Spirit know the mind of God?
Question: Hey, I have a question. In I Corinthians 2:11, the Holy Spirit is said to know the mind of God. Does that mean that the other members of the Trinity don’t know the mind of God? And since Jesus is called the Word by John, does that mean that He is the mind of…
Read MoreThe Development of Papal Power
By Andy Sochor Unmasking Sophistry, October-December, 2023, Vol. 3, No. 4 The pope is arguably the most influential religious figure in the world today. Yet there was a time when the one who occupied this office was even more powerful than the current pope. He would not only be the highest-ranking member of the Roman…
Read MoreAnd So All Israel Will Be Saved
by Terry Wane Benton Romans 11:26 is typically misunderstood and misapplied. The church is the true Israel that will be saved. The gospel is the power to save (Romans 1:16). Being a mere Jew in the flesh does not save. There must be the circumcision in heart to make a true Jew (Romans 2:28-29). So,…
Read MoreNearer, my God, to Thee
by Doy Moyer Songs are magnificent. There is a reason God wants us to teach by singing, and I was reminded of this powerfully one night recently after I preached a lesson in a meeting. My lesson was called “Come to Bethel,” and I discussed Genesis 28, Jacob’s leaving the land, the sun going down…
Read MoreWork as for the Lord
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Work-as-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-16 I. Why should you work? A. I had a friend that inherited a large sum of money before he was 18. There was enough cash available that he could live comfortably off the interest the money would generate for the rest of his life. Why should he…
Read MoreIt Takes Effort
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/It-Takes-Effort.mp3 Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-11 I. How many of us truly enjoy working? A. I, like many of us, dream of times when we can take a moment off and do nothing in particular B. Yet, I don’t like to be idle for long. It grates on my nerves. II. In the beginning A. Man has always had work…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Difference: Local and Universal Church
by Bill Robinson I have a lot of friends that I dearly love and count them as brothers who are going to disagree with this article. Nonetheless, there are others that I dearly love and also count as brothers, for whom I feel compelled to write this. We are fast approaching the idea that these…
Read MoreThorns
by Doy Moyer “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9). Paul had a weakness, a “thorn in the flesh” that he thought was keeping him from being as productive as he could have been without it. He prayed to the Lord three times to have…
Read MoreIs the reason I haven’t been healed that I haven’t confessed all my sins?
Question: Hi, In reference to James 5:16: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” I have a rare genetic condition that causes hearing and visual impairment. They are incurable and my vision is deteriorating and might lead to blindness. Many pastors and people in my church have…
Read MoreWhy the Change?
When the gospel was preached at Corinth, those who were fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals stopped practicing those sins. “Such were some of you” (I Corinthians 6:8-11). Did the preachers actually preach against those lifestyle choices? Did no one worry that this kind of preaching was not politically correct? Are people being convicted of sin in…
Read MoreTraditions, Traditions!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Traditions-Traditions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 2:13-15 I. When two people have a disagreement, there is a strong desire to label the position of the other person. A. Often this makes the discussion easier. A word or short phrase is easier to repeat than a long detailed description of the exact belief. B. The problem…
Read More45th Birthday
by Matthew W. Bassford Today is my 45th birthday, a time for reflection if ever there was one. From an earthly perspective, this is a grim milestone indeed. It is almost certainly the last birthday I will ever celebrate. When I was in elementary school, I learned about Huntingdon’s chorea, what they call Huntingdon’s disease…
Read MoreIs It Circular Reasoning to Use the Bible to Prove God Gave It?
by Terry Wane Benton No! It might be circular if it was all written at one time. But we can demonstrate that the Old Testament was completed long before Jesus came. Therefore we get to consider the prophecies and how Jesus fulfilled them. The New Testament is eyewitness testimony of Jesus written when unbelievers should…
Read MoreCan I be redeemed after my sin?
Question: Hi, I’m not sure how to greet you. I’m full of guilt and sadness. I came across this website when I was trying to find out if I could be redeemed. I had sex with my boyfriend. I always wanted to start only after marriage but this came so unexpectedly and led to sin. I’ve…
Read MoreWhy did Paul limit his right to marriage to a believing wife?
Question: While studying the scripture with this guide on your website: Paul’s Restraint in Exercising His Liberty, I found this question: Why do you suppose Paul qualified his right to only a sister in Christ and not claim a more general right to marry? It’s a question I have asked too, and I would like to…
Read MoreIs One as Good as Another?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Is-One-as-Good-as-Another.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWould God Deny a Person Heaven?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Would-God-Deny-a-Person-Heaven.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreNot Worth Listening To
by Zeke Flores There are some things that are not worth wasting the time to listen to. For me, that would be rap or any new “pop” song. Or most political drivel. Or false religious teaching. Jesus said, “Take care what you listen to” (Mark 4:24). In Luke’s gospel, He says, “Take care how you listen”…
Read MoreWhy Are Elders Missing in So Many Churches?
by Roger D. Campbell We read about “the elders of the church” in the New Testament (James 5:14). In the Bible, “the elders of the church” refers to those brothers who serve as the overseers of a local flock of God (Acts 20:17, 28). They also are identified as shepherds or pastors (Ephesians 4:11) and…
Read MoreThe Twisted Thinking of Abortion
by Dennis Abernathy The thinking of many in our society is truly twisted. Consider the case where two little boys, who were reported kidnapped in South Carolina. Actually, the mother of those little boys confessed to murdering them. She was involved with a man who wanted her company, but not her children, so she murdered…
Read MoreWhy Death?
by Doy Moyer Why is death a consequence of sin? Because sin is a direct affront to the glory of the God of life. When we reject God, we reject life. Death is what’s left. We cannot turn our backs on life and expect to live. Why did Christ come to die? He died for…
Read MoreHe Got Up and Followed Him
by Doy Moyer Think about this for a moment. Jesus passed by “Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ And he got up and followed Him” (Mark 2:14). What an impression Jesus must have already made on Levi (Matthew) to cause him to get up…
Read MoreNot Enslaved
by Matthew W. Bassford From time to time, I receive article requests from brethren who want me to address a particular topic. Sadly, my usual response to these requests is to forget that they have been made and never write about them. However, recently someone asked me about my views of “not enslaved” in 1…
Read MoreWill There be a Rapture?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Will-There-Be-a-Rapture.mp3 Text: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 I. People have always been fascinated with the second coming of Christ A. That fascination increased greatly as the 21st century approached. B. A very popular series, called “Left Behind” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins claims to tell the events of Christ’s return in fictional form. The books were written…
Read MoreIs it fair that I leave her heartbroken?
Question: Praise the Lord to you all. I am writing this to you to find the answer for my situation that is according to the Bible and just, correct, right, and holy in the eyes of our God. I was born into a very respectful Christian family. My grandparents and my parents are all devoted…
Read MoreThe Thousand-Year Reign
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Thousand-Year-Reign.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Revelation 20:4-6 A. Many elaborate theories are based on this 1. Some teach that Christ, at his second coming, sets up a kingdom here on earth. 2. Christians from the early church are raised up to rule with him. 3. After a peaceful, thousand-year reign, the Devil is released 4. A seven-year battle ensues (the…
Read MoreIs the use of a psychedelic drug a gray area?
Question: I ask this unconvinced. My father and mother, about a year ago, began using psilocybin (magic mushrooms), having not dabbled in it since they were teenagers. Both of them claim they underwent a spiritual renewal after tripping. Now they believe they are truly “saved” for the first time and that God used the shrooms…
Read MoreAre we wrong to stream services on Facebook?
Question: Hello! God bless the work you do always utilizing your page to study and to get answers. Great work and God bless you always. Question: Are we in the wrong in continuing to use Facebook Live for worship service on Sundays? Thanks! Answer: Video recordings of worship services are not a replacement for actually…
Read MoreWhy are embellishments wrong?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question for you about the topic of “The Christian and Social Media” there is a statement: “Never lie (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9-10; Revelation 21:8). And embellishment is the same as lying.” What does “embellishment” mean and what do you mean by it? Can you give me more explanation about…
Read MoreI pray for your continued work
Question: I just wanted someone to know how much I appreciate being able to get online and study with your site. Thank you for your sermons, outlines, and audios. They have been a part of my everyday studies over the past year. I pray for your continued mission of evangelical work. God bless. Answer: I’m…
Read MoreIt Takes Only One Time
by David Weaks Children used to be taught by their parents that sex is reserved for marriage (Hebrew 13:4; I Corinthians 7:1-9), but this doctrine is no longer universally respected. Abstinence is ridiculed by society as archaic and unreasonable. The error of this new attitude cannot be overstated. It is just plain old foolish and…
Read MoreMy Friend, A. W. Dicus
by Rick Lanning It was August, 1971. My parents were with me that Sunday morning as we entered the Temple Terrace church building across the street from Florida College. I was entering my freshman year the very next day. I saw my dad start talking to someone he obviously knew from his past. He soon…
Read MoreDying for Jesus
by Matthew W. Bassford These days, it seems like people in our country are increasingly being led astray by a godless, secular mindset. This worldview has a lot of superficial appeal. After all, if there is no God, you don’t have to submit to anybody. You can do whatever you want with whomever you want.…
Read MoreReincarnation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/Reincarnation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14:1-15 I. Death is an event that puzzles many people. A. We know it is a step that we all must take – Ecclesiastes 8:8 B. It is an appointment that we must keep – Hebrews 9:27 C. Not that people don’t try. The finality of death is too final. II. Reincarnation…
Read MoreDo You Swallow Anything?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Do-You-Swallow-Anything.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 14:10-16 I. Sharks are notorious for swallowing just about anything. A. People have found books, bottles, tablecloths, and nails inside sharks B. Clearly sharks have large appetites and indiscriminate tastes C. There is a small fish known as the Sea Hedgehog or Urchin Fish. 1. This small fish has spikes all around…
Read MoreReflecting on “Hoods in My Hymnal”
by Matthew W. Bassford The other day, Steve Wolfgang sent me a link to this article, “Hoods in My Hymnal.” In it, the author points out that James D. Vaughan, founding father of the Southern gospel genre of hymnody (though not the author of “Love Lifted Me”, despite what the article implies) was a leading…
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