Does God want me to lose everything?
Question: Dear Pastor Hamilton: Thank you for always answering emails throughout the many years. I’m writing you to say that I lost my job. I thought it was God’s will for me to be at this job because it was only a block away from my home, it matched my job skills, and it gave…
Read MoreWhat if my husband becomes a non-believer?
Question: Hello Brother Jeffrey, I hope all has been well. The situation I face now is this: My husband and I are currently separated for several reasons (him mostly not wanting the marriage at the time). My husband was a baptized Christian in the church when we married. He was raised in the church. We got…
Read MoreThe Acts 17 Approach to God
by Doy Moyer Acts 17 provides a framework for some basic understanding of God. Think especially about the phrase in verse 25: “as though He needed anything.” In that phrase is found the essence of who God is. God needs nothing more to be complete or to function with the highest possible reason and power.…
Read MoreMy Father’s Hands
by Fanning Yater Tant (1908-1988) written in the 1970s Not God. I am thinking of my own natural father, Jefferson Davis Tant. It is June 4, 1941. A few scores of us are gathered in the old auditorium of the Central Church of Christ, Cleburne, Texas. My father’s body lies in the casket before us.…
Read MoreWhat is the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
by Bill Boyd My preacher friends do not agree on the meaning of “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is frustrating because this expression is at the end of the oft-quoted Acts 2:38. The passage is clear that baptism is “for the remission of sins,” but what does the baptized person receive? Whatever it…
Read MoreA Crisis of Faith?
by Orlando B. Gonzalez Perhaps you wonder whether we, as members of the “Churches of Christ”, are turning others away from Jesus by how we discuss people in other denominations, and how we talk about our practices as if they are the only right way to do things, thereby condemning those who do them differently.…
Read MoreFaith, Works, and Grace in Romans
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:1-17 I. In understanding biblical writings, it is important to remember that God is the author A. II Timothy 3:16 – All the written writings are breathed from the mouth of God B. This was Paul’s point in I Corinthians 14:33 when discussing roles and organization of the worship service. 1. God…
Read MoreI find myself lusting and I fear I lack self-control
Question: Hello sir, I have sinned. I lusted after a sister and it progressed so much that we kissed. Right now I am so broken. I have asked God for forgiveness but it seems I can’t forgive myself. I have had this dream of being a gospel teacher and an elder. I’ve been consciously building…
Read MoreThe Obsession for Notoriety in the Modern Era
by Orlando B. Gonzalez Verse: John 12:43 (NASB 2020)- “…for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.” As a young man, it’s unsurprising to say that I carry many great desires that I want to do in my lifetime. My current main goals include becoming a professional writer, a…
Read MoreThe Sponsoring Church Arrangement (Jennings)
by Ethan Jennings Not long after World War 2, members of the Lord’s church decided they wanted to take the gospel overseas to the countries with whom we had been at war. This was a good attitude to have. Especially since we are supposed to spread the gospel to everyone. Paul wrote to commend the…
Read MoreIs there an explanation for a lack of sexual desire in the Bible?
Question: Good evening, I was reading many of your answers about homosexuality and was wondering if there was any explanation for a lack of sexual attraction in the Bible. This is related to homosexuals having a lack of interest in the opposite gender and people having no attraction to anyone at all. I am a…
Read MoreOn Being Holy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/On-Being-Holy.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:13-16 I. When you are in a competition, you are told “Do your best.” A. It means we strive hard to achieve. B. Yet, at the same time I know there are going to be times when I don’t do my best. 1. I might be tired that day. I…
Read MoreDoes John the Baptist Prove that Fetuses Know Good and Evil?
by Terry Wane Benton While it is true that John the Baptist, while yet unborn (what people call the fetus stage), leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary came and greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:41), it is not true that this means that all infants are aware of sin or aware of Jesus, Mary, and what…
Read MoreI didn’t give permission for my statements to be used!
Question: I noticed you posted something written by Terry on your website. This was shared publicly by Terry from a private group and was a casual conversation. I would appreciate it being taken down since it was shared publicly without permission by Terry and also done without my permission. If that won’t be done I’d…
Read MoreI Have Found the Book of the Law
by Terry Wane Benton “Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it'” (II Kings 22:8) How did the book become lost? The whole service should have centered around honoring…
Read MoreOn Infant Baptism
by Terry Wane Benton An Orthodox Church member writes: “Infant baptism is the new circumcision. We find its parallel to circumcision in the Old Covenant. Infants were circumcised as a sign of being part of the Old Covenant so infants should be baptized as a sign of being part of the New Covenant.” In the…
Read MoreWhy would God let me be born with same-sex attraction?
Question: Why would God let me be born with same-sex attraction? Answer: Before answering your question, we need to come to an understanding regarding terms. Proponents of various sins like to play word games in order to disguise their intentions. “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not…
Read MoreOnce for All Delivered
by Terry Wane Benton “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). This last phrase means the faith, the teaching we are…
Read MoreThe Signs of an Apostle
by Terry Wane Benton The apostles of Jesus were eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus (Acts 1:13f). They had to have personally seen Jesus alive from the dead. Nobody today meets that criterion. But those Jesus chose to be sent out by Him as His personal eyewitnesses were also equipped by the Holy Spirit with miraculous…
Read MorePrivate Conversations First?
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I posted a critique of John Mark Hicks’s book Searching for the Pattern. This generated a number of interesting responses, one of which came in a private message from a good-hearted brother. He asked me if I had gone to Hicks privately with my objections before raising them publicly. He…
Read MoreObedient to the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Obedient-to-the-Bible.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePrepared to Be Holy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Prepared-to-Be-Holy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreShould a new Christian go to a Bible school?
Question: The church recently received a new convert. I do follow-up studies with him after services. I introduced him to the idea of attending a Bible school, which he indicated interest in attending. But I read through your article on preachers, especially his qualification. You pointed out how dicey Bible schools can be. Of a…
Read MoreBearing Fruit
by Doy Moyer Jesus spoke these well-known words to His disciples shortly before going to the cross: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.…
Read MoreRash Words
by Doy Moyer “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Here’s one thought about our need to be careful with our words. What we say publicly reflects upon our spouses and loved ones. If we are constantly complaining about how bad things…
Read MoreWhat is a good way to mark up a Bible?
Question: Does anyone have or know of a good Bible-highlighting strategy? Answer: Virtually all published methods I’ve seen are woefully complicated and even obscuring or distracting from the text. I use a very simple system based on the vocabulary of each book, or in the case of the Psalms, five books. Since even author groups…
Read MoreRules for Religious Discussions
by Andy Sochor “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (I Peter 3:15). It is incumbent upon all Christians to be ready to teach others.…
Read MoreHoly Is His Name
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Holy-Is-His-Name.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 99 I. Near the end of his life Joshua told the people of Israel – Joshua 24:14-24 A. After their declaration to serve God, it seems strange for Joshua to tell them that they are unable to serve because He is holy. B. What is it about holiness that makes God…
Read MorePagan Ideas of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PaganIdeasOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 7:15-20 I. Through the ages man has had difficulty grasping the concept of God A. As Christians, we understand that God is a Spirit – John 4:24 B. But for the common man, without the knowledge of the Scriptures, that idea is too vague. So God is remade in their…
Read MoreWhen should I share the pulpit?
Question: Greetings to you, sir, I trust you have been doing well with your family. I have this concern bothering me. As a preacher, I understand that at some point I will have to share the pulpit with others, but at what point should that be? I have some who are so eager to mount…
Read MoreHow do I deal with all the rules?
Question: First of all, you should know that I am only 12 years old. My main dilemma is this: I love my parents very much, and they love me. But I also love God, and my parents often do things that I don’t think would make God very happy. Don’t worry! It’s nothing illegal. I…
Read MoreThere Will Be a Rapture
by Terry Wane Benton If we consider that the words “caught up” in I Thessalonians 4:17 are translated as “rapture” in Latin, then there is going to be a “caught up” (rapture) moment. So, the word is there in Latin, and since the verse says we will be “caught up together with them in the…
Read MoreWhat about using bulletins published outside the congregation?
Question: Hi Jeff, I pray for you and for your ministry in answering all of these questions. You have helped so many people in understanding the Scriptures. Thank you! What does the Bible teach about congregations utilizing evangelistic tools such as “House to House Heart to Heart”? If I’m understanding it correctly, an elder from…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my rising sexual tension before marriage?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, First of all, thank you for all the work and efforts you have put into the site, Growing Up in the Lord for Boys. Even though I’m in my mid to late 20s, I really appreciate the answers that you give, and how you give your answers a God-focused perspective, while also…
Read MoreThe New Creature
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-New-Creature.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCan You Have Holiness by Just Associating with the Holy?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Can-You-Have-Holiness-by-Just-Associating-with-the-Holy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI find that I’m pregnant after having a child seven months ago. Should I get an abortion?
Question: Greetings brother, I am 29 years old and a member of the Lord’s Church. I got pregnant last year and God blessed us with a healthy baby boy, but I went through a C-section. Now the baby is 7 months old and I am pregnant again. Sir, my husband and I follow the Bible…
Read MoreEzras Still Need Shecaniahs
by Jason Hardin In God’s Image “Ezra.” If you’re familiar with the Old Testament of the Bible, you remember the name. “Shecaniah”? Probably not. But here’s something we all need to understand: the “Ezras” of the world desperately need the “Shecaniahs.” In Ezra 10, after rebuilding the temple, restoring the Passover, and contending with a…
Read MoreThe Road to Contentment
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Road-to-Contentment.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:10-14 I. For those of you who have taken classes A. Have you noticed that a few classes are just great? 1. The time just flies by. 2. The homework isn’t that bad. B. But there are those other classes which are just miserable. 1. A hour is twice as long in those…
Read MoreGrace Is Sufficient
by Doy Moyer Paul describes certain visions and revelations that were beyond his understanding (II Corinthians 12). He then spoke of what he calls a “thorn in the flesh,” given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. He implored the Lord three times that this thorn would be removed from him. Whatever it was,…
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