They Weigh Too Much for Me
by Jefferson David Tant Have you ever heard of Samuel Plimsoll? He was a member of the British Parliament back in the 1860s and 1870s. During this time there were some serious problems in the shipping industry. Numerous ships carrying loads of cargo were sinking in the ocean when they encountered severe storms. Plimsoll took…
Read MoreJesus the Living Water
by Doy Moyer by Nathan Anderson via Unsplash Jesus came into Samaria to a town called Sychar, where Jacob’s well was situated between mounts Ebal and Gerazim. Here a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus simply said, “Give me a drink.” The woman was taken back because Jews and Samaritans had no dealings…
Read MoreJust an Ancient Book We Blindly Follow?
by Terry Wane Benton The “ancient book” is tested and tried testimony. It shows inherent proof of not being written to deceive, but to state a case to be examined carefully. It points out the serious flaws of the Jews, foretells them rejecting their coming Messiah (Isaiah 53:1ff; Acts 4:10-11; Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16), His…
Read MoreWho Deserves Your Heart?
by Terry Wane Benton “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and…
Read MoreGod Does the Seemingly Impossible
by Zeke Flores God seems to delight in doing the impossible. Aside from the glorious power of creation itself, He has done the unimaginable again and again. From an old man and an old woman, he brought forth a son who would be the child of promise for a nation. Centuries later that nation would…
Read MoreStanding for the Right
by Zeke Flores It can be intimidating to stand for what’s right. It’s even harder when you stand alone. Isaiah tells us that in his day, God’s true followers were an ever-decreasing minority. Oppression, selfishness, and flagrant sin were everywhere. Few were the ones who stood by the godly principles God provided in His Law.…
Read MoreWhy People Reject Christ
by Jefferson David Tant We live in a nation today that is becoming less and less “religious,” which includes an increasing number of those who reject Christ, as they may believe he is a myth, or if a real person, certainly not a divine being. Let us examine what may be behind what is happening…
Read MoreIs there scriptural support for youth, women’s, or preachers’ forums?
Question: Greetings Brother Jeffrey, Thank you for your consistent effort in the service of God. I have a concern for which I need biblical insight. Is there any biblical support for a youth forum, sisters or women forum, or even a preachers’ forum? I happened to be a leader in a youth forum in my…
Read MoreWorthy Art Thou: An Understatement
by Terry Wane Benton “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation'” (Revelation 4:9). So, a new song comes out in…
Read MoreDo I need to tell my parents about my sins?
Question: Hello! I’m writing out for advice on what to do. I am a female in my twenties. I have a boyfriend and we had sinned sexually previously. We felt so much guilt and knew it was wrong. We went with our pastor and he gave us advice. He told us to talk it out…
Read MoreI’ve been breaking the Sabbath
Question: I’m kind of in a tough situation and I need some help with this. I have a bad sin. It’s the breaking of the Sabbath. “Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you…
Read MoreJesus, the Only Way
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Jesus-the-Only-Way.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePersonal Goals for 2024
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Personal-Goals-for-2024.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhen Is One Drunk?
by Terry Wane Benton We knew when we were children that when we spun around a little while and then stopped, but the world seemed to keep moving, we were “drunk.” When we lost our balance, we were “drunk.” No, we were not drunk by drinking liquor, but we were unstable due to the motion…
Read MoreEarthly Politics Versus the Almighty
by Terry Wane Benton “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 4:9). In John’s vision “up here” he sees the living creatures giving honor, glory, and thanks to God on the throne, and he knows that God is eternal,…
Read MoreJesus the Divine Temple
by Doy Moyer John’s gospel begins by affirming that Jesus is the divine logos, the Word through whom all things were made. In Him is life and light. Life comes from Him, and He, the light of the world, came to this earth to overpower the darkness so that all who come to Him would…
Read MoreReminder of Sinai
by Terry Wane Benton When John saw the vision of Revelation, there seems to be a reflection that reminds us of Sinai. “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5). We recall thundering, lightning, and voices…
Read MoreUsing Our God-Given Abilities
by Bret Miller Think on These Things, Vol 55, No. 1, January-March 2024 In Matthew 24, Jesus is asked about the signs of the end of the age. Jesus then spoke for a long time on many different subjects, answering what the kingdom of heaven would be like in the end. One of those descriptions…
Read MoreConspiracy Theories Abound
by Zeke Flores I can’t count all the conspiracy theories I’ve heard in my life. Let’s see, there are the ones about the Illuminati, Opus Dei, the Masons, the grassy knoll in Dallas, whether man landed on the moon, aliens, and many, many more. Conspiracies excite the imagination because folks like to believe in something…
Read MoreDeconstruction
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…
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