Prepared 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,…
Read MoreWhat One Teenager Can Do
by Dick Blackford The article below was written about 17-year-old Tim Wadlington. Tim died of cancer on Sept. 8, 1989, and I attended his funeral on the 12th at Eddysville, Kentucky. The church at Suwanne, where Tim worshipped, has a bulletin that is published solely by the teenagers, called The River of Life. I knew…
Read MoreCan I be baptized if I had sex with my boyfriend?
Question: Hello. I’m thinking about getting baptized, but also I’ve had sex with my boyfriend many times before. I just want to know, can I still be baptized even if I’ve done so? And can I be able to continue after baptism? Answer: “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise…
Read MoreWhich Apostle Had It the Easiest?
by Perry Hall Which apostle had it the easiest? James. That answer may be surprising. Even more surprising is why and how. In Acts 12, James is martyred first among the apostles. Some may question God’s fairness, and may even complain, “Why did God allow James to die but allowed Peter to live?” Considering the…
Read MoreChurch Discipline
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Each congregation of the Lord’s people has the right and the responsibility to control its membership A. Ideally, each congregation is composed of faithful Christians. Because of their common beliefs and shared work, they are joined together in serving God. B. However, we understand that just because a person wears the name of…
Read MoreMay a Christian Serve in Government? (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 13:1-7 I. I was recently asked if a Christian may serve in the government, particularly in jobs of a punitive nature, such as the police or the armed services. A. There are several denominations which hold pacifist views. 1. Some, such as Quakers, refuse to serve in any capacity where killing…
Read MoreI Thessalonians 5:4 and the Destruction of Jerusalem
by Terry Wane Benton Is “this day” (I Thessalonians 5:4) the destruction of Jerusalem? No! If “this day” is talking to the Thessalonians about the coming of the Lord in wrath on Jerusalem: How would that day overtake the Thessalonians as a thief? How did “sudden destruction” overtake any Thessalonians? Why did everyone “escape?” (I…
Read MoreClean Hands and a Pure Heart
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Clean-Hands-and-a-Pure-Heart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 24 I. People want to get to heaven, but it seems many don’t want to put much effort into getting there. A. Jesus warned – Luke 13:3 B. The example of the Jews should be enough – I Corinthians 10:1-12 1. They were God’s chosen people, but they didn’t make it.…
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 MoreWhat length pants or shorts should men wear?
Question: Hello, I attend a church of Christ here in a small town. I had a question regarding modesty. I’ve studied tremendously on this topic and am still left with questions. Your articles are very sound and accurate so I figured you could help: Are shorts ok to wear that don’t all the way hit…
Read MoreDo We Find Repenting Hard to Do?
by Perry Hall Do we find it hard to deeply and truly repent because we are basically a “good person” who has literally been “going to church” our whole life? How do we get better at doing the basic and primary requirement of repenting because the kingdom of God is near (Matthew 3:2)? Why else…
Read MoreBe at Peace with All Men
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Be-at-Peace-With-All-Men.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreA Disciple Lives a Spiritual Life
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/A-Disciple-Lives-a-Spiritual-Life.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreBiblical Infallibility
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Biblical Infallibility: Can We Trust the Bible? Biblical Infallibility: The Bible’s Claims for Itself Biblical Infallibility: Arguments Against the Bible
Read MoreDo we need to confess our sinfulness every day?
Question: I grew up Catholic but have turned away from it and am finally learning how to/what it means to ‘walk with the Lord”. Is it correct to confess our sinfulness every day or necessary to do so before prayer? Do we confess to Jesus or Father God? How do we confess? This confuses me because…
Read MoreTempted and Tried
by Perry Hall “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:49-50). “Salted with fire” (Mark 9:49) is a notoriously hard saying of Jesus. Context can help.…
Read MoreIs energy healing a form of witchcraft?
Question: Does the work of even a God-believing energy healer fall under witchcraft or some other condemned practice? Answer: One definition of energy healing is “A form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of energy healing is to balance the energy…
Read MoreHow do we deal with our daughter who has decided to be a homosexual?
Question: My daughter, who is in her thirties now, was baptized as a teenager to avoid being sent to a special educational school. I tried to talk her out of it but she said she was genuine! Now, years later, she is living a life against God. She says she is gay and feels there…
Read MoreThe Problem of Depression
by David Weaks Depression’s a problem that plagues most people, and Christians are no different. It’s a natural part of the human mind to take periodic emotional downturns. Here is the problem for Christians: somewhere along the way, someone decided that depression is a sin for a Christian. As my dad would say, “Horsefeathers!” God…
Read MoreDoes I Timothy 2:8 justify clapping in worship?
Question: While studying the Bible with an elderly lady earlier, she mentioned that she remembers praising God as a child by clapping her hands, stomping her feet, and raising her hands. She claims that it is a scriptural way of worshiping God according to I Timothy 2:8. Your thoughts? Answer: “Therefore I want the men in…
Read MoreWas Jesus Literally Forsaken?
by Doy Moyer Did the Father literally forsake Jesus at the cross? The Aramaic phrase spoken by Jesus on the cross, translated as “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” is often taken to mean just that (Matthew 27:46). Generally, the idea is that since Jesus was made to be sin on our…
Read MoreFinding an Unbroken Line of Churches
by Doy Moyer We sometimes hear talk about finding the original church. In the search for the original church, we may then make the mistake of thinking that we can find a line of churches that go all the way back to the 1st century to prove which one is the right church. Besides conflating…
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