More Than Conquerors
by Matthew W. Bassford Yesterday was a difficult day for me. I woke up without fever, breathing issues, or any of the other problems that have kept me from assembling with the saints. However, once the time came to leave, I discovered that my hand didn’t want to cooperate in steering my power chair. In…
Read MoreHappiness Without Faith
by Doy Moyer “Since I’ve given up my faith, I’m now happy and at peace.” This is a common type of statement we see from those who walk away from the Lord. It seems counter to the idea that true happiness and peace are found in Christ. I do not doubt that one who leaves…
Read MoreWhere did the five-step plan of salvation come from?
Question: I was in Bible study on Wednesday night and my minister was teaching the class. He brought up that the 5-step plan of salvation was started by Walter Scott during the time of Stone and Campbell. He stated that is how it got started. But I disagree with him. Can you help clarify this?…
Read MoreThe Fearfulness of Saul
by Matthew W. Bassford Saul is one of the great tragic figures of the Old Testament and indeed of the Bible. Because of the connections between his story and the story of David, we know more about him than about any other spiritual failure. It is truly telling that his central problem was fear. Saul’s…
Read MoreLearning to Fly
by Jefferson David Tant Among the many things that I have learned from my work in Jamaica are the “Lively Choruses” that they love to sing. Here is one: ‘Tis easy to smile, when life flows along like a song, but the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, When everything goes dead wrong.”…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “God will give you the desires of your heart”?
Question: Hello, I hope that you are blessed in every aspect of life. I am emailing you because I want to understand the meaning of the scripture in Psalm 37:4, which says that God will give you the desires of your heart. Now, I do not want to confuse the meaning where some of us…
Read MoreDaily Religion
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Daily-Religion.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 9:23-26 I. What kind of religion do you have? How is your faith expressed? A. Acts 5:42 – The early Christians had a daily religion B. It seems today that many have a once a week, once a month, or even a once a year religion C. Even in the Old…
Read MorePoured Out
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Poured-Out.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:12-18 I. Under the Law of Moses, there were many different sacrifices and offerings made. A. In fact, they can be downright confusing to sort out because their purposes overlapped each other. B. Under the New Law, Jesus is our one sacrifice for sin – Hebrews 10:11-14 C. But this doesn’t…
Read MoreAdvice for Those Looking to Preach
by Scott Smelser Six random points, in no particular order: A powerful message from a stern and elderly Tom Butler (addressing myself and several college-aged guys many years ago): “You young guys. You come and tell me you want to preach. No, you don’t. You don’t want to preach. What you want are a pulpit…
Read MoreWhen will the Sabbath end?
Question: Jeff, I have a quick question. Is my understanding correct in saying that in Amos 8:5 the question is asked when will the Sabbath be past (end)? A few verses later (Amos 8:9-10) God answers the question: Sundown at noon darkness in broad daylight mourning (death) of an only son. Add up the clues,…
Read MoreFight for Your Faith
by Doy Moyer “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether…
Read MoreLove of God Poured Out in the Heart
by Terry Wane Benton You know the Holy Spirit has poured the love of God in your heart (Romans 5:5) when you have listened to what the Holy Spirit has revealed about it. When you read what the Spirit revealed to Paul (Ephesians 3:3-5), it spills over from Paul’s heart into your heart, and when…
Read MoreA Look at Church History
by Andy Sochor Early Persecution The Beginning of Apostasy The Council of Nicea The Reformation and the Restoration: A Tale of Two Movements The Reformation Movement The Rise of Denominationalism The Restoration Movement The Same Movement, Yet We Are Different Division in the Restoration Movement
Read MoreThe Council of Nicea
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 3, No. 2 The first ecumenical council, that occurred in Nicea, was in 325 AD. It was a gathering of church leaders from across the Roman Empire who came together to discuss certain controversial issues and come to a consensus on the church’s “official” position on these matters. Before…
Read MoreThe Deity of Christ: Refuting Some False Arguments
by Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba via Unmasking Sophistry, Vol. 3, No. 2 The very idea that Jesus was the first to be created is not only absurd, but it is inconsistent with the teaching of the Bible. Recently I met some preachers in the Lord’s church who affirm that Jesus Christ was created. By “created” they mean…
Read MoreLessons from the Bible to Build Your Faith
A series of lessons presented by Joe Greer of Taylors, South Carolina April 23-26, 2023 On This Rock (Matthew 16:18) Hear Him (Matthew 17:1-8) Faith Demands Action Worship by God’s Design Beginning to Sink Beware – Hungry Lions
Read MoreWanting Something for Nothing
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Wanting-Something-for-Nothing.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Samuel 24:10-25 I. Have you noticed how many people want something, but are unwilling to put sufficient effort into obtaining what they want? A. I keep hearing about the latest lotto figures. Hundreds of millions of dollars are available, for the meager cost of a few bucks. 1. Millions of…
Read MoreWhen God Reveals the Future
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/When-God-Reveals-the-Future.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-36 I. Consider for the moment God’s words to Abram – Genesis 15:5-6 A. At the time God made this promise, Abram had no children. So why tell him what the future would be like? B. Later, God also tells Abram about some of the struggles his children will endure…
Read MoreFierce and Independent
by Gardner Hall “A fierce and independent woman.” This is a popular way to describe today’s “modern” woman. How have “fierce and independent” men affected society through the centuries? Historically, “fierce and independent” men have caused much suffering. Is that what women really need? The Bible uses another term to describe the ideal spirit for…
Read MoreCan We Just Be Christians
by Craig Thomas In a world filled with religious traditions and denominational churches, the concept of being simply Just a Christian is difficult to communicate. Yet a careful reader of the New Testament will realize Jesus did not die so His followers could be divided into sects and parties (John 17:20-23). Jesus died to reconcile…
Read MoreHow do I help my girlfriend see the importance of pure worship?
Question: I grew up in the church of Christ and my girlfriend grew up with a Baptist denominational background. When we started dating, she began coming to church with me. We talked about the differences and she claimed to have been saved at a younger age even though she was never baptized. We studied and…
Read MoreCan a sister write a lesson for one of the men to present?
Question: Good morning, I appreciate your website and all the helpful information it provides. I have gone to your site throughout the years. Again, thank you. My wife and I are attending the Lord’s church and we are fairly new to this congregation. It is a very loving church and strives diligently to stay according…
Read MoreYou should get your facts straight
Question: You mentioned (in Is “Christian” supposed to be “natsarim”?) that the New Testament wasn’t written in Hebrew. That’s partially true, as Epiphanius and others have documented there was a Hebrew Matthew. Then you mentioned that Christian was a valid term based on the assumption that the New Testament wasn’t written in Hebrew. Uhm, the…
Read MoreWhat do you think of the Legacy Standard Bible?
Question: Hi, I have a question. I frequently use your website as a reference for Bible lessons. I appreciate all the great lessons and resources on your website. I was curious about a new topic being discussed among churches of Christ. The new LSB version of the Bible has been introduced to us (at our…
Read MoreAre we bound by our culture’s traditions?
Question: In this region of my country, there is a traditional belief that the spirit of your ancestors will kill you and your children if your wife has an affair. If you present a cow to your in-laws during your father-in-law’s funeral and you did not do the same during your father’s burial, your ancestors…
Read MoreI fell back into pornography
Question: Greetings! I am a young Christian man who has endured nearly 13 years of porn addiction. I understand it’s not proper for us Christians to feast on such trash. I had even alienated myself from my home church for nearly ten months and had to attend different churches. About two weeks ago, I decided…
Read MoreThe Hound of Heaven
by Rick Lanning Do you remember this quote? “No one is good but God.” Most readers will immediately think of Jesus’ reply to the rich young ruler who had run to the Lord, fell on his knees, and asked, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Christ jolted…
Read MoreHow much time should be spent during the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Since COVID, the congregation I am attending began using the individual prepacked communion sets handed out in sandwich bags before we walk into worship. The men leading communion begin with comments, scripture, and prayer before we partake of the bread. After 30 to 15 seconds of silence, the leader offers another prayer, and we…
Read MoreWhich baptism was in effect between Jesus’ death and Pentecost?
Question: Good evening, After reading Exodus 19-24, it appears the Patriarchal Age ended in Exodus 19 but was not ratified by blood until Exodus 24:7-8, which relates to Hebrews 9:22. With this in mind, if I’m correct in my earlier assessment, which baptism (John’s or Jesus’) would have been authorized after Jesus’ death but before…
Read MoreCan a narcissist make it to heaven?
Question: Can a narcissist make it to heaven after they die? I read that they lack the empathy and love that God expects from us. It’s also proven to be a mental illness for which there is no cure, therefore no true repentance can take place. But God says all sins are forgiven except for…
Read MoreCan a Good Man Be Saved Outside the Church?
by N. B. Hardeman Excerpts from “The Church- Its Unity,” Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, Volume 2 I regret that there is such a teaching abroad as this – for instance, that a man does not have to become a member of the church in order to be saved; that there are just as good people outside…
Read MoreFinding Real Happiness
by Richard Thetford Everyone wants a life filled with joy and happiness, but very few find it. One major reason man fails to find the happiness he seeks is that he is trying to obtain it through the wrong means. Millionaires who have houses, yachts, and condominiums often complain in counseling sessions that they’re so…
Read MoreDo I need to confess to the person I lusted after?
Question: Do I have to confess my lustful thoughts to the person I lusted after? I’m dealing with the sin of lust (and the commonly related sinful behavior linked to it). I know I need to repent of this, ask God for forgiveness, and cut it out of my life. But there are times I…
Read MoreWhich congregation should I have my membership at?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, Thank you for your excellent work on the La Vista Church of Christ website. Over the years, I have learned very much from your sermons and the question-and-answer section posed there. I am writing because an elder asked me to choose to be a member of the congregation that meets where is…
Read MoreWhat if a virgin bride did not bleed on her wedding night?
Question: Good evening Jeff, I recently got into a discussion with someone regarding Deuteronomy 22:13-21, specifically verses 15-17. He seems to think that the evidence being talked about here was blood, something I do not disagree with. I told him that I have heard that not every woman bleeds when she has sex for the…
Read MoreIt Doesn’t Say “Not To”
by Greg Gwin Imagine this: you walk into a fast-food restaurant and order a hamburger, fries, and a coke – the all-American meal! But then, you notice that it seems to take an unusually long time to get your food. Finally, the gal at the counter brings up your order – piles of food on…
Read MoreOn Being Spiritually Minded
by Jefferson David Tant “The need of Gods’ people has ever been, for spiritual power. The emphasis and tendency too often is, and has been, toward power that comes with prestige, numbers, money t h e power of weight. The Bible emphasis is on power of a spiritual nature, operation through the inward man.” (Homer…
Read MoreCan you define laziness?
Question: Hi Jeff, Please can you explain laziness? When can we say someone is lazy when the person is not working and he desires not to work or is it someone who is working one job and is contented with that with no desire to do another? Thanks, sir. Answer: To be lazy is to…
Read MoreTo Become Wise
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/To-Become-Wise.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThanks for the article “Lies Pornography Tells Men”
Question: Thank you for taking the time to write the article titled “Lies Pornography Tells Men.” I have been open quite often (maybe even too much, thinking transparency will help me) about an ongoing struggle with pornography since my late teens (I’m now in my late fifties). Any of the ramifications that God puts forth…
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