Temperament and Conduct
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Temperament-and-Conduct.mp3 Download Audio by Garry Floyd Introduction: Temperament shapes conduct: For example, a person with a naturally calm temperament is less likely to exhibit aggressive conduct, while someone with a highly reactive temperament may show impulsive or intense behaviors. Conduct reflects temperament – but not perfectly: External influences (social norms, upbringing, stress) can modify how…
Read MoreJesus’ Dual Role in Our Lives
by Scott Smelser via InLight Media Jesus is more than just our Savior — He’s also our Lord. That’s a whole other aspect to God’s Son that has huge implications for our relationship with Him, and even for the way we live. Scott Smelser dives deep into this important topic in this video.
Read MoreConfidence in Sharing Your Faith
by Scott Smelser via InLight Media Evangelism intimidates us. We feel guilty because we feel like we should do more, but that only creates a stronger vicious cycle of not doing it. In this video, Scott Smelser breaks it down and shows you how sharing your faith is totally doable, and much simpler than you…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Foundation?
by Doy Moyer via InLight Media What’s your life built on? The way you answer this question makes all the difference when things get rough — when you get hit with hardship, stress, sickness, or even death. Doy Moyer invites us to consider our foundations and recognize that a life founded on God’s Word is…
Read MoreI’m suffering OCD when it comes to baptism
Question: I have a question. I am pretty sure I am suffering from OCD when it comes to baptism. I have been baptized multiple times because I did not think my repentance was genuine enough and because I was learning more about baptism. I originally came from a Baptist denomination. My friend, whom I met…
Read MoreMaintenance
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Maintenance.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 I. Come the beginning of the year people begin thinking of weight-loss programs and exercise regimens. A. It could be that with a new year, people want to get a new start in being healthier, but I suspect that all the overeating from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas,…
Read MoreWhy Did Jesus Die? (Warfel)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Why-Did-Jesus-Die.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreThe Philistine City of Gath
by Leon Mauldin via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 The first biblical mention of the city of Gath is in Joshua 11:22, contextually speaking of the giants (Anakim) who remained in the land after the initial conquest: “None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained…
Read MoreThe Ordinance of the Red Heifer
by Jerry King via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Many of the ordinances contained in Moses’ Law make good scientific sense. For instance, some of the purity laws make good medical sense. But there are other ordinances contained in the Law that have no discernible scientific sense to them at all. Their efficacy…
Read MoreTo Spank or Not to Spank
by Jeff Archer via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 A friend of mine was called to the elementary school where his son was attending. The teacher was seeking help with his son’s misbehavior. When he arrived in the classroom, he pulled his son aside and reprimanded him for what had happened. At the…
Read MoreAvenge Our Blood
by David Hurst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 Vengeance is a greatly misunderstood subject in the Bible. Our understanding of the word is described with words such as retaliate and punish. Most of us view it as an undesirable trait. We fight feelings that desire to see someone get what is coming…
Read MoreBlack Becomes White
by Michael Davis via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 From time to time, we may express our disapproval of those whose practices or demeanor are different from our own. For example, we may voice (or at least demonstrate) our objections to the conduct of some, or toward their attire, or at times even…
Read MoreHe Entered the Strong Man’s House
by Howard Reagan via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house” (Matthew 12:29). Before Jesus came into this world, all people of accountable age were under the…
Read MoreBy Reason of Use
by William V. Beasley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 Some, not all, of the Christians who originally received the book of Hebrews were in a state of spiritual infancy (Hebrews 5:11-14). The writer of Hebrews had a real difficulty in writing about Christ (“Whom” Hebrews 5:11) or of the priesthood of Christ…
Read MorePutting Adam Back Together
by Joshua Creel via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Adam was broken; he was in pieces. Now, before you worry too much, allow me to explain that Adam is a statue – a very valuable statue. The Italian Renaissance master Lombardo crafted him from marble in the late 1400s. The statue has been…
Read MoreThe Extra Mile
by Michael Cawthorn via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 What comes to your mind when you hear the word extra? Maybe as a student, you were able to do some assignments or additional homework for extra credit. Perhaps, as an athlete, you had to run extra laps as punishment. As a parent putting…
Read MoreChurch Autonomy
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 The word autonomy is not a Bible term, but it is certainly a Bible principle. It means independent or self-governing. Universally, the church is under the headship of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:22-23); we are His body and must take directions according to His testament.…
Read MoreGranted Repentance Unto Life
by Terry Wane Benton A drunkard might repent of being a drunkard and hurting his family, but such repentance is not such a repentance that makes him right with God regarding all his sins. It is a needed repentance that helps his physical well-being and his family’s quality of life, but it is not God…
Read MoreThe Elephant in Mark 16
by Edwin Crozier Is It Even Supposed to Be There? Some of the newer translations, such as the ESV I commonly use, have made it abundantly clear there is a huge question about whether or not Mark 16:9-20 are originally part of Mark. Smack in the middle of the page, we find the message: “Some…
Read MoreSome Signs a Congregation May Be in Trouble
by Rufus Clifford III via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 Parents are constantly warned to be aware of signs that their child may be on drugs, alcohol, or depressed. Society spends thousands of dollars informing parents on how to detect these signs in their children. Have you ever considered whether it’s possible to…
Read MoreBut I Love Him — How Can I Remarry?
Author Unknown via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 Perhaps because of our youthful foolishness, compounded by a fresh love and a new marriage, my wife and I discussed the possibility of remarrying if one of us passed away, even in the first week of our new life together. It was suggested by one…
Read MoreThe Church of Christ in the U.S. Is Dying!
by Gary Calton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 Not too long back, a friend of mine was attempting to secure a place to preach. During that effort, he visited a congregation that had a large sum of money in the treasury. As he and I discussed the lack of interest some churches…
Read MoreDoes Cleaning the Conscience by Jesus’ Blood Come Before Any Obedience?
by Terry Wane Benton Hebrews 9:14 says that He “offered Himself without spot to God,” and this was to “purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Does Jesus purge our conscience before we hear the gospel, believe it, repent of sins, and are baptized in His name “for remission of sins”…
Read MoreHow do you identify the true church?
Question: Dear Sir, Thank you for your response to various questions. I have learned so much from the La Vista Church of Christ’s website, and I want to let you know. I really want to join a true church of Christ. I have two questions: How do you identify a true church? Is Christ coming…
Read MoreYour website has helped a lot
Question: Hello, I’ve written before. I preached for a couple of decades with no formal training. However, being an adult class teacher for most of my adult life helped a lot. We attend a small congregation. I retired from a large company, so I didn’t need a big salary. I never meant to get into…
Read MoreWhen Would I Split a Church?
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 There are a few things that God hates. One of them is “he that soweth discord among the brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). That should be a sobering thought. Being responsible for a division is a terrible thing. On the other hand, what God desires for…
Read MoreToday’s Application of Parables
by Olly Harmon via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 The other day, I took a good look at my surroundings and the house I have been left with, which had not been touched for over three years. Oh, yes, I had painted the outside and whacked off things that got in my way…
Read MoreI Commend You
by Kenneth A. Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 1, March 1993 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). These were among the last words spoken…
Read MoreWill One Go to Hell Because He Is Not Baptized?
by Thomas Thornhill In studying with people about God’s plan of salvation, the title question has been asked more than once. How would you answer the question? My answer has always been “No!” Are you surprised? You may be thinking, “Doesn’t one have to be baptized to be saved?” “Yes, one has to be baptized…
Read MoreTruly Enlightened!
by David Gibson Since ancient times, down to our day, certain religions, philosophies, and secret societies have promised enlightenment to their initiates, granting them an inside knowledge unavailable to the uninitiated. Some of these groups have even threatened with death any initiate who would dare to reveal their secrets. In Christ, however, there are no…
Read MoreI Did Not Marry a Christian
Author Unknown Several months ago, an article appeared entitled “I Married A Christian.” I read the article with great interest, and it drove home some very sobering thoughts. As I read the article, I could not help but think of what a contrast my own life was, for you see, I didn’t marry a Christian.…
Read MoreWhy did Isaac want to bless Esau?
Question: Hey there. Regarding Genesis 27. Why does Isaac intend to bless Esau when the prophetic voice had already declared, “The older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23)? Also, why does Isaac twice indicate that he suspects that Jacob is pulling a trick on him, yet does nothing? It seems very peculiar. I understand that…
Read MoreWhat God Wants Us to Know
by Joe Works God wants us to know what He wants us to know! Obvious? Maybe. And yet we are tempted to focus on what He has not revealed and become disinterested in what He has revealed. Remember, Deuteronomy 29:29 has two parts, and it would greatly benefit us to accept both. “The secret things…
Read MoreMake Melody in Your Heart
by Terry Wane Benton Text: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 These two familiar scriptures on singing spiritual songs are set in a context of a “time of reformation,” in which the carnal and earthly temple and instruments are given their spiritual fulfillment in Christ. In contrast to the Old Testament or “first testament” (Hebrews 9:1) that…
Read MoreI wrongly accused you of focusing too much on sexual content
Question: Dear Minister, This is a little late, but some years ago, I wrongly accused you of focusing too much on sexual content. I am sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness. I have been reading your posts for years and have learned a lot. Please forgive me. Answer: I didn’t take any offense. I…
Read MoreDo Not Fear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Do-Not-Fear.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreThe Kingdom Came
by Terry Wane Benton In Daniel 2:44f, the kingdom of heaven was coming. But four earthly kingdoms were on the docket to come before this very special kingdom. Daniel explained to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, that his kingdom would be left to the Medes and Persians (the second kingdom on earth before the heavenly…
Read MoreGreater Privileges Mean Greater Accountability
by David Gibson The following principle, stated by Jesus, I take with utmost seriousness because I know how directly it applies to me: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48). In the verses preceding this…
Read MoreHow can I restore my relationship with a brother?
Question: Dear Bro. Hamilton, I trust you are doing well. Thank you for the great work you continue to do in the Lord’s vineyard. I’m writing to seek your opinion on an issue that has been troubling me. A brother offended me, and I reached out to him directly to address the matter. However, he…
Read MoreShould a Christian study demonology?
Question: Good day Jeff, I have a question concerning demonology. Is it right for a Christian to study demonology (operations of demons), considering that fallible men teach this area of study? Shouldn’t we rely on the information the Bible provides us with? Thanks. Answer: The Bible is our only source of information regarding the spiritual…
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