Challenges for the Year
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Challenges-for-the-Year.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 1:28-32 I. Toward the end of each year, people tend to review the year and record the trends that are evident A. I’ve been collecting several articles in the last few months dealing with moral trends B. We are not of the world, but we must live in it -…
Read MoreEarly Persecution
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, October-December 2022 As the apostles were commissioned to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), this would include preparing these disciples to face persecution for the cause of Christ. Jesus warned about this in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,…
Read MoreThe Problem with Organized Religion
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, January-March 2023 Many people today disparage “organized religion.” Instead, they simply desire a “personal relationship” with the Lord. However, this is not an “either-or” proposition. In our service to God, we have personal and corporate responsibilities. Notice what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus: “And He gave some as…
Read MoreThe Beginning of Apostasy
by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, January-March 2023 As we noticed in “Early Persecution,” the early Christians openly faced severe persecution for the cause of Christ. While many abandoned their faith in order to avoid these persecutions, there were others who remained faithful even to the point of death. Because of this, the enemies of…
Read MoreAt Home
by John Gipson “And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42). Harold E. Luccock once observed, “We have not ceased to preach at the temple. But we have, rather largely, ceased to do it at home. And therein likes one of…
Read MoreNotes on the Thief on the Cross
“In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, ‘He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now,…
Read MoreGo Back to Your Galilee
by Perry Hall The angel sitting on the rock he rolled away from Jesus’s empty tomb had a message for the women to deliver to the apostles: “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.…
Read MoreWhat Calvinists call “the Finished Work of Christ”
by Terry Wane Benton The Calvinists are often heard making of “the finished work of Christ” something that was never intended. They say there is nothing we can do to be saved. They say all doing is “finished” by what Christ did on the cross. But that is a misuse of the verses. Sure, Christ…
Read MoreThe Bible Says, “Get a Job!”
by Cody Westbrook The “give me” generation is bearing fruit at a rapid pace. Indicators have been readily apparent for some time through various movements but in recent months the socialistic push has taken center stage in American news and culture. One result of this is a near demonization of work and ownership. On the…
Read MoreI’ve been accused of using witchcraft
Question: I have been with my boyfriend for five years. Last Sunday he went to church and the pastor told him that I used witchcraft to bind him to me. He also said that I never loved nor respected my boyfriend. He said that I was using our daughter as a link to bond us…
Read MoreDo these fall under grace or mercy?
Question: First of all, know that your website has been so very helpful in my journey to mature in Christ. I am struggling with recognizing sins that will keep me out of heaven. Below are a few examples: At a counter there is a sign out to take 1 face mask, I take 2 or…
Read MoreThoughts on Baptism
by Jefferson David Tant The rite of baptism is almost universally practiced in the thousands of denominations that claim to follow the Bible. It is observed in various ways, such as immersion, pouring, and sprinkling of water, sprinkling of rose petals, etc. Then there is infant baptism, baptism of believers, and baptism for the dead.…
Read MoreJesus the Prophet
by Doy Moyer Hebrews begins, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Then, toward the end, “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking” (Hebrews 12:25). This is…
Read MoreImproper Sources of Authority
by Heath Rogers “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ˜By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?'” (Matthew 21:23). In “The Proper Source of Authority” we noted that the chief priests…
Read MoreOn the Other Side of the Fence
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/On-the-Other-Side-of-the-Fence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 4:4-9 I. It is so easy, so tempting to look at what someone else has accomplished and think “That could have been me.” A. When you are in school, have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I can’t wait until I have a job. None of this homework business for…
Read MoreTypes and Their Abuse
by Jerry C. Ray The Gospel Guardian, 5 January 1961 and 12 January 1961 Webster’s Dictionary defines type as “a person or thing regarded as the symbol of someone or something that is yet to appear.” The word “type” (Greek — tupos) is from the Greek word, tuptein — to strike, as when a hammer…
Read MoreThe Elder’s Children
by Jerry C. Ray The Gospel Guardian, 26 November 1964 In the study of the qualifications for elders, one of the most frequently asked questions is regarding the “children” (I Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6). Does the expression necessitate a plurality, or does it mean that a man is qualified with either (A) one child, or…
Read MoreHow Does the Birth of Jesus Bring Peace on Earth?
by Wes Adams “Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’” These are the words of a well-known carol by Charles Wesley. The song describes the scene in Luke 2, in which angels are announcing the birth of Jesus. The angels declared, “Glory…
Read MoreWhy is Anna considered a prophetess?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I have a question regarding Luke 2:36-38. I know that as Luke writes his part of the Gospel, Christianity has not started yet. So, there are possible cases of prophets still around. I wanted to know how Anna is considered a prophetess. Answer: “And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter…
Read MoreMy wife refuses to be intimate with me
Question: I have been married for almost 15 years. I love her to the end of the world. She is going through menopause and it’s been two years since entering her. We have had years of good sex that didn’t involve intercourse but all of a sudden she said it’s a sin and I am frustrated.…
Read MoreIs the Church Important?
by Jefferson David Tant Is God’s church important? Does it have any significant place in our lives, or is it just something concerning which we have a choice — to be a part of it, or do our own thing? It is pretty obvious that many in the “Christian” world today see no real value…
Read MoreThe Mystery of Godliness (Moyer)
by Doy Moyer Paul through the Spirit provides what early Christians confessed, possibly even sang. He calls it the “mystery of godliness.” Yet what had been a mystery was revealed and understood through Jesus (Ephesians 3:1-6). “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit,…
Read MoreI don’t feel like a true Christian
Question: I am 27 years old, I’ve gone to church all my life but never felt like a Christian. I made the decision to become one and live right. (I was baptized as well.) Does it take a while to become a true Christian? I don’t feel like one — like a true one –…
Read MoreThe Salvation Army
by David Weaks I wonder how many people know that the Salvation Army is a church. The only time you see them is at Christmas time when the red kettles and bell ringers show up at entrances to shopping malls. How many times have people tossed money into the kettle, accepted the cheery “God bless…
Read MoreThe Proper Source of Authority
by Heath Rogers “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ˜By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?'” (Matthew 21:23). The chief priests and elders who confronted Jesus were asking legitimate questions.…
Read MoreExpecting the Impossible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Expecting-the-Impossible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 19:16-26 I. With God, all things are possible – Matthew 19:26 A. Even the saving of a wealthy man, if he desired to be saved. B. Yet, we must understand that some things are impossible for even God 1. It is impossible for God to lie – Hebrews 6:17-18 2. He cannot…
Read MoreWork Smarter Not Harder: A Biblical View on Work
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Is-Work-Smarter-Not-Harder-a-Biblical-Principle.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreIs Romans 8:35 about our love for Christ or Christ’s love for us?
Question: Hello, I am going over some studies on the Perseverance of the Saints. I came across one site that stated Romans 8:35 was talking of our love for God and not His love for us. Do you have any insights on this? Answer: In the Greek text, “from the love of Christ” (apo…
Read MoreAre surgically based contraceptives wrong?
Question: Is it OK for Christians to use contraceptives and birth control methods such as ligation and vasectomy? There are some people in the church who have second thoughts on the usage of birth control, specifically ones that are surgical. The argument is that surgery such as ligation and vasectomy alter the body and we are…
Read MoreIf adultery dissolves a marriage, why can’t the guilty party remarry?
Question: Good afternoon, I have a question that has been on my mind for some time. I’m hoping that you can shed some light, with scripture, to help me better understand. I know where I used to stand on this subject, but then I changed my mind. I still look back and wonder, so I…
Read MoreGood points made!
Question: I found a sermon on the site entitled “Ten Rules for Improving the Church”. I just wanted to let you know that I found it to be very helpful, and have passed it along to others. You had really good points in there! Answer: I am glad to hear that you found it useful.
Read MoreIt seems impossible to abstain from all evil
Question: I think about the verse ‘Abstain from all evil.’ I feel it’s impossible, and I can’t even try to be perfect. Does it sound like I don’t have enough faith? Answer: What frequently happens is that people hear a verse but subtly change it in their memory. I Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “But examine everything…
Read MoreIt is so hard to escape the sin in the world
Question: Hello there. I have just gotten back into church again and I have been studying the Bible. Almost everything I watch has cuss words in them. I want to buy a language blocker for all my streaming services. It will block out bad language and nudity. Will that still be wrong? Maybe I’m just…
Read MoreGod with Us
by Doy Moyer The coming of Jesus into this world, with all it entails, is more important than any or all events in this world combined. The light has come into a world of darkness, and darkness could not comprehend it. God is with us. Consider that Joseph was told not to be afraid to…
Read MoreI want to apologize for using your lessons without giving credit
Question: Good morning, I have used some of your sermon outlines and it was pointed out to me that I was not giving the authors of the sermons credit. I sometimes tweak them and sometimes have just followed the outline. I have been accused of plagiarism for doing this. That was not my intention. I…
Read MorePossess Your Vessel
by Mike Thomas The Thessalonians were surrounded by immorality and ungodly influences, but those who became Christians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (I Thessalonians 1:9). In encouraging them to fulfill this commitment, Paul reminded them of the need to avoid the sexual immorality that was very common in…
Read MoreThe Parable of the Unjust Steward
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Parable-of-the-Unjust-Steward.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Luke 16:1-13 A. Many find this parable confusing because of the praise of the lord in verse 8. B. How is it that an unfaithful steward, about to be relieved of his position, gains praise from his employer when he ends his career stealing more from him? II. This parable follows three other…
Read MoreBy What Authority Are You Doing These Things?
by Heath Rogers “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ˜By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?'” (Matthew 21:23). A study of authority in religious matters is very important. It lies…
Read MoreShould we abstain from the Internet and TV?
Question: The congregation where I attend was discussing the book of Joshua the other day. We were talking about the conquest of the promised lands. While the Israelites conquered the land, they did not destroy all like they were told to do. Later these people that were not destroyed about every 20 years came back…
Read MoreUse Your Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Use-Your-Blessings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:16-21 I. Our lives are filled with blessings that we too often take for granted. A. We assume that they will always be there. We might even feel that we deserve them 1. Consider Jonah’s attitude – Jonah 4:5-9 a. Jonah received a blessing from God. b. But when the blessing ended…
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