What Is Tolerated Today Becomes Accepted Tomorrow
by Dick Millwee Many years ago I read a quote that I found to be true. This was the quote: “What is tolerated today becomes accepted tomorrow.” Whoever said that said a mouthful and hit the nail on the head. Let me give a couple of examples. In 1939 a movie was made that had…
Read MoreYour teaching in “The Establishment of the Kingdom” is very unorthodox
Question: Greetings Mr. Hamilton, I’m reaching out because I have just heard your teaching on “The Establishment of the Kingdom” and I must admit, this is a very unorthodox view in my estimation of what you’re presenting. However, first, I must ask, do you ascribe to an Amillennial position? Seeming that you do not believe…
Read MoreIs a baptism valid if the church believes only Jesus is God?
Question: Hello, I am a member of the church of Christ and have a question for you. My mother-in-law recently started attending the church, and I am concerned about her baptism being scriptural. She was baptized in a non-denominational “Jesus Only” church for the forgiveness of sins. What I mean by “Jesus Only” is this…
Read MoreIs Sincerity All We Need?
by Jefferson David Tant A common expression I hear from time to time about religion is, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you are sincere.” Well, sincerity is not only good, but it is necessary in whatever activity in which we are engaged. This is fundamental in our family relationships, our business…
Read MoreThe Gospel of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Gospel-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 2 I. An important event happened during the first century that many today have ignored or have declared did not happen A. Jesus spent time teaching that the kingdom of God was at hand – Mark 1:14-15 1. It was the good news about the kingdom – Matthew 4:23…
Read MoreThe Establishment of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Establishment-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 7:13-27 I. Few argue the importance of the Kingdom in God’s plan. A. It is not of this world – John 18:36 B. It is a spiritual kingdom – Luke 17:20-21 C. Yet there remain arguments as to when it was or will be established. 1. In part it is because people…
Read MoreWhen You Are Discouraged
by Jefferson David Tant Do you ever feel discouraged or disappointed? Welcome to the club! Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There are countless numbers of people who can sympathize with you, as these feelings have impacted people on planet earth for multiple thousands of years. We are familiar with the…
Read MoreThe Problem of People
by Doy Moyer While many turn away from God due to some perceived problem with God (e.g., allowing evil to exist), I have found that just as prominent is a problem that they have with those who call themselves Christians. Because Christians have been hypocritical, unloving, divisive, and abusive, some have walked away thinking that…
Read MoreCan we say there is no sin in heaven?
Question: We read that the devil and his angels were cast down because of rebellion. In light of this passage, can we say there is no sin in heaven? I’ve been confronted with this question. Answer: “And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those…
Read MoreI found out there is a lot of sexual misconduct happening among the leaders of the church I attend
Question: Hello, Jeffrey, I hope you’re doing well. There is a lot going on in my congregation which is given me cause for concern. My elder brother is cohabiting with a lady who he intends to marry and the lady is not a Christian. My sister told the minister privately about this and he promised…
Read MoreDo the Churches of Christ Suffer from Amnesia?
by Hugh Fulford In the October 2022 issue of the Christian Chronicle (identified as a subsidiary of Oklahoma Christian University), a book review is set forth under the headline, “New book explores where Churches of Christ fit” (p. 37). The name of the book reviewed is In the Great Stream: Imagining Churches of Christ in…
Read MoreIs Peter saying that the backsliding cannot be forgiven?
Question: Greetings! I have a question concerning II Peter 2:20. Is it teaching that backsliding cannot be forgiven or is the “overcome” part speaking of someone who has completely fallen away and, in this case, they were overcome through the deception of these false teachers? Thank you! Answer: “For speaking out arrogant words of vanity…
Read MoreMara or Naomi?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Mara-or-Naomi.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ruth 1:19-21 I. Life has its ups and downs. How do you respond? A. Do you rail at life and God? Do you decide life is a misery? B. Naomi had a hard life. 1. Famine caused her family to move to a foreign country – Ruth 1:1 2. Her husband then died…
Read MoreWhy does Matthew quote Zechariah but attributes it to Jeremiah?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question about Matthew 27:9. A brother from church pointed out this verse where it says that it references Jeremiah, but I can’t find that reference anywhere. Instead, I found it in Zachariah. Do you know why this is? Answer: “Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was…
Read MoreSo, What’s a Good Sermon?
by Jefferson David Tant Out of all the thousands of sermons preachers have delivered and to which people have listened, how would we determine which sermons are good, which are bad, or which are so-so? I would suppose that even preachers evaluate themselves from time to time, and on occasion might conclude, “Well, I’ll never…
Read MoreShouldn’t a public sin be publicly confessed?
Question: Hello, brother in Christ! I am writing to you as this has been bothering me for months, and I’m still wondering how I would approach this problem. We have a sister in the Church, my close friend, who suddenly got married. I knew she had a boyfriend, but being her close friend, she could’ve…
Read MoreWhy does Paul mention a chapter number if they came later?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ, I am puzzled to know how in Acts 13:33 the apostle Paul is able to quote precisely in the first century something as being written in Psalms 2! If the translators added this at a later time, what else could they have added as they wish? Can you please explain?…
Read MoreHow Fundamental Is Faith to Christianity
by Afolabi Akinyemi (Nigeria) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). No other Bible passage describes the importance of faith to Christianity than the one quoted above. The…
Read MoreNames Names Names (Ezra 2)
by Jarrod M. Jacobs Interspersed in the Bible are lists of names. Sometimes, these are genealogies of certain families (Genesis 5, 10, etc.). Often, these genealogies focus on Judah’s descendants leading to Christ (Ruth 4; Matthew 1; Luke 3). At other times, these names teach us about faith (Hebrews 11; Romans 16). There are also…
Read MoreFacing God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Facing-God.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Exodus 33:18-23 I. Moses asked to see God’s full glory, but God told Moses that no mortal man could survive seeing His full glory face-to-face A. Many people have speculated as to why this should be the case B. I suspect that part of it is due to sin – I…
Read MoreCalling on the Name of the Lord (Thetford)
by Richard Thetford I am sure that our readers have heard people say words to the effect, “If you are not a Christian, all you need to do is call upon the name of the Lord, and you can be saved.” Some will tell you to say, “Lord be merciful to me a sinner,” or…
Read MoreImplications in the Sermon on the Mount
by Doy Moyer One way to see the sermon on the mount is through the lens of Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Along these lines, I believe an important hermeneutical point can be seen right…
Read MoreBlessed Are the Peacemakers
Adapted from a lesson by Dorris B. Billingsley published in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 6, April 1952. Jesus began His great Sermon on the Mount by relating a number of characteristics that would be possessed by those who would be ready for His kingdom which was soon to come. He said, “Blessed are the poor…
Read MoreWhere did you find that “jealousy” in Hebrew carries the idea of becoming red?
Question: I was reading the article titled The Lord is a Jealous God. In the second paragraph, the author explained the Greek and Hebrew words. I enjoy studying etymology and such things, so especially I loved this section. The explanation of the Hebrew word reads: The Hebrew word is based on a word that means…
Read MoreThe Universe — How and When?
by Dennis Abernathy Stephen Hawkins, (now deceased) the theoretical physicist and cosmologist, and director of research at the University of Cambridge, and Leonard Mlodinow, physicist and screenwriter, in their book The Grand Design, explored the questions: “When and how did the universe begin?” “Why are we here?” “Is the apparent grand design of our universe…
Read MoreLukewarmness
by Matthew W. Bassford Lukewarmness among the people of God is hardly a new problem. Malachi warned against apathy explicitly, and signs of apathy are evident as far back as the Exodus. Unsurprisingly, preachers today also often warn their hearers about the dangers of indifference. I read one such warning recently, and it led me…
Read MoreI Need God
by Doy Moyer “I need God because I am a sinner in need of forgiveness.” This is true, but if we are not careful we might tend to think that were it not for the fact that we have sinned, we really wouldn’t need God all that much. This presents a faulty view of God,…
Read MoreBurnout
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Burnout.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 9:24-27 I. You pour your energies into a project until there is no more to give; yet, more is needed to finish. It is impossible! So you give up. A. It is called burn out. 1. I see it happen often on long hikes. The young run ahead with…
Read MoreSo That
by Doy Moyer Have you noticed how often the purpose of something is stated? This is often done by using the term ἵνα in the New Testament (often translated as “that” or “so that”), which is meant to denote purpose. It’s used quite a lot, and I believe we ought to pay attention to it…
Read MoreThe Memory of the Righteous
by Matthew W. Bassford Proverbs 10:7 reads, “The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.” It neatly sums up what is left of my earthly aspirations. My life is so reduced that the usual distractions don’t matter much to me anymore, but my reputation has become even more…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 8 apply to not annoying fellow Christians?
Question: After reading Would it be wrong to be buried in a denominational graveyard? I have a question: I knew that I Corinthians 8 addressed eating meat offered to idols. I thought this portion referred to stronger Christians refraining from activities that may cause weaker Christians to stumble. For example, I had an active role…
Read MoreWhat if my husband dates while we are legally separated?
Question: My husband and I separated three years ago but are legally married. If he decides to date other people is that adultery in God’s eyes? Answer: In biblical days, the idea of a legal separation did not exist. Legal separations are essentially trial divorces. The hope was that by providing some space between the…
Read MoreA Pattern of Peace
by Doy Moyer John 20:18-21 shows an important pattern. Jesus was raised up from the grave and first appeared to Mary Magdalene then to the disciples (sans Thomas). Notice the pattern: Mary to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). The disciples to Thomas: “We have seen the Lord” (John 20:25). Jesus offers…
Read MoreCannabis Use Increases Pain After Surgery
Source: “Cannabis Use Increases Pain After Surgery,” Neuroscience News, 23 October 2022. One of the arguments for legalizing marijuana is that it can be used for pain management. This study shows that the claim may not be justified. “Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and increasingly used as an…
Read MoreA Heartfelt Religion
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/A-Heartfelt-Religion.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHas This Been God’s Will Always?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Has-This-Been-Gods-Will-Always.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreBalance in Sound Preaching
by Dudley Spears One of the definitions of balance is, “A harmonious satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.” Paul wrote the Philippians, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Preaching sound doctrine…
Read MoreWhy did God make me deaf?
Question: Why did God make me deaf suddenly a few years ago? I try to do good for others. I looked after my mum when she had cancer and I worked in aged care because I care. Then I sprained my ankle, got uveitis (eye inflammation), and lost my hearing only months apart in the…
Read MoreFive Smooth Stones of Parenting
by Sewell Hall In Goliath, David faced what seemed an indomitable foe. David’s goal was not so much to kill the giant as to protect the children and honor God. He took five smooth stones from the brook to achieve his purpose. In the pervasive humanism of our society, parents face what appears to be…
Read MoreGrumbling
by Matthew W. Bassford We don’t often think of it this way, but one of the most significant moments in the Pentateuch occurs in Exodus 16:2. By this point in time, the Israelites have seen one of the most impressive displays of God’s power in the entire Bible. He rescued them from Egypt, brought them…
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