Can Christians be involved in government?
Question: Dear sir, I trust this email finds you well. I’d like to ask a question. I’ve been trying to learn from the biblical point of view if a Christian can participate in politics. Do we have brothers and sisters in the faith who are actively participating in politics? Thanks, sir. Answer: The styles of…
Read MoreThe Secret Things
by Matthew W. Bassford Many Christians don’t venture deep into the wilds of Deuteronomy, but Deuteronomy 29:29 is a text that is relevant for everybody who thinks deeply about spiritual things. In it, Moses says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to…
Read MoreThe Marks of God’s People
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Marks-of-Gods-People.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:15-20 I. By their fruits you shall know them – Matthew 7:15-20 A. You can distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous by their fruits B. The things that they do make them recognizable. More importantly, the results of their work stand out. C. We could talk about the characteristics of…
Read MoreWould it be wrong to be buried in a denominational graveyard?
Question: Greetings brother. I hope all is well with you. I’ve been added to the church and have been an active member for over a decade. I’ve enjoyed my time growing up as a Christian, and I’ve been thinking about my mortality lately. I’m thinking about having my funeral service with the brethren and having…
Read MoreI need your prayers
Question: Hello, I would first of all like to say that I was not ignorant of what I was doing. I knew what I was doing and its consequences, but I did it anyway. I know the doctrines of the church and the Bible and I knew what great promises lie ahead for the church…
Read MoreShould we stay with this congregation?
Question: Having moved about, my wife and I have worshiped with many congregations that follow the New Testament pattern. Currently, we are visiting a congregation that has a part-time minister and one elder. How this came about is murky. As our options are very limited, we have visited for several months, even to the point…
Read MoreDo I need to confess my sin again?
Question: Hi, I’ve been in the church of Christ since I was a kid. I am now a young adult and not married. I struggled with sexual sins in my early 20s. One day I decided to tell my family because I felt guilty. My parents suggested that I go to the church and ask…
Read MoreAre the NKJV and NASB corrupted translations?
Question: [The original question contained two links to sites as “proof” of his points. Those links were removed to avoid advertizing questionable sites.] Hello, I visited your site and thank you for shedding some light on the Greek primacy vs Aramaic primacy of the original New Testament scriptures. I think the Aramaic argument is being…
Read MoreRight Message, Wrong Audience
by Matthew W. Bassford At first glance, the narrative of Exodus 2:11-14 appears to be one of impulsiveness and immaturity. Moses, a 40-year-old resident of Pharaoh’s household, decided to visit his Hebrew kinfolk. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, strikes the tormentor dead, and hides the body. The next day, he tries to break…
Read MoreCan you explain more about the need for parental consent before marriage?
Question: Greetings beloved in the Lord, I hope you’re waxing strong in the vineyard of our Lord and Master. In Africa, it is cultural to seek parental consent before marriage. But there are instances where this consent is denied for personal and immoral reasons. Can you avail me with materials that one can use to…
Read MoreNecessary Inference Is Absolutely Necessary
by Terry Wane Benton It is truly amazing that we have brethren who actually deny that proper reasoning on the scriptures always involves the use of necessary inference. It is the most basic plank of common sense reasoning, and yet, some brethren draw an inference that they don’t use inference and reason from implications. Anytime…
Read MoreWhat If I Fail Again?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/What-If-I-Fail-Again.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWalking in a Manner Worthy of the Lord
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Walking-in-a-Manner-Worthy-of-the-Lord.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy Christ and Christianity?
by Doy Moyer I am a Christian for several reasons. I cannot make others accept Christ. I cannot tell others what will convince them. I can only provide an accounting for why I am a Christian and hope that others might think about it. Regardless of difficulties encountered by any worldview, here are some reasons…
Read MoreWhy is Romans 5:13-17 in parenthesis?
Question: Hi, Your article Are Non-Christians Subject to the Laws of God? seems to prove the point, with one possible problem. It relies heavily on Romans 5:13-16, which is in parentheses (KJV and NKJV) which several authorities say indicates it was probably inserted by translators. Is this true? If so, does not that present a…
Read MoreIs the guarantee of the Holy Spirit miraculous?
Question: What is the seal and guarantee or earnest of the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 1:13-14? One view of the seal is that it is the miraculous gifts of that time. The ones who hold this view will use Acts 19 where Paul laid hands on the disciples in Ephesus and he was reminding them…
Read MoreIrenaeus on Baptism
by Dan Mayfield “First of all it bids us bear in mind that we have received baptism for the remission of sins, in the name of God the Father, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was incarnate and died and rose again, and in the Holy Spirit of God.…
Read MoreI have linked several of your sermon outlines and writings to my website
Question: Brothers, I want to thank you and the congregation there for keeping your website updated with lots of good information. As a matter of fact, I have linked several of your sermon outlines and writings to my website, TimelessTalks.Net. Thank you for your good work, and may the Lord continue to bless your efforts…
Read MoreConsider the Lord’s Loving Kindness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Consider-the-Lords-Loving-Kindness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 107 I. Whatever our life, we need to acknowledge God loving kindness toward us – Psalms 107:1-3 A. Many talk of Psalms 107 as a song of God redeeming the nation of Israel from Babylonian captivity. 1. But this isn’t about a nation. It is about groups or categories of…
Read MoreEvery Good Work
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Every-Good-Work.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 111 I. From the beginning, God has given men work to do A. Adam was to care for the garden – Genesis 2:15; 3:17-18 B. As Christians, we are commanded to work – I Thessalonians 4:11 C. We are being disobedient if we do not work – II Thessalonians 3:6-13 II. This…
Read MoreAm I a poor teacher?
Question: Hello brother. How are you doing? I hope you are doing well. Brother, I feel confused and at the same time, I feel a little disappointed in myself. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing a good job when I’m teaching others. There was a man I was teaching. No matter how many Bible verses…
Read MoreYour article answered my wife’s question on “Sodomy” so well
Question: My wife had a question about ‘Sodomy’ and your article answered it so well. Taking a peek at your other articles and seeing the depth in each one is encouraging me to go deeper into the Word. If I lived closer, I would surely come and visit. Even though I’ve been a Christian for about 10 years,…
Read MoreHow did people get saved before Jesus was crucified?
Question: How did people get saved before Jesus was crucified? Answer: Prior to Jesus, people were expected to live in obedience to God. “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not…
Read MoreThanks for the wonderful answers
Question: Thanks for the wonderful answers. You’re blessed indeed. Answer: I appreciate the encouragement.
Read MoreWhat do I do about my abusive father-in-law?
Question: Good morning! I’m writing you today because I have a question. My father-in-law is a preacher at a church of Christ here. I’ve known him for over 5 years now. I am really close to my sister-in-law and mother-in-law so they have told me some things that concern me and I don’t know what…
Read MoreWas the formerly blind man correct in John 9?
Question: Hello, How are you? Well, I hope. I have a question and this was the only way I knew how to contact you. I was in a discussion earlier today with a man on the topic of the sinner’s prayer. I quoted John 9:31 to the man and his response was “that blind man…
Read MoreDid the Hebrew midwives lie?
Question: In Exodus 1:15-20, do you think this was a lie told by the midwives to Pharaoh or was it really true that the Hebrew women gave birth before the midwives came to them? Answer: “Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was…
Read MoreWhat should a captain of a soccer team do if he is required to wear an armband with a gay pride symbol?
Question: In soccer, where the captain wears an armband, if it’s branded with a pride flag, should a Christian wear it? Answer: Here a Christian is asked to tell the world, by what he is wearing, that he supports homosexuality (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:32). He should politely decline and if the team insists, he…
Read MoreThe Qualifications of Preachers
by David R. Pharr Twice Paul refers to Timothy, as a “man of God.” “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (I Timothy 6:11). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:…
Read MoreIf miracles could have caused Sodom to repent, why didn’t God do them?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question for you. It is in Matthew 11:20-24. If God knows what people need in order to repent, why didn’t he do it? Answer: “Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe…
Read MoreAm I bad for not liking Christian music?
Question: Greetings My question is concerning music. I am a devoted Christian. I love my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. All I want to do is honor Him and glorify Him. I read and study the bible. I read many good Christian books. I don’t like Christian music. Does this make…
Read MoreDo What You Are Able to Do
by Andy Sochor Those who are conscientious Christians will have a desire to do all that they can in service to God. And as we see the needs that exist around us, it is natural for us to want to provide help for all that we can. However, the reality is that we cannot provide…
Read MoreTake Whatever Steps Necessary
by Doy Moyer “If you can’t do that without also doing this, then don’t do that.” Here is a principle that many parents invoke when they are raising their children, and it applies to multiple activities — activities that are not in themselves wrong. Yet if those activities become the vehicles by which we do…
Read MoreIn the Breaking of the Bread
by Matthew W. Bassford In the gospel of Luke, the primary resurrection appearance of Jesus is when He reveals Himself to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. After they explain the events of the past few days to Him, not realizing that He is Jesus, He takes over the conversation. The rest of…
Read MoreIs it wrong for the song leader to express appreciation for the preacher and his lesson?
Question: Hello brother Jeffrey, I hope you are doing well. I recently heard a brother ask this question and wanted to reach out to you with it. If hand clapping in worship is wrong, what is the difference between that and a song leader appreciating the preacher after his sermon? Are those appreciative words not…
Read MoreWill breaking government laws keep us out of heaven?
Question: No doubt, a Christian realizes the seriousness of sin. It’s ugly. What do you think about everyday things we get into like speeding, even a mile over, texting while drivings, and not wearing a seatbelt? Do you think these are things that would keep us out of heaven? Answer: I don’t sit in…
Read MoreYour response is the best I’ve read about Ephesians 2:3
Question: The response you provided for Ephesians 2:3 is the best I have read over the last month of research about Augustine’s view of Original Sin. Thanks for taking the time to clarify the Koine Greek as well. Blessings on you and the Church in La Vista. Answer: It is good to hear that the…
Read MoreWhat differentiates your beliefs from the heresy of Pelagianism?
Question: What differentiates your beliefs from the heresy of Pelagianism? Answer: I’m a bit curious why you would think that someone who lived some 1700 years ago has any impact on a group of Christians who focus on teaching the Bible. We follow the Bible and not the teachings of men. I’m also curious if…
Read MoreThe Preacher and His Study
by Hiram Kemp The preacher of God’s Word is to speak with all the authority God has given him (Titus 2:15). He is to speak as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11). He is to proclaim the gospel as the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). However, all of these things assume that…
Read MoreSeeing Our World Through the Eyes of Jesus
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Seeing-Our-World-Through-the-Eyes-of-Jesus.mp3 by Max Dawson
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