Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’
Do You Act — Or React?
by Sydney J. Harris I walked with my friend, a Quaker, to the newsstand the other night, and he bought a paper, thanking the newsie politely. The newsie didn’t even acknowledge it. “A sullen fellow, isn’t he?” I commented. “Oh, he’s that way every night,” shrugged my friend. “Then why do you continue to be…
Read MoreChristianity Concentrate
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Spring3ChristianityConcentrate.mp3 by Raymond Warfel, Jr. 2018 Spring Meeting
Read MoreThe Christian’s Duty to His Brethren
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ChristiansDutyToHisBrethren.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:8-15 I. Each of us come from diverse backgrounds. A. We come together to worship B. We come together for fellowship C. Yet that coming together is not always smooth. 1. Just as a family experiences times of irritation, so it happens among brethren. 2. Paul’s desire was for the Corinthians to…
Read MoreFour Satanic Cultural Expressions of Christianity and What God Really Wants from Us
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017Spring5FourSatanicCulturalExpressionsOfChristianity.mp3 by Frederic Gray Life Lessons from the Lord
Read MoreLife Lessons from the Lord
by Frederic Gray Oneness – Jesus’ Ardent Prayer One God, One Lord, One Body, Many Races? How to Love Your Wife the Way Christ Loved the Church Four Satanic Cultural Expressions of Christianity and What God Really Wants from Us
Read MoreWhat Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WhatDoesItMeanToBeAChristian.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:13-25 I. Over 75% of Americans claim to be Christians, a percentage that has been steadily declining while the non-religious rises. A. Still, it is a high number, but it appears to be in conflict with Jesus’ warning – Matthew 7:13-14 B. What actually makes a person a Christian? II. For…
Read MoreI struggle to fit in
Question: Hi, I am struggling a lot with fitting in. I was not raised in the church. I found the truth over 30 years ago. I have moved to different states for various reasons. I have had an ongoing struggle trying to find my place in each congregation. I feel sometimes it is a hard…
Read MoreShould I move back in with my boyfriend if we don’t have sex?
Question: Hello, I recently went through a bad breakup with my boyfriend of several years. I moved in with him, and I sinned all the time by having sex and getting drunk. When we finally parted ways, I realized that I needed to change my ways and live for God. I have been on a…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to go to a wedding or baby shower or graduation?
Question: Hi, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (I Corinthians 12:26). The latter part of this verse speaks of when a brother in the body of Christ rejoices, you are to rejoice with him. Take for example a wedding,…
Read MoreI want to help people, but it is hard when you are not appreciated
Question: I was baptized when I was 16 years old. I am now in my twenties. I’ve always had a heart for people, and I love helping people. I feel like I was put here to help others, but my problem is that I don’t like the feeling of people not giving and helping me…
Read MoreAll By Myself
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/AllByMyself.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:12-17 I. Why do I have to go to church? A. After all, I can worship God all by myself. B. After all, all Christians are priests – I Peter 2:9 C. I can read my Bible and I don’t need anyone else – Ephesians 3:3-4 D. I can pray all by…
Read MoreLoving the Brethren
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/LovingTheBrethren.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCould you explain Hebrews 6:1-2?
Question: I do have a question about Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal…
Read MoreCan you calm my fears?
Question: To start it off: I am born half Christian and half Jewish, so my parents never really raised me on religion. We celebrate the holidays of both religions, but I never went to church. I personally do not know what I believe, and honestly speaking, maybe I do believe in God, but I am…
Read MoreHow do you live a proper life and stay connected with a diversity of people?
Question: Oh, Minister, I’ve read your answers to so many questions, and they have helped me greatly. I am a college student who has been going through problems of finding meaning in an increasingly secular society where it seems that drinking, doing drugs, and “getting laid” are what get people to like you. I know…
Read MoreWhat a Christian Should Be
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WhatAChristianShouldBe.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI plan to go to his church if we get married. Isn’t this enough?
Question: Hi! My boyfriend and I have been dating for several months now. The problem we are having is that according to his beliefs, he doesn’t practice ritual ceremonies and doesn’t believe in ancestor worship. On my side, I believe in these things, but that is not an issue for me because I know if…
Read MoreGrowing as Disciples
by Clint Crosier Disciple: A learner, pupil, or follower devoted to the teachings of a master. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” Jesus holds the key to heaven and our salvation, and we can only be with…
Read MoreDaily
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Daily.mp3 by Steve Chetelat
Read MoreLiving Spiritual Lives
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LivingSpiritualLives.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow can I get excited about being a Christian again?
Question: Hello, I have a question basically on how to desire God more and want to go on with the sanctification process, rather than being complacent and being that Sunday Christian. I’m hoping you can help me with some tips on how to want to desire to go on with my walk with The Lord.…
Read MoreHow do I please God?
Question: Sir, Please, I want to know more about how to please God. Answer: You learn what God wants by studying His teachings in the Bible. “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the…
Read MoreThe Good Life
by Mike Waters The Good Life – Five Lessons from Ecclesiastes Marriage Counsel from Peter God’s Plan for His People Building a Lasting Faith In Due Time We Will Reap Contentment in Christ The Providence of God Pray Without Ceasing
Read MoreOn Being a Christian
by Brian Faulkner March 23-28, 2014 More Fear than Faith Fed and Led Forbearing One Another in Love Is That You O Troubler of Israel? Just a Church? Religious But Not Righteous The Valley of Dry Bones It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming
Read MoreIs it wrong for a Christian to join a secular organization?
Question: Dear minister, I’m grateful I stumbled onto your site. It has been very helpful in finding answers to many specific questions I have. Thanks for your sound and biblical advice. It’s hard to find these days. I have a question about Habitat for Humanity. I’ve recently been going through a personal struggle at church.…
Read MoreCan you be a Christian and have your own personality?
Question: Hello! I am a Christian with a big question. I know you probably hear that a lot, but still: Is being yourself a sin? I’m not talking about being gay, I’m straight. I’m talking, can I have true blue faith in God and still have my own personality and traits? Like have certain hobbies…
Read MoreOn Personalities
by Doy Moyer via Mind Your Faith The thousand faces of the actor. One of the many concepts that come through Scripture is how God can use different personalities to accomplish His work. Paul was not Peter, and John was not Matthew, and these differences in personalities, vocabularies, and ways of phrasing ideas are obvious just…
Read MoreProfessional Christians
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ProfessionalChristian.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreLessons for Our Time
by Lance Blackburn of Sharpsburg, Georgia March 3-8, 2013 Giving and Taking a Rebuke (outline only) Zealous or Lukewarm? I Saw, I Desired, and I Took Doesn’t God Want Me To Be Happy? Is It Convenient? Internet Dangers Will We Do Right by Him? What Hinders Me from Being Baptized?
Read MoreAre Christians only allowed to talk to Christians?
Question: Hello, Does the Bible say that we’re not allowed to talk to anyone who’s not a Christian? If so, what happens if a Christian does talk to someone who’s not a Christian? Thanks! Answer: I’m scratching my head trying to figure out where such an idea could possibly come from. It would be impossible…
Read MoreThe Prudent Person
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PrudentPerson.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:1-10 I. The Hebrew word arum refers to a clever or crafty person. A. In a negative way it refers to a person who deceives or tricks another person, such as the serpent in the Garden – Genesis 3:1 B. But it can also refer to the person to…
Read MoreWhat are Christians not allowed to drink?
Question: Are Christians allowed to drink coffee? Are Christians allowed to drink tea? I now know what Christians are allowed or not allowed to eat, but what are Christians not allowed to drink? Answer: There is nothing known to be harmful about coffee. The Bible doesn’t talk about coffee. Where it is generally applied is…
Read MoreThe Importance of a Biblical Worldview
by Allan Turner All of us see ourselves and our world through a particular set of beliefs, attitudes, and values. These operate as a filter or grid through which we process all information. For the Christian, this filter or grid is shaped by the truths taught in the Bible. The Bible, of course, has a…
Read MoreBefore You Click “Forward”
by Bryan Matthew Dockens Before forwarding that next e-mail, consider the following: Is It Morally Correct? Inasmuch as “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13), it is nice to send and receive jokes and humorous stories, but care must be exercised in doing so. The Scriptures describe “coarse jesting” as behavior that should…
Read MoreAm I My Brother’s Keeper?
by Steven Harper You may be familiar with the story in which the title for today’s article was spoken, and probably just as familiar with its popular usage today. In the Bible story, Cain had killed his brother Abel and God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” (Genesis 4:9). Cain’s reply was this familiar statement and question: “I…
Read MoreMust I shun my worldly family and friends?
Question: Hello, I was reading one of your Q&A’s and a question came to mind about I Corinthians 5:9-11, “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or…
Read MoreAre Christians individually married to Christ?
Question: Does the Bible talk about individuals being a bride of God or a bride of Christ? It is my understanding that the church as a whole is the bride of Christ, and I think it is not accurate to say things “I am married to God” or “Christ is my husband.” I know it…
Read MoreThanks for “In the World but Not of the World”
Question: I have read your sermon “In the World But Not of the World.” Thanks for the message. Answer: Thank you for taking the time to be encouraging. I appreciate it.
Read MoreWho Is Responsible?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WhoIsResponsible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:1-10 I. One of the issues that has divided brethren is that of doing good. A. The question is who is responsible? B. One side argues that it doesn’t matter, so long as the good is done. The other side argues that you cannot give away a responsibility God has…
Read MoreAre You Weary of God?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AreYouWearyOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 6:1-3 I. Being a Christian is a commitment for life. A. Matthew 7:13-14 – Few make it. B. Few made it from Israel – Romans 9:27 C. People will want in, but don’t put in the effort until too late – Luke 13:23-30 II. It isn’t that God is trying to keep…
Read More