Is It Possible to Preach Christ and Not Preach Baptism or the Church?

April 1, 2019

by Donald Townsley via Guardian of Truth, December 15, 1988 From time to time men set forth the doctrine that we should “preach Christ” and leave the controversial subjects of the plan of salvation and the church alone. Some say, “just preach the man and not the plan”; others say, “preach Christ and not the…

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What’s Down that Road?

March 30, 2019

by Warren E. Berkley The most vital consideration for every human being and certainly every Christian is the allegiance of the heart and obedience of the life to God. While we must avoid the arrogance of self-righteousness and the bondage of human creeds and traditionalism, we must determine with all our hearts to never relax…

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Is it scriptural to “join” a church?

February 6, 2019

Question: I have a question about joining a church. I’m a bit at a loss to know how to go forward. This is all rather new to me as my family left “going to church” decades ago and have since worshiped with other Christians in homes or fellowships. One of the church leaders asked me…

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Why do the churches of Christ insist that their name is scriptural?

January 22, 2019

Question: Why does the “Church of Christ” insist that their name is scriptural when it cannot be found anywhere in the Bible? The church is referred to as the “church of God” eight times in the Bible, but never is it called the “church of Christ.” The verse they use is Romans 16:16, but it doesn’t…

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The Kingdom of God Is Within You

December 24, 2018

by Bryan Matthew Dockens According to Jesus, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Contrary to popular theory, the establishment of God’s kingdom would not be a visible event. The coronation of Christ…

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What did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?

December 20, 2018

Question: Hello, I had a question regarding the kingdom of God. From my understanding, the kingdom of God is another term for the church. However, after reading the gospel accounts, I found a problem with Luke 21:31. “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” My…

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Has La Vista’s site helped the congregation’s visibility?

December 18, 2018

Question: Hi Brother, I really like La Vista’s website and have been trying to convince our men that, in order to increase our visibility and effectiveness in the area, we should do something similar. I’ve suggested we include God’s word on subjects such as baptism and various sins in general, and then invite those who…

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Church Issues and Love

October 25, 2018

by Edward O. Bragwell Throughout church history, divisive issues have arisen among Christians, even to this present day. While this should concern us, it should not cause excessive alarm. They are to be expected. After all, the apostle Paul wrote in the First Century: “For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church,…

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What Is Important in a Church?

October 14, 2018

What is Important to a Church? – Part 1What is Important to a Church? – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 14:1-12   I.         I remember visiting a large congregation many years ago. They had asked me to do some web site work for them.             A.        While I was amazed at the size of the…

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We just don’t feel connected with this church

September 1, 2018

Question: We have attended our current congregation for several years. Good sound teaching, but we don’t feel a connection with anyone. My wife has wanted to try other congregations, but I don’t like to change. Recently she has been ill and has not felt like attending for over a month, and no one even asked…

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A Strong Church

May 20, 2018

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/StrongChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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What do you do if you can’t worship with faithful brethren?

May 5, 2018

Question: I’ve read everything I could find on your page concerning worship alone. I know already that communion and singing are out of the question. So where does that leave someone who is in prison for life or far away from anyone or group that teaches and holds to sound doctrine? I’m sure you could…

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This Isn’t What I Expected

April 10, 2018

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Spring5ThisIsntWhatIExpected.mp3 by Raymond Warfel, Jr. 2018 Spring Meeting

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The Church in Crisis

March 31, 2018

by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I have a sermon titled “Crises in the Jerusalem Church” that I preach from time to time. It is based on notes that I took on a sermon I heard brother Clinton Hamilton preach many years ago. It points to several crises faced by the first congregation of Christians ever.…

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Can’t I just worship with different congregations each Sunday?

March 26, 2018

Question: Good evening Minister, I have been a member of the Lord’s church for over five years. I’ve been a faithful member; however, I had some concerns about some things that were going on in worship. I left my home-based church where I felt like I was ostracized because I’m a single woman. I began…

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Are the church and the kingdom the same thing?

February 3, 2018

Question: Are the church and the kingdom the same thing? Answer: Often the Bible explains things through multiple words whenever one word is insufficient to fully describe what is meant.  After all, the Bible is trying to describe a world that we cannot touch or see.  For example, Jesus is described as the good shepherd,…

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Why do you use a capital “C” in “church”?

January 31, 2018

Question: I noticed your website and church sign used a capital C on “church.”  This practice is opposed by every church of Christ I have ever known.  Why is it OK or not OK? Answer: Yes, there has been a fad among Christians to use a lowercase “c” in the names of churches. However, it…

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Is the word “church” pagan in origin?

January 21, 2018

Question: I recently read something saying that the word “church” is pagan in origin, and it gives honor to the daughter of some sun god. I was able to find basically two different ideas on where the word comes from. Some say from “circe” which would have meant circle or been the name of this…

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Is a church right because it calls itself a church of Christ?

January 14, 2018

Question: How do you know if a church is the right church? Is it because they bear the name “church of Christ”? Isn’t it possible that a church might also be a Bible-believing church but might not have a “church of Christ” attached to their church? Or is the name “church of Christ” the only…

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Gaius Versus Diotrephes

October 8, 2017

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GaiusVersusDiotrephes.mp3 by Alan Feaster

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The Local Church

July 2, 2017

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LocalChurch.mp3 by Alan Feaster

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Do I need to prepare myself as a priest to fit into the kingdom?

January 19, 2017

Question: I have a question regarding the practical application of royal priesthood in the upcoming kingdom of God. Recently I got to know one of the elders and preacher in the church. According to him, we are a royal priesthood (referring to I Peter 2:9) and the role of priest is to offer up Christ…

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The Organization of the Church

January 8, 2017

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OrganizationOfTheChurch.mp3 Text: Hebrews 8:1-5   I.         We give God glory when we teach His doctrine and execute it accordingly – I Peter 4:11             A.        Thus we are to follow the pattern set for us – Philippians 3:17             B.        Warnings abound not to change the message – Galatians 1:6-10             C.        Any change would give glory to man and no longer…

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Sometimes we lose focus regarding our primary mission

November 1, 2016

Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, Thank you for all of the good Bible lessons you and others have written and put on your website. It seems that every time I am searching online for Bible study materials, I always end up on your website and find something I like. I have sent links to your website…

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Are We a Sect?

October 16, 2016

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AreWeASect.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 28:16-24   I.         The Jews had difficulty understanding the church in its early days.             A.        It was founded by a Jewish teacher from a small, remote town called Nazareth.             B.        It began an flourished in their capital city, Jerusalem.             C.        It taught heavily from the Law, though it added new doctrine that…

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Great Things from Acts 2

September 11, 2016

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GreatThingsFromActs2.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Why does the Hebrew writer contrast Mount Sinai with Mount Zion?

May 26, 2016

Question: Hi Jeffrey, I hope you are doing well. I have a question regarding Hebrews 12:18-29. Why does the writer use the example of the events in Mount Sinai (verses 18-21) and contrasts them with Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem and everything else in verses 22-24? What is the significance of what the writer…

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All By Myself

May 1, 2016

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…

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Should I leave an ineffective, discouraging church?

April 11, 2016

Question: I was looking through your website and found someone asked questions similar to questions I had at this page: When should I leave a church? But I’m not sure you fully answered some of the questions, so I still wanted to ask them again. If there are multiple sound congregations nearby, must I worship with…

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Loving the Brethren

March 20, 2016

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/LovingTheBrethren.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Sound Doctrine Produces Sound Churches Demanding Sound Doctrine

February 21, 2016

by Edward O. Bragwell via Gospel Guide, Vol. 27, No. 12, Dec. 1995. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering…

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Choosing a Church

December 4, 2015

by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. The New Testament teaches that there is but one church and also that there are many churches. Paul said he persecuted “the church (singular) of God” (I Corinthians 15:9). The record shows that he persecuted Christians in various places. In the same epistle, he spoke of “the churches (plural) of God.” (I Corinthians 11:16).…

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