Posts Tagged ‘church’
You Must Be Born Again
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/08/You-Must-Be-Born-Again2.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 3:1-22 I. I had a fellow ask me if I had been born again. A. In particular, he wanted to know how I came to believe such a thing. B. When I replied with I John 2:3-6; 4:6; 5:2-3, he became quite upset C. He wanted to know how I was…
Read MoreChurches of Christ Are Different
by Wayne S. Walker “… The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). Non-denominational, New Testament churches of Christ are different from other religious organizations. Even the very terms by which they identify themselves are different. It is clear that congregations of Christ’s followers in the first century were known as “churches of Christ.” Thus,…
Read MoreWould your church be a good fit?
Question: I have friends who are soon to be married. Both are leaving their church to find one together. Both very much need a Bible preaching church and also a church that allows the Holy Spirit to move. Would this be a good fit? One coming from a conservative church and one comes from a…
Read MoreCafeteria-Style Religion
by Ethan R. Longhenry An investigation of the local bookstore or magazine rack or a quick search on the Internet shows how Americans today are very interested in “spirituality.” Plenty of books abound across the whole spectrum — “Christian inspiration,” “New Age,” and many books describing elements of Eastern religions. These trends were recently documented…
Read MoreWhat Makes a Church Strong?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WhatMakesAStrongChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDid the kingdom exist before Jesus’ death?
Question: Brother Hamilton, We know from the information the kingdom/church was established in Jerusalem on Pentecost. We can also see the numerous passages speaking of the kingdom being “at hand.” Even just before the cross, on the cross with the thief, and after the cross, we see several comments intimating that the kingdom is still…
Read MoreIs It Possible to Preach Christ and Not Preach Baptism or the Church?
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…
Read MoreWhat’s Down that Road?
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…
Read MoreIs it scriptural to “join” a church?
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…
Read MoreWhy do the churches of Christ insist that their name is scriptural?
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…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God Is Within You
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…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?
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…
Read MoreHas La Vista’s site helped the congregation’s visibility?
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…
Read MoreChurch Issues and Love
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,…
Read MoreWhat Is Important in a Church?
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…
Read MoreWe just don’t feel connected with this church
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…
Read MoreThe Blessings and Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BlessingsAndPrivilegesOfKingdomCitizenship.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreA Strong Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/StrongChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat do you do if you can’t worship with faithful brethren?
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…
Read MoreThis Isn’t What I Expected
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018Spring5ThisIsntWhatIExpected.mp3 by Raymond Warfel, Jr. Lessons from Matthew
Read MoreThe Church in Crisis
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.…
Read MoreCan’t I just worship with different congregations each Sunday?
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…
Read MoreAre the church and the kingdom the same thing?
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,…
Read MoreWhy do you use a capital “C” in “church”?
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…
Read MoreIs the word “church” pagan in origin?
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…
Read MoreIs a church right because it calls itself a church of Christ?
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…
Read MoreGod’s Plan for a Strong Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/GodsPlanForAStrongChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreQualities of a Sound Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/QualitiesOfASoundChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreGaius Versus Diotrephes
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/GaiusVersusDiotrephes.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreThe Local Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LocalChurch.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreWhat Do I Owe to the Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/WhatDoIOweToTheChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDo I Owe Anything to the Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DoIOweAnythingToTheChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow to Love Your Wife the Way Christ Loved the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017Spring3HowToLoveYourWifeTheWayChristLovedTheChurch.mp3 by Frederic Gray Life Lessons from the Lord
Read MoreOne God, One Lord, One Body, Many Races?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017Spring2OneGodOneLordOneBodyManyRaces.mp3 by Frederic Gray 2017 Spring Meeting
Read MoreDo I need to prepare myself as a priest to fit into the kingdom?
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…
Read MoreThe Organization of the Church
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…
Read MoreSometimes we lose focus regarding our primary mission
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…
Read MoreAre We a Sect?
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…
Read MoreGreat Things from Acts 2
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/GreatThingsFromActs2.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy does the Hebrew writer contrast Mount Sinai with Mount Zion?
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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