Posts Tagged ‘conversion’
The Power in God’s Word
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Power-in-Gods-Word.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreLessons from Saul’s Conversion
by Terry Wane Benton Saul would become the saved apostle Paul, and his conversion from being totally against Jesus and his disciples to becoming a disciple of Jesus, from being a persecutor to being persecuted, is a remarkable account of what is involved in the process of conversion to Christ. Read Acts 9 and then…
Read MoreHow Did I Get Here or Why Do I Think That?
by Hugh DeLong Maybe I am obsessed, at least a bit, with knowing why I think what I think. It is easy to picture that I came into this world as a blank Etch-N-Sketch, but a world where I controlled all the buttons. Yet, from the beginning, other people have been pushing my buttons! So…
Read MoreWhy the Change?
When the gospel was preached at Corinth, those who were fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals stopped practicing those sins. “Such were some of you” (I Corinthians 6:8-11). Did the preachers actually preach against those lifestyle choices? Did no one worry that this kind of preaching was not politically correct? Are people being convicted of sin in…
Read MoreThe New Creature
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-New-Creature.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreClean Hands and a Pure Heart
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Clean-Hands-and-a-Pure-Heart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 24 I. People want to get to heaven, but it seems many don’t want to put much effort into getting there. A. Jesus warned – Luke 13:3 B. The example of the Jews should be enough – I Corinthians 10:1-12 1. They were God’s chosen people, but they didn’t make it.…
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 MoreForgetting the Past
by Jefferson David Tant “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). “Therefore if…
Read MoreWhy Did the Adulterers and Homosexuals at Corinth Change?
by Terry Wane Benton Paul mentions a list of sins which included thieves, drunkards, adulterers, and homosexuals (I Corinthians 6:8-10) and said, “such were some of you”. They were washed from such sins, justified, and sanctified. What was the motivation that moved them to change? They did not argue that they were born this way…
Read MoreHow do I convert my Hindu girlfriend?
Question: Hello sir, I have this question — it is more like a problem. I started dating this girl, but she’s of a different religion (Hindu). I am a Christian. I like this girl. What should I do? How do I convert her to Christianity? Please respond to me. Answer: Teaching anyone to become a…
Read MoreGod doesn’t want you to change
Question: It’s not about wearing clothes its about doing everything in society so that you match your body in human form. God doesn’t care if you wear clothes or what clothes. He just wants you to be you. Don’t ever change. Just be yourself. Thanks for trying. Just so much wrong out there. Find your…
Read MoreShould you baptize someone who doesn’t plan to be a member of the church?
Question: I read Baptized but Not Converted on your site, but I have a more specific question. After a long study with some ladies, they all came to the conclusion that baptism was essential for salvation. One of the ladies, right before she was baptized, indicated that she wouldn’t be attending services. Should she have been…
Read MoreRock Star
by Zeke Flores When I was a late teenager I had dreams of becoming a rough and rowdy rock star. I’d hit it big then flame out like the shooting star in Bad Company’s song “Shooting Star.” I hated the thought of waking up in mid-life wondering what I did with my life. Better to…
Read MoreRenewed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Renewed.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-11 I. At times we stop and sigh. Wouldn’t it be nice to return to the days of childhood, when we didn’t have a care in the world? When we were ignorant of all the problems in the world and unacquainted with sin? – Matthew 18:3 A. In our…
Read MoreSeeking the Things Above
Seeking the Things Above (Part 1)Seeking the Things Above (Part 2) by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 3:1-4 I. So often we focus on winning souls for Christ that we lose sight that conversion is not the goal but the first step in a life long process of change – Colossians 2:6-7 A. To stay with…
Read MoreYour Wreckage Can be Repaired!
by Gary Henry “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (I Timothy 1:15-16). Under the influence…
Read MoreRestoration
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Restoration.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. Restoration of Purpose, Zeal, and Love John 21:1-9 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in, Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His…
Read MoreWho Is Jesus to You and What Are You Doing About It?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019Fall7Who-Is-Jesus-to-You-and-What-Are-You-Doing-About-It.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past
Read MoreThe Conversion of Saul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ConversionOfSaul.mp3 by Jeff Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:12-17 I. The path that Saul took from Judaism to Christianity can teach us a lot about what it takes to become a Christian A. It is a lesson that many need to learn by people caught up in denominational teachings. B. We will look at the events that happened…
Read MoreRash Decisions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rash-Decisions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 19:23-41 I. Our text illustrates the making of a riot A. Certain men feared that Christianity would impact their income. – Acts 19:24-27 1. They stirred up the masses with fear of lost income and fear of a lost way of life. 2. The fear spread through the city, even when…
Read MoreNotes on Examples of Conversion
Where Hear Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Result At Pentecost Acts 2:14-41 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38, 41 Forgiveness of sins Acts 2:38 Added Acts 2:41 Acts 3:12-26; 4:2,4 Acts 4:4 Increase in number Acts 5:14 Added to number Acts 5:42 Increasing in number Samaria Acts 8:4-8, 12 Acts 8:12-13 Acts 8:12-13 Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:30-35…
Read MoreBaptized but Not Converted
by Fred Shewmaker Years ago in a home Bible study, the couple with whom we were studying complained that the words I was using were too big. Being somewhat inexperienced in home Bible studies, I was surprised by their complaint. The words about which they were complaining were all words found in the Bible. I…
Read MoreWould Your Life Be Any Different?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/WouldYourLifeBeAnyDifferent.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhy didn’t I have a desire to study and go to church after I was baptized?
Question: Is the act of baptism because of not wanting to go to hell the result of repentance? I can’t say that I had a strong desire to live godly before my baptism, but at the same time, I can’t say that I was planning on continuing to sin or do evil things. I know…
Read MoreJehu’s Reformations
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JehusReformations.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 12:25-33 I. After the northern tribes separated from Judah, the kingdom they established was never ruled by a good king. A. The very first king, Jeroboam, sought to stabilize his country by establishing his own religion – I Kings 12:25-33 1. He feared defection if the people crossed into Judah…
Read MoreIs it a sin to leave the church you were born into?
Question: I’m currently a member of the old-order Mennonite Church. I have come to the conclusion recently, upon studying the Bible, that Jesus has asked everyone to be of one mind and there be no divisions at numerous places in his word. I want to leave this group, but they say leaving a church that…
Read MoreJust as I Am
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/JustAsIAm.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 51 I. “Just as I am! Without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, Oh Lamb of God, I come! I come!” A. When each of us come to Christ, we have no argument to offer that we deserve…
Read MoreA Jew on the Day of Pentecost
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/JewOnTheDayOfPentecost.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreLay Aside the Old Self
by Dennis Stackhouse Addressing the Christians in Ephesus, Paul wrote: “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind” (Ephesians 4:17). The apostle begins by aligning his authority with that of the Lord; in other words, this is God’s…
Read MoreI thought I had changed, but then I sinned and had sex
Question: Hello, I’d like to ask a question. But I must first tell you that I grew up going to the church of christ and my grandfather was a preacher. I got into drugs at a young age as my stepfather abused my mother and I when I was growing up. I finally surrendered all…
Read MoreThe Conversion of Saul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ConversionOfSaulMiller.mp3 by Rob Miller
Read MoreMy mother won’t let me change churches
Question: I am 16 years old and I don’t want to attend the same church as my family does. For a long time, I’ve wanted to change churches for my own personal reasons, but after going to this camp, I feel like God wants me to go to this certain church. Honestly, I would like…
Read MoreI prayed to God to change my heart but nothing has changed
Question: I prayed to God to change my heart but nothing has changed my way of thinking or my attitude to show love and not anger. I tried to read the Bible, but I don’t feel anything. Please help. Answer: It appears that you are looking for something outside of you to change you, instead…
Read MoreConverting a Soul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/ConvertingASoul.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Colossians 2:1-7 I. When dealing with people, it should not surprise anyone that there will be disagreements. A. Being people, each individual has his own mix of ideas and desires. B. The true difficulty comes in getting others to do what needs to be done when they aren’t inclined to do…
Read MoreI want to change from being a sinner to living a holy life, but I don’t know when or how to start. Can you help me?
Question: Hello, I want to change from being a sinner to living a holy life, but I don’t know when or how to start. Can you help me? The thing is I’ve asked God for repentance two or three times before, and then there comes along a test, and I always fail them. Suddenly I…
Read MoreHas Becoming a Christian Changed You?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/HasBecomingAChristianChangedYou.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 12:1-8 I. The Barna Group has done several surveys on the impact Christianity has on people’s lives. A. In May, 2006, a survey showed that 51% said that they had been greatly transformed by their faith. 1. I found that interesting because of what Jesus said – Matthew 7:15-20 2. An…
Read MoreShould becoming a Christian and getting married be postponed until people are at least 20?
Question: Hello, I looked at a page dedicated to questions and answers about baptism. Could you read these two verses please, Numbers 32:11 and Deuteronomy 1:39, and tell me what is your understanding? Did you know them before? It seems that 20 years old was considered by God the age to know what is good…
Read MoreWhat can you offer me if I leave the Mormon Church?
Question: What can you offer me if I leave the Mormon Church? Answer: The truth. “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Read MoreI think I need to stop sinning, get baptized, and follow Jesus
Question: I appreciate what you have written, and I agree with you. Honestly, I’m a Catholic, but I don’t practice a lot of things that Catholics do. I consider myself a Christian because in my heart I have to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and his teaching. Of course, I’ve not always been successful. I’ve…
Read MoreI’ve lived such a sinful life. I want to be religious, but I don’t know if I can be
Question: Hello, I think I am a sinner. Will God ever forgive me? I am not a religious person, though I want to be. But I am not sure if I will ever be religious because I have done a lot of sinful things. I used to have a problem with drug addiction which led…
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