Death and Eternity

by Royce Frederick What happens when a person dies? On day six of creation, “the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Death occurs when the “soul” or the “spirit” of a person leaves his…

Read More

Going Home

by Fanning Yater Tant Gospel Guardian, October 13, 1955 The summer’s work has ended. After a long and lonely absence, I am going back to Texas. Only a few hours ago I was speaking to a house filled with people in Sunnyvale, California. Now it is shortly after midnight, and I am nearly three miles…

Read More

Waiting

by Ed Harrell Christianity Magazine, Volume 3, No. 4, April 1986 In recent years, the most bone-chilling, foreboding thought tightly caged in the back of my mind has had to do not with nuclear war or heart attacks, but old age. I do not fear the bright and sunny days of those advanced in years…

Read More

Longing for Home

by Jefferson David Tant Have you ever been gone from home on a long journey? Often there comes a time when you long for home. My wife, Flora, and I have been on many journeys through the years in taking the Good News about Jesus Christ to nations far and near. And there are moments…

Read More

The Weapon of Fear

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Weapon-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 49   I.         Have you ever wondered why cowardice is the first sin list in Revelation 21:8?             A.        Being afraid is such a common thing that it seems it would be a minor concern             B.        But a major weapon in Satan’s arsenal is fear II.        Fear of the wrong thing can lead…

Read More

The Meaning of Life: Where Are You Going?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Where-Are-You-Going.mp3 Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10   I.         Having a goal in mind gives direction to the choices that you must make.             A.        The meaning of life is more than what you are doing with your life right now. It is also where you are letting life take you.             B.        One thing is certain, you are going to die -…

Read More

What Is Your Life?

by Fanning Yater Tant (1908-1997), 1955 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; For it is soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). “What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appears for…

Read More

My four-year-old hates God

Question: Good morning. I have a few questions I am needing guidance on. My mother passed away a year ago. Then close to her one year, my grandmother passed away. I have a 4-year-old son who is struggling hard. We are a church family but now he does not want to go to church ever…

Read More

Die on the Mountain

by Terry Wane Benton Text: Deuteronomy 32:48-50 Photo by Alex Meier on Unsplash God commanded Moses to take one last journey to the tops of Mount Nebo, from there take a look over into the Promised Land, and die on that mountain. It is sad that he got so close, could see it, but not…

Read More

Is it wrong to be a Christian and still fear death?

Question: Is it wrong to be a Christian and still fear death? I truly feel like I live my life fully for the Lord, but I think about death often and it scares me. I try to think of how beautiful and wonderful heaven will be, but I still find myself struggling to grasp it…

Read More

Will I still be a mother in heaven?

Question: Will I still be a mother in heaven? I know that we won’t be married in heaven and that we will have some recognition of others that are there with us, but if I am in heaven and so is my daughter will we still be mother and daughter? Answer: To be a mother…

Read More

Why do I still miss my friend who died?

Question: Hello sir, I hope, by the grace of God, you’re well. I lost a very good friend of mine last year He was a Christian and also a classmate at the university. Everyone who came in contact with him was surprised and impressed by his level of faith at a time when he was…

Read More

The Boy Who Didn’t Come Back from Heaven

by Wayne Greeson The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven came out in 2010 and sold more than 1 million copies and spent months on the New York Times’ bestseller list. Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son Alex were driving home from church in Huntsville, Ohio, on a Sunday morning in November 2004, when they…

Read More

Why did my pet die?

Question: Hello! I’m an 18-year-old girl who is beginning to have doubts about my faith. The reason is that I recently had to put down my pet rat and I am taking it pretty rough. It is so rough that I’m doubting myself and my religion (Catholic). My questions are these: Is she in heaven right…

Read More

How could God die?

Question: My question was about Jesus, who is God and human. The Bible tells us that Jesus died, but Jesus who is God cannot die. That only leaves Jesus who is human. This means Jesus the Human died on the cross, which means a human paid for all human sins. Why doesn’t the Bible say…

Read More

Angel Band

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Angel-Band.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 1:12-15 My latest sun is sinking fast, My race is nearly run; My strongest trials now are past, My triumph is begun. I know I’m near the holy ranks Of friends and kindred dear— I hear the waves on Jordan’s banks, The crossing must be near. I’ve…

Read More

How can I overcome the fear of death?

Question: Hi Mr. Hamilton, Is there a way to become unafraid of death? I have been terrified of dying since I was very young and sometimes it consumes my thoughts. I fear the concept of being put in a box in the ground unable to move, think, feel or talk to anyone for who knows…

Read More

Hezekiah’s Prayer

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hezekiahs-Prayer-2019.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 38:9-20   I.         Many people are familiar with Hezekiah’s prayer asking God for help against the Assyrian army, but I would like for us to take a few minutes to examine Hezekiah’s prayer of thanksgiving after he was healed of an illness II.        Bitterness             A.        Isaiah 38:9-10                         1.         Hezekiah was told he…

Read More

I Have to Die to Get Better

by Doy Moyer Have you ever felt that way? You feel so sick that you about wish you’d go ahead and die so that you’d feel better? We even say that as a bit of a joke (or maybe not). Of course, at the time that we feel so bad, we do wish for pretty…

Read More

Aren’t there animals in heaven?

Question: According to your previous answer to the question raised in regards to animals having souls: you said, they have souls but will go down to the earth when they die. Human spirits will ascend to Paradise. Here is my question: What about the animals found in heaven according to the book of Isaiah 11:6-9;…

Read More

Is it wrong to pray to die?

Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church, and I would like to know if it is wrong to pray to die. I have had a couple of incurable health problems for years, and I just can’t take it anymore. It has robbed me of any chance at a good life here, and I’m…

Read More

What is Hades?

Question: Do I understand correctly that there is one place called “Hell” and another place called “Hades”? And Hades is where the souls of the dead go until the final day of judgment? Answer: The term Hades is a general reference to “the realm of the dead”.  By itself, it means nothing about what happens…

Read More

If God Gave Your Eulogy

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IfGodGaveYourEulogy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

Read More

The lesson “The Loss of a Loved One” really hit home with me

Question: I wanted to say how great the sermon was on The Loss of a Loved One by Christopher Scott Wyatt. It really hit home with me. I have recently lost my mother three months ago, and she was a strong Christian. We both are members of the church of Christ. Mr. Wyatt is an outstanding…

Read More

Ultimate Deliverance

by Doy Moyer What if… we actually were put to death because we are Christians? What is our attitude about this? Consider Paul’s attitude: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that…

Read More

Why did God kill the Egyptian babies?

Question: Can you please shed some light on the angel of death causing the firstborn of all the Egyptian babies to die? I understand to some degree that God in His sovereign will allow this to work out for the freeing of the Israelites from bondage. Knowing that no one can fully comprehend the infinite…

Read More

What exactly is Judgment Day?

Question: I have several questions: What exactly is Judgment Day? If I die and go to heaven, can I somehow go to hell after Judgment Day if my sins outweigh the good that I had done? Can a person go to hell, then on Judgment Day go to heaven? What things do I have to…

Read More

Do you think earthquakes are from God?

Question: Do you think earthquakes are from God? I’m so hurt to see so many lives lost due to this earthquake in Mexico, and I question whether this is the wrath of God. Answer: Without God telling us, it is impossible for mankind to determine if any natural disaster was triggered by God or naturally…

Read More

How could Jesus die on the cross if he had no sin?

Question: Good day, Jesus did not have any sin, and it is sin that causes death — spiritually and physically. So how is it that Jesus died on the cross? Answer: It was Adam and Eve’s sin that brought death into the world (Genesis 3:19), but a person does not have to sin in order…

Read More

What Happens When We Die?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall4WhatHappensWhenWeDie.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

Read More

The Loss of a Loved One

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017Fall3TheLossOfALovedOne.mp3 by Christopher Scott Wyatt Praise to Our God

Read More

Is it wrong to grieve silently? I don’t want anyone to see me cry

Question: I have a question about grieving. I got a text this morning that my newborn nephew died last night. I’m a person who typically grieves in silence and doesn’t tell anyone. I know at church tomorrow that I may look mopey thinking about this tragedy. My question is how do you feel about silent…

Read More

False Ideas Regarding Death

by Wayne Jackson Each day of our existence we are reminded of the grim reality of death. It haunts us. We know so little about it. In fact, we know almost nothing regarding this ultimate physical experience, except for what is revealed in the Bible. But the biblical information is limited, and so false notions…

Read More