Posts Tagged ‘disagreements’
The Direction of Your Life
The Direction of Your Life – Part 1The Direction of Your Life by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 6:19-24 I. Whenever I taught someone to drive, I was reminded that people have a tendency to go in the direction they are looking. A. When a person first learns to drive, they tend to look at things…
Read MoreHow to Differ!
Robert F. Turner Plain Talk, July 1974 Brethren frequently differ with one another, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It may indicate conviction and our concern that others share our understanding of God’s word. Differences spring from various degrees of learning or experience, or from opinions expressed on moot questions. They may be…
Read MoreAm I teaching my own doctrine?
Question: Jeffrey, I had a recent conversation with a Baptist about the plan of salvation. He was of the once saved always saved group. I suppose they are somewhat different than the Freewill Baptists? Anyhow, in teaching baptism for the remission of sins to this fellow, along with the truth that a Christian can fall…
Read MoreEating Our Own Flesh
by Rodger Trimm “Now, as to the attack the zealots made upon the people, and which I esteem the beginning of the city’s destruction, it hath been already explained after an accurate manner; as also whence it arose, and to how great a mischief it was increased; but for the present sedition, one should not mistake if he called it a sedition begotten by another sedition,…
Read MoreControversy
by Morris Norman Sentry Magazine, March 2003 I have changed my thinking on the matter of controversy. There was a time when I had a dislike for all kinds of controversy. There are still some kinds that I do not like, but there are kinds that can be profitable for all concerned. Controversy is “a…
Read MoreSolving Church Problems
by Bobby L. Graham Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Jerusalem: A Church with Problems While it is true that Corinth is probably the church that most often comes to mind in connection with problems, it is also correct that Jerusalem was the first church with problems. The chief difference is that Corinth was a “problem church,”…
Read MoreIf I disagree with a brother or a leader, am I being rebellious?
Question: If a brother gives me a challenge do I have to take that challenge? If I choose not to, am I being rebellious? Or what if I disagree with a leader? Answer: It probably depends on what the brother is challenging you to do, but the general answer is “no.” We help each other…
Read MoreWhen We Disagree
by Doy Moyer Be generous. Assume the best first. Don’t assign evil motives to other parties. They may have intended something else. Let the principles of love guide our discussions (I Cor 13:4-8). Be respectful. Don’t begin a response by insulting and insinuating that the other parties are intellectually deficient. Just address the issue without resorting to…
Read MoreDid I do wrong bringing up an issue about when the collection should be counted?
Question: My wife and I moved to this community several years ago. We’ve been attending the church and have grown increasingly active through the years. I now teach both on Sunday morning and Wednesday night and we help where we can. Our church has a normal weekly attendance under 100, but we do not have…
Read MoreSelf-Inflicted Wounds
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/SelfInflictedWounds.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:1-5 I. I’ve mentioned to several people an interesting book by Gregory Koukl called Tactics. A. It discuss how Christians can discuss the gospel with others, especially those who might be hostile to the ideas of Christianity. 1. It is about not only presenting points, but getting the other person…
Read MoreIs it good in a relationship to express our true feelings so we can know each other better?
Question: Your advice is really solid. One thing we’ve decided to do in our relationship is to give each other the freedom to express our true feelings and reaction so we can know each other better. Sometimes things get too bad, and we end up emotionally hurt. But we don’t let it sleep with us.…
Read MoreThe Ten Commandments on How to Get Along with Each Other
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TenCommandmentsOnHowToGetAlong1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Introduction A. No man is an island 1. We cannot exist alone. We are in constant need of contact with other people. 2. In order to get along in this world, we must get along with others. B. As Christians, our main purpose should be to bring more souls to Christ 1. How can we…
Read MorePaul, Barnabas, and Us!
by Greg Gwin We received an email communication from a man named Joe. He is a member of the First Christian Church. He has been using the Internet to search for “people of like-minded faith.” In his letter, Joe explains what he sees as the necessary conditions before he can call someone his “brother.” “If…
Read MoreWhen There Are Problems in the Church
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. One way to learn how to handle various situations that arise in any congregation is to examine similar situations A. Our problem will not be exactly similar, but what was done, how it was done and why it was done can be greatly useful. B. Sometimes we think that the perfect church will…
Read MoreWithout Compromise
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 I. Disagreeing parties are often urged to reach a compromised position. A. After all, Christians are told to live peaceably – Romans 12:18 B. We are to pursue the things that make for peace – Romans 14:19 C. Without such a pursuit of peace, we cannot see God – Hebrews…
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