Posts Tagged ‘faith’
Lessons from Peter’s Walk on the Water
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/LessonsFromPetersWalkOnTheWater.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 14:22-33 I. The events here immediately follow the miraculous feeding of a great multitude of people (5000 men, plus women and children). A. Jesus sends his disciples in a boat to the other shore while he dismissed the crowd. B. Jesus then climbs a nearby mountain to pray into the…
Read MoreI have a hard time believing in God, but it might be because of my sins
Question: I find it difficult to believe in and trust God, I have heard all of the arguments for His existence, such as the kalam cosmological argument, and others like it, so I believe that there is a real possibility that God exists. Also, I am quite versed in Christian theology and believe that if…
Read MoreI fear Judgment, but I’m not sure God exists
Question: I am not a Christian, but I force myself to believe in God because I fear Judgment. I always shiver and cry because I don’t know if I will go to hell or heaven. My fear is so strong that I became depressed and desperate for a few weeks. My grandfather is Buddhist but…
Read MoreWhat if you were forced into believing in witchcraft?
Question: I know you say about witchcraft, that the only way you’re a victim is if you allow it, but what if you’re forced into it and tortured until you believe in it? What is a person supposed to do then? I have so many dreams of people mentioning programming, satanic rituals, etc. Answer: There is…
Read MoreAdd to Your Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AddToYourFaith.mp3 by Steve Chetelat
Read MoreAfter Twenty-Two Years
by Kent Heaton The story of Joseph is remarkable for many reasons. His visions set him at odds with his brothers who would eventually sell him to a passing band of Midianites (without Reuben’s knowledge). He would be sold on the slavery block to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard where he served honorably until unjustly…
Read MoreBuilding a Lasting Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014Fall4BuildingALastingFaith.mp3 by Mike Waters The Good Life
Read MoreDo belief and confession mean that baptism is unnecessary?
Question: Hi, Thanks for your web site. It has been a God-send to folks like me who are relatively new in our walk with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been trying to find a Bible-believing church to attend, but there are so many false teachings and divisions in the body of Christ today that…
Read MoreMy girlfriend died and I feel like I’m losing my faith
Question: Several months ago my beautiful girlfriend died from a heroin overdose. She and I were so in love and my life revolved around her. We missed each other the moment I would leave for work. We were together for two years and have been through a lot together. I had so much more to…
Read MoreIncorrect Paradigms on Grace: “Works Righteousness” and “Believes in Him”
by Jonathan Perz “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know,…
Read MoreWhen Songs were Greater than Swords
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Short Talk Text: II Chronicles 20:1-29 I. During Jehoshaphat’s reign, Moab, Ammon, and Edom combined to attack Jerusalem A. Jehoshaphat called on God for help B. The answer – II Chronicles 20:15-17 C. They went out without weapons – only songs and praise on their lips – II Chronicles 20:20-23 1. Somehow Ammon and Moab…
Read MoreIs justification through faith? Is a sinner forgiven when he prays?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I was reading your article on the NIV and I found it very informative! I just want to start off by saying thank you I had no idea there were a few discrepancies I needed to be aware of. With regards to this, I had a question. I completely agree with the point…
Read MoreMore Fear than Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring1MoreFearThanFaith.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreSalvation by Grace
by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 12, October, 1952. In Titus 2:11-13 we read: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and…
Read MoreCan a person go to heaven who doesn’t accept God but believes He exists and is good?
Question: Do you think a person who doesn’t accept God but believes He exists can go to heaven if he is a good guy and help others? Answer: You are asking if a person partially obeys God, picking which commands he would like to follow while ignoring the rest of what God said, can he…
Read MoreBecause I doubted, do I need to be baptized again?
Question: I’ve been having quite a lot of problems with doubt and worry lately. The other night I was in quite a doubt-filled, depressed mood, and I think I slipped into a period of not believing in Christ. Whether it was a minute, an hour, or five hours, I do not know for I soon…
Read MoreBelief, Baptism, and Signs Following – Still Today?
by Larry Ray Hafley Here is the text of Mark 16:15-20: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In…
Read MoreThis has not been a good year for me. I need to regain my faith
Question: Please pray with me. This year has not been good for me. I’ve had a terrible fight with my manager. I put her in an awkward place at work. I’ve bad-mouthed her and now at work, I’ve misused the money. I might lose the job. I have a two-year-old baby girl. I’ve started using…
Read MoreIs it a lack of faith if your prayer isn’t answered?
Question: Dear Sir, Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to your website. I have recently started attending a local church of Christ, in part because of the wonderful Scripture-based answers on your website and the freedom and new life promised by following God’s laws rather than man-made directives. My boyfriend attends…
Read MoreI question everything I do, even though there aren’t commands against it because it might not be from faith
Question: Hello again. For a while now I have been struggling with making sure I am doing things in faith as mentioned in Romans 14:23 while not trying to stress myself out and worry about it so much. What is talked about in Ecclesiastes 7:16 seems to be what I am doing. Because I know…
Read MoreIs the efficacy of baptism in our faith in God? Does that mean faith is more important than baptism?
Question: What is meant by Colossians 2:12, “in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead”? Is it teaching the efficacy of our baptism lies in our faith in God? If so then one of the faith only might say that “Faith…
Read MoreGod Cannot Lie
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GodCannotLie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Kings 22:1-28 I. Heathen men molded their concept of their gods into their own image – Romans 1:22-23 A. We can read stories of the Greek gods and in their interaction with men they often lied and cheated to accomplish their goals. 1. The Greeks saw their gods as just…
Read MoreShould I convert to marry my Muslim boyfriend?
Question: I am in my later twenties. I have a problem. I was born a Christian. My boyfriend is a Muslim. we’ve dated for almost 4 years now. We are at the level that we should get married now. My parents don’t like him and they wanted us to break up. And his parents stated…
Read MoreWhy Should I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WhyShouldIBelieveInTheResurrectionOfChrist.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreWhat Is Your Faith?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WhatIsYourFaith.mp3 by PJ Anderson
Read MoreShould faith be based on what we see?
Question: Good day Sir, Someone once told me that her faith has grown more through the things she has witnessed (miraculous healing, prophecies, people delivered from demons, etc.). Can this be true since prophecy has ceased? Further, should faith be based on what we see? If not on what should it be based on? And…
Read MoreDoes it matter what I believe?
Question: We have a problem here that involves the following questions. I sure would appreciate it if you would share your thoughts concerning these when you have time. Does it matter what I believe? Does it matter what I did to be saved? Does it matter what church I attend? Does it matter how I…
Read MoreWhy did Joseph want his bones dug up and buried in the Promised Land?
Question: Why did Joseph want his bones dug up and buried in the Promised Land? Answer: Joseph prophesied that Israel would not remain in Egypt. To demonstrate his confidence in God’s promise, Joseph insisted that when they left, they would take his bones and bury them in Canaan — a land they would not possess…
Read MoreOn Faith
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/OnFaith.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreThe Redemption in Christ: An Examination of Romans 3:19-5:21
by Sean P. Cavender Paul indicted all people, both Jew and Gentile, as guilty of sin before God (Romans 3:19). It is due to man’s ungodliness that the wrath of God is revealed, and He will judge all sin as worthy of death (Romans 1:18,32). The reality of sin is frightening and condemning. What is…
Read MoreFaith and Works
by Keith Sharp The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is fundamental to Protestant theology. The old Methodist Discipline stated, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” The Standard Baptist Manual, by Edward T. Hiscox teaches, “… the great gospel blessing which Christ secures…
Read MoreHow can I get faith?
Question: I really need some advice. You see, I’ve tried to follow the path of Christ so many times I don’t even think I can count. I have never been baptized, but I want to. I’m just scared “what if I get baptized and I backslide?” I want to follow the path, but I just…
Read MoreShould it be “faith” or “the faith” in Ephesians 2:8 and Colossians 2:12?
Question: Greetings brother Hamilton, I am perplexed as to what the later part of Colossians 2:12 means, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye have risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Does this part of the scripture mean our subjective faith in…
Read MoreHow can I know that what I am believing is the truth?
Question: Just last night I heard someone say that Lucifer was a human king and not Satan. I had thought that they were one and the same and now I am quite confused and discouraged because so many people view the Bible differently. How can I know that what I am believing is the truth?…
Read MoreCan a Christian believe in God and not believe in prayer?
Question: Can a Christian believe in God but not believe in prayer? I’m a member of the church but I don’t believe in prayer? How do I overcome that? Answer: Let’s work backward. You say you don’t believe in prayer, yet the Bible says that Jesus taught, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that…
Read MoreHow can I be 100% sure?
Question: I am starting to build more faith but I am still not 100% sure that God exists. I go to church and everything and I feel terrible to admit this. How can I be 100% sure? Are you 100% sure? Will I ever get there? I’m just scared that I never will be able…
Read MoreDo you have to believe in Jesus to be saved from your sins?
Question: Do you have to believe in Jesus to be saved from your sins? I mean, what if you were really trying to love your neighbor and do your best but you just kept looking at Christianity (very open-mindedly) and just kept thinking it must not be true? Could an all fair, all-loving God really…
Read MoreHow can I strengthen my faith?
Question: My faith is really low, and I feel empty. I pray as often as I can but I haven’t been going to church for quite some time, but I’m going to start going this coming Sunday. My questions are: How do I strengthen my faith and form a strong relationship with God? I have…
Read MoreI am no longer committing sexual sins, but should I get myself checked or just trust God to answer my prayers?
Question: I was one of those Christians that if you were to ask me if I died today would I go to heaven, I would say yes. But I was still in fornication, drinking, etc. And I would of went to hell thinking I was living right. I’ve let go of all of that and…
Read MoreWhy is apeitheo in John 3:36 translated “not obey” in some versions and “not believe” in others?
Question: Something interesting that I came across last week in studying: John 3:36 is a commonly quoted scripture. The KJV, NKJV, and Youngs roughly say: “He who believes (pisteuo) in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe (apeitheo) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on…
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