Posts Tagged ‘God’
Why Is Your God the One?
by Terry Wane Benton Many gods have been claimed and worshipped all over the world. Why is your God the One? Isaiah gives good reasons to dismiss all the gods invented by human desire and imagination and settle on one true and living God. Take a look at Isaiah’s God: Isaiah said there is none…
Read MoreEternal Existence
by James Sanders via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 4, December 31, 1990 The Words of John 1:1 Nothing shatters—nothing startles like the sound of thunder. Its voice is unmistakable. And nothing seizes our attention like thunder. Whatever we may be doing when the crash of thunder interrupts, we stop immediately and listen. Thunder cannot be…
Read MoreJesus Is God
Jesus Is GodJesus Is God – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:11-14 I. The religious world holds diverse views in regards to Jesus A. Is he a man or God? Or is it possible for him to be both? B. Oneness Pentecostals argue that there is only one God, and his name is Jesus.…
Read MoreThe Wrath of God
by Terry Wane Benton God showed His wrath (Romans 1:18) against sin and unrighteousness by destroying the earth with a flood (Genesis 6-9). The markings of that flood are still around to remind us of the wrath of God. Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up with fire and brimstone to remind us of the wrath…
Read MoreGrieving God
by David Gibson How must God feel when He freely offers His great salvation, purchased at such dreadful cost, but the vast majority are not interested, too busy doing their own thing to care? A Recurring Theme “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your…
Read MoreGod HAS Spoken
by Terry Wane Benton “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His…
Read MoreIs God a Narcissist?
by Richard Blackford I participate periodically in discussions on a website that atheists run. The accusation has been made frequently that God is a narcissist. He is depicted as a self-centered tyrant absorbed in himself who wants everyone groveling at His feet and needs constant attention. I believe this is a misunderstanding. Some fail to…
Read MoreDid the patriarchs know God by the name of YHWH?
Question: Did the patriarchs know the proper name of God as “YHWH”? Or did He reveal Himself only to Moses and the Israelites? Answer: The name YHWH first appears in Genesis 2:4, so the name YHWH has been known since creation. Abram called on the name of the LORD (YHWH). “The LORD appeared to Abram…
Read MoreIs Jesus Equal to or Lesser than the Father?
by William J. Stewart Question: In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, Jesus’ words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said,…
Read MoreDoes God make some lose faith?
Question: Hello there! How are you? Does Romans 11:19 mean that God makes some lose faith or be blinded so that others gain faith? Doesn’t that contradict His desire to save all? Why cannot both believe? Thanks. Answer: “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted…
Read MoreGod Seems so Mean!
by Zeke Flores One of the objections many have against God is that He seems so … mean. Indeed, throughout a reading of the major prophets, God has consistently warned about the catastrophic devastation He would bring not only upon His own people but also upon pagan nations. Again and again, He denounced their behavior,…
Read MoreThe Power of Adjectives
by Terry Wane Benton One of my favorite verses on prayer is Ephesians 3:20. Notice the adjectives used. Taking out the adjectives, Paul said, “God is able to do…all we ask or think.” Putting in the adjectives one at a time: God is able to do above all we ask or think. Then, “God is…
Read MoreAccusing God of Murder
by John N. Clayton Skeptics in the media constantly attack the Bible and the biblical concept of God. Writers in The New Yorker, The New Republic, and The Atlantic write as if they were authorities on the Bible while accusing God of murder and condemning Him as being immoral. Taking a Bible passage out of…
Read MoreSin and God’s Glory
by Doy Moyer The problem of sin is sometimes difficult to assess because of our perspective. We see what we consider a “small” sin and then react strongly when the punishment does not seem to fit the crime. Because we tend to minimize the sin, we may under-appreciate the consequences. Some will then think badly…
Read MoreGod’s Remedy for Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gods-Remedy-for-Sin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 58:1-11 I. In our Scripture reading, God has Isaiah loudly proclaim the sins of His people. A. A fact that surprises the Israelites. 1. They delight in knowing God. They consider themselves righteous and followers of God’s Word. 2. They delight in the nearest of God, but God doesn’t…
Read MoreIs God All Loving?
Question: Is God all loving? This might be a strange question for a new Christian, but this is legitimately important. The reason I questioned this is because of God saying that these people are abominations, mainly (Leviticus 18:22) and (Deuteronomy 22:5). But as I wrote this, I realized the potential that maybe it was up…
Read MoreI was ready to fight at first, but by the end, I agreed
Question: I just wanted to express my appreciation for your response to this question: Why doesn’t God prevent innocent children from being harmed? I’ll admit, I was ready to fight at first, but by the end of the entire response, I felt that you detailed and answered all of my grievances that not only that person…
Read MoreThe God of Happiness
by Chadwick Brewer “‘Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke’… so I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded” (Ezekiel 24:16,18). It has become common…
Read MoreWhy does the Bible talk of other gods?
Question: Good evening! I have been wondering about certain things in the Bible, specifically the “Divine Council.” There are many different verses I can use, but I want to focus on three: The first being Psalm 82:1: “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.” I generally don’t accept that…
Read MoreThe Rock of Israel
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Rock-of-Israel.mp3 Download Audio by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Wrath of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Wrath-of-God.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 10:26-31 I. Romans 1:18 warn of the wrath of God being revealed. How is His wrath revealed? II. God directly takes action A. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in His wrath – Deuteronomy 29:23 B. When people grumbled against Moses, God sent a plague – Numbers 16:42-46 III. God allows…
Read MoreJesus, the Perfect Image of God
by Doy Moyer God made human beings, male and female, in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). There are many thoughts about what that entails. We might think about our spiritual nature, moral nature, free will, the ability to reason, and the capacity to love. We can continue, but human beings have several contact points…
Read MoreJesus is the “I AM”
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-Is-The-I-AM.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Many religions cast doubts on the deity of Jesus A. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is the first creation of God. B. Muslims see Jesus as nothing more than a significant prophet, much like Moses. C. Probably the best analysis of who is Jesus is found in the book of John. II. The evidence…
Read MoreGod’s Glory in Concealed Things
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Gods-Glory-in-Concealed-Things.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 97 I. When men wish for the glory of other men, they highlight the things that they do A. When we want a promotion or a pay raise, we present to our bosses lists of how we benefitted the company. We make sure the boss notices the good things…
Read MoreAccepting God’s Work
by Doy Moyer God doesn’t need our defense (as though He needed anything (Acts 17:25)). When we accept God in total — that, for example, He is all-knowing, all-wise, all-understanding, all-powerful, all-loving, all-just, all-gracious, all-righteous, all-good, owner of life and death, etc. — then we won’t feel like He owes us explanations for everything He…
Read MoreUnapproachable Light
by Chadwick Brewer “Who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (I Timothy 6:16). Millions of people will stop their daily lives to go and stare at the spectacle of an eclipse. Yet, they will do this…
Read MoreTwo Reasons to Follow Jesus
Text: Hebrews 1-2 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Two-Reasons-to-Follow-Jesus.mp3 by Don Bunting One (or Two) Chapter Lessons
Read MoreCan We Know God?
by Terry Wane Benton We must “believe that He is” (Hebrews 11:6) and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, but knowing He exists and knowing Him are still two different things. I can know you exist without knowing you. The second is deeper in significance than the former. Knowing you exist is a…
Read MoreIs not taking God’s name in vain just about swearing?
Question: I also would like to ask if you think this commandment refers only to oaths or if it may refer to saying the name of God without purpose, like “God willing…” without God in mind. Thanks in advance! God bless your work. Answer: This particular commandment is focused on men treating God with honor…
Read MoreGod Does the Seemingly Impossible
by Zeke Flores God seems to delight in doing the impossible. Aside from the glorious power of creation itself, He has done the unimaginable again and again. From an old man and an old woman, he brought forth a son who would be the child of promise for a nation. Centuries later that nation would…
Read MoreReminder of Sinai
by Terry Wane Benton When John saw the vision of Revelation, there seems to be a reflection that reminds us of Sinai. “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5). We recall thundering, lightning, and voices…
Read MoreThere’s a Rainbow
by Terry Wane Benton “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald” (Revelation 4:3). He who sat on the throne “was like” jasper and a sardius stone in appearance. How was He like that? We…
Read MoreGod Conscious
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/God-Conscious.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 139 I. A truly godly man lives with a constant realization of God’s divine presence A. He is God conscious B. When he awakes in the morning, there is God. C. As he dresses for work, there is God. D. As he goes in to breakfast with his family, as he drives…
Read MoreOur Immutable God
by Louis Cook Know God Series Immutable: “unchanging in His being, purpose, perfection, and promises.” “For I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6). If He changed even in the slightest, He would not be self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, and He would not be God. He does not grow old or tired, get weaker or grow…
Read MoreThree Gods or One God in Three Persons?
by Dudley Ross Spears via Unmasking Sophistry, Jan-Mar 2024, vol. 4, no. 1 Originally published in Gospel Truths, Vol. IV, Number 6, June 1993, pp.13-14 The Bible teaches there is only one God. “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother,…
Read MoreBefore Jesus Was Born
by Doy Moyer The Gospels of Matthew and Luke both speak to various details concerning the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Mark says nothing about these details but rather jumps right into the work of John and then immediately to the baptism, temptations, and beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The Gospel of John…
Read MoreGod’s Existence Doesn’t Depend on Me
by Perry Hall In Megan Rappinoe’s last game, she injured herself by tearing her Achilles tendon. She is the women’s soccer team captain and outspoken advocate for LGBTQT+. She immediately said afterward, “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a god, like, this is proof that there isn’t”. Let’s examine her…
Read MoreDid God purposely make the rulers unable to understand?
Question: Praise the Lord. In I Corinthians 2: 7-8, it says, “No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Lord…
Read MoreThe Acts 17 Approach to God
by Doy Moyer Acts 17 provides a framework for some basic understanding of God. Think especially about the phrase in verse 25: “as though He needed anything.” In that phrase is found the essence of who God is. God needs nothing more to be complete or to function with the highest possible reason and power.…
Read MoreHoly Is His Name
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Holy-Is-His-Name.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 99 I. Near the end of his life Joshua told the people of Israel – Joshua 24:14-24 A. After their declaration to serve God, it seems strange for Joshua to tell them that they are unable to serve because He is holy. B. What is it about holiness that makes God…
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