Standing for the Right

by Zeke Flores It can be intimidating to stand for what’s right. It’s even harder when you stand alone. Isaiah tells us that in his day, God’s true followers were an ever-decreasing minority. Oppression, selfishness, and flagrant sin were everywhere. Few were the ones who stood by the godly principles God provided in His Law.…

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Early Persecution

by Andy Sochor via Unmasking Sophistry, October-December 2022 As the apostles were commissioned to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), this would include preparing these disciples to face persecution for the cause of Christ. Jesus warned about this in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,…

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The Charges Against Paul

by Doy Moyer Paul was charged with four things in Acts 24:4-7 Being a pest (a plague). Stirring up riots. Being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Trying to profane the temple. Paul’s answer to 1 and 2 was that he had not stirred up any crowds in the synagogue or temple and…

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Persecution in Europe

Source: Joy Pullman, “In Case With Global Implications, Finland Puts Christians On Trial For Their Faith,” The Federalist, 23 November 2021. “Rasanen’s alleged crimes in a country that claims to guarantee freedom of speech and religion include tweeting a picture of a Bible verse. Potential penalties if they are convicted include fines and up to two years…

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What Happens When We Are Canceled?

by Greg Chandler If you do not stay up to date on pop-culture slang, you may be unfamiliar with the terms “woke” and “cancel culture.” Though definitions vary, the primary meaning of “woke” involves maintaining social awareness and the primary idea behind “cancel culture” is to silence anyone whose opinions are not considered woke; thus, they are…

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Examining “Human Rights”

by Jefferson David Tant A familiar phrase to Americans is found in our Declaration of Independence, which says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” You will…

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Persecution

Jeff Carter Sentry Magazine, September 2001 In the United States, the church has enjoyed a peaceful existence. Our Federal and State governments allow us to worship freely. However, God does not promise us a carefree, painless life. Very early in his preaching, Jesus promises “Blessed ore those who have been persecuted for the sake of…

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Christians Regardless

by Doy Moyer Christians ought to see themselves as living out the story of Jesus. Since He suffered, we should be willing to suffer. As He gave Himself for others, we ought to be willing to give ourselves for others. As He submitted, so ought we to submit. As He loved, so should we love.…

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TV and Religion

by Floyd Chappelear Stand, October 1993 I would like to add some thoughts concerning the way television networks treat the subject of religion. Numerous surveys have shown that “at best” the media treats religion as if it were an unimportant, insignificant part of people’s lives in spite of the fact that when surveyed the majority…

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Opposition to Teaching Christianity

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In February 2019 Barna Group released the results of a poll which they titled, “Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong.” They divided their survey group into Millennials, GenX, Boomers, and Elders. Almost all surveyed agreed with the statements: “Part of my faith means being a witness about…

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Fashioned Not According to the World

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FashionedNotAccordingTheWorld.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1   I.         At times it isn’t easy to take a stand for the truth and it appears to be getting harder with the passing years.             A.        People are social creatures. We want to think that other people are like us. But when we are forced to see differences,…

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I get teased for being a Christian

Question: Hi there, I have many questions, and I need your help badly. I am the only Christian in my family and in my high school. Others tease me once I mention that I am a Christian in my country. Answer: You’ve come to the right place because I tend to have many answers. “Blessed…

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Is there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution?

Question: Hi Jeff, Is there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution? Thanks. Answer: In English, a trial is any difficult situation, including temptations and persecution. Temptation is when you desire something but realize that to get what you want, you would have to break a law of God. Persecution is when others make life…

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How Did Christianity Survive?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2016Summer6HowDidChristianitySurvive.mp3 by Tommy Peeler God Has a Plan

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The Death of Stephen

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/DeathOfStephen.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 7:51-60   I.         The early church started in Jerusalem, during the Feast of Pentecost when many Jews were visiting from wide-spread nations. Acts 2:9-11 lists some of the representative nations.             A.        The church grew rapidly. Three thousand were added to the church on the first day – Acts 2:41             B.        By…

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Hate Speech

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/HateSpeech.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 5:10-16   I.         One popular trend arising around the world is to criminalize talk that is branded as “hate speech.”             A.        Now we all know that “hate” isn’t good, so these laws passed quickly and easily             B.        But what exactly is “hate speech?” I found definitions, such as:                         1.         Speech that attacks…

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Persecution

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Persecution.mp3 by Austin Hausner

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A Lesson from History

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/LessonFromHistory.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:1-9   I.         The year — A.D. 64             A.        A major fire breaks out in the city of Rome. Coincidently, the fire centered in the poorer sections of the city.             B.        Many suspected Nero of ordering the burning to clear space for improvements and to remove untoward elements. However, Nero…

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In England, Christians Cannot be Foster Parents

Source: Michael Brown, “The Precipitous Decline Of Christian England,” TownHall.com, 22 July 2012 “And then there was the case of Eunice and Owen Johns, a Christian couple in their 60’s who had cared for 15 foster children in the past. Last year, England’s High Court ruled that they could no longer take in children after a gay activist organization…

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All Things Work Together for Good

by Cecil B. Douthitt Gospel Guardian – August 31, 1967 Romans 8:28 contains one of the most precious promises in all the Bible: “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” An accurate understanding and an unwavering faith in this…

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How do you keep doing right when others react badly?

Question: I feel like I need some words of encouragement and counsel on a personal issue. Thank you in advance for taking the time to give me a scriptural response that I can apply to my personal life. May God bless you in your efforts. What I’m trying to do is conform my life to…

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The Preaching of Jeremiah

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/The-Preaching-of-Jeremiah.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 11:32-40   I.         As the southern nation of Judah rapidly slid into degradation, there was one bright moment before the end that came in the reign of Josiah.             A.        It was during his reign that God’s covenant was rediscovered – II Kings 22:8-11             B.        Josiah understood what had happened and where…

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Can you suggest how a new Christian can handle hecklers?

Question: A friend of mine, who is a new believer, was asked a lot of questions regarding his beliefs by a few of our associates. Instead of being sincere questions, it seems to have been more of an attack on him. They asked questions such as “Were you there when the Bible was written? How…

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Did Domitian persecute Christians?

Question: Love your web site. In reading your answer of 10/27/07, regarding things in the book of Revelation, I noticed at the end, you made reference to Nero and Domitian as some that persecuted (distressed) Christians (the church), Nero is found in the Bible and secular history as being quite guilty, but I fail to be…

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Now that I’m changing, people I know are taunting me. What do I do?

Question: I want to tell you something and then ask if you would please comment on the situation. As you know, I have written to you several times asking questions. I also am doing a Bible study online, through a congregation of the Church of Christ. I refer back to many of your answers for…

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Persecution

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         Justice Scalia made headlines a short while ago by attending a “prayer breakfast” and speaking about being a Christian             A.        I doubt Justice Scalia and I would agree about some aspects of what constitutes living a Christian life, but he did make some interesting comments. II.        As Christians, we have had too easy…

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Where does it say that those preaching God’s word would be hated?

Question: I’m looking for a passage: You will be not liked very much if you preach the Christian word. Please give some direction as to where I might find this. Answer: Several passages could fit roughly with what you are looking for: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds…

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When We Are Provoked

by Sam Stinson “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39). The following was posted online some time ago: “An atheist group has unveiled a sign in the Washington state capital next to…

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Strangers and Pilgrims in this World

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Whether Mathletes is his actual name, or he was using a generic name of “disciple” in penning this letter, we don’t know, but this letter, by a Christian living in the early years of the second century (somewhere between 100 and 130 A.D.), contains a wealth of information about what Christianity…

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Come Ye Out from Among Them

by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 27, July 3, 2009. The October 2002 issue of “The Legal Alert” from the Christian Law Association lists nine cases in this country of Christians being opposed or restricted in one way or another in the practice of their faith. I’m sure that the number has risen…

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