The Memory of the Righteous

by Matthew W. Bassford Proverbs 10:7 reads, “The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.” It neatly sums up what is left of my earthly aspirations. My life is so reduced that the usual distractions don’t matter much to me anymore, but my reputation has become even more…

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Going Before and Following After

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Going-Before-and-Following-After.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 5:21-25   I.         The phrase “lay hands upon” in I Timothy 5:22 deals giving your blessing to another person             A.        Such as when Jacob blessed his grandchildren – Genesis 48:14             B.        Such as when someone is appointed to a duty – Acts 6:6; 13:2-3             C.        It can also be a sign…

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Dead Flies

by Matthew W. Bassford Ecclesiastes was my father’s favorite book of the Old Testament, and his favorite verse in Ecclesiastes was 10:1. At least, I think it was his favorite verse. It certainly was the one that he quoted most to my teenage self. To this day, I have no trouble summoning up, “Dead flies…

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How to Ruin Your Influence

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-to-Ruin-Your-Influence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 14:34-35   I.         Your reputation, your ability to influence others is valuable             A.        Ecclesiastes 7:1 – Better than expensive perfume             B.        Proverbs 22:1 – Better than great wealth             C.        Christians are expected to influence the world – Matthew 5:13-16             D.        But if we ruin our ability to influence others, what good are we?…

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Seeking to Ruin a Reputation

by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 1999 He had seen Jesus after the resurrection (Acts 9). He had been left dead and had seen things on the other side that it was not lawful to speak about (see Acts 14:19; II Corinthians 12:4). The man was powerful, influential beyond measure. His influence must be destroyed.…

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We “Have a Name”

by Robert Turner Concerning the church at Sardis, the Lord said, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). Now think, where did they get that “name”? “Name” is here used in the sense of reputation the popular opinion. But the smallness and insignificance of the…

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Good Credit

by Zeke Flores When I was a much younger man, I wrecked my credit. I made foolish decisions, borrowed more than I should have, and made late payments. Soon, the only ones who would lend me money were the high-rate lenders and even they were wary. It took years to restore my financial good name…

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Men of Honor

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MenOfHonor.mp3 Text: Philippians 2:14-18   I.         It was not long ago that people admired men of integrity. People whom you could count on to act honestly, even if it was to their disadvantage.             A.        In 1999, a prisoner escaped and the papers were tracking his movements through the state. He had robbed people, killed policemen, and still…

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Labeled for Christ

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/LabeledForChrist.mp3 by Alan Feaster What are you labeled as? A label declares who a person is. Jesus was labeled, quite a few names (Revelation 19:13) “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:16) “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 1:5, 8) “faithful witness” “the firstborn of the dead” “I am the Alpha and the Omega”…

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Should my girlfriend share an apartment with an unmarried guy?

Question: My girlfriend and I are in a sticky situation and I would like some godly advice on this matter. We are currently in a long-distance relationship because of our education and live a few hours apart. She lives in an apartment with a roommate of hers. Her roommate can no longer afford to pay…

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We’re living together without sex, so why are brethren saying it is wrong?

Question: Hello, My fiancé and I are planning to marry in June 2014. Until that time, we have made the decision to share a home and other resources with each other. She recently moved from another country and, as young people, we do not make enough money individually to be in comfortable financial situations. Furthermore,…

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A Good Testimony

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/GoodTestimony.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: III John   I.          The book of III John is not very long, but it teaches us many things concerning our example.              A.         There is the bad example of Diotrephes, but there is the excellent example of Demetrius – III John 11-12              B.         People spoke well of him, but John mentions that…

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Do You Know What Is Following You?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DoYouKnowWhatIsFollowingYou.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 5:24-25   I.         I guess my wife and I are reaching another milestone in life. People we’ve known, who are our age, are beginning to pass away.             A.        It might sound sad, but it really isn’t. I was thinking about the passing of someone recently. He had a few…

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I ruined my reputation, and now I can’t move past it. What am I to do?

Question: Six years ago I ruined my reputation and many burned bridges; irreparable damage.  To this day I haven’t forgiven myself and neither have those who I’ve offended and hurt.  No one will accept my apology; no one.  The gossip has gotten so bad, that I’ve relocated several times in order to start fresh and…

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A Good Name

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/GoodName.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 14:3-9 I.         During Memorial Day, this country sets aside time to remember those who have died before us.             A.        How do people remember those who have left this life? (Actual tombstones)                         1.         Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, Lies stingy Jimmy Wyatt. Who died one morning just at ten And…

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Why can’t one teach someone of the opposite gender?

Question: Where did the thought process of men teaching men and women teaching women come into play? Did Jesus ever discern a difference? Shouldn’t the need be met regardless of the person’s gender? I have never understood it when other Christians tell others that they shouldn’t study with someone of the opposite sex (understand you…

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Consistency and Character

by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1951. Reputation and Character Character is what we are. It is the sum total of qualities that distinguish one person from another. Reputation is what is said about us — that which others think we are. Character and reputation are sometimes the same: perhaps…

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Do you have more verses on the importance of being respectable?

Question: Are there verses that address the issue of what we look like in other people’s eyes? How it’s important to be respectable? Something like Titus 2:6-8, but I’m looking for more verses like this. I’m trying to teach someone why it is needful to have good conduct even if what we are doing is…

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Do I have to make restitution?

Question: Is it a sin if you don’t pay back what you’ve stolen? Like I used to copy movies and, well, that’s stealing, but I don’t feel like paying back what I copied. Isn’t that why Jesus dies for our sins? Answer: Repentance from sin means making a complete turn around in your attitude and…

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