Posts Tagged ‘responsibility’
Audits
by Mark A. Turner In the program I am in, the agency decided to audit us. More than half a dozen to a dozen or more decided to retire. I remembered that over this past week. When people are audited and retire immediately, it’s interesting. I was the alternate representative in my district. My district representative…
Read MoreHow much do our genes influence our behavior?
Question: I have a question that has baffled me. How much of our behavior is genetic, and how do we understand this in light of free will? My family has a history of adultery, alcoholism, and abuse on both sides. I was told by someone that genetics may explain this. How do we understand this?…
Read MoreMedia Morality: Who Is Responsible?
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 11, November 30, 1983 Dorothy Gilliam is a liberal, feminist, syndicated columnist. Like so many of her calling, she has done much to break down the barriers of decency. In the name of “liberation,” she decried the morality that helped make this country great. Now, when it…
Read MoreWork Out Your Own Salvation
by Terry Wane Benton Paul encouraged the brethren at Philippi to continue obeying as they had in the past to work out their own salvation (Philippians 2:12). This did not mean that they were to work it out on their own, earning or meriting their way to heaven without provisions of grace from the Lord.…
Read MoreReclaiming Purpose: Young Men, Tradition, and the Gospel’s Answer to Modern Chaos
by Gregory Alan Tidwell The coffee shop was packed for a Tuesday night—young people with laptops open, headphones in, and half-finished lattes going cold. Over by the window, three young men sat hunched around a tattered book, voices low but intense. If you walked past, you might think it was a college group cramming for…
Read MoreOwn It
by Wilson Adams Jesus’ brother writes, “Each person is tempted when ____ …” (James 2:14). Fill in the blank of people, circumstances, and culture you can blame. “Hey, it’s not really my fault!” Well, James says it is. Keep reading. “Each person is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust…
Read MoreHis Blood Be Upon Us
by Jefferson David Tant The expression in the title came from Matthew 27:25 during the trial of Jesus, as Governor Pilate was in a sense “between a rock and a hard place.” He seemed to realize that Jesus had committed no crime, and his wife had cautioned him against doing anything against Christ. Pilate’s wife…
Read MoreHow can God judge sin upon later generations?
Question: Good day, There are a few occasions in Scripture where God pronounces judgment on later generations (for example, I Kings 21:29). How do we explain this if sin is not judged upon another? Thanks. Answer: When Israel was sent off into captivity, the captives told themselves that they were there because of their ancestor’s…
Read MoreTurning Forgiveness Around
by Greg Gwin We hear it frequently in the news these days. It has been a common defense in some high-profile criminal cases. The basic argument is that people can be excused for committing even hideous crimes if they can demonstrate that something awful happened in their past. Unfortunately, this approach has proven successful in…
Read MoreRight Message, Wrong Audience
by Matthew W. Bassford At first glance, the narrative of Exodus 2:11-14 appears to be one of impulsiveness and immaturity. Moses, a 40-year-old resident of Pharaoh’s household, decided to visit his Hebrew kinfolk. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, strikes the tormentor dead, and hides the body. The next day, he tries to break…
Read MoreFreedom in Christ
Freedom in Christ (Part 1)Freedom in Christ (Part 2) by Garry Floyd
Read MoreMan Up
by Doy Moyer I’d like to talk again with the men here. Men blaming women for their own sins is as old as Adam and Eve. Literally. You remember what Adam did when confronted by the Lord: “the woman you gave me…” It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. That blame game gets…
Read MoreAm I lost because I passed up an opportunity to teach?
Question: Since being baptized, I have been interested and active in soul winning. I taught Bible classes for children, worked with VBS, worked with a bus ministry, showed the Jule Miller Film Strips, and sent out Bible correspondence course lessons. I attend worship and Bible study three times a week. When my husband was in…
Read MoreShould I stay with my husband or my children?
Question: Good morning brother Hamilton I don’t want to say I am a fan, but I learned a lot from the lessons, sermons, and questions and answers on the La Vista Church of Christ website, and I am still learning. Glory to God for such initiative. I am grateful for having such a platform where,…
Read MoreHow 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?…
Read MoreWhat If the Lord’s Church Was up to You?
by Terry Wane Benton What if a local church of Christ in your area was totally up to you? What if the Lord was counting on you to make sure there is a sound, biblical and encouraging church that existed and continued to hold up the truth of the gospel? If it weakens or dies,…
Read MoreWhen I Grow Up
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/When-I-Grow-Up.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:19-38 I. Have you noticed how the world sets up different standards for children and adults? A. You can’t smoke until you’re a certain age B. You can’t drink until you have reached 21 C. In some ways it makes sense, we want to protect our children while they are young…
Read MoreI want to move out but I’m scared to tell my parents
Question: My parents are Christians and refuse to accept that drinking is wrong. I live with them and I want to leave because of this, but I’m terrified to tell them. I’m more than old enough, but they’re my parents and I’m afraid they’ll make me lose my nerve and I’ll stay. I’m sick to…
Read MoreWhat about people who play the victim card?
Question: Hi, I was wondering what the Bible has to say about those who play the victim card to deceive people. Answer: All lying is wrong, regardless of the motivation behind the lies (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8). Thus, to do something with the intent of deceiving people is sinful. There are various reasons people play…
Read MoreDoes my parents’ adultery affect me?
Question: Hello, I am a faithful Christian and try to the best of my ability to follow the teachings of Christ. But unfortunately, my parents are atheists, and they had me while committing the sin of adultery. Does their sin have any repercussions on me, and if yes, what should I do? Answer: When Israel…
Read MoreAm I to Blame for a Wayward Child?
by W. Frank Walton Introduction One of the most heartbreaking parts of life is for a parent to lose a child to the world (II Samuel 18:33). Guilt probes the sensitive conscience of a loving parent, “Am I to blame?” The Bible clearly teaches a balance of parental duty to influence a child (Proverbs 23:26),…
Read MoreWhy is sin still our fault?
Question: Hello, I have something to ask that’s been a big question for me. I don’t understand things the way I ought to. All have sinned. Can you help me reconcile the fact that it’s impossible to never sin, but sin is still our fault? I know factually that God is not to blame, but…
Read MoreI got a girl pregnant twice and now I have no life
Question: I impregnated a girl over ten years ago. I told her that I couldn’t marry her. I went to university and tried to assist her to develop academically too, but all effort was abortive. I was taking care of the baby and paying all the bills. After some time, she has another baby with…
Read MoreWe Must Accept the Consequences of Our Actions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WeMustAcceptTheConsequencesOfOurActions.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MorePresumptions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Presumptions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 19:7-14 I. Parents of teenagers are often exasperated trying to buy clothing for their children A. You find a great bargain and you just know your child will like it – up until they see it and they say “Yuck!” B. I remember not liking many of the things my…
Read MoreThose Who Will Give an Account
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Most recognize the quote from Hebrews 13:17 as referring to the…
Read MoreMy nephew spends everything he makes and is always begging for money to pay bills. What do I do?
Question: I read your article on giving. Someone asked and you gave a lot of discussion around widows and orphans and want versus need. I have family members who look for ways not to work but continually seek help from us. My nephew and his wife do not go to church. My nephew was raised in…
Read MoreWho Is Accountable?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WhoIsAccountable.mp3 by Andrew Long
Read MoreIf I Have to Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IfIHaveToSin.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreMy husband has become an addict. My father-in-law, who is an elder, says I have to make him stop. How can I?
Question: I have a big problem that I do not know how to sort out. My husband and I were engaged for three years and now have been married for two years. I was a new convert to the church when I married him. He had several qualities that I deeply respected and admired. He…
Read MoreWill parents be held accountable for the video games their children play?
Question: Will parents be held accountable for the video games their children play? What if one is a step-parent? Answer: Whether a child genetically comes from you or not, the fact that you have taken on the role of a parent means you are responsible for the raising of the child into an adult. That…
Read MoreDoes God hold us responsible when we pay taxes to a government that uses the money for sinful purposes, such as funding abortions?
Question: I live in a State where Medicare covers abortions. Since our taxes pay for Medicare, will God hold us responsible for this? We are told in the Bible to pay taxes, but as citizens, we don’t have control over how the money is spent. Thank you for your reply. Answer: “Let every soul be…
Read MoreHow do you avoid an abortion and when an abortion takes place, who is guilty of the murder?
Question: Good afternoon, I am a member of the Lord’s church. I read one of your articles on abortion and taught our brethren over here. It raised a lot of questions. My questions are: Since abortion is a sin, a sister who is pregnant but doesn’t want to abort her child and at the same time she…
Read MoreIs a person responsible for the lies an aunt may have made when she was three?
Question: Hi, A person immigrated to this country over thirty years ago as a child (age 3). The aunt of the person might have told immigration that the child was her natural child instead of revealing that the child had been adopted. Is the child responsible to God for this matter or is it just…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that everyone has to give an account to God?
Question: What does it mean that everyone has to give an account to God (Christ)? Answer: See: What Will Happen on Judgment Day? “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I…
Read MoreParenting Grade-School Children — Responsibility Training
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ParentingGradeSchoolChildrenResponsibilityTraining.mp3 by Jeffrey W Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:25-36 I. How quickly our children grow A. The years between five and nine seem to quickly fly by B. The children enter school. C. Relationships with people outside family develops 1. Teachers 2. Friends – usually strongly attached to same sex D. Sibling rivalry common especially with those of the opposite sex E. Growth…
Read MoreAm I responsible for my boyfriend turning from Christ?
Question: When I was about 17, I moved congregations with my family, and shortly thereafter their gospel meeting was upcoming. During that week a boy was invited and a few weeks later he obeyed the gospel. Honestly, over time I knew he was trouble, but I guess I just ignored it– but then about a…
Read MoreKidnapper Upset Being Seen as a Bad Guy
Source: The New York Times, “Iran bankrolling its own version of ‘Argo’,” Omaha World-Herald, 12 January 2013. The film Argo is “about the CIA’s extraction of six American diplomats from revolutionary Tehran.” Not surprisingly, the Iranian government doesn’t like the movie. “‘Argo’ was condemned by Iranian officials as anti-Iranian.” Imagine that! More amusing, however, was…
Read MoreEver since I committed adultery and lost my marriage, it seems like I’ve been stuck
Question: I am in my late forties. I had cheated on my ex-wife, she asked me for a divorce, and I gave it to her. I regret what I’ve done, since then nothing has gone good for me. I’ve repented and asked God for forgiveness. I have had so many jobs and can’t find a…
Read MoreAm I My Brother’s Keeper?
by Steven Harper You may be familiar with the story in which the title for today’s article was spoken, and probably just as familiar with its popular usage today. In the Bible story, Cain had killed his brother Abel and God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” (Genesis 4:9). Cain’s reply was this familiar statement and question: “I…
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