Posts Tagged ‘righteousness’
The Direction of This Country
by Andy Diestelkamp “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other” [John Adams, October 11, 1798]. Are you concerned about the direction of this country? Then, be concerned about the direction of your family. Too many patriots are more concerned about their…
Read MoreRighteousness, Peace, and Joy in Jesus’ Kingdom
by Terry Wane Benton “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The kingdom should feature an emphasis on righteousness. Living by righteous standards is what the kingdom is about. Dietary laws of the Old Testament had illustration value in foreshadowing…
Read MorePrepared to Be Holy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Prepared-to-Be-Holy.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreOn Being Spiritually Minded
by Jefferson David Tant “The need of Gods’ people has ever been, for spiritual power. The emphasis and tendency too often is, and has been, toward power that comes with prestige, numbers, money t h e power of weight. The Bible emphasis is on power of a spiritual nature, operation through the inward man.” (Homer…
Read MoreThe Sin of Self-Righteousness
by Steven Harper Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of the first century, often because they had a too-high view of themselves. When He was at the house of Simon [a Pharisee], a woman who was known to be a sinner came in and began to wash His feet with her tears, wiping them dry with…
Read MoreHope for the Future
by Andy Sochor Throughout the book of Proverbs, a contrast is made between wisdom and foolishness. Since the wisdom described in the book comes from above, those who follow this and live according to its precepts will be righteous. Conversely, those who reject the way of wisdom will inevitably find themselves engaged in wickedness. Despite…
Read MoreExpecting the Impossible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Expecting-the-Impossible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 19:16-26 I. With God, all things are possible – Matthew 19:26 A. Even the saving of a wealthy man, if he desired to be saved. B. Yet, we must understand that some things are impossible for even God 1. It is impossible for God to lie – Hebrews 6:17-18 2. He cannot…
Read MoreFocus on Your Goal
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Focus-on-Your-Goal.mp3 Text: Colossians 3:1-4 I. In the fantasy, Alice in Wonderland, Alice came to a junction that led in different directions. The Cheshire Cat was nearby, so Alice asked for advice. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat said, “That depends a good deal on where you…
Read MoreFruitful Christians
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fruitful-Christians.mp3 by Jeffery W. Hamilton Text John 15:1-8 I. We know that Jesus’ words in John 15 concerning the vine and branches are dealing with individual Christians and not denominations. A. Jesus is the vine, each one of us are branches off that vine, and God is the vinedresser. B. But don’t get so caught up in…
Read MoreCharacteristics of the Spiritually Minded
by Jefferson David Tant Do you know anyone who is spiritually minded? This is someone who is more than being merely religious … more than having been baptized … more than attending services regularly … more than giving liberally. A person may do all of this and still not be spiritually minded, for Paul wrote…
Read MoreExtremes
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Extremes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 7:11-22 I. In March, 2000, Mona Charen wrote an article that appeared in the Omaha World Herald under the title “Nation With No Sin” A. In it she made the point that while the nation for the most part believes in God and believes religion is important, at the…
Read MoreYou Must Rule Over It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/You-Must-Rule-Over-It.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I. Ask a person why they gave into a particular sin and the most common rely is: “I don’t know. I couldn’t help myself.” A. Losing control in the face of temptation has been around since the beginning. 1. God even warned Cain that he had to master his…
Read MoreThe Path of the Righteous
by Matthew W. Bassford “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). Look with me at Proverbs 4:18-19. These are two short verses, but…
Read MoreWhat My Parents Taught Me
by Jefferson David Tant Vanguard Magazine, November 1982 All parents teach their children — consciously, subconsciously, positively, negatively, by example, by word. Children are even taught to be what their parents fail to teach. In our generation, many parents have abdicated their teaching roles to TV, schools, their children’s peers, and other influences. I am…
Read MoreWalking in the Light
by Perry Hall What does walking in the light mean? On one side proponents claim walking in darkness happens when the Christian commits even one sin; “sin is darkness, after all.” The opposing side counters, walking in light describes a life-style, not each punctiliar action – “its a walk, not one step.” Contextually, “walking in light”…
Read MoreThe Weapon of Fear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Weapon-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 49 I. Have you ever wondered why cowardice is the first sin list in Revelation 21:8? A. Being afraid is such a common thing that it seems it would be a minor concern B. But a major weapon in Satan’s arsenal is fear II. Fear of the wrong thing can lead…
Read MoreThoughts About True Freedom
by R.L. Whiteside (1869-1951) “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). People who long for freedom usually know little of what it is nor do…
Read MoreWhy do some people think Christianity is a problem?
Question: Why do people think that the concept of religion and God is a problem? I understand that many evil examples by apparently religious persons have turned people away. Still, I don’t fully understand why they think it’s something that needs to be eliminated. Answer: “He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he…
Read MoreDoes righteousness mean giving?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, I hope you have time to answer. I was speaking with a Pentecostal fellow who tried to redefine righteousness as sadaca (giving) from the Old Testament. I knew this was wrong but didn’t have a great answer. I thought about Romans 1:16-17, the passage he was trying to redefine. Is the passage…
Read MoreBasically Good
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Good-Basically.mp3 by Garry Floyd I used Ecclesiastes 7:29 to make the point that mankind is not basically good. The “Basically Good” title denotes the idea that mankind’s standard of good, outside of God’s standard, makes it not good, not even ‘basically good’ as most people think they are. My concern is that my fellow brothers…
Read MorePerceptions of God’s Word
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Perceptions-of-Gods-Word.mp3 Text: Malachi 3:16-4:3 I. The prophet Malachi declared there would be a distinction between the wicked and righteous A. The rising day would burn the wicked like chaff, but serve as healing balm for the righteous. B. The same event produces two dramatically different results. C. The result did not depend on the event but on the…
Read MoreSpiritual Collateral Damage and Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spiritual-Collateral-Damage-and-Blessings.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Spiritual Collateral Damage Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.” Collateral Damage – Is a general term for deaths, injuries, or other damage on an unintended target. I. Those Closest To You Get Hurt First By Spiritual Collateral Damage Exodus 20:5 you shall…
Read MoreIf you work to become more righteous, is it true you are not accepting God’s righteousness?
Question: Mr. Jeff, A friend posted this on Facebook. I’ve read it over and over, and I just can’t grasp what is being said. I’m always skeptical when a writer only quotes one Bible verse when he has so much to say. Sounds to me like a false doctrine or some of it does anyway.…
Read MoreDoes the Nice Guy Always Finish Last?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DoesTheNiceGuyAlwaysFinishLast.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text Psalm 37 I. I’m sure you have heard the statement before, it is well ingrained in our society’s thinking: “Nice guys finish last.” A. Its more modern than you might realize. A baseball player and manager, Leo Durocher, is the one who said it. 1. He also said, “Winning requires toughness,…
Read MoreIs life only enjoyable for the righteous when they reach heaven?
Question: Hi Jeff, I read in the Scriptures of all the good things, promises, happiness, peace, comfort and more that the righteous are told they will enjoy, but when you consider their life, it is mostly filled with misery. So I ask, is it only in heaven that they will enjoy these things? Thanks. Answer:…
Read MoreHow could Cornelius be righteous if all of man’s righteousness are filthy rags before God?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, I’m having trouble in my understanding on a matter. In the book of Isaiah it seems to insinuate that a man’s righteousness is filthy rags before God, and Isaiah, a righteous prophet, felt unclean in the sight of Holy Yahweh; yet, the Bible also states we can please God with our…
Read MoreOn the Relationship between Good and Evil
by Doy Moyer Evil implies good, but good does not necessarily imply evil. Some have the mistaken notion that good and evil must be necessary counterparts. That is, if there is good, then there must be evil. Some worldviews are founded on this principle, but it is not so. Good does not in itself imply…
Read MoreReligious But Not Righteous
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ReligiousButNotRighteous.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreCan One Go Without Sinning?
by Bryan Garlock (edited) John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin …” Have you ever considered the phrase, “that you may not sin”? It is true that since the flesh is weak and temptations are many, we stumble and fall from time to time.…
Read MoreDo you think that everything you believe is right?
Question: I have two questions. First off, which version of the Bible do you use and why? Secondly, I am going to tread carefully here so as not to offend you and I mean no offense in asking this but, do you think that everything, every doctrine you believe is right? I think that there…
Read MoreDo the righteous leave this world?
Question: I had a study with someone and this was his explanation of these Scriptures. In I Thessalonians 4:13-17, Verse 13: Paul doesn’t want us to be ignorant concerning where are the dead. That’s the subject. Verse 14: God will bring those that have died back with him. Verse 15: They who are alive and…
Read MoreWhen Was Cornelius Saved?
When Was Cornelius Saved? — His PastWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — A Man of PrayerWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Experienced MiraclesWhen Was Cornelius Saved? — Cornelius Received the Holy SpiritWhen Was Cornelius Saved — We are Saved in the Same Manner by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 11:5-18 I. Sometimes is it useful to…
Read MoreHow to be Truly Happy
by Matthew Allen “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln Are you happy? Truly happy? Have you found the joy that is found in Christian living? Christianity contains the keys to true happiness during our earthly existence. It is only in a relationship with God that…
Read MoreWill We Do Right by Him?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013Spring7WillWeDoRightByHim.mp3 by Lance Blackburn Lessons for Our Time
Read MoreDo Not Grow Weary
by Joel Moore It was 2007 and I was in a very rural part of the southernmost state of Mexico: Chiapas. My dad and I had been in the car all day (or, at least, what seemed like all day), had preached at two churches, and spent time with the Christians in each place. Finally,…
Read MoreWhat does “godliness” mean?
Question: What does “godliness” mean? Answer: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been…
Read MoreLet Us Do Good to All
Let Us Do Good to All – Part 1Let Us Do Good to All – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:1-10 I. What is meant by “doing good”? A. Often we think of giving money to the poor, feeding the hungry, etc. And these are good things. B. But when we read Galatians 6:10,…
Read MoreThe Path I Choose
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/PathIChoose.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 5:19-23 I. In the book of Galatians, Paul has severely chastised the brethren for attempting to bind the Old Law on Christians A. It was a different gospel, not what they were taught – Galatians 1:6-9 B. Paul has stood opposed to such trends – Galatians 2:11-14 C. To live under…
Read MoreHow do I find opportunities to do good?
Question: How do I find opportunities to do righteousness when I’m either at home studying or at college or school studying? I mean I need opportunities to practice Christian skills. Should I ask God to help or should I really sort myself out as a Christian and then scour the streets like a modern-day superhero…
Read MoreHow do we know if we have God’s approval?
Question: We should seek the approval of God and not man. I absolutely agree with this. My question, however, is how do we know if we have God’s approval? Since I became a Christian, I have developed a fear of dying. I fear I’m going to Hades and then hell because I feel I’m not…
Read More