Posts Tagged ‘salvation’
Your Faith Has Made You Well
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/YourFaithHasMadeYouWell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 18:35-43 I. In looking at some of the miracles of Jesus in order to answer a question, I noticed something that I had not seen before A. If you look at the various miracles, you soon realize that faith on the part of the person being healed is not…
Read MoreSalvation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Salvation.mp3 Text: Romans 2:1-11 I. A classic comic skit is to have two people engaged in a conversation. He thinks he is talking about one topic. She thinks the conversation is about an entirely different matter. Yet, the statements said make perfectly good sense to both parties. A. I realized I was having one of those…
Read MoreFrom What Are We Saved?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FromWhatAreWeSaved.mp3 by Gary Wells
Read MoreWill having sex outside of marriage keep me out of heaven?
Question: Hello Minister, My question is regarding sex before marriage. I want to be clear that I know it is against God’s Word to partake in such activities. I am 21 and have been a virgin all my life, avoiding temptations wherever I go. Last week my mates and I drank too much. By the…
Read MoreRemember Lot’s Wife
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RememberLotsWife.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 17:22-37 I. In speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus reminds his disciples of God’s past judgments on the wicked. A. In particular, he warns them not to look back when the time approaches – Luke 17:31 B. To emphasis his point he asks them to remember Lot’s wife -…
Read MoreHealing in His Wings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/HealingInHisWings.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 8:4-22 I. I was reading a letter years ago from someone who tried to introduce false doctrine into the church and then left after they failed. A. The author discussed how pleased she was that these members had left. 1. She said their leaving was a sign of courage 2. That…
Read MoreDid Christ Die in Vain?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/DidChristDieInVain.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I. Most, if not all, of us put hard work into various projects, be it a project at work, the raising of children, or implementing a favorite hobby. A. After hours of hard work, it is devastating to find it destroyed or never used. B. I remembered being asked to add…
Read MoreThe Book of Life
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/BookOfLife.mp3 Text: Exodus 32:15-35 I. There are songs we sing over and over. Perhaps too often because we don’t give enough thought to what we are saying to one another. A. There is a song in our books, number 418, that is titled “Lord, I Care Not for Riches” 1. It expresses what ought to be important in…
Read MoreI am so afraid of losing my salvation that everything is going wrong
Question: Hello, Thank you for the opportunity to write you. I like your site because some of the information is really good and helped me to find out that I have a little bit of religious OCD. Even if my situation was worse, I found out that I am mentally ill. What a great start.…
Read MoreMiraculous Gifts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/MiraculousGifts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I. For decades now many of the traditional denominations have been in decline. A. The more liberal the beliefs, the larger the decline. Those espousing conservative views show growth. But the ones showing strong growth are the charismatic groups B. Name the largest groups in a region, and over half are…
Read MoreHow can all who call on the Lord be saved when Jesus said that not all who call his name will be saved?
Question: Recently someone said they found a contradiction in the New Testament. They said Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 say that all who call in the name of the Lord will be saved. Then Matthew 7:21 says that not all who call upon him will be saved. Then in Acts 2:39, it says that only…
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 MoreWhen Is a Person Lost?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/WhenIsAPersonLost.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jude 3-10 I. I sometimes find myself in a quandary A. I will present the biblical evidence for salvation and then I’ll be asked “Do you think my mother is lost?” B. The first thing that comes to mind is that even Michael would not condemn Satan in Jude 9 1. The…
Read MoreThe Conversion of Saul
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ConversionOfSaulMiller.mp3 by Rob Miller
Read MoreHow can we not be saved by works of righteousness but are saved by baptism?
Question: I know that our faith is justified by works and that the faith of the Bible is obedient faith. Therefore, faith encompasses baptism and it isn’t a meritorious work. However, if we are obedient in our faith wouldn’t it be counted to us as righteousness as it was Abraham? If so, why would Titus…
Read MoreWhy Would God Save Me?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WhyWouldGodSaveMe.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 2:1-7 I. God wants people saved – I Timothy 2:3-4 A. He doesn’t want to see even the wicked destroyed – Ezekiel 33:11 B. Why? 1. You are His child – Acts 17:28-29 2. He made you – Genesis 1:26-27 3. He bought you – I Peter 1:18-19 4. He chose you -…
Read MoreA Pardon Refused
by Steve Hamilton In 1829, two men robbed a United States mail carrier in Pennsylvania. The men were tried on six indictments that included robbery and murder. George Wilson and James Porter were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. However, a petition for pardon was made on George Wilson’s behalf by some of…
Read MoreI broke a promise upon my salvation. Does that mean I can’t be saved?
Question: I made a promise to God on my salvation and broke it. I accepted Jesus back, but did I lose my salvation because I broke my promise? I made my promise in my mind, so I don’t know whether I meant it or not, so please answer if I meant it and did I…
Read MoreWas Cornelius Saved Before Water Baptism?
by Fred B. Walker in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 11, September 1952. One of the strongest arguments that can be made on the theory that one is saved before and without water baptism is based upon the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 in the light of what Jesus taught in Jno. 14:17. This…
Read MoreWill I get to heaven if I continue to struggle against porn?
Question: Good morning, I am writing to tell you I have been struggling watching porn and to masturbate for a long time now. I have a wife, but I still do those types of things. I’ve tried to get away from it all, but I keep going back to all my old ways. I am…
Read MoreCan I be saved after selling my soul?
Question: I read the article about selling your soul. It makes me feel better but I am concerned still. As a child, I was saved. But I signed a contract in blood denouncing Christ forever almost a year ago. I was a dedicated Satanist. I was angry at God for my parents’ behavior (alcoholism and promiscuity).…
Read MoreMy husband is changing, but it seems he is getting away with his sins
Question: I have a complicated question. My husband is a preacher. I cannot possibly tell you our life stories, but suffice it to say that we did not have normal upbringings and both became Christians when we were young adults. The first several years of our marriage were filled with much anger, resentment, abuse, and…
Read MoreThe Gospel
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gospel.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 2:1-11 I. The word “gospel” translates a Greek word that means “good news” A. The gospel is a message that is to be heralded to all the world – Mark 16:15 B. It is a message that brings hope to those who hear it – Colossians 1:23 C. It is a…
Read MoreWhat sends you to hell?
Question: My question is: What sends you to hell? I know that’s a dumb question, but I’ve heard so many different things. I believe in Jesus and that he can save me, but I always have this doubt. I feel Satan has put it there because I’ve never doubted the Lord before. I can’t get…
Read MoreShould I date a man who doesn’t believe baptism is essential to salvation?
Question: Hello, I am so grateful for your advice. Maybe you can help me with something that I have been trying to figure out. I have a friend I met in college last year and remained friends after I moved with my family about three hours away. We talked about God and life and what…
Read MoreIs salvation is a state or process?
Question: Is salvation is a state or process? Because I do struggle with sin pretty badly! Answer: Salvation is a state. “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21). But it is…
Read MoreI don’t know what else to do. If my boyfriend doesn’t come back, I think I will kill myself
Question: I am 22 years and am a final year college student. I don’t know much about this site and when I googled I got this link. I am writing this email seeking help. First I am a Hindu, but I believe in Christ. I want something that convinces me and makes me believe that…
Read MoreGod’s Plan for His People
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014Fall3GodsPlanForHisPeople.mp3 by Mike Waters The Good Life
Read MoreAfter accepting Christ, do you have to be baptized to get to the next level in heaven?
Question: After accepting Christ, do you have to be baptized to get to the next level in heaven? Answer: First, there is no mention of different levels in heaven in the Bible. There is some indication that what each person has in heaven may not be exactly the same. See: Are there degrees of rewards and…
Read MoreI don’t know if my feelings were genuine when I received Christ
Question: You may not know me, but I have seen what you wrote and you seem wise. I ask that you give me a genuine answer. Here goes pouring out my heart’s doubts: I am not sure that I have received Christ. I don’t know if my feeling was genuine and God was touching me,…
Read MoreWould God condemn every member of the church whose candlestick was removed?
Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, Is there a point in time when a church has become so disobedient to the commands of the Lord they are considered “apostate” and rejected by God? And would this mean that all members in that church are condemned, even though they may not even believe all the teachings presented by…
Read MoreNotes on Works
We are not saved by the things that we do. God’s grace saves us and not works in which we could boast – Ephesians 2:8-9 Works of the Old Testament Law cannot save, by themselves, because the Law brings the knowledge of sin – Romans 3:20 We are justified by faith apart from works of…
Read MoreWhat happens if I die before I am baptized?
Question: I recently turned my life to God. I’m on your website all the time learning what things to do and not do. I’m also reading the Bible. I don’t know everything in the Bible, so I’m currently educating myself. I’ve come to be a bit confused since I have a hard time understanding many…
Read MoreCan you be saved on your death bed?
Question: I have a question! Can you be saved on your death bed? I know you must be baptized, and I’m trying to teach my aunt. She said that you don’t have to be baptized and that her grandad was saved on his death bed but was not baptized! Is that OK? If you can’t…
Read MoreIs justification through faith? Is a sinner forgiven when he prays?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I was reading your article on the NIV and I found it very informative! I just want to start off by saying thank you I had no idea there were a few discrepancies I needed to be aware of. With regards to this, I had a question. I completely agree with the point…
Read MoreIs Salvation Assured?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IsSalvationAssured.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 2:15-25 I. During the Reformation, a man named John Calvin came up with a system of belief that has impacted a large portion of the denominational world. A. The ideas were not original with Calvin. He based his work on many that preceded him. B. What Calvin did was…
Read MoreWhat can I do to find joy in Christ?
Question: Hi, I’m a young, desperate man (I am 15 years old). In my country most people are Catholic. I hold Protestant views and even though my father visits the Catholic service, I go to the Protestant service on Sunday. Since I have been saved last fall, there is a lot of struggle going on…
Read MoreDo I have to be perfect to go to heaven?
Question: So in order to go to heaven, I must not commit sin or else have repented of all sins I have committed. But doesn’t this require perfect behavior and a perfect understanding of the Scriptures? Where is freedom and liberty in this? Where is there room for growth in this? How is this not…
Read MoreSalvation by Grace
by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 12, October, 1952. In Titus 2:11-13 we read: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and…
Read MoreThe Scheme of Redemption in Prophecy
by Bryan Vinson via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, Nos. 2,3,4,5. The Almighty in purposing the redemption of man not only gave expression to that purpose in the form of a promise but subsequently enlarged on it in the form of prophecy. A substantial and highly instructive portion of the Old Testament Scriptures is devoted to this…
Read More