Did David Only Sin One Time?

“Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (I Kings 15:5 KJV). First, in the matter of Uriah the Hittite, David thought about covering…

Read More

All Past, Present, and Future Sins?

by Terry Wane Benton I don’t know how many times I have heard preachers when talking about getting full forgiveness of sins, say, “That means all past, present, and future sins are forgiven at the cross.” Let us study the scriptures on this matter. The Bible does not say or imply that all past sins,…

Read More

Was I truly born again?

Question: Hello, I had a question regarding baptism. I was baptized a few years ago when I was around 20 years old; however, I struggled with sexual immorality and lust with my girlfriend for a long time. Eventually, we got married. After this, I started to think baptism wasn’t necessary for the forgiveness of sins,…

Read More

Do you have to figure out all your sins before becoming a Christian?

Question: I have a few questions. If you don’t mind. Do you have to figure out all your sins right away, or is this a lifelong process of seeing sin and repenting? I read What Repentance Is Not. It gave the example of someone who quit drinking because it was affecting their health. My question…

Read More

Sin and God’s Glory

by Doy Moyer The problem of sin is sometimes difficult to assess because of our perspective. We see what we consider a “small” sin and then react strongly when the punishment does not seem to fit the crime. Because we tend to minimize the sin, we may under-appreciate the consequences. Some will then think badly…

Read More

Uncleanness

Uncleanness (Part 1)Uncleanness – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:1-8   I.         Under the Old Testament, there are a series of rules dealing with unclean things             A.        I am finding that people are condemning as unclean things that God never mentioned.             B.        The rules confuse people, mostly because they do not understand what uncleanness was…

Read More

Why Blood?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Why-Blood.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Hebrews 9:15-22   I.         Let’s look at Hebrews 9:22             A.        Have you considered, “Why blood?”                         1.         If I wanted to clean something, blood is not the first thing that I would think of using. Blood stains are often difficult to remove.             B.        How is it that remission of sin requires the…

Read More

God’s Remedy for Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Gods-Remedy-for-Sin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 58:1-11   I.         In our Scripture reading, God has Isaiah loudly proclaim the sins of His people.             A.        A fact that surprises the Israelites.                         1.         They delight in knowing God. They consider themselves righteous and followers of God’s Word.                         2.         They delight in the nearest of God, but God doesn’t…

Read More

Why Israel Fell

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-Israel-Fell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 9:1-7   I.         The prophet Isaiah told the people that the Messiah was coming.             A.        He would bring righteousness to all the nations and remove the burdens of sin             B.        He would establish a new government, one that would last forever             C.        The people of Israel foolishly thought that the…

Read More

Living with the Consequences of Bad Decisions

by Zeke Flores How terrible it is to live with the consequences of terrible decisions. Israel was having to do just that. Though God warned them about their idolatry, they didn’t listen. Though God told them that their exploitation of the poor and needy was evil, they didn’t listen. Though God said to them that…

Read More

Feeling Guilt

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Feeling-Guilt.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio

Read More

Tampering with Sin

by Jefferson David Tant The story is told of a man in Rockwood, Tennessee, many years ago. Wilkie was a bricklayer, and one day, he caught a black snake and tamed it so that it would coil about his neck as he walked up and down the streets of his town. He then became bolder…

Read More

Out of This World

by Zeke Flores Getting ourselves out of the world is hard. Getting the world out of us is harder. “O Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares Yahweh, “For I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a full…

Read More

My Sin Is Always Before Me

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/My-Sin-Is-Always-Before-Me.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 9   I.         God is Holy, but we fall short             A.        Sin is a not a part of the nature of God – I John 1:5             B.        To be in fellowship with God, we also must without sin – I John 1:6-7                         1.         But notice that God is not expecting…

Read More

Freedom?

by Zeke Flores One problem with sin, and there are many, is that it promises a freedom it can never deliver. Sin paints submission to God as a form of bondage that hinders us, traps us, and keeps us down. In reality, it’s the false promise of independence from God that is the harsh slavery.…

Read More

Redemption

by Terry Wane Benton To the common man, “redemption” is seldom used in his daily vocabulary. To someone captivated and addicted or held in slavery, it means someone is going to pay the price to get them out from under their miserable burden and give them a new start. To them, it is a word…

Read More

The Wrath of God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Wrath-of-God.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 10:26-31   I.         Romans 1:18 warn of the wrath of God being revealed. How is His wrath revealed? II.        God directly takes action             A.        God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in His wrath – Deuteronomy 29:23             B.        When people grumbled against Moses, God sent a plague – Numbers 16:42-46 III.       God allows…

Read More

Broken Jars, Broken Lives

by Zeke Flores Jeremiah had been to the potter’s house. In Jeremiah 18, he saw the craftsmanship the potter exercised in creating and then reshaping his work. I’m sure he saw the pleasure in the artisan’s face as the vessel took the shape he intended. In chapter 19, the persecuted prophet is told to buy…

Read More

Receiving the Grace of God in Vain

by Terry Wane Benton Have you thought about the fact that you could have received the grace of God in vain? That is a very real possibility. How can we receive it in vain? “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (II…

Read More

Manasseh’s Mess

by Zeke Flores Manasseh has the dubious distinction of being Judah’s longest-reigning king, 55 years after assuming the throne at the tender age of 12, and its worst, most wicked king. His father, Hezekiah, instituted many religious reforms that ignited a spiritual revival throughout the kingdom. His son Manasseh undid it all. In fact, not…

Read More

The Solution for Sins

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 Sin was a big problem in the church at Corinth. It is a big problem worldwide and throughout all time. But Jesus offers a solution to sin: Washed Sanctified Justified Cleansed Set apart for a holy purpose Made right before the law   Justified When we sin,…

Read More

Convict the World of Sin

by Terry Wane Benton The Holy Spirit used the revelation He gave to Peter to “convict the world of sin” (John 16:8; Acts 2:22-37). When they heard the convicting truth, they felt a need to be saved. Without telling the world of sin, no one feels a need to be saved. Everyone thinks they are…

Read More

Wrong Is Always Wrong

by Richard Thetford In a period of loose and sagging morals, Satan provides many rationalizations for improper behavior. Those who would live faithful Christian lives must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. Paul said, “…Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Wrong is always wrong despite our…

Read More

The Direction of Your Life

The Direction of Your Life – Part 1The Direction of Your Life by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 6:19-24   I.         Whenever I taught someone to drive, I was reminded that people have a tendency to go in the direction they are looking.             A.        When a person first learns to drive, they tend to look at things…

Read More

They Weigh Too Much for Me

by Jefferson David Tant Have you ever heard of Samuel Plimsoll? He was a member of the British Parliament back in the 1860s and 1870s. During this time there were some serious problems in the shipping industry. Numerous ships carrying loads of cargo were sinking in the ocean when they encountered severe storms. Plimsoll took…

Read More

Why People Reject Christ

by Jefferson David Tant We live in a nation today that is becoming less and less “religious,” which includes an increasing number of those who reject Christ, as they may believe he is a myth, or if a real person, certainly not a divine being. Let us examine what may be behind what is happening…

Read More

Were we created to die?

Question: Your website is a huge blessing! Thank you for all the work you do to keep it up. My question is, why do babies die if they are born without sin? I recently heard a debate between a gospel preacher and a Primitive Baptist, and this question was brought up. The response from the…

Read More

The Blood of Christ

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/The-Blood-of-Christ.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 1:18-21   I.         The blood of Christ is strongly connected with the concept of salvation from sin.             A.        It has been in the plan of God that Christ should die for mankind                         1.         Isaiah 53:5 – He was wounded for our transgressions.                         2.         Zechariah 13:1 – A fountain opened for sin…

Read More

Does having a dream involving sin mean we have sinned?

Question: I am a member of the church. Lately, my soul has been in spiritual turmoil, and I could hardly find the strength to do anything but try to pray and study. I recently opened up to my husband about why, and I started to feel better after I opened up to him. However, I…

Read More

Why Death?

by Doy Moyer Why is death a consequence of sin? Because sin is a direct affront to the glory of the God of life. When we reject God, we reject life. Death is what’s left. We cannot turn our backs on life and expect to live. Why did Christ come to die? He died for…

Read More

Was Jesus Literally Forsaken?

by Doy Moyer Did the Father literally forsake Jesus at the cross? The Aramaic phrase spoken by Jesus on the cross, translated as “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” is often taken to mean just that (Matthew 27:46). Generally, the idea is that since Jesus was made to be sin on our…

Read More

I Have a Closed Mind

by Fanning Yater Tant, Vanguard Magazine, January 25, 1979 This editorial is being written on my birthday (December 30). I have now attained my three score and ten, and have reached a point in life where I am neither ashamed nor afraid to say some things which would have been ranked heresy at a younger…

Read More

What the Bible Says About Hell

by Gary W. Summers From the 2012 Bellview Lectureship, Pensacola, Florida, What the Bible Says About, Ed. Michael Hatcher “If there is a God who will damn his children forever, I would rather go to hell than to go to heaven and keep the society of such an infamous tyrant. I make my choice now.…

Read More

Beware – Hungry Lions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Beware-Hungry-Lions.mp3 by Joe Greer Lessons to Build Your Faith

Read More

Beginning to Sink

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Beginning-to-Sink.mp3 by Joe Greer Lessons to Build Your Faith

Read More

The 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 More

Why the Violence?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Why-the-Violence.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 140   I.         Another act of violence, and people naturally want to know why. Why is this happening? What can we do to prevent it? How can we feel safer?             A.        People grasp at simple solutions and quick fixes that really don’t fix anything and often are not even relate…

Read More

What is meant by “Christ died for our sins?”

Question: The Bible says that Christ died for our sins. Does this mean that he died for the forgiveness of our sins? Answer: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3). The English word “for” is used…

Read More

It seems impossible to abstain from all evil

Question: I think about the verse ‘Abstain from all evil.’ I feel it’s impossible, and I can’t even try to be perfect. Does it sound like I don’t have enough faith? Answer: What frequently happens is that people hear a verse but subtly change it in their memory. I Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “But examine everything…

Read More