Posts Tagged ‘sin’
Letting Go of Sin
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 3:1-14 I. “Will God forgive me?” A. It is a question that I have been getting over and over again. B. People of all ages from teens to adults caught up in sin and now that they realize the error of their past and turn from it, they wonder if…
Read MoreWhere in the Bible does it say we inherit the nature to sin?
Question: Where in the Bible does it say that we only inherit the nature to sin and not the original sin? Answer: Don’t you just love questions that want you to choose between two possibilities, but neither one is correct? The concept of man inheriting the original sin of Adam was espoused every early on…
Read MoreCan small children commit morally wrong acts?
Question: Can small children actually commit morally wrong acts? Answer: It depends on the age and ability of the child, but in general, the answer is, unfortunately, “yes.” There are cases mentioned in the paper of children as young as eight or ten committing murder with guns. “They cited the example of Nathaniel Abrahams, a…
Read MoreHow can I make sure I’m not doing anything wrong?
Question: I think I feel a lot better after our discussion and it’s appreciated. Any other advice you can give is appreciated. I just want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. I try every day to live like Jesus, but like probably everyone else I find it extremely difficult. Answer: I’m going to ask…
Read MoreHow do I stop repeating sins?
Question: I have been struggling with my past and with sins that I seem to repeat. I know that Jesus died and is forgiving of sins when we repent. My problem is that I was baptized and then slipped into a path of sin and lust. I truly want Jesus to be in control of…
Read MoreWhat is the punishment for the unrepentant sinner on Judgment Day?
Question: I wanted to write and ask you what you teach the punishment for sin is for unrepentant sinners at the final Judgement. Answer: “… and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who…
Read MoreHow do you distinguish between sin and areas for growth?
Question: Thank you for your reply. That was helpful. I agree we need to be mindful of differing levels of maturity. The crux of the matter comes down to this: (maturity issues aside) when is sin involved? Let me frame this issue another way: the brother in Romans 14 who abstains from all meat does…
Read MoreHow do I keep focused and not be tempted and fall?
Question: I realize that this world is not for us. What advice could you give to help me to be focused and not allow the things of this world to tempt me and cause me to fall? Question: This is a vast topic that is explored in many aspects within the Bible. I won’t be…
Read MoreUnplanned Consequences
by Ethan R. Longhenry The girl heard the news and began to sob. She could feel all of her dreams and expectations for life changed on account of the unplanned consequences of her fornication. When the drunk finally regained consciousness and the news of his actions and upcoming trial were brought to him, he was…
Read MoreThere’s too much to learn. How can you not sin?
Question: In my frustrated life, I began to search for answers and clues and anything that could lead me to answer what on earth am I here for and found your website. I found it insightful and thought-provoking. My question to you is how can you be sure to know God’s plan for your life…
Read MoreWhat can be done for a man who continually falls back into sin?
Question: I have another question that relates to a brother who is dealing with some personal issues. Basically, he is a good brother who is ambitious and devoted to the church. However, he has gone through a lot and is continually fighting the temptation of allowing the old man to return, especially when negative situations…
Read MoreBarabbas – A Prisoner Set Free
by Kent Heaton The scene was chaos as the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” The subject of their wrath was not for a murderer but a man “who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Their cries for death were not given for one who had been an insurrectionist but to a man who healed…
Read MoreRemember the Duck
Author Unknown There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back inside for lunch. As he was walking back, he saw his grandmother’s pet…
Read MorePresumptuous Sins
by Carey Scott Take a few minutes to read Psalm 19. Our focus will be on verse 13: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” To presume something is to have our minds…
Read MoreThe Point of No Return
by Tom Wacaster A plane, flying across the ocean, will eventually reach the “point of no return.” It is a real and definite point, beyond which it is better, in case of mechanical problems, to proceed than to attempt a return to the origination point. In the mind of the pilot, it is impossible to…
Read MorePeople Change
by Donnie V. Rader via Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 6-7, October 3, 1996 When General Motors came out with the new aerodynamic style Chevy Caprice (1990) I said that I would never have one of those “ugly” things. When cellular phones started getting popular, I thought it was dumb to carry your phone with…
Read MoreThe Book of Lamentations
by Philip North This book, believed to be written by the prophet Jeremiah between 586 and 585 B.C., is centered around the aftermath of the first destruction of Jerusalem, due to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jeremiah had prophesied of Jerusalem’s destruction for forty years before it finally took place. Since Jeremiah is known as “the…
Read MoreA Popular Sport – Unfortunately
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Judges 16:23-30 I. In our text, the Philistine lords and ladies were getting their jollies from having a captured enemy “amuse” them. A. Exactly what Samson was doing, we don’t know B. But here was a man whom they had gouged out his eyes and used as an ox to run a…
Read MoreA Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton A. Eph. 4:17 – Don’t walk like the Gentiles do, in the vainity of their minds. B. They have their own teachers telling them that everything is fine – Jer. 23:7 C. A carnal, or wordly, mind is at odds with God’s purpose – Rom. 8:7
Read MoreThe Disease of Sin and Its Cures
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Ever since Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, sin has been a big problem for mankind. A. We just can’t seem to get away from it. You could almost look at it as a disease — a spiritual disease of the heart. B. Like any disease, it has characteristics which allow…
Read MoreDoes the command to “forsake not the assembling of ourselves together” apply only to Sunday worship?
Question: In our Bible study at church, the statement was made that if elders schedule a meeting, then it would be a sin for one to ‘forsake the assembly” if one could have attended. I feel that a person should attend, for it is a benefit to study and learn of one’s duty to God…
Read MoreThe Nature of Sin, Temptation, and Lust
I. The pathway to death – James 1:13-16 (handout) A. Desire 1. Each of us is born with a normal, natural set of desires. 2. Those desires are the consequences of the operation of our bodies. a. What is the purpose of thirst? Hunger? b. Does sexual desire have a purpose? B. Temptation 1. Satan tries to place us in situations where it…
Read MoreDid Lot’s wife go to heaven or hell?
Question: Did Lot’s wife go to heaven or hell for her sin of looking back? Answer: “When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took…
Read MoreIsn’t there at least one sin worse than other sins?
Question: You said that sin is sin in the eyes of God, but Mark 3:22-30 says there is an unforgivable sin. Isn’t that a sin worse than forgivable sins? Answer: “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the…
Read MoreLove Is … (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In learning the craft of needlepoint, a person will sometimes work on a sampler. The sampler typically features a notable quotation and a variety of images and scrollwork to showcase the different stitches mastered. Bible verses are often selected for the basic text, and one of the most popular selections is…
Read MoreIs divorce a sin?
Question: I have been a Christian and a member of the church for ten years. I have been studying and I have some Bible questions: In Matthew 19:18 Jesus gives direct commands concerning murder, adultery, stealing and giving false testimony. Since Jesus gives us a direct command not to do these things, then failing to follow those…
Read MoreWhy isn’t more time spent on spreading the golden rule?
Question: Yes, I did generalize your views when I inferred that the church goes after sins of the “flesh” and homophobic is one of the words I used to describe your stance. After reading your response it turned out that I was right in your case. It seems that the church (I know that’s a…
Read MoreWhat are the consequences of sin?
Question: What are the consequences of sin? Answer: Whenever we sin, there are consequences that come as a result of sin. Some of those consequences are spiritual and some are physical. When Adam and Eve sinned they experienced both physical and spiritual consequences (Genesis 3). The first result of their sin was their awareness of…
Read MoreChanging the Label Makes Sin More Dangerous
Author Unknown One of America’s great needs is to recognize sin for what it is. We are too prone to explain it away, or to soften its horrors. Wilbur Chapman tells of a distinguished minister who preached on sin, and one of the leading members came to talk to him in his study. He said…
Read MoreWhat is Salvation?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 51 I. The question seems almost ridiculously trivial, but in the years that I have talked with people about their salvation, I’ve come to realize that some of the misinformation out there is rooted in the fact that people don’t know what they are talking about. A. There is a…
Read MoreA Sin Leading to Death (Sermon)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. I John 5:16-17 A. Some sins lead to death, but others do not B. We should pray for those who sin which does not lead to death. C. We are not to pray for those whose sin leads to death II. How do we tell which sin leads to death? A. Which kind of death? 1. Physical…
Read MoreSin in Action
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. I’ve been telling my wife that clearly I need to lose some weight. A. Teasingly I’ve pointed out that the concerns of the last few weeks have some benefit, I’ve lost my appetite and dropped a few pounds. B. Perhaps I can keep that going. I’ve heard: 1. If you eat something and no…
Read MoreCan you sin after receiving the Holy Spirit?
Question: Can you sin after receiving the Holy Spirit? Answer: Peter received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, along with the other disciples (Acts 2:4, 14). He, along with John, was able to pass on the gifts of the Spirit to others (Acts 8:14-15). Yet, he was rebuked for sinning by Paul. “Now when…
Read MoreLight and Dark
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/08/LightAndDark.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 13:8-14 I. If you look at the religious philosophies prevalent in the world today, you will quickly find that most see the world divided into two camps: good versus evil A. It is argued that good and evil balance each other. B. Some take it a step further to say…
Read MoreWhat proof is there that Mary was born without sin?
Question: What proof is there that Mary was born without sin? Answer: Every person in the world is born without sin. Catholicism and most forms of Protestantism teach that Adam and Eve’s fall brought sin into the world and that sin is passed down from generation to generation. This causes them a bit of difficulty.…
Read MoreAiding and Abetting
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Did you know that holding coats could be a sin? A. Saul held the coats of those who stoned Stephen – Acts 7:57, Acts 22:20 B. He never threw a stone, and yet he was guilty of that death C. He approved of what the others were doing, showing it by helping. II. You don’t…
Read MoreThe Nature of Law (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In our fantasies, it is sometimes appealing to wonder what it would be like to live in a place without any laws, where a person is free to do whatever he pleases. Laws can be irritating at times; do this, don’t do that, and, of course, we never get them right.…
Read MoreWhy is sex a sin?
Question: Why is sex a sin? Answer: The short answer to your question is that sex is not a sin, but it can become a sin in certain situations. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). The Greek word koite is translated as “the bed” in…
Read MoreWhere was God’s protection for those caught in the September 11th tragedy?
Question: I recently read a piece lauding the blessings of the people who were supposed to be at the World Trade Center the morning of September 11, 2002, but in small ways, they were detained by the mishaps of life, faulty alarms, children dallying, traffic, etc. These people were saying how good and protective God…
Read MoreA Sin Leading to Death (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness…
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